Every summer Kazimierz hosts the Jewish Culture Festival that
celebrates traditional and modern Jewish culture through concerts,
films, workshops and exhibitions. This year’s festival is the 19th
installment and of course is the biggest and best so far and starts on
June 27th and lasts until July 5th.  Every day is filled with all
kinds of events and activities but the real highlights are the
concerts that happen on every corner and any time of day.   Paul Brody
and Danial Kahn will be leading the Alchemia Klezmer jams which go on
through out the festival and stretch late into the night. One of the
biggest artists taking the ul. Szeroka main stage are Balkan Beat Box.
They are a uniqe project and fuse the musical styles of Jewish
klezmer, Mediterranean and Balkan traditions with hip-hop and
dancehall beats.  Other notable acts at this year’s festival are
Krakow’s own Kroke, Emil Zrihan Ensemble (Izrael), Fretwork (UK), Kobi
Israelite Ensemble (USA) and many others.  For a full list of events
and concerts check out  www.jewishfestival.pl. This is the biggest
festival of Jewish Culture in all of Europe and also one of the
biggest parties in Krakow. Don’t miss it.

27 June - 5 July
Kazimierz

— Many thanks to Thymn Chase for text. -–

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Marillion’s massive popularity in Poland certainly plays a big part in
the bands continued existence.  This certainly hasn’t been lost on
vocalist and frontman Steve Hogarth who is bringing his latest solo
tour to Poland.  H Natural is Hogarth’s solo project and it consists
of Steve on Piano pouring his heart out and playing a mix of songs
from his career as a solo artist and of course from Marillion and
earlier bands. Another element of H Natural is that Steve tells
stories about the songs and also gives anecdotes from his many years
on the road.  The concert will be intimate and relaxed which may be a
surprise for you hardcore Marillion fans out there. One of the other
unique  aspects of Marillion that has helped them build and maintain
their legions of loyal fans is their innovative website and direct
online interaction. In keeping with this tradition, H Natural is
recording every show of the tour and posting them on its website -
www.h-tunes.com - for free download.  So if you come to the concert…
don’t yell anything you might regret;)

20 June

Rotunda
Oleandry 1
start: 20.00
entry (advance):  130 PLN

— Many thanks to Thymn Chase for text. -–

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When was the last time you saw an ambient drone post rock doom metal
band… you can stop thinking because the answer is probably never.
Meet Canadian group Nadja; Aidan Baker (guitars / vocals / piano /

— Many thanks to Thymn Chase for text. -–

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Art Boom Festival in Krakow seems to be a Contemporary Art festival
built on philosophy and ambition.  The organizers have laid down a
clear mission statement that they want to change the perception of
Krakow as a conservative backwater in the Art world and move the city
forward in its acceptance and promotion of Modern Art.  Also, by
placing artworks in urban and public spaces they want to transform the
city’s stodgy relationship with contemporary art… ballsy! Throughout
June the festival will present the series of separate artistic events
each one involving different aspects and mediums of the Visual Arts.
The scope of the festival is aimed at reaching both the general public
as well as “professionals” - artists, curators, critics and art
theorists. Some of the different mediums to be presented will be:
painting, installation, objects, video, performance, not to mention
community art. The festival will be a platform for promising young
talents as well as well known figures and artists.  Keep an eye on
www.artboomfestival.pl for complete schedule of events and
exhibitions. BOOM!

12-22 June

— Many thanks to Thymn Chase for text. -–

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Latin Rock, as a genre, is not really a genre, but one of those ones
that was made up by some music journalist because he didn’t know what
else to call the music.  Like “World Music” latin rock is a blanket
term that is used from any bands south of Texas or that have a Conga
player.  With that said, Tito & Tarantula are most certainly a Latin
Rock band and may indeed have been the band that inspired the genre.
The band was started by Tito Larriva who was born in Ciudad Juárez,
Mexico but ended up travelling around up rambling around the states
living in Alaska, Texas and eventually washing up on the shores of Los
Angeles.  Larriva formed several fairly successful bands (Plugz,
Cruzados) in the 80s.  Tito & Tarantula was actually started as a jam
party band for his LA friends and the layed back atmosphere allowed
the band to deeply explore Latin rock textures and rhythms.  Timing is
everything in music and one day Robert ROdriguez stumbled upon the
group and almost immediately invited Tito to be part of Desperado, as
an actor and musician. The group ended up having 3 songs on the films
soundtrack including the crossover hit “After Dark”.  The group was
also invited by Rodriguez to be part of his next film “From Dusk till
Dawn”.  The exposure both films gave the band launched their career
into high gear and they have been recording and touring on this
initial succes ever since.  Although they have undergone many
personnel changes, Larriva is the heart, soul, voice of the band. You
could say he’s the Tito, and the tarantula.

12 june, start at 20:00

Rotunda

Oleandry 1
start: 20.00

— Many thanks to Thymn Chase for text. -–

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It is rather remarkable how quickly Krakow has transformed itself into
a modern Music Festival metropilis in the last few years. Of course
the city has always been a bustling hub of cultural festivals and
indeed many world famous artists pass through the city every year
(thank you Celin), however International Pop Rock and Alternative
Music Festivals - the ones where people travel great distances to come
to - have only showed up in the last 5 years. The eclectic and
experimental Unsound started to get things going, then the uber
comercial Coke Live showed up, then the Screen Festival tried to make
some noise… and now the almighty Selector Contemporary Music and
Multimedia Festival will take over the Blonia the first weekend in
June.

When Alter Art (same people that organize Coke Live and Open’er btw)
announced the list of headliners for the Selector festival in March,
shockwaves were sent throughoutt the indie rock and dance world in
Poland. None other than the smarmy scotsmen Franz Ferdinand will be
headlining things have have more danceable guitar anthems then any
other band playing today. Other headliners include Orbital (legendary
British electronica), Röyksopp (swedish downtempo), CSS (brazilian
electronic indie) , Fischerspooner, Dizzee Rascal (Britsih Hip Hop)
and New Young Pony Club (UK indie electro) . The profile of the
festival is certainly a bit of a niche and the organizers mission
statement is to “mainly focus on electronic and dance acts, but
dancefloor friendly rock acts”. With a lineup like this, the festival
is bound to turn into one of the biggest danceparties Kraktown has
ever seen.

With the late cancellation of the Cracow Screen Festival, news of the
Selector Festival was even more timely. This is indeed a huge
undertaking and Alter Art is hoping that it will become the official
start of Festival Season in Poland…. we’ll see I suppose, and I’ll
see you on the Błonia. Take Me OUT!

5-6 June
Błonia
entry: 135 PLN (one day) 200 PLN (two day)

www.selectorfestival.pl

— Many thanks to Thymn Chase for text. –

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Concert; Pit er Pat (US, Thrill Jockey)

Pit Er Pat is not your typical indie band and they don’t play typical indie music.  In fact the band doesn’t truly fit into any genre which is usually a good starting point for any music worth listening to.  The group is made up of Fay Davis-Jeffers (vocals, piano, guitar, kalimba), Rob Doran (bass, vocals, guitar, electronics) and Butchy Fuego (drums, vocals, percussion, electronics/programming) and they see themselves as more modern musicians playing modern music. Their musical focus remains firmly grounded in rhythm, while incorporating a strong sense of melody and harmony to dance above the complex rhythms and to stretch the layers to lofty heights.  The group has only been together since 2004 but has already released 3 records and 2 EPs for Thrill Jockey (NYC) which is one of the most progressive and interesting independent labels in the states featuring other groups such as Tortoise, The Sea and Cake, Trans Am, Mouse on Mars and David Byrne. Unlike other labels they encourage their artists to push the envelope and push the boundaries of their art rather than conform to any preconcieved notions of pop or rock formats.  Pit er Pat have taken that freedom and run with it.  Don’t miss this unique concert experience in Krakow’s most intimate stage.

Where: Alchemia, ul. Estery; 5 start: 20:00 entrance: 20 PLN

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>>Concert; Planet L.U.C.

All rise ye lovers of Silesian Hip Hop! Wroclaw’s L.U.C. is rolling into Studio with something to prove.  For those of you not in the know, L.U.C. is the front-man and MC for experimental jazz/hip hop/trip hop collective Kanał Audytywny.  He is a consummate innovator and as a solo artisst he has taken some of his experimental ideas and sound scapes to the edge of their aesthetic boundaries.  He has a very unique and highly evolved lyrical style that at manages to stand out on its own and meld fluidly into his music. One can say that on the spectrem of Polish Hip Hop he has a similar vision and sound to Mr. Fisz and Sir Emade.  Supporting L.U.C. and his crazy crew will be newcomes Mango Collective who hail from mighty Tarnow.  They are more of an organic hip hop squad and have live musicians (keys, violin, guitar, drums etc.) instead of DJ’s as their backup band.  Swing into Studio to catch some hip grooves and hoppin moves.
Where:  Klub Studio; Budryka 4; start: 20.00; tickets 20 PLN/ 29 PLN

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>>Concert; Kaze (USA) and Returners - In Blanco

Straight out of the NOrth Carolina dirty south USA comes Kaze.  He is a fierce MC who is steeped in the traditions and styles of Hip Hop innovators such as Run-DMC, Snoop Dog, and Wu-Tang Clan. Kaze has come to prominence since his debut album in 2003 entitled the spirit of ‘93 which was a tribute to classic Hip Hop.  Unlike other of his contemporaries who rap mostly about drugs, bitches and bling, Kaze has a more positive if not politically conscious message.  He is also a tested mic battle champion and tours the South of the US often.  This is his first trip to Poland and he will certainly light up In Blanco with help of Polish DJ team the Returners.
This is one of the rare chances to see what underground American Hip Hop is all about.

Where: In Blanco ; Jagiellońska 6; start: 20.00

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>>Film Festival; 6th Planete Doc Review

One of the single largest unifying cinamatic events will take place the weekend of May 8-10.  In 22 different cities accross Poland 1,000s of people will watch the exact same documentary films at the exact same time.  This is not an elaborately coordinated gimic however because WE the people will collectively decide which films are awarded some sort of metal or plastic trophy… The films to be viewed are all Documentaries from different countries that have all recieved some sort of award in the past year or two. If you are a film buff and especially enjoy documentaries you won’t want to miss any of this year’s films because they are the absolute cream of the crop (Sundance, Berlinale, Venice, Toronto Award Winners etc.).  All screenings will take place in Kino Pod Baranami. As part of the festival there will also be a special meetings in 10 cities (Krakow included) on Saturday May 9th at 19:30.  There will be actual debates about the film  Wiek głupoty (Franny Armstrong) which raises questions about environmental politics and societies role in taking care of the planet.  This festival is a truly landmark event in Polish Cinema and a great chance to tap into the elusive collective consciousness… Check out the full schedule on www.docreview.pl

Where: Kino Pod Baranami; Rynek Główny 27

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>>Concert; Dubstep Ahead! - Rob Sparx (UK)

In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock for the last couple of years and you don’t know what Dubstep is, all you need to know is that it is the greatest genre of music that has ever existed and you will not only love it but you will worship it… Ok so I’m exaggerating, you got me, but this is what you might think if you read articles about the genre in the last couple years.  So why all the hype? Well if you don’t know then Dubstep Ahead at Krzystofory is your chance to get educated. None other than the uber talented Mr. Rob Sparx will be working his magic on the turntables.

Rob is one of those rare breeds in club music because not only is he a talented DJ and producer but he is also a multi instrumentalist (bass, guitar, keys) and he often integrates his playing into his live sets. He has been in the dubstep game from the very begining (all of 5 years ago) and before that was deep into dub steps precursors grime, dnb and bassline house.  He has worked with some of the biggest names in Dubstep including Zane Lowe, Joe Ransom (Kiss FM), Skream and Benga (both of whom paid a trip to Krak last year for the Unsound festival).  Supporting Mr. Sparx are Polish up and coming Dubsteppers GRABADUB / Dubside Show (Poznań) ANIOU / Dubside Show (Poznań) and Krakow’s own DUBSEED / Dub Chanters.

If you’re still confused as to what dubstep is or isn’t (largely instrumental electronic music characterized by a half time 2 step feel, rollicking subbass and sparse arrangements) drop in to KRzysztofory and have your mind blown.
Where: Krzysztofory;  ul. Szczepańska 2; Start: 21.00; Tickets 15PLN

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>>Concert, Student’s festiwal; Alternative Music on Juwenalia

The hedonous end of the semester drunkfest that is Juwenalia for many years has been incredibly predictable.  The same pop stars, same bands, the same, the same hangovers with just the student population changing slightly from year to year.  Well… things have changed a bit.  From last year the people that bring you the Niepokorni series in Zaczek have developed an alternative program for those of you out there looking for something different, perhaps strange, maybe even new during the Juwe festivities.  Juwe-Niepokorni 2009 will feature Dick 4 Dick, Pustki, New Century Classics, and Please the Trees.  For anyone in the know about alternative music scene, this is a suptuos meal of alternative bands spanning all kinds of genres, nationalities and styles.  Dick 4 Dick will bring the crazy electro pageantry; Pustki will bring the elaborately delicate and beautifully raw indie rock; NCC will unload a boatload of orchestral and intricate post-rock; Please the Trees comes straight out of the Czech forest and rocks the alt country and modern rock.  Newcomers Pchełki and The Recycling Center will also be featured and show the crowd what the next generation thinks about Alternative music.  So if you’re gonna drink beer out of a plastic cup for 5 days why night do it at the most interesting and inovative concert of Juwe 2009.

Where: Open Stage at Klub Żaczek ; Al. 3 Maja 5

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>>Concert; Jazzanova

German DJ’s and Producers playing acid jazz, soul & broken beat. Sounds alright yeah? You better believe it!  These cats have been packing dance floors like nobody’s business for the last decade and have created a trademark style that many DJ’s the world over try and imitate. Hot beats. Frequent Jazzanova collaborator Clara Hill will also perform in Pauza and will handily fill the roll of acid Jazz Diva for the night. Supporting will be joined by up and coming british b-boy Ben Westbeech. Ben has been dabbling in modern Hip Hop and soul despite being a classically trained celloist. The whole concert will be VJ’ed by local lighting jedi - Temporary Space Design. These ambience gurus are certain to set the right chilled out but bumpin soul vibe.  So come down to Pauza and dig some deep cuts. Jazzanova - Nova Jazza.

Where: Pauza; Floriańska 18 (basement) start: 22.00

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>>Concert; The Hilliard Ensemble and Jan Garbarek

Anyone remember the Gregorian Chant craze that swept the world in the mid 1990’s…. yeah… that was weird.  Despite being a bit archaic and absurdly abstract, some of the chants and chanters that released albums were actually um quite fantastic (in a hypnotic meditative kind of way).  One of the best albums recorded during the medieval musical opportunism was Officium (ECM 1993) by British medieval vocal quartet The Hilliard Ensemble and Norwegian jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek.  Even though the mix sounds potentially catastrophic the album turned out to be the legendary Jazz label’s most successful album in their history and turned the unlikely collaboration into a global sensation.  They toured extensively on the success and in 1999 recorded a follow up album and then Garbarek returned to his packed schedule as a premier Jazz sideman, bandleader, and new age music guru… and the Hilliard men… well.. kept getting medieval.  Now, 16 years after their breakthrough album Garbarek and the Ensemble are once again joining forces and touring the globe. They are presenting a mix of new material and hits (can you call a chant a hit?) from their two studio albums.

So, if it’s been far too long since you got your Gregorian Chant fix… grab the scented candles, a frock and get to the church on time!

Where: OO. Augustian Church;  ul. Augustiańska 7

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>>Concert; Appollo 440

Bring in the big beat electronica and watch the kids go mental… Legendary Liverpudlian Collecitve Apollo 440 (aka @440) are making their way to Studio Klub this may and they want you to know about it.  Since 1990 these lads have been making hits, remixes, film soundtracks, advertising jingles, video game cuts and even Liverpool F.C’s Official 2006 FA Cup song!  The founding members are brothers Trevor Gray and Howard Gray with fellow Liverpudlians NOKO and James Gardner.  The core group has stayed mostly the same and but they have had a steady flow of musical collaborators for their studio projects as well as their live shows.  Some of the group’s most notable remixes have been for the likes The group has scored dozens of commercial and club hits including „Ain’t talkin bout the Dub”, „Stop the Rock”, and ”Krupa”.  Some of their remixes (under the shield of Stealth Sonic Orchestra) have been for the likes of U2, Puff’a Daddy i Jimmie’go Page’a oraz Ennio Morricone… So yeah… these lads know how to twist some buttons you can say.  They are now touring in front of their forthcoming fifth album… But don’t you worry, they’ll be pumping plenty of their trademark big beat dancefloor anthems to knock the socks off your feet and make you jump out of your seat…

Where:  Klub Studio;  Budryka 4; start: 20.00 tickets  89/100 PLN

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>>Festival; OFF PLUS CAMERA’09

The festival lasts 10 days and it takes place in 8  independent movie venues. There  will be over 400 screenings and 100 films shown. The films were carefully selected from all over the world.
For detailed program check www.offpluscamera.com

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It’s that time of year again when the Harlem Gospel Choir make their way back to Poland for a series of concerts.  Although it certainly isn’t a first that this talented ensemble isn’t in Poland there are few other touring Gospel acts in the world that can compare with the HGC.  If you still aren’t convinced then consider the fact that they have performed for Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandella and Elton John (in that order) and performed with artists such as U2, Gorillaz and the Chieftans.  Just in time for Christmas, the Harlem Gospel Choir will put you in the holiday spirit like no other event this month.

21 december –  Auditorium Maximum UJ - ul. Krupnicza 35
start:20.00

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Why? Because this is “not” just a side project but that’s just how it worked out since two of the founding members are also part of the Cool Kids of Death indie rock machine.  So what exactly are Marcin “Cinass” Kowalski and Kuba “qbx” Wandachowicz  doing in another band you might ask and the answer is playing playing intriguing industrial rock with another veteran of Polish rock - Robert Tuta (Aggressiva 69, Malenczuk Tuta Rutkowski Super Trio, 1984).  If the band hadn’t been formed in 1999 it could easily be called some sort of super group but it’s just “not”… and the music very much stands on its own and not the shoulders of its already famous members.  The group’s dark, dirty and industrial sound is curiously balanced with Wandachowicz’s some times hauntingly introspective, some times playfully quirky lyrics.  The group will be supported by another favorite of the Polish (not Korean) Indie rock scene - NELL making this a concert to mark on your concert calendar.

14 December - Face 2 Face - ul. Paulinska 28
start:20.00

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