Plus: Speeding Lisa back at Al Capone; Autumn Jazz Marathon; Modern dance festival; Speeding Lisa back at Al Capone;
he traits of an opera singer and a pop star. Instead of performing his classical program at opera theaters in front of stodgy music critics, Baskov performs at nightclubs in front of an army of adoring female fans. Baskov’s most famous performances include, “To the Memory of Caruso,” “Carmen” and “Aria of Lensky from Eugene Onegin.”
Before Baskov, 24, started singing with the Bolshoi Theater troupe two years ago, he was a guest soloist of the Novosibirsk Opera. In 1999, Baskov was given the prestigious Russian Ovation award. Baskov’s most recent CD is “Posvyashchenie.”
Nikolai Baskov. Ukraina Palace. Nov. 30, 7 p.m. Tickets Hr 40 to Hr 350.
Autumn Jazz Marathon
For two days the International Center of Arts (former Zhovtnevy Palace) will be filled with the sounds of jazz and blues as it hosts the 10th Annual Autumn Jazz Marathon.
In the past the marathon has gathered Ukraine’s finest professional and amateur jazz bands, as well as pop stars who come to show off their jazz-singing ability, fans and music critics.
This year’s festival will highlight music bands such as Vsyak Vypadok, Inesh, Glier’s big band, Shapoval, Mansound and Amazing #5.
Autumn Jazz Marathon. International Center of Arts. Nov. 24-25, 7 p.m.
Modern dance festival
The Dance of the 21st Century festival will present a contemporary dance concert on Nov. 25 at the National Opera. The concert will feature six performances by Yugoslavian, Israeli, Polish and Ukrainian dancers representing different schools and styles.
The most impressive performance is Zelle, a solo dance performed by Yugoslavian Adriana Aia Young. The dance’s libretto is based on a story about the last days of legendary dancer
| Yugoslavian dancer Adriana Aia Young. |
Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (1876-1917), better known as Mata Hari.
Mata Hari, whose name has become synonymous with seduction and betrayal, was a spy who worked for both the French and the Germans during World War II. She was executed by a French firing squad in 1917 for passing secrets to the Germans.
Dance of the 21st Century, third annual international contemporary dance festival. National Opera. Nov. 25, 7 p.m. Tickets Hr 10 to Hr 140.
Speeding Lisa back at Al Capone
It has been a while since Kyiv’s ex-pat rock band Speeding Lisa performed their last gig. Their prolonged absence has spawned unsettling rumors about the band’s future. However, it turns out the band members were just on a long summer break.
On Friday, Nov. 24, Speeding Lisa will be back performing at Al Capone. Although the band is known for playing classic cover songs of the last four decades, they also write originals.
Since the loss of lead singer Alex Medina a year ago, lead guitarist David Diamonon, bassist Nick Morris and drummer Hugh Patton have been searching for a new member. They are considering a few ex-pats and a Ukrainian woman, although according to Diamonon, having a Ukrainian band member doesn’t correspond with the band’s image. Even without a fifth member, the band is committed to sticking together.
In addition to resuming live performances, the band also plans to release a CD sometime before the end of the year.
“We’ve written three songs, but killed one because it was bad,” Diamonon said. “We play ‘Riding Off the Waves,’ which Nick wrote, and we still have to figure out how to play Alex’s song “Bisexual Girl” without Alex.
Speeding Lisa. Al Capone. Nov. 24, 9:30 p.m.
