Photography 1839 - 2009

The National Museum shifts its focus to photography this autumn, displaying 800 frames from its 70 000-strong collection of historic Polish and international photographs. This exhibition will explore the evolution of photography since the museum's first acquisition in 1863 of works by Karol Beyer, tracing photography's role in the history of visual arts. Having recently appointed new directors, the National Museum's program this season is looking to place the institution among the top museums in Europe.

when - 11th September - 15th November
where - National Museum, Al. Jerozolimskie 3
more info - click here

Palace of Culture: Guided Tours and 30th Floor Panorama

The Palace of Culture and Science, 231 metres of extravagant Stalinist wedding-cake architecture and Poland's tallest building, was gifted to the nation by the Soviet Union in 1955.

Guided tours allow visitors to marvel at the Palace’s breathtaking socialist realist interiors. Included in the group tours are the 2800-seat Congress Hall, unchanged since the communist congresses of old, and a whole series of opulent ballrooms and meeting chambers with floor-to-ceiling marble, oak and elaborate glass work.

The 30th floor features a cloistered viewing terrace with a spectacular view onto the city below, as well as interactive multimedia exhibitions on educational themes. The panorama is open from 9am until 6pm.

For detailed ticket prices and information about guided tours, check the website below.

when - tours start October 2009 with Panorama exhibitions open until 25 October ("Sport and Spinach") from 18th November ("Earth")
where - Palace of Culture and Science, Plac Defilad
more info - click here

Autumn at Zacheta Gallery

The cutting-edge Zecheta gallery will be extracting a selection of its works from its extensive collection for the fifth, strangely titled edition of the event, Pee in a Bun. Earlier this month, you can catch The Best of Pawel Jarodzki, a monographic exhibition by the founder of the influential 80s artistic group Luxus which was based in Wroclaw. The exhibition will cover both his early drawings and his more recent paintings.

when - Pee in a Bun runs 5th September - 22nd November, Jarodzki runs 12th September - 18th October
where - Zacheta National Gallery of Art, pl. Malachowskiego 3
more info - click here

Exhibition: Schizma - Polish Art in the 1990s

It seems like only yesterday, but the final decade of the 20th century is already history and looking for its own place in the museums and galleries of Poland. The 1990s are especially vital in Polish history since the fall of communism took place just one year prior in 1989. Through this exhibition one can truly get a feeling for the art that remained deeply rooted in the memories of the PRL (People's Republic of Poland) but is eagerly looking to break free in search of new meaning.

when - 9th October to 15th November
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

Concert: Diana Krall

Canadian Diana Krall, one of the world's top jazz performers, will be stopping by the Palace of Culture and Science's Sala Kongresowa. Her skills on the piano and characteristic crooning has gained legions of fans through her interpretations of jazz standards as well as her own compositions. This European tour is in support of her latest full-length entitled "Quiet Nights", which was released earlier this year. Tickets available at the venue from 100 to 500 zloty.

when - 6th November
where - Sala Kongresowa, Plac Defilad 1
more info - click here

Concert: Mazowsze

Mazowsze is widely recognized as Poland's cultural representation abroad, performing folk dance and song to a worldwide audience. Different regions of Poland are represented with their own costumes, specific dance movements and styles of singing, so it's a great introduction to the rich folklore from all corners of Poland. Tickets 40-100 zloty available at www.klub.fm. Performance starts at 7pm.

when - 11th November
where - Sala Kongresowa, Plac Defilad 1
more info - click here

Concert: pg.lost, Tides from Nebula

Fans of instrumental rock music are in for a treat, as pg.lost and Tides From Nebula, hailing from Sweden and Poland respectively, take the stage at Warsaw's most cutting-edge independent venue. pg.lost formed in 2004 in Norrkoping, Sweden, who have been compared to such icons of the post-rock genre as Caspian and The American Dollar. Poland's own Tides from Nebula masterfully blend post-metal and post-rock elements into powerful yet accessible compositions. Tickets 20/25 zloty.

when - 12th November
where - Jadlodajnia Filozoficzna, ul. Dobra 33/35
more info - click here

Concert: Lautten Compagney

Marking the 250-year anniversary of the death of George Frideric Handel, the Lautten Compagney, Berlin's premier Baroque ensemble, will be performing the master's Serse (Xerxes) opera in its orchestral arrangement. The ensemble will be conducted by Wolfgang Katschner in this performance, with mezzo-soprano Susanne Kreusch playing Xerxes, a role which was originally written for castrato. Tickets are 50-90 zloty, with the concert starting at 7pm.

when - 24th November
where - Warsaw Philharmonic, ul. Jasna 5
more info - click here