Warsaw Christmas Markets

Need to finish up your Christmas shopping? Or perhaps you just fancy soaking up the Chrimbo vibe? Whatever your motivation a trip to one of Warsaw's Christmas Fairs is a fun experience. Starting in December you'll find impromptu markets setting up on the plac Defilad, in front of the Palace of Culture and Science (keep your eye out for a spectacularly lit Christmas tree too!), and the plac Zamkowy, by the castle. If you don't find what you're looking for then check out our shopping section for more ideas.

when - Throughout December
where - Pl. Defilad and Pl. Zamkowy
more info - click here

Arm in Arm (Artist Collectives as the Nations’ Future)

The project “Arm in Arm” is the result of a meeting of several artists in Germany at the beginning of 2006. The exhibit is the joint effort of one Polish and two Swiss artist collectives: Ikoon (Warsaw), Labor P (Basel, Switzerland), and cStudio (Basel, Switzerland). For three days the collectives will create, discuss, present, and play, together as well as individually, in the basement of the Europejski Hotel in Warsaw. The art will be young, fresh, and unscripted, likewise in individual works as well as group works. Several art forms will be exhibited: sculpture, installations, painting, video, and performance.

when - Friday 1 December to Sunday 3 December
where - ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 13
more info - click here

Touch My Shadows

“Touch My Shadows” is an exhibition of new media from the GOETZ Collection in Munich, and the largest international video art exhibition ever to be presented at the CCA at Ujazdowski Castle. The exhibition is a joint project of the CCA and the Goetz Collection in Munich, and is designed to contribute to ongoing discussions of the methods and models that apply to contemporary art collection, both in the context of the CCA's own International Collection of Contemporary Art and of the planned collection of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. The curators are Milada Slizinska and Stephan Urbaschek.

when - Exhibition opening: 01.12.06, 6.00 p.m.; on view through 28.02.07
where - Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

National Symphony Orchestra of Latvia

On Saturday 2 December the National Symphony Orchestra of Latvia will travel all the way from Riga to play in the Concert Hall of the National Philharmonic in Warsaw. The Orchestra features Olari Elts as conductor, with Sandis Steinbergs on violin and Reinis Birznieks on cello. The program will consist of “Concert Ouverture op. 12” by Karol Szymanowski, “Concerto Grosso” for violin, cello, strings and drums by Arturs Maskats, and “Symphonic Dances” by Sergey Rachmaninow.

when - Saturday, 2 December, 18:00
where - ul. Jasna 5
more info - click here

The 6th Festival of Travel Slides – TERRA 2006

The first weekend of December friendly Luna theatre invites you to discover the world of travel. Thanks to the photographic tales told by travellers on the slides shown on the theatre’s screen, you can be transported to various corners of the planet without leaving your seat. The Festival also hopes to inspire future travellers to begin their own excursions. Tickets for one show are 12 PLN, or 36 for a whole day.

when - 02.12.2006 - 03.12.2006
where - ul. Marszałkowska 28
more info - click here

Twilight Singers Concert

The Twilight Singers are the project of Greg Dulli, the former singer of The Afghan Whigs. Desperation, longing, and insanity all filter into Dulli’s voice and lyrics, set to an electro-acoustic background of sounds. With special guest Mark Lanegan. Tickets start at 69 PLN, 79 at the door.

when - 2 December 2006, 19:00
where - Klub Proxima, ul.Żwirki i Wigury 99a
more info - click here

Ametria, Coffins, Lethal Dose Concert

With band names like “Coffins” and “Lethal Dose,” you can guess this won’t be a concert to take your grandmother to – unless she’s into hardcore punk rock (hey, some grandmothers are scary)! But if you’re into hardcore, these Polish hardcore bands will satisfy your urge to scream, go crazy, and just generally rock out. The concert starts bright and early at 19:00 and it’s only 10 PLN to get in (sorry, no refunds if you lose your hearing). Further info:
Ametria
Coffins
Lethal Dose

when - 2 December 2006, 19:00
where - Klub Progresja, Kaliskiego 15a
more info - click here

KSU and Akurat Concert

If you need to warm up this winter, come to one of the most energetic concerts of the season, and if the music and dancing won’t heat you right up, at least a few beers will. Akurat has been playing extensively, becoming one of the most popular groups among students. Their music defies categorization but falls somewhere between reggae and rock with a touch of punk, infuriating critics but delighting fans nonetheless. Meanwhile KSU is one of Poland’s first punk-rock bands, playing since the heydays of punk in the late 70s. In over 25 years KSU has gone through 18 musicians, 7 albums, and over a thousand concerts (we won’t try to estimate how many groupies or drug rehabs) and are still going strong. Tickets start at 22 PLN for students, 29 at the door; concert starts at 20:30.

when - 5th December 2006
where - Centralny Klub Studentów Politechniki Warszawskiej
more info - click here

XV ParkFEST

The fifteenth installment of ParkFEST at the Park Club will feature the bands Ocean, Weed, Sebastian Piekarek and Chico. The ParkFEST has had one goal since its inception: promoting Polish metal, rock, and hardcore music. Concert starts at 19:00 and tickets are only 10 PLN.

when - 7th December 2006
where - Klub Park, al. Niepodleglosci 196
more info - click here

Human Rights in Film

The 6th International Human Rights Film Festival "WATCH DOCS" will take place in Warsaw this December. The festival is key in exposing human rights abuses throughout the world to a wider audience and raising issues that can only be tackled with greater awareness. The standard of film-making is usually exceptionally high, so expect to be shocked and provoked this winter. The increased number of films submitted each year has meant that in 2006, for the first time, there will be a competitive element to the festival.

Participating cinemas include:

Center for Contemporary Art - Ujazdowski Castle
Cinema Muranow
Dom Spotkan z Historia (Karta)
Dom Kultury Srodmiescie (Dom na Smolnej)
Cafe Kulturalna
Club M 25

when - 8th - 17th December 2006
where - Various Cinemas
more info - click here

4th Warsaw Art Expo

The 4th Warsaw Art Expo, organized by the "ART & Business" Publishing House, is an excellent opportunity to view and purchase paintings, photographs, sculptures, antique books, jewelry, and other antiques. Special guests of the Expo include Izabela Key (London) and Wanda Michalak (Amsterdam). The Expo will be open from 12:00 to 21:00 on Friday, 11:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, and 11:00 to 16:00 on Sunday, and tickets for the whole day cost just 5 PLN (3 PLN for students/seniors).

when - Friday, 8 December 2006 to Sunday, 10 December 2006
where - ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 13
more info - click here

Leafcutter John

London-based Leafcutter John, the name of the solo project of John Burton, combines elements of singer-songwriter folk with elements from electronic music, forming a new thrilling genre of “folktronica.” Not limiting himself to just making music, John also writes his own software, lectures at the London College of Communication, and occasionally accompanies his music with interactive exhibits. Tickets are 15 PLN pre-sale, 20 at the door.

when - 8 December 2006, 20:00
where - Centralny Dom Qultury, ul. Burakowska 12
more info - click here

1, 2, 3 Avant-Garde

1, 2, 3 Avant-Garde plans to explore the meeting of art and film and the experimentation that takes place in that domain. Designed by curators Lukasz Ronduda and Florian Zeyfang, the exhibit explores three important categories of the avant-garde: modernist avant-garde, the neo-avant-garde of the 1970s, and contemporary artists who address the heritage of the two precedent movements in various ways. All three currents of avant-garde (hence the name) negotiate with each other in one space on several media: the relations between film, experimentation and art, explore the interference between sound and picture, analytical reflection on the medium, politics/propaganda/ideological engagement, consumption, categories of alternative realities, participation and interaction.

when - Exhibition opening: 8.12.06 at 6.00 p.m., on view through 28.01.07
where - Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

T.Love Live Concert

Polish rock group T.Love have been getting lots of love from the public for more than two decades, starting out in punk and new wave and continuing to rock as they evolved through the years. Originally from Czestochowa, the group, started and led by Muniek Staszczyk, changed line-ups and locations throughout its history, now calling Warsaw home. Sunday, the 10th of December they will be playing at Concert Studio “Agnieszki Osieckiej Programu III PR” in Warsaw.

when - Sunday, 10.12.2006, 20:00
where - ul. Mysliwiecka 3/5/7
more info - click here

Kombii Concert

Kombii, a star of the Polish music scene, are celebrating their 30th year of creative work together. After many awards and recognitions, both by cultural institutions and fans, as well as gold and platinum records, Kombii has deserved a respected place in Poland’s rock music history. See this legendary band in concert in a more intimate setting than a stadium – Klub Park - for just 20 PLN pre-sale (30 at the door).

when - 12th December 2006
where - Klub Park, al. Niepodleglosci 196
more info - click here

Jazz Jamboree 2006 – “Christmas Jamboree”

The jazz group New York Voices, one of the best American vocal groups, will perform the Christmas Jamboree as part of the Jazz Jamboree 2006 festival. The New York quartet has been around since the end of the 1980s, enjoying many musical successes, including a Grammy Award. The quartet will be presenting their program titled “Swinging Christmas,” and Tomasz Tluczkiewicz, a legend of Polish Jazz, will direct the festive concert.

when - Thursday 13.12.2006
where - National Philharmonic, ul. Jasna 5
more info - click here

Open Secrets Exhibit

Georgiana Cozma, a Romanian artist, wants to “open” her secrets – because she wants to dedicate this year as an ending to her diary, she says. Her exhibit questions the art of keeping secrets, something perhaps impossibly in the modern world. Our secrets hide inside – they know what we may not even know. Maybe it’s thanks to our secrets that we discover our true selves. Cozma wants to discover herself and present herself to the audience. The secrets of her life are displayed on handmade sheets of paper, ready to be analyzed – maybe the revelations of her secrets will reveal some of your own?

when - 13.12.2006 - 14.01.2007
where - Zoya, ul. Kopernika 32/8
more info - click here

Grzegorz Turnau Concert

The folk singer Grzegorz Turnau, a continuator of the “Krakow tradition of literary music,” will be performing at the Congressional Hall on Thursday, 14 December. The concert will be in promotion of his new album, titled “The History of a Certain Journey,” which is entirely dedicated to the creative work of legendary Polish singer-songwriter Marek Grechuta. During the evening a gold record award ceremony will take place. Tickets begin at 50 PLN and can be purchased at the concert hall.

when - 14.12.2006, 19:00
where - Sala Kongresowa, pl. Defilad 1
more info - click here

The Art of Copy Exhibit

Polish artist Lukasz Nawrocki presents his takes on R. Santi, L. Da Vinci, and A. Da Messina in the exhibition “The Art of Copy.” The exhibition will take place at the Katarzyna Napiorkowska Art Gallery. The exhibit is open to the public.

when - Friday, 15 December 2006
where - Rynek Starego Miasta 19/21
more info - click here

Harlem Gospel Choir

Gospel hits Polish Christmas festivities, bringing lots of singing, clapping, stomping and incredible energy and cheer. Calling themselves the heart of Harlem (luckily not the dodgy liver or spleen), the Harlem Gospel Choir will be performing gospel favourites in line with the holiday spirit. This is definitely an event for the whole family. Tickets are priced 60 PLN to 190 PLN.

when - 17 December 2006, 19:00
where - Congressional Hall, Plac Defilad 1
more info - click here

MoCarta Group

Part string quartet, part musical cabaret, pure comical entertainment – MoCarta Group combines classical music by the great masters with their ironic humour, sticking in rock and pop pieces where they should never otherwise be found. The quarter is comprised of Filip Jaslar, Michal Sikorski, Pawel Kowaluk and Artur Renion, four graduates of the Academies of Music in Warsaw and Łódź. They’ve been performing their musical comedy concerts together since 1995, even recording a number of albums in the process. Tickets are available on the website: www.ticketonline.pl.

when - Monday, 18 December 2006, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m
where - Kino-Teatr Bajka, 138 Marszałkowska St.
more info - click here

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra New Year's Eve

Spend your New Year’s Eve in (classical) style at the Warsaw Philharmonic. The night will feature a variety of airs and instrumental pieces from famous operas, under the direction of conductor Antoni Wit, with Izabella Klosinska as the soprano soloist. Tickets start at just 60 PLN, and can be purchased at the Philharmonic’s box office or at their website.

when - 31 December 2006
where - ul. Jasna 5, entrance from Sienkiewicza St.
more info - click here

Sylwester – Polish New Year’s Eve

If you happen to be in Warsaw for New Year’s Eve, you can expect the party of your life – just make sure you stay just sober enough to order a cab home – waking up half-naked in the Warsaw snow is not the best way to start the New Year. Almost every bar and restaurant in the city will be hosting their own New Year’s Eve festivities, though cover charges can get quite pricey, especially at restaurants serving a New Year’s feast with champagne. If you’d like something even more wild, head to the Old Town to join thousands of champagne-filled locals and catch the fireworks at midnight.

when - 31 December 2006
where - Throughout Warsaw
more info - click here