Exhibition: Counting Modernity

This year marks the 90th anniversary of Poland's independence, and serves as the pretext for the Royal Castle museum's exploration of the 20 years of interwar Poland. However, the focus will not be the political situation of the era, but rather the everyday lives of our parents' and grandparents' generation. The subject and motto of the exhibition is modernity - the modern achievements and innovations of the Second Republic. The exhibition will immerse the viewer in the mood and atmosphere of the era: political events, social movements, and cultural life.

when - Until 10th February 2009
where - Royal Castle, Plac Zamkowy 4
more info - click here

Exhibition: 20th Century Art Gallery

The exhibition "20th Century Art Gallery. Uncovering the Collection 1945-1955" is an ongoing exhibition at the National Museum in Warsaw, which will be on display until the end of 2008. The exhibition presents just a fraction of the wealth of the contemporary art collection in the holdings of the National Museum, as it focuses on a dynamic decade of Polish art, and is part of a series of exhibitions titled "Uncovering the Collection." The present show highlights the most precious specimens of Polish art from 1945-55 in the museum's collection, including works by Andrzej Wroblewski, Wladyslaw Strzeminski, the Capist group, as well as pottery by Pablo Picasso, which was donated to the museum during the artist's visit to Poland in 1948. Works in the socialist realism style, declared the only officially allowed style in 1949, make up a whole room of the collection, with pieces which were awarded prizes at the State Annual Art Exhibitions. However, a large segment of the works from 1950-55 show a trend of overcoming the doctrine of socialist realism, leading to original and avant garde works from the era.

when - Until 30th December
where - National Museum, al. Jerozolimskie 3
more info - click here

Concert: Jean Michel Jarre

The undisputed king of popular electronic music hits Warsaw as part of his Oxygene 2008 Tour. Jarre continues to be an extremely popular artist in Poland. His last concert here was a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Solidarity movement played to a packed audience at the famous Gdansk Shipyard. The show was recorded and released as a DVD and CD. Tickets 175-660PLN

when - 1st December 2008
where - Torwar, ul. Lazienkowska 6A
more info - click here

Exhibition: Granice (Borders)

Collaborative photographic project by New York based Piotr Sikora and Piotr Bondarczyk. During communist times Poland was pretty much a closed shop but recently it has seen many new people, cultures and ethnic groups moving here. This fascinating exhibition seeks to document these new residents and in the process makes the viewer aware of the huge social changes taking place in Poland today.

when - December - January
where - Warsaw Ethnographic Museum, ul. Kredytowa 1
more info - click here

Warsaw Christmas Market

If you are lucky enough to be in Warsaw during the festive period please be sure to visit the annual Christmas market taking place in the heart of the Old Town. All kinds of traditional Polish handicrafts, Christmas decorations , gifts and foodstuffs. A great opportunity to pick up some unique gifts.

when - Throughout December
where - Plac Zamkowy
more info - click here

Exhibition: Orientalism in Polish Art

The first in-depth analysis of the oriental influence on Polish art and culture in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. Over 400 exhibits, including work by Tepa, Chlebowski and Ajdukiewicz. The exhibition also attempts to place the influence in a wider context via the historical and political events of the day.

when - Until 21st December
where - The National Museum in Warsaw, Al. Jerozolimskie 3
more info - click here

Exhibition: Henryk Laskowski

Henryk Laskowski's new show at the SD Gallery goes under the title of 'Pictures from a trip to another city - Venice'.

Laskowski (born 1951) studied lithography and painting at Poznan Art School. In the 1980's he worked mainly with illustration for publishing, book illustration and as a poster designer, a specialised and world renowned area of Polish design. He has also consistently worked as a painter and this is a field he continues to explore. He has won many awards for his poster designs and his work is held in many private and public collections.

A private view will be held on 30th November at 6pm.

when - November 30th - December 30th
where - Galeria SD Wilanow, ul. St. Kostki Potockiego 22
more info - click here

Exhibition: Feel Warsaw on your own skin

A rather weird and wonderful exhibition of photographs of Varsovians who have decided upon a permanent reminder of Warsaw by succumbing to the needle and having tattoos done which relate to the city. Syrenas, Warsaw uprising scenes, Legia and Polonia logos and my two personal faves from the exhibition; the map of the pilgrimage route from Warsaw to Czestochowa and the guy who has the Palace of Culture tattooed on his back! I always thought I was the only person who liked that building, mind you, it is on his back so he is the only person who can't actually see it.

For those of you who are incredibly lazy or simply don't like venturing out - the whole exhibition can be viewed online from the comfort of your own home, just click the link below.

The exhibition private view will be held on the 27th November between 6-7.30pm (all welcome, so it ain't really a snooty private view).

when - November 27th - December 18th
where - Klub Migawka. ul.Nowogrodzka 22
more info - click here

Exhibition: No such thing as society

Intended as an overview of British documentary photography from the late 1960's - 1980's much of imagery on show is concerned with the problems and difficult times faced in Britain during these years. Deindustrialisation, the miners strike, the troubles in Northern Ireland and the general demise of Great Britain. Of course one of the key figures in all this mayhem was dear old Maggie, a woman who as far as I can tell, the Poles are still totally in awe of. Of course they didn't have to put up with the wretched hag for 11 years and watch her systematically destroy Britain and the little dignity the working classes had left (sorry, getting a bit carried away but those were my formative years!). The title of the exhibition itself comes from one of Thatchers most famous quotes "There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families." The works on display come from the collections of the British Council and the Arts Council. The show is curated by David Alan Mellor, professor of art history at the University of Sussex.

when - November 24th - January 11th 2009
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, ul. Jazdow 2
more info - click here

Warsaw Christmas Lights!

Nowy Swiat, Krakowskie Przedmiescie and the Old Town are a hive of activity as an army of dungaree and baseball cap wearing guys rush around putting the final touches to this years Christmas lights spectacular!

Classical looking chandeliers are already hanging from lamposts on Krakowskie Przedmiescie and the trees along the route are covered in thousands of little light bulbs. A number of strange looking structures are also appearing in the Old Town area. We are also promised the tallest Christmas tree in Poland on Plac Zamkowy and a few last minute light fantastic surprises. Unfortunately the tree will be an artificial one, very disappointing but the organisers claim it's an eco-friendly alternative - yeah sure 27 metres of plastic, foil and metal doesn't sound very eco-friendly to me!

The official 'switching on' takes place on 6th December at 5pm . At 4pm there will be a free concert on Plac Zamkowy featuring Kasia Cerekwicka, Lukasz Zagrobelny, Patrycja Markowska, Andrzej Lampert and PiN. Wrap the kids up nice and warm and get down to the Old Town!

Try to forget the fact that the lights have cost the City of Warsaw 2.5 million zloty's. Bah Humbug!

when - 6th December
where - Plac Zamkowy.
more info - click here

Concert: The Nigel Kennedy Quintet

The world's biggest Aston Villa fan and all round pretty good violinist Nigel Kennedy will be heading up to the capital from his Cracow home to play a one off concert in Klub Stodola on the 5th of December. Kennedy will be promoting 'The Very Nice Album', a collection of self-penned tracks with a strong jazzy/bluesy feel. Making up his Quintet will be some of the coolest cats of the young Polish jazz scene - Piotr Wylezol, Tomasz Grzegorski, Adam Kowalewski and Pawel Dobrowolski. Doors open at 7pm with the concert itself expected to start at 8pm. Ticket availability and prices to be announced shortly

when - 5th December
where - Klub Stodola, ul. Batorego 10
more info - click here

The Fifth Jazz & Film Meetings

Hmmm, kind of a strange one as it's neither a festival nor a one off event but a series of four evenings, between December and March, featuring jazz performances, discussions and the showing of a movie or documentary where the linking factor is, believe it or not, Jazz and Film! Looks like a pretty interesting and unique series of evenings but please bear in mind that the lectures and movies will be in Polish.

The opening night on the 5th December features a concert by Marysia Sadowska, a lecture by writer and film director Tadeusz Konwicki and a showing of his film 'The Last Day of Summer'.

The closing event, in March, is dedicated to composer Krzysztof Komeda and will feature a concert of some of his jazz scores played on solo piano by Andrzej Jagodzinski and a showing of Krzysztof Bukowskiego's documentary film "Those Chosen by God Die Young". A collection of reminiscences about Polish cultural icons who have passed on, including a section on the life and work of Komeda.

For more info and the full programme please click the link below.

when - 5th December - 21st March
where - Kino Kadr, Gotarda 16
more info - click here

Concert: Hey, MTV unplugged

Last year Polish cult band Hey played an acoustic concert in Warsaw’s Teatr Roma. The concert was recorded as the second release in the Polish MTV Unplugged series, the first being a performance by Kayah. This concert is a chance to see Kasia Nosowska and her band attempt to recreate the magical atmosphere of that classic show. Tickets 70-160PLN

when - 7th December
where - Palace of Culture, Pl. Defilad 1
more info - click here

Concert: Acker Bilk & his Paramount Jazz Band

The old 'Stranger on the Shore' himself, Mr. Acker Bilk, brings his clarinet and trad jazz style to Stodola as part of his rather short tour of Poland, three dates in total. I must admit I'm pretty excited by this as Acker was one of the first performers I remember being intrigued by when I was a wee lad, what with his bowler hat, scary goatee, moustache and stripy waistcoat. A style which I hope will come back into fashion again very soon! Now almost 80 and spending more and more time on his other great passion, painting in his beloved Somerset countryside. This really is a great opportunity to see one of the UK's last great trad jazzmen. Tickets 40PLN. Doors open at 6pm and the concert is expected to begin at 7.30pm

when - 8th December
where - Klub Stodola, ul. Batorego 10
more info - click here

Concert: Sham 69

More old men of Punk (usually referred to as 'Legends of Punk') invade Warsaw this December when Pursey and the boys kick up a storm at Klub Progresja. Unfortunately the '69' probably now refers to the average age of the band members. Let's not hold that against them though as I'm sure it will be a blast hearing them rip through the old favourites like 'Hersham Boys' and 'If the Kids are United' and the ever loyal Sham Army will no doubt be out in force! Of course if they can't hack it, me and my mate Harry can just go down the pub!

Support band will be increasingly popular American-British-Polish punky boys Nasty Habits and there will also be sets from DJ Bigos.

Tickets in advance from Hey Joe or Progresja are 38PLN or 50PLN on the day of the gig. Doors open 6pm.

when - 8th December
where - Klub Progresja, ul. Kaliskiego 15A
more info - click here

Exhibition: Ulrike Ottinger

Ulrike Ottinger began her career as a painter but rapidly developed an interest in film. She is now best known as one of Germany's leading independent film makers and is dedicated to the whole process, including directing, producing, stage and costume design. She gained worldwide fame with her 1977 film 'Madame X, An Absolute Ruler', a post-modern pirate yarn featuring lesbians, leather, domination, violence and death on the China Seas. So, a sort of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' for the feminist/lesbian underground!

As well as a retrospective of her films there will be an exhibition of over 100 exhibits such as costumes, screenplays, large format photographs and collages associated with her practice.

The exhibition opens 11th December at 6pm

when - 11th December - 1ist February
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, ul. Jazdow 2
more info - click here

Christmas International Cat Show

Large pre-Christmas exhibition organized by the Polish Feline Association. Saturday sees a specialized competition for oriental breeds while Sunday is the turn of Sphynx and Peterbald cats, they’re the rather odd looking hairless breeds. With winter upon us these rather cold looking pussies may be particularly interested in Saturday’s exhibition of cat fashion and clothing! Good grief!

when - December 13th - 14th
where - Blue Expo (by Blue City), Al. Jerozolimskie 179
more info - click here

AEGEE - European Day of Languages

AEGEE Warsaw are organising a crash course in the pleasures of the Polish language. As they point out in their blurb 'You will find out how easy the Polish language is, sometimes funny and so useful in this country'. Well, I can quite happily agree with the last point but unfortunately easy and funny it ain't. On the other hand why don't you book a place for this one and a half hour workshop in order to find out for yourself and exchange notes and linguistic horror stories with the other participants. Although the workshop is free places are limited so you need to book a place via their website, click link below.

Wednesday 17th of December, 10 a.m. – Riviera Dormitory building, ul. Warynskiego 12

On Tuesday 16th December at 8pm they will also be organising a 'Language Cafe' meeting in the Equilibrium Pub, Al. Niepodleglosci 147. A great opportunity to meet people from other countries and stare at them while they yak on in some strange language. Should be fun and a good excuse for a beer.

when - December 16th - 17th
where - Akademik Riviera, ul.Warynskiego 12
more info - click here

Concert: Bach - Christmas Oratorio

Bach’s 1734 Christmas oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium BW248) will be performed by the Warsaw Chamber Opera in equal parts over two nights in the glamorous surroundings of the Royal Castle Ballroom. Tickets 32PLN

when - 22nd and 23rd December
where - Royal Castle, Pl. Zamkowy 4
more info - click here

Concert: Goran Bregovic - Karmen

Balkan wonder-boy Bregovic brings his 2004 'opera' Karmen to the big pointy building in the centre of Warsaw.

A characteristically Gypsy tale of love, weddings and funerals all wrapped up with a happy ending (sounds like Hollywood to me?). The story revolves around the love between Kleopatra the Gypsy girl and Bakia the bin man.

Bregovic' extraordinary ability to blend all kinds of musical styles and still come up with a decidedly Balkan sounding double-whammy never ceases to amaze and excite me. One need only check out the list of people he has collaborated with to realise the diversity of his popularity, among them; Cesaria Evora, Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp and Polska's very own Kayah. Concert starts at 7pm and tickets are 60-250PLN.

when - 27th December
where - Palace of Culture, Pl. Defilad 1
more info - click here

Concert: Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band

Celebrate the build up to the New Year with what promises to be a barn-stormer of a show. This is indeed a rare chance to see Woody and his six piece band perform outside of their regular Monday night residence slot at The Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan. Tickets 180-680PLN

when - 28th December
where - Palace of Culture, Pl. Defilad 1
more info - click here

Theatre: Dancing, Teatr Polonia

Krystyna Janda’s Teatr Polonia presents a new spectacle structured around the poetry of inter-war writer Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska set to music by Jerzy Satanowski, choreographed by Jaroslaw Staniek and starring Krystyna Janda and dancers from the Jaroslaw Staniek Dance Theatre. As a special treat the theatre will be putting on a New Years Eve performance.

when - 30th December - 3rd January
where - Teatr Polonia, ul. Marszalkowska 56
more info - click here

Warsaw New Year’s Eve Party

THE NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY AND CONCERT HAS BEEN MOVED TO A NEW SITE. IT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON PLAC KONSTYTUCJI AND NOT PLAC DEFILAD AS PREVIOUSLY LISTED!!!!

In 2005 and 2006 the powers that be put a stop to the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations. For one thing it was deemed too dangerous and the other reason sited was laws relating to ‘mass gatherings’. Fortunately in 2007 the city authorities, realising the importance of a jolly good knees-up at this time of year set about rectifying the situation! They promptly organised a giant party featuring concerts by some of Polands top acts, including Edyta Gorniak, Blue Cafe and Feel as well as a huge fireworks display. Over 40,000 people partied the night away in the centre of the city. Organisers are already working hard to try and top last year’s impressive party.

when - 31st December
where - Plac Konstytucji
more info - click here