The Collections of Ryszard Z. Janiak

The full title of this temporary exhibition in the Warsaw's Royal Castle is: "A passion for collecting. The Collections of Ryszard Z. Janiak". This contemporary art, history and culture buff has amassed 800 items and visitors are invited to ogle at everything from painting and handicrafts to Persian firearms and suits of Samurai armour. There are some real treasures here to be discovered if you're in Warsaw from late March onwards...

when - 30th March until 24th June
where - The Royal Castle, Plac Zamkowy 4
more info - click here

1st Vietnamese Film Review

Arteria Cultural Fund presents its next effort at expanding your horizons with a taste of Vietnam - Vietnamese cinema to be exact. The "Cinema in Five Flavours" Vietnamese Film Review will take place at a cult arthouse cinema in the centre of town, Kino Muranow. Every one hundredth Warsovian is Vietnamese, and yet most people know so little about Vietnamese culture.

The dozen or so films shown will range from documentary to thriller to comedy, as well as several short films, all of which aim to show the audience an unknown or unfamiliar world. Among the films shown will be classics from the 70s and 80s, as well as contemporary cinema, and even Vietnamese cartoons for the little ones. For a full schedule and list of films, please refer to the festival's website.

when - Until 1st April
where - Kino Muranow, ul. Gen. Andersa 1
more info - click here

Reamonn Concert

The German rock group Reamonn will take the stage at Stodola on April 2nd. The band, fronted by charismatic Irishman Rea Garvey, have been playing together since the late 1990s, gaining fame, fans, and a platinum album along the way. Supporting their newest album, "Wish" (2006), the band will probably play some old favourites, like their hit "Supergirl." Tickets are a jolting 100 PLN.

when - 2nd April
where - Stodola, ul. Batorego 10
more info - click here

"Faust" Play

Artistic Centre Montownia proudly presents their rendition of Goethe's classic "Faust," directed by Janusz Wisniewski. Dr. Faustus' pact with the devil and his love for Margarete (or, in this Polonized version, Małgorzata) all come alive in an exciting and suspenseful rendition by some of the best in Polish theatre. The play starts at 19:00.

when - 2nd April
where - Montownia, ul. Konopnickiej 6
more info - click here

"Gotlandia" Children's Theatre

Swedish theatre is bringing a treat for the little ones in the form of "Gotlandia" - a fairy tale for children. Shows at 12:30 pm on the 3rd, 10 am and 12:30 pm on the 4th of April.

when - 3rd and 4th April
where - Montownia, ul. Konopnickiej 6
more info - click here

Gwar Concert

The legendary stars of scary metal music are here to tear Warsaw a new one... a new eardrum, that is. Formed in 1985 by a collective of artists and musicians in the States, Gwar is perhaps best known for their elaborate sci-fi/horror film-inspired costumes which seem to (pretty needlessly) make their scary hardcore metal music even scarier. If moshing until you bleed is your thing, then definitely don't miss this unique chance to catch Gwar in Poland.

when - 9th April
where - Punkt, ul. Koszykowa 55
more info - click here

PUPA '07

The 13th Universal Artistic Review "PUPA" is a so-called "cultural party," allowing amateur artists to present themselves to a wider audience, publishing volumes of prose and poetry, and also exhibiting works in professional galleries. The Review predominately aims to showcase young talent - of the 2000 organizers, artists, and viewers, many come from local middle and high schools as well as universities. For the first time, this year will also feature a variety of workshops for groups and individuals involved in the Review. In total, the review includes theatrical and cabaret performances, film showings, concerts (including sung poetry, bands, and instrumental performances), painting, sculpture and photography exhibits, presentations of poetry and prose, and writer and director workshops, making this a true "cultural party" not to be missed for fans of the arts.

For a full schedule of events, please check the Review's website.

when - 13th April until 22nd April
where - Centrum Lowicka, ul. Lowicka 21
more info - click here

“One Flew Over Shakespeare’s Nest” Play

The students of the Institute of English Studies at the University of Warsaw are proud to bring you the play "One Flew Over Shakespeare’s Nest," performed by the amateur theatrical group "The Cheerful Hampets." The project, based on a (very) loose interpretation of various Shakespeare plays, is set entirely in the "cheerful environment" of an insane asylum. The play revolves around a mental patient who's convinced that reality is, in fact, all part of a great play being written and performed continuously; but then it was Shakespeare himself who called the whole world a stage. The play runs for two days only, the 14th and 15th of April at 7 pm, and tickets are 15 PLN.

when - 14th and 15th April
where - Montowia, ul. Konopnickiej 6
more info - click here

Armia and Lao Che Concert

Two original Polish bands are joining forces on a six city tour through Poland this April: Armia and Lao Che. Armia plays rather aggressive rock, whereas Warsaw-based Lao Che has more epic intentions. Perhaps the best news for local bands is that each city will have a chance to pick the opening bands from their local favorites - bands in or near each city (Poznan, Gdynia, Warsaw, Rzeszow, Krakow, and Lodz) can send demos or CDs to the club where the concert will take place, and the management will select the best band to open in front of hundreds of screaming fans - a dream come true, no?

when - 15th April
where - Proxima, ul. Zwirki i Wigury 99a
more info - click here

The Magic Flute

The Magic Malik Quintet will be performing three concerts in Poland this April, in Warsaw, Gdansk, and Wroclaw. The multi-instrumentalist star of the band, Malik Mezzadri (also known as Magic Malik) hails from the Ivory Coast in Africa. He left traditional school as a youth and studied at the French Marseilles Music Academy. In 1988 he left the classical music scene after winning a contest for young musical talents to pursue musical adventures in Paris. There he joined the group of artists called "Human Spirit," touring the world in 1999. Since then, he has been touring and enlightening the the world with the music of the Magic Malik Quintet, a reinterpretation of drum’n’bass, African rhythms, an echo of Hindu rag, with jazz and salsa riffs thrown in.

when - 20th April
where - Palladium, ul. Złota 7/9
more info - click here

5th All-Poland Review of Modern Monologue

The 5th annual All-Poland Review of Modern Monologue will take the form of a contest, in which a jury will pick a sole (how appropriate) winner. The goal of the Review is to familiarize the Warsaw public with one of the hardest forms of theatrical arts, that of the monologue, or one man (or woman) play. The program includes comedic as well as dramatic performances, as well as musical presentations - the one criterion for selection into the review is a high artistic level. An extra attraction will be the chance for the audience to participate in the jury; every ticket holder will be entered into a drawing to become one of the judges!

when - 20th April until 22nd April
where - Stara ProchOFFnia, ul. Bolesc 2
more info - click here

Scianka Concert

The only wall-like thing about the indie rock band Scianka is the wall of sound they produce that tends to penetrate your every cell - in a good, rocking way. Poland's answer to Sonic Youth hails from Sopot and has been playing together for years, releasing two excellent albums in the process.

when - 25th April
where - Punkt, ul. Koszykowa 55
more info - click here

"Still Life with Manet in the Background" Exhibit

"Still Life with Manet in the Background" is an exhibit of paintings by Ewa Kuzniak (b. 1980), a former student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. She is the creator of a cycle of paintings in which she playfully cites the masters. Her simple, linear, graphic style gives a collage-like character to her paintings - a confrontation with a different world, a search for contrasts, which for the viewer become a source of wonder.

when - 27th April until 12th May
where - Galeria Sztuki Katarzyny Napiorkowskiej, Pulawska 17
more info - click here

"The Good Thief" Play

Artistic Centre Montownia is proud to present the classic Irish drama "The Good Thief" for one night only. The one man play tells the tale of a ruffian and his bouts with his conscience after a tale filled with murder, kidnapping, and a desperate but unfortunate escape. Starts at 7 pm.

when - 27th April
where - Montownia, ul. Konopnickiej 6
more info - click here