- Klinsmann, Frenzy Mono, Corkskrew and Etnika
Fans of rock and local bands can enjoy a grand concert at Independence Square in Victoria, It-Tokk, on Saturday 19 May. The concert will continue till the early hours of Sunday morning. Admission is free of charge.
Klinsmann Coleiro and Band will open the concert at 9pm. He will be followed by Frenzy Mono from 10.45pm till 12.15am. Corkskrew will present their show from 12.30am to 2am, while Etnika will round off at It-Tokk Stage with their performance from 2.30am to 4am.
Chris, Jordan, Edward and Julian of Frenzy Mono, have built a strong reputation as one of Malta’s hottest and most entertaining band in the live music scene. Combining energy, passion and experimentation with tightness, Frenzy Mono’s shows are indeed experiences to relish for any heavy rock fan. The band is now also proud to launch its first professionally-recorded full-length album titled Unorthodox.
Founded in 1997, this year Corkskrew celebrates the 10th anniversary of their musical activity. Over the years, the band released over 15 radio singles from their albums and acted as a supporting band for international performances in Malta, such as Sir Elton John, Faithless, and Kosheen.
In November 2004, the band released the second CD album entitled No Ordinary Maybe and it is currently writing new compositions. Corkskrew is made up of vocalist Diane Micallef, Lincoln Spiteri on guitars and synth programming, Ronald Grech on bass, and Franco Aloisio on drums. The band’s website is: www.corkskrew.net.
Etnika will be presenting their latest production Kabaré Malti, featuring the Etnika 11-piece brass band in a 90-minute blend of music, dance and theatre from the heart of the Mediterranean. Now growing an international name, Etnika have travelled extensively in over 15 countries to some of the most prestigious festivals in Europe including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 2004. Kabaré Malti features repertoire from CD Zifna and shows Bumm Bumm, the Giant Dream as well as a variety of Maltese instruments, such as iz-zaqq, tanbur, zafzafa, flejguta and zummara.
Theatrical shows in Victoria
Three theatre companies will be presenting their works on Saturday 19 May in Gozo as part of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana. These will be presented in the Sentinella Hall at the Citadel, the Astra Theatre and at the Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria.
At the Citadel, Dù Theatre group will present a contemporary production entitled Lacuna. The play will start at 7.30pm with a repeat performance at midnight in the Sentinella Hall. The actors are Franica Pulis, Kristjana Casha, Magda van Kuilenburg and Simone Spiteri with the special participation of Jonathan Mamo. Musician Tim Ellis will be leading the musical ensemble accompanying the piece with live original music. Admission is free of charge.
Lacuna, a piece in Maltese and written by Simone Spiteri, is inspired and takes as a springboard Sepja: a series of novels (to be published this month) written by Trevor Zahra. It seeks to combine the themes (rather than plot) of introspective mature writings with the distinctive black-humoured, feminine and energetic approach of the Dù performer. Using almost no props and no set, the female performers weave their own story of four women who have nothing in common; who do not know who they are, where they are, who the other three are… not even who they themselves are. Only one bizarre thing connects them – they all know how to sing the same song. Visit the website at: www.du-theatre.blogspot.com.
Fans of the Zoo team will enjoy the latest comedy called Lejl bit-Torch ma’ Zoo at the Astra Theatre. Chrysander Agius, Claire Agius Ordway, Daniel Chircop and Owen Bonnici are producing another hilarious production for Lejlet Lapsi in Gozo with repeat performances throughout the night. The show starts at 8pm, with a repeat at 9.30pm, 11pm, 12.30am. Extra shows may also be held, subject to public demand. Lejl bit-Torch ma’ Zoo is being organised by the Socjetà Filarmonika La Stella and is supported by General Soft Drinks, Bonitos Restaurant in Xlendi, and Herbees Diner. It is rated 16 and over and admission price is Lm1 from the Astra booking office. Tickets can be purchased one hour before the first performance, that is as from 7pm. Visit the website at: www.zoo.com.mt.
A one-man play called L-Imfietah, produced by theatre company Talenti and featuring the well-known actor Mario Micallef will be held at the Don Bosco Oratory at St Augustine Square at 10.45pm and will finish at midnight. Following the success of the Mandrake Root at the Manoel Theatre, Talenti now returns to the fore with the presentation of the comedy in Maltese.
L-Imfietah is an original writing by Zep Camilleri who is also directing and Mario Micallef who, all on his own, will interpret six characters. Helping Mario out will be three beautiful young dancers who will also act out a few scenes of their own. This hilarious comedy is rated 16 and over. Admission price Lm1 and tickets can be obtained in the evening of Saturday 19 May as from 4pm from the Don Bosco Oratory.
Earlier on at 4pm, football fans will be able to watch the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United on the big screen at the Don Bosco Oratory at St Augustine Square.
The Don Bosco Oratory will also show two family films: Goal 2 (running time: 115mins) will start at 6.15pm and Charlotte’s Web (running time: 96mins) will run from 8.30pm. Admission prices are Lm1.20 for adults and 80c for children.
The activities are being held as part of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana, a weekend of events, organised by the Gozo Ministry and the Tourism and Culture Ministry, sponsored by the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund – Ministry of Finance, Bank of Valletta, Air Malta and Gozo Channel Company Limited and supported by the Victoria Local Council, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Gozo Tourism Association and BPC.
Further information can be obtained on tel.: 2155-9832, or via email to: events@
gozoculture.com or online: www.gozoculture.com.
Spectacular pop show
- Big Band Brothers, Versatile Brass Band, Claire Baluci
The first edition of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana promises an exciting programme of events. Those who love pop music will be able to savour the sounds and rhythms of the Big Band Brothers, the Versatile Brass Band, and Claire Baluci on Saturday 19 May at St Francis Square, Victoria. Admission is free of charge.
The Big Band Brothers (BBB), a 13-strong band, will present a repertoire of pop music from 8pm to 9.30pm on the Pop Stage at St Francis Square. The Big Band Brothers specialise in classical, Latin, jazz standards and pop music. The BBB are the resident band on popular TV programme Xarabank and had previously been the band for Fil-Pjazza tar-Rahal.
The Versatile Brass Band will perform from 9.45pm to 11.15pm. Founded by its music director Paul Borg, the Versatile Brass Band is renowned for its vast repertoire of different kinds of music from pop to jazz, swing, Latin, rock’n’roll, twist, soul music and classic pieces. The ensemble has performed in several prestigious concerts, namely the Terme di Gianciano in Italy, and represented Malta at the Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany.
Considered as one of the ultimate exponents of the “show organist” music scene, the award winner Claire Baluci, has been internationally acclaimed for her brilliance and inspiration in live performances. Claire is the winner of the 1998 and 1999 European Organ Championships held in Germany and is a member of the Bohm Music International (Germany) team of top organists. Her music is a mixture of classical and pop styles in a contemporary manner that appeals to her wide audiences. Accompanied by her singers – soprano Jacqueline Micallef Grimaud, vocalist Nicole Weaving and classic vocalist Beatrice Calleja, Claire Baluci will present her performance from 11.30pm to 1am at St Francis Square, Victoria.