Summer’s on at full blast, not just due to the heat, but because of this summer’s Malta Arts Festival that is compensating for the hot weather with a colourful programme packed with arts and merriment.

THEATRE

RISK: El Riesgo de la Reina

31 July, 1 August at MITP, Valletta

Theatre ensemble Icarus Performance Project present the latest stage of their performance based on Cervantes’ masterpiece Don Quixote. RISK: El Riesgo de La Reina (The Risk of the Queen) is the second step in the project’s work on an evolving performance structure.

Based on last year’s performance La Reina, RISK explores liminal areas of theatre performance. Apart from the multi-tiered vocality of the songs and texts in RISK, which is the distinguishing feature of Icarus Project presentations, the performance incorporates digital/video projections and an installation-spatial setting in its performative weave.

The spatial setting of RISK is an installation in its own right with a veil dividing the theatre in two. Structured improvisation and choral work are other aspects of RISK, directed by Frank Camilleri and performed by Nicole Bugeja, Frank Camilleri, Karl Cassar, Aldith Gauci, and Marie Louise Vella.

The performance, which is part of the Malta Arts Festival and SUPA 2007, starts at 9pm and tickets can be bought online from www.maltaticket.com as well as from Agenda Bookshops, Exotique Outlets, Bookends and Newskiosk. For more info visit www.icarusproject.info.

Odin Teatret

2-6 August at MITP, Valletta

The Malta Arts Festival – Summer 2007 in collaboration with SUPA (Summer University of Performing Arts) will this year include a treat for serious theatre-goers: world-renowned theatre group Odin Teatret from Denmark will be performing and giving workshops and demonstrations. Odin Teatret has been based in Holstebro, Denmark since 1966.

It was founded and directed by theatre director and writer Eugenio Barba. Odin’s visit to Malta is a unique opportunity to see a prominent and historic theatre ensemble of the 20th century. Their work is part of a European theatre movement kicked off in the 60s by theatre master Jerzy Grotowski.

Odin Teatret will be presenting two performances, Judith on Sunday, a solo piece by Roberta Carreri, and Inside the Skeleton of the Whale on Monday, a performance featuring the whole ensemble. Torgeir Wethal will be conducting the workshop Shoot the Arrow around the Corner.

A special treat, allowing the audience to gain insight into the group’s performative process, is the possibility to see no less than three work demonstrations: Dialogue between Two Actors on Friday, Paths of Thought on Saturday, and The Flying Carpet on Sunday. For further details, visit www.maltaculture.com and www.tarf.info. Tickets can be purchased from www.maltaticket.com.

Voice as Physical Action – open sessions

8-10 August at Mitp, Valletta

Frank Camilleri will be giving open sessions on Voice as Physical Action. The open sessions will be held from 9am until 12noon and are open to anyone interested in working on the voice via actor training techniques.

Vocal and song techniques such as text articulation, voice energy, rhythm will be transmitted within the parameters of the work on intentions and physical actions.

It is possible to attend or observe only one session. Reservation can be made against a donation of Lm5/EUR11.65 for a single session or Lm10/EUR23.29 for all three sessions. For more information, email contact@ icarusproject.info or call on mob.: 7977-7796.

MUSIC

Sayed Darwish

2 August in the Palace courtyard, Valletta

An evening of Egyptian music composed by the late Sayed Darwish, that is part of the Malta Arts Festival Summer 2007

Carmine Lauri and John Alley in recital

3 August at the Palace Courtyard, Valletta

A recital by Carmine Lauri (violin) and John Alley (piano). Carmine left Malta in 1988 to further his musical studies in London and is now a leading world soloist besides being co-leader of the London Symphony Orchestra. He also leads and performs regularly with the World Orchestra for Peace under Valery Gergiev. John Alley is the principal keyboard player of the London Symphony Orchestra and has played under such composers and conductors as John Adams, Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Hans Werne Henze, Oliver Knussen, Witold Lutoswaski, André Previn and Sir Colin Davis.

The Legends of Music

6, 7 August at the Opera House ruins, Valletta

The Legends of Music is a show featuring hits by some of the greatest legends ever to grace the history of Pop music, such as Edith Piaf, Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra and Tina Turner. The show will include some of Malta’s top performers such as Debbie Scerri, Glen Vella, Natasha and Charlene Grima, Ivan Spiteri Lucas, Triccas, Nadine Axisa, Ludwig Galea and Klinsmann.

Movie Spectacular

8 August at the Grandmaster’s Palace courtyard, Valletta

The Pure Brass Quintet is proud to announce its participation in this year’s Malta Arts Festival. The quintet is made up of talented and professional young brass musicians and performs the very best in brass music for every occasion: from baroque and classical, to popular, musicals and jazz music. The Pure Brass Quintet also plays local Maltese music as part of its repertoire. Tickets can be bought online from www.maltaticket.com at Lm4/EUR9.32 each.

Karavan Petlor

10-12 August at the Royal Opera House ruins, Valletta

As part of the Malta Arts Festival, Etnika proposes a new and exciting repertoire and a search for a new sound that reflects international music trends yet with themes reflecting local social and environmental issues like immigration, hunting, urbanisation and over-development. Etnikafe 07 is an audio-visual feast and a must-see in this year’s cultural calendar. Etnika is collaborating with a sassy entourage of over 20 collaborating guests, including rapper JON IQ, Black Jungle and his turntables, lyricist Mario Vella of Brikkuni, Alison Galea from Beangrowers, Sandro Zerafa and DJ Danjeli. The local gypsy punks strike back with a fresh approach and grooves infused with elements of dance culture, funk and ska. The latest repertoire is forged on traditional instruments, groovy sounds and riotous tambourines, gutsy folk cries, stomping feet and body percussion.

Silk Road

13 August at Castille’s Courtyard, Valletta

This concert invites you to a musical journey for virtuoso cello, percussion and voice played by a unique ensemble specially put together for the Malta Arts Festival Summer 2007, featuring the Ars Ludi percussion duo, Gianluca Ruggeri and Rodolfo Rossi, in collaboration with contralto Marta Zanazzi and cellist Luca Peverini. For over 20 years, Ars Ludi has made its mark as the percussion ensemble in international music festivals. The Silk Road concert presents a showcase of contemporary works embellished by a selection of songs by Erik Satie. This concert also features the national premier of Ruben Zahra’s composition, The Silk Road Suite, depicting a musical journey from the Mediterranean ports to the ancient capitals of China.

Simon Schembri

17 August at the Auberge d’Italie, Valletta

A concert by Simon Schembri, who is Maltese by birth and grew up in a musical family. He began his guitar studies at six years of age and was giving concerts by nine. Early success led him to London and Paris at age 13 where the honours accumulated: the coveted Concert Artist’s degree from the Royal College of Music at 14 and, under Alexandre Lagoya’s tutelage, the Premier Prix d’Interprétation at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. Simon Schembri has been living in France for the last 20 years. He has given 600 concerts worldwide, notably in France, but also in England, Spain, Germany and Italy.

Jazz Fringe!

17,18 August at the Palace Courtyard, Valletta

Jazz Fringe! aims to showcase and introduce non-mainstream, European-jazz acts to local audiences. The music featured in this two-day event represents the diversity and eclecticism present in jazz music nowadays by presenting a variety of acts ranging from the purist to the rock oriented to more dancy electro jazz. The performers, hailing from various parts of the globe, are musicians who are active locally as well as on the Parisian and European jazz circuit, and include the Synapse Trio with Arnette de Mille, the Julian Daian Quintet, DJ Borz, Dominic Galea and Co. and the White Russian Quintet. This event is also part of the Malta Arts Festival Summer 2007.

Carlos Bonell

18 August at the Auberge d’Italie, Valletta

Carlos Bonell was born in London to Spanish parents and studied at the Royal College of Music with John Williams. He was appointed the youngest ever professor there in 1972. Since that time, he has played in many parts of the world including most European capitals as well as in the United States, Israel, Australia and the Far East. He has appeared regularly with all the major British orchestras and at many international festivals including The City of London, Aldeburgh, Helsinki, Israel, Tanglewood, Sydney, Istanbul, Hong Kong and New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival. Carlos Bonell’s guitar playing can be heard in the films City of Angels and The Honest Courtesan and in the TV films Inspector Morse and The Politician’s Wife.

CINEMA

Egyptian Cinema

16-18 August at St James Cavalier, Valletta

Two Egyptian films are being shown at St James Cavalier as part of the Malta Arts Festival Summer 2007, with a selection of Alexandrian short films on 18 August. The films range from video art to documentaries and drama. Video and documentary artist Ahmed Essamra will also be holding after-discussions with the audience.

LECTURES

Lecture by Eugenio Barba

6 August at Lecture Theatre 2, University of Malta

Eugenio Barba will give a public lecture at 10am. Barba’s stature in 20th-century theatre is comparable to the likes of Stanislavski, Brecht, Brook, and Grotowski. His visit promises to be a unique and historic event.

VISUAL ARTS

A Berliner Goes Gozo

Until 29 August at Art Box Gallery of Modern Art in Zeppi’s Pub, St Joseph Square, Qala, Gozo

A photographic exhibition by German artist Gerhard Steffenhagen. Since 1969, Gerhard and his wife have been regular visitors to Malta and Gozo. When Gerhard retired, he moved to Ghajnsielem, Gozo, where he could concentrate on photography. He goes around Gozo, with his camera as his trustful companion, looking for details – beautiful coloured flowers, ledges hidden in the rocks, “special shapes” in cactus plants or rock formations. As a diver, he also admires the beauty of sea life. His first photo exhibition is open daily on weekdays from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm.

Blu, Ericailcane and Lorenzo Fonda

1-6 August at the skater’s roundabout, Msida

Kinemastik is bringing over Blu, Ericailcane and Lorenzo Fonda – three cutting-edge Italian artists – who will present their drawings and animations as part of the Malta Summer Arts Festival. They will be giving workshops and doing murals at the skaters’ roundabout in Msida. Lorenzo Fonda will also be screening his new short film at St James Cavalier, Valletta. The exact date and time are yet to be announced on www.

kinemastik.org.

This information is correct at the time of printing

[email protected]