Mellow September
Following two months of non-stop action, September’s a mellow fellow highlighted by two musical acts brought over from the UK.
THEATRE
Tattoo + pix
14-16, 21-23 September at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Actinghouse presents German well-known playwright Dea Loher’s drama about sexual abuse within a middle class family. Tattoo is a searing portrayal of the disintegration of a family, and of a young woman's struggle to forge her own identity and free herself from the shadow of a domineering and manipulative father. The younger sister tries to rebel… whilst the mother is too weak to protect her children and covers the disaster. The elder daughter eventually meets a young man, and they fall in love. Hope arises that she may be able to free herself from an unbearable situation. Dea Loher uses poetic language to contrast the harsh reality of sexual child abuse. Booking from St James Cavalier, Tel. 2122 3216.
MUSIC
Chinese Musical Instruments
Until 9 September at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Musical instruments are a source of songs, and they are solidified movements as well. While visiting the exhibition of Chinese musical instruments, you may feel that you are enjoying the Chinese culture and customs at the foot of the Great Wall, and were breathing sweet air on the bank of the Yellow River.
The history of the Chinese musical instruments dates back to the Neolithic Age, with artifacts unearthed from the Henan Province dating back to more than 8000 years ago. Moreover, in the records and documents of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, dating c 1600 -256 BC, over 70 kinds of ancient Chinese musical instruments are mentioned. Each of the 56 ethnic groups of China has a great multitude of distinctive music and instruments, each producing a variety of colourful and multifarious sounds and timbres.
The items on display in this exhibition are carefully-selected distinctive instruments of both ancient and modern China, which will provide visitors with a comprehensive view of the brilliant Chinese instrumental culture.
Pete Molinari/The Burning Leaves
2 September on the University campus
AM Promotions are bringing over two British acts, duo The Burning Leaves and singer-songwriter Pete Molinari. Though relatively young, The Burning Leaves' hauntingly beautiful songs are leaving a lasting impression wherever they play. The duo (Indie Mae and Craig Lee-Williams) spent most of last year supporting established American folk/gothic outfit The Handsome Family and this year they have played most of UK's important folk festivals. The gentle musings of the Burning Leaves are dark, but their infectious harmonies are reminiscent of highly acclaimed bands like Low and Mazzy Star. In contrast, Pete Molinari sounds more like the traditional folk singers of times gone by. Critics have compared his rootsy guitar playing and vocals to the likes of Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen and even Bob Dylan. NME music critic Laura Davis recently showered him with praise: ''I think he can go on to follow into the footsteps of greats like Guthrie and Dylan and where few others rarely go.'' Tickets are on sale at Lm3.50/EUR8.15 from Anthony D'Amato (Valletta ), Muddy Waters (St Julian's) and PrintXPress (University). Tickets at the door will cost Lm4.50/EUR10.48.
Soirée Musicale
4 September at the Music Room of St James Cavalier, Valletta
A showcase concert by seven young artists who will be offering a rich and varied programme of classical music. Two composers, two pianists, and three sopranos, all linked by a passion for music which has led them to further their studies at the Ian Tomlin School of Music at Napier University, Edinburgh. The evening will also feature violinist Sarah Spiteri. The programme will consist of several seldom heard works, as well as two world premieres – a song cycle by Veronique Zammit and a violin sonata by Alex Vella Gregory. Booking from St James Cavalier, Tel. 2122 3216.
Jyosna la Trobe Live
7, 8 September at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Jyosna is a singer/songwriter of international acclaim from New Zealand. She will give a unique presentation of Indian music adapted to western styles and instruments, accompanied by pianist Erik Azzopardi and base guitarist Nicki Morales. Booking from St James Cavalier, Tel. 2122 3216.
Independence Day Concert
21 September at the Palace Courtyard, Valletta
The National Orchestra will give a concert commemorating Malta’s acquisition of Independence in 1964. The concert is preceded by Pontifical High Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta. Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.
CINEMA
Children’s Cinema Day
1 September at St James Cavalier, Valletta
This Saturday kids have the opportunity to watch the latest movies at discounted cinema prices. KRS Film Distributors are holding this anticipated event, offering a choice of 18 films, including seven new releases, at a reduced admission price of Lm1/EUR2.33, with accompanying adults paying Lm1.50/EUR3.49. The films include comedies, fantasy adventures, dramas and animated features, including Evan Almighty, Surf’s Up, Firehouse Dog, Transformers, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Simpsons Movie and Shrek the Third.
VISUAL ARTS
Bodies
7 September-2 October at the National Museum of Fine Art, Valletta
An exhibition of drawings by Jesmond Vassallo, Gilbert Calleja and Robert Zahra. Bodies brings together studies and works produced over years of group work focusing on the interpretation of the human body from life.
Voyage & Voir: Travellers of the Grand Tour
Until 16 September at the Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa
An exhibition aimed at the study, understanding and valorisation of various facets of Mediterranean maritime history with special emphasis on merchant cities of the Mediterranean. Organised by Heritage Malta and the Comune Palazzolo Acreide as part of the EU programme Interreg IIIA Italia – Malta. Open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm intends to make the subject available to all via the modern means of information technology and modern communications.
Denise and Steve Scicluna
29 August – late September at 2_22, Valletta
Denise and Steve Scicluna are exhibiting at 2_22, which, in collaboration with Earth Garden, will be hosting monthly exhibitions.
World Press Photo Exhibition
14 September - 7 October at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Presented in collaboration with the Royal Dutch Embassy in Malta, The World Press Photo Exhibition comes to Malta for the first time, with approximately 170 award-winning photographs from across the globe that capture the most powerful, moving and at times disturbing images of the year. Recognised as the definitive competition for photographic reporting, the exhibition brings together images from all over the world. The subjects explored range from the shocking to the sublime, the beautiful to the barely believable, and include war-torn Iraq, street dancers in Paris, fans and footballers at the World Cup in Germany, the American Ms Senior Sweetheart pageant, and the vicious hunting grounds of the Leopard seal.
OTHER EVENTS
Gran Castello Experience Heritage Trail
7 September at Lecture Theatre 2, University of Malta
Heritage trail organised by Heritage Malta touring the Citadel in Gozo. Pre-booking essential. Booking from Heritage Malta’s Gozo area office Tel. 2156 4188 or Heritage Malta head office Tel. 2295 4312. Tickets at Lm5/EUR11.65 each. Limited tickets available.
Victory Day Commemorations
8 September
Half price admission for all adults at the National War Museum and the Palace Armoury in Valletta. Organised by Heritage Malta on the occasion of Victory Day. Free entrance for persons under 16 years. Open from 9am to 5pm.
The Caravaggio Trail
15 September 2007
A heritage trail visiting the St John's Co-Cathedral and the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta, organised by Heritage Malta to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Caravaggio's stay in Malta. From 9am to 1pm. Pre-booking is essential from Heritage Malta head office Tel. 229 54312. Tickets at Lm5/EUR11.65 each. Limited tickets available.
Valletta Boat Show
27-30 September at The Grand Hotel Excelsior’s yacht marina
The first Valletta Boat Show is being organised in Malta, right in the heart of the Mediterranean, under the official patronage of the newly set up Yachting Services Trade Section of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, and also of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. For more information, contact Ms Christine Borg on 9942 6747 or email [email protected]
This information is correct at the time of printing
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