Did you know that the history of flamenco is closely connected not only with Spain, but also with India, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East? Did you know that there are more than 100 flamenco dance styles and variations? Did you know that the essence of flamenco dance and music is rooted in the deep, often tragic experiences of the Romani people's history in Spain?
All this and much more you will be able to see and learn at the flamenco dance club "Duende"'s 10th anniversary concert "Tierra Flamenca", on Friday, 18 April at 17:00 at the Baltic International Academy in Riga, Lomonosova iela 1. The concert is planned in two parts.
The concert will feature Duende dancers, as well as Indian, belly dance and ballet dancers, and flamenco guest studios Tientos (Lithuania) and K. Shevchenko Flamenco Dance Studio (Estonia).
We received this Fiskars herb growing pot as a gift last autumn, but back then there wasn't quite the same longing for greenery to plant anything in it. Now, that moment has come. Although the included instructions encouraged planting healthy greens or herbs to add to food in this 90mm wide, two-tone layered plastic container, I chose something to delight the eyes - three sprouted daffodil bulbs that were already preparing to bloom. And right on time, because after such a sunny and warm start to spring, a proper winter day has arrived with winds, snow and cold. So this little mobile sunshine on the kitchen windowsill is perfectly timed.
Browsing the latest Oriflame catalogue, I came across an interesting toy and brain trainer - the Sudoku Cube. And I even have an idea who I could give it to as a gift.
The Sudoku Cube is a variation of the Rubik's Cube that everyone has known since childhood, except that instead of the coloured squares decorating the cube's six faces, there are numbers from 1 to 9. The Sudoku Cube was invented in 2006 by American Jay Horowitz.
One of the events that I think fits perfectly into the opening programme of the European Capital of Culture "Riga 2014" is the Book Lovers' Chain planned for this Saturday, 18 January, when books will be passed hand-to-hand from the old building of the National Library of Latvia to Gaismas pils - the new building on the other bank of the Daugava.
The event will begin at 12:00 and will proceed in eight sections (see map below): Section 1 – Vērmanes dārzs; Section 2 – Merķeļa iela; Section 3 – Brīvības bulvāris; Section 4 – Kaļķu iela; Section 5 – Kaļķu iela/Kungu iela; Section 6 – 11. novembra krastmala; Section 7 – Akmens tilts; Section 8 – Akmens tilts at Gaismas pils.
Very soon the festive waiting period - Advent - will begin. This year we'll start counting down this Sunday, 1 December. I've prepared the IINUU Life Wisdom Advent Calendar with 24 windows, each hiding a piece of life wisdom, an insight or a thought. As we wait for the holidays, we'll reveal them one by one and enrich ourselves!
Planning to attend the event taking place this year from 22 to 24 November at Ķīpsala - the 2nd Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Exhibition and Conference "RIGA COMM 2013", where Latvian manufacturers, traders and service providers will be able to learn about and try out the hottest ICT innovations from around the world.
More than 50 Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Russian ICT companies will participate in the "Riga Comm 2013" exhibition, presenting to industry professionals, company executives and other interested visitors interactive and innovative ICT solutions, business applications, IT outsourcing, security solutions, telecommunication products, internet and mobile marketing services and more.
A Facebook post caught my attention about interesting topics to be discussed at Researchers' Night in the University of Latvia Central Building this Friday evening and late into the night. But the programme of events is much broader and takes place in various locations across Latvia and beyond.
In brief: on 27 September 2013 from 18:00 to 23:00, the annual Researchers' Night will take place for the seventh time, with this year's theme being "Water". Events take place in 35 countries and 300 European cities, including nine Latvian cities - Riga, Jelgava, Daugavpils, Rēzekne, Ventspils, Valmiera, Salaspils, Liepāja and Cēsis. All Latvian universities are involved, as well as some museums and companies.
The plan is to attend events specifically at the Faculty of Theology on Raiņa bulvāris 19 (19:00–23:00). Sub-theme - Water and Mathematics.
Programme, participants >>>
The flamenco dance club "Duende" is once again forming a new beginners' group. If you are drawn to Spanish passionate rhythms, or simply want to get moving and learn something new, feel free to sign up for classes. They take place on weekday evenings, so you can conveniently make it after work or studies.
For beginners I definitely recommend Sevillanas - a rare partner dance (flamenco dances are usually more or less solo pieces). The steps of this dance are smooth, supple and joyful, with just a touch of Spanish spice, and it comes in very handy at various celebrations. The dance is not easy, as it consists of four parts, each with its own choreography. But once the basic step is successfully mastered and the leg movements flow in sync with the arm movements, dancing it is pure pleasure.
Dance club "Duende" also organises concerts, and invites guest artists from Spain - professional flamenco dancers and musicians who give masterclasses to the "Duende" girls (boys in the club are, sadly, a rarity).
In short, it won't be boring - join the dancing crowd!
Tomorrow evening on 7 September, as part of the contemporary culture forum "White Night", for the first time in Sarkandaugava's history a project will take place offering both local residents and visitors from near and far to journey through the neighbourhood's reincarnation tunnel SARKANDAUGAVA CODE. It will consist of five stops: 1. Time Machine. 2. The social-poetic chill-out "Murmuration" on Goat Boulevard. 3. The creative fence "Poetry-ism Street." 4. Art happening "Rebirth". 5. Final stop - Sarkandaugava centre.
Android users at "White Night" will be able to use the mobile app "Sarkandaugava Code" to more easily navigate the neighbourhood reincarnation tunnel >>>
This year the contemporary culture forum White Night will take place on the night of 7 to 8 September under the motto "Open the Doors!" As in previous years, the programme is planned to include film and video projects, concerts, installations, exhibitions, interactive interdisciplinary projects, theatre, poetry, dance and multimedia projects, happenings, creative workshops and cross-sector projects.
Events will take place from 19:00 on 7 September 2013 until 03:00 on 8 September, as well as from 15:00 to 23:00 on 7 September 2013 (events for children and family audiences).
Admission to all White Night events is free.
