Há Fado no Cais – Carolina

The cycle Há Fado no Cais has this Saturday another session presenting, the fado singer Carolina, who will take the stage of the Small Auditorium at the Centro Cultural de Belém.

Carolina was born in Hamburg on April 12th 1984 and, at about the same time, her parents decided to return to Portugal. She was accustomed to Portuguese songs from a very early age as her father sang fado songs to her and her mother songs from the popular Portuguese songbook.

It was in a bar in Porto called “Pop” that Carolina sang fado, in public, for the first time, but where she really stood out was in two musicals by the Portuguese producer Filipe La Féria, in Porto and Lisboa, where she represented the young Amália and Beatriz Costa.

Carolina is a new generation fado singer who doesn’t disappoint and another example of young national talents making her name in contemporary fado. Her eponymous release reveals an exceptional maturity, in which the poetry of Ary dos Santos, Alberto Janes and Flávio Gil coexists alongside originals such as a composition by António Zambujo. To get under the skin of her emotion, 

Carolina shall take the stage promising a celebration worthy of the praise she has recently been receiving.

This weekend at the Palace

The Avenida Palace offers a weekend of music at the Palace Lounge.

The Avenida Palace music program proceeds this weekend with 2 events that will fill the Palace’s Lounge with music.

On Saturday a piano recital by João Romeiras which will include pieces by J.S. Bach, L.V.
Beethoven, J. Haydn and F. Chopin and on Sunday Maria Cecília Bettencourt presents on the piano a French songbook.

Complete the program by trying one the cocktails prepared by our Bartenders.

Check here "The Avenida Palace February Music Program".

Glenn Miller Orchestra on CCB

The Glenn Miller Orchestra returns to Lisbon for 2 concerts at the Main Auditorium, in Belém Cultural Center on February 18th and 19th.

Born in 1904, Glenn Miller got his musical start when, one day, his father brought home a mandolin. Glenn promptly traded it for an old battered horn, which he practiced every chance he got.

Dropped from college to focus on his music career, Glenn Miller formed, in a second try, in March 1938, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and soon began breaking attendance records all up and down the East Coast.

The orchestra returns, once again, to Portugal, where previous concerts have been a success. Directed by maestro Ray McVay it promises another delightful show crammed with hits from the golden period of the history of jazz, in which such classics such as “Moonlight”, “Serenade”, “In The Mood”, “Tuxedo Junction” and others can be heard.

On stage there will be 20 musicians and singers promising two hours of show time, that will drop us right back into the 1930s.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day, in Portugal, is celebrated with music and Lisbon is one of the “stages”. All is set for that much expected day, the day that nothing can fail.

The history of Valentine's Day dates back to a dark fasting day, held in honor of St. Valentine.

The Emperor Claudius II, had prohibited marriage during the wars believing that single soldiers were better fighters. Bishop Valentine fought against such instructions and, clandestinely, continued celebrating weddings despite the prohibition of the Emperor.

He was later arrested for this "crime" and during that period, young couples send him flowers and letters saying that they continued to believe in love.

During his time in prison, Bishop Valentine, fell in love with the blind daughter of a jailer, to whom he miraculously restored the sight. Before his execution, Valentine wrote a farewell message to his love, in which he signed "From your Valentine".

But it was only in the late Middle Ages, during which the concept of romantic love was expressed, that this date started to be associated to romantic love.

In this special date, a series of concerts will take place across the country, all starting at the same time, featuring Amor Electro, D.A.M.A., David Fonseca among others. In Lisbon, Paulo Gonzo will take the stage, in the Campo Pequeno.

Find out here the complete program.

“In search of Portugal. Ideas, objects, news, fashions”

From January 23rd to April 25th, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos presents an exhibition about the journey of journeys.

This exhibition is about the temporal and geographic realities of Portugal discoveries and expansion in modern times, leading to a multi-civilizational reading.

According to Prof. António Camões Gouveia, the responsible for the exhibition, the aim is to show visitors ”The whole journey of discovery and the different knowledge and expansions resulting of a long sea voyage to reach land and then people, animals, plants, wealth and differences! That journey of journeys is what we want to tell”.

With pieces kindly provided by 17 museums/archives and libraries across the country. “In Search of Portugal. Ideas, objects, news, fashions” emphasizes the human and civilizational landscape in a chronological and territorial narrative.

And so, bearing in mind the variability of the theme to be explored, emblematic pieces were selected on their holders, geographical origins, time frames and symbols originally registered or subsequently acquired.

W. A. Mozart 260 years of age recital

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born on January 27th, was one of the most influential composers of the Classical era. 

Born in Salzburg, Mozart was a musician capable of playing multiple instruments who started playing in public at the age of 6 and showed instantly a prodigious ability from his early age. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty.

Over the years, Mozart aligned himself with a variety of European venues and patrons, composing over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, works that included sonatas, symphonies, masses, concertos and operas, marked by vivid emotion and sophisticated textures.

He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and his influence on subsequent Western art music is profound. Ludwig van Beethoven composed his own early works in the shadow of Mozart, and Joseph Haydn wrote that "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years".

Today, we honor him in a recital by João Romeiras, at our Palace Lounge.

Source: Wikipédia, Biography

Musical Weekend at the Palace

The Avenida Palace’s January Music Program continues with three more shows that will entertain our Dear Guest’s evenings.

Today, at 7 p.m., we’ll present a guitar duet, featuring João Mascarenhas and Pedro Matos.

Tomorrow, it’s time for classical music in a piano recital by João Romeiras, who will play themes of W.A.Mozart, L.V.Beethoven, E.Grieg and C.Debussy.

Lastly, on Saturday, a piano and saxophone recital by João Romeiras and Vitor Rocha.
Join us every day, at 7 p.m., at our Palace Lounge, for an hour of music

Lisboa – O que o Turista Deve Ver

The Museu dos Coches features until January 31st, on the 2nd floor of the gallery, a collection of drawings of Lisbon.

This exhibition of drawings, by Mario Linhares, that illustrate the book by Fernando Pessoa, Lisboa – O que o Turista Deve Ver (Lisbon - What the Tourist Should See) which was recently published by the Centro Atlântico.

This edition with unique illustrations, introduces a fearless guide in decisions about routes to take, revealing a deep and detailed knowledge on the streets and monuments of the city of Lisbon.

Percussions of the Metropolitana

The appeal of percussion is obvious among all audiences, especially the young ones. But behind the displays of mastery and gestural effects, there is a whole study and a practice that cannot be overlooked and that makes a difference. The Percussions of the Metropolitana are proof of this.

The musical disclosure is one of the goals of the group and that is why it makes so many presentations to schools, but also it conducts longer-term concerts in venues such as the CCB or the São Jorge Cinema. In 2011 and 2014, the group was awarded the 1st prize in the category of Música de Câmara (chamber music), middle level.

On the 16th of January at 9 p.m., in the first ever collaboration between pupils of the Escola Profissional Metropolitana, the Conservatório de Música of the Metropolitana and the Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra / National Orchestra Academy, they are coming together to demonstrate how popular percussion instruments still gain interest from all kinds of audiences, particularly among younger publics.

Behind the performance and manual dexterity, long hours of study and practice are needed to create something truly special. With a diverse repertoire veering  from the erudite to pop and world music, this is an audacious show which will not disappoint.

This young group shows how the bond between teacher training and musical artistic practice has really paid off, in this innovative project of the Metropolitana, in a constant discovery of sounds and rhythms, directed by Professor Marco Fernandes.

Grand New Year Concert

Lisbon starts the New Year with the unique sound of Strauss, on the 9th of January, at the Coliseu dos Recreios.

The Strauss Festival Orchestra and the Strauss Festival Ballet Ensemble bring to Lisbon some of the most well-known selections of classical music by the Austrian composer, who continues to fill venues all over the world.

With an attractive selection of the best waltzes, polkas and marches. The Strauss Festival Orchestra and Strauss Festival Ballet Ensemble will interpret the most known titles of the Austrian musician, considered the king of the waltz.

Titles such as Napoleon, Flower Festival, Klipp Klapp, The Emperor Waltz or Champagne. Do not forget the most famous of all waltzes: the beautiful Blue Danube or the Radetzky march that, to the tune of the audience’s clapping, culminates the close of the night.

Reserve your ticket now, for this unforgettable show.

The Power of Love by Maria Cecília Bettencourt

Christmas Music at the Palace

The Hotel Avenida Palace could not celebrate this holiday season without a special music program for our Dear Guests.

The Avenida Palace December Music Program will include, for these last 2 weeks, piano and voice performances, a chorus and for Christmas Eve (at 6.30 p.m.) and Christmas Day, Maria Cecília
Bettencourt will play a wide variety of Christmas songs.

Come and join us this Christmas! See below the complete program:

18 - Soprano voice and piano recital
19 - Soprano voice and piano recital
21 - Chorus – Re:canto
23 - Voice and piano recital
24 - Christmas songs on the piano ( 18h30m/6.30 p.m.)
25 - Christmas songs on the piano
30 - Piano recital
        W.A.Mozart, L.V.Beethoven, E.Grieg, C.Debus

Swan Lake – Classical Ballet

On the 21st of December, the Tivoli BBVA Theatre in Lisbon, will host one of the most famous ballets, the Swan Lake.

Performed by the Russian Classical Ballet and led by Evgeniya Bespalova, the Swan Lake is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failure, it is now one of the most popular of all ballets.

The scenario, initially in two acts, was created from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.

This is an enchanting tale with sumptuous sets, marvelous costumes and a dazzling array of melodies, all coming together to create this great masterpiece of classical ballet.

A spectacle you cannot afford to miss!

Palace of Sintra Open Night

Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a World Heritage of Unesco, the Palace of Sintra scheduled an open night for all its visitors.

Sintra was the first European site inscribed by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape, on December 6th 1995. The purpose was to create an event that celebrates a landmark in the history of Sintra and to give the opportunity to all visitors to visit, for free, the most popular monuments of the village.

Foto Parques de Sintra, PSML|Emigus

The Sintra National Palace opens its doors on the night of December 6th, between 20h00 and 00h00, under the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the classification of Sintra Cultural Landscape as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Besides the free visit to the Palace, the evening will include performances of Renaissance music and dances (fifteenth and sixteenth centuries), 9 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. at Sala dos Brasões and Sala dos Cisnes.

The "Ensemble La Peña" (from Sintra Estúdio de Ópera) will conduct the music performance and is engaged in the research and interpretation of the best music produced in Portugal and Spain in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The dance performances will be held by "Associação Danças com História", a company that cooperates in historical events’ recreation in national monuments and will present costumes and dances of the time of D. João I and D. Manuel I.

The event will have free entry but, it will require a prior registration.

Find further information about Palace of Sintra Open Night.

InShadow 2015

From November 26th to December 6th, at Teatro São Luiz and Teatro do Bairro, don’t miss the 7th Edition of InShadow!

A leading reference in the field of contemporary transdisciplinary creativity, InShadow 2015 offers a unique program dedicated to videodance, documentaries, shows, exhibitions, installations, as well as a strong educational project.

InShadow - International Festival of Video, Performance and Technologies is an initiative of Vo'Arte, co-produced with São Luiz Teatro Municipal, has already established itself as a reference in contemporary artistic creation and programming, with emphasis on the convergence of language between body and image, based on technology.

The program includes an international competition of videodance and documentaries, performances, a section aimed for children and teenagers, workshops and masterclasses, as well as exhibitions and installations, that expand the Festival through the city.

More information on Vo’Arte.

ExperimentaDesign 2015 (EXD’15)

The Biennial EXD, whose first edition took place in Lisbon in 1999, is the corner stone of ExperimentaDesign and it is dedicated to design, architecture and creativity. 

This event highlights creativity as its raw material and its backdrop is culture in permanent transformation, from an integrative and multidisciplinary perspective. ExperimentaDesign is
dedicated to the contemporary, exploring various fields of artistic creation and production, both in materials and conceptual form, focusing on design as a work mode and methodology.

Positioning itself as a dynamic and bold international platform that promotes contemporary culture through discussion and reflection, the EXD generates and displays projects, original concepts and ideas in different formats: conferences, screenings, exhibitions, urban interventions, workshops and debates.

The event will take place from November 13th to 15th at Convento da Trindade.

Doc Lisboa ‘15

Refreshing Lisbon’s cinema for more than 12 years, Doclisboa is back!

From October 22nd to November 1st, at Culturgest, Cinema São Jorge, Cinemateca Portuguesa - Museu do Cinema, Cinema Ideal, Cinema City Campo Pequeno and Museu da Electricidade, the festival features 236 films from 40 different countries, many of which (43) yet to be premiered in Portugal.

The Doclisboa is a unique festival. Born in the context of an association, the Apordoc, that organizes the festival since 2000, goes against all trends. There are few film festivals that claim to be part of an activity and a mission that goes beyond the organization.

In this edition titled “I don`t throw bombs, I make films - Terrorism, Performance”, terrorism is shown as a challenge not only to the communities, but also to the cinema.

This retrospective will include more than a dozen films, already confirmed, made between the 1960s and the present days, many of which “produced by participants of different armed struggles, who saw in the cinema a place for reflection“.

Faith itineraries

Last chances to catch this unique pick of the downtown churches Itinerários de Fé (Faith Itineraries), a different way to visit Lisbon.

The thematic visits are a combined initiative of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, and the churches of the Baixa-Chiado district.

This initiative that lasted the entire year will have three more visits, this Saturday, October 10th, then on November 14th and the last one on December 12th.

Throughout one morning, participants will visit some of the most important churches of Lisbon, such as:

• Convento de São Pedro de Alcântara
• Igreja de São Roque
• Capela da Ordem Terceira do Carmo
• Igreja do Santíssimo Sacramento
• Basílica dos Mártires
• Igreja Nossa Senhora da Encarnação

The participation is free, but a previous reservation is required through the following contact: 218 879 549. The meeting point, as usual, is at the Convento de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Vera World Fine Art Festival

Lisbon hosts, once again, the largest international exhibition and the most complete artistic event in Portugal, the VERA World Fine Art Festival.

Founded in 2004, the Public Foundation for Support of Culture and Development of Contemporary Art in Moscow is responsible for the creation of the Moscow Annual International Art Festival “Traditions and Contemporaneity”, a concept with seven years of existence which is currently one of the largest and most comprehensive international art events in the world. VERA World Fine Art Festival is an extension of this internationally recognized concept.

Over seven years of performing in Russia, the event attracted over 4500 galleries and artists from over 40 countries and 60 regions of Russia, received 2,000,000 visitors, awarded more than 200 artists and captured the attention of several hundred media.

From October 17th to 28th , VERA World Fine Art Festival offers an extensive program of lectures, conferences, master classes, round tables, forums and seminars on the movements and trends of contemporary art, chaired by renowned artists exhibited and recognized curators,  combining eight artistic disciplines– painting, sculpture, applied arts, installation, drawing, photography, museology and architecture.

To participate in the activities is free for visitors, exhibitors and guests and it takes place at the ART Talks area, in Cordoaria Nacional.

Almack's # 1 | A locomotion concept revisited

Almack's # 1 is an association of the nineteenth century’s litters with today’s "concept cars" and a tribute to the current car ads stereotype.

This work was achieved with the help of several partners who made this production possible. In fact, this was a job for many "hands" that resulted in a single work exhibited between May 21st and July 24th 2011, in the chapel Nossa Senhora da Conceição.

This year, on September 26th, the Almack's # 1 will be integrated into the new Museu Nacional dos Coches where it will be on permanent display in the museum’s entrance.

The artist Ana Fonseca who arrived at the Museu Nacional dos Coches on the Almack's # 1 in 2011, has a multidisciplinary background (photography, installation, video and performance), with drawing as the core of her work.