Events for August 2008

Michigan

‘Širds līksmo’ dance

The annual “Sirds līksmo” dance sponsored by the American Latvian Youth Association (Amerikas latviešu jaunatnes organizācija) is scheduled at 9 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Latvian Center Gaŗezers, 57732 Lone Tree Road, Three Rivers. For further information, visit www.alja.org.

Latvia

Diaspora art exhibit in Valmiera

After two years of collaborative planning between the Global Society for Latvian Art and the Valmieras novadpētniecības muzejs, an exhibition of more than 100 art works created by artists of Latvian descent living in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe opens Aug. 8 at the Valmiera Museum (Valmieras novadpētniecības muzejs), Bruņinieku ielā 3, Valmiera. The juried exhibit, which consists of work donated by all the artists selected to be part of the show, will then travel to regional museums and other exhibition venues throughout Latvia for the next two to three years. A selection of the show will also be on view in Riga. An opening reception is scheduled at 15:00 hours Aug. 8 to coincide with celebrations marking the 725th anniversary of the founding of Valmiera. For further information, visit the Web site of the Global Society for Latvian Art, latvianart.org.

Victoria

Leons Samulis art exhibit

An series of paintings by Leons Samulis titled “Faster Than Speed” is on exhibit from Aug. 5 to Aug. 16 at the Artspace gallery at Victoria University, Level 17, 17/300 Flinders St., Melbourne. The exhibit is open from 10:00 hours to 17 hours Monday through Friday, from 11:00 hours to 16:00 hours on Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.

New South Wales

‘The Soviet Story’ in Sydney

The documentary film “The Soviet Story” will be shown at 13:00 hours Aug. 7 in the Daugavas Vanagi House, 49 Stanley St., Bankstown. Arrive early (noon) to meet and talk with local Latvians.

Germany

Skyforger performs in Bad Berka

Latvian pagan metal band Skyforger performs Aug. 7 during the three-day Party.San Open Air Festival in Bad Berka. For further information, visit www.party-san.net.

Latvian pagan metal band Skyforger performs Aug. 7 in Bad Berka. (Photo courtesy of Skyforger)

Michigan

3x3 camp at Gaŗezers

The 2008 annual 3x3 camp at the Latvian center Gaŗezers will take place Aug. 10-17. The goal of the 3x3 camps is to provide a week-long immersion in Latvian culture and language. Adults choose from a variety of workshops (for example, ethnic crafts, current events, literature, folklore, history) in which to participate, while separate activities are planned for children. Latvian speakers of all ages are encouraged to participate in 3x3. For more information visit www.3x3.lv or contact Maija Zaeska at .

Victoria

Atis Lejiņš to speak in Melbourne

Atis Lejiņš, the director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, will speak at 14:00 hours Aug. 10 in the Melbourne Latvian House, 3 Dickens St., Elwood. He will tell about his participation in the recent Australian Institute of International Affairs conference as well as the Latvian documentary film A Debt to Afghanistan.

Queensland

Zolīte afternoon in Brisbane

The Daugavas Vanagi sponsors a monthly gathering for enthusiasts of the card game zolīte. Come and play at 13:00 hours Aug. 16 at the Latvian House, 24 Church Court, Buranda. Admission is AUD 5.

United Kingdom

Detlef Zoo at Pewsey Music Festival

Rock group Detlef Zoo performs at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 during the Pewsey Music Festival at Coopers Field behind The Coopers Arms‎, 37-39 Ball Road, Pewsey, Wiltshire. For more information about the festival, visit www.pewseymusicfestival.com.

Latvian band Detlef Zoo performs Aug. 16 during the Pewsey Music Festival.

Germany

Skyforger performs in Barth

Latvian pagan metal band Skyforger performs from 22:00-22:45 hours Aug. 16 during the Barther Metal Openair Festival in Barth. For further information, visit www.barther-metal-openair.de.

New York

3x3 camp in the Catskills

The 2008 annual 3x3 camp at the Latvian Lutheran Camp near Tannersville takes place Aug. 17-24. The goal of the 3x3 camps is to provide a week-long immersion in Latvian culture and language. Adults choose from a variety of workshops (e.g. ethnic crafts, current events, literature, folklore, history) in which to participate, while separate activities are planned for children. Latvian speakers of all ages are encouraged to participate in 3x3. For more information visit www.3x3.lv or contact Taina Laiviņa at .

South Australia

Novuss in Adelaide

Join other novuss enthusiasts for an afternoon of the Latvian table game, beginning at 13:00 hours Aug. 20, at the Adelaide Latvian Cooperative Latvian House “Tālava,” 4 Clark St., Wayville.

Ontario

Daugavas Vanagu valdes sēde

Daugavas Vanagu Kanādas Valdes valdes sēde notiks 23.augustā Sidrabenē, 5100 Appleby Line, Milton West. Sākums plkst. 11.00.

South Australia

Novuss in Adelaide

Join other novuss enthusiasts for an afternoon of the Latvian table game, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 24 in the Adelaide Latvian Cooperative Latvian House “Tālava,” 4 Clark St., Wayville. New players are always welcome.

Ohio

Children’s festival in Cleveland

Cleveland-area children of Latvian descent are invited to participate in a children’s festival beginning at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Royalview Picnic Area, part of Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation. Admission for adults is by donation beginning at USD 5. For further infornation, telephone V. Reineka, chairwoman of the Daugavas Vanagi women’s auxiliary, +1 (206) 676-0073.

South Australia

Impressions from the song festival

If you missed the recent song festival in Rīga, hear about the high points at 14:00 hours Aug. 24 at the Adelaide Latvian Cooperative Latvian House “Tālava,” 4 Clark St., Wayville. Local Latvians Gunta Rudzīte, Helēna Reid, Biruta Irbe and Valdis Tomanis will tell about their participation in the festival and their impressions of it.

Germany

Baiba and Lauma Skride in Hamm

Violinist Baiba Skride and her sister, pianist Lauma Skride, perform at 20:00 hours Aug. 24 in Kurhaus Bad Hamm, Ostenallee 87, Hamm. The concert is part of the “KlassikSommer 2008” program. For further information, visit www.klassiksommer.de.

California

West Coast Latvian Song Festival

The XV West Coast Latvian Song Festival is scheduled from Aug. 28-Sept. 1 in Ventura. For further information, visit www.westcoastlatviansongfest.org.

New Jersey

Baltic Bash 2008

Baltic Bash is scheduled during Labor Day weekend from Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at the Lakewoodi Eesti Maja, 4 Cross St. and Veterans Highway, Jackson. Plenty of room will be available to put up a tent and stay overnight, and the sauna will be open all weekend as well. For more information contact Pia Polikarpus Levensteins at or +1 (917) 770-7825, or visit www.estonianhouselakewood.org.

Victoria

An evening at the DV tavern

Join old friends and meet new ones from 19:00 to 23:00 hours Aug. 29 at the tavern at the Latvian Relief Society Daugavas Vanagi, 87 Chetwynd St., North Melbourne.

Queensland

DV lunch at the Latvian House

The Daugavas Vanagi are hosting a lunch at 13:00 hours Aug. 30 at the Latvian House, 24 Church Court, Buranda. Choose from a variety of soups for lunch, and join in some singing afterwards.

Victoria

‘Soviet Story’ in Melbourne

The documentary film “Soviet Story” by Edvīns Šņore will be shown at 14:00 hours Aug. 31 at the Melbourne Latvian House, 3 Dickens St., Elwood. The film is in English with Latvian subtitles. All proceeds will benefit the Occupation Museum in Rīga.