Events for September 2008

Belgium

Riga Night Brussels

Riga Night Brussels, an audio-visual exhibit presenting contemporary Latvian cinema and animation, runs Sept. 5-17 at M’ATUVU Creative Shopwindow, rue de Laeken, Brussels. The event includes a Sept. 6 screening of a feature film, beginning at 20:00 hours, and Latvian DJ and VJ sets at Bellevue Creative Brewery, Quai du Hainaut 43, Brussels. For further information, visit riganightbrussels.com.

New York

Performance of Stumbre’s play “Kronis II”

The Skatuve theater company from Latvia will perform the play “Kronis II” (Crown II) at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 in the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church, 234 Valentine Lane, Yonkers. The play was written by Latvian playwright Lelde Stumbre. Admission is USD 20. For more information contact Jānis Riekstiņš at or +1 (516) 674-8802. This event is organized by the Latvian Cultural Association TILTS and the Council of Latvian Organizations of New York.

New Jersey

Skatuve performs Stumbre play at Priedaine

The Skatuve theater company from Latvia will perform the play “Kronis II” (Crown II) at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at Priedaine, 1017 Highway 33 East, Freehold. The play was written by Latvian playwright Lelde Stumbre. Admission is USD 20. For more information visit www.priedaine.org.

Victoria

Rīgas sargi’ finally in Australia

The first showing in Australia of the popular Latvian feature length film Rīgas sargi (Defenders of Riga) is scheduled at 16:00 hours Sept. 7 in Rivoli Cinemas, 200 Camberwell Rd., East Hawthorn. The film—in Latvian with English subtitles—is a drama set in November 1919, when Latvians were fighting for their independence. Tickets cost AUD 15, students and seniors AUD 12, children under 15 and accompanied by an adult are free.

Germany

Lauma Skride performs with Sol Gabetta

Pianist Lauma Skride performs with cellist Sol Gabetta at 8 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Bonngasse 24-26, Bonn. The concert, “Beethoven Cello Sonatas II” is part of Beethovenfest. On the program are compositions by Ludwig von Beethoven, Pēteris Vasks and Alberto Ginastera. For ticket and other information, visit www.beethovenfest.de.

Latvian pianist Lauma Skride performs with cellist Sol Gabetta on Sept. 9 in Bonn.

Illinois

‘Rīgas sargi’ screened in Skokie

The feature film Rīgas sargi (Defenders of Rīga) will be screened at 10 a.m. on Sept. 13 in the Village Crossing Theater, 7000 Carpenter Road (corner of Touhy and Central avenues), Skokie. The film, in Latvian with English subtitles, depicts the November 1919 battle for Rīga against rogue German forces. The screening is sponsored by the Chicago Latvian Association. Tickets will be available at the door for USD 15 (senior citizens and students, USD 10).

Wisconsin

Harvest festival in rural Wisconsin

Join the Midwest Dievturi community for a harvest festival Sept. 13-14 at Dievsēta, 19264 Bittersweet Road, Warrens. The weekend will begin with the Latvju Dievtuŗu Sadraudze annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Afterwards, a small exhibit of art and crafts produced by Dievsēta regulars, dinner, and then a bonfire. For more information and to register (Dievsēta does have overnight accommodations, but please let them know beforehand) contact Ilze Bērziņa at , +1 (708) 445-1990 or +1 (773) 209-3620. See also www.dievseta.org.

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 Sept. 13 at the Latvian House, 24 Church Court, Buranda. Admission is AUD 5.

Massachusetts

‘The Soviet Story’ in Boston Film Festival

The Soviet Story, a documentary about Soviet and Nazi collaboration during World War II, will be screened at 1 p.m. Sept. 13 during the Boston Film Festival in the Kendall Landmark Theatre, 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge. Director Edvīns Šnore will attend and answer questions following the film. For further information, visit www.bostonfilmfestival.org.

Ohio

Annual bazaar in Cleveland

The annual bazaar organized by the Cleveland Daugavas Vanagi women’s auxiliary is scheduled at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in the United Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church of Cleveland, 1385 Andrews Ave., Lakewood.

Maryland

Stumbre play shows in Rockville

Lelde Stumbre’s play “Kronis II” will be performed by the Rīga-based independent theater Skatuve at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Church of Washington, D.C., 400 Hurley Ave., Rockville. Acting in the play, which is directed by Māra Ķimele, are Niks Ērglis and Māra Mennika. Admission is USD 20 for adults, USD 10 for high school students and members of the American Latvian Youth Association.

Ontario

Fall festival at Saulaine

The annual fall festival at Camp Saulaine begins at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 14 at the camp, 5813 20th Sideroad, Utopia. The festival starts with a church service officiated by the Rev. F.T Kristbergs. Other events begin at 11:30 a.m., including an art show that features the work of Miķelis Jānis Auģis, Dace Birkhans, Imants Lapiņš and Ināra Matīss. Also on the program is live entertainment, a gourmet lunch starting at 12:30 p.m. and a harvest raffle at 2:30 p.m. The lunch, including a sweets table, costs CAD 20 for adults and CAD 5 for children younger than 13. The Camp Saulaine bookstore will be open all weekend. Proceeds from the festival benefit the camp. For further information, e-mail Kristīne Stivriņš at . For a map to the camp, visit www.campsaulaine.com.

Ohio

One World Day celebration

The One World Day celebration on Sept. 14 in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens commemorates the official opening of the Latvian Cultural Garden. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. in the garden, which is located along Martin Luther King Boulevard in Cleveland.

Germany

Melo-M performs at Münster

As part of Münsterlandfestival pART 4, Latvian cello rock trio Melo-M performs at 20:00 hours Sept. 18 at Prinzipalsaal, Alter Fischmarkt 26, Münster. Melo-M includes Kārlis Auzāns, Valters Pūce and Antons Trocjuks. For more on the festival, visit festival.muensterland.de. For more on the band, visit melo-m.lv

Channel Islands

Latvian singers, dancers to perform at festival

The folk ensemble Dūdalnieki from London, the Londonas Tautas Dejas Kopa and the Latvian Choir eLVé from Ireland are scheduled to perform Sept. 19 during the Victor Hugo International Music Festival in Guernsey. A performance of Latvian folk dancing is scheduled at 3 p.m. and a concert of folk music is set at 8 p.m., both at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts in St. Peter Port. The festival, named for the French writer who lived on the island for 15 years, runs from Sept. 18-28. For further information, visit www.vhfestival.com.

Michigan

Skatuve theater to perform in Kalamazoo

The Skatuve theater company from Latvia presents Lelde Stumbre’s play “Kronis II” (Crown II) at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Latvian Center, 100 Cherry Hill, Kalamazoo. This is a TILTS-sponsored event organized by the Kalamazoo Latvian Association. Admission is USD 25 for adults; children under 18 are admitted free. Refreshments will be served. For more information contact Malda Pūtele at +1 (269) 353-9100.

Germany

Melo-M performs at Coesfeld

As part of Münsterlandfestival pART 4, Latvian cello rock trio Melo-M performs at 20:00 hours Sept. 19 at Pavillon auf dem “Campus by Bense”, Borkener Str. 136, Coesfeld. Melo-M includes Kārlis Auzāns, Valters Pūce and Antons Trocjuks. For more on the festival, visit festival.muensterland.de. For more on the band, visit melo-m.lv

New York

‘Soviet Story’ in New York

The documentary The Soviet Story will be presented at 11 a.m. Sept. 21 in the Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (between 37th and 38th streets), New York. A reception with the film’s director, Edvīns Šnore, as well as Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, will follow the screening. Admission is USD 20 and can be bought at the door. Some scenes in the film may not be appropriate for viewers under age 15. For more information visit www.nylatvian.org.

Minnesota

Theater presentation in Minneapolis

The Latvian National Theatre presents Lelde Stumbre’s play “Kronis II” at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in the hall of the Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Church of Minneapolis and St. Paul, 3152 17th Ave. S, Minneapolis.

New York

Zatlers to speak at Columbia University

Latvian President Valdis Zatlers will discuss Latvia’s views on global affairs beginning at 5 p.m. Sept. 22 in 1501 International Affairs Building, The European Institute of Columbia University, 420 West 118th St., New York. The president will be introduced by Dean John Coatsworth. A reception at the “Latvia Today” photography exhibition on the fourth floor of IAB will follow the event. To register e-mail or call +1 (212) 854-4618.

Queensland

University of Latvia anniversary

Brisbane-area Latvians will celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the University of Latvia at 14:00 hours Sept. 27 at the Latvian House, 24 Church Court, Buranda. Dr. Ināra Strunga will speak about “Cancers and Vitamins: The Sun’s Effect on Our Health” (in Latvian). The Brisbane Latvian Chorus Beverīna will also take part in the program. Refreshments will be available. Admission is by donation.

New Jersey

Kursa’s Cup Games in volleyball

This year’s Kursa’s Cup volleyball tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at Priedaine, 1017 Highway 33 East, Freehold. The tournament features mixed teams, but individual players also are welcome as teams will be formed just before the games begin. The Kursa sports organization will provide hot dogs and hamburgers for a donation. Stay for the party after the games and fun on the beach the following day. For more information contact Jānis Ģiga at or +1 (732) 346-2926, or Aivars Bars at or +1 (973) 601-0355.