Events for November 2008

Indiana

Lāčplēša remembrance evening in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis chapter of Daugavas Vanagi is organizing the annual Lāčplēša Day event at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Indianapolis Latvian Community Center, 1008 W. 64th St., Indianapolis. On this day Latvians commemorate not the end of World War I in 1918 (as in many other countries), but their victory over the Bermontians at the battle of Rīga the following year. The program will include a few speeches, a musical performance by Ēriks Kīns and Edmunds Mednis, a lottery and dancing after dinner. Please RSVP by Oct. 28 by calling either Ērika Vītoliņš at +1 (317) 842-1889 or Rasma Kārkliņš at +1 (317) 705-1860. Admission is USD 25 and includes dinner (USD 10 for students under the age of 18, and free to children under the age of 14 and any injured veteran). For additional information contact Ērika Vītoliņš.

Ontario

Halloween films, dance set at Saulaine

A Halloween film night and barn dance is set Nov. 1 in the barn at Camp Saulaine, 5813 20th Side Road, Essa, Utopia. The barn opens at 6 p.m. and the first film, The Night of the Eagle, begin at 6:30 p.m. The second film, The Innocents, starts at 8:30 p.m. Both films are rated PG-13 and are not recommended for children. Admission is CAD 10 per person and includes free popcorn. Filmgoers should dress warmly and bring a blanket. Parents and guardians have complete responsibility for their kids. For those wishing to stay the night, lodging is CAD 10 per person and guest must sign up and bring their own bedding and towels. For further information about accommodations, contact Arturs Lauzis or Elviga Sebris at elvigasebris@hotmail.com or +1 (704) 424-1118. For further information about the film night, contact Armands Sebris at armandsebris@yahoo.ca or +1 (647) 271-4867. For directions to Camp Saulaine, visit www.campsaulaine.com.

Michigan

Baltoween costume ball in Kalamazoo

Celebrate “Baltoween” beginning at 7:07 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Kalamazoo Latvian Center, 100 Cherry Hill Drive, Kalamazoo. Activities include awards for best costumes, contests, a fortune teller, snacks, music and dancing. Admission for adults with costumes is USD 22, seniors with costumes USD 18, students with costumes USD 5. Admission with no costume is USD 29. For more information write to Dainis Matisons at .

District of Columbia

Magic show by Dace and Enrico Pezzoli

Latvian entertainer Dace Pezzoli and her partner Enrico Pezzoli will perform a show about the theme of magic and fairy tales at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 2700 F Street N.W., Washington, DC. The performance is part of the Kids Euro Festival 2008. For more information about the entertainers and their program see www.kidseurofestival.org. Admission is free.

Queensland

Latvian House clean-up in Brisbane

Help Brisbane area Latvians clean up the Latvian House and surrounding area in a traditional talka beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 15 at the Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda. All are welcome. Please bring along tools and cleaning supplies.

New York

Independence Day commemoration

A Latvian Independence Day commemoration will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church, 254 Valentine Lane, Yonkers. The program will feature an address (in Latvian) by Zigurds Rīders, chairman of the Daugavas Vanagi in the U.S., and a concert by the New York Latvian Concert Choir. A social afternoon with refreshments will follow the program in the church’s social hall. Admission is USD 25 at the door or USD 20 if ordered before Nov. 5. Benefactor tickets cost USD 50, and benefactors will have their names printed in the program. To order tickets by mail send a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with payment (make checks payable to “Council of American Latvians Orgs. of N.Y., Inc.") to Imants Kalniņš, 42 Hackensack Street, Wood Ridge, NJ 07075. Children 12 and under as well as Latvian school pupils will be admitted free.

Pennsylvania

Independence Day celebration in Philadelphia

A celebration of the 90th anniversary of Latvian Independence Day will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Philadelphia Latvian Society of Free Letts (Filadelfijas Brīvo latvju biedriba), 531 North 7th St., Philadelphia. The program will include folk dancing by Dzirkstele and a concert. Admission is USD 25.

Pennsylvania

Independence Day service

An Independence Day service is scheduled at 11 a.m. Nov. 16 in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John, 301 N. Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square. A luncheon and program, “Latvia in 90 Words,” by the Philadelphia Latvian School will follow. For further information, visit www.latvianluthchurchphila.org.

Massachusetts

Independence Day celebration

Join Boston-area Latvians for a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the declaration of Latvian independence at 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Latvian Lutheran Church Hall, 58 Irving Street, Boston. Pauls Raudseps from the Latvian newspaper Diena will speak at the event, which will also include performances by students of the Boston Latvian School. For more information contact .

New Jersey

Independence Day at Priedaine

Celebrate Latvian Independence Day at 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at Priedaine, 1017 Highway 33 East, Freehold. The program will include a concert by the New York Latvian Concert Choir. Admission is USD 20. For more information visit www.priedaine.org.

Latvia

ELJA50 marks Latvia’s 90th anniversary

The former members of the European Latvian Youth Association (ELJA50) are organizing a grand celebration of Latvia’s 90th anniversary beginning at 15:00 hours, Nov. 18, in the Gold Room of Rīgas Latviešu biedrības nams, Merķeļa iela 13, Rīga. Egīls Levits, Ivars Ījabs, Inga Ābele, Kārlis Vērdiņš, Juris Kronbergs, Liene Sējāne, Kristaps Grasis and Nick Gotham will be among the featured guests. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, songs and rotaļas, President Valdis Zatlers’ speech shown live on TV and fireworks. Admission is LVL 40 per person. Please pay in advance, as there will be no tickets sold at the door. To register and receive information about paying write to Ilze Gulēna at with a cc: to Pēteris Tērmanis at . 

Latvia

Čikāgas Piecīši in Rīga

The Latvian-American ensemble Čikāgas Piecīši returns to Latvia after a 13-year absence with a Nov. 18 concert to mark the homeland’s 90th anniversary. The concert is scheduled at 16:00 hours in Arēna Rīga, Skanstes iela 21, Rīga. The ensemble, which performs a program of popular music and comedy sketches, was formed in 1961 and is led by Alberts Legzdiņš. Tickets are available online from www.bilesuparadize.lv. The concert is part of a five-stop tour of Latvia.

The Latvian-American ensemble Čikāgas Piecīši returns to Latvia for a tour that includes Nov. 18 in Rīga. (Publicity photo)

Switzerland

Nov. 18 commemoration, film in Zürich

Auseklis, the new Latvian school in Zürich, is hosting a celebration of Latvia’s 90th anniversary on Nov. 18. It will begin with the placing of flowers on Rainis’ and Aspazija’s commemorative plaques at 18:00 hours. A showing of the movie Rīgas sargi will follow at 19:00 hours at Hull’s School, Falkenstrasse 28A, Zürich. Snacks will be available afterwards, and any “baskets” (contributions of food or drink for the table) will be appreciated. The movie will be shown a second time Nov. 22 at 14:00 hours. For more information visit Auseklis’ Web site latvia.yourworld.ch.

Queensland

Independence Day celebration in Brisbane

Latvians in Brisbane will mark the 90th anniversary of the independence of Latvia at 18:00 hours Nov. 21 in the Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda. Baiba Metuzāle-Kangere will give the celebratory speech, Ausma Bļodniece and Uldis SIliņš will read poetry, and Zigrīda ansamblis will play Latvian music.

United Kingdom

Celebrate Latvia’s independence with Labvēlīgais tips

The 90th anniversary of Latvia’s declaration of independence will be celebrated with Nov. 21 and 22 dances featuring music performed by Labvēlīgais tips, a popular band from Latvia. The Nov. 21 dance takes place in the Daugavas Vanagi Fund House, 5 Clifton Villas, Bradford. The Nov. 22 dance takes place in the Straumēni rest home, Lilbourne Lane, Catthorpe. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 on www.wegottickets.com and also will be available at the door. The concerts are supported by the Daugavas Vanagi Fun, the Education Fund, the World Federation of Free Latvians and Mail Boxes Etc.

New York

Celebrating November 18 in high style

Celebrate the 90th anniversary of Latvia’s independence at a formal ball at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at 3 West Club, 3 West 51st Avenue, New York. Admission is USD 150 per person and formal wear is requested. For more information visit www.nylatvian.org or contact Baiba Pinne at +1 (914) 631-5725 or . Please register for the ball by Nov. 1 by contacting Imants Kalniņš at +1 (201) 933-8234 or sending a check made out to the Council of American Latvian Organizations of New York Inc. to 42 Hackensack Street, Wood Ridge, NJ 07075.

New York

Independence Day ball

Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the declaration of the independence of Latvia at a formal ball beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the 3 West Club, 3 West 51st St. (at Fifth Avenue), New York.

United Kingdom

Celebrate Latvia’s independence with Labvēlīgais tips

The 90th anniversary of Latvia’s declaration of independence will be celebrated with Nov. 21 and 22 dances featuring music performed by Labvēlīgais tips, a popular band from Latvia. The Nov. 21 dance takes place in the Daugavas Vanagi Fund House, 5 Clifton Villas, Bradford. The Nov. 22 dance takes place in the Straumēni rest home, Lilbourne Lane, Catthorpe. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 on www.wegottickets.com and also will be available at the door. The concerts are supported by the Daugavas Vanagi Fun, the Education Fund, the World Federation of Free Latvians and Mail Boxes Etc.

Ontario

Diždancis marks 60th anniversary

“Diž Disko 60,” an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Toronto folk dance troupe Diždancis, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 in the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre, 4 Credit Union Drive, Toronto. The evening begins with a cocktail hour followed by a program at 8 p.m. Participating will be Diždancis, Dižais Dancis, Daugaviņa and Muzikanti. A dance concludes the evening with music provided by the band Lusts and DJ Daniels. Admission is CAD 30 for adults and CAD 10 for children to age 16. To make reservations, e-mail or telephone +1 (416) 769-5784. For further information about Diždancis, visit dizdancis.wordpress.com.

Illinois

ALJA Congress in Chicago

The annual congress of the American Latvian Youth Association (Amerikas Latviešu Jaunatnes Apvienība, or ALJA) take places Nov. 26-30 in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water St., Chicago. On the program are lectures and workshops on Latvian current events and other themes, dances, concerts and socializing. For more information visit www.aljakongress.net and www.alja.org.

Illinois

ALJA Congress in Chicago

The annual congress of the American Latvian Youth Association (Amerikas Latviešu Jaunatnes Apvienība, or ALJA) take places Nov. 26-30 in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water St., Chicago. On the program are lectures and workshops on Latvian current events and other themes, dances, concerts and socializing. For more information visit www.aljakongress.net and www.alja.org.

Illinois

ALJA Congress in Chicago

The annual congress of the American Latvian Youth Association (Amerikas Latviešu Jaunatnes Apvienība, or ALJA) take places Nov. 26-30 in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water St., Chicago. On the program are lectures and workshops on Latvian current events and other themes, dances, concerts and socializing. For more information visit www.aljakongress.net and www.alja.org.

Illinois

ALJA Congress in Chicago

The annual congress of the American Latvian Youth Association (Amerikas Latviešu Jaunatnes Apvienība, or ALJA) take places Nov. 26-30 in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water St., Chicago. On the program are lectures and workshops on Latvian current events and other themes, dances, concerts and socializing. For more information visit www.aljakongress.net and www.alja.org.

Queensland

Zolīte tournament

The Brisbane chapter of the Daugavas Vanagi will host a tournament of the popular card game zolīte at 13:00 hours Nov. 29 in the Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda. Participation costs AUD 5.

Illinois

ALJA Congress in Chicago

The annual congress of the American Latvian Youth Association (Amerikas Latviešu Jaunatnes Apvienība, or ALJA) take places Nov. 26-30 in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 East North Water St., Chicago. On the program are lectures and workshops on Latvian current events and other themes, dances, concerts and socializing. For more information visit www.aljakongress.net and www.alja.org.