Scan Magazine | Culture | Culture Calendar
Scandinavian Culture Calendar – Where to go, what to see? It’s all happening here! MAY Stand-up comedian Ismo Leikola (7-22 May) Ismo Leikola is a Finnish stand-up who also performs in English. “Ismo Leikola is uncannily incisive, charismatic and entertaining. Somehow he turns the language barrier to his advantage, searching for the right words before hitting his audience between the eyes with an unusually sharp observation” (The Dubliner). See for yourself at: The Northern Lights Bar, 6 Little East Street, Brighton. www.ismoleikola.com Uusikuu (15-21 May) Since their debut album Hotelli Untola, Finnish band Uusikuu have taken their place amongst the most interesting and original interpreters of Finnish tango. The quintet, led by the goldenvoiced Laura Ryhänen, have been spreading the message of Finnish tango in Europe and now have a new music mission with the album Babylonia. 15 May 8.30 pm - Release Party, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading. 16 May 6 pm - Release Party, Isis Farmhouse, Oxford. 21 May 8 pm screening of film Finnish Tango, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading. www.myspace.com/uusikuu
h2dance (15-16, 20-22 May) London-based h2dance was formed in 1999 and presents the joint choreography of Hanna Gillgren, from Sweden, and Heidi Rustgaard, from Norway. As part of the 40th anniversary show at The Place in London, h2dance are performing Attention, with Pegasus Choir, a specially commissioned piece and part of h2dance´s upcoming Choir Project, the company working with a range of choirs in the UK and Scandinavia. Information on h2dance and how to buy tickets for the performance please see www.h2dance.com
Jose Gonzales (14 May) Since his album Veneer reached the UK Top Ten, Swede José González has experienced record-breaking international success and a shower of awards for his latest album In Our Nature. He is back in the UK to take part in the London Guitar Festival at the Royal Festival Hall. www.jose-gonzalez.com
Nota Bene Ensemble (14 May) After many successful tours of Sweden and Germany, London-based Kleiman Klöfver Duo (violin and guitar) are giving two further concerts in London. On 7 April, a recital at St James´s Church, Piccadilly including works by Bach, Schubert and Piazzola. On 14 May, a free lunchtime concert in St. Martin-in-the-Fields, with works by Vivaldi, Lars-Erik Larsson and Peter Warlock. www.swedish-hall.org.uk Talk on Heavy Metal (18 May) The Anglo-Finnish Society has previously presented talks on Humppa, Finnish Tango and Finnish folk music. Now it’s Finnish heavy metal’s turn, now one of the most popular musical genres in Finland. Titus Hjelm, bassist with Thunderstone, will discuss the “Finnishness” of metal music and the reasons for considering metal the new Finnish folk music. For more info email HonSec@anglofinnishsociety.org.uk. Finnish Institute, 35-36 Eagle Street, London WC1 Kymi Sinfonietta (23 May) Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2009, the Kymi Sinfonietta (Music Director Yasuo Shinozaki) has established itself as a significant musical force. The orchestra performs with mastery and passion, with top international soloists, winning a loyal following both at home and abroad. This is their first UK visit. British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor first appeared with
By Emelie Krugly
Kymi Sinfonietta and Yasuo Shinozaki in May 2008 to great critical acclaim. Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1. www.kymisinfonietta.fi Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra (23 May) Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philhamonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Beethoven: Overture, Namensfeier; Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Sibelius: Symphony No. 2. Dvorák and Sibelius are seen as composers whose music strongly evokes their respective Czech and Finnish homelands. Yet this programme’s works were composed abroad: Dvorák’s during one of his stays in America, Sibelius’s largely composed during a trip to Italy. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 T 0800 652 6717. www.philharmonia.co.uk
Eurocultured Festival (30-31 May) Two Swedish bands, Little Dragon and Dungen are playing at the Eurocultured Festival which has been held in Manchester since 2004. The aim of the festival is to celebrate the diversity of European culture. This year’s new act is a breakdance competition which will be judged amongst others by Swedish dancer B boy Freeze who will also perform. Dungen will also perform in London, the Luminaire in Kilburn on 31 May. www.eurocultured.com Petit Mal (31 May-16 June) Finnish contemporary circus Petit Mal performs with nonchalance on a stage strewn with garage debris. Break-dancing, martial arts and hip-hop fuse with Chinese poles, trampoline solos, senseless acrobatics and disjointed juggling with found objects. Nuffield Theatre, Southampton - 31 May and 2 June 7.30pm Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre, London - 4 June 7.30pm, Sat 5 June - 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sun 6 June - 2.30pm ,Lighthouse, Poole - 8 June - 7.30pm, Eden Court, Inverness - 15 and 16 June 8pm
Issue 18 | May 2010 | 81