MUSIC
L-Għanja tal-Poplu
The popular L-Għanja tal-Poplu festival will be held at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on August 5. It will be its 47th edition, in its 50th year.
The 16 finalists will be accompanied by the Malta Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Abela.
Special guest at this year's festival will be Merga (Mary Buttigieg née Galea), who will interpret two songs from the 1960s and 1970s with musical arrangements by Joe Brown.
The festival will be compered by Joseph Galea and Antonella Galea Loffreda.
Tickets can be bought from www.ticketline.com.mt. More information is available on www.ghanjatalpoplu.org.
Opera vs Pop Under the Stars
The Gozo Youth Orchestra in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and the US Embassy are presenting the 15th edition of Opera vs Pop Under the Stars at the Ġgantija Archaeological Park in Xagħra, on July 31, at 8.30pm.
The orchestra, under the baton of Joseph Grech, will be accompanied by soprano Nicola Said, bass Noel Galea, pop tenor Ludwig Galea and singers Dorothy Bezzina, Rachel Fabri and Sarah Bonnici.
The first part of the programme will consist of classical and operatic songs and arias, followed by an array of lighter pop arrangements from soundtracks and musicals in the second part.
The event, being held under the patronage of Constance J. Milstein, US Ambassador to Malta, is full booked. For more information, visit www.gozowindbandorchestra.com.
The Gozo Youth Orchestra during a previous edition of the concert. Photo: George Scerri/MGOZOne Night With You!
Għaxaq is hosting a tribute show to Elvis Presley in the village’s square as part of Festa Familja on August 3.
The event, will feature tribute artist Josuel as Elvis, accompanied by the live band Shakin Tide and dancers. Some of the King of Rock’s most popular hits such as Jailhouse Rock and Suspicious Minds will be performed.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
The show's posterRemembering Operation Husky
The Mediterranean Conference Centre is hosting two concerts this week in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily that took place on the night of July 9-10, 1943. The operation came to an end on August 17.
The first concert, being held on August 4 at 8pm, will see the band of the Armed Forces of Malta performing music related to that era, featuring music by Aaron Copland, Glenn Miller, Jacob de Haan and Ilio Volante. The concert also includes world premieres by Maltese composer Peter Cini, also a member of the AFM Band, and Anthony Mercieca.
Tenor Georg Zammit, a children’s choir from Centrestage Malta and dancers from Sun Flow Dance & Entertainment will also perform.
The band will be conducted by Capt. Jonathan Borg, the musical director of the AFM Band.
The Goldberg Ensemble will then present the second concert, Remembering Operation Husky: Songs of World War II, on August 5.
The ensemble, comprising a choir, a string quartet, a clarinettist and a pianist, will present a programme of wartime songs hailing from various countries. They will be under the baton of Michael Laus, who will also accompany the singers on the piano.
Among other popular tunes, they will perform Lili Marleen, La Vie en Rose, Moonlight Serenade and We’ll Meet Again.
Tickets for both concerts are available from showshappening.com.
The Goldberg Ensemble will perform wartime songs in a concert at the MCC on Saturday. Photo: FacebookSummer Vibes
The Għaqda tal-Mużika San Gejtanu AD 1906 is holding a concert on August 4 in the run-up to the feast of St Cajetan.
Titled Summer Vibes, the event will see performances by local deejays J Joy and Zrinz, English deejay, vocalist and songwriter Christina Novelli, perhaps best known for such hits as Concrete Angel, and Gozitan band The Travellers.
The event will take place in High Street, Ħamrun, from 8pm onwards.
Christina Novelli. Photo: FacebookFILM
Disney’s 100th anniversary celebration
KRS Releasing Ltd, in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company and in partnership with all local cinemas, is celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary with a programme of films this summer.
These include classic, ground-breaking Disney films selected from almost every decade of the centenary such as the original animated versions of Bambi, Peter Pan and The Jungle Book.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) will be the first film to be shown between August 4 and 10.
For more information, visit the KRS Releasing Facebook page.
The event's poster showing all the classic Disney films that will be screened in local cinemas in the coming months. Photo: KRS Releasing LtdNational Cinema Day
KRS Releasing is holding the next edition of National Cinema Day on August 5.
Cinemas across Malta and Gozo will be screening a variety of films at reduced admission prices throughout the day, including the latest blockbuster releases and Disney’s classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (U), which will be returning to the big screen.
The other films showing on the day are Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (12A), Mission: Impossible – Dead (12A), Barbie (12A), Elemental (PG), Oppenheimer (15), Meg 2: The Trench (TBA), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (PG) and Mavka: The Forest Song (PG)
For more information, look up the KRS Releasing Facebook page and the websites of local cinemas.
Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 comeback
Spazju Kreattiv is screening a new documentary about Elvis Presley, which focuses on his career in 1968, when he was apparently losing his appeal.
His notorious manager, Col. Tom Parker, wanted to restore Elvis’ popularity through a network TV Christmas special, replete with sweaters and Santa. To direct the special, Parker and Elvis both approved of NBC’s choice, the brash, young, socially conscious rebel director Steve Binder.
But Binder had a completely different vision for the Special, one that Elvis enthusiastically embraced − much to Parker’s dismay.
The documentary, directed by John Scheinfeld, is being shown on August 5 at 8.30pm. It will be screened again on August 11. For tickets and more information, visit kreattivita.org.
A still from the documentary. Photo: FacebookMISCELLANEOUS
Farsons Beer Festival
The 41st edition of the popular beer festival is taking place at the picnic area in Ta’ Qali until August 5.
As in previous years, there are plenty of food and beer options besides musical entertainment on four stages: main stage, rock stage, Casa Electronica and a chill-out area.
For a list of performers and more details, look up the event's Facebook page or website. Also click here.
Tribali will be performing at the Farsons Beer Festival on August 2. Photo: FarsonsAntonin Under the Stars
Marsovin is organising its annual wine event at its Ramla Valley Estate in Gozo on August 4 and 5.
Guests will have the opportunity to taste premium wines made from grapes grown on the estate, as well as an additional selection of wines produced by Marsovin.
On both nights, wine specialists will give guided vineyard tours between 7 and 8pm.
Ta’ Frenċ will provide the catering throughout the evening, while entertainment will be provided by Swing Nuages.
The event is sold out. For more information, visit Marsovin's Facebook page.
Gozo Food Festival 2023
The Malta International Food Festival is moving to Xewkija square for its Gozo edition on August 4 and 5.
The festival will feature over 10 international cuisines besides live entertainment. Children may also engage in various activities in their own play area.
For more information and updates, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Filfla heritage cruise
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar is organising a cruise around the marine protected area of Filfla on Saturday.
Expert guides will give a running commentary on the fascinating mix of geological formations, rare flora and fauna and knights' fortifications, of the whole southern coast leading down to Filfa.
Participants may also admire seabirds such as the European storm petrel – Kangu ta’ Filfla – and other protected species, perhaps also turtles and dolphins.
After Filfla, the boat will stop at Il-Ħofriet Bay in Delimara where one can swim and snorkel.
Participants will embark from the Sliema Ferries at 10am and return at 5pm. For tickets, visit https://ticketengine.faa.org.mt/index.php.
The islet of Filfla. Photo: Din l-Art ĦelwaSummer Night Market
Eco Market Malta, in collaboration with the Mellieħa local council, is holding the third edition of the Summer Night Market in Mellieħa parish square on August 5 and 6 from 6pm onwards.
The event, celebrating sustainability and responsible citizenship, will feature over 30 stalls with handmade products, locally-brewed beer, vegan treats and many other eco-friendly items.
There will also be a free yoga session for beginners on August 11 at 7.30pm and another one for children on August 12 at 7.30pm. There will also be free Balance Bike sessions for kids on both days from 7.30pm onwards
For more information, visit the Eco Market Malta’s or the event’s page on Facebook.
A view of last year's event. Photo: FacebookVISUAL ARTS
Symphonic Dreams
Sculptor Ġanni Pace has opened an exhibition showcasing his latest works at Palazzo Ferreria in Republic Street, Valletta, entitled Symphonic Dreams.
The works on display aim to depict nature using different images and expressions, rough texture and eroded forms. There are sculptures in terracotta, Maltese stone, stucco and wood. The exhibition includes two busts of the artist's parents.
Part of the income from the exhibition, which runs until August 3, will go to the Malta Community Chest Fund.
Some of the works by Ġanni Pace on display at Palazzo Ferreria, Valletta.Shrine: Finding Solace in the Chaos of Life
Alexandra Aquilina's debut solo exhibition runs at MUŻA in Valletta until August 13.
The screen printer and multimedia artist based between Malta and Berlin tackles grandiose themes of life, spirituality and mortality with teenage arrogance and child-like wonderment, resulting in art that is both raw and intimate, disjointed and coherent at the same time.
Her work invites the viewers to reflect on the duality of nature, humanity and spirituality, universal concepts which are deeply rooted and explored from within the complex island microcosm.
The exhibition is curated by Lisa Gwen.
Read more about the artist and the exhibition on X2, a new website by Times of Malta.
A detail of one of Alexandra Aquilina's works at the Shrine exhibition.Wabi Sabi
Il-Kamra ta' Fuq in Mqabba is hosting an exhibition by Sasha Vella titled Wabi Sabi until August 15.
Related to landscapes, objects, and even human beings, the notion of 'Wabi Sabi' can be understood as an appreciation of beauty that is doomed to disappear, or even as an ephemeral contemplation of something that arguably becomes more beautiful as it ages, fades, and acquires a new essence. Vella embraces this philosophy through her photographic work.
In her non-conventional process-based approach, Sasha typically seeks to document natural elements that bear witness to the passage of time through erosion, decay and change. This includes mountains, rocks and humans, dealing with matter that relates to the threat of ceasing to exist.
This debut solo exhibition features a selection of photographic work from the past four years, with some photographs shot on film that expired over 40 years ago.
For opening hours, visit the gallery's Facebook page.
Read more about the exhibition in this Times of Malta review.
The Grandeur of Softness by Sasha VellaFrancesco Zahra (1710-1773) 250th Death Anniversary
Il-Ħaġar Museum in Victoria is commemorating the death of Francesco Zahra, generally considered to have been the greatest painter in Malta during the 18th century, in a landmark exhibition until September 3.
No fewer than 62 works by Zahra are on display. The exhibition also includes works by Buhagiar’s father and brother, his artistic rival Enrico Regnaud and the Rome-trained French artist Antoine Favray, who arrived in Malta in the 1740s.
The exhibition, curated by Keith Sciberras, forms part of the 26th Victoria International Arts Festival, an event co-sponsored by the museum, which came to an end on July 10.
The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Entrance is free. For more information, visit the museum's Facebook page.
Read more about the exhibition in this Times of Malta review.
Virgin of Providence by Francesco ZahraContext
A new exhibition is bringing together four Maltese artists, Ryan Falzon, Madeleine Gera, Anna Grima and Paul Scerri at Bureau Iniala in Valletta.
This collective exhibition is a cohesion of four artistic languages; the artists were not limited thematically in an intentional curatorial decision. The term 'context' gives purpose and order through a standardisation of parameters that are supposed to have withstood the test of time.
In a context of togetherness, these four artists are exploring a poetic recontextualisation of sorts, in a warlike post-pandemic world that is thirsty for an aesthetic recalibration.
Context is a Times Events and Bureau Iniala collaboration, hosted at 37, Old Treasury Street, Valletta. It is open until September 5.
Man with a Parakeet by Madeleine GeraXara Art Collection 2023
A collective art exhibition is being held to raise funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza.
The exhibition was launched during an annual charity dinner taking place at the Xara Lodge, l/o Rabat, on July 26, but it is now on display at the atrium of The Xara Palace in Mdina for four weeks.
The nine participating artists, Andrew Borg, Paul Camilleri, Mary de Piro, Rachel Galea, Carmel Grixti, Lawrence Pavia, Wibke Seifert, Sophie Stilon and Kenneth Zammit Tabona, will donate 20 to 50 per cent of the sale of proceeds of their art tothe Siġġiewi home.
The event is held under the distinguished patronage of Mgr Joe Galea Curmi, Auxillary Bishop of Malta, and Fr Martin Micallef, the director of Dar tal-Providenza.
Soap to Think With
Norbert Francis Attard is holding a solo exhibition at Gozo Contemporary at 11, Triq Mongur, Għarb.
Curated by Ann Dingli, the exhibition features works made out of soap and soap boxes besides other materials to highlight links between massive events in national history that we might otherwise have not made.
A catalogue featuring critical essays by Paul Sant Cassia, Ann Dingli and Nikki Petroni and a prologue by Gabriel Zammit accompanies the exhibition, which is dedicated to Marisa Vella (1960-2020).
Soap to Think With can be viewed by appointment by calling on +356 7904 1051 or sending an e-mail to norbert@norbertattard.com.
Read more about the exhibition in this Times of Malta interview with the artist and curator.
Hitting the Wall by Norbert Francis Attard. Photo: Facebook/Valletta ContemporaryOTHER EXHIBITIONS
Ancient Tea With New Glamour
The China Cultural Centre in Malta is hosting a new exhibition under the theme of 'Tea for Harmony', co-organised with the Xi’an Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.
Featuring intriguing displays, artefacts, paintings and photographs from the city of Xi’an, this new exhibition opens a window into the enduring significance of tea in Chinese culture.
A Tang-style gilded tea set made of bronze gold and silver is the main attraction. Other exhibits include a batch of royal teaware items that were unearthed in 1987 at the ancient Buddhist Famen Temple in northwest Shaanxi and a modern reprinted thread-bound edition of The Classic of Tea, considered to be the first known monograph on tea in the world, written by Lu Yu between 760 CE and 762 CE, during the Tang Dynasty.
One may visit the exhibition, which will remain open until the end of this year at the China Cultural Centre, 173, Melita Street, Valletta. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to noon, and from 1.30 to 4pm. Entrance is free. Reservation is advised for group visits at events2023ccc@gmail.com.
whatson@timesofmalta.com