Compact archive August 2008

Spectacular Irish Tap Dance in Prague

Friday 29 August 2008 10:52

The mysterious beauty of traditional Celtic music, the grace and energy of Irish dance, and a powerful story of love gone wrong combine to create a new and exciting entertainment event. Gaelforce Dance tells the tale of Lorcan and Aisling, a man and woman who have fallen desperately in love. However, Aisling is already married to Cuan, making the situation all the more difficult, Cuan happens to be Lorcan’s brother, and as the passion grows between Lorcan and Aisling, they fall deeper into a well of betrayal, leaving no one unscathed. Gaelforce Dance features a score by Colm O’Foghlu and choreography by Richard Griffin.

Gaelforce Dance takes the audience right to the edge with its perfect mix of traditional and Contemporary Irish dance music. It fuses a classic love tale in a spectacle of star studded quality that is Irish dancing at its raw and energetic best.

4th November 2008, Tickets at Ticketstream CZK 550 – 1450, event in KCP – Kongresove centrum Praha, Prague Congress Centre

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Czech Etymologists have to disprove their alleged confession

Thursday 28 August 2008 13:49

Court proceedings with two Czech etymologists accused of collecting protected beetles in India continue. Now their lawyers plead especially for proving Petr Svacha and Emil Kucera have never signed confession, they entered protected area with the intention of collecting endangered species for commercial reasons.

They claim that during the time they were arrested they were given about twenty blank papers which they were told to sign. They believed the papers are going to be filled with the list of their possessions. However, the blank lists were filled with their confessions, their advocates state.

Czech ambassador in India Hynek Kmonicek infirms especially the keepers of Singalia park. He for example stated for local newspaper to collect beetles in the Czech Republic is prohibited, which is of course a nonsense, but he backs it he was told it by the Czech Embassy, but Hynek Kmonicek stated they never contacted them.

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Legalization of Prostitution in Prague Soon?

Thursday 28 August 2008 10:57

The prostitutes would become the entrepreneurs. They would pay taxes, carry a special id, and go for a medical check-up every three months. These are the main points of the public notice the Prague Council agreed on yesterday. Now, the Pavel Bem’s representative Rudof Blazek’s lobby focuses on ministries and regions. The proposal probably goes to the parliament on November.

The capital expects of the law above all reducing numbers of brothels and setting of clear rules for their operation. Blazek explains: “There are about ten fancy houses on Wenceslas Square and its surrounding streets only. The law, however, doesn’t know the term prostitution, so there is hardly any possibility to control or regulate the business.”

There is over sixty brothels and erotic clubs in the capital. Most of them are approved as bars, hotels or massage saloons. Whether or not they will be able to put ‘brothel’ in their name proudly we find this November.

Vaclav Klaus and Georgia

Wednesday 27 August 2008 13:19

Vaclav Klaus’ opinions about Georgia are well-known, a clear mutual understatement took place among him and Czech communists, he was also complimented by Raúl Castro. Wait a moment. Klaus has the same opinions as the communist party? There is something weird. The situation can be explained in three ways:

1. Klaus have reached the age where the difference between right and wrong stir, and senility took over his actions.

2. Klaus likes authoritative leaders and likes to imagine himself as one of them. Also, regular democratic leaders of free countries do not take him seriously.

3. Klaus simply disagrees with general opinion, only to get publicity. If the government stood behind Russia, he would call for help for Georgia.

What goes on in Klaus’ mind is hard to tell. So you decide for yourself, what is the most probable option.

Of course, the reasons for the conflict are very complicated. Saakashvili clearly made fatal mistakes, but Russia militia crossed borders of other state, which equals occupation. Also, it is strange how well was Russia prepared for the invasion.

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Zizkov Tower Babies going to Kampa

Wednesday 27 August 2008 10:45

Giant babies crawling up the Zizkov Tower are going to appear in the centre of Prague as well. Three statues of crawling infants with a ventilation shaft instead of a face should decorate Kampa Park. The idea came from Museum Kampa, that stands close-by in Sovovy Mlyny.

The massive babies (every one of them is about 800kg!) first appeared on Zizkov television tower eight years ago. They became so popular that their creator David Cerny had to create permanent versions, which have been there since 2001.

Kampa park is going to host bronze versions, three of them, until 2009 spring, when it is to undergo reconstruction. The three bronze babies than move, where it is not clear yet.

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DIE HAPPY in Prague concert

Tuesday 26 August 2008 13:01

The one, only and exclusive concert of the popular German rock band for the Czech Republic where they present their new album “VI” takes place in Prague Rock Café.

Die Happy is a German-based rock/pop/alternative band from Ulm. The group was founded in 1993 by the Czech singer Marta Jandova and Thorsten Mewes. Even though the band is based in Germany, their songs are written and performed almost exclusively in English.

Die Happy is one of the most hard-working bands, since they made more than 850 concerts since 2001, they also made 5 studio albums, an unplugged CD and two DVDs. The songs „The Ordinary Song“ or „Wanna Be Your Girl“ were often played in Czech radio ether.

18th October 2008 in Prague, Rock Café at Narodni Trida. The only concert in the CR.

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Tip for your day – Letni Letna Festival in Prague

Tuesday 26 August 2008 09:08

You can find out that circus is not only about animals and clowns. The only thing you need to do is to arrive to Prague Letna festival Letni Letna, pay for a ticket varying from 60 (children performance) to 490 (the most expensive one for adults) and let yourself be amused. You won’t make a mistake by coming to one of the earlier performances with you children – the hours around lunch to early evening look like a meeting of kids of about 5 years old.

If we choose from the today’s programme, there is 11:00 Divadélko Romaneto – Pohádka z Krkonos (The Fairy-tale from Krkonose), 14:00 Václav Strasser – Duhové bubliny a jiné klauniády (Rainbow bubbles and other clowncraft), 15:30 Buchty a loutky – Zabak Valentyn (Frog Valentine), 19:00 Buchty a loutky – BARYK – Dog on the Road.

Evenings usually bring more artistic/serious/amazing/dangerous performances, today it is 21:00 Divadlo VOSTO5 – Špialová ruka (Dirple Hand). One of the most favorite group is Decalanges, a Czech-French team in the performance called Posedlost (Obsession) – a combination of theatre, dance and aerial acrobacy.

Programme: here

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40 years ago, 7 people Demonstrated in Moscow Against Occupation

Monday 25 August 2008 14:22

Those demonstrating in 1968 Prague against USSR occupation would never expect any of the Russians would join them, the least directly at the Red Square. Back in those days, they lifted banners like ‘Shame to Occupants’, ‘For Your and Our Freedom’ or ‘Hands off Czechoslovakia’ back then, the very well educated group was brutally attacked by the police and mob, and after that, years of severe punishments in prisons and psychiatric institutions awaited them. When they were released, they mostly emigrated.

The Magnificent Seven, that came into many minds after the demonstration. A clear risk of life in the middle of the camp of injustice, that came into minds of the others. Is something similar going to take place on the Red Square of today for support of Georgia, are there still people willing to throw away their lives in order to speak the truth and stand behind freedom and human rights in the country that has always defined its greatness in military terms?

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Utah Jazz - Luxorious Liquid Funk in Prague

Monday 25 August 2008 12:28

Luke Wilson AKA Utah Jazz, is one of the original liquid funksters. He started mixing Drum & Bass whilst still at school, inspired by LTJ Bukem & Alex Reece and his DJ career soon blossomed – randomly adopting the name ‘Utah Jazz’ from the US Basketball team to showcase his preference for the mid 90s ‘Jazz-Jungle’ sound.

In 2008, his debut album ‘It’s A Jazz Thing’ was released worldwide to both commercial and critical acclaim – cementing Utah Jazz’s position as one of the major cross-over D&B artists this side of the millennium.

Released through Bryan G’s seminal V Recordings camp (the first home of Roni Size & DJ Marky) with radio and club support from the likes of Trevor Nelson, Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, LTJ Bukem, Fabio, Andy C, Goldie and more – the global impact of ‘It’s A Jazz Thing’ has also now made Utah Jazz one of the most in demand selectors on the international D&B circuit.

September, 12 2008 at It’s A Jazz Thing @ Roxy, Prague. Tickets: until 23:00, 150czk, after 23:00 200czk.

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Last Page of Czech Radar Treaty Soon Ready

Monday 25 August 2008 10:49

The Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg announced on Sunday the SOFA contract will be ready soon. SOFA defines terms of American troops at the radar base. According to Schwarzenberg, his meeting with the defense minister Vlasta Parkanova and the Prime Minister Topolanek, which takes place on Thursday 28th August 08 should settle all the remaining points of the contract, so it will be ready to be signed with the USA.

The last points SOFA treaty needs to settle are mostly concerned with taxes. Both the CR and the USA had different conceptions.

The NATO radar is intended to locate incoming military missiles to the states of the EU and the radar in Poland is to destroy them. The Poles have signed their contracts rapidly, after Russia invaded Georgia. Schwarzenberg also expressed his concern for the conflict in Georgia is going to continue.

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Soulfly – Concert in Prague this Sunday

Friday 22 August 2008 18:25

Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 in Arizona. Led by founder, frontman, songwriter and only constant member Brazilian Max Cavalera, who formed the band after he left influental Brazilian death/thrash band Sepultura in 1996. The band has released six studio albums, one tour EP, several singles, and one DVD video.

Soulfly incorporates thrash metal, groove metal, with Brazilian tribal music and world music. The band has had all six of their studio albums debut on the United States Billboard 200, with a peak position at number 32 with their second album Primitive, and the band’s debut album Soulfly, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Su 24th, August 2008, Prague Roxy

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Russia officially freezes cooperation with NATO

Friday 22 August 2008 16:29

Moscow announced the North Atlantic Treaty Organization they stop military cooperation. The information came from the speaker of the alliance Carmen Romero. The reason is obvious; present Russian-Georgia conflict.

“Russia informed us through military channels that the Russian Federation Defense Ministry decided to stop the military cooperation international events scheduled between Russia and the NATO states, until further instructions”, said Carmen Romero

The decision came after NATO found out this week that maintaining normal relations with Russia is no longer possible until their troops withdraw from Georgia. The reaction of Russia was predicable, as they never willingly leave once occupied territory.

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