Page 350 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

348 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

ENTERTAINMENT IN LATVIA

Latvia’s major cultural events are concentrated in clubs every evening. There are also some
in Rīga, although the dynamic festival good rock clubs, in addition to numerous
calendar includes plenty of reasons to explore bars that host live music. The sea side resort
the country beyond the capital. A few of Jūrmala is another hotspot during summer.
concerts and events are scheduled through Here, many bars and clubs open only for the
the year, but visitors need to consult a website tourist season and the Dzintari Concert Hall
or the tourist board as they are not regular. hosts concerts ranging from classical to pop.
The major exception is Liepāja, which has a Valmiera, considered to be the cultural capital
vibrant cultural life and its own symphony of the Vidzeme region, is another lively city.
orchestra. The city is also considered the For entertainment options in Rīga, see
home of Latvian rock bands, and DJs perform pages 350–51.

Classical Music
extra fee. Ticket Service has an
even larger network of outlets, and Opera
including at many post offices, The Latvian Music Information
Narvesen stores and Statoil Centre is a good resource for
petrol stations. Tickets can be details of musical performances
booked online and collected across the country. Some of the
from a sales office, or deli vered best classical music concerts
to an address within Latvia. Both take place at annual events,
agencies’ websites have such as the International Early
instructions in English, although Music Festival, which includes
most event descriptions are outdoor concerts in Rundāle
only in Latvian. Palace (see pp172–3) and
Bauska Castle (see pp170–71).
In Jūrmala, the Dzintari
Theatre
Concert Hall (see p175) stages
Most theatrical performances very high-quality events from
are in Latvian or Russian. June to August, on Saturdays.
One of Rīga’s tourist offices, which has Liepāja Theatre produces a Liepāja’s Holy Trinity Church
details of events in the capital mix of intimate drama and (see p184) hosts organ reci tals.
expansive theatrical works. The Liepāja Symphony
Information
The building’s restored Art Orchestra specializes in
Tourist information offices in Nouveau and Neo-Classical romantic music and hosts
Rīga provide details of interior is well worth a look. concerts throughout Latvia in
entertainment in the capital There are also occasional major cities such as Rīga,
and the rest of the country, travelling performances at Valmiera and Cēsis.
while regional tourist offices Saulkrasti Open-Air Stage With the exception of special
focus on local areas. Online and at the open-air stage in events, such as the annual
resources include the Latvian Reņķa Gardens, Ventspils. Sigulda Opera Festival, there
Culture Portal, which has a
search able nationwide
calendar, and Latvijas
Koncerti for classical
music events.
Booking and Prices
Tickets for cultural events are
generally very affordable in
Latvia, and bookings can be
made at the venue or through
a ticket agency. Biļešu
Paradīze has offices in several
of Rīga’s shopping centres and
major venues as well as con-
cert halls and cultural centres
around Latvia. Tickets can be
delivered internationally for an Scene from Uncle Vanya, by Anton Chekhov, performed at Liepāja Theatre