Page 352 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

350 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Entertainment in Rīga established during the Soviet
period continues today.
Since independence Rīga has been working hard to recapture Although the National Opera
its reputation as the cultural capital of the Baltic region. Apart closes in the summer, there are
from world-class performances of opera, ballet and classical special performan ces in
music, the city also has a thriving live-music scene. Local bands August. Tours of the building
are also available for a
play diverse genres from jazz to rock, often alongside minimum of 10 people.
international performers. The summer months see a few
festivals offering music and more, but in winter there is usually Classical Music
some form of cultural event or other taking place regularly. The
city is also renowned for its energetic nightlife. On Friday and There are a number of concert
venues in Rīga, including the
Saturday nights, many Old Town bars buzz with foreign visitors, Dome Cathedral (see p146),
though it is not difficult to find a peaceful place for a drink which hosts regular recitals.
among local people. Clubs, which range from small and hip to Ave Sol hosts chamber and
huge and mainstream, stay open throughout the night. choral music perfor mances.
The Latvian Philharmonic
Orchestra performs at the Great
Information
on a range of productions, Guild (see p149), while chamber
Most hotels in Rīga stock an from traditional to experi- music is played at the Small
assortment of free pocket-sized mental. Other options include Guild across the road. Spīķeri
magazines containing listings the New Rīga Theatre and Concert Hall, located in
and other information, of which the Russian Drama Theatre. the warehouses next to
the best is RigaNOW! The afford- Rīga’s most important theatre Rīga’s Central Market, is a
ably priced and comprehensive festival is Homo Novus, held contemporary venue for
bi-monthly Rīga In Your Pocket in September, usually every classical music and is the
is avail able to browse or alternate year. It concentrates home of the Sinfonietta Rīga
download as a PDF from the on cutting-edge experi mental chamber orchestra.
company’s website. The Latvian theatre and dance.
Culture Portal (see p349) website
is also helpful. Rock, Pop and
Opera and Ballet Alternative
Since the 18th century, Rīga has Major international artists
Theatre
maintained a strong tradition of perform at the Arēna Rīga,
Theatre performances are opera and ballet. The Latvian while local bands play at a host
mainly in Latvian or Russian, National Opera has an of smaller venues. Kaļķu Vārti
making them of limited interest imposing Neo-Classical building is noted for booking some of
to most visitors. The Latvian with a Baroque interior. It is the country’s top artists. Depo
National Theatre, housed in the venue for world-class features alter native music
a Neo-Classical building, has a performances that are usually from ska to metal and Sapņu
significant place in Latvian in their original language with Fabrika offers a range of diverse
history, as independence was subtitles in Latvian and English. genres from world music to
declared here on 18 November The building that houses the rock. Četri Balti Krekli offers
1918. The Dailes Theatre, Latvian National Opera isalso Latvian music.
directed by Eduards Smiļğis home to the Rīga Ballet. The
(1886–1966) for 40 years, puts strong ballet tradition
Jazz and Blues
The best blues venue in the
city is Moonshine, which
has live music on weekend
evenings. It also serves
sur prisingly good food,
while iconic American images
adorn the wall and a converted
Cadillac overlooks the square.
The smaller-scale Hamlets
club hosts jazz performances.
Rīgas Ritmi (Rīga’s Rhythms)
organizes concerts featuring
local and international jazz,
blues and world musicians
at various venues throughout
A lavishly decorated hall in the Latvian National Theatre the year.