On Friday, September 25, following the opening of artist Kaspars Podnieks’ exhibition “Bicorn” at the “Lielais dzintars” concert hall, both forum attendees and anyone else interested are invited to the “Veranda” cultural venue in Julianna’s courtyard, where, at 8:00 p.m., renowned Norwegian musicians—guitarist and singer Stian Westerhus and composer, keyboardist, violinist, and singer Maja S. K. Ratkje—will perform their first concert in Liepāja.
This duo has come together to record the album "All Losses Are Restored"; without these musicians, the music scene in Norway and far beyond would be hard to imagine over the past few decades. Listeners and critics have placed Maja and Stian among the leading figures of contemporary avant-garde music. Every day, they perform tirelessly in various ensembles, compose and teach music, and participate in recordings that have earned them numerous accolades and awards. And then there are those rare occasions when the two meet on the same stage and make music together. They improvise. And it’s two voices, a guitar, a keyboard, and a violin.
Later that evening, at 9:00 p.m., at the “Miezis & Ko.” craftbeer pub, right there in Julianna’s courtyard, Emil Amos and Alex Hall—two musicians from the U.S. West Coast, a drummer and a guitarist—will be performing music from their own record collections. “Lilacs & Champagne DJs” reads the event poster, and a more observant visitor might start to take notice, as the name sounds familiar… Yes, a few clicks later, it becomes clear who Emil is and who Alex is. These are the very same musicians who co-founded both a live music project of that name and play in the prog-rock band “Grails.” Emīls is also the drummer for the cult band “Om” and a member of “Holy Sons.” The two are touring Europe together in September, shifting focus from live rock music to strange music from strange recordings in strange corners of the world (many of which bear the same names).
On Saturday, September 26, at 10:00 p.m., following the “Reich March” concert, attendees are invited to “After Is!” at the “Valhalla Wine & Coffee” café. If the name sounds like “after” to anyone, as if hinting at an “after-party” vibe—well, yes, perhaps… If, in your opinion, it rhymes with the title of the song “Afterlife,” you’re not far off either, because among all the artists whose repertoire includes that song is the Montreal-based band “Arcade Fire.” One of its members, Richard Reed Parry, will be DJing this evening in a rare, if not exclusive, appearance. And Jimi Tenor will perform a solo concert unannounced, as a surprise for the audience.
Admission to all of the above-mentioned events is free, thanks to the support of “Valmiermuižas alus darītava,” the “Gardu muti” beverage brand, and the event venues.
The festival weekend will also feature several performances by the Liepāja Puppet Theater, inviting families to experience new and exciting stories.
On September 26 at 11:00 a.m., children ages 3 and up are invited to the play “Ezītis Puksītis un naktstauriņš Vilis”, based on the book “Puksītis and the Missing Moth Vilis!” by author and playwright Rasa Bugavičute-Pēce. The story centers on Puksītis’s courageous rescue mission as he searches under the cover of night for the missing parents of the moth Vilis. It is a heartwarming, adventure-filled, and imagination-sparking world where friendship, compassion, and the desire to help become the most important values.
At 4:00 p.m., young people aged 14 and older and adults are invited to experience the poignant story of a plea for acceptance, as told in the play “Metamorfozes”. Inspired by Franz Kafka’s short story “The Metamorphosis” (1915), the play creates a world in which Gregor is a puppet, and his family members—his mother, father, and sister—are the puppeteers. It is an outsider’s view of the inner world of a young, lonely, and desperate person.
On September 27 at 11:00 a.m., our youngest audience members are invited to the theater’s new production, “Čalotāji”, created for children ages 1 to 3. “Čalotāji” is based on a baby’s natural way of exploring the world—through sight, hearing, touch, and movement. Here, the young audience member is not just a spectator but becomes the central element of the performance—an active participant who watches, listens, touches, and feels.
Tickets for performances at the Liepāja Puppet Theater can be purchased at “Biļešu Paradīze” ticket offices and online. More information about the festival program is available on the website lmf.lielaisdzintars.lv.
"Liepaja Art Forum" is organized by SIA "Lielais Dzintars", supported by Liepāja City Council, State Culture Capital Foundation, Artes Liberales, Erica Synths, the Uniting Foundation, Valmiermuiža Brewery, and Gardu Muti, RTU Liepaja Academy, Latvian National Museum of Art. Collaborators: Liepaja Puppet Theatre, Veranda, Valhalla Wine & Coffee un Miezis & Ko.
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