Rock n roll legends KISS have announced the last legs of their final tour, the END OF THE ROAD.  The show is going to be an absolute banger! After four and a half decades in the music industry, the iconic band waves farewell to touring and fortunately, they’ll make a stop in Budapest too!

The make-up covered beasts promise a sensational rock show with astonishing visuals (pyrotechnics included), a huge stage and lights enough for a small town. To prove they belong to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer will do their absolute best, playing the foursome’s most known songs for more than 2 hours straight. We are talking songs like I Was Made For Lovin’ You, Love Gun, Deuce and Rock And Roll All Nite, as well as dozens of songs from the band’s 24 gold and platinum albums.

KISS is a global phenomenon, hence they want to put an end to their insanely successful career the proper way. The tour kicked-off in Vancouver, Canada in January, 2019, and since then, the band known for its larger-than-life performances conquered stages of the biggest arenas of North America, a few European cities and bigger festivals. Oceania, Asia, parts of Europe, South America and numerous shows in the USA are still ahead of them. They promise:

“This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t.”

The last concert has already been announced: it will take place on 17 July, 2021, in New York, the city where their long and eventful journey started in 1973. Not even the most exciting party can last forever, or can it? The END OF THE ROAD tour is a worthy celebration of KISS’s 45-year career; the quartet concludes the end of an era with songs we all know by heart: Demon, Starchild, Spaceman and Catman.

They have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and this tour is devoted to the millions of KISS Army fans. Get your ticket on www.livenation.hu or book via www.funcode.hu!

The Eastern Church’s most beautiful and grandiose Easter melodies will be heard from several regions: from the Holy Land and Syria to Moscow, from Georgia to Transcarpathia. In addition to traditional ancient liturgical songs, pieces of major Bulgarian, Russian, Italian, Hungarian, Ruthenian and Ukrainian masters – Balakirev, Boksay, Degtarev, Diletsky, Hristov, Ippolitov-Ivanov, Rachmaninov, Schiavo and Sáry – will be heard.

Doros Quintet, Moscow’s most famous male vocal ensemble and the St. Ephraim’s Male Choir both were founded in 2002. Head of the Russian Choir since the foundation is Constantin Senchenko, who graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory. St. Ephraim Male Choir’s founder and present leader is Tamás Bubnó. The choir is named after Saint Ephraim (306-373) – who was honored with the title “The Harp of the Holy Spirit” even by his contemporaries. The choir’s purpose and mission is to research and present the vocal heritage of the Byzantine rite Christian world, and to nurture the Hungarian male choir-tradition (Liszt, Bartók, Kodály, Ligeti), and to promote contemporary vocal music. They have sung with several artists: King’s Singers, Martha Sebestyén, Muzsikás, Gábor Presser, and Budapest Festival Orchestra.

Tickets for the concert are already available on Jegy.hu and on Szenterfrém.hu for 3800 HUF.

MINAJ has decided to move forward with new creative that will give her fans a fully immersive Queen experience. In addition, the tour will now feature Chicago rapper JUICE WRLD, who has had a breakout year with his platinum selling debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance, and multi-platinum selling singles “All Girls Are the Same” and “Lucid Dreams.”

“I’m so excited to bring the full Nicki Minaj experience to my fans in Europe,” said MINAJ.  My creative director & I have been carefully crafting the most exhilarating, unique, memorable piece of art to share with my incredible fans. I’m in love with Juice Wrld’s music & feel so stoked to have him join me. This will be one for the books.”

What’s more, MINAJ will be inviting local acts from each country to join THE NICKI WRLD TOUR in their city. Similar to her wildly successful & critically acclaimed Pinkprint Tour, Minaj’s upcoming dates will offer fans access into Nicki’s world and be full of surprises.

Throughout the years, NICKI MINAJ has consistently made history and influenced all corners of pop culture. In 2018, MINAJ released her platinum-selling album Queen, and became the first female artist with 100 career appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Previously purchased tickets for the tour will be honored on these dates.  For additional ticket info visit https://www.mypinkfriday.com.

Zoli

My favourite place to be: Stand Restaurant

I have been planning for months to visit Stand Restaurant, former Onyx chefs Tamás Széll and Szabina Szulló’s newest enterprise that was opened this July. It is said to be an elegant yet comfortable, tranquil yet passionate, high-quality yet plain place located in the heart of the city, where dishes are freshly prepared with first-class local products, representing the versatility of Hungarian cuisine. If you have a look at Stand’s menu, you’ll see that such typical ‘Magyar’ ingredients as starlet, trout, eel and venison dominate the pages. It also offers an 8-course and a 4-course dinner menu, I’ll probably test the latter one this month!

My favourite thing to do: Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert

I won’t miss the Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert show in Budapest Arena this October. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra brings us a fascinating live music concert based on Star Wars: A New Hope movie. Since its premiere 40 years ago, the film has inspired culture, and its legendary plot, characters, visuals and John Williams’ music have influenced several generations growing up. As a Star Wars fan, I can’t wait to experience a live music concert experience like this.

Évi

My favourite thing to do: Decorate

Even though Halloween has nothing to do with Hungarian traditions, I really adore this „holiday” because of its positive, fun vibes. I love to shop for decorations, but I also have some DIY project ideas. Sometimes I print out creative labels (vampire’s blood, zombie antivirus, witch’s brew) which look pretty awesome on a bottle of wine, for instance. By now I have a decent collection, but there’s always room for new garlands, costumes, illuminative & creepy decor items. For me, there’s no Halloween without Jack-o’-lantern, so I always make sure to find a nice pumpkin before it gets sold out in the market.

My favourite place to be: Ahoy!

When it’s getting cold outside, a mug of heavenly hot chocolate is the best possible mood-booster. My favourite chocolate bar, Ahoy! offers a wide range of Belgian hot chocolate specialties – milk, dark, white, and sugar-free chocolate options are all available – with creative flavours such as chilli, mint, lavender, caramel, coconut or orange. The toppings are brilliant too! You can choose from normal or sugar-free whipped cream, marshmallow, M&M’s and plenty of dressings including dark chocolate sauce or caramel. It’s irresistible!

Léna

My favourite thing to do: Budapest Design Week

After the buzzing summer season that was full of music festivals, I decided to devote more time to cultural programs when autumn comes. Although I have seen the Frida Kahlo Exhibition in Vienna, it was so fascinating that I will for sure admire her paintings exhibited in Hungarian National Gallery once again. Budapest Design Week organized this October is another exciting program for culture lovers. During the event a wide range of exhibitions, open studios, workshops and lectures can be seen and heard. Since I’m fascinated by interior design, fashion and contemporary art, I plan to visit the open studios of Hungarian designers.

My favourite place to be: District II

I have lived in District II since I was a teenager. I belong to the generation whose members gathered around the clock at ‘Moszkva tér’ to get informed about the best house parties held in the city. The district has changed a lot in the past 20-25 years. Not only did it get a new name, but its legendary clock was also renewed. Despite all of this, this is where I feel at home. On Saturdays I eat lángos and do the shopping at Fény utca Market, go to the cinema in Mammut Shopping Mall, have a few drinks with my friends on one of the open-air terraces of Lövőház utca, and spend the rest of the night in Nemdebár or Piros Pezsgő Piano Bar. The next day I drink my morning coffee in one of the confectioneries of Keleti Károly utca.

Károly Nyári concert – Erkel Theatre

Virtuoso pianist and well-known singer Károly Nyári performs his album release concert on 15 September, entitled „Egy nyáron át”. The popular entertainer is famous for his sophisticated and improvising style which you can personally experience at Erkel Theatre, where his show takes place. He’ll introduce you to his magical world with sweet melodies that mesmerize the ears. It’s one of the most-awaited concerts this September, don’t miss out!

Bob and Bobék Orchestra – Synagogue, Hegedűs Gyula street

Jenő Rejtő – one of the most influential figures of Hungarian literature-, inspired the following concert which offers true musical gems to the audience. Inspired by the biggest names of Hungarian literary history, the orchestra performs an exciting musical fusion including hip-hop, reggae and beatbox. Be the eye- and earwitness of this special show!

Hevhetia Festival – BMC/Opus Jazz Club

Organized for the 4th time, Hevhetia Festival brings international performers to Budapest, who also happen to be among the most successful acts of the Budapest-based record label. The event takes place from 4-8 September, with Czech duo Pavel Jakub Ryba & Petr Valášek, Espirit-Award nominee Slovakian band Ľubo Šamo Project, and Kari Sál Quartet coming from Poland.

Bridging Europe – Cantata Kokle Essemble – Müpa Budapest, Átrium

Kokle is a plucked instrument dating back to the 13th century that has been characterizing the national music of Latvia ever since. The concert offers popular Latvian folk songs, timeless classics and popular rock melodies played on this special, Baltic instrument which people usually compare to kantele or the Russian gusli. The event promises an incomparable musical experience, go see it for yourself!

Sunday Chamber Music – BFO Rehearsal Hall

Budapest Festival Orchestra never fails to impress: whenever you attend their concert, you’ll be left in amazement. On 30 September they will perform Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in D Major (“The Lark”) as well as Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor. Get your tickets before the concert sells out!

The event series is organized for the 4^th time, offering concerts of varied musical genres (classical, jazz, folk, etc.) around the most popular sights of the capital city. The greatest thing is, you can bump into something exciting only by walking around the beautiful streets and landmarks of Budapest.

Locations

More than 100 talented musicians will take the temporary stages with a special repertoire, chosing from the biggest composers of all time, including Liszt, Bach Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Paganini, Bizet, Verdi and Ravel, just to mention a few. Among the performers there are well-known bands such as the Hungarian National Philharmonic, Concerto Budapest, Danube Symphony Orchestra, and so on.

Here’s where you should go to catch free-to-attend mini-concerts (20-20 minutes long) all summer long:

• Budapest Castle Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) – gloriette + entrance
• St. Stephen’s Basilica
• Margaret Island (Musical fountain)
• Műcsarnok Art Gallery
• Central Market (Vásárcsarnok)
• Gerbeaud Confectionary
• Fisherman’s Bastion
• Vajdahunyad Castle – garden
• Hungarian National Gallery, Savoya terrace

Each location hosts a different genre, the concerts and venues harmonize. Vajdahunyad castle, for instance, gives home to Transylvanian folk music and other folk performances, while Várkert Bazár’s gloriette awaits visitors with brass quintets in hussar dress uniforms. Church music themed performances take place in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, while the angelic sound of violin and clarinet entertaints the crowd by Margaret Island’s musical fountain. Check out the detailed, thematically organized program on the event’s website!

Are you interested? Find out more about the event and the concerts by clicking here!

The program is executed by the Budapest Festival and Tourist Center, with the support of the Hungarian Prime Ministry. Musical director: Nándor Götz, Artistic director: Béla Götz.

Music is in his veins

There are just a few performers who have become superstars so fast, but still remain humble, like James Blunt does. The singer from an upper middle class family – originally named James Hillier Blount – was born in 1974 in Tidworth, England. He learned to play the recorder at 3, the violin at 5, and the piano at 7. As his father served at the British Air Force and the family moved every two years, James had been studying at boarding school from the age of 7, and saw his parents only during vacation times. At the age of 14, he bought his first guitar, and started writing songs. After his schools, due to his family background, he chose to serve in the military. From 1997 he was stationed in Canada, Kosovo and London for 6 years.

Carrier

In 2002, he was decommissioned from the army and contracted EMI Publishing as a singer-songwriter. His debut album was released in October 2004, and was received with a general lack of interest. And then his third single, You’re Beautiful, came out.

 And so there it was: one big hit, four more albums, a further four number one singles, five Grammy nominations (plus BRITS, Ivor Novellos and MTV awards), nearly 20 million albums and 40 million song downloads worldwide. Plus over 6m Facebook ‘likes’, and an astonishing 412m YouTube views.

The Afterlove

His latest album, The Afterlove was released last Spring, and in the last year the radios have been continuously playing him with Robin Schultz’s song OK. In addition, he’s been supporting charitable organizations and campaigning for urgent needs in climate change for years.One of the most beloved and gentlest stars, James Blunt is coming to Budapest to charm the Hungarian audience with his unique songs and performance again.

Tickets for the Budapest show are available at www.livenation.hu and www.ticketpro.hu.

Gorillaz is coming to Budapest Arena on 13 November. Its members prefer not to be in the spotlight, thereby it comes as no surprise that we tend to associate them with the cartoon characters appearing in their music videos. Here are nine things about the band and its members that will help you enjoy their concert even more.

#1 Gorillaz’s first album released in 2001 sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, which took them straight into the Guiness Book of World Records as the most successful virtual band.

#2 The band was named after the birth year of Hewlett and Albarna core members, that is 1968, the Year of the Monkey. Their original name was simply Gorilla that was completed with the plural “z” later.

#3 Hewlett and Albarn grew up listening to MTV music which they considered awful, so they decided to form a band.

#4 Gorillaz set another record as well: 900 000 people watched their Stylo video on YouTube in 24 hours.

#5 The advertisement of Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Games was made by Albarn and Hewlett.

#6 Their fifth album called Humanz was released this spring after a 5-year long hiatus.

#7 The boys are horror movie fanatics. In some of their songs they refer to classic horror movies, such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Resident Evil or The Shining.

#8 They won only one Grammy, which is a great recognition in itself, however, they have been nominated nine times between 2001 and 2011.

#9 They are huge fans of Clint Eastwood, which is why their debut album is all about him.

You can buy tickets to Gorillaz concert in Budapest HERE. Don’t forget to join the FB event either!

Óbudai Társaskör is home to the Budapest Strings, the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, the Auer String Quartet, and the Budapest Ragtime Band. These bands and orchestras perform at our programs regularly, whether in Kiskorona utca, the courtyard of Kiscelli Museum – with perhaps the best acoustics in Budapest –, the Saint Peter and Paul Church – which guards the grave of Bonfini –, or the Reformed Church.

Classical music often mingles with literature in our programs – be it poetry or prose. However, the reverse is also true, music is a well received guest at literature evenings, book and audiobook launches.

Óbudai Társaskör participates in Krúdy Quarter, a virtual distric of culture and gastronomy, which invites people to visit the locations where novelist Gyula Krúdy spent the latter years of his life.

The garden of Óbudai Társaskör with its green grass and towering chestnut trees is an ideal venue for summer performances. Theatre, chansons, classic and salon music, ragtime and big band music follow one another in the garden.

Társaskör Gallery – considered to be one of the well-known, progressive galleries – houses exhibitions by Hungarian and foreign artists. The exhibitions vary by genre and generation of artists.

Óbudai Társaskör is more than a venue for professional art events and exhibitions, bridge players, amateur photographers, art film lovers and people seeking an early education for their children have also benefitted from its social clubs.