After all the festivities that come with the New Year-in-Kazakhstan package, it's time to unwind and enjoy a slow weekend all to yourself. In Astana, the weekend will kick off with the "What if?.." scenario, where fictional versions of Edith Piaf and Frank Sinatra come together to passionately sing their love for music, while Almaty residents will be drawn to the classic Azeri operetta with a full package; as Arsin Mal Alan tackles love, the right to be free, and the right to choose.
Discover these and more events in the list by QazMonitor below.
Astana
The Happy Are Singing jazz play
Born on the cusp of the grim World War I—1915, and both in December, Edith Piaf and Frank Sinatra brightened this world with their amazing music talent. Although they had never seen each other, in this jazz fantasy, they'll come together on the same stage to share their passion for music and brighten the day once again.
Date: January 5, 7:00 p.m.
Address: Nomad City Hall, Mangilik Yel Avenue B2.3.
Entrance: ₸8,000–₸16,000
Serene Reflections play based on stories by Vasily Shukshin
Interconnecting throughline narratives from Vasily Shukshin’s short stories, the Gorky Theater will present the story of one village agitated over the rehearsals of the play. As the art club residents take part in the heating debate, each of them forms their own opinion about the play's content and its intended direction.
NOTE: The play will be staged in Russian.
Date: January 6, 6:00 p.m.
Address: Gorky Russian Drama Theater, Zheltoksan Street 11
Entrance: ₸3,000
"Ludovico Einaudi 2.0" concert by Tynda.Music orchestra
The unquestionable talent of Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi is evident in his minimalist works. His compositions evoke a sense of cohesion in one's world, an air of optimism, and the elements of nature; and although you'll be seated among rows of other people, that relaxed ambiance is sure to envelop you.
Date: January 6, 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Address: Zhastar Palace, Republic Avenue 34
Entrance: ₸8,000–₸16,000
Almaty
Arsin Mal Alan operetta by Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Young bachelor Asker wants some love in his life, but It’s the cruel reality of the 19th-century Azeri customs that every lovebird has to deal with—women weren’t allowed in public. So how is he supposed to find the one? Tipped by a friend, the young man disguises himself as a fabric peddler and meets Gulchohra, but will these two find their freedom to love?
NOTE: The operetta will be staged in Uyghur with synchronized Russian and Kazakh translations.
Date: January 7, 6:30 p.m.
Address: Uyghur Musical Comedy Theater, Nauryzbay Batyr Street 83
Entrance: ₸1,000–₸1,500
Jazz Colors – a tribute to Antonio Jobim and Joao Gilberto
Antonio Jobim and Joao Gilberto are rightly considered the founders of bossa nova—the mix of gentle dance rhythms and subtle melodies with just a tinge of samba. The residents of EverJazz will pay tribute to the composers' songs, taking listeners straight to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon jungle, reflecting the vibrant ambiance of the Brazilian nation.
Date: January 7, 7:00 p.m.
Address: EverJazz club, Zenkov Street 24
Entrance: ₸2,000–₸6,000
"Turkiye's Century" exhibition by Ibrahim Kuslu and Cumhur Aygun
The rich artistic traditions of the Anatolian Peninsula have a deep-rooted history. Drawing heavily from their heritage, contemporary artists Ibrahim Kuslu and Cumhur Aygun approach traditional art from a modern perspective. They bring to the audience 200 works that not only reflect the fusion of cultures but also offer imaginative artistic insights into the past.
Date: Until January 10
Address: Central State Museum, Microdistrict Samal-1, 44
Entrance: ₸200–₸2,000