The national holidays have brought us a well-deserved 3-day midweek break, so there is no excuse not to enjoy it and see something in the city. In Astana, there’s a great musical you can treat yourself to, as well as a historical exhibition to commemorate Victory Day. Almaty crowd can look forward to a dance performance by the ARTiSHOCK, and Glinka’s epic fantasy opera.
Fancy any of these events or seek a good jazz concert and an exhibition dedicated to chests? Check out the list by QazMonitor below.
Astana
"Nasia, Jazz and the City" concert by nasiafromasia
A jazz performer at heart, nasiafromasia has that silvery timbre to her vocals, adding to the slow-burn atmosphere she sonically cultivates. Her versatile repertoire spans jazz, neo-soul, and even R'n'B. On Tuesday, the Astana crowd can expect folk songs and original compositions thrown into a true live mix in an intimate space.
Date: May 7, 6:30 p.m.
Address: The Walls space, Mangilik Yel Avenue 38
Entrance: ₸10,000 (as of May 6, 2024, $22.54)
Roza Baglanova musical
When a nineteen-year-old Roza Baglanova arrived at the Moscow Conservatory, waiting to perform at the foremost stage of the Union, the War intervened. Instead of the stage, she found herself on the front lines, where she performed for the soldiers, undeterred by the challenges and hardships she faced. The origin story of a Kazakh opera legend.
Date: May 9, 6:00 p.m.
Address: Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall, Mangilik Yel Avenue 10/1
Entrance: ₸1,500–₸3,000 ($3.38–$6.76)
"A Bow to The Deed, A Sign of Solidarity" (Ерлікке тағзым – елдіктің белгісі) exhibition
The name of Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev, who, along with Grigoriy Bulatov, was entrenched at the Reichstag in 1945, is renowned throughout Kazakhstan. These two were entrusted with a bundle containing the red flag and an instruction to hoist it atop the building, symbolizing one thing. Victory. The exhibition at the National Museum shows 60 items, including photographs, archival documents, and personal memorabilia of Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev and Sagadat Nurmagombetov, heroes of WWII.
Dates: May 7–20
Schedule: Tue–Sun, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: National Museum, Tauelsizdik Avenue 54
Entrance: ₸1,300–₸2,700 ($2.93–$6.08)
Almaty
The World of Beautiful Butterflies performance
Crafted as prose poetry, Ivan Vyrypaev’s The World of Beautiful Butterflies underwent an adaptation by the ARTiSHOK troupe into a dance performance. Directed by Julia Tatarintseva, it evokes imagery of a ‘light reflecting off a piece of glass shimmering in the sun,’ amidst the darkness of everyday life.
Dates: May 7–8, 7:00 p.m.
Address: ARTiSHOK Theater, Gogol Street 40
Entrance: ₸6,000 ($13.52)
Ruslan and Lyudmila opera by Mikhail Glinka
Kyiv celebrates a great occasion, as the daughter of the Grand Prince, Lyudmila, vows herself to a formidable knight, Ruslan. Only a bard, the legendary Bayan, warns them of misfortunes lying ahead, and right as the couple receives their blessing, everything goes dark.
NOTE: The opera will be staged in Russian.
Date: May 9, 12:00 a.m.
Address: Sats Russian Theater for Children and Youth, Shalyapin Street 22
Entrance: ₸1,500–₸2,000 ($3.38–$4.51)
"The Chest – A Witness of The Past" (Көненің көзі – сандық) exhibition
For nomads, the chest was a steadfast companion amidst the challenges of steppe life. Integral to their existence, it replaced many interior items typical of settled societies, serving as a container for clothes, utensils, food, and even valuables. The chest also doubled as a means of transportation, passed down through generations as a cherished heirloom.
Dates: May 7–May 10
Schedule: Tue–Sun, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: Central State Museum, Microdistrict Samal-1, 44
Entrance: ₸200–₸2,000 ($0.45–$4.51)
