The first week of summer has its work cut out after a light frost swept through the nation, bringing those sunny vibes back to the collective mood. In Astana, spring will grip the city for a little while longer, but the capital crowd can look forward to some indoor activities. A local bookshop invites everyone to a book night featuring everything from lectures to screenings, and for those craving that outdoor sensation, a concert by kilemger offers exactly that — an escape to a sunny Almaty-like getaway.
Speaking of Almaty, the first day of the summer promises a rich program full of laughter, courage, and dancing. On Saturday, OYU Fest promises exciting performances out of town with your beloved artists, and the day-long fair also boasts activities for every taste. To add some mystery and hilarity, there is a night of surprise performances featuring four comedians at Coffee House Grain. On Sunday, the Chinese circus presents a breathtaking display of strength and beauty, celebrating the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty with award-winning artistic acts.
Explore these events in the latest QazMonitor digest.
Astana
"Tarot Cards. Jungian Analysis" lecture by psychologist Ruslan Salakhutdinov
They were once used as common playing cards in medieval Europe, but when the wave of 18th-century spiritualism swept through the elites, tarot cards became a way to predict one's future. It wasn't until a century and a half later that Carl Jung's psychoanalysis began to explore them as a peephole to look into the collective unconscious. Psychologist and art teacher Ruslan Salakhutdinov invites everyone to a historical and cultural analysis of this merge of symbols, archetypes, and art.
NOTE: The lecture will be in Russian. Please sign up through Concept Art’s DMs to attend the event.
Date: June 1, 7:00 p.m.
Address: Concept Art lecture hall, Kerey and Zhanibek Khans Street 5, entrance 3, office 23, 2nd floor
Entrance: ₸5,000 (as of May 31, 2024, $11.22)
Book night at the OQY bookshop
Amid the city's busy day-to-day, finding time for your favorite books can be difficult, but stepping out of your usual tried and true environment might make it easier to explore new literary worlds. OQY bookshop offers the perfect opportunity to do just that, inviting you to enjoy cozy tabletop games, movie stories, lectures, and, of course, book readings.
NOTE: Please sign up through OQY’s DMs to attend the event.
Date: June 1
From 8:00 p.m. — tabletop sessions
8:00 p.m. — screening of The Bookshop (dir. Isabel Coixet)
10:00 p.m. — lecture "Russian Literature: Myth and Reality”
10:30 p.m. — book readings
Address: Oqy bookshop, Turan Avenue 34A
Entrance: ₸500~ ($1.12)
kilemger concert
If you're in the mood for a ukulele ambiance paired with soft Kazakh lyrics, kilemger has got you covered. He'll be performing his tırnawış album along with new material live, bringing that sunny Almaty outdoor vibe to rainy Astana.
Date: June 2, 6:00 p.m.
Address: The Bus Music Pub, Korgalzhyn Highway 3
Entrance: ₸7,000 ($15.70)
Almaty
OYU Fest
This Saturday, take a trip to see your beloved music artists in one place out of town. The music fest at the Pervomaisky Ponds offers exciting performances by Ayau, Nurlan men Murat, Irina Kairatovna, Dequine, Shiza, Kunzharyq, and Aikyn. Get ready for a full-day fair filled with food for every taste, unique OYU merch, and a chance to meet local influencers like Indi, Mira Ungarova, and many others.
Date: June 1, 3:00 p.m.
Address: Pervomaisky Ponds Active Recreation Park, Pervomayskaya Industrial Zone 11B
NOTE: The event offers transfer tickets for ₸3,500 ($7.85) with a pick-up point at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace on Abay Avenue 44.
Entrance: ₸20,000–₸35,000 ($44.87–$78.52)
Secret stand up concert by Stand Up Camp
If you're looking to add a little mystery to your evening plans, this performance featuring four comedians is tailor-made for you. Before the identities of these comedians are revealed, check out a restaurant menu full of gourmet food and drinks at reasonable prices.
Date: June 1, 9:00 p.m.
Address: Coffee House Grain, Kurmangazy Street 97
Entrance: ₸5,000 ($11.22)
"Moto Dragons" circus show
The Chinese circus invites you to see the unique coexistence of strength and beauty in breathtaking acts like “Spinning Lamp” and the “Colors of the Silk Road”. Over 9 million people have enjoyed the artistic dances from the award-winning troupe, bringing to life the history of the Tang Dynasty's greatness.
Date: June 1-2, 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Address: Baluan Sholak Sports Palace, Abay Avenue 44
Entrance: ₸5,000–₸15,000 ($11.22–$33.65)
