MUSIC
Malta Metal Weekend
Metal fans are in for a treat this coming weekend as some of the genre’s legends are performing at the Eden Arena in St Julian’s.
The festival will be headlined by Swedish progressive titans Opeth on July 4, Finnish band Apocalyptica on July 5 and US progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater on July 6.
Oblique Visions will open the July 4 performances, followed by Finnish-Swedish gothic rock/metal supergroup Cemetery Skyline. Local act Oblique Visions and US singer-songwriter Geoff Tate will be supporting Apocalyptica on July 5.
The festival is being organised by NnG Promotions, together with Rock n’ Music and Festivals Malta.
For more information, visit www.maltametalweekend.com. Tickets from showshappening.com.
The BBC Concert Orchestra: Ultimate ’80s
Following last year’s Queens of Soul concert, BBC Radio 2 and the world-famous BBC Concert Orchestra are returning to Malta to celebrate one of the most music-defining decades: the 1980s.
About 70 musicians, accompanied by vocalists, will perform some of the biggest hits of the decade with tracks from legendary artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Queen, Wham!, Elton John and Bryan Adams.
The event will be held at the Granaries, in Floriana, on July 5, at 7.30pm. Tickets from maltashows.com.
Requiem for the Living
The Schola Cantorum Jubilate is holding an open-air event blending music, nature and reflection at the Greek theatre Ta’ Għammar Hill, opposite Ta’ Pinu sanctuary, in Gozo.
Being held as part of its 25th anniversary, the choir will perform Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest with KorMalta and the Orchestra Sacro Monte from Italy, all under the direction of SCJ’s founding director Marouska Attard.
The five-movement choral work Requiem for the Living includes texts from Ecclesiastes and the Book of Job. Described by the composer as a prayer for both the living and the departed, the piece was composed over 16 months between early 2012 and mid-2013.
Admission is free. Optional transport will be available between Ta’ Pinu and the amphitheatre, and one can book it on showshappening.com. Patrons are kindly asked to dress in colourful summer attire to complement the joyful spirit of the occasion and the scenic beauty of the setting.
For more information, contact the organisers at info@scjchoir.com or +356 7945 0950.
Also read this preview on Times2.
The amphitheatre on Għammar Hill, Gozo.Total Scuzz
The Malta Society of Arts’ Sustain-Delay programme continues on July 5 with a night of underground electronic music at The Hideout, Pembroke, featuring Container, Volph and Alien Montesin.
Container (US) is the project of noise veteran Ren Schofield, who delivers raw, beat-oriented soundscapes filled with brutal drum machine patterns and distorted synths. Joining him is Volph, a Maltese artist who crafts immersive, pulse-driven sets that blend electro, deep techno and lush textures; and Alien Montesin, a multidisciplinary artist whose intergalactic sound journeys are infused with gritty beats and audiovisual magic.
Doors open at 8.30pm, with the event starting at 9pm. Tickets from showshappening.com.
THEATRE
Boċċi: Il-Musical
Teatru Malta and Give and Take Productions’ production continues its run at the Santa Luċija Boċċi club on July 5 and 6.
Set against the backdrop of a struggling boċċi club on the brink of closure, the musical follows an eccentric group of characters who come
together in a last-ditch effort to save the club. Written by Malcolm Galea, the production stars Joseph Zammit, Rebecca Camilleri, Philip Vella, Adam Ryan, Michela Farrugia, Sandie von Brockdorff, Christian Scicluna and Bertha Farrugia.
Boċċi: Il-Musical is being held in other localities in the coming weeks. For more information and tickets, visit teatrumalta.org.mt.
Philip Vella in Boċċi: Il-Musical. Photo: Teatru MaltaARTS
Victoria International Arts Festival
The Victoria International Arts Festival continues with a violin and piano recital featuring Scottish violinist Andrea Gajic and Estonian pianist Liivi Arder at the Aula Mgr G. Farrugia tomorrow, June 30 at 8pm.
This will be followed by another violin and piano recital by Julia Miller and Justyna Zanko, Polish-born pianist and violinist respectively, at the Aula Mgr G. Farrugia on July 1; the Pro Arte Trio Prague at St Francis church on July 2; and the Trio Colette featuring Chiara Telleri (oboe), Anna Lycia Gialdi (clarinet) and Cecilia Medi (bassoon) at the chapel of the Don Bosco Oratory on July 2.
Local musicians Godfrey Mifsud (clarinet) and Maria-Elena Farrugia (piano) will then perform in a clarinet and piano recital at the Aula Mgr G. Farrugia on July 4, while Daphne Delicata will give a solo piano recital at the same venue on July 5.
The festival runs until July 14. For more information, visit viaf.org.mt.
DANCE
Monotonija
Award-winning dance troupe The MVMT (Concept of Movement), led by choreographer Cheryl Lofreda, are staging a newly commissioned dance show at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on July 4 at 8.30pm.
Monotonija (Maltese for monotony) reflects on today’s busy lifestyles, which include long working days and lack of face-to-face communication. It asks whether we’re existing rather than living.
Tickets from ticketline.com.mt.
MISCELLANEOUS
Valletta Local Food Festival
Three days of culinary discovery, local produce and community celebrations are taking place at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta from July 4 to 6.
The Valletta Local Food Festival, organised by the Valletta Cultural Agency and the Malta Food Agency, will see over 25 local producers, chefs and food artisans presenting an abundant array of authentic Maltese food and drink besides some innovative products.
The festival also includes an evening entertainment programme featuring Sarah Bonnici and her six-piece band, Tikka Banda, Klinsmann Trio and the Dropout DJ Brass Concert with guest appearances by Olivia Lewis, Mike Spiteri, Neville Refalo and Ritienne.
Entrance to the festival is free. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page and the Valletta Cultural Agency website at vca.gov.mt.
Farsons Beer Festival
The popular festival is back for 10 days of beer, food and fun at the National Park Ta’ Qali from July 3 to 12.
As in previous editions, besides the wide variety of beers and food trucks available, the event will host some of the most popular local artists, who will perform on different stages.
Among the headliners on the main stage will be Tribali, The Travellers ft. Jamie Cardona, Red Electric, Lapes u Nadine, Kantera and Aidan. The rock stage will host Rug, Captain Romance & the Danger Dogs, Fakawi, Beangrowers, Kersten Graham and Vinyl Paradise, among many others.Ruby, Junior B, Pocci, Panelli, J Joy, Miss Roberta and Joseph Armani and his son Denzel (Like Father and Son) are among the popular deejays playing on the Casa Electronica stage.
This year will also see a number of tribute acts: Abba Revival, Bon Giovi and a Black Sabbath tribute act.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page and https://farsonsbeerfestival.com/.
Rug performing at last year’s beer festival. Photo: Facebook/Farsons Beer Festivalwhatson@timesofmalta.com