Yerevan Diaries: Akanat - art cafe with a difference (“book menu”)

Akanat instantly became one of my most favourite places in Yerevan. It's an art cafe, with cool design, relaxing and friendly atmosphere, interesting crowd. They regularly hold art, literature events there. (see Akanat's Facebook page)

Along with the food/drinks menu, you get the “book menu” too, with a selection of mainly contemporary publications by Armenian and foreign authors. Absolutely loved the idea.

I chose “Կիկոսի վերադարձը” by writer Armen Ohanyan.

Yerevan Diaries: night people, sex and rock... and losers

Instead of editorial

One of the reasons why I like Yerevan at night is because all those սուտի նամուսով Armenian men and women, boys and girls are at home, sitting in front of their computers or TVs and judging others’ life OR back to sleep after yet another sex-less day. Because they are afraid of night. Night has different rules (or no rules). Rules for those who enjoy living.

Because in reality they [“սուտի նամուսով”] would love to do what others - who they judge - do with their lives, but they are afraid or fail at doing so. In fact, what they NORMALLY do would be considered much-much worse according to the same books or dogmas they use to judge others. They quite enjoy it. Then, they return to their ‘perfect’ lives, back home, and continue living... not their lives, but others’. Continue living lies.

And, yes, they are very bad at sex. They have close to “0” sex skills. And they are jealous of those, who are good at it. They want to kill ‘em.

There are two very different Yerevan: day-time and night-time. I suppose, it's obvious which one I prefer.

That’s why I absolutely loved my night outs in Yerevan. And I loved the rock concert at Liberty sq (Opera) as part of Summer Music Festival.

“Take me downtown
Take me underground” -

crowd was singing along with the Danish rock group.

That was quite a change from usual rabiz or cheap pop happenings going on there (latest example). The atmosphere was electric, free, good weird.

For a moment, I felt like Yerevan turned into one of the European capitals. I was in an alternative reality in Yerevan. The reality I prefer and will choose for instead. The rest is for losers.

Yerevan Diaries: no poster Opera

Have to admit. I missed the view of Opera area surrounded by posters & ads of performances and so on. They were good and bad, tasteful and tasteless. But they were part of the 'deal', and fitted the area perfectly. Without them, the only 'filling' for Opera area (& Liberty sq) is provided by cafes. And it looks empty to me.

Full of contrasts and surprises. 'White Illusions' concert by Karen Grigoryan & co at Royal Festival Hall in London – 1 September 2011

Essential date for your diary, if you are in London that is: Thursday 1 September 2011, Royal Festival Hall.

This will be the most unusual Armenian concert you may have seen in London. Full of contrasts. With the mixture of classical music, experimental beats and pop rock.

Renowned composer and producer Karen Grigoryan presents White Illusions, a concert consisting of 20 of his greatest experimental classical works and performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra. This gala is an opportunity to gain an insight into the work of one of today's foremost Armenian contemporary classical composers, performed by one of London's premiere orchestras.

Grigoryan is joined by Juice, a uniquely versatile Armenian vocalist who released her debut album Kix in 2010. The Philharmonia Orchestra is led by the acclaimed young conductor Marius Stravinsky, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Karelia Philharmonic Orchestra (KPO).
http://www.karengrigoryan.com/

Karen Grigoryan’s muse – Juice, will perform KIX and Save Our Love. The latter is about emo girl. Btw, liked the latest tribute by Juice to Amy Winehouse.

*picture - by Artashes Martirosyan (EL Style project)

A version of Sirusho’s song for organ will be performed by Artur Bobikyan. More surprises await you during the concert. Don’t miss.

For tickets, follow this link:

South Bank Centre

Karen dedicates this concert to the 20th anniversary of Armenia independence.

Multi-talented Armenian artist Karen Grigoryan to “Silence Against Noise” with his first London exhibit

I first heard of Karen Grigoryan last year when he staged an exhibit in Yerevan to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Artist, songwriter, producer, film director and TV host. If you think this is more than enough for one person, think again. Add to this his degrees... in political science and European studies.

Karen Grigoryan will present 40 works (20 photos & 20 graphic works) from his different collections, including "NO AIDS", "Silence" devoted to the Armenian Genocide, "Portfolio" and "Interval". This is his first exhibition in London.

Btw, while in London, Karen will be meeting British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood to interview for an Armenian IQ magazine.

Another interesting detail. The exhibition will be live streaming via artist’s blog at karengrigoryan.com

Below are details of the exhibit for your diary.

Date: 10 November 2010, 7pm.
Address:
Menier Gallery
51 Southwark Street
London SE1 1RU
meniergallery.co.uk
Nearest tube: London Bridge
Located in Bankside, minutes from Borough Market and the Tate Modern.
***
Read also: Riot, nudity... a very Armenian day in London gallery by artist Karen Grigoryan

Watching Spain vs Chile World Cup match with Spanish fans

Was watching World Cup Spain vs Chile match with hundreds of Spanish fans at Camino bar in London. A friend of mine suggested this place, as I wanted to watch the match with Spanish fans and in a place where I have not been before. I am so grateful for this suggestion. It was an excellent choice. A genuine Spanish-like atmosphere. Friendly staff and security. Relaxing environment. I am definitely coming back, and not only for World Cup matches.

During the match I kept comparing the experience of watching football with Spanish and English fans.

What I like in Spanish fans is that they always manage to turn the occasion into a celebration. The atmosphere was very friendly, hot, crazy. I loved it. I did not like throwing half-empty cans of beer at each other though. I do not know if it's a tradition or just a one-off thing, as have not noticed such things before.

True, there is always a good level of craziness present with English fans too. And the atmosphere (and fans) could be pretty hot too. So you could get hotness and craziness with both Spanish and English fans in different ways and depending on where you watch it.

What I dislike in English fans is that there is too much stress and anger present during England games. Also, more frequent nationalistic sentiments expressed during commentary, shouts and some songs. I have to admit though that the level of adrenalin is higher when watching football with English fans.

Below is a short video I made today, and few pictures.

The Armenian Taverna, Manchester, UK

Who knew that in the very heart of Manchester (Albert square) there is a restaurant called The Armenian Taverna.

The menu is more Middle Eastern than what we would consider Armenian in Republic of Armenia. There were some amusing food names there too, like “dabagadz tzugnik” :) Food was tasty. Price-wise, it’s of middle range (not very cheap, not very expensive). Environment and design are very-very retro, hardly ever changed since its establishment. I felt like I was immersed into a place of decades ago. But it was kind of cute and different.

As I learned, The Armenian Taverna was founded in mid-20th century by two Armenian brothers. Currently, it’s owned by its former employee, an Armenian from Turkey (if I remember right). He was friendly and chatty guy. He loves Yerevan, and recently bought a flat there. He was constantly repeating that Armenia has a big potential but lacking human resources. I might be wrong but assume he was referring to people leaving Armenia, and Armenia not making enough efforts to attract them back, or others for that matter.

Their website is at http://www.armeniantaverna.co.uk

“Wonderful Armenia”: Armenian pop singers in London – 1 October 2009, South Bank Centre

As part of the "Wonderful Armenia" project, Armenian Youth Forum UK presents this concert by popular among Armenian youth pop singers/musicians from Armenia: Hayk Kasparov, DerHova, Hasmik Karapetyan, Andre (former representative of Armenia in Eurovision), and Nick.

 

For details of the concert – see flyer above.

 

And here is the link to Video ad.

 

Kum Kapi, Istanbul

I found this interesting info re Kum Kapi (or Kumkapi) via the Facebook events page on masterclasses by the artist photographer Georgios Katsengelos and the curator Maria Tsantsanoglou at Utopiana in Yerevan:

"Kum Kapi is one of the historical districts of Istanbul in the centre of the southern part of the city walls and traditionally it used to be the living area of the local Armenians and still houses the Armenian Patriarchate.

This area is now crowded with refugees, most of them coming from the countries of the ex Soviet Union. They are divided into national communities and their common language is Russian.

The old Armenian houses and small apartments of Kum Kapi, designed for one or at least two families, are today transformed into warehouses of people renting beds while looking desperately for job opportunities."

*photo - via Facebook events page by Utopiana

Musical Bridge - concert in Yerevan

Now about something very positive. A friend of mine, American composer (and not only) Marilyn Bliss - one of the brightest persons I know - will present her work as part of the concert programme in Yerevan including works of American and Armenian composers. I wish I am in Yerevan on 13 April, and not only because of my friend's factor. Sounds like an exciting programming for those who love classical music. Recommend it.

Aram Khachaturyan Concert Hall
Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
13 April 2009, 7 pm

MUSICAL BRIDGE

Concert Program

Matthew Fields - FIREHEART
(for 6 performers)

Elizabeth Bell - ANDROMEDA: Concerto for piano and orchestra
Hayk Melikyan (piano)

Hayg Boyadjian - ARMENIAN SUITE
(for orchestra)

Marilyn Bliss - HUATZU HILL
For soprano and chamber orchestra
Gayane Gegamyan (soprano)

Edward Sadoyan - THREE WORDS ABOUT ARMENIA
(for chamber orchestra)
Conductor: Ruben Asatryan
***

There is this nice piece by a local US newspaper about Yerevan concert.

Lexington Minuteman - ‘Armenian Suite’ to premiere … where else but Armenia

Lexington composer Hayg Boyadjian’s symphonic composition “Armenian Suite” will receive its first public performance in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on April 13 at the famous Aram Khatchaturian Concert Hall.

The concert will also include works by three American composers: “Fireheart” for chamber ensemble by Matthew Fields; “Huatzu Hill” for soprano and chamber orchestra by Marilyn Bliss; “Andromeda” concerto for piano and orchestra by Elizabeth Bell; and also a work by Armenian composer Edward Sadoyan, “Threes Words About Armenia” for chamber orchestra.

Featured will be the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ruben Asatryan, the soloists will include soprano Gayane Gegamyan and pianist Haik Melikyan.

Soprano Gegamyan has premiered many works by Yerevan-Armenian composers, and also works by Boyadjian (among others three German text songs for soprano and piano written especially for her), and she has also sung songs by Bliss.

Pianist-composer Melikyan is a musician of renown in Armenia and Europe for his performances of contemporary music. He has performed in Yerevan works by Marilyn Bliss, and in June 2008 he premiered Boyadjian’s first movement of his large fourth piano sonata at a solo concert at the Komidas Hall in Yerevan.

Bliss will travel to Yerevan for this April concert, she traveled for the first time to Yerevan a few years ago where she had a solo concert of her compositions from which she returned very much impressed, about the music, and about the city.

Boyadjian’s “Armenian Suite” was originally written as a commission piece for trombone and piano in 2005. A version for two oboes and piano followed, and later on came the present version for symphony orchestra.

“Armenian Suite” has been recorded by the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Oberg and is due to come out soon on Opus One CD Recordings, and will be available on Amazon.com, as are Boyadjian’s other recordings.

Women's Month in Armenia - 2009

It is soon Women's Day in Armenia and this year women are asking for more than flowers and chocolate, they are asking for equal rights, equal opportunities and a life without violence.

The Women's Resource Center in cooperation with other NGOs is launching the activites for the Month dedicated to women's issues in Armenia.

For details - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Resistance – art exhibit

Organised by Art-Laboratory NGO
Address: Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex, Yerevan, Armenia
Opening: 16 December, 5pm

I wish I am in Yerevan on 29th...

Armenian Jazz Celebrates 70-th Anniversary

Armenian Jazz is 70. It was in 1938 when the first official Armenian Jazz-band was found. Many things have changed since those times, but our passionate love for jazz is neverending. [...]

On September 29 in Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra concert hall the exclusive concert of legendary Jazz singer Tatevik Hovhannisyan will take place. She is so talented, that they used to call her “Ella from Yerevan”. In early 80-s Hovhannisyan appeared in the USA; she still sings her favorite jazz there.

The “queen” of Soviet jazz-vocal has proved she’s real world jazz star and made a successful career not only in America but in Europe as well. By the way, she has a new contract with “Sony Classical” music-company for the record of her 5 coming albums.

There are many jazz-clubs playing live music in Yerevan now; we have interesting international jazz festivals, different programs and even “Radio Jazz” station dedicated only to this legendary music direction. (panorama.am)

Jazz Queen: I’ll Come When You Call Me

“Jazz has been a cup of water and air for me,” described jazz “queen” Tatevik Hovhannisyan her art for herself. In 80s Tatevik Hovhannisyan went to America and since then she lives in New York. [...]

To the question of a journalist why she visits Armenia so rarely, she said that she is ready to come when she is invited. Tatevik added that she has relatives in Armenia, and that her relationship with her native country is strong.

Arthur Asatryan the producer of “Armenian jazz 70” said that three talented young Armenian jazz singers will have an opportunity to study in Berkley College with the support of “Armenian jazz 70” and the college. (panorama.am)