Spring into Prague's Events in April!

This month features post-punk rockers, classic jazz, and much more…

Craig Monts

Written by Craig Monts Published on 30.03.2012 10:48:02 (updated on 30.03.2012) Reading time: 7 minutes

Spring is finally in the air as the fourth month of the year kicks off with some welcomed sunshine and blue skies. There’s plenty happening this month in the city: world famous post-punk rockers, classic jazz greats, educational expos, food fests, and street art from the new generation of Czech artists. It’s time to get out and enjoy the some rays again. So take a few minutes and have a look at what the city’s offering in April.

Music

I have to admit to being pretty excited about Lucerna’s event on April 25. The Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers will be playing a selection of new and old tracks. The British band has had a slew of hits since their formation way back in 1986. They’re famous for an exhilarating stage show, and Lucerna’s main concert hall should provide the ideal setting for the perfect show. Tickets are available via Ticketpro, priced at 990 CZK.

From alternative rock to Jazz with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (Great Hall, April 19). After a sold out performance in the spring of 2010, the orchestra returns to perform music from the world-famous jazz pianist and composer. The live band, currently led by Ellington’s grandson Paul, has traveled the world performing the late composer’s work at many prestigious jazz festivals. Tickets for this exciting event are available now via Ticketstream & Ticketpro; prices start at 370 -1800 CZK.

You can expect more UK musicians on Friday, April 20. Post-punkers The Stranglers will be performing at David Černý’s Meet Factory. The UK band has enjoyed a warm reception from both critics and fans since their return to the music scene in 2010. They have embarked on an extensive UK tour, including a sold-out return to London’s Hammersmith Apollo in March of last year. The event starts at 20:00 with ticket prices set at 670 CZK.

My final musical tip comes in the form of UCEE & United Flavour. Don of the dance, reggae musician and vocalist UCEE will be performing alongside the United Flavour band in Lucerna’s Music Hall for an evening of good vibes and Jamaican-inspired music. These reggae events at Lucerna are generally well-attended, with a good mix of Czechs and expats socializing and enjoying the live music and DJs playing brand new jams from the Caribbean island. UCEE has enjoyed success in both Prague and Europe with his brand of down tempo/lover rock-style reggae. The event will be taking place on the April 5; ticket prices are set at 280 CZK (advance) or 350 CZK on the door.

Spring into Prague's Events in April!

Food & Drink

Biostyl 2012 will be taking place from  Friday, April 20 until Sunday the 22nd at the Holešovice exhibition hall. The 7th year of the international fair is the largest domestic contractual and trade fair of organic food, healthy nutrition, food complements, and natural cosmetics. It has been ranked among the most successful and the fastest-growing events of its kind. The fair focuses on organic agriculture and natural products. Organic food and its benefits are widely reported and these days generally known by all, but the fair takes the opportunity to involve many companies who focus on global fair trade. Visitors to the event will get the chance to enjoy presentations of organic food, teas and natural cosmetics, plus the tasting of products with some advisory services and consultancy. The doors for this ‘fair fair’ open at 10:00; entrance fee for one day is 200 CZK. The three-day ticket price is 500 CZK. There are also concessions for certain groups (more information can be found on the events website).

The Festival of Taste (Spring Collection) will be running until Saturday, April 12. Visitors get to select and experience spring days with professional chefs and taste dishes from their 3-course menus, all for a very reasonable 290 CZK from various restaurants in and around Prague. Reservations should be made through the festival’s website. Reservation confirmation will be sent via email within 10 minutes. Diners pay at the restaurant. A great, simple concept!

Art & Culture

There’s a whole lot happening in the month of April for  art lovers. For those with more of a traditional taste, check out the Tauromaquia (Face to Face with the Bull) exhibition, which will be running until the 9th. The exhibition presents works by Picasso, Goya, Dalí, Filla and Čapek. The pieces selected for the exhibition all have a common theme: ‘the bullfight’. This controversial exhibition gives a vivid and fascinating testimony of the sport which, in turn, coveys emotions and feelings from an inherent feature of Spanish culture. You can catch the exhibition at the Prague Municipal House (Náměstí Republiky). The exhibition is open from 10:00 and the entry fee is set at 220 CZK.

Street artist Jakub Matuška, aka Masker, will be continuing his free exhibition at Dvorak Sec Contemporary Gallery (Dlouhá 5). Matuska, a Middlesex University (London) graduate, has received many accolades during his career. In 2010, he reached the final stages of the Chalupecký Prize, where his work was among the favorites to win the coveted title. The visual layering of Masker’s canvases increase in sophistication each year, so head over to see this promising artist’s latest offering. 

If you’re more Biedermeier than Banksy, then perhaps consider attending the Antique Fair taking place from the 26th through the 29th. The annual event will be taking place in Prague’s New Town Hall; visitors can expect to find more than 60 exhibitors displaying a wide range of items and whole collections from various eras. The event will be a unique opportunity for non-collectors to bask in the collective glory that many of the exhibitors possess. “The rich and varied artistic work of the 19th century has had a great impact on our lives,” says event organisor Simona Šustková. So make your way down to the 29th annual antique extravaganza to ogle the glass, porcelain, paintings, furniture and other accessories on display for the 4-day event.

Spring into Prague's Events in April!

Business

Boats on The Water will be taking place from April 12 until the 15th. The event is an opportunity for all attendees to view new boat products and make new connection and contacts.  The weather should be pleasant enough to make for a nice day by the river, spending the day mixing business and pleasure. So head down to Prague, Rašín Embankment (Rašínovo nábřeží), and Smíchov beach to see the latest in the boating world.

April 3-5 sees the Holešovice Hall open its doors from 10:00 for a great exhibition Non-Handicap is designed to help people with various types of handicaps and provide ways of overcoming them for a high-quality and active life.  Over the years, the combination of the non-handicap and Pragomedica health-care related fairs has become the place for the meeting both disabled and able-bodied people and get inspiration. The free event is packed full of interesting seminars and mini-events. Educational seminars, professional lectures, consultancy services, demonstrations of the services offered by non-profit organizations and training of assistance dogs all await!

Sport

The Czech floorball Superfinal will be taking place on April 21. The action packed indoor sport has a huge following both here and abroad and this month’s final is a celebration of the sport with a number of final games for various age groups. The day kicks off with the ISOline cup final for boys under 17. 14:00 will see the women’s final which will then be followed by the men’s final at 17:00. The entrance fee to this exciting event is set at 300 CZK and available for purchase from the O2 Arena website.

The 11th tennis meeting between Czech Republic and Serbia will be played in the O2 arena from the 6th to the 8th. First floor tickets for this event have unfortunately already sold out, so I highly recommend checking the O2 arena website for ticket availability. 

Spring into Prague's Events in April!

Family

For the 4th year running, Expats.cz is organizing its next International Market on April 28th which is a family event bringing together buyers and sellers from all over the large international community. Expect to find a wide array of items ranging from toys, games, hardware, clothing and books all the way up to furniture and more. Entry to the market is FREE and sellers are asked to pre-register and pay an admission fee. If you are looking for bargain goods to buy or wish to sell those you no longer need, the International Market is just the event for you! Like each year, the place will be filled with people and families of numerous nationalities with food provided by Mosaic House, Shalamar and Candy Store and drinks by Pilsner Urquell. Children will be able to play in a bouncy castle and the event will be accompanied by music and games. Make sure you do not miss this vibrant Spring event! As they say, one man’s “trash” is another man’s treasure.

Spring into Prague's Events in April!

Prague Youth tots is starting its new weekly course for native and non-native English speakers aged 4-6 years old. One-hour classes are designed to introduce young children to the performing arts with a series of games and exercises. The course will be taking place at Amadito and Friends Bookstore (Lesnická 6, Prague 5), the perfect way to introduce your fledgling thespians to the stage!

So that, as they say, is a wrap. By the next time I sit down to write this article it will be well and truly spring into to summer time! As always, please continue to add your own events to the events database. No matter the size or theme, a varied events section makes for a good events section!

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