The best things to do in Prague this week, September 13–19

Monday, Sept. 13

As part of the ongoing International Shakuhachi Festival Prague, Berg Orchestra will play two world premieres and two Czech premieres, including Misato Mochizuki’s Chimera and new piece inspired by Japanese ghost stories. The concert is Sept. 13 at 6:30 pm in the space of the former baroque riding school at the Savarin Palace (enter from Jindřišská Street). More infor on the festival website and Facebook.

The First Sustainable Swap (První udržitelný obchoďák) runs Sept. 13–19 at Hall 17 of Pražská tržnice. It is not a flea market. People buy a ticket to enter and also bring things such as clothing, home accessories, and jewelry that they no longer need. All times must be in good condition. People can take what they actually need and will use from the items that others have brought. More details on Facebook.

The “little dance orchestra” M.T.O. Universal Praha will be at the Lucerna Music Bar Open Air state at Ledárny Braník on Sept. 13 at 6 pm. The group is made up of Czech artists and stage actors. More info on the venue website and Facebook.

Florida blues guitarist and singer Damon Fowler will perform on Sept. 13 at 9 pm at the Lucerna Music Bar as part of the ongoing Prague International Bluenight concert series. He has been active since the1990s and has worked with several notable names such as Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Gregg Allman, and Rick Derringer. More info on the venue website and Facebook.

Tuesday, Sept. 14

The show AI: All Idiots has its opening at Meet Factory on Sept. 14 at 7 pm. The project reflects on the ideas of artificial intelligence and art. The residential floors of Meet Factory will also be open. More info on the Meet Factory website and Facebook.

The Svatoludmilský jarmark (St. Ludmila Market), at náměstí Míru on Sept. 14 starting at 11 am to 6:45 pm, offers handcrafts made by people in sheltered workshops. There will also be a live music program headlined by Beatles cover band Brouci as well as facepainting for children. More info on the event website and Facebook.

Five days, five concerts. #5 prostor has site-specific shows at five different parts of Pražská tržnice (Prague Markets) in Holešovice, from Sept.14 to 18 at 7 pm. Shows are free except for the one from Sylvie Schelingerová and Amelia Tokarska. on Sept. 18. More info on Facebook.

Wednesday, Sept. 15

Post-apocalyptical visions are the theme of Future Gate Sci-Fi Film Festival, which runs in Prague’s Lucerna cinema on Sept. 15–20, and then move to other cities. Guests include “District 9” director Neill Blomkamp, who will present several of his films including his latest, “Demonic.” There is also a completion of new films, and a retrospective of classics including “Mad Max.” More info on the festival website and Facebook.

One of the more successful efforts at bringing theater live online, Sir Noël Coward's supernatural comedy Blithe Spirit is performed on Sept. 15 at 8 pm by actors in Prague and the UK, brought together onscreen via Zoom and the magic of digital backgrounds. The Classic Stage troupe includes Beatriz Abrisqueta, Ben Bradshaw, Marc Cram, Emma Houlihan, Rebecca Russell-Peach, Jennifer Preston, and Katerina Vecker. Free, but donations welcome. More info on how to register for the Zoom call is on Facebook.

Manifesto Anděl has its delayed official opening Sept. 15 to 20 with music, workshops, tastings, and more. The new location, at Ostrovského 34, is about twice as large at the original Florenc one (which remains open as well). Free entry. More info on the Manifesto website and Facebook.

Thursday, Sept. 16

Swedish electro-jazz group Koop Oscar Orchestra, featuring Oscar Simonsson, will be at the large hall of Palác Akropolis on Sept. 16 at 7:30 pm. Simonsson was half of the 1990s jazz pop duo Koop, and has recently formed this new, larger project. More info on the Akropolis website and Facebook.

Friday, Sept. 17

The 28th edition of Febiofest runs Sept 17–24, with screenings at Cinema City Slovanský dům plus Edison Film Hub, Kino Pilotů, and a VR cinema at DOX. The festival will open with Woody Allen’s latest film “Rifkin's Festival.” There will be four competitions, including one for comedy, as well as categories for horror, LGBT+, family, women directors, documentaries, and more. See our original story, or the the festival website and Facebook page.

Slou Days takes place in Hall 13 of Pražská tržnice on Sept. 17–18. The event offers sustainable fashion, cosmetics, and accessories. There are also workshops, and on Sept. 17 at 8 pm an acoustic gig by Emma Smetana & Jordan Hay. More info on the Slou website and Facebook.

Paper Story (Zázrak (s)tvoření), a nonverbal production at the New Stage of the National Theatre aimed at children 4 years old and up, earned good reviews when it premiered in June. It’s back for fouir shows on Sept. 17–20. The show – with mime, contemporary dance with elements of acrobatics, puppetry and animation – is described as “a poetic production about the frail world we ourselves create, suitable for the whole family.” For more information visit the National Theatre website.

The first part of Prague 2’s wine festival, Vinobraní na Grébovce 2021: Náměstí Míru, is on Sept. 17 from noon to 8 pm, with wine, burčák, burgers, and even beer. The atmosphere will be a bit low-key compared to previous years to discourage overcrowding. More info on the festival website and Facebook.

Saturday, Sept. 18

The Zažít město jinak festival opens up the city to residents with block parties, concerts, theater, children’s entertainment, guided tours, and more. The main part of the festival is Sept. 18 on streets across Prague, as well as now in other Czech towns and cities. More info on the festival website.

The annual re-enactment of the Battle of White Mountain (Bitva na Bílé hoře) takes place Sept. 18 and 19 on part of the original battleground at Obora Hvězda in Prague 6. The battle is at 3 pm each day, but there is program of music and events starting at noon. The camps of the soldiers can be explored, and plenty of food and drink is on hand. Stands also sell historical reproductions and toys. More info on Facebook.

Prague 2 presents the second part of its wine festival, Vinobraní na Grébovce 2021: Havlíčkovy sady, on Sept. 18 from noon to 8 pm. The program has been adapted with less music and more wine and burčák. Wine from the local park vineyard will be available as well as from other Czech producers. More info on the festival website and Facebook.

The St. Clair vineyard next to the Botanical Gardens in Troja has its Oslavy sklizně na vinici sv. Kláry harvest festival on Sept. 18–19 from 10 am to 6 pm. Wines from the vineyard will be featured, and there are opportunities to see inside the wine cellar, plus music and entertainment for kids. Standard admission fees for the Botanical Gardens apply. More info on the Botanical Gardens website and Facebook.

The family run Vican winery from Mikulov, with vineyards in the Pálava hills, presents its new wines and burčák, as well as a selection of cheeses, at Vinobraní na Petříně near the tower on Petřín hill on Sept. 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm. Free entry. More info on Facebook.

The wine festival Chuchelského vinobraní takes place at the Velká Chuchle Racecourse in Radotín on Sept. 18 from 1 pm to 9:30 pm. Entertainment includes pianist Jaroslav Uhlíř, hip-hop group PSH, dulcimer group CM Trnka, a fire show, a photo booth, children’s entertainment, and more. Along with a wide selection of wines there will be delicacies for meat lovers and vegans. Tickets required for entry. More info on Facebook.

Sunday, Sept. 19

There other other beverages aside from wine. The Street Coffee Festival takes place at Karlínské náměstí on Sept. 19 from 10 am to 6 pm. Different styles of preparation will be featured, and there is food, live music and children’s entertainment. More info on Facebook.

Artist František Skála, recently the subject of a retrospective at the House of the Stone Bell, is also a musician. František Skála & Třaskavá směs will play a concert at Nová strašnická škola in Prague 10 on Sept. 19 at 8 pm as part of the ongoing 4+4 Days in Motion festival. More info on the festival website.

Ongoing

The Dvořák Prague (Dvořákova Praha) International Music Festival continues until Sept. 24. Highlights this week include the second night of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker), at the Rudolfinum on Sept. 13. Dvořák’s “Saint Ludmila” oratorio will be performed at St. Vitus’ Cathedral on Sept. 16, and Sir András Schiff will give a piano recital Sept 17 at the Rudolfinum. More info on our original story and the festival website. 

Days of European Heritage runs to Sept. 19. Historical monuments across the Czech Republic will be open for free, have discounted entry, or special programs. Some spaces that are not normally accessible will be open as well. Many events in Prague are centered on the New Town Hall next to Karlovo náměstí, as well as in Žižkov, which celebrates 140 years since it achieved status as an independent town. More info on the festival website.

Out of Town

The international theater festival Divadlo presents recent Czech works with English surtitles, though foreign works will have Czech titles or translation. The festival runs at various venues in Plzeň, West Bohemia, from Sept. 15 to 23. More info on the festival website.

Military hardware including the new L-39NG aircraft from Aero Vodochody will be on display at NATO Days in Ostrava and Czech Air Force Days, held Sept. 18–19 in northern Moravia. Tickets are only available online, due to hygiene requirements. Not testing is available at the venue. More info on the event website.