The best things to do in Prague this week, September 20–26

Monday, Sept. 20

A side event to Febiofest, this edition of Movie Barf presents the Icelandic film Heartstone, about young people in a remote village duing summer. The film will also have an introduction from Norwegian director of photography Sturla Brandth Grøvlen. More info on Facebook.

Czech dance group Dekkadancers presents Proměna (Transformations), a new work based on an early writing by Franz Kafka. Some quotes from the text will be read in Czech, but the dance itself has no language barrier. It plays Sept. 20 at 7:30 pm at Jatka78. More info on Facebook and the Jatka78 website.

Sir András Schiff plays piano in a chamber concert of three Mozart pieces on Sept. 20 at 8 pm as part of the ongoing Dvořák Prague (Dvořákova Praha) International Music Festival. More info on our original story and the festival website.  

Tuesday, Sept. 21

The ballet Sleeping Beauty is at the National Theatre on Sept. 21 at 7 pm as well as two times on Sept. 25. This recent production of Tchaikovsky’s classic was prepared during the pandemic with the participation of choreographer Márcia Haydée and premiered online in June. More info on the National Theatre website.  

Wednesday, Sept. 22

 The Czech National Symphony Orchestra, led by Steven Mercurio, plays music from the long running film series is played in James Bond Night on Sept. 22 at the Smetana Hall of Obecní dům at 7 pm. More info on the Prague Proms website.

Thursday, Sept. 23

Three Czech music acts – Lenka Dusilová, Vertigo, -123min.– are together for one show at divadlo Archa on Sept. 23 at 8 pm. It’s part of the ongoing American Spring International Music Festival. More info on the Archa and festival websites.

The eighth edition of the Lustr festival of illustration and comics reflects on the past year and also showcases new talent. It runs from Sept. 23 to 29 at Kampus Hybernská. More information on the festival website.

The annual Book World (Svět knihy) fair runs Sept. 23–26 at Výstaviště in Holešovice. This year's theme is France. More info on the festival website and Facebook.

Friday, Sept. 24

Vinobraní na náplavce in a bit of retro ad moment promises “wine, women, and song” on Sept. 24–25 at the waterfront promenade at Náplavka. More specifically, they promise burčák as well as Moravian and international wine from mostly small producers. A special glass must be purchased for burčák. More info on Facebook.

Late September is also a time for celebrating beer. Festival minipivovarů na Pražském hradě brings small brewers to Royal Garden of Prague Castle on Sept. 24 and 25. The festival is organized by the Czech-Moravian Mini-Brewers Association, and 66 small domestic brewers and three foreign ones are participating. Tickets include unlimited tasting. Covid testing can be done on the spot for those without vaccination or recovery. More on Facebook.

The fifth annual Bohemian Burlesque Festival takes place Sept. 24 at the Boccaccio Ballroom in Grand Hotel Bohemia and Sept. 25–26 at Autoklub České republiky, both in Prague 1. There is also an event in Brno on Sept. 23. The festival will feature several visiting artists and is the biggest of its kind in the Czech Republic. More info on the festival website and Facebook. 

 The Eigasai 2021 festival of Japanese film anbd culture runs Sept. 24–26 at Lucerna. The theme this year is “On the Edge.” Three films are featured, one each night, and a family oriented performance on Saturday afternoon. More info on the festival website and Facebook.

D’Prompt Theatre presents The White Banners, an adaptation of the novel by Nodar Dumbadze. A wrongfully accused man encounters fellow inmates while waiting to be indicted. his indictment. It runs Sept. 24 and Oct. 1–2 at 7 pm at Divadlo Na Prádle. More info on Facebook.

Saturday, Sept. 25

Svatováclavské vinobraní takes place Sept. 25–26 at the oldest Czech vineyard at Villa Richter, next to Prague Castle. Domestic wine and burčák are featured. The admission fee includes a glass and some tokens for wine. More info on Facebook.

Rosé wines are highlighted at Pink May (Růžový máj), which has been moved from its title month. The rescheduled event takes place Sept. 25 from 10 am to 10 pm at Pražská tržnice in Holešovice. In addition to wine from 20 vendors, there’s live jazz and swing music, and hot and cold food. Tasting glasses available. More info on the festival website and Facebook.

A tour in English will show people some of the seldom-seem spaces of Strahov Stadium, one of the world’s largest. On Sept. 25 at 2 pm visitors will be able to see to the presidential lounge, west grandstand, and walkaways. At the end of the tour, participants will have an opportunity to climb up 130 stairs into the original Gate of Champions. Tickets must be purchased in advance. More info on the Open House Praha website. 

The Nusle Flea Market takes place Sept. 25 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Mečislavov community garden. Sellers will have second-hand goods exclusively, not new items, Some snacks and beverages will be available. More info on Facebook.

With the weather turning cold, people can warm up at Chilli Fest, billed as the hottest food festival in the Czech Republic. It takes place Sept. 25 at in the courtyard of the Staropramen brewery from 10 am to 8 pm. People can stock up on hot peppers and hot sauces, and try some atypical sweets. There is also an eating competition. More info on Facebook.

Jazz Dock’s Guitar Days festival brings the Bill Frisell Trio ft. Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston on Sept 25 at 9 pm. Frisell has a 35-year career that includes a long partnership with John Zorn. He has been active in the New York and Seattle jazz scenes. Atypically for Jazz Dock, seating will be in rows and not at tables so more people can fit in. More info on the Jazz Dock website.

Meet rescue workers, see demonstrations of their technology, how they rescue people from crashed vehicles, cynology, an exhibition of counterfeits, and a pyrotechnic robot: this will be on offer at the Heroes' Day at the Prague Exhibition Grounds. Admission to the event suitable for all ages will be free and every member of the family will find something here. The event will last from 9 am to 6 pm.

Sunday, Sept. 26

The dance project ICARUS takes place at Skatepark Výstaviště on Sept. 26 at 4 pm as part of the TANEC PRAHA festival. Find out more in our original story or on the festival website.

Ongoing

The 28th edition of Febiofest runs to Sept. 24, with screenings at Cinema City Slovanský dům plus Edison Film Hub, Kino Pilotů, and a VR cinema at DOX. 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.

The Dvořák Prague (Dvořákova Praha) International Music Festival continues until Sept. 24, when it closes with the Czech Philharmonic playing works by Mozart plus Dvořák's "Slavonic Dances." More info on our original story and the festival website. 

European Mobility Week runs to Sept. 22. One of its goals is to encourage people to use bikes or other means to commute to work. More info in our story or on the event website.

4+4 Days in Motion festival continues to Sept. 26 with contemporary art, performance, and music with site-specific events at the Nová strašnická škola in Prague 10 and Vzlet in Vršovice. More info on the event website and Facebook.