The second performance of Metallica in Riga was finished few hours ago, this time in Arena Riga. I was witness of amazing performance of James Hetfield and his band.
Unfortunately the indoor arena isn't very suitable for that kind of music, and the quality of sound was relatively low.
Yesterday Italian pop singer Eros Ramazzotti held finally a single concert in Arena Riga. It was an unique and a very long-awaited performance, because of postponing since November 2009. Close-up photo was taken by Irene.
Last night Armin van Buuren had live performance in Essential Club Riga. It was already his 4th visit in Riga. Thanks to his own unique project A State of Trance his popularity is growing drastically in the recent years, therefore Armin is said to be DJ #1 in the world 3 years in a row. Thanks to Sunwave for close-up photo :)
Rammstein concert is being held today in Arena Riga. An unique show was performed by world famous Band originally coming from East Germany. Rammstein become successful for its sharp and aggressive lyrics. Despite Rammstein is mainstream now, it still could be considered as alternative music.
Exhibition Erots 2010 is being held this weekend at Kipsala hall. Erots stands for sex shops, tattoos and piercings artists, live performance by pornostars and everything else related to erotics. It is said that Erots is the only regular Erotic Exhibition in Baltic States. In fact there is nothing special, so if you have missed Erots, then you can always go to Amsterdam any day and the experience there will be much better :)
I have never been a big fan of blues, jazz music nor live music in general. Before I visited Bites Blues Club. I was invited by Lynne Jordan, who were not just performing here tonight, but also brought me a souvenir magnet from Chicago :) Her stage performance turned me into a new fan of live music, where an artist controls and interact with the public, making jokes, etc. Basically she behaves like an absolute leader and makes fun even with relatively quiet and passive crowd. So you can easy feel the energy exchange :) The club itself has a great atmosphere, nice design, it is without high prices and with enormous collection of blues artists' photos performed here, in Bites blūza klubs.
I guess everybody likes the Prodigy, at least did at some point. Their fifth album Invaders must die is the reason why they came to Riga today again. Unseen show for Latvian capital makes Rigans think that artists are absolutely insane. Or Maybe they are? :)
I didn't know before that Riga Pine is famous even outside of Europe. I knew that Latvian Pine tree was always exported for ship masts, but couldn't imagine that to Latin America too. Thanks to Antonio from Brazil, who commented my blog and exposured me this fact.
Last week was a monument opening ceremony of the most famous and high-minded Russian author Alexander Pushkin (Александр Сергеевич Пушкин), who was shot in the age of 38 (1799 - 1837) Pushkin had a fabulous life and was recognized as genius during his life already. He wrote many chefs d'oeuvre, basically he has changed the Russian literature. It was difficult to take a picture of statue without people nearby, because a lot of people were constantly coming here, to Kronvalda parks to see bronze Pushkin.
Ne dienu bez Rīgas - is the title of an article about my blog in local magazine Rīgas Laiks (Riga Times) This is the first review of my blog by offline media known to me. Despite very short article, I feel very proud because of it.
Here below is the full text of article: Rūpīgi uzturēts un aizraujošs fotoblogs, kas katru dienu piedāvā jaunu fotogrāfiju un nelielu komentāru par tajā attēloto Rīgas vai tuvējās apkārtnes skatu. Ne vienmēr šie komentāri vai objektu izvēle ir Latvijai glaimojoša, taču autoram (kurš savu personu pārlieku neafišē) nevar pārmest arī apzinātu nomelnošanu. Mērķauditorija ir ārzemnieki, kas ir nolēmuši apciemot Latvijas galvaspilsētu vai domā par to, attēlos redzamā pilsēta ir skaista, dīvaina, biedējoša vai bīstama - tieši tāda, kāda tā ari patiesībā ir. Dažkārt autors lasītājus izprovocē uz komentāriem - pajautājot, vai kāds igaunis nezina, ko igauniski nozīmē Pērses ielas nosaukums, vai izsakot minējumu, ka nez vai vēl kur pasaulē ir pilsētas ar dubultiem māju numuriem (Barona iela 59/61). Tepat var atrast saites uz citām ar Rīgu saistītām vietnēm un vebkamerām, kas rāda pilsētu reālajā laikā. ® Sagatavoja Ilmārs Šlāpins un Pauls Bankovskis The literal translation in more popular language:
Let no day without Riga
It is carefully maintained exciting photoblog, which get updated every day with a new photograph of Riga or surrounding and a small comment about it. Photos and comments are not always flattering for Latvia, but the author (who doesn’t publish his identity) can’t be accused of intentional defamation. The target audience is foreigners who have decided to visit the capital of Latvia or still are thinking about it. The image of the city is made to be beautiful, strange, intimidating or even threatening - exactly like it is in real life. Sometimes the author provoke readers to comment by asking if anyone does know Estonian language and the meaning of Perses street in it, or expressing guess that somewhere else in the world are houses with double house numbers (Barona Street 59/61). Also here are the links to Riga related sites and webcams, which show the city in real time. ® Prepared by Ilmars Slapins and Pauls Bankovskis
Yesterday in Latvia, just one week after the world, was the premier of the new shocking film Brüno. The movie is from producer of Borat and they are quite similar. Bruno is Austrian gay who wants to became world class celebrity and goes to USA. Of course it is forbidden to make any photos in cinema, but I wanted to show subtitles in two languages. Every movie in Latvia is being subtitled in two languages: Latvian and Russian. This movie itself is also in two languages: English and German. Unglaublich!
A granite monument in the garden in Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, which is located in Agenskalns area. It is a bust of Pauls Stradiņš (1896 - 1958), the most famous Latvian doctor, surgeon and oncologist. He had founded Medicine University, was head of Major Hospital in Latvia and many other medicine institutions. The importance of his works and contribution to the science can scarcely be overestimated.
Latvian Bodybuilding Cup held yesterday in Moscow's House. The official name is Baker Nutrition Classic. More than 40 participants from 8 countries came to Riga to show their biceps, triceps, quadriceps and other muscles. In general it was quite good show, especially when girls bodybuilders in bikini appeared :) For me it was a big surprise to see my distant friend - Mārtiņš Skujenieks, who won Junior's Cup and took 3rd place in Absolute Cup (the most left one in yellow brief)
The monument of Johann Gottfried Herder is located next to Riga Dome, where he used to work as teacher. Young Herder spent in Riga 5 years and his first major works were written in Riga. The people didn't understood his new wave thinking, so he had to leave Riga, but not for ever. See also German school named after Herder.
BTW, name Johans Gotfrīds Herders is a good example of Latvianization. Every male name should be ended with S letter.
Ģirts Rozentāls aka Ozols is the most famous rapper in Latvia and, I guess, the most successful. Ozols quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his rap song about Zolik. During his artist carrier he won several Latvian music awards. Nowadays Girts Rozentals owns several shops and works as DJ in Essential Club. Today I couldn't believed my eyes, when I saw Ozols in tram together with his unknown friend, but I would like to help him to make his name taste like ass :)
The name of this gentleman with the spouse is George Armistead, the most notable mayor of Riga through its all history. During his rule 1901-1912 Riga has been changing a lot. He is the person who wasn't afraid to change Riga look, destroy wooden houses and build new building in Art Nouveau style. He had built many schools, hospitals, central market, had setup a Riga Zoo.
Stone busts of famous Latvian people in front of exhibition hall Arsenal of Latvian National At Museum. Here are busts of the most famous Latvian art workers like Krišjānis Barons and Raimonds Pauls
I think that the last days are numbered, when I can put the picture of this guy without telling who is him. Makslinieki Sawienojieties means Artists unite in Latvian. For the past months I couldn't figure out the story behind this writing and George Walker Bush portrait.
Riga Photos, Top Stories, Wonderful Sights, Remarkable Places, Typical & Famous People, Travel Guides & Official Information, Shopping, Party & Nightlife, Glamour & Fashion Clubs, Sport & Crowdy Bars, Alternative & Underground Pubs, Luxurious & Cheap Hotels, Live Webcams, News, Vague Rumors & Wild Facts about the biggest City in Baltic States
