Events for June 2010

Ireland

Sestā Jūdze performs in Durrow

The country group Sestā Jūdze from Latvia will perform as part of an evening of dancing and entertainment, “Tur rietumos, kad saule lec,” at 8 p.m. June 4 in the Castle Arms Hotel, The Square, Durrow, Co. Laois. For further information on the event, visit baltic-ireland.ie. For information about the band, visit www.sestajudze.lv.

Ireland

Sestā Jūdze performs in Drogheda

The country group Sestā Jūdze from Latvia will perform as part of an evening of dancing and entertainment, “Tur rietumos, kad saule lec,” at 8 p.m. June 5 in the Best Western Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Dublin Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth. For further information on the event, visit baltic-ireland.ie. For information about the band, visit www.sestajudze.lv.

New York

‘Talka at the Latvian camp in the Catskills

A “talka” (a volunteer clean-up event and work party) to prepare the Children’s Camp of the Latvian Ev. Luth. Church of New York in the Catskill Mountains for the summer season will take place on June 12-13 at the Latvian Lutheran Camp near Elka Park. Everyone 10 years of age and older is invited to help. All volunteers will receive three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Reserve rooms by calling Janīna Briģis at +1 (518) 589-9932. A map and directions to the camp may be viewed at www.nydraudze.org and clicking on “Nometne”.

Ontario

Film honors prisoners of conscience

VOICES, a film of love, hope and transcendence, featuring testimonials of prisoners of conscience against communist oppression from around the world, will be shown at 7 p.m. June 13 at The Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., Toronto. The film is an avant garde performance of drama, aerial dance, music. Admission by donation; all proceeds will go towards the building of a monument in Ottawa to commemorate victims of communism. For more information write to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call +1 (416) 604-5749.

District of Columbia

Dombrovskis to speak to research institute

Latvia’s prime minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, will speak during a noon luncheon June 14 at the Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics. 1750 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. The Peterson Institute is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy. For further information, visit www.piie.com.

Wisconsin

Midsummer at Dievsēt

Celebrate the summer solstice (or Midsummer or Jāņi) in traditional fashion on June 19-20 at Dievsēta, 19264 Bittersweet Road, Warrens. Participants arrive early in the day on Saturday to make wreaths, prepare food and build the bonfire. The celebration begins in the evening and lasts all night, with brunch served the following morning. Dievsēta offers some rustic accommodation, plenty of space for tents, and meals at very reasonable prices, but participants are asked to register in advance. For more information and to register, contact Zinta Pone at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For more information about Dievsēta and traditional Latvian holidays, see www.dievseta.org.

New Jersey

Midsummer at Priedaine

The Midsummer (Jāņi) celebration will begin at 4 p.m. June 19,at the New Jersey Latvian Society’s center Priedaine, 1017 State Route 33, Freehold. The program will include a concert by singer Viktors Lapčenoks from Latvia. After the performances, Bernie’s orchestra will play dance music until the wee hours. The bonfire will be lit at 10:30 p.m. to the accompaniment of traditional Jāņi songs. Admission is USD 20. For more information visit priedaine.com.

Ontario

Live music at Sidrabene

The group Lauku Muzikanti from Latvia will play at the Sidrabene cafe beginning at 8 p.m. June 25, at Camp Sidrabene, 5100 Appleby Line, Milton West. Stay at Sidrabene until the next evening and celebrate the summer solstice, or Jāņi, together with Lauku Muzikanti and local Latvian entertainers, including folk dancers. See www.sidrabene.org or write to Alīde Forstmanis at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.

Latvia

Meeting of the world’s Latvians in Rīga

An informal meeting of Latvians from around the world is set for 11 a.m. June 27, at the Čarlstons restaurant, Blaumaņa iela 38/40, Rīga. For more information contact Ģirts Zeidenbergs at +1 (302) 529-7442, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or www.tilts.org. The event is organized by the Latvian Cultural Association TILTS.