Events for October 2010

Latvia

Baltic Dance Nights in Rīga

Learn new dances and then dance the night away at the annual Baltijas danču naktis from Oct. 1-3. Organized by Rīgas danču klubs, a popular folkdance club in Latvia, seminars begin at 14:00 hours on Saturday and 13:00 hours on Sunday. The seminars take place at the Rīgas Skolēnu pils, Krišjāņa Barona iela 99, Rīga. The Friday dance begins at 19:00 hours and will take place at Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs, Smilšu iela 16, Rīga, while Saturday’s dance (from 19:00-05:00 hours) takes place at the VEF Kultūras pils, Ropažu iela 2, Rīga. All events are open to the public and no prior dance knowledge is necessary. For more information and admission prices visit www.folkdance.lv.

Queensland

Voting and a harvest festival in Brisbane

The Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda, will be open most of the day on Oct.2. Polls there will open to voters in the Latvian election at 7 a.m. and stay open until 10 p.m. Voters can enjoy coffee, tea and cakes from 9 a.m. to noon. At 1 p.m. the Queensland Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Congregation will hold its annual Harvest Festival (Pļaujas svētki) with a lottery and bazaar. Participants are asked to bring a food or beverage to share. Admission is free.

Ontario

Kristus Dārzs marks 25th anniversary

“La vie en rose,” a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Kristus Dārzs retirement home in Ontario, is scheduled at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at Kristus Dārzs Latvian Home, 11290 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge. The event includes an art exhibition, music, a silent auction, a lottery and a gourmet dinner. Tickets are CAD 150. For further information, visit www.kdlatvianhome.com.

Michigan

Bazaar, harvest festival set in Detroit

A fall bazaar and harvest festival begins at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 3 after the Sunday service in the St. Paul Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church, 30623 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farminton Hills.

Wisconsin

Remembering the deceased at Dievsēta

A traditional remembrance of deceased friends and family members will take place Oct. 9-10 at Dievsēta, 19264 Bittersweet Road, Warrens. This event is called both “Dievaines” or “Veļu vakars” and varies from community to community. At Dievsēta it involves a feast, singing and song-games. Dievsēta offers rustic accommodation, but participants are asked to register in advance. For more information and to register, contact Lilita Spure at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or +1 (630) 595-1722. For more information about Dievsēta and traditional Latvian holidays, see www.dievseta.org.

Queensland

Zolīte afternoon in Brisbane

The Brisbane chapter of Daugavas Vanagi hosts an afternoon of playing the card game zolīte at 13:00 hours Oct. 9 in the Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda. Participation is AUD 5 and all are welcome.

Queensland

Brisbane Brīvļaudis monthly meeting

Join the Brisbane Brīvļaudis for tea, lunch and games at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda. Morning yoga exercises from 10:30-11 a.m. Cost is AUD 15 and includes tea and lunch.

California

‘Modernas Čaukstenes’ set for San Francisco

The play “Modernas Čaukstenes” will be presented at 2 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Latvian Lutheran Church of Northern California, 425 Hoffman Ave., San Francisco. Performing in the play will be Inese Siliņa, Vaiva Puķīte, Irēna Smiltiņa, Dace Garuta and Silvija Orle. Tickets are USD 25 for the first three rows and USD 20 for other rows. Tickets for students are USD 10. Children will be admitted free.

Queensland

Barbeque social in Brisbane

Join Brisbane-area Latvians for a barbeque lunch and social afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. in the Brisbane Latvian House, 24 Church Ave., Buranda. Also included will be a lottery and a showing of a Luciano Pavarotti commemorative concert on DVD. The event is hosted by the Daugavas Vanagi. Admission of AUD 20 includes lunch, coffee and cakes with all proceeds to benefit the Latvian House.

Illinois

Chicago Latvian Association marks 75 years

The Chicago Latvian Association (Čikāgas latviešu biedrība) marks its 75th anniversary with a gala event beginning at 5 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Zion Latvian Lutheran Church, 6551 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago. Attendees will enjoy a champagne toast and appetizers as they peruse a photo exhibit of the association’s history, followed by performances, dinner and dessert, music and dancing. Tickets are USD 50 per person until Oct. 1 and USD 60 thereafter. Tables for eight can be reserved by calling Ruta Priedkalns at +1 (773) 275-5273, while checks should be written to “Chicago Latvian Association” and mailed to Treasurer Mārīte Plūme, 6127 Plymouth St., Downers Grove, IL 60516.

New York

Kovaļevska to sing in Yonkers church

The Latvian opera diva Maija Kovaļevska, in New York City for her La Boheme role at the Metropolitan Opera, will participate in the 10 a.m. church service Oct. 31 in the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church, 253 Valentine Lane, Yonkers. This will not be a separate concert, but Kovaļevska will sing a couple of solos during the service.