Shows, concerts and cultural attractions – Budapest is always buzzing. Each week, we gather all of the important happenings taking place in our favourite city so you can plan ahead. Get out and get involved!
Thursday
6pm - : St Martin’s Day Wine Festival at the Gellért Hotel Kicking off a four-day festival in celebration of St Martin’s Day and its annual wine festivities, the Gellért Hotel is laying on live music – Lóci játszik and The Biebers – and plenty of plonk. Beer and pálinka brandy will also be on offer, and the whole shebang is themed, this year, around the age-old connections between literature and wine.
7pm - : Rigoletto at the Erkel Theatre The renowned Ádám Medveczky conducts this performance of Verdi’s three-act opera, the first of a five-night run at the Erkel Theatre. Rigoletto is the tragic story revolving around the licentious Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto and Rigoletto’s beautiful daughter Gilda. Mexican-American Galeano Salas is the tenor, Russian Anatoly Fokanov Rigoletto and Kinga Kriszta Gilda. There’s another performance at the same theatre on Saturday.
8pm - : Test Dept at the A38 Ship Industrial-music pioneers, Test Dept have relaunched, releasing an album, Disturbance, and going on a major tour across the States and Europe. Groundbreaking in the 1980s when they gave seminal shows at strange locations, the band went their separate ways in the 2000s, only to regroup on the back of an presentation book detailing their history. See the full story here.
Friday
10am: - Budapest Guitar Festival at the Franz Liszt Music Academy Three of the world's leading exponents of the guitar will be giving morning masterclasses and evening concerts all weekend at the prestigious Franz Liszt Music Academy. Starting off today with Scotsman David Russell and Cuban/American Manuel Barrueco, the agenda takes in lute music by Paul O'Dette on Saturday and, on Sunday in the Grand Hall, a guitar recital of Bach and Handel by David Russell.
4pm - : Budapest Central European Fashion Week (BCEFW) at various venues The climax to Budapest Central European Fashion Week, which started on 4 November, takes place this weekend. Fashion will be showcased at several spots around the city, including downtown location Tesla Event Kult, where promising up-and-coming designers from the region display their work. Another venue to check out between 9-10 November is Bálna Budapest, featuring Hungarian brands which gained acclaim for their collections at Milan Fashion Week. Domestic labels include Nanushka, Áeron, Katti Zoób and NUBU.
7pm - : Abstract art exhibition opening by Oksana Devochkina At the studio where she paints and holds workshops, curator and artist Oksana Devochkina opens her latest exhibition of architectural abstractions this Friday. On display will be pieces by this Russian-born Budapest resident, alongside 13 of her students’. This follows a month-long course on postmodernism and what Oksana terms ‘architectonics’. Under her guidance, the artists sketched elements of the city, capturing the rhythm and mood of Budapest. The exhibition runs until 15 November. For the full story, see here.
7pm - : Ruben Brandt, Collector at the Bem cinema At last a chance to see this thrilling rollercoaster of an animation feature with English subtitles. Ruben Brandt, Collector is a psychological crime thriller created by long-term Budapest illustrator Milorad Krstic. The plot revolves around the theft of precious art, the locations switching as quickly as any Bond movie. In fact, Krstic should storyboard the next Bond movie. Great soundtrack, too. For the full story, see here.
11.30pm - 6am: Deborah de Luca at the Akvárium Klub Tickets have all gone for this Neapolitan DJ, who takes her distinctive brand of hard techno and minimal sounds around the world – but the downtown Akvárium Klub has set up a waiting list for returns. Also on the bill are Hungary’s own James Cole and James Futaki, who cut his teeth at Sing Sing in Szeged.
Saturday
7pm - :The Devil’s Trade & Darkher at the Dürer Kert Now playing solo as The Devil’s Trade, this former member of the rather gloomy Stereochrist treads the path of doom metal with gusto, presenting tunes such as Those Miles We Walked Alone. Supporting will be the UK’s Darkher, aka Jayn Maiven, who lists her home town on Facebook as ‘The Earth’ but is, in fact, somewhere in West Yorkshire. JM is responsible for vocals, guitar and ‘sorcery', C Smith takes care of drums. Being staged at the Dürer Kert’s more intimate Room 041.
8pm - :Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force at Trafó The NdaggaRhythm Force started in 2011 when Mark Ernestus travelled to Senegal in search of original sabar drum and mbalax dance-music recordings. Since then, his project has evolved into a killer live act, playing clubs and major festivals all across Europe. Singer Mbene Diatta Seck, talking drum master Modou Mbaye and dancer Fatou Wore Mboup have a stunningly energetic stage presence, and will be joined by legendary veterans from the Dakar scene for a night of authentic African sounds.
9pm - 2am:Lidérces Balaton concert at the Hunnia Art Bisztró This evening of blue-chip Magyar indie features leading members of Budapest’s underground music fraternity. The bard of Balaton, Mihály Víg, will sing a few of his heartbreakingly melancholic tunes while Lidérc show that there’s life after the sad passing of former Balaton guitarist Dönci.
Sunday
9am - 3pm:Forest Market at the Budakeszi Wildlife Park Spend a day in the woods enjoying farm-to-table dishes at this Farmer’s Market in the woods of Budakeszi Wildlife Park just outside Budapest. Local producers offer natural foods such as cheeses and honey, as well as handicrafts. The park is also known for its petting zoo and walking trails, all open during the market.
10am - 4pm:Plant Lovers Sunday at Anker’t Popular downtown ruin pub Anker’t is hosting the Kiskertpiac lively plant market this Sunday. Visitors will find indoor plants, greenery for an autumn/winter terrace, plus tips and tricks from experts. Look out for natural cosmetics and clothing accessories.
12.15pm - :Harry Potter children’s workshop at the Közkincs Library The Közkincs Kids Club is an interactive way for children in the city to practise their English. The club is led by Sara Turnbull, a native English teacher from the UK. The classes consist of storytelling, dance, arts and crafts and drama games. This weekend’s has the added attraction of being themed after magic and potions. This event is suitable for children ages 8-12 who already have a basic level of English. Places are limited, so registration is mandatory. Tickets are 2,000 HUF per child, and can be paid via PayPal. Members of the library enjoy reduced admission of 1,000 HUF. To register, email kozkincskidsclub@gmail.com. For the full story, see here.
8pm - :The Wooten Brothers at the Akvárium Klub American bass guitarist, record producer and winner of five Grammy Awards, Victor Wooten will be playing with his musical brothers at the Akvárium Klub on Sunday. While his three siblings take care of guitar, drums and keyboards respectively, one of the world’s finest bass players will take care of business.
