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Entertainment
Guide to Entertainment, Events and Nightlife in Moscow

Moscow is one of the best places in the world for entertainment. Listen to the fantastic symphonies of Tchaikovsky or the moving piano concertos of Rachmaninoff. See the elegant and timeless Russian ballets of the Bolshoi Theatre, and the exotic Moscow State Circus. The entertainment in Moscow is world class and still relatively inexpensive.

Music

Classical music in Moscow is still very popular, although not quite on the scale of Prague or Vienna. With the collapse of communism, funding for the arts has declined drastically but prices still remain relatively cheap. And although the architecture of Moscow's venues is not on the scale of Vienna there is a certain, Spartan elegance to them.

However, due to the funding problems associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the classical music scene in Moscow is chaotic. Concert times and venues change frequently. The best way to find out what is happening in Moscow at any given time is to read the Friday Moscow Times. Unfortunately for summer visitors much of the industry goes on holiday between June and September.

The best way to purchase tickets is to enquire with the concierge of your hotel. This will avoid the hassle of standing in line at kiosks near the box office and dealing with surly attendants that do not speak anything but Russian. Foreigners may have to pay more than locals for some performances.

Tchaikovsky Concert Hall
The Tchaikovsky seats over 1600 people and is the home of the world famous State Symphony Orchestra. Triumphalnaya ploschad, 4/31. Nearest metro: Ploschad Mayakovskogo.

Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatoire
This is Russia's largest music school. Musicians come from all over the world to study here. The Conservatoire has two primary venues: Bolshoi Zal and Maly Zal (Big Hall and Little Hall, respectively). Every four years the Conservatoire holds the world cup of music competitions. The competitions are for top pianist, cellist, violinist and singer. Bolshaya Nikitinskaya ulitsa, 13. Nearest metro: Arbatskaya.

Theatre

Over 100 years ago method acting was founded at the Chekhov Art Theatre. The Russians are passionate people and the Chekhov is a good place to see English-language versions of Russian classics.

Kamergersky pereulok, 3. Nearest metro: Teatralnaya.

Ballet

There is only one place for ballet in Moscow and that's the world-famous Bolshoi. Rumour had it once that tickets to the Bolshoi could be had for the equivalent of USD0.50 after the Soviet Union collapsed. Prices have increased, but still won't break the bank, especially for one of the world's best ballet companies.

For the time being, though, any trip to the Bolshoi won't be quite the experience it was, since the main stage of the theatre will close for renovation from July 2, 2005 until January 2008. During this time productions will continue, but in a far smaller venue next door to the main theatre. Since this cannot accommodate high demands for the company's classical repertoire tickets are likely to be harder to come by and more expensive than usual.

Teatralnaya ploschad. Book tickets well in advance. Nearest metro: Okhotny Ryad or Teatralnaya.

Circus

As Russian as vodka and Red Square the Moscow State Circus is justifiably famous the world over. With circuses going out of fashion this is one of the last places on earth where you can see the traditional entertainment in full pomp (though you may have to wrestle with your conscience when you see some of the animals performing).

Illusionists, clowns, kangaroos, monkeys, dogs, Ussurian and Bengali tigers perform shows combining to create pure Russian entertainment. Russian Circuses are known the world over for their showmanship and exotic themes. Shows start at 19h00. Tickets can be purchased at the box office from 10h00-19h00, and cost between RUR150 - RUR850.

Vernadskogo Prospekt, 7. Nearest metro: Universitet.

As well as the State Circus, the Old Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard is also worth a visit for anyone interested in this distinctly Russian art form.

Nightlife

Moscow's nightlife is notorious. The expat and student communities turn the city into a club capital, although don't take quality for granted. There is a surprisingly trendy and innovative underground scene, although a bit of local knowledge is usually required to unlock these secrets. For the rest the scene moves rather quickly and you should check out carefully where you are heading before you pay your way in. Yesterday's hotspot fast becomes a rather desultory affair.

Many clubs offer "exotic" evening entertainment and it can sometimes be hard to differentiate between those that have some kind of adult floorshow and those that don't before you pay the usually high cover charge for admission. Although the better clubs in the city are usually safe, often prostitutes operate in them, and will target tourists. Some also have a reputation of being hangouts for local gangsters. Keep your wits about you, stay sober and avoid insulting anybody and you should be all right.

Territoria
Tverskaya ulitsa, 5/6
Tel: +7 (8)495-292-4544
Close to the central attractions of the Kremlin and Red Square Territoria is a popular place with students, though its recent refurbishment may soon entice a broader cross-section of clubbers. The music styles are a real mixed bag but tend to be young and pretty upbeat by Moscow standards. Expect anything from acid jazz to heavy drum and bass.

Propaganda
Bolshoi Zlatoustinskii Pereulok, 15
Tel: +7 (8)495-924-5732
Cool club/bar packed with expats and locals most nights of the week, Propaganda is one of the places to be seen. A host of local and foreign DJs play a mix of mainly techno and acid jazz with a sprinkling of house, the warehouse-style décor a sign of its trendy aspirations. There's usually a gay night on Sundays, but check to be sure.

Karma Bar
Pushechnaya ulitsa, 3
Tel: +7 (8)495-924-5633
Attracting a predominantly young crowd, Karma plays mainly R&B, chart and Latin music. Not one of the most fashionable places in town, but an unpretentious crowd gives it a fun vibe, and a packed dancefloor is almost always guaranteed.

Special Events

December - Early January
Moscow in winter is decidedly beautiful and the Winter Festival held over the New Year is the perfect complement to the city. A range of traditional Russian entertainment is held in Izmailovo Park, and you can expect to see dancing, theatre and music.

March
Maslenitsa (Blini week) is a traditional pagan festival that welcomes the coming of spring. All over Russia people celebrate for a whole week, with festivals of traditional events and, of course, great quantities of the versatile Russian pancake, Blini - the golden round cakes are meant to symbolise the sun and are consumed in their thousands, with either sweet or savoury fillings.

May
On the 9th May Russians celebrate Victory Day. Unsurprisingly for Muscovites the centre of the holiday is Victory Park. You'll see war veterans heading down to the park in full uniform, many holding bouquets of flowers with which they honour their fallen comrades. Music and dancing are capped off with a firework display above the city.

June
Now over 40 years old the Moscow International Film Festival is growing in importance especially since Russia opened its doors fully to international visitors. Filmmakers from all over Europe compete for cinematic awards.

October
The Kremlin Cup is Russia's premier international tennis competition. The indoor tournament carries a hefty prize purse, which always attracts the stars of the ATP tour and particularly Russian stars such as Kafelnikov, Safin and Kournikova..

 

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