A city’s all-night arts festival is one of the most anticipated evenings of the year. Inspired by the White Nights Festival that originated in St Petersburg, in Paris it’s named Nuit Blance, in Britain it’s donned Light Night and in Copenhagen it’s Kulturnatten. This year’s Culture Night will be held on 11 October with over 650 events at the city’s museums, theaters, ministries, churches, basements, parks and squares. For just one night, the city facades and historic buildings will be adorned with lights. Major cultural institutions will open their doors and create one-off events, exhibitions and secret tours for all. You can download a free app with a full programme available in English, and on Kulturnatten.dk you can search events by age. The passes are available for purchase on September 30.
If you’re looking for something to fill your calendar in the not-so-distant future, Tivoli is hosting The Voice on Monday September 23. The concert hosted by Danish disc jockey KATO promises a giant show with the great artists and hits of today. It will be a splendid way for the family to say goodbye to Tivoli’s summer season. Doors open at 14:00 with entry from 155-195kr with free access to all open rides.
It may be the end of summer, but the hit 50s Party at Vega on Saturday October 5 is sure to put the spring back in your step. On the night, the legendary Keld Heick and Johnny Stage will perform, along with Beatophonics and a Big Band playing plenty of nostalgic hits to jitterbug along to – there’s even a dance competition for those who think their jive is up to scratch. You’ll feel like you are on the set of Mad Men in the jazzy cocktail lounge, which will be a perfect location for people-watching – you may even snag yourself a Don Draper or Marilyn lookalike. Entry is 250kr + fee.
Puccini’s Madame Butterfly is something to try and catch as the chamber opera appears at various theatres in Denmark including the Royal Danish Theatre from October 17-19 for 195kr.
Also showing at the Royal Danish Theatre, backed by the vocals of Frank Sinatra, is Come Fly Away, an entire ballet based on some of the best of the jazz legend’s songs. The seductive choreography unfolds to tell the story of different couples as they experience the joys and sorrows of falling in and out of love. The ballet’s run starts on September 28 with tickets ranging from 75-595kr.
For a dose of Danish indie-pop, see androgynous disco singer and songwriter Vinnie Who at Vega on Thursday October 17, where his pop-beats – and hip-sways reminiscent of Elvis Presley, only in skinny jeans – will charm and delight.
Mø, who was dubbed “Denmark’s most sparkling meteor” for her performance at Roskilde and crowned the next Grimes or Lykke Li, will also take the stage at Vega with her hit tracks ‘Pilgrim’ and ‘Glass’ on November 28. With all the hype, now is definitely the time to see the Danish dame who is destined for worldwide stardom.
On sale from September 16 are tickets for Mike Tyson ‘Undisputed Truth’ – a chance to spend the evening in the company of the former boxer at Falconer Salen on March 30. Directed by Spike Lee, the one-man show is said to be a “rare, personal look inside the life and mind of one of the most feared men ever to wear the heavyweight crown”.
Pumpehuset will draw crowds with upcoming performances by Chinese Man on October 26 and Fuck Buttons on November 16. Chinese Man is a French trip-hop band known to “flirt becomingly with the urban genres and Eastern mysticism” and impressed many at this year’s Roskilde Festival. Fuck Buttons are known for their “electronic badass techno, cutting synths and a handful of hip-hop beats” and for their tracks appearing in the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony in London.
A little reminder that tickets are still available for Fleetwood Mac – the venture out of town to Herning on October 18 is sure to be worth it to see the legendary British-American rock band perform.
And whatever you do, don’t forget to secure your ticket for Russell Brand ‘Messiah Complex World Tour 2013’. If his insightful and live mocking of American news presenters is anything to go by, Brand is on the rise to become a powerful voice of our times. Tickets are available at billetnet.dk for 375-415kr.