Celebrate NCSML’s 50th Anniversary with a two-week-long festival highlighting Czech & Slovak culture and the echoes that have been passed down to us! Enjoy a wide range of events: a concert, a fashion show, baking classes, a children’s exhibit, and more!
All events are FREE and open to the public with suggested donations for each event to help support the museum!
WHEN: Monday, October 28 at 6:30 pm (Opening Night!)
WHERE: WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Two worlds, one people, and an excitement for the history, future, and celebration of cross-cultural experience will collide in this opening event of the Echoes festival by the National Czech and Slovak National Museum and Library.
Featuring a musical performance of Smetana’s “My Homeland” by harpist Roxana Hädler, and a performance of the new, original song cycle “Two Worlds” by American female composer Beth Ratay with lyrics by festival director Aleš Navrátil, this evening will promote the celebration and remembrance of the Czech and Slovak culture.
The festival will also showcase a documentary by Petr Krejčí titled “Seeing the Homeland.”
Performers: Michael Hix, baritone (US), Beth Ratay, flautist/composer (US), Roxana Hädler, harp, (CZ), documentary by Petr Krejčí
WHEN: Tuesday, October 29 at 7 pm
WHERE: Grand Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
National folkwear & fashion show with leading Czech designer Beata Rajská! Czech, Moravian, and Slovak national folkwear fashion show will be on display for this incredible evening celebrating their cultural heritage.
Czech fashion designer Beata Rajská’s original Czech folklore elements inspired fashion show will be a highlight of the evening, showcasing the newest in Czech fashion, inspired by folk dress elements.
Beata Rajská is a prolific fashion designer, whose designs have been worn by Miss Czech Republic and the Czech First Lady. Learn more about Beata and her brand at her website: https://www.beatarajska.com/
WHEN: Wednesday, October 30 at 7 pm
WHERE: WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Selections from Dvořáks immortal masterpiece, Rusalka, will include visual highlights of the Czech landscape and how Dvořák found inspiration in the Czech countryside.
Featuring American soprano Bree Nichols as Rusalka on October 30 and Czech soprano Eliška Gattringerová as Rusalka on November 3, Slovak operatic tenor Peter Berger as the Prince, Czech mezzo-soprano Jolana Slavíková as Ježibaba, and Bass Jozef Benci as Vodnik, this concert performance of Rusalka will highlight global talent, and remind us of the beauty of the natural world around us.
Performers: Eliska Gattringerová-soprano (CZ), Bree Nichols-soprano (US), Jolana Slavíková-mezzo soprano (CZ), Peter Berger-tenor (CZ), Jozef Benci-bass (CZ), Roxana Hädler-harpist (CZ), Ahmad Hedar-piano (CZ)
WHEN: Thursday, October 31 at 7 pm
WHERE: St. Wenceslaus Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
COST: Free! Register to attend.
An evening of selected works by A. Dvořák, B. Smetana and V. H. Voříšek, with 2013 Concertino Praga International Broadcast winner classical guitarist Barbora Kubíková, and leading Czech pianist Lukáš Klánský.
WHEN: Friday, November 1 at 7 pm
WHERE: WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Czech soprano Eliška Gattringerová, guest soloist of the Czech Brno National Theater, joins the Czech Philharmonic concert master violinist Jan Mráček, and pianist Lukáš Klánský to showcase an evening of Czech art song and instrumental music centering on the complexity of human relationships and love.
Program: Smetana: Z Domoviny / Dvořák: Mazurek, Korngold / Martinů: Písničky na jednu/dvě stránky, Nové slovenské písně / Kaprálová: Sbohem a šáteček, Vteřiny
WHEN: Saturday, November 2 from 10 am – 12 pm
WHERE: NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Children’s Book Illustrator Exhibition and Q&A
A family focused event for all ages, this workshop with Czech children’s book illustrator Markéta Vydrová will feature a discussion and exhibition on her illustrations, and the process of publishing, and creation, of children’s books.
WHEN: Saturday, November 2 from 2 pm – 6 pm
WHERE: Kitchen & WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Featuring Petra Burianová, the first winner of the Czech television show “Bake-Off”, this workshop will give attendees the opportunity to learn how to make traditional Czech baked goods, how to decorate gingerbread, their history, and even sample some tasty treats! In this workshop you’ll be able to bake it and taste it!
WHEN: Saturday, November 2 at 7 pm
WHERE: Hemphill Theater, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Peter Dvorský, a Slovak operatic tenor renowned for his lyrical voice, will be featured in a documentary by Iveta Malachovská highlighting his life and career.
Dvorský, with his his pliable tone and warm, melodious timbre, is highly regarded by many in the opera world, and has drawn many references to legendary tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. His career has spanned all the world’s major opera houses, featuring him in roles such as Princ (Rusalka), Cavarodossi (Tosca), Jose (Carmen), and many more.
Documentary director Iveta Malachovská is a Slovak media personality who has enjoyed a successful career as a television presenter and journalist. She has hosted shows on major Slovak channels, including adaptations of popular formats like “The Biggest Loser” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”.
WHEN: Sunday, November 3 from 9 am – 1 pm
WHERE: Kitchen and WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Petra Burianova, the first ever winner of the Czech Television Bake Off competition, will be hosting this baking workshop where you will learn to make gingerbread and kolache! Bake it and taste it!
WHEN: Wednesday, October 30 at 7 pm
WHERE: WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall, NCSML
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Selections from Dvořáks immortal masterpiece, Rusalka, will include visual highlights of the Czech landscape and how Dvořák found inspiration in the Czech countryside.
Featuring American soprano Bree Nichols as Rusalka on October 30 and Czech soprano Eliška Gattringerová as Rusalka on November 3, Slovak operatic tenor Peter Berger as the Prince, Czech mezzo-soprano Jolana Slavíková as Ježibaba, and Bass Jozef Benci as Vodnik, this concert performance of Rusalka will highlight global talent, and remind us of the beauty of the natural world around us.
Performers: Eliska Gattringerová-soprano (CZ), Bree Nichols-soprano (US), Jolana Slavíková-mezzo soprano (CZ), Peter Berger-tenor (CZ), Jozef Benci-bass (CZ), Roxana Hädler-harpist (CZ), Ahmad Hedar-piano (CZ)
WHEN: Monday, November 4 at 7 pm
WHERE: St. Wenceslaus Church, Spilville
COST: Free! Register to attend.
Join us for the final concert of the Czech and Slovak festival with an evening of Czech music featuring Czech Philharmonic concert master violinist Jan Mráček, and leading Czech pianist Lukáš Klánský.
