Italian cinema and British pop music to jazz up your weekend

If you are in Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru here is are some suggestions on how to spend this coming weekend

Mumbai

MUSIC

Ed Sheeran

British pop: British musician Ed Sheeran will perform at the Fly Music Festival in Mumbai. The young star, who is set to play three concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium this year, is known for pop songs such as 'Lego House' and 'A Team' and which feature elements of RnB and hip hop. He will also perform 'I See Fire' that was used in the second instalment of The Hobbit. Sheeran’s influences include Damien Rice, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan.

Where: Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai
When: March 1, 4 pm onwards

Strains from a piano: Russian pianist Tatyana Dichenko will perform in the city. Dichenko, who did her graduate and post graduate studies in piano at the Moscow State Conservatory under Fyodorova Margarita, has been a resident teacher at the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation since August 2014. Earlier, she toured over Russia extensively and became the leading accompanist at the Musical Theatre College. Admission to the recital is free.

Where: The Russian Centre for Science and Culture, Pedder Road, Mumbai
When: February 27, 7 pm

Holi music: Shekhar Sen, a music composer, lyricist and actor, will evoke the essence of Holi with "thumri", "dadra", "bhajan" and related compositions based on the theme of the festival. The subject matter of these pieces is inspired by the pranks of Lord Krishna and the love of Radha and Krishna. Sen is best known for monoact musical plays.

Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: March 5, 6.30 pm

Bee Geez

  Friday night fever: Bee Geez, a group influenced by 70’s pop sensation the Bee Gees will pay a tribute to its idol in India, following tours in several countries like South Africa, Canada, USA, Europe and New Zealand.  Formed in Gold Coast in Australia in 2009, the Bee Geez consists of founding member David Gray, Rowan Lyle and Peter Dedman.

Where: Phoenix Marketcity Kurla, Mumbai
When: February 27, 7.30 onwards

FILMS

France’s Gone with the Wind:   Marcel Carné's Les Enfants du Paradis (1945) first released in the days following France’s World War II victory.  Sometimes called the French Gone with the Wind, it is considered a lesser-known work of art cinema from that period. It tells the story of Parisian courtesan Garance and four men who are in love with her, including an aristocrat, a thief, an actor and a mime. The film will be screened by Alliance Francaise in partnership with Prithvi Theatre and Institut Francais.

Where: Alliance Francaise auditorium, New Marine Lines, Mumbai
When: March 2, 6.30 pm

THEATRE

Theatre in cinemas: CinePlay, which brings Indian theatre to viewers in the form of cinema, is partnering with Matterden Center For Creation (CFC) to mark the anniversary of its first release. CinePlays will be screened at the latter’s revamped 480-seat theatre in Lower Parel.  CinePlay Festival Act 1 will begin with Between the Lines, starring Nandita Das and her husband Subodh Maskara. It will also showcase Mohan Rakesh’s Aadhe Adhure and Mahesh Dattani’s Dance Like A Man, directed by Lillete Dubey.

Where: Matterden CFC, Lower Parel, Mumbai
When:February 27- March 22

ART

Tribute to Howard Hodgkin: CSMVS, Mumbai has collaborated with Tate, London, to present a solo exhibition of paintings by artist Howard Hodgkin. The modern art gallery will lend two major works by Hodgkin from its repertoire - ‘Rain’ (1984-89) and ‘Come into the Garden, Maud’ (2000-03). The exhibition, Tate’s first in partnership with an Indian museum, is said to build on the gallery’s recent focus on modern and contemporary art in India. Hodgkin has visited Indian routinely since 1964 and the Indian landscape and seas are among his sources of inspiration.

Where: Jehangir Nicholson Gallery, CSMVS, Fort, Mumbai
When: Till April 15, 10:30 am – 6 pm

Delhi

ART

Intersection of ideas: Galleryske presents “Codes Of Culture”, a group exhibition featuring works by artists Astha Butail, Spencer Finch, Bharti Kher, Tahireh Lal and Navin Thomas. On display will be a collection of work in the embodied experience of the cultural differences. This exhibition features a conceptual intersection of ideas and references alluding to codes of culture, language, memory, structure and space. Highlighting multiple degrees of dimensions, individual pieces extend themselves from the visual plane to the auditory, chromatic and spatial.

Where: Galleryske, Connaught Place, New Delhi
When: Till March 4

Confluence of colours: Delhi-based watercolourist Vijay Kiyawat is showcasing a collection of cheerful and resplendent works based on poppy flowers and poppy pods in his latest exhibition, “My Dream Poppies”.  His works are displayed in dreamy and interesting compositions. Also on show, will be a collection of works from his earlier series “Meditation and My Dream Garden”. A self taught artist, Kiyawat’s work has influence of sprawling gardens, trees and flowers in his paintings.

Where: India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
When: February 28-March 5

Against all odds: Alliance Francaise presents “Fate Breakers: Stories of Outstanding Indian Women”, a photo exhibition by Belgian photographer Pascal Mannaerts. Fighting against prejudice and determinism, be it from birth, from life’s perils, from intolerance or disrespect towards the other, leading this battle as a woman, “Fate breakers” portrays several outstanding women in India who make a difference and empower themselves, for themselves and for others, against all odds. These remarkable women, who transcend darkness to enter the realm of light by the invincible force of their will, are honored in their daily struggle for the life lessons and the courage they represent. The exhibition is curated by Jean-Philippe Bottin.

Where: Alliance Francaise de Delhi, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi
When: March 1-8, 11 am-6 pm

MUSIC

Voices for gender: Sounds of Freedom, a concept that seeks to bring together the spirit of a concert, debate and a statement, is dedicated to the United Nations #HeForShe campaign. Artistes and bands like Farhan LIVE, Raghu Dixit Project, Madboy/Mink, Tritha Electric, Dindigul Sakthi Drummers and Kutle Khan will perform at the event, pledging their support to the cause of gender equality.

Where: Amity University, Noida
When: March 3
Info: For full schedule and ticket details, soundsoffreedom.in

FILMS

Italian cinema: As a part of their Saturday Double Bill, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre is screening two movies this weekend: the 1959 comedy “Fiasco in Milan” and the 2012 drama film “Discovery at Dawn”. In “Fiasco in Milan”, a bungling gang leader and his henchmen attempt to swipe a suitcase full of loot from a soccer pool. The task seems simple enough, but the gang suffers a variety of zany mishaps before the leader finally gets hold of the money. The film stars Vittorio Gassman, Renato Salvatori and Claudia Cardinale. “Discovery at dawn” is an adaptation of a novel by former Rome mayor Walter Veltroni that deals with a woman’s painful past. The film is directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli.

Where: Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, Connaught Place, New Delhi
When: February 28; Fiasco in Milan, 2 pm; Discovery at Dawn, 4 pm

Bengaluru

FOOD

Dinner with the master chefs: Here's your chance to experience a specially curated dinner prepared by Masterchef Australia finalists Emelia Jackson and Renae Smith. Jackson's specialisation is desserts, while Smith's forte is whipping up vegetarian delicacies. This will be a black-tie dinner.

Where: High ultra lounge, World Trade Centre, Bengaluru
When: March 4, 7 pm onwards
Info: Prices start from Rs 4999. Tickets available on www.bookmyshow.com

MUSIC

Still got the blues : Guitarist and composer Wayne Krantz, the main member of the Wayne Krantz trio, who has also performed with Steely Dan and Billy Cobham, among others, will be performing live. Acknowledged for his prowess in jazz, jazz rock and fusion, Krantz will be accompanied by Grammy-nominated bass guitarist Anthony Jackson and Cliff Almond on the drums. Thermal And A Quarter will also be performing the same evening.

Where: Counter Culture, Whitefield, Bengaluru
When: February 28, 8.30 pm onwards

Folk meets rock: An evening of contemporary independent folk rock music, acoustic and electric, performed in Kannada, Hindi and English. The show will feature sets by Peepal Tree and Vasu Dixit (of Swarathma fame) Collective. The first set will be acoustic, urban folk music by Vasu Dixit Collective followed by Peepal Tree, an indie rock band .

Where: BFlat, 100 Feet Road, Indira Nagar
When: February 27, 9 pm

THEATRE

Five life stories, one play: In "All About Women", two sisters are at loggerheads with each other and then there is their mother; two women who are exceptionally close, until a third woman comes into their lives; three friends who work for the same firm all with the same ambition; three kindergarten girls and three ladies in a retirement home, all waiting to perform in a concert. Three actors play five roles ranging in age from 5 to 90 years in age in a play that alternates and interweaves five life stories. The play has been directed by Arundhati Raja.

Where: Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar, Bengaluru
When: March 3, 7.30 pm
Info: Tickets available on www.bookmyshow.com