A Teatru Manoel masterclass invites members of the public to opera sessions being given by legendary soprano Mariella Devia. On February 10, a very special kind of Teatru Manoel masterclass will be held in two sessions. Each session will be… Read moreDo you want to see an opera master in action?
From stunning churches to amazing performances, here is what’s going down this week during the Valletta Baroque Festival. The Valletta Baroque Festival enjoyed a buzzing first week and now, the shenanigans are set to continue today as The Valletta Baroque… Read moreValletta Baroque Festival – Week 2
Remember Loranne Vella’s dystopian tale of social media gone wrong and extremism galore? The year in which Magna Mater is set is NOW, and the writer’s prognosis was rather horrifyingly on point. Magna Mater , Merlin Publishers’ 2011 Young Adult… Read moreMagna Mater is now
Oscar Wilde, the ultimate wag, lands at Teatru Manoel with The Importance of Being Earnest, one of the playwrights most widely-lauded scripts. With the tagline ‘A Trivial Comedy for Serious People‘, you don’t need to be a committed Wildian to… Read moreA purely Victorian send-up, or totally relatable satire?
Teatru Malta 2020 proposes some exciting ideas. Will expectations be met? The Teatru Malta 2020 programme, launched Friday at Spazju Kreattiv, quotes a 75% audience attendance that, if accurate, points towards Malta’s national theatre company making considerable inroads into one… Read moreTeatru Malta 2020: Sunny With A Chance Of Awesome
Alexia Coppini’s pop art brings to mind the iconic artist. So artist Alexia Coppini has given Beltin: Stejjer Minn Nies Minsija and I the Andy Warhol treatment, and I’m super chuffed. Some of you may be familiar with Coppini’s beautiful… Read moreA Dash of Andy Warhol
Lupu Lupettu’s eagerly-awaited comeback There’s a reason why the Lupu Lupettu series is one of the most popular with children in Malta. It’s colourful, it’s fun, and it really puts paid to any ideas that reading may somehow be considered… Read moreTwo books that will definitely get the kiddos reading
Valletta Baroque Festival kicks off on January 10 Seems like only yesterday that the idea of a first-ever Baroque Music Festival was tentatively floated in Malta. Fast forward eight years on and, the Valletta Baroque Festival is not only still… Read moreBaroque’s Back, Baby!
Valletta Contemporary has launched residencies on the sister isle for creative practitioners The Valletta Contemporary residency programme aims to introduce artists and creative practitioners to Gozo’s offering as an inspiring creative environment with plenty of opportunities for exploration and discovery… Read moreAre you an artist eyeing a residency in Gozo?
Where the classic favourites flirt with some wow flavours. A hearty Sunday lunch is one of the best things about the winter season, and screw the post-Christmas diet is what I say. Especially when it is a Corinthia Palace lunch…. Read moreA Corinthia Palace Lunch
And we are so ready Inspired by New York’s world-famous MET Gala, (you know the one, the fashion-art event that’s always drilling celebs doing paparazzi-worthy stuff) The MET[A] Gala is hosted by Valletta Contemporary, Valletta’s iconic contemporary arts space. Already… Read moreMalta’s first Met[A] Gala happens tomorrow
Panto in the Dark is back with a second edition that sets out to prove what an exciting time it is to be a theatre-maker in Malta. Panto in the Dark, the second edition, is up soon. Written and directed… Read more‘Never underestimate your audience’
Every part is essential towards creating a gorgeous entire season, Kenneth Zammit Tabona says ahead of Monteverdi Project performance. For the past two years or so, a group of singers have been undergoing training in ensemble work and Baroque vocal… Read more‘Planning the Teatru Manoel music programme is like working on a mosaic’
Monteverdi Project performance to include recently discovered work by Balzano. Since 2017, The Monteverdi Project, which was devised by Teatru Manoel Artistic Director Kenneth Zammit Tabona, has seen a group of musicians and singers following a series of masterclasses by… Read moreMdina Archives an ‘Incredible Resource for Malta’ – Monteverdi Project
Parascandalo gives streetwear its sexy back. SALVAGED BEGINNINGS – The new collection from Parascandolo possesses all the designer’s trademark cool and then some more, with an intriguing backstory that points towards his quintessentially Maltese identity and a childhood growing up… Read moreFaqa’ Oħt – Salvaged Beginnings
Gifts, food & seasonal cheer! Malta Artisan Markets will be holding a Grand Christmas Market at Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December from 10am to 6pm (last entry 5:30pm). And, if you love shopping, quirky gifts and… Read more3 reasons you need to visit this Grand Christmas Market
Undoubtedly, one of the largest events during this time of the year for lovers of art and classical music is the Malta International Organ Festival. This year, the festival kicked off on November 22 and runs till December 6, offering a total… Read moreMalta International Organ Festival moving to a gran finale
Chamber of Fashion Malta celebrates 5 years The Chamber of Fashion Malta Foundation last week celebrated its fifth year anniversary, and the event at the Chamber of Commerce dripped style – just as would be expected from our fashion leaders…. Read moreItalian-made collection of fashion designs on show in Valletta
A peek inside a traditional Swedish Christmas. Milied Imħawwad, by Ingelin Angerborn and Per Gustavsson. Translated by Ġorġ Mallia and Marie Louise Kold. What Rutan really really wanted for Christmas was her friend Elsa to move back to her city – but… Read moreThis book is a Christmas Advent Calendar with stories
For years, a personal crisis of faith had caused pianist and composer Alex Vella Gregory to approach religion with “anger, bordering on self-destructive disdain”. Today, instead, he creates beautiful sonatas, replete with symbolism, and described as a “catalyst for personal… Read more‘Stemming from a crisis of faith’
Afternoon Tea at the Corinthia Palace I love a good afternoon tea – or high tea, as we used to call them in the 1980s – even more than a good brunch. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a –… Read moreTea fit for a Queen
And anyone who visits Ħożż il-Ħsejjes exhibition can have a go on it! By the clicking of our thumbs, something different this way comes. This year’s ŻiguŻajg Children’s Festival includes an interactive exhibition and installation – Ħożż il-Ħsejjes – which… Read moreThese guys built a massive musical instrument for ŻiguŻajg
Currently showing at Spazju Kreattiv, A State of Limbo is artist James Micallef Grimaud‘s latest exhibition. Showcasing a collection of large-scale paintings, sculpture, installations and a collection of Lino prints, it is a reflection of the ineffectual way the authorities… Read moreMigration: Malta tactics ‘clumsy’
Chiara Hyzler is directing JamBoy, part of the ŻiguŻajg Children’s Festival. She explains how the play targets the competitive element we foster in today’s students. What was your first reaction when you read the script? As a member of the… Read more‘Every child is different and this is 100% acceptable’
ŻiguŻajg‘s Jamboy takes to task the current school system. With more focus being placed on learning things by rote and studying for exams rather than for actual learning the subject, playwright Denise Mulholland feels that it is no surprise that… Read more‘If you run an education system that suppresses creativity, don’t be surprised when that’s what it does’
Ray Lee brings Congregation to Malta as part of the Three Palaces Festival. Here, the artist shares the concept and the creative process.
Ensemble deNOTE founder and pianist John Irving shares some thoughts ahead of the Mozart-themed performance taking place at Teatru Manoel that will feature an actual Broadwood. Ensemble deNOTE made waves across the UK for bringing 18th-century music to 21st audiences… Read more‘Mozart’s music literally changed my life’
Three Palaces Festival to see Caravaggio’s most famous paintings brought alive as Ludovica Rambelli Theatre create a Tableau Vivante.
Burlesque by Undine La Verve returns to the Spazju Kreattiv stage When Burlesque artist Undine Le Verve first hit the Maltese stages years ago, many eyebrows were raised. But, with the third edition of Maltese coming up, reactions have changed… Read more‘Women call the shots’
Visceral and unapologetically primeval. Min Hi, Teatru Malta’s newest offering, was made public to a storm of controversy, thanks to some highly effective pieces of street theatre. I have to confess that I tend to be quite wary when this… Read moreMin Hi: a tour de force for Teatru Malta
And with it, Jessica Martin, her of Dr Who fame. Here, she speaks about her participation in this year’s Con and about her career as actress, writer and artist. You are an actress, writer and artist – which creative field… Read moreMalta Comic Con is back
Beltin: Stejjer Minn Nies Minsija is finally printed and will be available for sale from the Malta Book Festival and from bookstores.
Dr Thomas Craig’s theatrical seance has moved to a new location in Paola, but the Ouija Board is still on!
Malta’s theatre – a state of play We are all in agreement that Simone Spiteri’s seminal work Appuntamenti was a game-changer on the Maltese theatre scene. Only… was it, really? It certainly opened up the gates for potential change. It… Read moreAppuntamenti – so did it really change the game?
Simone Spiteri’s Appuntamenti, winner of the Francis Ebejer Prize for Playwrights in 2009, is being staged by Du Theatre.
A Michelin-star dinner at Corinthia Palace Corinthia Palace’s indefatigable Chef Stefan Hogan recently invited Sicilian Chef Pino Cuttaia to deliver a unique, Quattro Mani dining experience at The Villa. I received my invitation with no small degree of excitement. Not… Read moreA Sicilian and a Maltese walked into a kitchen…
Or, how I scoffed an 8-course meal without even looking I have heard of the concept of blindfolded/dark dining, of course, being carried out abroad. But, as far as I am aware, only Bahia has done that here. Do feel free… Read moreBlindfolded dining at Bahia
All-female cast for Accidental Death of an Anarchist When Masquerade stages the famous political farce Accidental Death of an Anarchist this November, it will be difficult for the audience not to draw parallels between the real-life event that Nobel Prize-winning… Read moreMasquerade takes on powerful political satire
And Malta is making another bid for the Malta Book of Records The infection is spreading. And if you’re a zombie nerd like I am, you will be super happy to know that those guys who brought you the Zombie… Read moreZombie season is with us, bang on time for Halloween
‘Certain demographics are not exposed to art, and do not distinguish between an artistic statement and reality’ Reuben Zahra, the artistic director and composer behind Teatru Malta‘s upcoming stage production Min Hi? explains he has always been fascinated by grotesque… Read moreAfter street performances, Min Hi to hit Realto stages
And it was all to launch a fun, new book for young readers . L-Ispettaklu Stupend Żanżan Kelma, written by Deborah Abela, has just been released in its Maltese version under the Merlin Publishers label. The tension in the school… Read moreMalta got its own Spelling Bee competition
Ben Elton’s hit musical, We Will Rock You, kicks off this weekend Get ready to raise the roof in the Malta debut of We Will Rock You, the musical phenomenon by Queen and Blackadder-writer Ben Elton. FM Theatre Productions is… Read moreMalta is ready to rock!
Overhearing a woman casually describing her teenage daughter’s suicide opened the eyes of theatre power-couple Angele and Malcolm Galea to a life that was completely alien to them. The result is a real-life play that tackles three generations of Maltese… Read moreWhen prostitution is the only way to live
And we can’t wait to see Roger Tirazona put on his best tango shoes as the legendary Gomez Addams! We have DLS Productions – or rather, ARTHAUS, as it is now known since its recent rebranding – to thank for… Read moreThe Addams Family hits Malta’s stages in March
Bubbles & Surf at Taro Bubbles are some of my favorite things. I could happily drink champagne, instead of water, if it weren’t so expensive. Whoever came up with that quote, thank you. You are my spirit animal. When Taro… Read moreThis food and beverage pairing experience gets my thumbs up
and for angels, too And Tango Nuevo Quintet are planning to show us exactly what they mean while performing Astor Piazzolla’s tango nuevo in a concert that gives homage to the popular musical masterpieces of the Argentinian composer. The concert, Diablo y Angel… Read moreTango is for devils…
Want to be part of the largest Ouija board session in Europe? Dr Thomas Charles Craig’s Seance gives you the opportunity to do just that and promises to serve all the chills on your favourite fright night. And let’s not… Read moreY’all ready for Halloween yet?
An exhibition by Alex Urso – called What remains of Europe? Postcards from Grand Hotel Europa – poses the question through visual art. Interview by Karsten Xuereb. The name Alex Urso may as yet not be familiar within the visual… Read moreIs ‘Europe’ still relevant?
The House of Lilly Mae Fashion Show You know me, I’m more likely to be seen scoffing down a scone than soaring on sophistication. But, when I received an invite to this second edition of the Lilly Mae fashion show… Read moreA celebration of womanhood
Remember that creepy woman bashing dolls in Zebbug? Well, here’s the real story… Public reaction to a series of appearances by a masked woman in Żebbuġ and other villages was rather… disturbing. After I uploaded a video on this website’s… Read more‘It’s our responsibility as National Theatre to take risks’
This was director Antoine Farrugia‘s first outing and I am sure he is satisfied with the outcome. The couple of hours I spent there, I planned well and managed to catch a number of performances and events and bumped (literally)… Read moreNotte Bianca rolled by again last Saturday and my, were the crowds ready for it.
Did women’s rights just take a deeper dive in Malta’s law courts? Things I learnt yesterday. Until age 20, you are at perfect liberty to get absolutely wasted. And, while wasted, you are also at liberty to assault anyone with… Read moreSexually assaulted ‘for no good reason’
Sticky Banana Gingerbread From the new book 365: A Year of Everyday Cooking, no less. Rather than showing off the fruit in all its baked beauty on top of the loaf, Meike Peters‘ sticky banana gingerbread swallows it instead. It… Read moreDoes the idea of an exclusive Meike Peters recipe make you happy?
365 – A Year of Everyday Cooking & Baking, is Meike Peters’ second book. In 2016 she scooped the James Beard Award from right under the nose of The Barefoot Contessa with her first book. Now, Meike Peters is back… Read moreMeike Peters’ new recipe book has landed
Their new single Oceans is a socially-driven track. It claps back at governments world wide for failing to address the migration problem in a humane manner The track expresses the struggle to understand why people are threatened by diversity and… Read moreMaltese duo Berne is back
Today I found paradise and had tea with Alice. Well, not really, but attending the Pink Tea Garden really did feel like I had stumbled into a fairyland. Working a high-pressure job 24 x 7, I had not realised how… Read moreThe Pink Tea Garden
Just add a random ‘really?!?!’ from Alex Alden and we have the X-Factor trifecta! X-Factor power is real. Just check out Queen Ira Losco’s latest release Cannonball, a new single and video with princess-in-waiting Michela, also X-Factor winner if you… Read moreAn Ira Losco & Michela collab!
We’ve already established I’m in love with Valletta. This week’s main write-up is also dedicated to our gorgeous capital. Meet writer, sailor, woman-extraordinaire Clare Francis. She sailed the Atlantic single-handedly back in 1976. Her novel Night Sky reached Number One… Read more‘You don’t want Malta to look like any other island’
Valletta’s newest restaurant reviewed What: underGrainWhere: The fine dining restaurant in the heart of the city Why: An invitation to review. When the lovely Gordon Borg, marketing head at AX Hotels, invited me over to try out Grain I didn’t… Read moreunderGrain refined dining is rather amazing
Artist Gabriel Buttigieg’s latest collection. On the last edition of the Sunday Times of Malta I ran a feature about artist Gabriel Buttigieg‘s latest collection, which he is showing in Gdansk, Poland. The Beach is a 13-strong collection of paintings… Read moreThe darkness in his sexuality
Why would it have been considered ‘normal’ for Mr Fenech to offer gifts in the five figure price bracket? So my last post about Malta’s biggest panto took Joseph Muscat to task for inviting the likes of Yorgen Fenech to… Read moreWhat’s the real story behind the Girgenti invitations?