NIGHTLIFE

27 October
Bombatt
A night of indie rock from DJ Bob and 60s mod/garage and big beat sounds from M Vella at Ciao Fra, Xemxija, starting from 10pm. Costume is optional.

27 October
Reggae/Ska/Spanish Party
Party featuring Reggae, Ska and Spanish music at Tigulio, St Julian’s. Kalimoto and Sangria will be offered at 95c a pint.

THEATRE

26 - 28 October
Doubt
Masquerade opens its theatrical season with Doubt by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Anthony Bezzina at St James Cavalier. Set against the backdrop of a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, it tells the story of a staunch-minded nun faced with a difficult decision. Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues, even if she’s not entirely certain of the truth? The play won many awards when it opened in 2005 - including Best Play for 2005 and also the Pulitzer Prize for 2004 - becoming the biggest sensation Broadway has seen in years. The cast includes Monica Attard, Malcolm Galea, Faye Paris and Evelyn Duah. Tickets to be booked at St James Cavalier (21223200), from 10.00am till 9.00pm daily. www.masquerademalta.com

26 - 28 October; 2, 4
November
Bla Kondixin 2007
Bla Kondixin satirises the elections this year. The cast includes Hector Bruno, Mario ‘Snits’ Spiteri returning to the stage as the unlucky Ciklist and Paul Portelli playing a range of characters – the most recognisable of which is the Lajburist. Dominic Said plays the agony aunt Angela Parnajs, and P. J. Xerxen transforms himself into a Sheik from Dubai. There will also be a few new faces. A new feature this year includes an interview with a well-known personality live each night. The audience will vote on how well the personality fared during the interview, and a failure will cost the guest dearly.
Bla Kondixin 2007 will be held at the Sir Temi Zammit, University of Malta. Performances start at 7.30p.m. Booking from St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity on 21 223216, or boxoffice@sjcav.org. www.blakondixin.com.

EXHIBITIONS

Until 18 November
Work in 20th Century Maltese art
An exhibition of paintings representing manual labour on the island over the century, curated by Dennis Vella at the Main Hall of St James Cavalier. In Vella’s words: “The main occupations that have interested Maltese artists working in the twentieth century are stone masonry and building, fishing and harbour-work and agriculture. On the other hand, due to their lack of obvious pictorial appeal, trades and jobs that have hardly ever been treated are industrial ship repair and construction, besides mass-manufacture in factory environments. As can be imagined, hardly anyone has bothered with office workers.”

Until 16 December
Caravaggio and Paintings of Realism in Malta
The long-awaited exhibition will be held at the St John’s Co-Cathedral Annex, Valletta as part of the Caravaggio 400 celebrations, marking Caravaggio’s presence in Malta.
Caravaggio’s ‘Portrait of a Knight’, which the Baroque master painted while on the island, will be the highlight of this showcase.

Until 7 November
Lust for Colours of Life
An exhibition of oil paintings by Ljupco Samardziski will open on Wednesday 17 October at 7:30pm at the Artitude Gallery, Tigne Street, Sliema. Born in Macedonia and beginning his artistic career as a soloist on double-bass, he went to hold exhibitions in a number of European galleries. He has won several awards, including ‘Foreign artist of the year’ in Mexico, the Grand Prix International in Arles, ‘92, Special Malta International Biennale President’s Award and others. He lives in Paris and Malta.

Until end of October
Art into Fashion
Nicole Cushcieri will be next in line to present her work at the 2_22 wine bar in Marsamxett, Valletta. ‘Art into Fashion’ will feature video art, photography, illustration, sculpture and live performance. For more information please visit: http;//www.nannakola.com and http://www.two-twentytwo.com or else email: citycircus@gmail.com.

Until 26 October
The Cave of the Centaurs
An exhibition of paintings by Anthony Catania at the Contemporary Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Open Monday to Sunday from 9.00am - 5.00pm (Last Admission 4.30pm).

Until 4 November
Etcetera, perche la
minesstra si fredda
An exhibition of paintings by Franco Navarro at the Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta.

Until 30 November
Caravaggio: l’Immagine del Divino
An exhibition of original masterpieces of Caravaggio, organised by Heritage Malta and Romartificio Eventi d’Arte. At the Salon in the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta. Open Monday to Sunday from 9.00am - 7.00pm (last admission at 6.30pm).

30 December
Malta’s Mediterranean
Trilogy: Bread, Oil and Wine
An exhibition organised by Heritage Malta as part of the EU programme Trimed. At the Ta’ Kola Windmill, Xaghra Gozo. Open Monday to Sunday from 9.00am - 5.00pm (last admission at 4.30pm).
MUSIC

27 October
Pristine 3
The third edition of the urban music festival will be taking place at Styx, Axis from 10:00pm. Dress code is black and white. This festival of Hip Hop, R’n’B and Breakbeats will feature Sixth Simfoni, Eyass (from the UK), Rusty Cowboy, Nitrox, Vinnie Skillz, Dimal and Nik Rothic. Tickets are at Lm3.50. All proceeds will be going towards the Jesuit Refugee Service. Ticket outlets: Punkyfish (Sliema, Valletta, Paola); White Arrow (Msida, University). Ticket hotline: 79253464
www.myspace.com/hiphopmalta, www.myspace.com/pristineurbanfestival

October 26 - 28
Manoel Theatre Swings with GO
A concert of swing standards arranged to a modern jazz flare and performed by a 16-piece big band with vocalists Nadine Axisa and Daniel Cauchi will be held at the Manoel Theatre, 8:00pm. Under the musical direction of Sigmund Mifsud, the programme includes numbers from the repertoires of Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Diana Krall and Michael Buble. Tickets at Lm10.00, Lm6.00, Lm4.00

QUIZ NIGHTS

Thursdays
Quiz Nights
Quiz Nights held at Ciao Frà, Xemxija. Entrance next to Beachaven. Every Thursday at 9.00pm, tables team up to fill in a self-completion quiz pack of 40 general knowledge and current affairs questions. Winners receive Lm10 discount off their bill and a bottle of bubbly (both winners and runners-up). Participation fee Lm1. Reservations call: 99458567.

BOOK FAIR

14 - 18 November
Malta Book Fair
The 23rd edition of the Malta Book Fair will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. Entrance is free of charge. Buses from City Gate will take commuters to the MCC at a nominal price. Anyone visiting the fair will be given a ticket entitling them to participate in a lottery for books donated by the exhibitors. A variety of other activities will be held, including a poetry festival.