Here's what's going on in Riga in April and May. Guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel will impress crowds at the Riga Congress Centre on April 24

Rock, pop, jazz & More
April           
Date    Time    Event    Venue
2    20:00    Zola Jesus (USA). Goth, pop, experimental music. 13Ls    PR
4    21:00    Reason to Care (Germany), Crowns & Thieves (Germany). 2Ls   
4    22:00    One Hidden Frame (Finland). Punk rock    DP
5    22:00    Stanley (Finland) & Death Ray Boot (Sweden). Alternative, indie, garage rock    DP
7    21:00    Tear Them Down (Sweden) with opening acts. Punk. 2Ls   
9    16:00    Iļģi. Latvia's best folk music ensemble. 3Ls    SG
11    19:00    Dominic Miller Band. The former Sting collaborator will play the guitar with his band. 7 - 25Ls    GG
12    20:00    Zucchero (Italy): Chocabeck World Tour 2012. The World Music Award winner will perform his hits. 20 - 70Ls    AR
13    22:00    Cobain Day. Annual grunge night    DP
14    21:00    Wolves Like Us (Norway), Junius (USA), Soundarcade (LV). Metal. 3.50Ls    NK
14    22:00    Lechery (Sweden). Heavy metal    DP
19    22:00    Mad Lee Riot (Sweden). Rock, grunge    DP
20    22:00    Radio 101 Tuborg Green Spring with guests DaGamba, Latvian Blues Band, The Sound Poets and Satellites LV    PR
22    20:00    The Do (France). Experimental music    PR
22    22:00    Sincircus (Italy). Hardcore, metal    DP
24    19:00    Tommy Emmanuel (Australia). The acoustic guitar visrtuoso returns to Riga. 11 - 35Ls    RCC
24    20:00    Zemfira (Russia). Her only concert in Latvia. 16 - 100Ls    AR
26    19:00    Riga's Rhythms Music Festival. Christian McBride Trio (USA). Jazz concert. 5 - 25Ls    RCC
26    21:00    Riga's Rhythms Music Festival. CINEMACONCERT: Strauss String Quartet. 10Ls    RCC
27    19:00    Riga's Rhythms Music Festival.  Rudresh Mahanthappa (USA). 5 - 25Ls    RCC
27    21:00    Riga's Rhythms Music Festival. CINEMACONCERT: Busulis Ritovs Pabērzs Grunte     RCC
27    22:00    Distress (Russia). Punk, hardcore    DP
28    19:00    Riga's Rhythms Music Festival. Lizz Wright (USA). American gospel singer. 10 - 30Ls    RCC
           
May           
3    22:00    Psilocybe Larvae (Russia). Metal    DP
11    22:00    Signals (USA) & Juggling Jugulars (Finland). New wave, punk    DP
12    22:00    Myrah (Sweden). Goth rock    DP
14    19:00    Borislavs Strulevs (cello/USA) and the Tallinn Sinfonietta: from Haydn to ABBA. 9 - 25Ls    GG
17    19:00    Pink Martini (USA). Old fashioned, symphonic world pop music. 12 - 35Ls    RCC
19    22:00    Flynotes (Russia). Post punk    DP
           
Classical music
April           
Date    Time    Event    Venue
5    19:00    Pearls of Russian Music II. Lukas Geniušas (piano). Programme: S.Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30; S.Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44    GG
5    20:00    Bach's St John Passion. Elīna Volkmane (soprano), Sergejs Jēgers (countertenor), Adrian Strooper (tenor/Australia), Uku Joller (bass/Estonia), Pauls Putniņš (bass), Riga Cathedral Boys' Choir & Sinfonietta Rīga    SJ
6    19:00    Organ music concert on Good Friday. Inese Paiča (organ), SŌLA choir, Modus Vivendi choir. Programme: J.S. Bach, H. Schutz, G. Allegri, M. Dupre, M. Durufle, O. Messiaen, K. Nystedt, N. Rimsky - Korsakov, R. Jermaks    RC
8    19:00    Organ music concert on the Easter. Tālivaldis Deksnis (organ), Sonora Vaice (soprano), Alise Klimanska (flute). Programme: J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, V. Baštiks, R. Jermaks    RC
13    19:00    Sacred music concert. Benjamin Chewter (organ/UK), Collegium Vocale St. Wolfgang (Germany). Programme: J.S. Bach, W. Byrd, J. Rheinberger, J. Wagenaar, E. Bairstow, G. Finzi, W. Walton, J. Alain, J. Langlais, P. Mealor, W. Oquin, Ph. Stopford, E. Whitacre    RC
13    19:30    Mozart. Haydn. New work by Gotham. Sandis Šteinbergs (violin), Ilze Kļava (viola), Sinfonietta Rīga. Programme: Nic Gotham Chamber Symphony, Joseph Haydn Symphony in D major Hob.I:70, WA Mozart Sinfonia concertante in E flat major K. 364, WA Mozart Symphony in D major K 181    GG
13    19:30    Spīķeri Jazz. Silvesteri Orkesteri and Cannonball Adderley. Kārlis Vanags (flute/tenor saxophone), Renārs Lācis (alto saxophone), Ritvars Garoza (keyboards), Toms Poišs (double bass), Rūdolfs Dankfelds (percussion)    SK
18    19:30    Čaks. Maskats. Hotel Atlantis. Latvian Radio Choir and soloists Aldis Liepiņš and Arturs Maskats (piano). Programme: Arturs Maskats    SK
19    19:30    Čaks. Maskats. Hotel Atlantis. Latvian Radio Choir and soloists Aldis Liepiņš and Arturs Maskats (piano). Programme: Arturs Maskats    SK
20    19:00    Organ music concert. Jolanta Barinska (organ), Veronika Rinkule (piano), Jānis Rinkulis (cello). Programme: S. Karg - Elert, M. Dupre, J. Alain, Ch.M. Widor    RC
20    19:00    Pearls of Latvian Music. Egils Upatnieks (oboe), The State Choir Latvija. Programme: Vilnis Šmīdbergs Carousel; Arturs Maskats Capriccio for Oboe and Chamber Orchestra; Jānis Ivanovs Symphony No. 4, Atlantis    GG
20    19:30    Čaks. Maskats. Hotel Atlantis. Latvian Radio Choir and soloists Aldis Liepiņš and Arturs Maskats (piano). Programme: Arturs Maskats    SK
23    19:00    Richard Galliano (accordion, bandoneon, accordina/France) and his Sextet (France). Programme: De Bach A Piazzolla    OP
23    19:30    Spīķeri Jazz. Nordic Sounds (Estonia). Programme: Nordic soundscapes    SK
24    19:00    Kvintus Anima - Parler Francais (LNSO in Chamber Music). Programme: André Jolivet Serenade for wind quintet; Francis Poulenc Sonata for oboe, bassoon and piano, FP 43; Camille Saint-Saëns Tarantella for flute, clarinet and piano in A minor, Op. 6; Henri Dutilleux Sonatina for flute and piano; André Messager Solo de Concours for clarinet and piano    GG
26    19:00    Ints Dālderis and the Sensus String Quartet: Ilze Kirsanova (violin), Ilze Pence (violin), Tomas Savickas (viola), Jānis Rinkulis (cello) Ints Dālderis (clarinet). Programme: Joseph Haydn String Quartet No. 60 in G major, Op. 76, No. 1 ; Jean Françaix Quintet for clarinet and string quartet ; Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 44, No. 1     GG
26    19:30    Music from Sweden and Serbia. Ljiljana Jovanovič (soprano), Biljana Staffansson (soprano), Agnese Egliņa (piano). Programme: popular arias and duets    SK
27    19:00    Organ music concert. Ilze Reine (organ), LMA Women's choir. Programme: F. Mendessohn, C. Franck, Ch.M. Widor, G. Faure, R. Tompson, J. Busto    RC
27    19:30    Sacred Chants. Eternal Light. Latvian Radio Choir, Edgars Saksons (percussion), Ivo Krūskops (percussion). Programme: Morris Ravel, Heinz Holliger, Gundega Šmite, Tomás Luis da Victoria, Max Reger, Maija Einfelde, Andris Dzenītis    SGC
28    19:30    Mozart and Electric Violin. Thomas Gould (electric violin), Sinfonietta Rīga. Programme: Benjamin Britten Prelude and Fugue op. 29; Nico Muhly Concert for electric violin and orchestra Seeing is Believing; WA Mozart Serenade in D major K. 250 (Haffner)    GG
29    19:00    Sacred music concert. Maria Andersson & Anna Heverius (organ), Choir of St. Johan's church in Malme (Sweden). Programme: J. Sandström, K. Nystedt, J. M. Sjöberg, M. Lauridsen, E. Whitacre    RC
           
May           
4    19:00    Sacred music concert. Atis Stepiņš (organ), Gaismaspils choir, Vidus chamber choir, choir of church St. Pavel parish, Diāna Silova (soprano), Ansis Tālbergs (tenor). Programme: F. Mendelssohn, A. Lotti, G. Rosini    RC
5    19:30    Chamber Music in Spīķeri. Chamber Works by Pärt and Mozart. Ints Dālderis (clarinet), Sinfonietta Rīga String Quartet. Programme: Artūrs Grīnups, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Arvo Pärt, Imants Zemzaris    SK
9    19:00    Sacred music concert. Kronoby Manskör choir (Finland), Sven-Olof Ray (organ/conductor). Programme: A. Vivaldi, M. Reger, L. Boellmann, J. Sibelius, J. Kokkonen, E.L. Bjorklund, P. Backman, E. Fordell, S.O. Ray    RC
11    19:00    LNSO season closing concert. Guy Braunstein (violin). Programme: Ludwig van Beethoven Egmont Overture, Op. 84; Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 ; Sergei Prokofiev Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet Suite    GG
11    19:00    Organ music concert: The Cloister Idyll. Kristīne Adamaite (organ), Putni vocal ensemble. Programme: J.S. Bach, C. Franck, O. Messiaen, Alfr. Kalniņš, M. Einfelde    RC
11    19:30    Latvian Radio Chamber Singers. Berio and Electric Guitar. Latvian Radio Chamber Singers. Programme: Luciano Berio, Kristaps Pētersons    SK
16    19:00    Organ music concert. Alexander Kniazev (organ/Russia). Programme: J.S. Bach - Two fantasies, ten Chorale Preludes from the cycle Eighteen Chorale Preludes     RC
18    19:00    Organ music concert. Ilze Reine & Aigars Reinis (organ). Programme: W.A. Mozart, G. Merkel, B. Smetana, G. Litaize    RC
23    19:00    Organ music concert. Jan Lehtola (organ/Finland). Programme: O. Merikanto, M. Reger, W.H. Dayas     RC
25    19:00    Organ music concert. Roberts Hansons (organ)    RC
30    19:00    Organ music concert. Jacinta Bicāne (organ), Andžela Goba (soprano), Ēriks Kiršfelds (cello). Programme: J.S. Bach, C. Franck, M. Reger, M. Bruch, Dz. Kurme-Gedroica    RC
31    19:30    Sinfonietta Rīga Season Closing Concert with Ksenia Sidorova (accordion), Sinfonietta Rīga. Programme: HK Gruber Manhattan Broadcasts; Franz Schubert Symphony No. 2 in B flat major D 125; Erkki-Sven Tüür Passion & Illusion; Erkki-Sven Tüür Prophecy    SK
           
Opera & Ballet
April           
Date    Time    Event    Venue
1    15:00    Sleeping Beauty, ballet, Tchaikovsky    OP
4    19:00    Don Giovanni, opera, Mozart    OP
5    19:00    The Bright Stream, ballet, Shostakovich    OP
7    19:00    La Boheme, opera, Puccini    OP
11    19:00    A Midsummer Night's Dream. Comic ballet based on Shakespeare's play    OP
12    19:00    Carmen, opera, Bizet    OP
13    18:30    Cantando Y Amando. Mezzo-soprano Ilona Bagele performs songs by Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla    OPN
20    19:00    La Bayadére, ballet, Minkus    OP
21    18:30    Cantando Y Amando. Mezzo-soprano Ilona Bagele performs songs by Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla    OPN
21    19:00    La Bayadére, ballet, Minkus    OP
22    19:00    The Barber of Seville, opera, Rossini    OP
25    19:00    4 Worlds. 4 Elements. Ballet. Maskats' Tango, Pugni's Pas de quatre, Saint-Saëns's and Pugni's Maria's Dream and Vasks's Erda    OP
28    19:00    La Bayadére, ballet, Minkus    OP
29    15:00    Götterdämmerung, opera, Wagner    OP
30    19:00    17th International Baltic Ballet Festival gala concert    OP
           
May           
2    19:00    Madame Butterfly, opera, Puccini    OP
3    19:00    Swan Lake, ballet, Tchaikovsky    OP
5    19:00    Eugene Onegin, opera, Tchaikovsky    OP
6    19:00    Giselle, ballet, Adam    OP
9    19:00    The Fountain of Bakhchisaray, ballet, Shostakovich    OP
10    19:00    Aida, opera, Verdi    OP
11    19:00    La Bayadére, ballet, Minkus    OP
12    19:00    Don Giovanni, opera, Mozart    OP
14    19:00    El Arte de la Danza. A performance by Victor Ullate Ballet (Spain)    OP
18    18:30    Possible II. A classical and contemporary ballet evening with young talent    OP
24    19:00    Lucia di Lammermoor, opera, Donizetti    OP
28    19:00    A performance by Alvin Ailey II (USA)    OP
30    19:00    Sleeping Beauty, ballet, Tchaikovsky    OP
31    19:00    A concert by the students of the Riga Choreography School    OP

17th Annual Baltic International Ballet Festival
April           
Date    Time    Event    Venue
27    17:00    Festival opening at the Riga central train station    RCS
28        Festival photo exhibition at the Galerija Centrs shopping centre from 28.04 - 19.05. Open 10:00 - 21:00.    GC
28    19:00    Documentary film Pina by Wim Wenders. 3Ls    SP
30    19:00    Gala concert of world ballet stars from the Netherlands, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Portugal, Georgia, USA, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. 5- 30Ls    OP
           
May           
2    14:00    Opening of ballet exhibition at the Mentzendorff House. Free admission    MH
2    18:00    Opening of ballet and dance art exhibition at the Jāņa Sēta gallery. Free admission    JSG
8    16:00    A performance called Unusual Transport (Transports Exceptionnels) by the Beau Geste Dance Company (France). Free admission    RCS
9        Dancing Rhythms: a performance by Latvia's best dance troups. Donations    VEF
14    19:00    Magic of the Art of Dance (El Arte de la Danza) by the Victor Ullate Ballet (Spain). 5- 27Ls    OP
16    18:30    German documentary: Dancing Dreams – Youngsters Dancing Performance of Pina Bausch's Kontakthof. Free admission    GI
28    19:00    A performance by the Ailey II American dance company. 5 - 27Ls    OP

Venues
AR - Arena Riga            
BBC - Bites Blues Club   
DP - Depo
GG - Great Guild   
GI - Goethe Institute
MH - Mentzendorff House
NK - Nabaklab
OP - Opera
OPN - Opera New Hall
PR - Palladium Riga
RC - Riga Cathedral
RCC - Riga Congress Centre   
RCS - Riga Central Station
SF - Sapņu Fabrika
SG - Small Guild
SGC - St. Gertrudes Church   
SJ - St. John’s Church
SK - Spīķeri Concert Hall
SP - Splendid Palace
VEF - VEF Creative Complex