As the heat makes many flee Moscow for the countryside to relax in nature’s lap, there’s still a long list of attractions on offer in the Russian capital.

Music
 
Modern jazz festival – “Nu Note Lounge Fest” – at picturesque Arkhangelskoe Estate is this week’s must visit for music lovers. First held last year, the festival proved to be popular and attracted so much attention that it was decided to turn it into an annual event.  And it’s small wonder, thanks to a perfect combination of place and intelligent light jazz/blues music. The programme includes performances of world-famous lounge stars: Pat Appleton – DePhazz lead singer (Germany), INCOGNITO  (Great Britian), Jazzanova  (Germany), Montefiori Cocktail (Italy), Nightmares on Wax (UK), VFSix (Russia), Dj Valer  (Russia), ZventaSventana (Russia).
 
In addition to a great musical programme, you may choose between resting in chill-out garden houses, relaxing smoking hookah, having fun on dance floors and just lying on the grass enjoying yourself. And, of course, there will be cafes and restaurants serving food for those who get hungry in the open air. Is there a better way to spend summer's last weekend?
 
The fest kicks off on August 25 at 1400.
 
Address: Arkhangelskoe Estate, 5th kilometre of Ilinskoye Shosse, then bus 151 or 549, Tushinskaya metro station, TEL:  797-5409, 561-9660, 363-1375, 8-901-782-6133.

The Horonko Orchestra

 
They mix sympho-jazz and rap, Latino and rock, French chanson and punk. Each of their performance is a bright show, cabaret, absurd, and a bit of decadence. Horonko Orchestra  – a team of professional jazzmen lead by a dramatic actor – is in Moscow this week. On August 24, the band performs in Kitajsky Letchik Jao Da (Chinese Pilot Djao Da), – one of the best of Moscow’s live music clubs – at 2300. 
 
Address: Lubyansky proezd, 25. Metro 'Kitaj-gorod', tel. 623-28-96. All concerts start at 2300. Entrance fee is 200-300 roubles.
 
And on Saturday, Horohko Orchestra is at 16 Tons Club, at 2300.
 
Address: 16 Tons, Presnensky Val 6, bldg. 1, Ulitsa 1905 Goda metro station, TEL: 253 53 00, 253 05 30
 
And alternative rock fans are welcomed at Club X.O. for Tequilajazz  gig. The St. Petersburg’s band, known for its energetic live performances, characteristic rhythm section, rather minimalistic yet inventive arrangements, will perform here on Saturday at 2200.
 
Address: Rock Club X.O., Krzhizhanovskogo st., 1, Profsoyuznaya metro staion,  TEL: 125-5349
 
Clubbers or those who simply feel like dancing this weekend are invited to B1 Maximum where Basement Jaxx, a world-famous progressive-house project, will perform on Sunday. A UK electronic dance music duo, comprising South Londoners Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe, rose to popularity in the late 1990s and is one of the most interesting projects of last decade. Their ‘Crazy Itch Radio’ studio album released in 2006 also appeared to be super-confident.  It’s stuffed with colourful individuals – there's a 50-year-old Russian accordion player, Swedish pop singer Robyn, and east London Lady Marga. It mixes styles and instruments which seem to be out of character. And it’s definitely a noticeable event in dance music. So, don’t miss the chance to see them live on August 26, at 1900.    
 
Address: B1 Maximum Club, Ordzhonikidze st., 11, Leninsky Prospekt metro station, TEL:   648-6777

Cinema

Comedies, spy-movies and even some XXX in Moscow’s English-speaking cinemas this weekend.  

The longest standup comedy in the history of American television and one of the most popular cartoons in the world finally hits the big screen. If you want to see the ‘The Simpsons Movie’ in English language you must head to the eleventh screen ('Zal 11') of the ‘Oktyabr’ multiplex in the very heart of Moscow, on Novy Arbat street. Your favourite characters have never looked so well, as $US 75 MLN were spend on the film’s production. And they’ve never been that funny either. It’s surely the best thing to experience on the weekend.

Homer – the head of the Simpsons family

 
And another premiere at the multiplex is the long awaited ‘Bourne Ultimatum’, which is the third and final part of the spy-thriller trilogy about Jason Bourn. Matt Damon plays the main part of a well trained special agent, who had lost his memory and now trying to recover the truth about his previous life. And this time he is going to find out everything he wants!

Address: Novy Arbat Street, 24, Metro 'Smolenskaya', tel. 545-05-05

The Dome cinema shows 'Stardust'.the screen adaptation of a fantasy novel by one of America's favorite science-fiction authors – Neil Gaiman, and the most expensive British movie of all times. You can also watch 'Transformers'  from director Michael Bay and producer Steven Spielberg and ‘Knocked up’, a shocking comedy dedicated to the hardships of pregnancy

Address: Olimpisky Prospect 18/1 (The Renaissance Hotel), 'Prospect mira' metro

You should be over 18 years old to go to 35MM cinema this weekend. Because the theatre is brave enough to screen the ‘Destricted’ movie, a collective project by a group of famous directors made on the thin line that separates provocative art from pornography.
 
Address: Pokrovka street, 47/24, Metro 'Kurskaya' or 'Krasnye Vorota', tel. 917-18-83
 
Ballet and Dance
 
The annual Summer Ballet Festival takes place on the stage of Moscow’s ‘New Opera' theatre from June 17 till August 28. This unique Russian mega-project is dedicated to making classical ballet popular with the masses. Four world famous ballet groups are taking part in this year's festival.
 
On August 24,25 “Imperial Russian Ballet”, where such Russian stars as Vladimir Malakhov, Nikolay Tsiskaridze, and Elena Andrienko work, performs “Shaharazade”,  a choreographic scene from ‘Faust’ called ‘Walpurgis Nights’, and ‘Bolero’.
 
Address: The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre, Karetny Ryad 3/2 (Hermitage Garden), Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya or Mayakovskaya metro stations. Trolley buses: B or 10 to Karetny Ryad. Booking information: 505-68-03, 784-56-35. The performances start at 1900.

'Korean Fantasy' by the National Dance Company of Korea

 
Also, this week you get a chance to learn a thing or two about South Korea, as the East Asian republic’s art festival is being held in Moscow. One of its highlights is the “Korean Fantasy” performance by the National Dance Company of Korea that includes Dance with fans, Crane dance, Shaman ritual dance, Dance with drums and Dance with swords.  The show will take place at “Teatrium” on August 25 at 1900.
 
Address: ‘Teatrium na Serpukhovke’, Pavlovskaya st, 6, Serpukhovskaya or Dobryninskaya metro stations, TEL: 237-1689, 236-8504, 237-1689, 237-5236
 
Exhibitions
 
Last chance to see! If jewellery is your thing, you won't want to miss the exhibition of masterpieces brought to Russia by the world-famous French firm Cartier. The Moscow Kremlin Assumption Belfry is hosting the ‘Cartier: innovation through the XXth century’ exhibition, which will be on display from May 25 till August 25. 

Address: The Moscow Kremlin, Borovitskaya, Biblioteka imeni Lenina, Aleksandrovskiy sad, Arbatskaya, Teatralnaya, Ploschad Revolyutsii, or Okhotniy Ryad metro stations. The Kremlin’s territory and museums open daily, except Thursdays, from 10:00 to 17:00.
 
If photography is your passion, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art presents “Walks among Moscow Columbaria”, a project by the famous Russian photographer Aleksandr Zabrin. An unsurpassed jazz chronicler of the late Soviet epoch, a musician-improvisor from photo art now turns into a topographer-documentarist. Charmed by forgotten fates, he walks through cemeteries, trying to decode “messages” on the headstones. You can join Zabrin’s ‘walk’ from August 2 till August 26.

Address: Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Ermolaevsky lane, 17,  Mayakovskaya metro station, TEL: 694-28-90

Steam diesel locomotive (1939)

 
“Russian Railways. The Great Road” is an exhibition currently on display at the State Historical Museum.  Dedicated to 170th anniversary of the railway in Russia, it presents a collection of 459 items from museums and archives that highlight the role of the railroads in Russia. Among the exhibits there are models of trains – from the very first ones to the most up-to-date maps, paintings, photographs and uniforms, to name but a few. What makes the exhibition even more interesting is that its organisers have managed to recreate the atmosphere of a railway station with its noise and bustle. Visitors get a chance to watch historical scenes looking through coach windows. 

Also, the State Historical Museum presents a unique exhibition entitled 'Gold. Metal of Gods and God of Metals.'  An outstanding collection representing two past millenniums includes art works and household items, orders and medals, jewellery and amulets, antique dinner-sets, weapons and a lot more.

Address: Krasnaya Ploshchyad (Red Square), ½, Metro 'Teatralnaya', 'Okhotny ryad' or 'Ploshchyad revolutsyi'

Have a great weekend!