Czech and Slovak Newsletter - March 2011

Slovaks in Australia 2012: The Calendar

On Sunday, 6. March the photographer Juraj Polak, the costume collector Ivana Jancar and 16 models in folklore costumes gathered to shoot photographs for the Slovaks in Australia 2012 calendar. It was a fun day and we now have over 260 beautiful photographs to select from. Once done with that, we'll have the graphic design created for the calendar and printing will be the final step. No timetable has been set for the production process and we'll keep you updated on the progress.

A massive Thank you goes out to Juraj Polak, Ivana Jancar, Mrs. Vana, restaurant Koliba and all those who dedicated their time and bodies to make another of our projects possible.

For more information about the upcoming calendar, please, visit http://slovaksinaustralia.com.au/2012 . Although the website is still under construction, you can already read and discuss articles, view the album of photos taken on the day and listen to the SBS Radio interview about the calendar. Feel free to leave a comment.

Cechomor Australian Tour

Only two days left till Cechomor are on in Melbourne. Reviews from the Sydney and Adelaide gigs have been great and this is really looking like good fun! The National Theatre in St Kilda is an almost 800 seat venue and we're going to need many of you, fellow Czechs and Slovaks in Victoria, to join us, enjoy the concert and make the audience look not empty, too. Call National Theatre Box Office (03) 95254611.

Date: Saturday, 19. March, 7:30pm
Location: 20 Carlisle St (cnr Barkly St), St Kilda VIC 3182

Czech and Slovak Night at Koliba: The April Fools Special

After over a hundred people showed up at Sumava last month for a huge night out, we're returning to Koliba. This is going to be the fifth time we're having a Czech and Slovak Night and again, it's a special one. On Monday, 4. April, we're having an April Fools themed night!

Date: Monday, 4. April, 6pm - 11pm
Location: Koliba Czech and Slovak Restaurant, 11 Johnston Street, Collingwood VIC 3066

What exactly the April Fools theme means we don't know. It's up to you. You show us! We all love to share a laugh and don't mind laughing at ourselves, so anything that would make you look like a fool will do. A silly t-shirt, a pen that gives electric shocks or a full fledged costume, it's all up to you. If you believe not wearing a mask is what makes you look like a fool the most, it's your choice. Also, feel free to come up with jokes and pranks, just play it safe.

You may be interested to hear that the night's funniest person is to be awarded a $1.000 voucher from Koliba Restaurant. Just a heads-up, the one and only DJ Hukacka himself is attending, too. If you can beat his funny face and win, it's the money well earned.

This time we're also going to have Zuzka Suster play violin. We keep looking to get more musicians to start joining us at the Czech and Slovak Nights. So feel free to bring an accordion, flute or guitar.

Here's what the Koliba guys place on offer for the night:

• $20 traditional Czech or Slovak meal + a beer
• $5 Budvar on tap
• $5 shots
• $1.000 voucher for the funniest person of the night!

Astro Night at Sumava

Steve Homolya, who we met at the Czech and Slovak Night at Sumava and who played accordion there, has contacted us. He seems to have a couple of interesting hobbies! I've got to say the night sky at Sumava is just amazing, but here's what the expert has to say about it:

In the coming months the best day for an astronomy night at the Chech-Slovak club in Belgrave would be Saturday 9th April. Because of the phase of the Moon, it is the only weekend that is really worth doing. Saturn will be very well placed and the Milky Way will be showing off its best assets as well. I was thinking that in the afternoon I could do an informal presentation about the night sky and telescopes, and answer the most frequently asked questions that I have been asked by people who looked through my telescopes.

That sounds like a fun night with great views and loads of information for both kids and grown ups. Like we always do, we'll be hoping for good weather, but even in case of rain or cloudy sky, you can join us for a cup of tea and a chat. For a list of night sky objects to be seen on the night, please, visit http://vodafest.org/event/astro-night-sumava

Date: Saturday, 9. April, 5pm
Location: Sumava Peksa Park, 46 Locks Way, Belgrave South VIC 3160

Easter Workshop for Everyone

If you're looking for an inspiration for what to do and what to cook over the Easter weekend, just a week before it, on 16. April, the Easter Workshop for Everyone takes place at Sumava Peksa Park.

Date: Saturday, 16. April, 11am - 5pm
Location: Sumava Peksa Park, 46 Locks Way, Belgrave South VIC 3160

The workshop is organized and conducted by Maria Garland, who advises the free activities for kids and adults include:

• Making dummy of Morena, making wicker whip (korbac, pomlazka), decorating egg shells,
• Cooking donuts (sisky and fanky), tasting home made Easter themed platters,
• Egg and spoon race family competition, singing Easter songs and dancing with kids

A gold coin donation entry fee will be used to cover costs of materials for the cooking demonstration and egg decorating, as well as use of the Sumava facilities.

Please, bring along a couple of eggs or empty egg shells to decorate, an Easter themed food platter for four people to share, and your own lunch and drinks. Campfire and BBQ facilities are available on site, Sumava will also cater for wet and cold weather.

Dovidenia/nashledanou,
Jan