June 2019

Mr Dauti, our "man in white" and Mr. Richard once again worked really hard!
They ripped out the old carpets, rejuvenated the underfloor layer, dragged up heavy laminate packs and installed them!

The new guest rooms look bright, are allergy-friendly and above all very cosy!

Thank you Mr. Dauti, thank you Mr. Richard!

On June 17, we will receive  21 (!) NEW box-spring beds!
It will take several STRONG men to carry up the beds to the 4th and 3rd floor through the staircase in order to assemble them on site!

The old beds have to be brought down to the building entrance for later removal.

From the late afternoon onwards, you will be able to ENJOY the COMFORT our new box-spring beds!

YOUR "good night's sleep" will be EVEN BETTER!

Fancy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee amid the oleander flowers and summer blooms? Then go straight to the 2nd Floor, sit down and enjoy.

On our terrace, the tables and chairs, deck chairs and parasols are out again for your pleasure. Take a short break with refreshments in complete tranquillity, before another round of sightseeing in the city.

A few days ago one of our neighbours came to see us in despair as she had locked herself out of her apartment but had left a window open.

Mr Richard immediately grabbed his THREE-section ladder, extended it to the full 15 (!) metres and boldly  climbed up to lofty heights! Somehow he then managed to unlock the door from the inside and bring the keys back our neighbour....
BRAVO Mr Richard!!

The American painter Mark Rothko is one of the pioneers of color field painting. Typical of his often majestically large compositions are the brilliant color fields, which seem to float on the canvas. Rothko's creations can now be seen for the first time at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.

Mark Rothko (1903-1970) is one of the most important artists of the 20th century and an important proponent of Abstract Expressionism, which he significantly influenced. His works are now being shown in Austria for the first time ever. The exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna offers an overview of Rothko's entire oeuvre – from his figurative beginnings in the 1930s to the works he created in the following decade in his so-called transitional phase, to the revolutionary paintings of the 1950s and 1960s.

Harmonious or charged with tension, luminous or dark, dominant or balanced – this is what Rothko's large paintings are known for. The painter is only rarely represented in European collections. All the greater is the gratitude expressed to the artist's children, without whose support this ambitious exhibition would not have been possible. Mark Rothko once said that he was creating an art "that would last at least a thousand years". The exhibition will get to the bottom of this conviction by looking at the artist's work through the prism of history.

Mark Rothko, March 12 - June 30, 2019
www.khm.at

Note: This exhibition can make you really dizzy! From the end of May, the mumok – Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna will be dedicating a special show to Op Art and the history of vertigo.

Optical Art (Op Art) consciously plays with the seemingly perceived reality of its viewers. Originally created in the mid-1950s, it uses reduced geometric forms that unfold under the optical effect of light, air, movement, and space. However, Op Art is not only concerned with the sense of sight alone. Rather, it is about experiencing art with the entire body. It shows us that perception literally lies in the eye of the beholder and in connection with the respective context.

Alfred Hitchcock's famous film lent its name to the exhibition title Vertigo. Op Art and a History of Deception 1520 – 1970. Like the exhibition, the film also works with the dual meaning of the term vertigo as a physical phenomenon as well as a sensory and cognitive deception. The show offers a broad spectrum of artistic works: among other things, panel paintings, reliefs, installations as well as films and computer-generated or computer-controlled works are shown. In order to once again take up the play of deceptions, the exhibition in the form of a labyrinth yet again causes confusion for the senses. So don't be disappointed – form your own impression. Or two.

Vertigo. Op Art and a History of Deception 1520 – 1970, May 25 - October 27, 2019
www.mumok.at

Camo & Krooked, Tocotronic, The Tiger Lillies, Wolfgang Ambros: International stars and Austrian greats set the mood at Europe's largest open-air event from June 21 to 23. Thirteen stages will simultaneously host concerts of all genres as well as an Austropop special. There are also cabaret, sport and children's programs. Roll on the summer!

For one weekend at the end of June, Vienna's Danube Island becomes a mega-party site for around three million visitors. Musicians of all genres will offer 600 hours of concerts at the Danube Island Festival. There's entertainment on various themed islands to suit every age and taste. Numerous food and drinks booths ensure that no one goes hungry or thirsty.

The Rock the Island Contest offers countless rising stars and new talents the opportunity to perform. Those who want to share in the spotlight can participate in karaoke.

Island visitors young and old can refresh themselves on the Family Island and have fun with many activities. On the Action & Fun Island, a number of challenges await the brave: At the Bagjump, you land on the air cushion after a flight of 10 meters; the drop is even bigger from the 15 meter-high Flower Tower. Or dare a ride in the Rrrrodeo.

36th Danube Island Festival, June 21-23, 2019
Information and program: www.donauinselfest.at

Gilberto Gil, Jamie Cullum, Snarky Puppy: from June 24 to July 10, the Vienna Jazz Festival will once again focus international jazz interest on top-class old masters, well-known stars and up-and-coming talents.

The 29th Vienna Jazz Festival will kick off with the Grammy-winning US band Snarky Puppy at the Globe Wien near the Marx Halle. The troupe of musicians from Brooklyn knows how to refine hard funk with fusion and playful sounds into a hot performance. One day later, the drummer Alex Deutsch entertains with a solo performance in the Old City Hall.

One of the top acts at the Vienna State Opera this year will undoubtedly be the performance by Bossa Nova legend Gilberto Gil. Born in Bahia, Gilberto Gil embodies Brazil like no other. He cross the boundary between art and folk music, his songs have made him the figurehead of Tropicalismo.

The Canadian Chilly Gonzales also crosses the boundaries between musical genres. The pianist, composer, singer and rapper is a great performer who also likes to appear in dressing gowns and slippers.

Emotional music is Omara Portuondo's elixir of life. Otherwise the now 88 year-old Cuban would probably not accept the hardships of intercontinental flights to inspire audiences in Vienna. "The Lady of Cuban music" masterfully understands how to communicate the possibilities of melancholy on stage.

With Bobbie McFerrin, an old friend of the festival invites you to sing together in the venerable house on the Ring: the vocal acrobat performs his "Circlesongs" under the title "Gimme5" with five other singers and the support of local vocalists.

And Jamie Cullum, master of jazz, swing, soul and pop, is also making a stop at the Vienna State Opera with his new album and new band; his stirring manner creates a youthful atmosphere within the venerable walls (the Vienna State Opera is celebrating 150 years of the Opera House on the Ring in 2019).

Vienna Jazz Festival 2019, June 24 - July 10, 2019
various venues, www.jazzfest.wien

The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) moves into the summer season in April. Numerous open-air events will held until September. Just stop by – you will find lots going on in the MQ all summer long.

Vienna's MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is one of the biggest cultural areas in the world. The mix of large museums, small cultural initiatives and trendy bars is a success story. From April through the end of September, the inner courtyards of the MuseumsQuartier draw visitors with festivals, live concerts, a boules area, cozy guest gardens, as well as the stylish MQ summer furniture to relax on.

The playable sculpture park MQ Amore opens again to all mini-golf fans. On the square in front of the MQ, artists have created twelve sculptures in the form of mini-golf courses. Open until October, Mo-Fr 12.00 noon - 10.00 pm, Sa-Su & hols. 10.00 am - 10.00 pm

The O-Töne Literature Festival organizes first-class open-air readings again, every Thursday in July and August. Film fans also get their money's worth in July and August: During the summer, the frame[o]ut festival provides audiovisual surprises on the outdoor cinema screen in the MQ from mid-July through the beginning of September, every Friday and Saturday at 9.30 pm.

Summer at MQ, SummerOpening: June 13, 2019
The entire program can be found at www.mqw.at

This year's slogan of the Life Ball is "United in Diversity". A rousing festival under the banner of solidarity, tolerance and enlightenment will be celebrated by a colorful circus troupe on June 8. We can look forward to a large number of celebrities at the AIDS charity event again this year. The 2019 Life Ball will be held in Vienna as part of EuroPride.

The Life Ball is one of the biggest AIDS charity events in the world. The party on June 8 in and in front of Vienna City Hall promises to be flashy, colorful and loud, in order to generate donations for AIDS relief projects and to promote public awareness of HIV and AIDS. For this year’s slogan “United in Diversity”, an illustrious circus troupe goes on a journey over the rainbow and lands in a fantastic, diverse world of colors. To mark 50 years of Stonewall, the Life Ball takes place at the half-way mark of EuroPride in 2019.

The opulent opening show at City Hall Square, with numerous appearances by international stars and a fashion show, is open to the public. Anyone without tickets for the ball can also celebrate at the Life Ball party in the Volksgarten Disco from 11.00 pm.

Life Ball, June 8, 2019
Red Carpet from 7.30 pm, food from 4.00 pm, opening show on City Hall Squar