Christmas has officially arrived. Everywhere you look you’ll find festive decorations and events and this weekend there will be plenty to do to get into the holiday spirit. Besides Christmas events, however, a few music performances will celebrate tunes and sounds that live through the ages.
The Let There Be Rock concerts will entertain rock lovers this Thursday and Friday with an epic five-piece band performing rock classics and rock ’n’ roll favourites. George Gakis, a longstanding figure in the Greek rock music scene, is on the island to perform alongside esteemed local musicians – Emmanuel Vourakis and Bob Saganas on guitar and Marios Michail on bass. Following a Larnaca performance, their Thursday night performance will be in Nicosia, at Downtown Live while on Friday they will play for Limassol audiences at Kiklos Live. Tunes from Queen, Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, The Beatles, Aerosmith and more will sound at their gigs.
More live music will follow on Sunday as the Plektó duet presents an immersive experience in Nicosia through music and light. ARTos House will host Cypriot musicians Eva Stavrou and Natasa Hadjiandreou who present an alternative union of flute and percussion, collaborating with George Lazoglou as well who will bring the lighting element of the performance.
Also happening this weekend is an impressive music circus show on ice for the whole family. A frosty wonderland will be set up at theatre stages in Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca as travelling artists and acrobats from abroad bring the magic of Disney’s Frozen films. The show will retell the heart-warming tale of two sisters through the art of skating, acrobatics and dancing while over 300 costumes appear on stage. The circus will first stop at Larnaca on Thursday night before charming Paphos audiences on Friday. Two shows will take place in Nicosia on Saturday, one at 3pm and another at 7pm. The circus’ final stop will be in Limassol on Sunday, again with two performances.
Of course, it wouldn’t be December without Christmas markets and this weekend, plenty are taking place. From the centre of town to rural locations, all corners of the island will be filled with artistic and festive interventions this weekend.
The Christmas in Vavla event will feature live music, food, drinks, desserts and Christmas goodies which will spread all around the village from 11am to 8pm. Visitors can stroll around to discover a Christmas market at the Wizard’s Courtyard with handmade crafts, visit the Nature House to listen to original music by Cypriot artists and have a bite to eat and explore a painting exhibition at the school. And all of this with free entry!
George Gakis & Friends
Classic rock veteran from Greece performs live with fellow musicians. December 14. Downtown Live, Nicosia. December 15. Kiklos Live, Limassol. Doors open 9pm. Shows start 9.30pm. Tickets: €15, available on www.soldoutticketbox.com//let-there-be-rock-dec-2023/easyconsole.cfm
Plektó Duet
Concert with flute, percussion and electronics. December 17. ARTos House, Nicosia. 7pm-8pm. €10. www.soldoutticketbox.com
Music Circus Show on Ice
Circus show with dancers and acrobats performing Frozen 1 and 2. December 14. G. Lykourgos Theatre, Larnaca (7.30pm). December 15. Markideio Theatre, Paphos. (7.30pm). December 16. Nicosia Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. (3pm and 7pm). December 17. Pattihio Theatre, Limassol. (3pm and 7pm). www.soldoutticketbox.com
Christmas in Vavla
Day event with a market, brunch, surprise live music and cocktails and a painting exhibition. December 17. Vavla village, Larnaca district. 11am-8pm. Free. Tel: 96-695951