This Month in Copenhagen: April '15

It’s April, which means that the showers herein will hopefully bring us May flowers (as the saying goes). Here’s all the interesting, wild & wacky stuff going on around the city.

Monday 30th March – Friday 10th April

Copenhagen International Impro Festival

Copenhagen International Impro Festival is happening and, if you’re a comedy or improv fan, you should check it out. There are workshops and shows throughout the festival, and lots of international talent in town!

Saturday 4th April

Kødbyens Mad & Marked / Meatpacking District Food Market

The Meatpacking District Food Market begins this Saturday, running every Saturday and the first Sunday of the month. This open-air market at Flæsketorvet in Vesterbro will have both prepared food and produce stalls. A delicious way to spend a sunny day!

→ Champagne “in the sun”

Champagneakademiet (the Champagne Academy) is selling champagne by the glass on the 4th, and then every second weekend.

→ Afterparty

Let’s be honest, it’s kødbyen, there will be lots of afterparties. But of particular note: there’s an afterparty from 6pm at NOHO.

Monday 6th April

Cykelloppemarked / Bicycle swap

If you’re in need of a new cycle or want to swap your old one, check out the Cykelloppemarked.

Tuesday 7th April

Science and Cocktails: Evolution and Culture – who’s in charge?

The next instalment of Christiania’s Science and Cocktails looks at what is culture and how does it evolve? Gert Jan Hofstede will make his case, followed by AVA, Brooklyn-base guitar player/musician playing what is called “highly personal sound, sharp, heavy, and psychedelic. From complex rock, avant jazz to warped blues.” That’s a lot of things.

Later in the month on the 21st, there’s another event called Fifty Shade of Antibiotic Resistance. Kinky?

Wednesday 8th April

Against Me! at Vega

Against me! was my introduction to punk (how can you not sing along to “Baby, I’m an Anarchist?”) with their 2002 album Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They always put on a good show – and they’ve been performing since 1997. An intimate space like Vega is just right for their sound and energy.

Friday 10th April

Turboweekend at Vega

Well-known Danish band Turboweekend‘s quirky, synth pop-rock is always fun to dance to. They were at Northside Festival last year and I’m hoping they’ll be around more Scandi festivals this summer.

Friday 10th – Sunday 12th April

Designer Forum Forår

If you’re looking for a wardrobe update from popular Danish brands, Designer Forum Forår is the place for you. Loads of clothes, shoe and accessory brands share the last of the season’s stock. Since they’re trying to get rid of it, you can pay up to 80% off !

Friday 10th April – Sunday 28th June

Taharqa: The Black Pharaoh at Glyptoteket

At Glyptoteket, you can see Taharqa: The Black Pharaoh, a look at how Nubian and Egyptian cultures merged and influenced each other, focusing specifically on the reign of the powerful pharaoh Taharqa.

Starting Sunday 26th March, Glyptoteket opened an additional 10 hours per week. They’ve built a new lighting system that will allow the museum to operate after the sun has set – a problem when sun goes down so early during the winter months. A 12 million kroner project funded in part by the New Carlsberg Foundation, the new lighting can be controlled from room to room. A museum that once only relied on natural light will now have natural light during daylight, then a more intimate evening light. We can’t wait to see the new update!

Saturday 11th April

Vinyl Market at Bartof Station

Get in quick, it’s only open from 11am til 3pm. It’s hosted by Vinylisten, and word on the street is that this is “maybe Denmark’s most hyggeligt vinyl market.” Watch out!

Thursday 9th – Wednesday 22nd April

CPH:PIX Film Festival

CPH:PIX Festival, now in it’s sixth year, runs as part of the Copenhagen Film Festivals group which includes BUSTER and CPH:DOX. This international film festival spans two weeks and includes talks, stage performances and open air showings:

→ Thursday 9th April – Nightmare on Elm Street on Elmegade

Watch the classic horror film Nightmare on Elm Street in someone’s home in the Nørrebro street of Elmegade. When you buy tickets (and get on top of it, because the number is limited) you’ll find out more about your specific location. Absolutely genius.

→ Saturday 11th April – See Studio 54 Then Party

DR Byen Koncerthuset is hosting a showing of the film Studio 54 then having an amazing disco party after. You could buy a ticket for the film only, but why would you?

→ Wednesday 15th April – Super16 final year films

The final year films will be shown all day as the culmination of a film school program. These guys are super talented – it’s an anticipated event on the calendar.

→ Friday 17th April – MUSIC + VIDEO

This screening shows off the best Danish music videos of the year in large format! Not only will it be fun to watch at; there’s an after-party at Astra Bar. One beer included on the ticket (85 DKK).

Friday 10th April

A Day of Slackline and Acroyoga

Discover slackline and acroyoga at this free event at Øksnehallen for both beginners and experts – this day is all about movement and meeting new people!

Sunday 12th April

Loppemarkeder / Flea Markets

There are three great markets on one day. Nørrebrohallens Loppemarked, Antik & Genbrug & Kulturhuset Indre By Loppemarked both provide a covered space (so you can go even if it rains!) with lots of antique and second-hand goods. Rita Blå Lukus Lopper at Copenhagen Street Food has a more high-end edge, with second-hand finds of your favorite brands. If you like a good treasure hunt, you won’t want to miss these markets.

Friday 17th April

Midnight Bathing

Well, the title is pretty self explanatory. Destress at the Sjællandsgade Bad at midnight for only 100 DKK. You can take a sauna, a steam and more over three hours while enjoying fresh fruit and snacks.

Kwabs at Pumpehuset

Only 25 and oh-so-cute, British singer Kwabs is one to watch. His mix of R&B and pop made his 2014 single “Walk” a massive hit around the UK and parts of Europe (also, it’s on the FIFA 15 game soundtrack, so). Let’s all go bask in his reflected glory.

Italo Disco

Are you in the mood for a dance-your-ass-off night of Italian Disco? Of course you are. Check out Italo Disco and make your Friday night one for the ages!

Friday 17th April – Sunday 16th August

Peter Doig at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art

Peter Doig is a metamodernist Scottish painter best known for his slightly abstracted and layered landscapes, is one of the most renown living artists today. His work deals not only with natural landscapes but also urban architecture and how it interacts with natural spaces. While you’re there, you can also catch their ongoing displays from David Hockney & Jeff Wall – both highly recommended!

Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April

48 Timer Festival

48 hours of fun, quirky events, concerts and more around Nørrebro. Check out the program for the full list!

Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th April

Copenhagen Sakura Festival

The 8th annual cherry blossom festival, first opened by the Japanese Embassy of Denmark, is a chance for those of us in Copenhagen to appreciate the beautiful Sakura (cherry blossom) planted in Langelinie, donated to the city by the Andersen Institute of Bread & Life. More Japanese traditional events are held, such as a tea ceremony and flower arrangement.

Saturday 25th April – Sunday 26th April

Finderskeepers Design and Clothes Market

Finderskeepers is a chance for emerging designers to display their goods, in addition to racks of vintage clothes. With a low entry fee (25DKK), food available and plenty of great deals, this is the perfect chance to see the latest brands and newest products coming out of Copenhagen.

Wednesday 29th April

Swingfest at Nytorv

If you’re into more of a 1950’s vibe, try swing dancing at Swingfest at Nytorv. The beginning of the evening is dedicated to teaching beginners how to dance, while the rest of the night is an open dance floor for experts and newbies alike!

All April!

If you’re feeling refined this month, these performances may scratch your fancy itch:

Swan Lake

Swan Lake, the classic ballet with music by Tchaikovsky, will be performed by the Royal Danish Ballet. The music, the story, the costumes – I don’t blame you if you’re having a romantic swoon (er, swan…).

The Crucible

For something a little less romantic, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (1953) is about as serious as theatre gets. This story of the Salem Witch Trials (of my home-state in the USA, Massachusetts! Woo, go Pats!) is an allegory for McCarthyism, which was blacklisting people for alleged ties to Communism. Three years after writing the play, Miller himself came up against the House of Representatives Committee on UnAmerican Activities and was held in contempt of court for refusing to name names.

Maskarade

Maskarade, considered the “Danish national Opera” was adapted from the Holberg comedy by Carl Nielsen in 1906. First performed in November of that year at Det Kongelige Teater, it is said that Nielsen was never entirely satisfied with his work, wishing to revise the first two acts. He never got the chance, however, and today the overture and ballad from Act 3 are still his most widely performed pieces. So I guess it was pretty okay with everyone else.

‘What’s Happening’ at Staten’s Museum for Kunst

Statens Museum for Kunst are holding What’s Happening, an exploration of experimental art between 1965-75. It’s on between the 26th of March until the 2nd of August.

Holidays and Flag Days

2 April – Maundy Thursday: Skærtorsdag
3 April – Good Friday: Langfredag
5 April – Easter Sunday: Påskedag
6 April – Easter Monday: 2. påskedag
9 April – Occupation of Denmark
16 April – Queen Margrethe II’s Birthday
29 April – Princess Benedikte’s Birthday