A Weekend of Jazz and Laughs in Moscow

July 7, 2017

Igor Butman brings modern jazz to a traditional old Russian estate. jazzseasons

Despite the less-than-summery weather, the great outdoors beckons this weekend. Jazz lovers should not miss the Jazz Seasons festival at the bucolic estate of Leninskiye Gorki. If you stay in the city, don’t miss some comedy in the park on Sunday night. Dress warmly, bring an umbrella and laugh at the weather.

Jazz Seasons kicks off Moscow's summer festivals of jazz in the open air. jazzseasons

Jazz at Leninskiye Gorki

This weekend Igor Butman kicks off Moscow’s summer jazz festivals with Jazz Seasons at Leninskiye Gorki . The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to about 9 p.m., showcasing musicians from Russia, the U.K. and U.S. — almost a dozen groups altogether. Saturday begins with two Russian groups, Amber Sept and the Project of the Future, headlined by a 13-year-old singer getting rave reviews. In the evening, the U.S. jazz fusion group Oregon will be back on the stage in Russia after a 15-year hiatus. Igor Butman and his band will top off the evening. Sunday starts off with Olga Sinyaeva and the Anton Cherkurov Sextext and ends with Britain’s Toni Momrelle.

Come early to enjoy the beauty of the old estate, get a bite to eat at the food court, and claim a good viewing spot. Chairs will be provided, but bring blankets. And don't leave your kids with the nanny. Bring them along to enjoy supervised games and activities while their parents sway to the music. Tickets are 1,000 rubles per day or 1,500 rubles for both days.

To get there: At Domodedovskaya metro station, take either the free shuttle or Bus 439. If you go by car, there is plenty of free parking. For more information in Russian, see jazzseasons.ru.

Cool nights don't deter movie lovers at Sokolniki Park. Pioner

Funny Sunday

To end the weekend on a lighter note, check out an evening of stand-up comedy in Sokolniki Park. Pioner Movie Theater has teamed up with English Moscow Comedy for an evening of joking and wisecracking about life in Russia and life in general — all in English. The five comics from India, Italy, Croatia and Russia (back in their homeland after living abroad) are hitting Moscow as the last stop in their “From Russia With Laugh” European tour. Tickets are a bargain at 330 rubles. Blankets and cushions provided; bring you own poncho.

Pioner Outdoor Theater in Sokolniki Park. Sunday at 7: 30 p.m. For more information see pioner-cinema.ru/en/event/from-russia-with-laugh.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue