EXHIBITION: THE BRANCHES & CREATORS OF THE TATRA MUSEUM

The Tatra Museum is 100 years old this summer, and a special tribute can be enjoyed until 24th May. The anniversary show is being hosted in the charming Villa Koliba, the seat of the Museum of the Zakopane Style. Looming large is the fantastic character of Stanislaw Witkiewicz, the artist and bearded prophet who galvanised Zakopane 100 years ago. Don't miss the chance to look at the portraits of Witkiewicz's son, the legendary "Witkacy", who invented psychedelia 30 years before Hendrix.

when - Until 24th May
where - Museum of the Zakopane Style, ul. Koscieliska 18
more info - click here

EXHIBITION: MARCIN RZASA

Wladyslaw Hasior was one of the wackiest Polish artists of recent years, as visitors to this museum will soon discover. The current exhibition reveals the works of one of Hasior's foremost disciples, Marcin Rzasa (b.1965). Curious wooden figurines were the the speciality of Mr. Rzasa, and his sculptures have an ancient quality that has a lot in common with pagan art. Well worth investigating.

when - Until 24th May
where - Wladyslaw Hasior Gallery, ul. Jagiellonska 18b
more info - click here

ZAKOPANE JAZZ SPRING 2009

A fantastic feather in Zakopane's cap, the Jazz Spring is being fronted by none other than Nigel "Nutter" Kennedy, the Brit violinist who shot to fame with his fantastic fiddling and spiky haircut. Nige will be joined by a clutch of home-grown Polish jazz aces, and the concerts are being staged in the grounds of the snazzy Hotel Belvedere. On Thursday 14th, the bonkers Brit opens the show, with a concert promoting his latest LP, "A Very Nice Album". Next up, on 15th, the Janusz Muniak Quartet will be strutting their stuff, with back up from Henryk Miskiewicz. On Saturday 16th you can catch more stars with the Jarek Smietana - Wojtek Karolak Quartet. Then, rounding things off on Sunday 17th, Nige returns to the stage, alongside the Marek Balata Quintet, the Piotr Wojtasik Quartet and Adam Pieronczyk. Enough tongue-twisters for you yet?! Jazz fans can snap up tickets from the tourist offices at ul Gen. Galicy 8 and ul. Kosciuszki 17.

when - 14th - 17th May
where - Hotel Belvedere, ul. Droga do Bialego 3
more info - click here

ZAKOPANE NIGHT OF MUSEUMS

A much-loved event across Poland, the "Night of Museums" sees cultural treasure houses throw open their doors for a night of high brow fun. Many museums have special surprises up their sleeves, so visitors can expect more than just the day-to-day collections. Entrance is free for all, provided that you don't look like you've just sunk ten bottles of vodka.

when - 16th May
where - Various
more info - click here

EXHIBITION: THE TIME OF THE TATRA EXPLORERS

In describing remote places, the English might say "out in the sticks". But Poles have a far better expression. They'd say "where the dogs bark out of their arses" ("gdzie psy dupami szczekaja). It's a glorious idiom that conjures visions of crazed canines in deserted canyons, and not a soul for miles. Well, up until the mid-19th century, Zakopane was very much a place where the dogs barked out of their arses. The so-called 'Krupowki street" was just a couple of wooden hovels, and the first church, also wooden, was not erected until 1847. However, the earliest adventurers - mainly artists, doctors and explorers - were simply blown away by the beauty of the place. This exhibition recalls those first wide-eyed steps into the unknown, when pioneers began their exploration of the region, above all of the Tatra range. Besides articles from local museums, the exhibition will boast many delightful photographs. By the year 1900, Zakopane had become a sort of cultural capital of Poland, with artists and intellectuals from across the divided kingdom descended for a meeting of minds.

when - 16th May until 25th October
where - Koziniec Art Gallery, ul. Koziniec 8
more info - click here