Pictures: www.athinorama.gr
Concerts: of special importance
Although there will be no major events (such as the Depeche Mode concert in 2013), the first three months of 2014 offer many interesting concerts. One of them is of drummer Jason Marsalis at "Half Note Jazz Club" (16 January – 19 January). The youngest son of the famous Marsalis jazz family (father Ellis, sons Branford, Wynton and Delfayo) arrives on the modern scene. A few days later, at the same place (24 January – 27 January) Greek guitarist from Chicago, Nick Gravenites, will play with his "Greek band" Backbone.
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The premiere of one of the most exciting Verdi opera "Macbeth" will take place at the Athens Concert Hall on 17 January. "Macbeth" is the first performance of the Greek National Opera in 2014, directed by Lorenzo Mariani and music director Myron Michailidis. An outstanding clarinettist, Louis Sclavis, will appear at the Centre for Literature and Arts on 18 January. One of the leading names of French jazz, together with the band Workshop de Lyon, he will create "fantastic folklore." The music band Fall is coming on 1 February to "Gagarin 205." On 6 February, the same place will host Blue Oyster Cult. Ancestors of horror punk - Misfits will sing at "Fuzz" (on 24 February). Trombone player Steve Turre and his band Jazz Shells of Passion can be heard at the Athens Concert Hall on 12 March.
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The music scene and nightlife – the first events for 2014
Musical tastes in Athens have changed noticeably over the last few years. The crisis has also affected the nightlife, but despite the decline in sales, tickets for some shows have been sold out. Expectations for 2014 are related to well-known names.
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Witty songwriter Foivos Delivorias will perform an "Armenian visit" at "PassPort "(every Saturday from 18 January), together with his band. He will also present his new album. Dimitra Galani will return to the stage (from 23 January at "PassPort"), as well as Themis Karamouratidis and Iota Nega (from 3 February at "Stavros"). Natassa Bofilou is also eagerly anticipated (at "Stavros" from 15 March), as well as the duo Haris Alexiou - Tania Tsanaklidou (from 7 February at "Anodos Live Stage"). We should not forget that Eleonora Zouganeli’s performances will continue (at "Anodos Live Stage"), as well as performances of Eleftheria Arvanitaki with Alkistis Protopsalti (at "Diogenis Studio").
Clubs & bars: everything is important in the nightlife
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No matter how many clubs appear they are never enough. Multifunction all day & night bars, cocktail bars, neo-cafes, small dance clubs or Greek music clubs: everything is important.
There will be no shortage of large dance parties. In the first months of 2014 the music band Evolution is organising large rave parties in a warehouse of the Botanical Garden together with Umek (15 February), John Digweed (8 March) and Marco Bailey (5 April), and the band Blend will invite Maceo Plex (1 March) and Marco Carola, Loco Dice and Guti (12 April) to "Gazi Music Hall"
Restaurants: What will 2014 bring to the table?
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The restaurant sector seems to promote new projects through press conferences. However, judging by the news in recent months, there is movement in the sector, too. The New Year will bring the much-anticipated new project "Spondis." The new restaurant Chrisantos Karamolengos is also eagerly anticipated which has long planned its official return to Athens. It is a place where people mix flavours and sensations. There will be a new Thai restaurant, in this way increasing the influence of Asian cuisine which is gaining ground.
There will be new offers for street food and wine bars. Do not miss the culinary fest "Greece - a celebration of tastes," which will return to Gazi in its spring version, with even more manufacturers and products from all over Greece.
Arts and museums: a whiff of renewal
The programme of Athenian museums in 2014 is very extensive and offers both periodical exhibitions and an opening of new exhibitions related to the world and various anniversaries.
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Athens
A city in transition, Athens will be covered by ... high cranes in 2014. They are now working and major projects related to culture and transport infrastructure will be ready in the coming years: the "Stavros Niarchos" Cultural Centre - Foundations being built at the Faliro Delta. It will host the National Opera and the National Library. It will be ready in 2016. The underground in Piraeus (line 3), is expected to be ready in 2017.