Out and about

by KC Bosco

With the fall semester in full swing, there’s also plenty going outside the classroom with which to engage the gray matter, plus loads of ways to keep in shape and just chill out. When it comes to the arts, there’s never a dull moment. Here are the highlights of some upcoming events, places to go, and also what to do in Budapest this autumn. Remember, always have your student ID card with you as it saves some cash.

Lovers of live performances should head for the The Palace of Arts for classical music, opera, jazz, which also excels in fine arts. There are reductions for students who just need to present his/her student ID and be at the concert venue or event one hour before the commencement time. You can get more information by contacting The Palace of Arts: www.mupa.hu/eng or e-mail: info@mupa.hu.

On October 10th at Hole Club, the WAMP Sunday Art Market will be showcasing contemporary Hungarian design from jewelry to textiles and ceramics. This marks a great opportunity for students to buy truly Hungarian design stuff for very reasonable prices. You can window shop if you want, there’s no harm in that. For further information log-on to www.wamp.hu.

The Hungarian National Gallery at the Buda Palace has an impressive collection all the way from the medieval and renaissance stone carvings to 20^th century works. There is an exhibition currently going on there (until February 2011) entitled “The collection within The Collection”. It is about illustration and advertising design as shown in a collection of prints and drawings, which deals with print making and drawings associated with the art of printing in early 20^th century Hungary with works from famous artists like Mihaly Biro, Sandor Bortnyik, and Zsuzsa Beck.

If you are a movie fan, then get on board the movie train at Palace Cinemas. They have the latest films from Hollywood and the rest of the world. Most of the movies are translated into Hungarian but you can find the latest English movies at Mom Park on the Buda side and Westend City Center on the Pest side. There are discounts for students. Do not miss the controversial new movie about the founding of Facebook called “The social network”. So, get your cold drinks and popcorn ready, it is going to be a long ride. For information regarding the latest movies log-on to www.palacecinemas.hu/eng.

There’s a great variety of recreation for students available in Budapest, especially at weekends. Skateboarding, roller-skating, playing tennis, football and bowling are just for starters. There’s are nice bowling alleys at the Mammut Plaza on the 2nd floor; and the Strike Bowling Club at Budafoki ut 111-113. One can also carefully skateboard at the picturesque Heroes Square and around the City Park, or go to Gorzenal: at III Arpad fejedelem utca 46. Tennis lovers can choose from countless good quality tennis courts in Budapest, while the game can be played all through the year. In the summer a court can cost just HUF 2000 to rent per hour, while in the winter it is somewhat more expensive.