African-American music

Popular Bristol-based dancefloor DJ duo The Allergies will be on the decks at Gazarte on Saturday, March 23, with their funky mashup of soul, disco, hip-hop and breakbeats. Admission costs 5 euros and doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets can be booked in advance online at www.viva.gr or by calling 11876.

The Russian parliament on Dec. 13 announced a rap song competition amid a crackdown on contemporary music that evoked Soviet-era censorship of the arts.

Chicago blues legend Nellie "Tiger" Travis takes the stage of the Half Note from December 7 to 10, accompanied by local band, Blues Cargo. Hailed for her husky voice and explosive delivery, Travis will perform contemporary blues and Southern soul. Shows start at 10.30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9.30 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

The Swingin' Cats return to the Roof Stage of Gazarte on Thursday, July 12, for another night of swing and rock 'n' roll  and plenty of dancing. The band takes the stage at 10.30 p.m. and admission costs 8 euros.

Gazarte, Voutadon 34,
tel 210.34.60.347, www.gazarte.gr

The second edition of the Zorlu PSM Jazz Festival will be organized from May 2 to May 13, featuring blues, electronic, world, funk, indie, classic, pop and rock under the roof of jazz. 

For the eighth consecutive year the international A to JazZ Festival will be held in Sofia. In the days of 6th to 8th July one of the biggest musical events of the capital will be traditionally located in the beautiful South Park II!

The Harris Lambrakis Quartet, who improvise on their own blend of modal jazz influenced by everyday life in Athens and their Epirote roots, will perform highlights from their 11-year career in a show at Zoo on Thursday, February 22. Starts at 10 p.m. and admission costs 5 euros.

Zoo, 45 Zoodochou Pigis, Halandri,
tel 210.674.5375

If you're going out but would rather not catch a cold at one of the freezing street parties, here's some of the best parties happening at Belgrade's best venues, clubs and bars.

New Year's Eve

Dark Tech at Drugstore

Hailed as one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of the last four decades, an artist whose music embraces a diverse array of styles, from hip hop, funk, bebop and post-bop to the blues and melodies conjured from African and Asian scales, Chico Freeman is coming to Athens for a series of shows at the Half Note on December 15-18, along with double bassist Heiri Kanzig and drummer Michael Baker.