Austin – Apr 26 2013

Photos © Eurocircle. For privacy reasons we ask you not to copy these to Facebook or other social networks

Arabian themed party at Russian House with a belly dancing class, live music, DJ, vodka specials, etc. Wear your belly dancing outfit and come have fun with us!

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. A bunch of EuroCircle members & friends will be hosting this 1000 Nights event at the Russian House !

You will have an opportunity to get Mehndi tattoo by Anju Garg!

Saadi Monwar Band at 9 pm
Live Belly dancing by Phara
Fig and Raisin Vodka special $4
1001 Night Cocktail $6

We will see you all there!

Elena, Lesya, Phara Austin, Yelena, Varda & Vladimir from Russian House of Austin, Kaisa and more TBA

“A terrible sultan marries a new bride every night, and in the morning he executes her. Only Sherehezade, the greatest story-teller the world has known, has a chance to soften the heart of the man with a tyrannical grudge against all women”

Austin – Apr 06 2013

Photos © Eurocircle. For privacy reasons we ask you not to copy these to Facebook or other social networks

Hi All

Are you feeling the weather warm up slowly? Positive energy building up everywhere? Natures’ blooming flowers and cool winds? Feel invigorated? Let’s kick off spring and cheers to a bright and sunny summer ahead! This will be an ALL WHITE party! Fresh, elegant and glamorous!

EuroCircle will be hosting another great event at the Stephen F. Austin (or also named Intercontinental). They have just renovated their bar area and patio and it looks very sleek! If you have not been yet, now is your chance to come and mingle with a great crowd over drink specials, good humor and outstanding conversation! We will have some good background music for you. Cheers to good times and company! Take a break and enjoy the evening. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Cheers,

Drink specials:
$7 bellinis and mimosas
$1 off house wine and draft beers
Dinner options

Austin – Mar 14 2013

SXSW Sweden – Swedish Music Under The Stars
Public · By Rasmus Wendt

Thursday, March 14, 2013
It’s once again time for the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in Texas to invite the Swedish bands at SXSW to the annual Swedish party. If you have attended previous years you know it’s always a good time.

Previous performers include Terraplane Sun, Movits!, Timbuktu, Sofia Talvik, The Rocketboys, and more.

Line-up of this year’s bands will be presented here soon.

To purchase your ticket go to http://sacctx.com/Default.aspx?pageId=559766&eventId=598998&EventViewMode=EventDetails

Previous two years the party sold out so make sure to get your ticket now.

Note that your RSVP to the facebook event or here wont give you admittance to the party. You need to purchase your ticket

Sponsors this year include:

Boundless Network
Stockholm Krystal Vodka

Austin – Mar 06 2013

Photos © Eurocircle. For privacy reasons we ask you not to copy these to Facebook or other social networks

Join EuroCircle Austin at this lovely brand-new upscale Jazz and Blues lounge during the International Women’s Week. The International Women’s day in on Friday but due to SXSW we decided to do PRE-SXSW event to avoid all the parking & traffic hassles with hiked up pricing etc. The venue has elements of the 20s and Paris chic…you have to see it to know what I mean. You’d feel comfortable in a cocktail dress = dress up f you feel like it – and jeans, equally so. And the staff is super nice.

Showcase: French Chansons (5 Songs) at 7.30 pm
————————————————-

Silvie Rider-Young sings Edith Piaf
and as your special request: Automn Leaves-Les feuilles mortes”as on her latest Album ‘Je Te Connais”
Red Young au piano/keys

We work with LePa Spa Skincare (Manja Hossa from Slovenia) to provide you all some complimentary appetizers. Thanks Manja and Sam! And Tony…
By the way, the new Ceviche Grill is next door as well.

Drink Specials for all ladies all night by the Brass House.
Happy Hour too!

No Cover.

EuroCircle Austin Team

Allison, Szilvia, Alexandra, Adnan, Kart, Kaisa & Co

Brass House Austin was conceived by Jason White while operating in a combat zone with the United States Marine Corps. He dreamed of moving to Austin and opening a live music venue at the completion of his service with the hope of providing a relaxed and enjoyable environment for those who enjoy the sounds of jazz and blues. Brass House is the realization of that dream. Jason believes strongly in community involvement and support and welcomes any and all local charities if they wish to host events in our space. We look forward to offering support and discounts to our active duty and retired military customers.

The photos below were taken by Philip Rogers, tel 207-459-4094 philiprogersphotography.com . He is a new member who moved to Austin from Maine.

Austin – Jan 26 2013

Free and Open to the Public
No Registration Required
The event is open to the public so anyone, even those who are not newcomers, are welcome, though the material is targeted at newcomers.

Information Fair | Educational Sessions | Free Flu Shots | Multilingual Resources

Classroom #1
10:00 am Having Fun in Austin: Libraries and Parks
10:30 am Getting Around Town: Public Transportation Options
11:00 am Education for Your Children and Yourself
12:00 pm Managing Finances in the United States
1:00 pm Roof Over Your Head: Finding an Apartment or Buying a House
1:30 pm Getting to Know Your Utilities: Austin Energy and Austin Water
2:00 pm BizAid: Starting a Small Business

Classroom #2
10:00 am Introduction to the Austin Police Department
10:30 am Who to Call and When: 311, 911 and More
11:00 am Avoiding Traffic Violations
12:00 pm Human Trafficking: What It Is and How to Report It
12:30 pm Keeping Your Family Safe: Neighborhood Watch
1:00 pm Know Your Rights: APD Victim Services Unit
1:30 pm APD Immigrant Outreach Program
2:00 pm Sink Drain, Trash Can, Recycling Bin, or Compost Pile? Waste Management Tips and Resources

Presentations in English. Translated written materials available in:
Español | 官话 | Tiếng việt
Bienvenidos a Austin Orientación con presentaciones en Español- 2 de Marzo 2013

For more information visit AustinTexas.gov/InternationalWelcome or call 512-974-7833.

IF ANYONE CAN VOLUNTEER AT THE TABLES TO HELP NATALIE BETTS OUT for 1 – 2 hours slots..(missing those sessions of course) ..(She islooking for volunteer representatives of ambassador organizations to staff the table. She needs 1-2 people at the table throughout the day from 10:00 am -3:30 pm, but no one person needs to stay the whole time. You can do one hour, two hour, three hour, etc. shifts—whatever works for your schedule. Please contact her ASAP if you can volunteer for a time slot)
Tel 512-974-7833 and Natalie.Betts(AT) austintexas (DOT) gov

Austin – Jan 22 2013

Photos © Eurocircle. For privacy reasons we ask you not to copy these to Facebook or other social networks

SIP prices (happy hour prices) apply until 6.30 pm so come by then!

SIP = social interactive playtime
happy hour daily from 3:00-6:30

nibbles 5
vegetable or beef empanadas
cilantro sauce
guacamole, red onions, tomatoes, and black beans
tender beef brisket sliders
smoked gouda, crispy onions, coleslaw
house made boudin sausage
dijon mustard, cayenne pepper
chili braised pork tostada
all natural beef meatballs
spicy tomato sauce

libations 5
tito’s vodka, dripping springs vodka, deep eddy vodka
z tequila
treaty oak rum
bubbles, red, white
summer sangria

american beers 3

The photos below were taken by Philip Rogers, tel 207-459-4094 philiprogersphotography.com. He is a new member who moved to Austin from Maine.

Austin – Dec 08 2012

Photos © Eurocircle. For privacy reasons we ask you not to copy these to Facebook or other social networks

We would like to officially invite everyone to the holiday edition of the EuroCircle gatherings.

Ladies, put on your party dresses, fellows, dust off your suits and let’s kick off the holiday celebration in style with a party at The Ranch on the upstairs patio.

An added reason for the celebration this month is that EUROCIRCLE AUSTIN has just turned 2 YEARS OLD!!

DATE: December 8th, 2012
TIME: Starting 7PM (19h)

WHERE: On the upstairs patio of The Ranch – 710 A West 6th Street, Austin TX 78701

Drink specials:  $1.50 per drink – make sure you sign up and get your wristband (thanks to Alexandra)

PLEASE RSVP for attendance!

We look forward to seeing everyone again!

Szilvia,  Alexandra,Carla & Adnan

AFTER PARTY NOTE:
The girls did an amazing job – and even got Paul Erickson (Erickson Photography) to take some cool photos!

Austin – Nov 04 2012

Tickets at http://www.austinpolishfilm.com/HOME/2012_Festival for the 7th Annual Austin Polish Film Festival (APFF), taking place November 1 – 4, 2012, at the Marchesa Hall and Theater. This is a unique opportunity to see Polish feature films, documentaries, and shorts in Austin! Films have English subtitles. The APFF will present 9 feature films, 3 documentaries and 2 short films, plus children’s animations. The APFF will also feature discussions led by film director(s), other guest artists, and community educators. During the APFF, a Polish poster exhibit featuring a collection on loan from the Chicago Polish Museum of America will also be held at the Marchesa Hall.

The 7th APFF opens Thursday, November 1 at the Marchesa Hall and Theater with a gala reception. The gala opening will feature guest director, Ms. Maria Sadowska. Ms. Sadowska will be introducing her film Dzień Kobiet/Women’s Day (2012) to Austin audiences. A new guest for the 7th Austin Polish Film Festival will be Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, (b. 1974), who has been featured in over 10 Polish feature length films and starred in many Polish TV film productions. She plays the lead role in Dzień Kobiet/Women’s Day. Ms. Kwiatkowska will be attending the 7th Austin Polish Film Festival with the film’s director, Ms. Maria Sadowska.

For a listing of APFF tickets, films, times, program updates, and sponsors, please visit http://www.austinpolishfilm.com/HOME/2012_Festival

Ticket Prices:
Austin Polish Society Member prices are:
• $8 per ticket per film for adults
• $6 per ticket per film for students
• $65 for VIP passes (includes Polish buffet on opening night and all 13 films and events) Best deal!
• $30 for Gala Opening Night + Film

Non-Members
• $10 per ticket per film for non members;
• $7 per ticket per film for student non-members:
• $75 for VIP passes (includes Polish buffet on opening night and all 13 films and events) Best deal!
• $35 for Gala Opening Night + Film

To join APS: http://www.austinpolishsociety.org/new/membership

Children under 12 are free. Austin Polish Society is a non-profit organization. Fifty per cent of the proceeds support Polish or Polish American students and scholars, Donations are tax deductible.

Maria Sadowska, 7th APFF Guest Director
A composer, arranger, writer and a director, Maria Sadowska (b. 1976) is also an accomplished Polish singer and songwriter who began her musical career at age 14. She is a graduate of the Academy of Film and Television in Warsaw and the Łódź Film School. Her student feature film, entitled Wings, was shown at numerous international film festivals. Her other movies include: Interrogation, A moment before…, A couple of scenes from the life of an artist, Who am I still, and Love me a little. Ms. Sadowska was co- director of Demaquillage – a film consisting of three episodes, in which young female directors portray contemporary life. Ms. Sadowska calls Dzień Kobiet her “feminist western”. It is Ms. Sadowska’s feature film debut.

Dzień Kobiet / Women’s Day (2012, 90 min)
Halina, a modest cashier in a chain grocery store is dreaming of a better life for herself and her gifted 13 year-old daughter, Misia. She soon gets her chance when she becomes the store manager. She discovers that the price for a higher salary and a better standard of living is dishonesty, manipulation and deceit. She turns from victim to villain at work and she is so consumed with her work that she fails to notice her daughter’s addiction to computer games. She will soon have to start her journey for forgiveness…

Supermarket (2012, 84 min.), directed by Maciej Żak (b. 1962)
, is a dark, mysterious story about a young man who is arrested for a crime in a big department store. The reason is unclear. He is sent off for observation to a psychiatric ward, where he tells a story about the events of a New Year’s Eve crime. His tale becomes a horror story involving a married couple, whose life was forever changed by the events.

My Name is Ki (2011, 93 min.), directed by Leszek Dawid (b. 1971), is a story about Ki, a young woman who refuses to play the part of the tired single mother; she wants to live a fast-paced and colorful life. Will her relationships with men help her to grow up and embrace love and responsibility for her son?

Sala Samobójców / The Suicide Room (2011, 117 min.)
is directed by Jan Komasa (b. 1981). Dominik is the product of a success-driven marriage between businessman Andrzej and CEO Beata. With only 100 days to go before the final school exams, Dominik is on target to graduate with top marks and gain entry into the finest university. Through a series of humiliating events involving another male classmate, Dominik’s world comes crashing down. He sees the online comments his classmates are making about him on various social networks. Daunted by the thought of returning to school he reverts from real life and logs into the virtual world. Cloaked in his avatar, Dominik meets Sylvia, who hasn’t left the virtual world in years, and he joins her and her friends in the “Suicide Room”. Soon enough Dominik struggles to decipher what is real as common virtual experiences bleed dangerously into reality. Not only do the lives of those around him become threatened but Dominik’s own life is at grave danger.

80 Milionów / 80 Million (2012, 105 min.) in this action film directed by Waldemar Krzystek (b. 1953), five activists in Wroclaw withdraw 80 million złoty (USD $100 million) from trade union accounts, despite the strict supervision of the security police, on the eve of the imposition of martial law. Poland’s 2013 Oscar candidate, 80 milionów is an action-packed film and a true story about the hard times and the Polish struggle for freedom. Set in the southwestern city of Wrocław, one of the strongholds of the Solidarity
movement, the trade union leaders’ daring action took place just hours before the union’s accounts were blocked. The money helped organize Solidarity’s legendary underground activities over the coming years.

Róża / Rosa (2011, 98 min.), directed by Wojciech Smarzowski (B. 1963), is set in the district of Mazury (Masuria), located along the former Polish-Prussian border, between 1945-46. After World War II, the region – which had been previously subject to strident “Germanification” – is handed over to Poland. Residents with German roots leave for Germany. If they want to remain, they have to learn Polish and get along with new Polish settlers. In the summer of 1945, a former Army soldier who lost everything in the war, arrives in the area. The man comes to a house owned by a woman named Rose. As the widow of a German soldier, she speaks German and Polish. The visitor learns the dramatic story of the woman’s life – she was brutally raped by soldiers and forced into prostitution by the Soviets. New settlers in Mazury, who look upon her as a German, treat Rose with contempt. An emotional tie flourishes between the soldier and Rose.

Droga na drugą stronę / Crulic – The Path to Beyond (2011, 73 min.) is directed by Anca Damian (Romanian, b. 1962). Droga na drugą stronę is an animated documentary film that tells the story of the life of Crulic, a 33 year-old Romanian who died in a Polish prison while on a hunger strike. Accused of stealing, Crulic is not provided due process. The acclaimed Romanian actor, Vlad Ivanov, narrates Crulic’s ironic voice over from beyond the grave. A strong visual style, the result of beautifully hand-drawn images, collage, stop-motion, and animation techniques, blend to create a striking, surprisingly integrated and memorable film. This film is a Polish Romanian co-production. Crulic – The Path to Beyond producer and president of the Polish Magellan Foundation, Arkadiusz Wojnarowski, is invited to speak and facilitate a discussion about this human rights film after the 3:30 screening.

Wymyk / Courage (2011, 85 min.) is directed by Grzegorz Zgliński (b. 1968). Brothers Alfred and Jurek are at odds on how to run the family company. While together, they witness a helpless girl being attacked on an urban train. Jurek stands up for her, while Alfred holds back. After facing a violent incident on a train, their lives change completely. The situation forces them to reveal who they really are.

Lęk wysokości / Fear of Heights (2011, 100 min.) is directed by Bartosz Konopka (b. 1972). Thirty-something Tomek has made a life for himself in the big city and has a successful career as a TV reporter and a happy family. His ordered life is disrupted when his estranged father arrives. Tomek decides to reach out to his father, although they haven’t seen each other for years. It turns out his father is ill. The relationship spans highs and lows that impact Tomek’s life permanently in this intimate family portrait.

Short Student Films

Chomik / The Hamster (2012, 30 min.), is directed by Bartek Ignaciuk.
Przemek, a beloved pet of two elderly people, Maria and Wacław, falls from their apartment window. The shocked couple find Przemek on the roof of their car parked outside the building. The hamster is barely alive. This seemingly trivial accident triggers an avalanche of minor catastrophes. The small, local community is incapable of finding a common language or common values to face the situation.

Mika (2012, 29 min.) is directed by Joanna Wilczewska. A young journalist is waiting and wondering – will she meet Him? Will it be a chance meeting? There are twists and turns in Mika’s life that result in unexpected consequences. What role does chance play in her life? How much of it is her conscious choice?

Documentaries

Druga Strona Plakatu / The Other Side of the Poster (2010, 52 min.) is directed by Marcin Latałło (b. 1967). Ania must design a poster for a documentary about the Polish poster school. But unlike contemporary film posters, which are supposed to sell, hers must speak to the rich history of Polish poster culture. Polish poster art is one of the most important graphic movements of the 20th century.

In the postwar Polish reality, where communism dominated and the streets were drab and gray, posters were not only a better propaganda medium; they were the only color in an otherwise dull city landscape. Polish designers constrained by censorship, elevated posters into a functional art. The artists used very subtle, but expressive metaphors. What was later named the “Polish Poster School” was a movement that became an artistic trend transforming the posters in Europe. The film features archival material with the masters of the Polish poster school, Henryk Tomaszewski, Jan Lenica, Roman Cieslewicz and other leading poster artists from Poland and France. There are interviews with film directors, curators, museum directors and art critics. A wide selection of historical posters is also featured. The film has received many international prizes. This is the first Polish documentary film about this important 20th century graphic movement.

Beats of Freedom (2010, 72 min.) directed by Leszek Gnoinski and Wojciech Slota, also known as “How to Overthrow a Totalitarian Regime with the Use of a Homemade Amplifier” is a captivating documentary film about the birth and evolution of rock music in Poland. Colorful memories and surprising confessions from the country’s greatest musicians make this story memorable, as does the hard sound of Polish rock. Take a trip into a very different world that will open both your mind and ears. Beats of Freedom is a window onto another reality, created via unique, often shocking recordings from the last 50 years.

Andrzej Wajda: Róbmy zdjęcie!/Let’s Shoot! (2009, 52 min.)
, directed by “The Paladino Goup”, Maciej Cuske, Thierry Paladino, Marcin Sauter, and Piotr Stasik, is a fond, but realistic look at the legendary Andrzej Wajda at work on the set of his award-winning 2008 film, Katyn. Wajda, awarded an Honorary Oscar in 2000, was closely watched by members of the Paladino film team during the shooting of this documentary film. On the set of Katyn, Wajda is busy directing, talking to his collaborators, to the actors and technicians, and, sometimes, resting between takes. The documentary reveals how meticulous the director is on the set: while he observes the actors, sits for photos, talks to the extras or takes a paintbrush and corrects some set decorations.

Wajda believes that one should photograph temper and energy, using this to inform the final film. He subsequently grows impatient when set preparation becomes prolonged (“Come on, let’s shoot!”). He never wants to lose those elements.

Children’s Polish Animations (FREE) presented on Saturday, November 3, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Marchesa Hall & Theater location. Polish language teacher, Ms. Magda Boudni, will be providing activities, films, and snacks for children (ages 4-12)

Artist Workshop with guest artist Austinite Mig Kokinda – Saturday, November 3, 3 to 5 pm (FREE) followed by Polish Poster documentary Druga Strona Plakatu / The Other Side of the Poster (2010, 52 min.) at 5 pm

Artist’s statement: Posters have always looked good to me – the W.P.A., World War II propaganda and art nouveau spawned some of my favorites. I have always like making things, and as a teenager I began drawing flyers for punk rock bands. My early designs were fairly retarded, but I kept trying and eventually learned the basics of silk screening.

The first attempts at full color posters were also fairly retarded – I didn’t use hinges, so multiple colors were registered by hovering the screen above the print, squinting through the ink and hoping to set it down in the right place. Eventually I got a job as a silk screener, but by then a love for spray paint began to blossom. Experimentation using stencils and spray paint started around 1992 or 1993; today, almost all of my posters use this medium. The drawbacks to this are limited runs (above 40 prints and the stencils need re-cutting), a time consuming process (hampered by moist or cold weather), and a destruction of brain cells (hopefully slowed by a mask). Everything is done by hand, from designing and drawing it to cutting it out (I am lost on a computer) – making it a lengthy labor.
Why do it this way? Because it is a labor of love. I would rather spend my time doing something I enjoy than wasting my time doing something to get by. The colors, images and overspray make a poster unlike any other – and each print in a run is unique unto itself. Heck – they even smell more than other posters, too.

Mig Kokinda Exhibit
Mr. Kokinda will have an exhibit of work from November 1-15, 2012 at the Marchesa Theater and Hall, 6406 N I H 35, Ste 3100. The Gallery is open from noon to 5 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, closed on Monday.

Austin – Oct 26 2012

Photos © Eurocircle. For privacy reasons we ask you not to copy these to Facebook or other social networks

EuroCircle members Varda and Vladimir own this first authentic Russian venue in downtown Austin, just around the corner from Hilton, same block where Eddie V’s is! I intervieved Varda in July, hoping that we could have our August EuroCircle event at the Russian House of Austin.

Message from Varda & Vladimir: Dear Friends ! We will have amazing Flying Balalaika Brothers playing at Russian House of Austin on Friday Oct 26th starting at 7PM followed by Dj James in honor of our European Community !!! Let’s get the party started !!!! Lots of dancing, great food, and of course our famous infused vodkas, all 40 of them !!!!”

We have invited the City of Austin International Welcome Ambassador Organizations to co-host with us and welcome other international groups as well:

The Austin Lima Sister Cities Committee, Carol Hayman, President, www.austinlima.org
GlobalAustin, www.ihcaustin.com/, Steve Niemeyer, President – Estuardo Robles and Adrienne Carter
Austin Polish Society, Mary Gawron, President –
www.austinpolishsociety.org

Casa de Espana and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Antonia Warren
www.casadeespanaaustin.com
www.gahcc.org
Natalie Betts, City of Austin, Economic Development Specialist, International Program, www.austintexas.gov
Accross Cultures, Anna Katrina Davey, www.acrosscultures.info
Austin Intercultural Network, Chi Dinh, Executive Director of AIN, www.austininterculturalnetwork.org

Photography: Marek – The Austin Polish Society

Austin – Sep 29 2012

It’s finally time for the Swedes’ annual crayfish party again. Henrik and Rasmus are extending our members the invitation to get together and celebrate this great Swedish tradition Texas style.

When: Saturday Sept, 29th at 7.00 PM
Where: Boundless Network Patio, 200 E 6th Street, Austin
Price: $35 incl. food and alcoholic beverages
$20 incl. food and non-alcoholic beverages

Contact Rasmus for questions about the event via e-mail
“Yonder comes a man with a sack on his back – Got all the crawdads he can pack”