Getting Started
The inaugural concert of the 2005/06 season at the National Philharmonic will be held Oct. 2 and also marks the opening of the 15th Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition. It will be performed by the National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and Choir conducted by Antoni Wit, featuring special star pianist Dang Thai Son, a laureate of the Chopin Competition from the 1980s. The concert program includes Chaconne for String Orchestra by Penderecki, Piano Concerto in G Minor by Mendelssohn and Sinfonia de motu by Kilar.

Inaugural Concert of the season and the 15th Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition: Oct. 2, 8 p.m., National Philharmonic, 5 Jasna St


Tinkle Trinkle
The second edition of the Warsaw Festival of Jazz Pianists will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at the Mazovian Culture and Art Center. This year, it will start with a competition during which young pianists will get an opportunity to present their skills to outstanding professionals. The best pianists will receive monetary prizes.
Concerts by representatives of the Polish jazz scene and laureates of the competition will be held Oct. 1-3, giving newcomers a chance to share the stage with seasoned musicians.

Second Warsaw Festival of Jazz Pianists, Sept. 30-Oct. 3, Mazovian Culture and Art Center, 12 Elektoralna St.
Sept. 30-Competition for pianists (debut); free admission
Oct. 1, 7 p.m.- Andrzej Kurylewicz Trio
Oct. 2, 7 p.m.-Michał Tokaj Trio
Oct. 3, 7 p.m.-Krzysztof Herdzin Trio and Jan Jarczyk
Tickets cost zl.16 and are available at the Center's ticket office from 5 p.m. on the days of the concerts.


Real Intelligent Design
A gigantic, bearded face of Charles Darwin will appear on the evening of Oct. 6 on the facade of the Palace of Culture and Science. As if that was not enough, Darwin will be singing the song "What a Wonderful World." The event will close a project named Darwin in Warsaw, which was born when Scandinavian artist Lene Berg was on a three-month stay at the CSW in Ujazdowski Castle last spring.

The video portrait of Darwin will be shown on the side of Marszałkowska Street. It was designed using the last photos of the scientist that his son Leonard took in 1878. "As far as I know, Darwin never visited Poland or Warsaw," said Berg. "I thus believe that 2005 could be a good moment, now that Poland and Warsaw are transforming so conspicuously. What fits the symbol of evolution and transformations better than the facade of a building whose name contains science and culture?"

Berg studied film directing at the University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theater in Stockholm. Since 1999, she has taught at film and art schools. She also works as an artist and film director.

The event will coincide with a book and a series of postcards.
Darwin in Warsaw screening, Oct. 6 at dusk on the facade of the Palace of Culture and Science (side of Marszałkowska Street)