Graz Travel Guide

Graz has been a meeting point for culture in all its shapes and sizes for a long, long time. Whatever it is that you like, from literature to music, from fine art to festivals, you will find something to keep you entertained in Graz.

The city caters to lovers of cinema and Cabaret, they need only go to venues such as the Kino im Augarten and if you have money to throw away, the Casino Graz is perfect for you.

Music

Classical The Grazer Opernhaus often stages productions of Wagner's magnificent "Der Ring des Nibelungen", continuing its tradtion of staging that artist's works. There is little doubt that the producers will capture the admiration of both Austrian and international audiences. The Opera-house is also a well-known venue for classical ballet and great companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet have performed here. Classical music can be heard at the Stefanien Concert Room in the Grazer Congress (Tel: +43 316 82 64 67; Albrechtgasse 3; 8010 Graz) and depending on the time of year, the Kasematten - Schlossbergbühne at Schlossberg, is also an excellent location for music-lovers to visit.

Jazz There are three main events on the city's jazz calender. Spring is the season for the "Jazzclub-Festival," and autumn is when the "Austrian Soundcheck" (Tel: +43 316 80 75 0; FAX: +43 316 8075 15; Herrengasse 16; 8010 Graz) takes place. In the summer, the Graz Jazz Summer (and the Jazz festival at the Mariahilfplatz), keep jazz fans busy.

If you are not in the city at any of these times, then you can always go to the JazzCafe Stockwerk, the WIST (in the basement of the MoXX), the Royal Garden Jazz Club in the Bürgergasse 4 or the Miles. On Sundays, the Jazz brunch at the Hotel Wiesler, (Tel: +43 316 70 66 0) is very popular. Last but certainly not least, one has to mention the GamsbART at the Karmeliterplatz 5 (+43 316 83 29 35). It is part of the 'Jazz Cartell' and it's a great place to sample an open-air concert in the picturesque Generali courtyard.

Pop and Rock The best venue for wild rock concerts is no doubt one which has a bit of an eventful past itself. In Graz, the Orpheum fits this description perfectly. It's been a guesthouse, a brewery, a public bath, and a political meeting point, and during the 17th and 18th centuries it was even a cemetery! At the beginning of the 20th century, the powers that be finally decided to make the Orpehum a different type of venue, and today it is one of the most popular showplaces in Austria. Everyone who's anyone on the international scene has performed here.

Theatre and Cabaret

Theatre buffs of all ages will have a ball in Graz! The city's main thespian meeting point is the Schauspielhaus, which has more than 550 seats.

The Theater im Bahnhof is particularly suited to those who want to be part of an 'active audience' and 8-18-year olds are catered for by Next Liberty.

The Orpheum, which has already been mentioned, also has two "Märchen" stages, and a programme of events called Graz erzählt ('Graz tells a story') is held here every year. Numerous fringe productions and Cabaret performances also find and audience here.

Museums

The most wide-ranging exhibition of artwork can be found at the Landesmuseum Joanneum. It has 16 departments that are spread throughout the city. Here are a few: the Alte Galerie (Old Galerie), is full of art from the Romantic and Baroque periods, the Neue Galerie (New Galerie) exhibits work from the 19th century to the present. There is also theLandeszeughaus .

Will you be able to fine tune your senses after being exposed to such a variety of treasures? Visit the MUWA, the MuWa and you will soon find out!

Cinemas and Internet Cafes

If your idea of a good night at the movies is an upholstered seat, a good view of the screen and someone sitting next to you who won't throw popcorn at other cinema-goers, then you are looking in the right city. Graz was not chosen as the venue for the Diagonale, the Festival of Austrian Film, for nothing.

The CinepleXX is comfortable, spacious and modern. If you are after something with a traditional feel to it, then try the Kino im Augarten. It has an old-fashioned flair to it and also screens foreign language films. The Geidorf-Art House Cinema is also a local favorite.

If you can't decide if you want to go to the cinema or watch a video at home, then the Filmzentrum im Rechbauerkino offers a solution - it's a cinema with an adjacent video store, so you can decide what you feel like once you get there. English films are screened at the Royal English Cinema.

In keeping with the information age, Graz also has numerous internet cafes where you can check your email and surf the web. The Center West, in the pavillion of the 'Landesaustellung' (comm.gr2000az) is one possible stop-off point, as is the Youth Hostel.

Annual Events

Graz hosts many noteworthy cultural, sporting and musical events every year, some of which are now internationally renowned. The Styriarte music festival, the avant garde Steirischer Herbst, and the International Mountain and Adventure Film Festival in the Schönaugase 3 (Tel +43 316 81 42 23), are only a few examples of a packed programme of events. Sporty visitors and locals always enjoy the Grazer Autumn Marathon (Tel: +43 316 84 99 88 0; Interpromotion: Hollerer Erich, Wielandgasse 14-16; 8010 Graz) und and the ATP Tennis Tournament (Tel: +43 316 29 15 20; FAX: +43 316 29 25 98; Offensive Sport Management).2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 299