Entertainment - Prague and the Czech Republic - page 149

Buying Czech CDs and DVDs
While the most convenient places to get CDs of classical music
are the shops in the Via Musica and Rudolfinum ticket offices
(described previously), you'll find a larger selection and other
genres at the huge Bontonland music and video store, at the
bottom of Wenceslas Square (enter from the mall with the
big Kenvelo sign on the outside). In the classical music sec-
tion, you'll find many interpretations of Czech works. For the
best Czech renditions, look for music performed by the Czech
Philharmonic.
For contemporary, lighter music, get a CD by Čechomor
( Metamorphosis is their best). This band, which began by
playing traditional Czech music at weddings and funerals,
synthesized the sound of folk ballads and has since become
one of the most popular groups in the country. Jiří Pavlica
and Hradišťan keep the music of Moravia alive, while Věra
Bíla and Ida Kellarová capture the lively spirit of the Roma
(Gypsies). Some cool Czech contemporary groups are Psí
Vojáci, Neočekávaný Dýchánek, and Už Jsme Doma.
A handy place to get DVDs of Czech and European
films is the tiny Terryho Ponožky shop in the Světozor mall
just off Wenceslas Square (Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00, closed
Sun; enter from Vodičkova 41, the store is on the right next
to the Světozor Cinema; tel. [phone], www.terryho
ponozky.cz). Be warned that many European DVDs don't
work on American DVD players (though they usually play on
computers just fine).
(concerts start at 20:00, disco at 22:00, cover from 100 Kč, Mon
free, easy to book online and pick up tickets at the door, Dlouhá
33, tel. [phone], www.roxy.cz).
Agharta Jazz Club, which showcases some of the best Czech
and Eastern European jazz, is just steps off the Old Town Square
in a cool Gothic cellar. Inside they also sell a wide selection of
Czech jazz CDs (shows start nightly at 21:00, 200-Kč cover,
Železná 16, tel. [phone], www.agharta.cz).
In the New Town
Lucerna Music Bar, at the bottom of Wenceslas Square, is popu-
lar for disco nights. Friday and Saturdays are the “1980s Party,”
featuring the silly pop songs of the last years under communism,
when spineless Czech pop stars took the easy route to success
instead of coming up with thoughtful lyrics that could have fur-
thered the cause of freedom. The scene is a big, noisy dance hall
with a giant video screen. Young and trendy, the Lucerna has
cheap prices, and even older tourists mix in easily (music nightly