Exploring Oslo - Norway - page 139

collection is the best in Oslo—and sealskin items, such as moccasins and hand-
bags. The shop specializes in hand-knit cardigans, pullovers, gloves, and caps,
and a selection of sweaters made from mothproof, 100% Norwegian wool. Fret-
gof Namser Plass 9. & 22-42-02-88. Tram: 10 or 12.
SWEATERS
Oslo Sweater Shop Some 5,000 handcrafted sweaters are in stock here,
close to the Royal Palace. Try them on before you buy. In theory, at least, you
can tell the origin of a Norwegian sweater by its pattern and design, but with the
increase in machine-made sweaters and the increased sophistication of Norwe-
gian knitwear, the distinctions are increasingly blurred. Here, as in virtually
every other sweater shop in Oslo, only about 10% of the sweaters are hand-
made—the remainder are high-quality and first-rate, but most likely were
crafted on an electric knitting machine. Sweaters start at around 990NOK
($141), rising to a maximum of 3,000NOK ($426). Other items include neck-
laces, pewter ware, souvenirs, and Norway-inspired trinkets. Next to the Clarion
Hotel Royal Christiania, Biskop Gunnerus Gate 3. & 22-42-42-25. Bus: 30, 31, or 41.
10 Oslo After Dark
Oslo has a bustling nightlife that thrives past midnight. The city boasts more
than 100 night cafes, clubs, and restaurants, 35 of which stay open until 4am.
Oslo is also a favorite destination of international performing artists in classi-
cal, pop, rock, and jazz music. Autumn and winter are the seasons for cabaret,
theater, and concerts. There are four cabarets and nine theater stages throughout
the city.
For movie lovers, Oslo has a lot to offer. The city has one of the most exten-
sive selections in Europe, with 30 screens and 5 large film complexes. Films are
shown in their original languages, with subtitles.
THE ENTERTAINMENT SCENE
The best way to find out what's happening is to pick up a copy of What's On in
Oslo, detailing concerts and theaters and other useful information. Oslo doesn't
have agents who specialize in discount tickets, but it does have an exceptional
number of free events. What's On in Oslo lists free happenings as well as the lat-
est exhibits at art galleries, which make for good early evening destinations.
Tickets to the theater, ballet, and opera are sold at box offices and by calling
Billettsentralen at & 81-53-31-33. Tickets to most sporting and cultural
events in Oslo can be purchased by computer at any post office in the city. The
same postal clerk who sells you stamps can also sell you a voucher for a ticket to
the ballet, the theater, or a hockey game.
The world-famous Oslo Philharmonic performs regularly under the leader-
ship of Mariss Janson at the Oslo Konserthus. There are no Oslo performances
between June 20 and the middle of August.
If you visit Oslo in the winter season, you might be able to see its thriving
opera and ballet company, Den Norske Opera. Plays given at the National-
theatret (where plays by Ibsen are regularly featured) are in Norwegian, so those
who know the language should enjoy hearing the original versions of his plays.
THE PERFORMING ARTS
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Oslo Konserthus Two blocks from the National Theater, this is the
home of the widely acclaimed Oslo Philharmonic. Performances are given