26.7.2012

A quarter of a century at the Laituri

The 25th Down By The Laituri

Jukka Poika (photo: Jan-Erik Olin/Anatom Allstar)

Down by the Laituri was Finland's first city festival and this year it winds around Aurajoki until 29 July. The main tent is found alongside Turun Kaupunginteatteri (Turku City Theatre); the second time DBTL has been staged there. 

DBTL has been organised since 1988 and this year’s theme can be said to be Elvis. In Turku City Theatre's lobby there is an exhibition of Elvis themed paintings by Markku Laakso, a former resident of Enontekiö who now lives in Turku. In addition, the lobby also has a display of rare RCA singles and EPs by Elvis from the 1950s, many of which are first editions and collectors’ items.

Laakso was invited to participate in DBTL as its guest artist and this represents the continuation of a visual arts aspect to DBTL, which began last year with an exhibition of Andy McCoy's artwork. Markku Laakso’s exhibition features oil paintings from the 1990s to the present day.

The City Theatre lobby exhibition is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, 26–28 July. The exhibition is free and has no age limit.

The Elvis theme continues on Friday when the City Theatre's main stage will host the Riku Niemi Orchestra, which will feature Jorma Kääriäinen, who is a well-known interpreter of songs made famous by Elvis. On Saturday, you can experience the Elvis Mass at Mikaelin Kirkko, in which Elvis's gospel works will be interpreted by The Men in Sin group.

This year’s foreign artists are the 1974 ABBA Tribute Show from Britain, while the United States provides The Blasting Company and L.A. Guns.

Down By The Laituri opened this year at Klubi Turku on Tuesday, 24 July and the main tent rocks from Wednesday to Saturday.

More info:

• Traffic diversions during DBTL
• www.dbtl.fi