Thursday, June 14, at the Music Room, St James Cavalier
Imagine pulling a rubber band. It gets thinner the more you stretch it. But auxetic materials defy this logic – they do the opposite and become thicker when stretched and thinner when compressed.
Fascinated? Dr Daphne Attard will be giving a talk for Malta Cafe Scientifique called ‘Stretch it, Bend it, Pull it’ tomorrow at 7.15p.m., Music Room, St James Cavalier. Following the talk there will be an open discussion with the audience. Entrance is free and no special science background is required.
Auxetic materials are still in development, but researchers worldwide see an endless range of applications. Auxetic foams could be used in safety equipment like elbow and kneepads, bulletproof vests, crash helmets, automotive seats, cushioning and packaging. Imagine a rider falling off a bike and hitting their elbow on the pavement – this material would push back against the pavement and elbow bones, reducing the effect of the impact.
Auxetic textiles could be used as smart medical dressings. The material would deliver the right amount of medication depending on the swelling. And auxetic heart stents wouldn’t compress and run the risk of causing blockages and heart attacks. The only limits on auxetics are the researchers’ imagination and manufacturing cost.
The speaker has recently obtained her PhD in auxetics, is a full-time researcher at the University of Malta and has over 20 publications to her name. Malta Cafe Scientifique is supported by The Malta Chamber of Scientists and the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, and aided by the University of Malta.
Jewels from the Musicals
Friday, June 15, at the Royal Malta Yacht Club
The Royal Malta Yacht Club is proudly hosting the Malta Opera Company Ensemble and The Mood Swing Singers for an evening of musical favourites. A beautiful atmosphere, lively songs, gorgeous views of Valletta and Marsamxett, attractive raffle prizes, canapés and flowing wine await you.
Radio Amateurs Exhibition
Saturday, June 16 – Sunday, 24 June, at the Auberge d’Italie
This unusual and interesting exhibition features wireless equipment of contemporary high technology. Exhibits include Luftwaffe TRF receiver and three Russian receivers and H2S equipment (nowadays called radar) invented by the British army in 1935 to detect IFF aircrafts and Homing L.F receivers. Aircraft long-range transmitter used by Lancaster bombers and B17 are going to be operational during the exhibition.
Reflex 80s party
Saturday, June 16, at Gianpula
The Reflex 80s Summer Party returns to Gianpula (Open Air) with a bang on Saturday, June 16. For the eighth consecutive year Reflex Promotions continue to present the biggest 1980s party in Europe. Following a warm-up by guest DJ Alberto Palmieri from Rome, DJ and radio presenter Alex Grech will rock the crowd with a six-hour set on the main stage along with videos on the big screens.
Reflex Promotions will also host the New Romantic, Alternative and Electro 80s area at the Groove Gardens with DJ Mozzer during the same night. That’s right – two clubs, three dance floors and over 12 hours of great 1980s music, nostalgia and fun.
Malta Music Week
Friday, June 22 – Tuesday, June 26, various locations
In the days leading up to the Isle of MTV concert, Malta will be hosting the fourth edition of the Malta Music Week. Now part of the local entertainment calendar, the Malta Music Week will this year feature the best in local clubbing at the finest locations around the island.
Friday, June 22, G7 Fridays at Gianpula
Fridays at Gianpula are the highlight of Malta’s summer clubbing season. The party at Gianpula will play the biggest dance floor hits and the finest and latest dance cuts for a pure typical hot summer night out.
Saturday, June 23, Grotta Club Night, Gozo
Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful open-air clubs in the Mediterranean, La Grotta is the clubbing sensation of the Maltese Islands. With its amazing cave and wicked atmosphere, this event is not to be missed.
Sunday, June 24, Beach Party
This will be one of the coolest clubbing sensations in Malta, with the sand as our dance floor, the Mediterranean Sea as our backstage and the sunset as our special effects.
Tuesday, June 26, Isle of MTV Malta Special
The granaries in Floriana will once again host an unforgettable night as the Isle of MTV concert will light up the beautiful sky for a sixth consecutive year. More than 40,000 music fans will be thrilled by incredible live performances by top artists from around the world. The Isle of MTV will once again be the ultimate free European outdoor summer music event of the year.
Jazz Under the Stars
Friday, June 22, at Palazzo de Piro, Mdina
Trumpet player Effie Azzopardi along with Eric Santucci on guitar and Ryan Portelli on drums, will gather on Friday, June 22 at 8p.m. for an informal open air gig which will take place in the picturesque courtyard of the 17th century Palazzo de Piro in Mdina.
The three Maltese musicians take their inspiration from the rare-groove style funk of the 1960s and 70s and will offer a catchy, smooth rendition of popular and lesser-known tunes to create a fresh voice in the local music scene combining the different jazz styles.
The bar at Xpresso Cafe, Palazzo de Piro, will stay open for the duration of the gig to provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as wraps, Maltese platters and other snacks.
Seats and tables are available in the courtyard and inside the Xpresso Cafe which leads onto the courtyard.
Malta Trade Fair
Wednesday, June 27 – Sunday, July 8, MFCC, Ta’ Qali
This year, the 55th edition of the Malta Trade Fair will be held at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta Qali. Last year’s edition saw over a third of the Maltese population in 11 days. This is an excellent opportunity to grab a bargain in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
L-Imnarja
Friday, June 29, Buskett
L-Imnarja is one of the oldest feasts celebrated in Malta and Gozo and commemorates two important saints in Maltese religious lore, St Peter and St Paul. The word ‘luminarja’ is derived from the Latin word ‘luminare’, which means ‘to light up’. This was the way people manifested their joy in recognition of a particular feast, such lighting being offered by burning bonfires and candles. This feast has somewhat moved away from the traditional village ‘festa’ style and has developed a different type of merriment which is held in Buskett on the eve of June 29.
The liturgical services are held in the Mdina Cathedral. During the late afternoon hours, numerous horse and donkey races are held in a country lane situated just below Mdina. The contenders vie for the ‘palju’ (a traditional banner that is presented as a trophy to the winners of various categories of races) which in olden times used to be presented to the winners by the Grand Master of the Order.
The feast of St Peter and St Paul is also celebrated in Nadur, Gozo.