Events: What's on in Budapest

Paradisum is the latest work by award-winning choreographer Bence Vági, whose Recirquel troupe has stunned audiences across the world with its unique art form. Self-named cirque danse, a daring yet graceful marriage of circus acrobatics and contemporary dance, it breaks genres to express concepts of love, trust, memory and belonging, among others. Performers take to the air and push their physicality to the limits. Having just toured this new production around France, Recirquel return to Budapest for an initial five-night run at prestigious arts centre, Müpa, with more shows in May.

There's no need to travel for an authentic Italian experience in Hungary – the flavours and the atmosphere of the Mediterranean are being brought to life at Time Out Market Budapest. The Chef’s Table series allows one restaurant to take guests behind the scenes to meet the chefs, discover their stories, inspirations and signature dishes – including creations not usually available on the regular menu – in an intimate, private-dining experience with limited seating. 

On April 16, Anyukám Mondta presents its pizza-tasting menu in an exciting collaborative four-handed dinner. The evening will be hosted by Szilárd and Szabolcs Dudás, with a six-course pizza-tasting prepared jointly by Szabolcs Dudás and chef Giovanni Spera from Molino Dallagiovanna of Piacenza. Highlights include inventive combinations such as mortadella with stracciatella and pistachio pesto, a five-tomato composition, and seafood-inspired flavours with anchovies, marinated swordfish and lime.

Complementing the culinary journey are six sparkling wines, Anyukám Mondta’s own labels, produced in collaboration with the French Champagne house Maison Louis de Grenelle. Tickets are priced at Ft 19,500 (€50), including water.

Docking at the A38 as part of his Love Will Bring You Home Tour across two continents and backing his upcoming fourth studio album, Grey, Kiefer Sutherland brings his engaging mix of energetic Americana to Budapest. Winner of a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on screen, the British-Canadian actor has been writing and performing music since his debut album, Down in a Hole, was released in 2016. His tour takes him from Luxembourg to Las Vegas. Irish singer/songwriter Colin Andrew provides support.

It’s been nearly half a century since Christopher Cross hit the big time with hits such as Sailing and Arthur’s Theme but the Texan troubadour is still touring and still releasing music. He treads the boards with his band at Budapest’s Dürer Kert, showcasing his considerable skills on guitar and playing a set of radio-friendly soft-rock tunes that have won him numerous awards over the years. This will be his first show in Budapest.

Starting on April 2, Time Out Market Budapest hosts four nights of exclusive whisky tasting, beginning with a five-point journey from New Zealand to Canada to England, ireland and Scotland (6pm; Ft 2,000/€5; tickets here). The global odyssey then sails over to Ireland on April 8, when visitors can experience the different nuances of whiskey from a carerfully curated selection (7pm; Ft 2,000/€5; tickets here). A week later, on April 15, Whisky Without Borders is theme, with particular focus on Japanese Suntory and various American bourbon brands (6pm; Ft 2,000/€5; tickets here), before top-quality bourbon, single-malt and Irish whisky sampling on April 22 (7pm; Ft 2,000/€5; tickets here).

Hungary’s first contemporary ballet company explore the depth of human relationships in this two-part adaptation of the star-crossed story of Romeo and Juliet. Playing for two consecutive nights on March 19-20, then again in May at Müpa’s prestigious Festival Theatre, the production showcases Vincze Balázs’s stunning choreography, the stage designs of Balázs Cziegler and costumes by Julcsi Kiss. As Shakespeare once more takes the global spotlight, this is a timely reminder of his everlasting appeal, no matter the art form.