Community Calendar
Auction helps Patch up kids' lives
■ The inspirational Patch Adams MD, whose therapy of laughter and happiness was made famous by Robin Williams' film, is in Moscow tonight (Friday, Nov 14) to help raise money for the Maria's Children organization. He is the guest auctioneer at the artistic therapy group's major annual fundraiser, which takes place at the Katerina Hotel on Shluzovskaya Naberezhnaya at 6.30pm.
As well as an auction of art work produced by disadvantaged youngsters working with Maria's Children, the evening also features a dinner and live music. Over the past two years similar auctions have netted more than $100,000 to support the organization's work with orphans and children with learning disabilities. Tickets cost 1,200 rubles (under-12s go free) and to confirm last-minute availability call 495 692 4870 or 8 916 164 4996.
Open and shutter case
■ The Moscow Expat Photo club is meeting on Sunday, Nov 16, at 11am. The group, open to all English-speaking photo enthusiasts, gathers for coffee to share advice and ideas before heading on to the streets to take some pictures. For more details of the club contact expatphotoclub@gmail.com or http://www.flickr.com/groups/expatphotoclub/
Films with Va Va Voom
■ Moscow's French film club shows De battre mon cœur s'est arrêté ("The beat my heart skipped") on Wednesday, Nov 19, starting at 8.30pm. The film, directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Romain Duris is a character study of a talented young musician torn between pursuing his dream of becoming a pianist or following his father's career as a dodgy estate agent.
Swap shop for bookworms
■ A newly-formed book swap club is meeting on Saturday, Nov 29, at 3pm in the Costa Cafeé on Pushkinskaya Ploschad. Literature lovers are welcome to come along, bring some books in English and swap them for something new. Details of the books on offer will be posted in advance at www.expat.ru and www.redtape.ru and more information is available from: bookswap.mow@gmail.com
Community calendar
The Moscow News wants to hear from YOU! If you are organizing an expat-friendly event, running a club or looking for charity volunteers let us know. We'll be happy to add your non-profit-making organization to our community calendar in the local pages of the paper every Friday.
You can reach local editor Andy Potts on (495) 645 7585, or email moscowcommunity@mail.ru with details of your event or organization. This information service is free for non-commercial groups. Please get your information to us by midday on the Tuesday before you want it to appear in the paper.