Vladimir Raevskiy Concert

Vladimir Raevskiy brings his take on Russian history to MATCH on Monday, October 12, at 7:30 PM. He'll be performing in Matchbox 4, one of the smaller rooms at the Midtown Arts & Theater Center, so it's a relatively intimate setting for a show that runs about an hour and 40 minutes without an intermission.

Raevskiy is a Russian historian and storyteller who shares Russian history and culture through Instagram, films, and lectures. He's built his act around a new genre he calls "historical stand-up," which comes from the idea that Russian history isn't just tragedy and horror, but also a cascade of funny stories. In his version, figures like Stalin and Ivan the Terrible are cast as comedy characters rather than just the grim figures they're usually known as.

If you've never heard of him, that's a good place to start: he's a historian by trade, and the comedy comes from the actual records. The whole thing is a single stretch—about 100 minutes with no break—so you'll be in your seat for the full run. It's a good one to keep on your radar if you've ever wanted a window into Russian history that doesn't feel like a textbook.

One practical thing to keep in mind: tickets aren't sold through the MATCH Box Office. Will call and door sales, if they're available, are handled in the theater lobby by the presenter. The show starts at 7:30 PM on Monday, October 12, at MATCH in Midtown.