Rozálie Havelková Honors Grandmother with “Lovedirt, Spade” Tour
Czech singer, actress, and accordionist Rozálie Havelková is embarking on her first concert tour, “Lovedirt, spade,” a performance dedicated to the memory of her grandmother, Libuše Havelková. The tour, which begins March 17th at the Hybernia Theater in Prague, is a deeply personal tribute to a complex relationship.
A Legacy in the Arts
Rozálie Havelková comes from a prominent artistic family. Her father is musician Ondřej Havelka, and her mother is actress Alice Kovácsová, a longtime friend of the late singer Karel Gott. Havelková herself is a multi-talented performer, captivating audiences with her unique blend of music and performance. She is currently a student at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), studying Stage Design in Alternative and Puppet Theatre [DAMU].
A Complex Relationship
The relationship between Rozálie and her grandmother was not always easy. Rozálie recalls her grandmother’s critical nature, particularly regarding her appearance. “She constantly didn’t like something about me. And above all she criticized my hair, she was upset that I was terribly disheveled, that I looked like a sparrow and I should fix myself,” Rozálie admitted. However, their bond deepened as Rozálie matured, and they found common ground.
A Loss and a Dedication
Libuše Havelková passed away on April 6, 2017, at the age of twenty, before she could witness Rozálie’s success in the musical Cabaret at the Theater Without Rails. She also did not live to see Rozálie release her debut album, Korzetiér, which earned her a nomination for the prestigious Czech music award, Ceny Anděl [Czech Consulate New York].
Rozálie has now dedicated her first concert tour, “Lovedirt, spade,” to her grandmother’s memory. She expresses a desire to have her grandmother present at the concerts, hoping for her approval and pride. The tour will feature songs drawing upon French and Latin American classics, performed in their original languages [Czech Consulate New York].
Tour Dates and Venues
The “Lovedirt, spade” tour kicks off in Prague at the Hybernia Theater on March 17th. Previous tour dates included performances in New York (Bohemian National Hall, November 17, 2023), Philadelphia (Four Green Cats Café, November 19, 2023), and Washington DC (Kennedy Center, November 22, 2023) [Czech Consulate New York].