Events
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August 2011
Among the quirkier highlights of a Brussels summer is the Roller Bike Parade, a trip around town that’s free to join and open to all. It’s not really a “parade” in the traditional sense — just a fun, healthy way to whizz around and see the sights of the Belgian capital. A series of rides take place throughout the summer, and you’re invited to get your bike or ’blades out and join in. See the website for specific dates and routes.
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August 2011
If you’re in Liverpool, whatever you do, don’t miss this exhibition at Tate of the work of the extraordinary Belgian surrealist René Magritte, famous for his darkly funny, thought-provoking paintings. The largest UK show of Magritte works for 20 years, it includes some of his most iconic paintings, rarely seen photographs and more.
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August 2011
You don’t have to fork out for a flight to Jamaica to enjoy some seriously good reggae this summer. You could head to Rototom Sunsplash, a reggae extravaganza at the Benicàssim resort, just outside Valencia. In total there are over 2,000 artists performing this year, including legends of the genre like Bunny Wailer and Jimmy Cliff .
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August 2011
Make the most of the balmy August evenings in Croatia and see a movie outdoors, thanks to Zadar’s Film Forum. This international event off ers plenty of chances to watch films for free, in the open air. Screenings at the festival range from indie shorts and documentaries to feature films, many of which are in English, or have English subtitles.
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August 2011
Late August is a great time of year to visit Denmark’s second city of Aarhus, and not just because you can enjoy a drink outdoors amid beautiful medieval architecture. This is when the vast and varied Aarhus Festival kicks off. One of the largest cultural events in Scandinavia, it encompasses dance, theatre, art, children’s entertainment, and a huge variety of live music. The action unfolds across a range of indoor and outdoor city venues.
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January 2011
There’s nothing like a fortnight’s worth of contemporary visual theatre to make you say “wow”. Well, actually you shouldn’t say wow at all but rather mime the word “wow”. Or, if you’re feeling creative, explore wow-ness through some cutting-edge circus-theatre, animation, or puppetry. Spread out across the capital’s top stages – the Barbican, ICA, the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio Theatre, Southbank Centre and the Roundhouse – this festival attracts mimes from all over the non-verbalised globe.
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January 2011
Drink beer every day and every night, drink beer and you’ll feel alright, drinking beer is worth celebration, so drink the best winter beer in the nation! CAMRA, or the Campaign for Real Ale, are proud standard bearers of great ale from small and large brewers all around the UK and Ireland.
At the National Winter Ales Festival you will find over 200 cask ales, bottled ales and ciders. Yet they’re not for keeping them to themselves – the ales are all ready to be savoured by attendees on a beer-drinking mission. Apparently, by the last day everyone will be so plastered that they’ll turn up in Victorian clothing.
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January 2011
A Zambian lady with a mischievous look in her eyes and a tight-fitting bodysuit flies through the air, twisting… and turning into a contortionist from Japan, a serene smile on his face as he slowly packs himself into a box… which shoots out balls high into the air… that are caught by a French juggler.
Set up in 1977 by Isabelle and Dominique Mauclair, this gathering of performers has been spinning, juggling and contorting its way to Paris ever since, delighting crowds with their extraordinary talents. It’s a globe-spanning big top party like no other!
