15 August 10
Undercurrents
Undercurrents
Hip news and events across the network from our European correspondents
TEXT BY TAMAS GABOR
PHOTO © DAVID BOWEN, CORBIS
3 SEP–7 NOV
BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS
BLACKPOOL, UK
This much-loved event has been called the greatest free light show on Earth, attracting curious visitors to the north-west seaside town since 1879. Audiences at the early shows were at a loss for words, describing the spectacle as “artificial sunshine”. The Big Switch On weekend is happening 3–5 September, with a mystery celebrity flipping on the lights to a crowd of up to 15,000 people. With the lights glaring, the live music and fun continue late into the night. The celebrations will also take on a contemporary feel, looking at how the concept of light and art work together to produce entertainment – through interactive installations and more.
www.VISITBLACKPOOL.COM/SITE/ILLUMINATIONS
TEXT BY TAMAS GABOR
FLY TO LIVERPOOL FROM 45 DESTINATIONS, AND TO MANCHESTER FROM DUBLIN. VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
27 AUG–5 SEP
AARHUS FESTIVAL
AARHUS, DENMARK
Art and entertainment spill through the streets, alleys, clubs, galleries and museums of Denmark’s second-largest city in what is one of Scandinavia’s largest cultural events. First held in 1965, Aarhus Festival has grown to include an array of dance, exhibitions, contortionists, sports and children’s entertainment, as well as an ever-reliable musical line-up. This year’s theme will focus on “Neighbours”, encouraging visitors to “love your neighbour as yourself”, while challenging the notion of the grass always being greener on the other side of the fence.
TEXT BY JARED SALTER
FLY TO AARHUS FROM FIVE DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING LONDON (STANSTED), MALAGA AND OSLO (RYGGE). VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
29 AUG
WORLD BOG SNORKELLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
LLANWRTYD WELLS, UK
Bog snorkelling? If you think this sounds downright nasty you’re spot on, but that’s part of the fun! Bog snorkelling entails manoeuvring along two lengths of a 55m peat bog trench on the outskirts of one of Britain’s smallest towns, Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales. Chances are this event was conceived after a few pints at a diff erent sort of watering hole – but, nonetheless, the competition has really caught on. Past international contestants have come from as far afield as Russia, Australia and New Zealand, and all aim to race down the bog in less than two minutes – hoping not to drink the bog as they go. Wetsuits are optional, but certainly recommended.
TEXT BY EDWARD WIESE
FLY TO BRISTOL FROM 32 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BERGERAC, GDANSK AND LANZAROTE. VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
19 & 26 AUG, 2 & 9 SEP
COME TOGETHER @ SPACE IBIZA
IBIZA, SPAIN
Keeping itself ahead of the illustrious pack of Ibiza superclubs is Space, which has upped the ante by cramming together a hedonistic fusion of electro, techno, indie, house and all manner of other genres into the appropriately named “Come Together”. Taking place every Thursday until 9 September, it draws artists such as Danny Tenaglia, Calvin Harris, Felix da Housecat and Salt ’N’ Pepa, as well as new talents from the now legendary Monza Ibiza club nights. Be careful not to wear yourselves out before the weekend hits though!
TEXT BY ROBERT CHAMBERS
FLY TO IBIZA FROM 20 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BARCELONA (EL PRAT AND GIRONA), BIRMINGHAM, GLASGOW (PRESTWICK), LONDON (STANSTED), MILAN (BERGAMO) AND VENICE (TREVISO). VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
21 AUG
MOBILE PHONE THROWING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUVA, FINLAND
Remember the other day when your mobile phone dropped a call and you felt like throwing it out the window? We all have a love-hate relationship with our mobiles and this is your chance to show this piece of technology who’s boss. Only in Finland, land of Nokia and crazy contests, could an event like this be invented. There are two competition styles: traditional over-the-shoulder distance throwing and freestyle, where points are awarded for creative choreography. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to toss your own phone, but a selection of models are available to choose from. The event also promotes the safe recycling of mobile phones and batteries.
TEXT BY HEIDI HUMULA
FLY TO LAPPEENRANTA FROM BRUSSELS (CHARLEROI) AND DUSSELDORF (WEEZE). VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
4–5 SEP
LILLE FLEA MARKET
LILLE, FRANCE
Boasting 33 continuous hours of bargain-hunting across 100km of stalls with 10,000 sellers, the Braderie de Lille is Europe’s largest flea market. Taking place from 2pm on the Saturday to 11pm on the Sunday, the all-night extravaganza attracts over 2 million people and dates back to the Middle Ages when servants were allowed special privileges to sell their masters’ old possessions. Today, numerous musical performances are on offer as you browse the antiques, clothes and jewellery stalls, while moules-frites (mussels with chips) have also become a deeply rooted tradition. All of which explains the mini-mountains of mussel shells piled in front of local restaurants, as they compete for the honour of highest pile.
TEXT BY ANNE LABARRE
FLY TO LILLE FROM THREE DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING
MARSEILLE PROVENCE MP2. VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
28–29 AUG
SOUTH WEST FOUR
LONDON, UK
After six years of giving Londoners a day of dance to remember on Clapham Common, South West Four is now doubling the fun by expanding to a whole weekend! And not just any weekend either, but the much- anticipated August Bank Holiday weekend — meaning hardened partiers can catch Armin van Buuren, Sasha, Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold on the Saturday, come back for Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and Zane Lowe on Sunday, and still have time to recover on the Bank Holiday Monday. Such considerate organisers!
TEXT BY JULIA MURRAY
FLY TO LONDON (GATWICK, LUTON AND STANSTED) FROM OVER 100 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BERLIN (SCHONEFELD), GENOA, HAMBURG (LUBECK) AND MEMMINGEN (MUNICH WEST). VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
4 SEP
THE BRAEMAR GATHERING
BRAEMAR, UK
For the past 900 years, The Braemar Gathering has been a resolutely royal affair. Held near Balmoral in Scotland – the summer home of the British royal family – the Queen herself is joined by thousands of spectators flocking to see athletes from far and wide battle it out in “heavy” events such as caber tossing, and “track” events like hill racing and tug-of-war. If you’re not motivated by the idea of sweaty Scots then perhaps you’d enjoy the sound of bagpipes floating through the hills or the folk dancing, with each troupe dressed in their Highland tartan. Kick up your heels and join them – but kicking up your kilt is not recommended.
TEXT BY EDWARD WIESE
FLY TO ABERDEEN FROM DUBLIN. VISIT www.RYANAIR.COM
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