WORLDBEAT
- AFRICA
May
2008
EGYPT
CAIRO
Grab your best bowling buddies and make for Cairo.
Organized by the Egyptian Federation of Bowling, Cairo’s
annual Sinai International Bowling Tournament attracts
teams of men and women to compete for the final prize
of $32,000. Bowling in Egypt began during the Pharaonic
era, as suggested by the images found on monuments situated
in Beni Hasan. It is thought that ancient Egyptians used
to practice their skills with balls made of stone and
conical pins. April 30–May 8. http://www.egyptbowling.com
MOROCCO
EL KELAA DES M’GOUNA
An oasis in the Dades Valley is responsible for
the area’s alternative name: the Valley of the
Roses. El Kelaa des M’Gouna, the only town of any
note in the area, acts as Morocco’s rose capital,
a vast distilling plant there producing the liters of
scented rose-water so popular in the nation’s cooking
and perfumery. Although El Kelaa smells divine all year
round, the best time to visit is in late May for their
famed Rose Festival, when the rose farmers from the
surrounding hills gather to celebrate the year’s
harvest. With ten tons of petals required to produce
a few liters of precious oil, the harvest is understandably
a labor of love, and the culminating festivities are
all the livelier for it. A souk (market) springs up
along El Kelaa’s main street, with plenty of music
and dancing to brighten up the proceedings. A Rose Queen
is also elected to reign over the year’s scented
crop. May 15–31. http://www.tourisminmorocco.com
FES
With a rich and seemingly untapped past, Morocco
is home to what locals call “Sacred Music.”
A trip to mystical Morroco’s Fes Festival might
illuminate that for you. Now in its 13th year, artists
from all over the world migrate to Morocco’s spiritual
capital to perform on one of the world’s largest
arenas. The musical extravaganza features an array of
styles and genres from Sufi chants to gypsy songs originating
from Spain. June 6–14. http://www.fesfestival.com
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN
Design for Living is the largest lifestyle event
in Cape Town and currently attracts 40,000 visitors.
First held in 1978, Design for Living at the Good Hope
Centre is Cape Town’s longest-running design, lifestyle,
and technology exhibition, tracking new trends and innovation.
For ten days in April, the show is a popular shopping
destination for visitors seeking a good deal on products
that can’t be found in stores. April 30–May
4. http://www.designforliving.co.za
KNYSNA
The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras in Knysna offers a week
of dazzling parties, exhibitions, and art performances,
all doused with glitz, glam, and feathers. Founded in
2000, its arrival heralded a step forward for gay visibility
in South Africa. Comedy, drama, cabaret, live music,
dance, and parties take place at different venues every
night. Popular events include: the annual street parade,
the after street parade party, and the climax—the
PINK party! There will also be the drag competition,
the new Miss Mardi Gras 2008 Beauty Pageant, the Mr.
Mardi Gras SA 2008 Competition (including the men’s
underwear show), as well as the Pink Hairstylist of
the Year competition. May 1–4. http://www.pinkloerie.com
|
