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Spots for the Jet Set - August 2010 Events
BELGIUM
BRUGES
All of Bruges becomes a dance floor for Benenwerk
Ballroom Brugeoise. During this unique, yearly festival,
dance instructors offer workshops in Bollywood, tango,
flamenco, African, salsa, lindy hop, jive, street dance,
and more, at ten venues across the city. No matter what
your skill level (or lack there of), all are invited to
show off their moves. So grab your dancing shoes, and
maybe a sexy partner too, and get your groove on in Bruges
this August 14. www.benenwerk.be
CROATIA
DUBROVNIK
Each year, the small city of Dubrovnik transforms
into a cultural mecca. During the Dubrovnik Summer
Festival, musicians, performers, and artists take
over the town. For 47 days during the summer, a variety
of music, theater, opera, and dance performances takes
place at more than 70 open-air venues. The 61st festival
brings a new set of talented composers, soloists, orchestras,
and dance troupes from all over the globe to thrill
crowds from July 10–August 25. www.dubrovnik-festival.hr
CZECH REPUBLIC
PRAGUE
Whether you can quote King Lear in your sleep,
or just simply love theater, be sure to stop by Prague’s
Summer Shakespeare Festival. Now through the
beginning of September, several open-air productions
of William Shakespeare’s classic plays will be
performed right in front of the majestic Prague Castle.
Summer is already well on its way, so get your tickets
soon. There’s no question of “To be or not
to be.” This summer festival is not to be missed.
www.shakespeare.cz
ENGLAND
LONDON
If you like scary movies, then Film4 Frightfest
should top your summer to-do list. Over time, this movie
fest has transformed into “the premiere event of
the year for horror fans” according to Time Out.
It has hosted first time screenings of bloodcurdling
flicks like House of 1000 Corpses, Cabin Fever, Seed,
Devil’s Backbone, and Eli Roth’s Hostel. This
summer, Frightfest is back again at Leicester Square’s
Empire Cinema to terrify audiences from August 26–30.
www.frightfest.co.uk
MANCHESTER
From August 20–30, Manchester Pride
is back and bigger than ever. This ten-day celebration
is packed with plenty of sports, film, heritage, arts,
and entertainment events to satisfy visitors of any
interest. The array of activities includes the Pride
Fringe from August 20-26, the candlelight vigil on August
30, and the fabulous parade on August 28. The real highlight
of Manchester Pride, however, is The Big Weekend from
August 27–30, which will feature 71 hours of music,
comedy, clubbing, markets, and nonstop partying. Tickets
are only £17.50, so grab yours before they’re
gone. Not only will this small sum get you one unforgettable
experience, but proceeds will also go toward helping
Manchester’s LGBT foundations. www.manchesterpride.com
FINLAND
HELSINKI
The Helsinki Festival, the largest arts
festival in Finland, aims to make art accessible to
everyone. Each summer it brings together an array of
talents including poets, circus performers, dancers,
and jazz musicians, to entertain almost 300,000 guests
from all parts of the globe. This year, a new lineup
of artists will fill the city’s streets and performance
venues from August 20 until September 5. Sit back and
listen to the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, then
let the Congolese rhythms of Staff Benda Bilili, Janko
& PK move you. Get in a few laughs with comic act,
Wunderbaum: Beertourist, before screening Issaac Julien’s
epic tale of China, Ten Thousand Waves. Whatever your
interest or taste, there is certainly something for
everyone at this summer arts celebration. www.helsinkifestival.fi
FRANCE
PARIS
Every summer, Paris Plage takes over the
Right Bank along the Seine River. For one month, the
Georges Pompidou Expressway stops traffic and transforms
into a literal pedestrian paradise complete with sandy
beaches. A dazzling array of attractions such as dance
lessons, climbing walls, and games, keep visitors entertained.
Those looking to relax can even kick back in beach chairs,
at cafés, or in floating pools set along the
palm tree shaded expanse. With so much to see, the hard
part will be deciding what to do. Fortunately, Paris
Plage kicks off on July 20 and lasts four weeks. Beaches
are typically open from 8 A.M. to midnight, plenty of
time to enjoy the sand and sun. www.paris.fr
GERMANY
BERLIN
The beat goes on for Tanz im August: Berlin
International Dance Festival as it returns to get
the capital grooving again this summer. From August
19 until September 3, guests can take part in a wide
variety of programs. Sharpen your skills at one of the
many workshops or watch pros from all over the world
take the lead in an array of contemporary dance shows.
Whether you’re into tango, salsa, foxtrot, or just
have a style all your own, show off your moves in Berlin
this summer and maybe pick up a few new ones too. www.tanzimaugust.de
COLOGNE
If fit, sexy athletes are enough to get you hot
and sweaty, then you won’t want to miss the Gay
Games Cologne 2010. Unlike the Olympics, the
Gay Games let people from all walks of life compete
against each other regardless of skill level, age, or
physical capabilities. From July 31–August 7, sports
fans from all over the globe go head to head in 35 athletic
events including soccer, volleyball, bodybuilding, and
even chess. Afterward, an array of cultural events and
parties will entertain visitors off the playing field.
So, whether you’re a seasoned jock or just in it
for the love of the sport, come live out the Gay Games
motto and “Be part of it!” www.games-cologne.de
FRANKFURT
Whether you run or walk, join with people from
all over the world for Lauf für nehr Zeit.
On September 12, individuals and groups will come together
at the Opernplatz. From there, they will start on a
3.2 mile jaunt through Frankfurt to raise funds for
AIDS research and other charities. No matter what your
fitness level, shake the dust off those gym shoes and
lace them up in support of those living with HIV/AIDS.
www.lauf-fuer-mehr-zeit.de
HAMBURG
Movie lovers should make their way to Film Fest
Hamburg between September 30 and October 9. Over
the years, the event has grown into one of Germany’s
premiere film festivals. It not only attracts movie
lovers from all walks of life but also brings in big
name celebrities like Clint Eastwood, Jodie Foster,
and Michael Moore. This year, more than 140 feature
and documentary films from Germany and beyond will make
their debuts. Audiences can choose from a diverse
program of comedies, westerns, thrillers, and even children’s
films. Be the first to screen movies by established
as well as rising filmmakers, and maybe even spot a
few A-list stars along the way. www.filmfest-hamburg.de
HUNGARY
BUDAPEST
Even if you can only distinguish “red”
from “white,” all are welcome to the Budapest
International Wine Festival. Now in its 19th year,
the festival has grown into one of the most popular
events in Eastern Europe, anticipated by wine lovers
from all over the world. This year, the drinking and
merriment lasts from September 8–12, the peak of
Hungary’s wine season. Grab a glass and schmooze
with the country’s top wine producers. Along the
way, you’ll learn the etiquette, history, and traditions
associated with that glass of red, white, or even, gasp,
rosé. www.aborfesztival.hu
ICELAND
REYKJAVIK
Even volcanic activity can’t stop the ancestors
of the Vikings. Despite this year’s eruption, Iceland’s
Reykjavíkurmaraþon (Reykjavik Marathon)
will kick off without delay on August 21. Join runners
of all levels for this lengthy jaunt through Iceland’s
breathtaking scenery. If beautiful summer temperatures
and picturesque landscapes aren’t enough to get
you through the 42.2 km (26.6 miles), you can split
the task with one to three other friends through this
year’s relay race option. At the finish line, all
participants receive a medal and are welcome to enjoy
a night of arts, food, and entertainment at the cultural
festival that follows. www.marathon.is
IRELAND
DUBLIN
Those obsessed with everything equestrian will
adore the Dublin Horse Show. Over the years,
the event has blossomed into a highlight of the summer.
From August 4–8, tens of thousands of people will
flock to the Royal Dublin Society to gaze upon some
of the world’s most prized horses and witness professional
show jumping at its best. The Dublin Horse Show, however,
is as much about sophisticated socializing as it is
about sport. As a result, there will be plenty of live
music and Champagne bars strewn across the lawns as
guests mix and mingle. So head on over to Dublin in
August, grab a glass of bubbly, and take in the atmosphere.
The eclectic array of hats on Ladies’ Day alone
rivals the horses in terms of show! www.dublinhorseshow.com
ITALY
CORTONA
The stars won’t just be out at night during
The Tuscan Sun Festival. Each year, this annual
event brings together some of the best in the performing
arts. Besides world-class concerts, it also features
an exciting program of activities that focuses on everything
from film, to food and wine, to local culture and history.
Crowds from all over the globe come together in the
medieval town of Cortona, where artists perform each
night in the Romantic-period theatre, Teatro Signorelli.
Some of this year’s highlights include Sting and
Trudie Styler starring in Twin Spirits, Grammy award-winning
soprano Reneé Fleming, as well as the premier
dancers of the American Ballet. These, however, are
just a small sampling of what will entertain audiences
in the atmospheric, open-air Piazza Signorelli from
July 30–August 6. www.tuscansunfestival.com
NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam gay pride gets a bit wet and wild at
its famous Canal Parade. Bedecked boats rather
than truck-towed floats take off at 2 P.M. on August
7. Watch gorgeous Dutch boys and girls as they cruise
down the Prinsengracht and Amstel rivers, or go rock
the boat with them. All are welcome to join. Even better,
the fun doesn’t stop once anchors are dropped at
parade’s end. Pride parties like Bear Necessity,
Beyond, and Rapido will keep the celebration going on
land all weekend. www.amsterdamgaypride.nl
SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH
Jazz may have been born in America, but from July
31 until August 9, the Edinburgh International Jazz
and Blues Festival is where you’ll want to
be. Whether you’re into contemporary or classic
old school, this ten-day celebration of all things jazz
features performers from around the world, each with
their own distinct style. Now in its 32nd year, the
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival ranks as the longest-running
event of its kind in the UK. In 2010, it will again
bring some soulful tunes to parks, concert halls, bars,
and other city hot spots for its most diverse festival
to date. www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk
Then, after the bands have packed up,
the action continues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
As the biggest arts festival in the world, Edinburgh
Fringe features everyone from big names to aspiring
artists. It showcases a variety of acts including theatre,
comedy, children's shows, dance, musicals, operas, and
much more. Festival organizers insist that anyone with
a story to tell and a venue to host them can come to
Edinburgh as part of the Fringe. Whether you live to
perform or just love the arts, be sure to visit Edinburgh
August 6–30.
www.edfringe.com
SPAIN
MADRID
Fashionistas clamor for front row seats each year
at Madrid International Fashion Week to watch
as some of the world’s hottest designers show off
their latest creations. Models take to the runway sporting
everything from lingerie to evening wear. So if haute
couture is enough to get you giddy, strap on those Manolos
and strut on over to Madrid from September 2–4.
www.simm.ifema.es
SWEDEN
STOCKHOLM
With power as the theme of this year’s Stockholm
Pride, be sure to save up some energy beforehand.
This year’s celebration from July 26–August
1 features another exhilarating mix of events and things
to do. Between Pride Park, where world-class acts like
the Vengaboys will rock audiences; the Pride House,
which hosts stimulating discussions and workshops; and,
of course, the much anticipated Pride Parade, the problem
will be choosing where to go first. So don’t rest
on your laurels. Be pro-active and celebrate Pride with
the city of Stockholm. www.stockholmpride.org
SWITZERLAND
GENEVA
As if Switzerland didn’t have enough gorgeous
boys, some of the world’s most beautiful men will
convene in Geneva for Mr. Gay Europe 2010. In
what could be called the Olympics of gay pageants, representatives
from all over the globe try to smile, strut, and otherwise
charm their way to the top. Spain’s Sergio Lara
took home the crown in 2009. This year, the competition
will heat up with Finland joining the race. See who
takes the title September 7–12. After all, spending
six days surrounded by sexy men is a win-win situation.
www.mrgayeurope.net
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