UNDERCURRENTS
Magic in Edinburgh, drum-banging in Brussels and Damon Albarn meets Björk in Manchester.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
30 JUN - 17 JUL
MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL This much buzzed-about festival, for premières of new art, music and theatre, really is worth flying in from another country just to attend. This year the big news is that Björk (pictured) will be in residence for three weeks. The singer’s Biophilia stage show is set to explore the relationship between science and nature.
Other musicians slated to appear include Blur’s Damon Albarn and rapper Snoop Dogg. Performance artist Marina Abramović, fresh from a retrospective at New York’s MoMA, will be among the other contributors, and that’s just for starters.
WWW.MIF.CO.UK
TEXT BY SOPHY GRIMSHAW
DINARD, FRANCE
11 JUN -11 SEP
BIG BROTHER – ARTISTS AND TYRANTS This high-calibre contemporary art show is one to check out over the summer in the sunny French holiday spot of Dinard, Brittany. The event, at Palais des Arts et du Festival, will feature the work of big-hitters such as America’s Cindy Sherman and Belgium’s Francis Alÿs, among many others. The title gives you an idea of the Orwellian themes being explored. Pictured below is an intriguing work by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, A Perfect Day.
2 BOULEVARD WILSON,
TEL: +33 (0)2 9940 5063
TEXT BY SOPHY GRIMSHAW
ROME, ITALY
11 JUN -15 AUG
ROMA VINTAGE
Are you a nostalgia fiend who longs to be transported back to the days of La Dolce Vita? If you yearn to relive the Italy of the 1960s, 1970s and even 1980s then this vintage festival will be right up your street. Set amid the greenery of Parco di San Sebastiano, you can shop for vintage items, see stylish cars, and soak up cult film screenings, music, and dance.
WWW.ROMAVINTAGE.IT / TEXT BY IANTHE BUTT
RHODES, GREECE
21-26 JUN
ECOFILMS
The Greek island of Rhodes provides the backdrop for this green-minded film and visual arts festival, which takes place every summer. Prizes are awarded to films that display an innovative and artistic approach to conservation issues. See some cool films, give Mother Earth a big hug, and make the most of Rhodes’ natural beauty – starting with the beaches!
WWW.ECOFILMS.GR / TEXT BY GABOR TAMAS
MALTA
30 JUN
ISLE OF MTV
At this high-energy annual pop music fest, Malta is transformed into a party island – the Isle of MTV to be precise. Yep, say it fast and it’s “I Love MTV” (those music channel marketing bods are clever). This year’s headline act is Snoop Dogg (pictured), the most popular dog since Lassie, who enthuses that “Isle of MTV is one of the best nights of live music in Europe over the summer. I plan to rock.” For more Malta ideas, turn to page 86.
WWW.ISLEOFMTV.COM
TEXT BY THEODORA BLACKWOOD
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
24 - 26 JUN
COULEUR CAFÉ
If you like your music served with a side of social awareness then head to Brussels’ Tour & Taxis exhibition centre. Not only are there four stages filled with ragga, afro, reggae and other world music, but Couleur also has a Solidarity Village where NGOs educate festival-goers about worldwide issues. Artists taking to the stage include Seal, Ziggy Marley and Janelle Monáe.
WWW.COULEURCAFE.BE
TEXT BY IANTHE BUTT
MARBELLA, SPAIN
30 JUL
THE MILLIONAIRES’ ANNUAL WHITE SUMMER PARTY
This showy summer bash is sponsored by jeweller Chopard, but the Millionaires’ Party sounds pricier than it is. Entry costs €120 for the event, which is themed as An Evening from Las Vegas Live, and includes a Champagne and canapés reception. Entertainment comes courtesy of a 22-piece big band orchestra, showgirls and a Sinatra sound-a-like, among others, as well as an after-party. Much of the bash takes place outdoors, in the expansive grounds of the Finca La Concepcion mansion house.
WWW.MILLIONAIRESSUMMERPARTY.COM
TEXT BY ANNABEL WRIGHT
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
1 - 8 JUL
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL
We all need a little magic in our lives, so put some sparkle back in your wand and watch some fun live shows from illusionists, slight-of-hand supremos, and magicians who seem to be able to read your mind. Taking place at various theatres all within a five minute walk of the Royal Mile, it’s great for families, and kids will really get a kick out of shows like “Card Ninja”, aka Jav Jarquin (pictured). Don’t miss War of the Wizards, a tense battle where up- and-coming magicians compete for a cash prize.
WWW.MAGICFEST.CO.UK
TEXT BY LISEL JONES
