WHAT’S ON July 2007
LA TOMATINA
29 August, Buñol, Spain
Apparently started in the 1940s by a group of friends having a food fight with the tomatoes from their salads, this bizarre and riotous fiesta takes place annually in the small town of Buñol, 40km west of Valencia. Following the consumption of plenty of sangría, rosé wine or beer, about 125,000kg of tomatoes are thrown onto a throng of 40,000 people, inevitably leading to a battle of epic proportions. If you fancy joining in, or even if you’re only watching the spectacle, don’t forget to pack a change of T-shirt… www.latomatina.es
THE KIRMES
14-22 July, Düsseldorf
Traditional German town fairs are known as ‘Kirmes’ and Düsseldorf’s July event, a fixture since the 19th century, is a big do. Along the banks of the Rhine, this nine-day fest offers over 350 attractions, from gourmet food stalls in the French village to the funfair and intriguing ‘mice circus’ for kids. www.dusseldorf.de
EDINBURGH FRINGE
5-27 August, Edinburgh
Always the cool sibling of the Edinburgh Festival proper, the Fringe Festival is known for quirky comedy, off-beat theatre and inventive dance productions. Streets full of circus performers and face-painters will keep kids entertained. Last year there were over 1,800 shows, so there’s something for everyone. www.edfringe.com
ELECTRIC CABARET
20 July, 17 August, Ibiza
Don’t just go clubbing, sample Electric Cabaret parties on the white isle this summer, hosted by Smirnoff at the Hotel Es Vive bar. There’s an interactive chill-out room, DJs and a burlesque troupe. Hula-hoop artiste Kalki gyrates, Bruce Airhead bonds with a balloon, and synchronised swimmers do their thing. www.smirnoff.com
BASTILLE DAY
14 July, Paris
Raise a glass to liberty, equality, fraternity at the annual celebration of the storming of the Bastille prison, which sparked the French Revolution. After fireworks and mass celebrations in the Place de la Bastille on the night of the 13th, the next day those who aren’t nursing a hangover will line the streets to see the spectacular military parade on the Champs-Elysées. www.parisinfo.com
DAVID HOCKNEY
11 June – 3 February, London
Tate Britain presents The East Yorkshire Landscape, a Hockney show that brings together five large paintings of Woldgate Woods (pictured). The Bradford-born artist has said he finds the area offers “the sorts of wide vistas you get in the American West.” The exhibition marks the artist’s 70th birthday on 9 July. www.tate.org.uk/britain
MONACO YACHT SHOW
19-22 September, Monaco
Marked on the calendars of the famous and fabulous, the annual Monaco Yacht Show sees Europe’s largest array of super-yachts floating in Port Hercule. Everyone’s free to ogle the opulence and eye up the interiors. With Brangelina rumoured to be purchasing a luxury vessel, if you can’t afford one, perhaps you can convince them to adopt you. www.monacoyachtshow.com
MYSTIC SK8 CUP
13-15 July, Prague
There is nothing mysterious about Mystic Sk8. It’s one of the top contests in the World Cup Skating Series and the most popular of the European tournaments. As well as over 100 pro skateboarders competing for a stake of the £20,000 prize money, you can see concerts, DJ sets and graffiti artists at work. www.mysticsk8cup.cz
FIESTA DEL CARMEN
16 July, Tenerife
She’s the patron saint of fishermen so it’s no surprise that locals in Tenerife are fans of Our Lady Carmen. Head to the Puerto de la Cruz seafront to see the fireworks display, after watching the fleet of fishing boats, transformed by coloured flags and streamers, hit the water. A traditional tapas and fish supper rounds things off. www.webtenerife.com
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