Whats On
You Can. You Must.
Put off the dishes and never mind that you need a haircut, there are better ways to bring in spring
by Deborah Greenwood
Matthew Williamson
NOW-21 SEPT
Manchester-born Matthew Williamson celebrates 10 years in the fashion industry with a super-glam retrospective. The exhibition includes frocks made famous on the red carpet by Sienna Miller, Jade Jagger, Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue, and a specially commissioned behind-the-scenes film about what goes into launching a new collection. Williamson’s sketchbooks will also be on display, with designs from his days as a fashion student to his reign as the UK’s hottest designer. WWW.URBIS.ORG.UK
On yer marks, get set…
11 MAY
All kinds of boats take part in the annual event in Venice that they call ‘Vogalonga’. At the firing of the cannon, around 3000 participants race to the finishing line of the 30km course. There is no prize, however, which is probably good news for the contestant who has swum the course at a comparative snail’s pace for the last two years. He has our respect though! WWW.VOGALONGA.COM
Carnival of Cultures, Berlin
9-12 MAY
This four-day street festival celebrates Berlin’s multicultural spirit with a party in the city’s Kreuzberg district. Watch masqueraders, musicians, dancers, DJs and artists in a slickly impressive event with a great programme both on and off-stage. More than 70 countries are represented and exotic food and drinks take your taste buds on a world trip too. Around half a million people turn out to enjoy the activities around Blücherplatz and the main parade down Gneisenaustrasse (11 May). WWW.KARNEVAL-BERLIN.DE
Make a racquet
3-18 MAY
Join the tennis greats in the champion surroundings of Rome for some gripping action at the ATP Masters Series. Last year’s winner Rafael Nadal will be back to defend the title on his favourite surface: clay. With €2,270,000 up for grabs, he won’t be giving up the title easily, and since Rome is the home of great Gladiatorial defences, we reckon it should be a nail biter. WWW.MASTERS-SERIES.COM
Dance your socks off
29-31 MAY
De La Soul, The Go! Team, British Sea Power, Dinosaur Jnr… If you’re not already feeling it, then there’s another 50-plus acts to set your trainers twitching. The Primavera Sound Festival at the Parc del Forum in Barcelona is one more reason to head there for a lost weekend. Tickets are priced at £93.50 inc. booking fee. WWW.SEETICKETS.COM
Pam Ann
27-30 MAY
Count yourselves lucky. The attendants giving you marvelous in-flight safety demonstrations today are pussycats. Pam Ann – the comic creation of Caroline Reid – is the wild alley cat of air hostesses. With a tongue as sharp as the nail file they confiscated at customs, she’s a camp and cult hit you shouldn’t miss. In her last show she arranged the audience into economy, business and first class according to their wardrobes – so be warned (and dress up)! She’ll be in Salford from 27-28 May at the Lowry, and City Varieties, Leeds, from 29-30. WWW.PAMANN.COM
Budapest burns calories
31 MAY
If a marathon sounds like a world of pain (and it does) the Budapest version has a much less challenging way for fitness bunnies to break a sweat and see the city. The 10km annual street race is open to both men and women and, if it still doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then get your skates on. Literally. Rollerbladers are also welcome – wear your legwarmers and sweat bands for the extra fun factor.
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