BY CATHERINE HANLY

what’s on: Belfast

The organisers behind BELFAST’s newest music festival BELSONIC, have scored a major coup with their inaugural line-up. This happening event – which is billed as having “all the atmosphere of a music festival in the most urban of settings” – is a series of one-off concerts. The two events confirmed as we went to press were The Flaming Lips [top] at the Custom Hall, supported by Mogwai [above], on 11 August, followed by The Zutons (supported by The Go! Team) on 15 August. www.belsonic.com

Also in Belfast…. The shambolic, rambling pace of Irish comedian DYLAN MORAN is a huge part of his charm and certainly audiences seem to agree, with his tours selling out wherever he goes. Catch him for an evening of the kind of comedic entertainment that’ll have you snorting out loud, when he plays for two nights as part of his new What It Is tour at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on 29 and 30 October. www.waterfront.co.uk/whatson

what’s on: Alicante

Sail on
THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE is one of the world’s greatest sailing adventures, attracting boats and crews from every nation to take part in this round-the-world nautical adventure. The 2008-9 eight-month ocean marathon will be launched in suitably spectacular style on 11 October. And for the first time in the event’s history, this will take place in ALICANTE. To get everyone in the mood, the participating yachts will gather in the Spanish port on 4 October for a two-hour race, giving spectators on land a chance to see what the yachts can do on the open seas. Look out for British Olympic medallist Ian Walker, skippering the Green Team yacht. www.volvooceanrace.org

what’s on: Edinburgh

Matthew Bourne caused a storm with his all-male Swan Lake, and now he’s heading to the EDINBURGH International Festival for the world premiere of his new ballet DORIAN GRAY, freely adapted from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.

“It’s a challenge to do something darker,” he says of his new production, which runs from 22-30 August at the King’s Theatre. It is the last ballet he’ll do before heading to London to co-direct the new West End musical, Oliver! www.eif.co.uk

what’s on: Nottingham

For over 700 years, the traditional GOOSE FAIR has been one of the highlights of the annual NOTTINGHAM calendar (this year, it takes place from 1-4 October). Legend has it that the first fairs saw flocks of geese being driven from as far away as Norfolk to fill up the city’s larders for the winter ahead. And please don’t be offended if someone offers you “cock-on-a-stick” – it’s a traditional fun-fair snack in the form of a cockerel-shaped sugar lolly on a stick! www.nottinghamgoosefair.co.uk

what’s on: Perpignan

About 90 minutes’ drive up the coast from PERPIGNAN, the harbour of Sete is the place to be for the annual SEA-JOUSTING event. This surreal sport takes place from 20-26 August in the main harbour. Jousters are armed with a lance and a wooden shield as they balance on their boats. The aim is to try and topple opposing boatmen into the water, with huge cheers from spectators when they succeed. www.ot-sete.fr

what’s on: Malaga

At midnight on 15 August, one of the biggest parties in Spain’s calendar – the MALAGA FERIA – kicks off with a massive fireworks display, signalling the start of nine days of non-stop celebrations. By day, locals and visitors pack the streets to take part in traditional dances while sampling tapas and local wine at the many bars set up for the Feria. By night there’s a packed programme of cultural activities, from concerts to bullfights and a fairground with over 200 stalls. Best of all, the festival won’t leave you out of pocket – strict rules are in place to ensure prices don’t go sky-high over the Feria. www.malagaturismo.com