WHAT’S ON
The coolest events around the network this issue…
BY CATHERINE HANLY, LIZ GRANIRER & GINNY CUMMING
3 FAB REASONS TO VISIT JERSEY THIS SUMMER:
1 Costume drama
Fans and fashionistas will want to flock to the Jersey Museum for the MARILYN MONROE EXHIBITION (until 31 December). It’s the world’s biggest collection of Marilyn artifacts and costumes, many of which are on show for the first time. Highlights include costumes from some of Marilyn’s most famous movies, such as the iconic red sequinned gown from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
2 Roaring racers
For thrills, spills and grit in every orifice, head to Jersey’s beaches, where cars and motorcycles will partake in fast and furious SAND RACING competitions. Spectators are welcome at La Braye on 27 June and 25 July, and at Millbrook on 6 June and 11 July – and best of all, it’s free!
3 A wild day out
DURRELL DAY marks the 50th anniversary of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, dedicated to the international conservation of animals, including a wide variety of endangered species. To celebrate, entry will be free on 12 July, with plenty of fun entertainment – not to mention animals!
PALMA DE MAJORCAOut for a duck Head for the resort of C’an Picafort, just under an hour from Palma de Majorca, for the annual RELEASING OF THE DUCKS FESTIVAL on 15 August. This odd little fiesta begins at noon with five boats pulling out into the bay to put hundreds of ducks into the waters – then mayhem ensues as everyone else dives in trying to catch one! It’s huge – surreal – fun. |
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LISBONRock away Optimus Alive sees the centre of Lisbon given over to music and the arts from 9-11 July, with everyone from Metallica and Placebo to The Kooks and The Ting Tings making their way to the Portuguese capital for three days of rock and culture. It’s a no-camping festival, so you’d better make sure you’ve got somewhere to crash for the night. At under £50 for a day ticket, this is a (relatively) bargain bucket way to see some of the best bands on the festival circuit this summer. |
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we loveA case in point We love this fabulous LEOPARD PRINT SUITCASE from USA Best. There’s nothing quite like heading off on a long-awaited trip to somewhere fabulous, wheeling a suitcase that just screams “I’m on holiday!” behind you. We don’t normally get excited about luggage, but this suitcase is really rather special. Measuring 50.8×35.6×22.9cm and weighing just 2.3kg, it’s the ideal size for a weekend jaunt and can easily be taken as carry-on luggage. Priced at £79.95, it’s available from www.usabest.co.uk |
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BIRMINGHAMJurassic lark Take the kids – or Granny – to be scared witless by the astonishing WALKING WITH DINOSAURS at the NIA from 12-16 August. Inspired by the BBC series of the same name, this £10-million prehistoric performance uses the skills of special FX people more used to working on movie blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars trilogies, to bring real-sized dinosaurs back to terrifying “life”. |
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On yer bike!Swap four wheels for two during this year’s bike week – a fun event for the whole family that lets you discover new places, save money, help the environment – and get fit! BIKE WEEK runs from 13-21 June, and if you need extra encouragement, remember this: cyclists live on average at least two years longer than non-cyclists and their fitness levels are quivalent to being ten years younger – so forget nip and tuck, think pedal and push! |
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BELFASTCity stickers Ever wanted to go climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and kayaking… in a city? The super-cool RAT RACE event lets you do precisely this, in locations like Edinburgh (18-19 July) and Belfast (8-9 August). It’s all about doing the unfamiliar in a familiar environment, using the city as a playground. On Saturdays, the “Mean Streets” event involves a hunt for up to 25 checkpoints (complete with physical or mental challenges) hidden all over the city centre, while on Sundays, a bike-based adventure encompasses hardcore pursuits such as kayaking, abseiling and climbing. It all takes place on courses spread out over each city which are only revealed a few hours before the races begin. Whether you go it alone or as part of a group, it all promises to be huge, challenging fun! |
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NEWQUAYIn deep If you’ve had problems even doggy paddling in the deep end of your local pool since watching Jaws, this may be the kill-or-cure approach to a phobia of things that go chomp in the deep. Atlantic Diver in Newquay is the only diving school to offer CAGE DIVING WITH SHARKS in UK waters. At the time of going to press, six dates were confirmed between July and September, but other dates may be available. They supply the wet suit, snorkel and post-dive chocolate biscuit – it’s up to you to supply the courage to get up close and personal with a blue shark. |
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MAHONA shoe in Pick up a pair of ALBARCAS from any decent shoe shop in Mahon the next time you’re in Menorca and not only will you be fashionably shod – everyone wears them – you’ll also be able to boast super ecocredentials, as each pair of these hip Menorcan sandals has soles made from recycled tyres. They’re too fabulous, darling! |
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PARIS2CV, or not 2CV? You’ve done the walking tour, been on the double-decker bus and braved the Metro – but have you really seen Paris properly? The people behind innovative tour company 4 ROUES SOUS 1 PARAPLUIE (four wheels under an umbrella) use a tiny fleet of souped up, convertible 2CVs to whisk you around. Our driver, Baptiste, took us on the 45-minute tour, which took in everything from Sarkozy’s pad to the Louvre, ending up outside a brasserie he recommended for an off-piste lunch in Montmartre. Best of all, as we roared – or, more accurately, bounced – our way up the ChampsElysées in the sunshine, we could stretch up out of the sunroof and take a fabulous snap of the Arc de Triomphe that pavement-bound tourists could only dream of. Tours start at €19 for 30 minutes. |
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BELFASTKrazy for karaoke! Belfast is the British Isles’ most popular karaoke destination, according to a recent survey conducted by video game retailer Game. |
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GLASGOW
Retro rules!
How does the saying go? “If you can remember the 60s, you weren’t there.” We’re not sure if this also applies to the 70s, 80s and 90s, but we do know one thing: we want to remember these three fabulous decades which spawned some of the greatest (and cheesiest!) music ever produced. Head to RETROFEST on Glasgow Green from 28-30 August, and relive the golden years with enough back-to-back music to rival any Now album. With an emphasis on the 80s – an era when spandex and fluro were the height of fashion, Special K was just a breakfast cereal, and Madonna still looked like she was 25 (wait… hang on a minute!) – it also promises some big names from the 70s and 90s, including those tartan-clad heart-throbs of the 1970s, the Bay City Rollers. We chatted with lead singer, Les McKeown about the “good old days” and the funnest festival around…
What was your first job?
A laboratory assistant at a brewery in Edinburgh.
When did you know the Bay City Rollers had really made it?
When we arrived at JFK in New York to a swarm of fans dressed in tartan – and the single “Saturday Night” was at No.1.
What was your most embarrassing moment on stage?
Don’t think I had one yet on stage – but plenty off stage!
How many times have you sung “Bye Bye Baby”?
Must be getting on for a million times!
What’s the oddest place you’ve ever been recognised?
At a masked ball in Budapest.
When did you last cry, and why?
Last year, during my rehab [for alcohol addiction]. I reached my lowest point in July, but am now on the road to recovery.
Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
A Jensen Interceptor [a car] I bought for £26,000 in 1976.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
Sailing the oceans of the world.
What’s the best holiday you’ve ever had?
Crete, 1979 – I know it’s a while ago, but I’d just met my wife and we hired a 4×4 and travelled all over the island. The people were brilliant and everyone played backgammon – my favourite game!
Where’s your favourite place to go out in Glasgow?
Browsing for vintage clothes, books and records in the West End. The Barras Market is aso great on weekends, not just for antiques and shopping, but also bars and music venues.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Retrofest?
Gloria Gaynor – who I think will be awesome – and A Flock of Seagulls [below]. And, of course, I can’t wait to see the audience!
Five years from now, what will you be doing?
I will be entertaining someone, somewhere!
Don’t miss
As well as the Bay City Rollers, the 2009 RETROFEST line-up includes…
Gloria Gaynor Sister Sledge Rick Astley Go West Midge Ure A Flock of Seagulls Nik Kershaw ABC Level 42 Nick Heyward Heaven 17
Right Said Fred East 17 Jaki Graham Average White Band Showaddywaddy Bad Manners Aswad Gary Mullen & The Works (Queen tribute act)
Other festival highlights include:
THE RETRO RITZ CINEMA
Classic movies from the 80s like The Breakfast Club, The Karate Kid, Dirty Dancing and Ghost
ENTERTAINMENT EXPRESS KARAOKE CLUB
Karaoke + 80s music: need we say more?
CLUB TROPICANA BEACH AND COCKTAIL BAR
Sit on the beach, make sandcastles or play Giant Connect Four!
MIND BODY & SOUL HAVEN
Massages, manicures and all kinds of pampering – you can even have your cards or palm read!
HEADPHONE DISCO
Two DJs, Two channels: 80s classics on one, 70s and 90s classics on the other. Choose one – and start dancing!
Adults: £50/day tickets; £80/weekend tickets. Children (5–12yrs): £15/day; £25/weekend. Teenagers (up to the age of 17): £25/day; £40/ weekend. Camping is also available (conditions apply).
For more information, go to: www.retrofest.co.uk
NEWQUAYTake a club to it It’s already the party capital of the summer, with beautiful beaches and sick surfing, and now Newquay has even more to rave about. PURE – brought to you by the same people behind legendary nightclub Heaven in London and Pure in Manchester – will be open almost every night and feature Hed Kandi every Friday through the summer. Explore the different areas spread over several floors and check out The Island, a chill-out space for VIPs. Who needs Ibiza when England has the best of global clubbing at its very own beach resort? |
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CORKHave a ball! Remember that TV ad with thousands of coloured balls bouncing through city streets? Well, if you’re in Cork this summer, make a date to visit the town of Cobh (22km from Cork) on 3 August, where the BARRACK HILL BALL ROLL recreates that for charity. Don’t forget your camera! |
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TOULOUSEGarlic Festival For some yummy, stinky fun, head to Lautrec (about an hour east of Toulouse) on 2 August for their annual homage to the humble garlic – including the election of “Miss Pink Garlic”! |
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BORDEAUXWhat a knight! Every Friday and Saturday night from 17 July to 15 August, 600 volunteers, 50 horsemen and 200 costumes will re-enact the BATTLE OF CASTILLON, just outside Castillon, east of Bordeaux. Carried out against the spectacular backdrop of Le Château de Castegens, with over 100 gunshots and explosions it promises to be a spectacle! |
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2 TREATS OF HIDDEN AMSTERDAM:
1 Garden homes
Satisfy your nosy nature and see some beautiful gardens in one fell swoop when 25 private gardens, usually hidden behind stately façades and canals, are open to the public from 10am to 5pm, on 19-21 June.
2 Secret bar
Ringing the bell at the unmarked door near Rembrandt Square admits you to a low-lit den of comfy leather booths and an eclectic mix of bartenders, chefs, media people, beautiful ladies, charming gentlemen and dirty rotten scoundrels of both sexes. You can reserve a booth at door 74 or just turn up and sit at the bar for a cocktail from the menu that’s updated four times a year.
Tel: +31 (0)6 3404 5122, www.door74.nl
The top 10… HOT COURSES
From learning the art of organic cosmetic making in Paris to flamenco in Barcelona and tennis in Portugal – if you have a passion for something, you can brush up your skills on holiday
BY SIAN THATCHER
1 MALAGA
Learn to sing
Tired of trying to contain your inner pop star? Well, hold back no longer! Join this singing travel group, where a tutor will guide you through southern Spain while helping you to brush up on your vocal skills along the way. You can meet like-minded individuals while seeing the gorgeous sights of Córdoba and the Subbética Natural Park.
The hills are alive…
Tel: +44 (0)1453 834137, www.andalucian-adventures.co.uk/singing-holidays/spain/subbetica.aspx
2 AMSTERDAM
Learn how to make cocktails
In the capital of vice, what better than a week-long course learning the fine art of cocktail making? Here you can study the secrets of producing the perfect cosmopolitan, mojito and Margarita, and earn an internationally recognised certificate. They’ll even try to match you to a job. This course is guaranteed to keep you in high spirits…
Tel +31 (0)617 118747, www.de-bar.com
3 PARIS
Learn to make organic cosmetics
For a truly indulgent course, why not learn to make your own organic cosmetics? In a beautiful Parisian rooftop apartment, you’ll produce a face cream, body cream and lipstick, all suited to your skin type. All ingredients and materials are provided, your tutor is a seasoned cosmetics expert and you’ll be given lots of product recipes.
www.golearnto.com/course/overview/1373/Personalised+Cosmetic+Creation+Course
4 BORDEAUX
Learn to appreciate wine
Are you a budding Robert Parker? If you’d like to hone your nose and palate with the aid of an expert in a gorgeous location and, of course, sample lots of sumptuous fine wines, try out this course in Bordeaux. You’ll learn about the Grand crus in the stunning south of France – just don’t forget your Alka Seltzer!
Tel: +44 (0)1730 263 111, www.arblasterandclarke.com/tours/view/123/bordeaux-the-great-chateaux
5 JERSEY
Learn to powerboat
Ahoy there! If you’re tired of museums and history on holiday, and feel the need for speed, it may be time to try powerboating. In Jersey you can complete a two-day RYA course which covers all aspects of powerboating, from tides and navigation skills to rules of the road and general seamanship. Hold on to your hat and enjoy!
Tel: +44 (0)1534 769165, www.purejersey.com/Activities/RYA-Courses/Powerboat-Courses
6 NEWQUAY
Learn to surf
Surf’s up! For all those who dream of catching some waves, but have only got as far as watching Point Break, check out this surf course in Cornwall. Whether you’re after an hour’s tuition or a week-long course, there’s something to suit every level and every time frame. Set in the world-renowned surf hot spot of Newquay, you’ll be a champion surfer dude in no time.
Tel: +44 (0)1637 850737, www.nationalsurfingcentre.com
7 PRAGUE
Learn to cook the Czech way
If you’re a budding Gordon Ramsay, and are keen to master the secrets of Czech fine dining, try out this cooking course in Prague. Here you can delve into the Czech melting pot, learning how to make traditional dishes such as potato pancakes with sour cream and smoked salmon and fruit strudel… Delicious!
Tel: +420 777 270 199, www.olakala.cz
8 BELFAST
Learn to horse ride
Ditch the car, bike and moped: the best way to get from A to B is by horse. Learn all the riding skills you need to make this a viable option at Tullynewbank Stables, about 18km from Belfast. With private and group lessons from qualified instructors in such a gorgeous area, you really can’t go wrong – so saddle up!
Tel: +44 (0)28 944 54657, www.tullynewbankstables.com
9 FARO
Learn to play tennis
Always fancied yourself as a bit of a Maria Sharapova or Andy Murray, but never had the opportunity to brush up your serve or volley? Why not try out a fantastic tennis course in Carvoeiro in the Algarve. This company caters for all ages and abilities, and offers bespoke packages, tailored to your individual needs.
Tel: +351 282 357 847, www.portugal-info.net/performance/packages.htm
10 BARCELONA
Learn to flamenco dance
There’s never been a more dramatic or mesmerising dance than flamenco, and now you can unleash your inner wild thing with personalised lessons in Barcelona. Bring a group and this company will customise a flamenco lesson especially for you. This will be a few hours you’ll never forget, and may even include tapas and Rioja… Ole!
