1-31 until 13 January
Ghent
British Vision
(www.britishvision.be)
Passing anglophiles should stop by the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent this autumn.
Its exhibition British Vision: Observation and Imagination in British Art 1750-1950 features work by some the most important artists to emerge in Britain over the past 250 years, including Hogarth, Hockney, Gainsborough and Bacon.
1-11
Barcelona
World Press Photo
(www.worldpressphoto.org)
Every year a panel of experts convenes to judge the annual World Press Photo Contest, which showcases the world’s best photojournalism. The attendant exhibition means that everyone gets a chance to see the winning entries. Spencer Platt’s shot of southern Beirut (pictured) scooped the first prize this spring.
1-11
Brussels
Yambi, Congo En Marche exhibition
(www.botanique.be)
This autumn sees Le Botanique host the flagship exhibition of the Yambi! festival, a country-wide celebration of contemporary Congolese art. The show features videos, installations, photos and paintings. Of particular note are Kinshasa resident Freddy Tsimba’s sculptures fashioned from cartridge cases.
3-23
London
Carmen
(www.eno.org)
Derided as immoral when it was first performed, the story of the eponymous gypsy who seduces men with careless abandon has gone on to become the most popular opera of all time. The English National Opera’s eagerly awaited production of Bizet’s masterpiece, directed by the one and only Sally Potter, features the matchless mezzo-soprano Alice Coote in the lead role.
7-11
Bruges
World Music Festival
(www.bruggesfestival.be)
The 20th World Music Festival will see such luminaries as Liesbeth List and Catherine Delaselle pitch up at the Stadsschouwburg in the medieval town of Bruges. This year, there’ll be a touching tribute to the late Flemish musician Dirk Vanesbroek, staged by the many poets and singers among his friends.
8-25
Berlin
Fairy Tale Festival
(www.maerchenland-ev.de)
For 18 years, Berlin’s Märchentage has been bringing the magic of traditional storytelling alive. This year’s programme features more than 600 events around the city – from fancy-dress parties to international symposia for narrators – and focuses on the myths and legends that have sprung up along the Danube.
18
Newcastle
Amy Winehouse
(www.amywinehouse.co.uk)
Amy Winehouse’s colossal vocal talent saw her hailed as British soul’s great white hope before she was even out of her teens, and her second album, Back to Black, has since propelled her to superstardom. This November, the Camden Caner will be heading for the Newcastle Academy on her nationwide tour.
10-11/17-18/24-25
San Miniato
White Truffle Festival
(www.sanminiatotartufo.it)
Foodies heading to Florence this November should take a detour to nearby San Miniato. With truffle season almost upon us, there’s no better time to stock up on the cut-price tartufi. There’s also good wine, cheese and salami on offer. Definitely a good one for the greedy.
17-25
Madrid
Feriarte
(www.ifema.es)
Now in its 30th year, Madrid’s annual art fair has more than 16,000 pieces of work for sale – everything from antique furniture to modern jewellery. The wide range of styles on show, including art nouveau, art deco and Edwardian, means there’s always something here to suit everyone.
21
Brussels
Sonny Rollins
(www.sonnyrollins.com)
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins has had one of the most illustrious careers in contemporary jazz. By his mid-twenties he’d played with Miles Davis, and at 30 he was so famous he decided to take a sabbatical. Now in his seventies, he’s recognised as a living legend. See him at the Palais des Beaux-Arts this month.
Book your tickets for…
19 Dec-6 Jan London The Nutcracker (pictured, www.eno.org) ++
12 Dec Antwerp Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (www.brucespringsteen.net) ++
26 -30 Dec Mechelen Christmas Showjumping (www.jumping-mechelen.com) ++
31 Dec Vienna Kaiserball (www.hofburg.com) ++
31 Dec Budapest Gala and Ball at the Opera House (www.viparts.hu)
No comments yet.
