BERLIN

Dance/Theatre

Pilobolus – Shadowland

Extraordinary silhouettes weave an enchanting story in “Shadowland,” the acclaimed show by the American dance troupe Pilobolus. Witness the coming of age of an imaginative young girl as human figures transform into sensational shapes.

Price: €22.50-67.65

Location: Komische Oper Berlin, Behrenstrasse 55-57

Times: Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31, 8pm; Saturday, July 30, 3pm and 8pm

Tickets: 0180 557 00 99

More Information: www.komische-oper-berlin.de

Festivals

Ramadan Nights

An enriching program of music, dance, literature, and cinema from Islamic regions around the world unfolds in Berlin this month during Ramadan. Fast, pray, and feed the soul with the beats of a German-Iranian drummer and the rhythms of Indonesian dancers during this holy time of reflection. Berlin band 17 Hippies kicks off the festival with an opening concert at the Museum for Islamic Art, Wednesday night.

Price: Various

Location: Various

Times: Wednesday, August 3 – Sunday, September 4

More Information: www.piranhakultur.de

COLOGNE

Music/Concerts

Prince

The Purple One is cutting a funky-pop swath across the continent this summer with the “Welcome 2 America” tour. Catch him in Cologne Thursday. Go crazy!

Price: €77.60-144.30

Location: Lanxess Arena, Deutz-Kalker Strasse 1

Times: Thursday, July 28, 8pm

More Information: www.lanxess-arena.de

Dance

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Vivacity, creativity, and technical prowess define the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company. One of the most fabled modern dance troupes in the world, the skillful league twirls, leaps, stomps, and sways across the stage at Cologne’s Philharmonic Hall this week. A vibrant program combines elements of hip hop, Indian Kathak, and African American spirituals.

Price: €21-81

Location: Kölner Philharmonie, Bischofsgartenstrasse 1

Times: Tuesday, August 2 – Sunday, August 7, 8pm; Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, 2pm and 8pm

Phone: 0221 204 080

More Information: www.koelner-philharmonie.de

FRANKFURT

Events

Christopher Street Day

Oh to be young, beautiful, and gay. Show your pride this weekend in Frankfurt. The Christopher Street Parade kicks off Saturday morning at the Römerberg. Wave your flags and your feather boas and go ahead with your fabulous self through the city. Street parties keep the groove going late into the night.

Price: Free

Location: Various

Times: Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 31

More Information: www.guetlich-event.de

Children’s Workshops

Lego-Robots Discover New Worlds

Your kids can build robots with Legos this week at Frankfurt’s Museum of Applied Arts. The two-day workshop encourages creativity and collaboration. Once they’ve completed their robots, there’s no telling what extra-terrestrial adventures await.

Price: €6

Location: Museum für Angewandte Kunst Frankfurt, Schaumainkai 17

Times: Tuesday, August 2 and Wednesday, August 3

Phone: 069 212 38 522

More Information: www.angewandtekunst-frankfurt.de

HAMBURG

Music/Concerts

The World Astra Day

Blumentopf, D-A-D, Momofoko, Alpha Academy, and more of the hottest rockers from Germany and Scandinavia heat up the stage at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Saturday to celebrate Astra beer. Grab an icy cold bottle of the Hamburg brew and dance the day away.

Price: Free

Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken

Times: Saturday, July 30, Noon – 1am

More Information: www.weltastratag.de

LEIPZIG

Events

Saxony International Balloon Festival

Ever see anything prettier than a sky full of hot air balloons? There’s something so invigorating and adventurous about the site of them. Go pretend you’re a character in The Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen or The Wizard of Oz this weekend when dozens of the rainbow-hued orbs hover above the city.

Price: Free

Location: Silbersee

Times: Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31

More Information: www.balloonfiesta.de

MUNICH

Music/Concerts

Junior Boys

Their upbeat new album It’s All True was inspired by Orson Welles. Boogie down with the Canadian rockers Tuesday when they stop in Munich. Junior Boys are only playing one concert in Germany this summer, so be there. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until they’re back in Europe this fall.

Price: €18

Location: The Atomic Cafe, Häberlstrasse 19

Times: Tuesday, August 2, 8pm

Tickets: 0180 54 81 81 81 (.14/min)

More Information: www.atomic.de

Opera

Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott, and Jonas Kaufmann

Classic opera arias set a passionate tone at Königsplatz Friday night when three young opera stars take the stage. Sit beneath the open sky and be enchanted by the voices of Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott, and Jonas Kaufmann.

Price: €49.70-341.70

Location: Königsplatz

Times: Friday, July 29, 8pm

Tickets: 0180 54 81 81 81 (.14/min)

More Information: www.muenchen.de

Events

Munich Soap Box Derby/i>