BERLIN
Events
Botanical Night
One of the most magical events of the summer takes place each year at Berlin’s Botanical Garden. Musicians and puppeteers offer entertainment among the garden’s illuminated nighttime setting. And as darkness envelops this floral oasis, a spectacular fireworks show erupts over the Italian Garden. Celebrate the beauty of midsummer’s blooms.
Price: €38
Location: Botanischer Garten Berlin-Dahlem, Königin-Luise-Platz
Times: Saturday, July 16, 5pm – 2am
Tickets: 01805 288 244
More Information: www.botanische-nacht.de
Berlin University of the Arts Open House
In Berlin’s classrooms, creative minds are flourishing. Go see what students at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) have been up to this semester. From architects to fashion designers, dancers to sound artists, a full spectrum of artistic enterprises will be showcased at the University’s “open door” event this weekend.
Price: Free
Location: Various
Times: Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17
Phone: 030 3185 2204
More Information: www.udk-berlin.de
Dance
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
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 the Deutsche Opera House in Berlin this weekend. A vibrant program combines elements of hip hop, Indian Kathak, and African American spirituals.
Price: €48-80
Location: Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bismarckstrasse 35
Times: Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15, 7:30pm; Saturday, July 16, 2:30 and 7:30pm; Sunday, July 17, 2:30pm
Tickets: 030 343 84 343
More Information: www.deutscheoperberlin.de
COLOGNE
Exhibitions
Body Worlds of Animals
Anatomist Gunther von Hagens developed a technique called plastination to preserve the bodies of humans and animals. Maybe you saw the exhibition “Body Worlds” he developed in the 1990s. If all those extraordinary anatomical models caught your fancy, you might want to check out a new exhibition in Cologne that showcases the inner workings of animals. Go and gawk at the elegant sinews and ligaments of gorillas, giraffes, and other zoological characters.
Price: €21
Location: Cologne Zoo, Riehler Strasse 173
Times: 9am – 6pm, Daily; through September 30
Tickets: 0221 2801
More Information: www.bodyworldsofanimals.dcom
Galleries/Concerts
Andreas Hirsch – Today I Parked My Car on an Ocean Rock and Treespeedmusic Performance
Cologne-based artist Andreas Hirsch made a “synapse” out of inner tubes at the Jagla Exhibition Space. Its bulbous rubbery form rises from the floor to the gallery’s ornate ceiling like a petrified tornado. Check it out Friday night when the artist plays interesting music on even more interesting instruments.
Price: Free
Location: Jagla Ausstellungsraum, Hansaring 98
Times: Friday, July 15, 7pm
Phone: 0160 97 398 065
More Information: www.hirschonhirsch.com
FRANKFURT
Sporting Events
Frankfurt Football Garden
Yes, we’re all still a bit glum from Japan’s ousting of Germany last weekend, but that doesn’t mean Frankfurt has lost its World Cup fever. If you can’t make it to the stadium for Sunday’s final game, head to the Frankfurt Football Gardens where you can watch all the action on two giant screens floating on the River Main.
Price: Free
Location: Frankfurt Football Gardens, on the southern bank of the River Main between Untermain Bridge and Holbeinsteg Bridge.
Times: Saturday, July 16, 5:30pm; Sunday, July 17, 8:45pm
More Information: www.fifafrauenwm2011.frankfurt.de
HAMBURG
Sporting Events
Hamburg Triathlon
They swim through Lake Alster’s chilly waters. They cycle past the picturesque parklands of the Elbchaussee. And they run, with pounding hearts and pumping legs to Hamburg’s main square, Rathausmarkt. Cheer on the thousands of athletes racing around the city this weekend in one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.
Price: Free
Location: Various
Times: Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17
More Information: www.hamburg-triathlon.org
MUNICH
Festivals
Magdalena Festival
Munich wouldn’t be Munich without its beer-slugging, wurst-munching bonanzas. Though the Magdalena Festival represents a quainter variety of this typical Bavarian event. Craft market stalls and pony rides make this open-air party especially fun for families. Let the kids ride the carousel while mum and dad relax in the beer garden.
Price: Free
Location: Hirschgarten
Times: Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 24
More Information: www.muenchen.de
Events
Bastille Day Ball
Wave the “drapeau tricolore” this Saturday in Munich when the French Institute hosts a ball in honour of Bastille Day. With music, dancing, French food, and drinks, you’ll want to bring the whole family! After all, you’re never too young to sing the “Marseillaise.”
Price: €7
Location: The French Institute Kaulbachstrasse 13
Times: Saturday, July 16, 7pm
Phone: 069 2866 280
More Information: www.institutfrancais.de
Music/Concerts
Classical Music on Odeonsplatz – The Munich Philharmonic Featuring Lang Lang
Superstar pianist Lang Lang joins the Munich Philharmonic at Odeonsplatz Saturday for an open-air performance of works by Franz Liszt and Antonin Dvorjak. Take in the view of Munich’s breathtaking baroque architecture and be carried away by the strains of the symphony.
Price: €26-71
Location: Odeonsplatz
Times: Saturday, July 17, 8pm
Tickets: 0180 54 81 81 81
More Information: www.klassik-am-odeonsplatz.de
STUTTGART
Film
Indian Film Festival – Bollywood and Beyond
From ladies who box, to a taxi driver obsessed with the Taj Mahal, the films in this year’s “Bollywood and Beyond” festival highlight an assortment of colourful characters. Rarely shown in Germany, this cinematic roster is shown with English subtitles. Bollywood diehards can catch a glimpse of their Hindi heroes on the red carpet at Thursday night’s opening ceremony.
Price: €8.63
Location: CinemaxX Stuttgart, SI-Centrum, Plieninger Strasse 100
Times: Thursday, July 21 – Sunday, July 24
More Information: www.bollywood-festival.de