Culture Calendar – August 2019
Is it really August already? Yes, and although it feels like the summer months are just flying by, August is picking up even more speed. From music and dance to food and beer, a great range of festivals fill the calendar this month. Plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, both in the city and the countryside, and make the most of this great summer month.
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTO © I-MOTION
ImPulsTanz Festival, Vienna (until 11 August)
The ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival is the biggest of its kind for contemporary dance in Europe and showcases new works of established talent as well as giving a platform to emerging dancers. Performers from all over the world will perform on 21 stages and there are various workshops to accompany the main programme.
Impulstanz, Lisbeth Gruwez, Voetwolk, The Sea Within. Photo © Danny Willems
Bregenz Festival, Bregenz (until 18 August)
Yet again, the legendary theatre festival in front of the incredible backdrop of Lake Bregenz is a very popular destination for theatre aficionados from far and wide. This year’s programme includes Guiseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto amongst many other star-filled performances and top events.
Cranger Kirmes, Herne (1 – 11 August)
For the 584th time the biggest funfair in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia returns this month. Locals truly know how to party in the Ruhr area and this is an absolute highlight for adults and kids alike. The grand opening and finale come in the form of stunning fireworks and are very popular – so make sure you get your ticket in good time.
Cranger Kirmes. Photo © Stadtmarketing Herne GmbH
International Berlin Beer Festival, Berlin (2 – 4 August)
It’s known across the globe that Germans love their beer: the liquid gold is without a doubt bordering on being a national treasure. The capital goes a step further and dedicates an entire festival to the refreshing beverage. The Berlin Beer Festival brings beer-brewing countries together during this three-day folk festival on Karl-Marx-Allee, where around 350 breweries from 90 countries serve approximately 2,400 different beer specialties. Almost one million people are expected each year.
Nature One Festival, Pydna (2 – 4 August)
The legendary Nature One Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and it promises to be an even bigger party than ever before. With the Hunsrück as its backdrop, the open-air Nature One festival celebrates the best of the international electronic music scene at the Raketenbasis Pydna. Ravers can camp onsite and enjoy the beats and tunes of around 350 artists on 23 floors surrounded by lush nature.
Nature One Festival. Photo © I-Motion
Street Food Market, Freiburg (3 – 4 August)
The free street food market in Freiburg offers up international culinary delights as far as the eye can see. Germany’s food trucks gather for two days and open up shop so that you can try a great variety of different food all in one place.
Sing along with Young Euro Classics, Berlin (4 August)
This sing-along event is part of the Young Euro Classics festival held at the Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt, which is specifically designed for symphonic youth orchestras. The unique sing along, however, takes place outside and it vows to show Europe its support by singing together. It wants to highlight how important the idea of unity and diversity in Europe is. For choirs who wish to take part, the notes are available to download on the website.
International Beer Festival Berlin. Photo © Frank-Peter Bürger
Dance in August, Berlin (9 – 31 August)
One of the most important dance festivals in Europe, Dance in August focuses on contemporary dance and experimental choreography. Top dancers come from all over the world to this platform of dance innovation. There are many German premieres and it is certainly the place to be for anyone who loves dance.
Potsdam Night of the Palaces, Potsdam (16 – 17 August)
This year, the Potsdam Night of the Palaces at Sanssouci invites you to join for ‘Una Notte Italiana’. Guests can look forward to various performances, illuminations, concerts and culinary treats, all in relation to Bella Italia. Venetian gondolas and Italian live music await. Readings from Pinocchio, Don Camillo and Peppone, and Casanova, with Katharina Thalbach, David Rott & Matthias Matschke, as well Andrea Sawatzki & Christian Berkel and Max Moo, complete this open-air extravaganza by night.
www.potsdamer-schloessernacht.de
Potsdam Night of Palaces. Photo © Michael Clemens
Hafen Open Air, Vienna (16 – 17 August)
This is an open-air festival for established musicians but also emerging Austrian talent. Now in its 13th edition, the festival is still continuously growing, and this year’s headliners are Austria’s own Conchita Wurst and the legendary Die Söhne Mannheims.
Zürich Openair, Zurich (21 – 24 August)
The Zürich Openair is an absolute must for all electro, rock and pop music fans. It’s conveniently located right by the airport and it is the city’s only open-air festival. This year’s line-up includes The Chemical Brothers, Calvin Harris, Macklemore, Billie Eilish, The Kooks and many more fabulous acts.
Potsdam Night of Palaces. Photo © Michael Clemens
Ruhrtriennale, Ruhr (21 August – 29 September)
Each year, the grand Ruhtriennale invites contemporary artists to install art around the former industrial buildings of the Ruhr area. This includes music, dance and theatre as well as performance and fine arts. The Ruhrtriennale is a true celebration of the connection between art and industrial places. A vibrant and very diverse programme awaits.
Gürtel Nightwalk XXII, Vienna (31 August)
The 22nd edition of the one-night culture and pop music festival at the legendary ‘Gürtel’ (‘belt’ in English) is the perfect way to kiss August good-bye. The festival takes place between Thaliastraße and Alserstraße and celebrates the nightlife of Vienna’s trendy club and pub scene. Let’s do the ‘nightwalk’ again…
Ruhrtriennale, All the good. Photo © Phile Deprez
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