calendar

May/June 2011

May 10  Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Cheung Chau Island, Honk Kong, China.   A week's worth of celebration including lion dance, chinese opera and an exquisite parade finale. Cheung Chau Island

May 10-12  Jazztavasz. Budapest, Hungary. The Jazz Spring festival includes international jaz stars includingDiana Reeves and Harcsa Veronika Quaretet, the Szoke Nikoletta Quartet and others.Venues include the beautiful Palace of Arts overlooking the Danube River. Jazztavasz 2011

May 15  Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Strawberry Festival. Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, France. The charming village pulls out all the stops to showcase strawberries in local dishes, pies and other treats during this tasty street party. The highlight is a huge strawberry tart (8 meters in diameter!) that is created and eaten by festival attendees as soon as it's done. Strrawberry Festival

May 21  East Altanta Beer Festival. Brownwood Park, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. If you like beer, you'll love this celebration with over 150 craft brews available for sampling. Live music, good food and the donation of proceeds to local non-profit agencies round out the reasons not to miss it. East Altanta Beer Fest

May 24-28  Garden Show and Spring Festival.  Beirut, Lebanon. The greening of BBeirut happens when the magic of exotic plants, beautiful flowers, garden accessorys, local arts and crafts and concerts invade the Beirut Hippodrome for this annual event. There are also courses, masterclasses and healthy food options available.  Beirut Garden Show and Spring Festival

May 25-31  MIX Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Milan, Italy. This internationally famous fim festival has been held at Milan's Teatro Strehler for more than 20 years. The fest includes screenings, discussions, forums and parties exploring and celbrating diversity. MIX Festival Milano

June 3   Rhino Charge. Kenya, Africa. If you've ever wanted to do an off road motor rally in the wilds of Kenya, here's your chance! Bring your team and your 4WD vehical and race through the African territory to each guard post in the bush. The team that uses the least distance to reach all the post wins. Proceeds go to the Rhino Ark to support conservation efforts in Kenya. Rhino Charge Keny

June 11  Ode to the Dance. Shanghai, China.  Cellist Ni Haiye peforms with the Shanghai Symphony Orchstra conduceted by Eiji Oue from Japan. Performances include two Elgar pieces and Beethoven's Synphony No. 7.  Other concerts are held throughout the month, all at the Shanghai Concert Hall. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra

June 11-14  Wäldchestag Folk Festival.  Frankfurt, Germany. Set in the tranquility of the Stadtwald forest, this beauitul ooutdoor arts and crafts market also showcases local food specialties and live music. The open air summer garden provides a wonderful backdrop and celebration of local culture. Frankfurt Germany

June 15-18 New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays.  Hamilton, New Zealand.  This is the biggest agricultural trade show in New Zeland with international exhibitors as well as fun competitions such as sheep-dog trials, a logging tournament, fencing competitions and a fashion show with clothes made out of farm products. Get a firsthand look at cutting edge technology and innovation.  New Zealand Fieldays

June 23  Day of the Mules.  Mexico City, Mexico.  Children wearing traditional native dress and selling handmade wooden mules adorned with colorful decorations mark this annual celebration dating back to 1526 and held at the great square called the Zocalo. This event has evolved into an arts and crafts fair where craftspeople from all over mexico bring their mules loaded with harvest fruit as an offering of thanks, music is played, and a special vendimia wine is offered to celebrate. The Zocalo Mexico City

June 27-30  Get EXITed. Pag, Croatia. This giant dance party provides four days of the best big-name DJs from across Europe spinning tunes and making merry on Pag's Arce Beach. Brought by the team who put on Serbia's famed EXIT Festival.  Get EXITed Croatia