The ancient tribal endurance competition “tug of war.” This and all photos: Nick Rowlands

The idea was that tourists and tribes would all interact with and learn from one another. Events were planned so visitors could find out about tribal law and customs, desert survival skills, and native plant medicines. There was to be singing and dancing, competitions and traditional games – a veritable orgy of enlightened cultural exchange.

Something a little more traditional.
This and all photos: Nick Rowlands

This would have been great, had the event been organised in any way at all, but nobody had a clue what was going on.
The programme might as well have read:

Day 1: 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.:

Wander aimlessly around site, homing in on any gathering of more than four people.

Hope to be fed at some point.

Day 2: See Day 1.

Day 3: See Days 1 & 2, though we might go somewhere else.

Many of the advertised events never happened. Others took place at random times and in random locations, as if some capricious desert god were rolling the festival equivalent of love dice. Entire museums, and even a whole tribe, appeared to have been mislaid.

It’s hard to tell if the festival was deliberately misrepresented, or organised by a bunch of ADD stoners who really believe there’s a devil in the details, and so decided not to bother with any.

The first day in particular was a nightmare – a genuine press feeding frenzy. This international bunch of rapacious vultures were thrusting their cameras in the face of anyone wearing a headscarf, pecking and screeching at each other as they fought for their ultimate tribal dancing money shot.

It was embarrassing, and stank of condescension with fruity undertones of colonialism. The lack of cultural sensitivity was astounding. During the communal Friday prayers, one hack – equipped with a telescopic penis extension so large it had to be strapped to his body like a suit of armour – filmed the proceedings from a distance of all of six inches.

One character of Egypt.
This and all photos: Nick Rowlands

Blithely wandering up and down the rows of the devout, he looked like he wanted to conduct the prayers himself.
The tribesmen responded to this with a mixture of amusement and disdain. One young boy summed it up perfectly, saying, “I don’t understand why they are here. Every time we do something, they put their camera on us. I want them to go away.”

The corporate nature of the event is also questionable. Apparently, it’s perfectly OK to have an eco-tourism festival whose official sponsor is Aboul Fotouh, a company “considered a pioneer in the automotive industry in Egypt.” (Their words.) I know we live in a cynical world in which the harsh realities of money trump ethics, but isn’t that like having Monsanto sponsor the local farmers’ market? It was particularly disappointing since the Wadi El Gemal camp and Science Center are involved are a number of environmental and social responsibility projects.

These days, when any yin-yang can chuck up a tent in the middle of nowhere, light a few candles, label themselves “eco” just to watch those green dollars roll in, organisations like this have a responsibility to walk the walk.
Just picking up your rubbish doesn’t cut it. If practicalities prevent you from installing things like composting toilets, biogas generators, or solar water heaters, that’s understandable. But cosying up with a car manufacturer, Egypt bloody Air, and Dasani not-so-mineral water, is just plain wrong.

Siwi Stilt Dance This and all photos: Nick Rowlands

Another big festival selling point was the tribal games. They were like a surreal school Sports Day arranged by a bunch of eleven-year-old anthropology students.

The ancient tribal perambulation: The Piggyback
This and all photos: Nick Rowlands

Over the three days, seven teams competed in such traditional bedouin sports as long jump, high jump, and tug of war. The only thing missing was an egg-and-spoon race. (The eggs were needed for dinner. We got one each, and a plate of cheese.)

The camel race, however, was as bedouin as it gets. Magnificent beasts thundering through the desert at speeds of up to 50 km/h, their riders urging them on with whips and improbable noises. A pity no one bothered to tell us it had started. The first anyone knew of it was when the winning camel sailed over the finishing line, breezed through the camp, and settled down in its paddock for some post-race rumination.

On the other hand, finding the tribal dancing performances was easy: just zoom in on the mesmerising blend of pulsating drum beats, enthusiastic clapping, and haunting, ethereal melodies. The issue here was that you couldn’t see anything through the melee of cameras and microphones.

The funny thing is, with the exception of the local Bashariya and Ababda tribes, everybody at the festival was a tourist. Lots of the bedouin (from South Sinai in particular) have made a mint through tourism, and sport the latest iPhone or digital SLR with as much pride as their traditional dress. They were as snap-happy as everyone else.

Interestingly, many were as fascinated by the journalists as they were by the other tribes, and delighted in taking photographs of them. Bedouin taking pictures of journalists photographing bedouin…welcome to the postmodern world of the tribal nomad!

A Particularly Impressive High Jump
This and all photos: Nick Rowlands

Despite all the problems and inconsistencies with the festival, it’s important to say we did have a good time. It was cool to meet and interact with tribesmen from all over Egypt. The evenings were brilliant, as each tribe gathered around a fire in their own camp to sing, dance and play music which was much less contrived than the staged performances of the day.

People were fire-hopping from camp to camp, seeking out the best parties. As the organisers, tribesmen and other tourists all came together, the imposed “event” became a shared celebration. It was in this space that the festival came closest to fulfilling its vision of “peace, generosity of spirit and mutual respect.”

Here’s hoping the organisers get it right next year.

The massive and astounding marionettes came to Berlin in a program called “The Berlin Reunion”, a series of eight walks set to commemorate German Reunification.

Hauled by cranes and scores of puppeteers, the giants moved about town over four days from October 1-4, following a tale set in motion by Royal de Luxe. The story told over the course of these walks was of two giants being separated by a city torn in two by monsters, eventually reuniting despite epic odds.

1. Once upon a time, a long time ago, Berlin was a swamp inhabited by giants. They planted roots in the water which slowly grew up into trees, whose trunks they later used to build shelters.

2. In one of these huts lived a Little Giantess together with her uncle, Big Giant. He had given her a wonderful boat in which she could travel across the continent. But one day land and sea monsters tore the city in two: And one of the two pieces was walled up.

3. When this happened the Big Giant and the Little Giantess were separated.

4. He was so angry that he threw himself into the river and from there he wandered through the depths of the oceans looking for the sleeping geyser on the seat floor.

5. Many years passed but eventually he found it.

6. He dragged it underneath the city walls and woke it rudely. The earth shook, the walls crumbled and washed away…

7. …a strong wind made the Little Giantess’ boat start moving and pulled roots of the trees up into the air.

8.When this was all over, the Big Giant climbs out of the river and starts searching.

9. The Little Giantess wakes up beside her boat…

10. …and discovers a sack of letters which were never delivered.

11. She decides she is going to deliver the post and on her way round the city…

12. …she is reunited with her big uncle, the Big Giant.

Photo 1 by Tom Gates. Photos 6 & 7 by Didier. All other photos by SpreePIX. Story by Jean Luc Courcoult, Royal de Luxe.

Community Connection

Matador is full of photo essays. You might start with Twelve Lesser Known Ruins Of The World and then move onto The Most Alien Landscapes On Earth. For a giggle, lend a few minute to 20 Of The Freakiest Bikes On The Road.

Justice’s amazing setup comes to Voodoo. Photo by momaraman

There aren’t many places better to spend Halloween weekend than New Orleans, especially with this year’s lineup at Voodoo Experience.

NIN at Voodoo 2008. Photo: nineinchnails

Now in its eleventh year, the three-day festival has hosted some of the biggest names in music.

The 2009 lineup features quite a diverse pack. Eminem will make his only live appearance in this year, tacked onto a bill that also includes attractions like KISS, Lenny Kravitz, The Flaming Lips, Janes Addiction and Widespread Panic .

It’s the variation of acts that makes Voodoo so cool – you’d be hard-pressed to find a lineup as diverse as this one.

Rock is well represented, with performances by Meat Puppets, Brand New, Silversun Pickups, Wolfmother and Down. Dance fans will find a surprise in the form of a rare appearance by Fischerspooner, not to mention the inclusion of super-duper-hipsters Justice. Alt Country fans will run square into sets by Drive-by Truckers and Shooter Jennings, while a more cerebral set will be happy to catch Alejandro Escovedo and Robert Randolph.

Halloween with The Demon. Photo: mback23

Perhaps most lucky is the eclectic music fan, who can also see artist like Ween, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Gogol Bordello, Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Pogues. All of this is swirled together with New Orleans flavor, from local marching bands to classic Creole sounds.

Voodoo Experience, October 30th – November 1st, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Photo and Feature Photo: peterme

It commemorates a proclamation made by the first Chilean governmental committee in 1810, and lasts (at the very least) two days.

There are wholesome family events, parties in the countryside and games of the hopscotch-like rayuela, kite-flying, and greased-pole scaling. There are many, many renditions of the cueca, the national dance, a coquettish stalk-and-surrender dance reminiscent of a mating dance between a rooster and hen.

Chile is wine country, though it tends to export much of what it produces, Chilenos consider wine part of the national heritage, and wouldn’t miss a drop during this upcoming celebration. There’s a wine menjunge (mix) for everyone, as well as beer and pisco-based drinks.

Photo of terrmoto courtesy of the author

Red
On Sept. 18th you won’t see much of the fancy bottled wines for which Chile is rightfully famous. The highly-prized Chilean Merlot and Carménère take a back seat to the affectionately-named Cartonere, the local name for boxed wine (cartón meaning cardboard). Popular brands include Gato Negro, Clos de Pirque and Planella.

In a pinch, though, any tetrapak wine will do. These are drunk by the cup from the box or mixed with coca cola to make the famous jote, a drink whose name also means vulture (particularly in the sense of a man who’s on the prowl). It’s a spring-to-fall drink favored by teenagers.

White
White wine also appears on the 18th, though most commonly as ponche, a mixture of white wine and in-season fruit, which at Fiestas Patrias usually means canned peaches. The difference between this and the delicate borgoña served at other times of year is that borgoña arrives by the wine glass and ponche comes in a vessel big enough to go dunking for apples in, and is served in glasses.

Green
Green (or young) wine forms the backbone for the unusually-named terremoto (earthquake), which in the coastal town of Valparaíso is also known as a tsunami. It’s a scoop or two of pineapple ice cream with green wine poured over it until it tops off the glass. It’s served with a straw which is churned up and down through the drink until it is mixed. A successive serving of the terremoto is predictably, called a réplica, or aftershock. Attempt this at your own risk, as the terremoto is famous for the resaca (hangover) it leaves in its wake.

Not Really Wine
Chicha is not really wine, though it’s sometimes made from grapes.

Photo of bottles of chicha courtesy of the author

It’s a sweetish, cider-like fermented drink favored by cheap drunks and people who don’t much like alcohol, though if you consume enough of this 8 proof drink, you can do some damage.

Traditionally it’s made in earthenware jugs in the country, and is sold topped with something porous, so it doesn’t explode. At Fiestas Patrias chicha de uva (grape chicha) and chicha cocida (cooked chicha) show up in 700 ml. bottles at the supermarket and in the hand of many a reveler. In the South it’s chicha de manzana (apple chicha) that takes center stage.

Pisco Sour
Chile’s main spirit is pisco, over which it argues with Peru for bragging rights. Pisco sour is the order of the day, a tangy yellow libation with just a touch of froth on top. It’s a mixture of limon de pica (similar to a key lime), sugar and pisco, occasionally with bitters sprinkled on top. On the 18th of September many people will go for cheap over tasty and buy a bottle of Capel or Campanario pisco sour, or any of the newer variations like berry or mango sour, all made with pisco.

Pisco Mixers
The younger set will choose to mix their pisco with Coca Cola, making the famous and overdone piscola. Piscola is a late-teen to twenties drink that would have native English speaking youth in stiches over its name. Toilet humor aside, piscola is prevalently drunk throughout the year, but holds a special spotlight on the 18th as its prime demographic drinks their blood volume in alcohol.

Pichuncho
If the younger set chooses to use a mixer to dilute their pisco, there is also a set of people who chooses a more potent mixer, and doses their pisco with vermouth. Pisco, vermouth and a slim slice of lemon complete this punch-packing drink.

Straight Up
The south of Chile has the water and hops-growing regions of Oregon in mirror image where a vibrant set of German-style brewers live, and produces some fine craft beers. But Fiestas Patrias prizes quantity over quality, and because you’ll see it consumed by the metric gallon at this holiday, pesky little crimped bottle caps do not make an appearance.

Liter bottles of watery Cristal and Escudo abound, with multiple people sharing the same bottle, from plastic cups or straight from the source. No one bothers to put a bag on the bottle, and everyone knows what you’re drinking and no one cares anyway.

Fanschop

People drinking Fanschop: peterme

A nightmare for the beer purist is the mixture of cheap beer (sometimes on tap, sometimes from a bottle) with Fanta. It’s refreshing and very bubbly, and you’ll be surprised to see that this has something of a genteel reputation, a good girly drink suitable even for grandmothers.

Before the holiday is out, you may find yourself awake, somewhere between drunk and hungover and hungry. The traditional hangover foods in Chile, available in Santiago at the Mercado Central from old favorites like Donde Augusto, are caldillo, a clear seafood-based soup or consomme de gallina (chicken soup).

The view from Donde Augustín overlooking the
Mercado Central courtesy of the author

It’s generally accepted that these remedies barely scratch the surface, and it’s common for people to show up to work after Fiestas Patrias with more than a whisper of alcohol wafting from their pores, and sunglasses firmly clamped to their faces.

That Fiestas Patrias is a veritable alcohol bath does not go unnoticed by Chilean authorities, who campaign every year for people to not drink and drive, though alcohol-fueled car accidents claim victims each year.

Other health ramifications include the 3 plus kilos (nearly seven pounds) most Chileans can expect to gain over this holiday. If it’s not the alcohol, it’s the empanadas, the anticuchos (kebabs), chunchules (grilled intestines), ubre (grilled cow’s udder), choripanes (sausage rolls) or asado (barbecued meat) that do their damage during this once-a-year celebration.

Since next year marks Chile’s bicentennial, the government is planning to grant people the entire week off of work to better celebrate the holiday (better make that 5 kilos).

Community Connection

Want to learn more about how they party in Chile? Check out Renée Saldaña’s article “Learning Experiences: Dancing Cueca in Chile” on Matador Abroad.

Does your interest lean more toward the political? Have a read of another of Eileen Smith’s articles over on MatadorPulse, “What’s going on in… Chile?”

All photos by Angela Corrias.

Like every year on the 6th of July, Sedilo’s top horse-riders charm both locals and tourists gathered around the tiny, pastel-colored sanctuary devoted to St Constantine. They’re here to watch this audacious show, known as S’Ardia.

The undisputed stars of the festival are the first three horse-riders. The leader, Sa Prima Pandela (The First Flag), embodies St. Constantine and has the responsibility of bringing his gold colored flag to the sanctuary. He’s nominated by Sedilo’s parish and appoints his “generals” the second and the third flag (Sa Segunda Pandela and Sa Terza Pandela).

The three Pandelas together designate their three “escorts”, who hold batons they fiercely guard from the rest of the swarm that symbolize the enemies and try to pass the Emperor. There are no winners or losers, but testing the edge of legal security measures works as a reputation booster.

Gathered at the leader’s house, the horsemen head for Piazza di Chiesa (Church Square), where the parish gives them his blessing and officially starts S’Ardia. Anticipated by a line of riflemen, the riders flaunt a plucky self-confidence in the saddle and, proud in their faultless white blouse and typical black trousers, parade through Sedilo towards the sun-soaked field crammed with pilgrims.

Waiting for hours in the Sardinian summer sun, onlookers are overwhelmed by dust and the intense smell of sweat, horses, and gun powder. The initial moments are the most dangerous. This year, a 44-year-old rider fell off his horse and died.

Arguments rage all year over the need for stricter security, but the prospect that S’Ardia might be banned is beyond imagination for participants and residents alike.

Matteo, 29, who’s been running S’Ardia for twelve years, explains, “Only we Sedilesi understand S’Ardia and are not asking anybody else to comprehend. We are fully aware of the danger of the route, that’s why we train – for our own and the other riders’ safety.”

Sedilo’s horsemen are renowned throughout the island for their ability. Matteo devotes his free time to training and looking after his horses. “For me running is an act of faith towards St. Constantine,” he says, “but also love and passion for horses.”

Giulia, 20, one of the two women running S’Ardia, spells out the plain truth. “Yes, there are risks, but we all are aware of the danger we face when we decide to run. Before sitting in the saddle I feel nervous, but once on the horse I don’t think about anything. At the end the only regret is that it’s already over.”

Cristian Chessa, an expert of Sardinian traditions, says, “I don’t think the bill will help prevent accidents, and I find it rather confusing when it compares clandestine competitions to religious events, ignoring that these don’t take place for entertainment or tourism, but to make a vow.” He insists, “Security rules shouldn’t violate the essence of S’Ardia, and the only way to do this is to leave the burden up to the Sedilesi themselves.”

Similar horse races take place in other villages, but when I mention that to Lino, he smiles patiently and adds,“Don’t be ridiculous. Others might even try their best, but the real Ardia can only happen in Sedilo.”

Photo and Feature Photo: seier+seier+seier

From Variety’s Ali Jafar:

While Iranian cinema was preoccupied for much of the 1980s and 1990s with symbolism and allegorically cherubic children, the Iranian pics at Venice this year deal directly with the social upheaval in the country both preceding and following June’s presidential elections.

There are at least two women directors out of Iran this year at the festival,Hana Makhmalbaf and Shirin Neshat. Shirin Neshat’s debut “Women Without Men” is set in the early ’50’s during an American government sponsored upheaval and traces the lives of four women seeking personal peace in the time leading up to the revolution of 1979.

In the Variety article, Neshat says of the film and her work:

It’s important for Western audiences to know about the events of 1953 and how that led to the 1979 revolution and the events we saw in June.

We are seeing history repeating itself, only the players have changed. Instead of the shah we now have supreme leader Ali Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

What is the same is seeing the Iranian people trying to free themselves from attempts to take away their liberty.

Hana Makhmalbaf’s docudrama “Green Days” mixes actual and staged footage to create a portrait of a woman in the aftermath of Iran’s most recent elections. The director is just 21 years old.

The other film mentioned in the article is Nader Takmil Homayoun’s “Tehroun.” Homayoun splits his time between France and Iran and his film exposes a seedy underbelly in a statement about the disenfranchised youth of the country.

These films were created very quickly, but if these selections are any indication, we should be seeing some strong films coming out of Iran in years to come with a new perspective of world politics informing filmmakers’ sensibilities.

Community Connection

Interested in what else is going on in Iran? Check in with Matador expert Jason Rezaian in this Matador Trips article.

Looking for one or two more reasons to go to Iran to seal the deal in your head? See Jason’s article 7 Reasons To Travel To Iran NOW.

Photo: lightmatter, Feature Photo: iversonic

This year, they’re sharing a space with Pandora’s Fix-it Shoppe & Dream Lounge at 6:00 and DNA. They’re also home to the Digital Vagabond and the first batch of Roads Scholars and their graduation ceremony.

Camp Nomadia hosts the Technomadic Lifestyle Workshop on Thursday from 3:00-4:00 in which they share with you “how to live, work and play full time on the road. From picking your ideal mobile arsenal, finding location independent professions to the logistics of handling taxes, mail and more.”

Though Burning Man is about happenstance, coincidence and serendipity, there can be nothing wrong with pushing things in the right direction by deliberately meeting some people to help you put your dreams in motion.

Burning Man sets up for another year. Photo: naturalturn

Over 50,000 people made their way to Burning Man last year. Are you on your way to this year’s event? If so, be sure to connect with the writing foursome from this year’s Roads Scholarship.

These writers have been blogging about their trip across America for the entire summer and will finally converge in Nevada this week. A graduation ceremony is planned for Thursday night, from 7pm to 9pm. All vagabonds and nomads are invited to come meet the class of 2009 and party with the Digital Vagabond tribe.

Instructions are very, um, Burning Man. Track the crew down in Bat Country by looking for the van that reads Digital Vagabonding.com.

Kyle, Joanna, Marina, and Allana will be sharing photos and video from their trips, following a “whimsical ceremony”.

Full details are available at Digital Vagabonding’s site.

The group Meow performs in NYC. All photos by Francisco Collazo

The autumnal equinox falls on September 22 this year.

Though the Bryant Park Film Festival, SummerStage, and Celebrate Brooklyn all ended this week, outdoor entertainment isn’t over just yet.

1. Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival

Lincoln Center’s annual outdoors summer festival has been going on for a couple weeks and ends this Sunday, but a handful of big names from dance and music will be performing between now and then.

Out of Doors Festival

First up is the Urban Bush Women dance troupe on Thursday night, followed by Brazilian singer-songwriter Siba on the 21, Lizz Wright and Allen Toussaint on the 22 and the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Sextet on the 23.

Around the world in four days? Not too bad.

2. Governor’s Island

We’ve already highlighted Governor’s Island in an article on Matador Trips this week, but we like it so much, we want to mention it again.

It’s no longer the well-kept secret it was a couple years ago, but the island is still plenty large for stretching out and finding your own patch of grass suitable for a picnic or an afternoon spent taking photos (best views in the city of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan). Events—art installations, concerts, lectures, and more—are scheduled through the end of September and into the first two weeks of October.

3. Central Park Film Festival

Bryant Park’s screen came down; Central Park’s went up. The festival opened on August 18 with a showing of “Sex and the City,” and continues through this Saturday with “Shaft,” “Ocean’s 11,” “Twilight,” and “Men in Black.” The films are free– all you need is a blanket. You can find the schedule and details here.

4. Socrates Sculpture Park and LIC Community Boathouse

Socrates Sculpture Park

In addition to hosting a live outdoor performance of “Romeo and Juliet” on the 22 and performance art on the 29 and 30, this waterfront art park in Long Island City, Queens is located within shouting distance of the LIC Community Boathouse, which offers paddling through the end of September and into early October. Try your luck winning the lottery for the Friday Night’s sunset hour “Chill Paddle.”

5. Starlight Music Series, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center

Starting on September 9 and running through October 7, Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock (the Empire State Building’s closest competitor for sky-high views) will be hosting a Starlight Music Series each Wednesday, complete with music, wine, and summer sunsets. It’ll cost you though; at $20 per person, this entertainment doesn’t come cheap.

Community Connection:

Trying to get some time on the water in before the summer ends? Check out Paul Brady’s “7 Ways to Get on the Water in New York City.”

Photo from the International Snow Sculpture Championships: randomduck

January – Breckenridge, Colorado

Some seriously impressive snow sculptures are created here. Now sponsored by Budweiser, entrants to the contest are provided with 20 ton blocks of snow which they have 65 hours to turn into gigantic, ephemeral pieces of art. Show up during the first few days and see how sculptors turn heaps of snow into temporary masterpieces, or wait until they’re finished and let the towering icy art speak for itself.

February – Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Photo and Feature Photo: plain_jane53177

Raise at least $100 to donate to the Special Olympics, and you’ll be allowed to throw yourself into the 35-degree Atlantic Ocean! The lure is irresistible for many. Over 3,700 plungers from thousands of miles away come to town for the adrenaline rush a near-hypothermia experience will give you.

March – Miami, Florida

Photo from Calle Ocho: Adrian Salgado

Old-world Cuba meets modern-day Miami in a party covering 23 blocks and attracting a crowd of a million. This blowout began in 1978 to celebrate Miami’s growing Cuban culture. It is the crowning event of the ten-day annual Carnaval Miami. Samba music, mojitos and ceviche are just a few attractions that give this massive party a uniquely Cuban flare.

April – Hilo, Hawaii

When King David Kalakaua (AKA the Merrie Monarch) ascended to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the late 19th Century, he raised near-extinct legends and traditions up from the ashes and reversed a 70-year-old ban on hula. Now for a week each year this island celebrates the resurrection of Hawaiian culture with art exhibits, a parade, and a three-day hula competition. No showy little dance match, this championship has achieved worldwide recognition for its cultural and historic impact.

May – California’s northern coast

Photo from Kinetic Grand
Championship: mcnallyterrence

Contestants custom build amphibious kinetic sculptures in crazy and colorful shapes, get inside and race their wild works of art over land and through water along the northern coast of California. Speed is not at the top of the design qualifications list – it takes three days to travel the course’s 42 miles.

June – Pasadena, California

Each year, five hundred artists prove chalk isn’t just for children when they get down on the ground to create murals during this two-day festival, leaving the sidewalks looking like horizontal walls in an art gallery. The event is free and open to the public who vote for their favorite work in the People’s Choice category. Participating artists vote for their peers in the 12 remaining categories and the announcement on the winners concludes the weekend.

July – Clute, Texas

Photo from the Pasadena
Chalk Festival: mscaprikell

Sometimes you’ve got to grow a sense of humor or just give up. After years of suffering severe and chronic mosquito infestation, this small community in southern Texas decided to stop swatting and start partying. Now they throw a major three-day festival honoring the insects that cause them so much grief – before the weather changes and the air is too mosquito laden to go outdoors anymore.

August – Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

This town on Martha’s Vineyard starts prepping themselves for the close of the season each summer by holding this one-night get-together. Residents and visitors pile into an open-air tabernacle for a sing-along in a neighborhood filled with gingerbread houses, then watch as thousands of Japanese and Chinese lanterns that have hung all week on the surrounding porches suddenly light up. It’s a bit sedate, as it should be. The tradition is 150 years old.

September – New York City, New York

San Gennaro Festival

For 11 days and 11 nights a million people cram into the one remaining block that comprises Little Italy in Lower Manhattan, bringing back to life, for a time, the flavor that thousands of Italian immigrants brought to the area in the 20th Century. You’ll hardly be able to move at this party, but you will get to see circus sideshows, play carnival games and eat world-class cannoli.

October – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Photo from the Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta: Larry and Linda

Noah’s Ark, twin bumblebees, Darth Vader, a cactus plant and – oh, yeah – balloon-shaped balloons sail by the hundreds through the wide blue skies each morning of this festival’s nine days. If you want more than a watch-from-your-front-door experience, you can wake up in the middle of the night and crawl through the hours-long lines of traffic to get to a launch site, where you can check out the inflation process before the balloons hit the sky.

November – Ariel, Washington

D.B. Cooper Party

The country’s only unsolved hijacking is commemorated in the tiny town where a search team was headquartered to find a mysterious man who parachuted out of an airplane into the woods in 1971 with $200,000 in ransom. The Saturday following Thanksgiving, long-time D.B. Cooper buffs as well as the newly curious come together for fireworks, story telling and, of course, a look-alike contest.

December – New York City, New York

New Year’s Eve

Okay, the whole wide world flocks to Times Square for this party. Of course they do. You have to!

]]> http://matadornights.com/all-over-the-map-a-us-festival-for-each-month-of-the-year/feed/ 5 http://matadornights.com/edinburgh-fringe-festival/ http://matadornights.com/edinburgh-fringe-festival/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:25:27 +0000 Tom Gates http://matadornights.com/?p=2207

Ready for the taking. Piles of programs at Fringe’s HQ on High Street.

The 288 page Fringe program guide is enough to do anyone’s head in. Matador takes a peek at six of over 2,000 shows that will take place over the next month, during Edinburgh’s celebration of theatre, comedy, dance, and music.

Idiots Of Ants

Idiots Of Ants wobbled through their first preview show but managed to stay on their feet, ultimately charming the audience by being smart, if not often funny. This Is War runs through over 20 sketches, covering subject matter from penis size to Nazis.

The four members did a fantastic job of moving things along. It was great fun to watch as they sometimes fell prey to their own jokes, breaking character and cracking up. Placed perhaps a bit late, a hilarious live-action video game sketch proved to be the big laugh that the group needed to kick things through.

This one’s sure to liven up after previews and tinkering.

Tickets £9.00, 8:15pm, Pleasance Courtyard, Over The Road 2.

Garofalo at The Gilded Balloon. Normally very funny.

Janeane Garofalo

It was incredibly difficult to watch Janeane Garofalo struggle, if not bomb, during her first night at the Fringe. As veteran of dozens of Garofalo shows, I’d never seen anyone walk out until this gig. Her act seemed a bit too loose for the crowd and The Debating Hall definitely outsized the intimate (and sometimes desperate) performance that she gave.

Normally Garofalo’s strong point, the first 20 minutes of her off-the-cuff riffing fell dangerously flat. The rest of her show was spent unsuccessfully trying to woo the audience back from crossed arms and head scratching. While I always find her schizo approach hilarious and sincere, it remains to be seen if the Fringe audience will come around to Garofalism. Her attempt to cover UK politics missed by a mile, as did much of her ranting about targets as easy as Republicans and customs officials.

It’s not good when a comic ends the night by saying “Thank you for not leaving during the show.” Especially a funny one.

Tickets £12, 8:30pm, Debating Hall, Gilded Balloon Teviot.

Die Roten Punkte

Die Roten Punkte’s Robot/Lion Tour is sure to be a justifiably buzzy show as it builds during The Fringe. The duo took the stage with a setup similar to The White Stripes, instead using miniature sized drums and guitars. They blazed through several hilarious numbers, cutting the music with German-accented banter and a great deal of crowd interaction.

It’s the kind of show that you can either give the finger (there were walkouts) or completely surrender to (everyone else). There’s no question that as they build an audience of full-fledged fans, they’ll have the whole room singing along. Many were already.

Die Roten Punkte take a bow at Fringe 2009.

The two have ideal chemistry and pull the gig off with ease, making none of it feel staged or planned.

This one’s gonna be big.

Tickets £10, 11:11pm, Pleasance Courtyard, Over The Road 2

Anna and Katy

In retrospect, I would have rather spent an hour in a foxhole. The show (whose flyers offer the amusing tagline, “So Funny You’d Think They Were Men!”) fails to be funny beyond its advertisement.

The sold out house saw 11 walkouts and two worried performers, both very aware that things weren’t going well during their hour. Impossibly likeable and certainly a team that the audience wanted to guffaw for, it’s a shame that their jokes fell so far out of bounds. A sketch about two South Africans with large arms was not funny the first time – it was even less funny when the duo brought the characters back in the second act.

There was a flash of brilliance when the two pretended to be dimwitted housewives explaining television shows and popular events. If the entire hour had been filled with material like this, Anna and Katy would be stars.

Until then, it would appear that they’re just another sketch group renting space at The Pleasance.

Tickets £9.50, 6:40pm, Pleasance Courtyard, Over The Road 2

Orphans

As good as it gets. A psycho-thriller dressed as a drama, Orphans moves like few things I’ve ever seen on stage. Dennis Kelly, the playwright, seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue this year as word goes around that Orphans can actually back up the hype with riveting performances, a fantastic (yet sparse) set and superior writing.

Fringe’s most recognizable venue: The Underbelly Pasture.

Set entirely in a kitchen, the play begins with a couple having dinner, only to be interrupted by a visitor covered in blood. Yet it’s not gore that ends up shaking the audience’s nerves; it’s absolutely the words that come from these characters’ mouths as they tackle the subjects of life and death in a way that remains gripping even after you’ve left the theatre.

Tickets £16, (times vary), Traverse Theatre, Traverse 1

Bourgeois & Maurice

Bourgeois and Maurice’s Social Work is an hour of camp cabaret at its best…but probably not in its best setting. The steep theatre in Over The Road 2 sucked some of the life out of what is probably an electric performance in nightclubs. Still, the act is strong enough to stand up and remain funny, witty and engaging for the full hour.

The pair entered the stage dressed to the nines and performed piano-based songs about Ritalin, celebrities and the perils of being gay. Bourgeois, who favors extravagant outfits and prowls through the audience, leads the show with the fearless ease of somebody who could eat hecklers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Maurice plays the smart fool, often carrying the show with just the bat of two extraordinarily large eyelashes.

Probably even better after a few pints of lager.

Tickets £12, 9:45pm, Pleasance Courtyard, Across the Road 2

]]> http://matadornights.com/edinburgh-fringe-festival/feed/ 2 http://matadornights.com/447-reported-injured-one-dead-at-2009-running-of-the-bulls/ http://matadornights.com/447-reported-injured-one-dead-at-2009-running-of-the-bulls/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:18:23 +0000 Tom Gates http://matadornights.com/?p=1467

Photo: Wreckeddeco

With 447 injuries reported and one death (the first since 2003), San Fermin’s bull-running event has come to a close for 2009. The event, which runs for a week every July, is still a lifetime highlight for many looking to drink excessively, wear cute red kerchiefs and haul ass with livestock.

The run itself spans 840 meters and winds through cobble-stone streets, which trip many of the bulls and make them quite cross. A 27 year old Spanish native was gored to death this year at a section called “Telefonica” just before entering the bullring.

Graham Kingaby, Insurance Director at WorldNomads.com, reports that no bull-related injuries have turned up this year within their system. As for whether or not runners are covered, he says that it all depends on the scenario. Innocent bystanders who have been hurt, if standing behind barricades, will probably be seen as simply unlucky and should not have any problems with claims.

Bull Recognizes Photo Opportunity. Photo: enekajimenez1977

As for those juiced up and unprepared for a ‘sport’ that requires impeccable balance and timing, Kingaby comments, “Most sane people would agree that being smashed out of your head on the Bull Run is probably going to result in a trip to the hospital or in the worst case a trip to the morgue. If you’re doing something ultra dangerous, like this, there’s a good chance you won’t be covered by your travel insurance provider, so check your policy.”

He adds wisely, “Don’t make any decisions after nine shots of Jack Daniels, least of all any that involve many tons of upset cattle with sharp horns.”

Community Connection:

Be sure to check out our armchair travel guide to bull running, as well as our primer on how to make the run.

Rothbury Festival Recycling Barrels, Photo: Beth and Christian

As youth are on the vanguard of the environmental movement, it’s no surprise that organizers are now on the lookout for high profile methods of reducing the carbon footprint of these massive gatherings.

The following five U.S. music festivals are greening their eco-footprint in creative and inspiring ways.

Rothbury Festival

Rothbury Festival in Michigan is not only on top of the pack with regard to greening initiatives, it has gained a reputation for being an innovator in sustainability projects. Its motto is to ‘throw a HUGE party with a purpose’. In addition to selling Green Tags to help offset festival-goers carbon output, Rothbury has invested in the Tatanka Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in the Dakotas, to offset its own staff and band members’ carbon air-print.

Rothbury Recyling Store, Photo: yacht_boy

Rothbury hosts the Sustainable Schools Program, partnering with local companies to install two wind-turbines at local Michigan schools. They also run the Green Rocks! Contest, challenging local school children in grades 1-8 with the question, “How can you make your school or community more sustainable?” Classrooms submit ideas to compete for a pizza party and live concert for their class.

Most innovative, perhaps, is the ‘V-Bike’ by Viability, an 8 person bicycle that generates renewable, carbon free power for an onsite digital recording studio. Other notable eco-initiatives include organic festival t-shirts, an annual food drive, and a cell phone recycling drive so concert-goers can turn in old, unused mobile phones and receive discount vouchers and a chance to win prizes in return.

Like the High Sierra Music Festival (featured below), Rothbury partners with Clifbar’s GreenNotes program to help reduce fan transportation impact by both promoting rideshares among fans and assisting touring bands with ways to reduce their eco-footprint.

High Sierra Music Festival

High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, CA is a 4-day community camping and music extravaganza. High Sierra actively promotes responsible camping, following the “Leave No Trace” principles.

Sunset at High Sierra, Photo: 1yen

Visitors are given two bags when they arrive – one for waste and one for recyclables. Priority camping spots are given to sustainable campers and this year’s incentive gives the campsite that is the most creative, clean, and sustainable a prize of new camping gear. Daily finalists receive drink vouchers, late-night performances wristbands, Leave No Trace memberships, and HSMF gear.

The festival also partners with local farmers to divert food scraps from the landfill with its composting program and teams up with sustainable companies like Bay-area based Clifbar and Colorado-based, wind-powered New Belgium Brewing Company in the Start Global Cooling campaign. Like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, it offers the option to purchase a $2.50 Be Green Energy Tag to offset the carbon imprint of driving to the festival.

Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza continues its eco-traditions this year with the Green Street area and Rock and Recycle program. In addition to great local and organic food, Green Street showcases retailers selling green goods, local non-profits, and solar cell-phone recharge stations.

A Lollapalooza Crowd
Being Nudged Toward Eco-Consciousness,
Photo (and feature photo): JOE M500

They only accept vendors selling sustainable, eco-friendly, and/or fair trade products. The Rock and Recycle program works like this: every official Lollapalooza program guide has a detachable Green Card, which users get stamped at various sites and activities throughout Grant Park.

Concert-goers pick up a free recycling bag at one of the four Rock and Recycle stations, return their recyclables, and get stamps as well the chance to win a free t-shirt. Green Card holders can also earn stamps for taking public transit, riding their bike, and refilling their reusable water bottle at one of the refill stations. Participants with three stamps or more have a chance to win a 2010 Honda Insight hybrid.

Like many other festivals, ticket-buyers have the option of purchasing a $5 carbon offset, called BeGreen Fan Tag. The goal this year is to sell 10,000 carbon offset tags.

Bumbershoot

Bumbershoot in Seattle is also a leader in greener festivals. To begin with, organizers have creatively applied the re-use principle by turning their old signage into new Bumbershoot bags. A small local business called Alchemy Goods turns old rubber and vinyl into bags.

Future Bag at Bumbershoot, Photo: M.V. Jantzen

All this is after the festival signs have already been used multiple times. First they print most of their new signage locally on 100% recyclable material using 100% VOC and solvent-free inks. Then they re-use a large percentage of the previous year’s signs for the current year’s promotion.

To power up the festival, Bumbershoot uses energy from Seattle City Light, a long-time carbon neutral energy provider. Its refrigerator trucks are biodiesel powered and its Northwest Rooms that showcase festival art is solar-powered. In addition, Bumbershoot sells pesticide- and sweatshop-free cotton T-shirts and has a vendor ban on Styrofoam use.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Bonnaroo in Tennessee is dedicated to being a leader in sustainable festivals. One of its primary guiding principles is “local is sustainable.” In 2008 it was one of just six festivals worldwide that received the top-category recognition of ‘Outstanding Greener Festival Award’ from A Greener Festival Awards (along with the other U.S. winner, Rothbury Festival in Wisconsin).

Planet Roo Sculpture at Bonnaroo,
Photo: theogeo

Among the many ways Bonnaroo is living up to that award are sourcing food vendors and suppliers locally, having over 2000 recycling bins, stages powered with biodiesel blends, and hosting a food drive that benefits the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Manchester, TN.

Planet Roo, an area devoted to organic foods and educating about sustainability, features a PV panel-powered stage and a Strawbale building with surrounding demonstration gardens. Bonnaroo has partnered with Stanley gear to sell reusable stainless steel water bottles as part of the Less-Bottled Water Program. For every reusable bottle purchased, $1 will go to the Global Water Challenge, whose goal is to meet the global need for clean water.

If you’ve been to a festival lately, you probably have seen the color-coded bins: green for compost, blue for recycling, and orange for landfill. This is the work of Clean Vibes, the premier waste manager for festivals, including Bonnaroo. They also partner with many other festivals including Lollapalooza and High Sierra, to manage waste streams, diverting tens of thousands of pounds of recyclables and compostable materials from the landfill.

While there is no doubt that there is still a long way to go on the path towards sustainability, these green initiatives are a welcome eco-step forward.

It is clear that music festivals are not only about fun, music, art, and community, but are also evolving into ways to empower people and educate about sustainability. So while your roaming summer music enjoyment can still be a shock to the wallet, it doesn’t have to be as big of a shock to the earth.

The Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia, Photo: gomattolson

But what I do remember is the theatre: its minarets and Moorish features (it was originally a mosque), appropriately described as “beautifully outlandish, opulent, grandiose.”

A couple decades into the 20th century, a newspaper reviewer was in awe, noting a “picturesque and almost disturbing grandeur beyond imagination.” The highlight was—and still is—“an indoor Arabian courtyard with a sky full of flickering stars and magically drifting clouds,” a particularly spectacular backdrop for the angel who hovered from the ceiling by an invisible harness during the play.

I’d see other shows at The Fox before I graduated and moved to New York, where, when money allowed, I continued to nurture my love of theatre. I remained enamored of beautiful theatres, but eventually realized some of the best shows don’t take place in theatres with heavily curtained stages and dramatic architectural flourishes.

Last Thursday, I took the train north of Manhattan to see “Much Ado About Nothing” at the 22nd annual Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. This outdoor festival, which opened June 16 and runs through September 6, is held on the grounds of Boscobel, an estate atop a hill overlooking the Hudson River.

Photo courtesy of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

“Ado”—one of three Shakespeare plays in this year’s line up (alongside “Pericles” and “The Complete Works of Shakespeare {Abridged}”)—may be one of Shakespeare’s best known works, but there’s something that makes you see and experience the play anew when it’s taking place outside under a white tent after you’ve picnicked under the sugar maples.

The sinisterness of the plot to thwart the pending marriage of Hero and Claudio was underscored by a dramatic—and totally natural—bolt of lightning that flashed at just the right moment over the valley across the river.

Every night is different, and while that’s true on any stage, it’s particularly the case for an outdoor production that’s subject to nature’s whims as much as actors’ skills.

Photo courtesy of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

If you’re in New York between now and September 6, a side trip to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival makes for a fantastic full or half-day excursion. For details about how you can plan such a trip, check out this article.

Community Connection:

Check out this article for Matador’s round-up of five more North American Shakespeare festivals that feature the bard’s plays in incredible outdoor settings.

What’s your best memory of the theatre? Share with us in the comments below!

Photo from Cannes: zoethustra

Looking for something other than fiction? The IDFA is the largest documentary film festival in the world. In 2008 the festival sold over 150,000 tickets and screened over 309 documentaries. In addition to this there are master classes, debates and two film markets for filmmakers. All this in one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

Photo: the author

Each year more than 19,000 film industry professionals from 120 countries around the world converge on Berlin as it hosts the largest audience of any festival in the world. 4,000 journalists are accredited and more than 20,000 tickets are sold. This festival is truly a first class event that every cineaste should attend at least once in their lives (just be prepared to get up early to buy tickets for screenings).

Photo: MK Media Productions

This is the international film festival, full stop. A glitzy, grade A cinematic celebration. The only problem is that unless you’re a filmmaker or you happen to have some seriously good connections, you won’t see any films. Screenings are closed to the public, meaning that the best you can hope for is a glimpse of the stars as they walk the red carpet. Still, no film festival list is complete without a mention of Cannes.

Photo: the author

I had the displeasure of attending the 2007 IFFI and was astounded at the disrespect of the audiences and organizers toward the screenings and filmmakers. Constant disorganization mars this festival at every turn, as it strives to capture the exoticism of Cannes, yet fails to supply any of the professionalism or substance that makes a world class festival a world class festival.

My experience was of petty arguments in place of professional announcements, faulty equipment, mobile phone conversations during screenings and blatant disrespect toward invited filmmakers and dignitaries alike by members of the viewing public. This festival is a definite miss. Avoid.

Photo: Nicholas Babaian

Dealing exclusively in feature length films, the Locarno festival has established itself as an important event for auteur filmmaking. Locarno displays a wide range of films, giving the world a taste of new and influential international film work to come.

Photo: Driusha

Latin America’s finest film festival, it was first held in 1954 but because of political and social unrest, the festival did not resume on an annual schedule until 1996. A competition and a stellar line up of Latin American films are always on the menu.

This is the longest running film festival in the southern hemisphere as well as the most important film festival in Australia. Over 400 films are screened and MIFF is regularly increasing the size and notoriety of its film market.

Showcasing a wide array of Asian films and over 300 screenings from sixty-plus countries around the world, this is Asia’s largest film festival. You’ll want to devote some serious time here, particularly if you’re a fan of Asian cinema.

Photo: mockstar

Sundance is widely regarded as the place to be for independent, up and coming cinema. Many films from America and around the world make their debut here and are quickly snapped up by big and small distributors alike. This little mountain town becomes a frenzy of activity during January, despite the snow and cold. Films are screened, parties are thrown and careers are made.

Photo: jeffrey95112

Slamdance is the Sundance festival’s younger, more experimental sister. A festival run by filmmakers for filmmakers, Slamdance highlights the efforts of first time writers and directors who manage to create on very modest budgets.

Though tickets to screenings are expensive and often hard to come by, throngs of people attend TIFF each September, making it the largest public film festival in the world. Last year the festival screened 312 films from 64 countries around the world. This year looks to be even bigger now that the Canadian government has dumped $3million into the festival’s coffers.

Photo: skunks

A luxurious locale for a film festival, VIFF provides historical retrospectives, films, art, parties and everything spectacular that you’d expect from a city as unique as Venice.

Feature photo by Bitchcakes. Bill Callahan of Smog plays Music Hall Of Williamsburg on June 14th. Photo by Kirstiecat.

The Northside Festival will celebrate four days of art and music in Brooklyn, starting June 11th. It’s exactly the kind of festival that Brooklyn’rs have talked about for years but have been a too busy to take beyond the brainstorming process, due to all of the waiting for the damned F train.

The schedule is hot shit. It invades big joints (The Hold Steady @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg) and many smaller, cultish rooms (Henry Wolfe @ Coco 66). Much like South By Southwest or CMJ, rooms have been taken over by hipster imprints, zines and radio stations. The talent that comes as a result is on the edge of something – we won’t know of what until next year, or until some blogger gives it a cutesy name.

Northside has also taken care to include the best of Brooklyn’s blowing-up art scene. As with anything in the borough, tastes about what is ‘art’ and what is not will differ.

Photo of Schipper’s “The Slow Inevitable
Death of American Muscle” by libbyrosof

Like, for example, Jonathan Schipper’s “The Slow Inevitable Death of American Muscle”, described as a “live, head-on collision which takes place in slow motion over the course of the exhibition.”

Be sure to check out Northside’s schedule for a full list of shows and events.

All photos and video courtesy of COLD_ERIN

Not that Burning Couch is a reflection of Burning Man, but the inspiration for this unique CouchSurfing event is clear. On June 20th at 19:04, on the winter’s solstice (which the organizers point out “falls again on the shortest day this year”), couch surfers will convene on a remote piece of land in Victoria, Australia for 24 hours, reveling in all that couch surfers the world over stand for.

There will be music; there will be dancing; there will be free-spirited travelers; there will probably be some paint; and there will most certainly be a big fire.

The brainchild(ren)

I met up with one of the creators of Burning Couch, Erin, at a cafe in St. Kilda. She goes by the handle of COLD_ERIN on the CouchSurfing website, although this name doesn’t reflect her personality at all. She brought along her boyfriend Alisdair, who is also a CouchSurfing member. The three of us shot the breeze, comfortably learning a bit about each other, as you do.

Not only is Erin one of the brainchilds of Burning Couch (she thought this beauty up with a friend, fellow CouchSurfing member Craig), but she is also the grand host; the property in rural Victoria where the event is taking place belongs to her parents and is where she grew up.

She tells me a little about last year’s event: About 40 people attended by her count, although the number may be considerably higher. She admits many people arrived in the dark so it was hard to see. Even though it drizzled on them most of the time, it was still a big success and Erin thinks it will be no different this year.

The reason behind it all

The CouchSurfing group for the event says it all — manifest courtesy of Craig. Here are some excerpts for your reading pleasure:

Burning Couch is because throughout history, pre-history and even the bit before that, the ancient Hosts burned unworthy couches to encourage contact with benign spirits and their good references surfing the ether to seek a temporary shelter or home (three day stay max, no pets).

It also tells the history of couch surfing in the Southern Hemisphere and why Northern Hemispherians make their way to Australia frequently:

Indeed the word itself is derived from an early type of ancient wooden couch. ‘Hemi’, meaning half, and ‘Sphere’ referring [to] the circular aspect of a log, and ‘Southern’ meaning to lie on or with the bottom part (rather than using the very heavy and possibly fatal top part).

So Southern Hemisphere literally means ‘to lie on the bottom half of a log’…And as the term ‘Northern Hemisphere’ itself indicates they got the wrong bit of log.

And the focus of Burning Couch?

Burning Couch does not have a single focus or even as yet a single couch. Burning Couch will be subject to participants involvement and include community, artwork, absurdity, decommodification, revelry and several other long words downloaded from the net.

Since the time of that writing, though, sacrificial couches have volunteered themselves to go up in flame and bring good fortune to all the couch surfers (and hosts) of the world.

Come one, come all…but come in respect

If you’re a couch surfer, or friends with a couch surfer and, more importantly, abide by the creeds and mottos of the couch surfer — that is, respect, open mind, good will, honesty, and tolerance, among others — you are welcome to partake in the festivities.

But if you like to cause trouble, break glass, damage trees, pee in dams, harm animals, and tell racist and sexist jokes, then please…stay at home.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

If you can’t make it to Australia but are planning on attending Burning Man, make sure to read the following articles:

The First-Timer’s Guide to Participating at Burning Man

13 of the Coolest Art Installations at Burning Man

24 Hours at Burning Man

Couch surfers are encouraged to read 10 Ways to Improve Your Couchsurfing Odds.

Sometimes it’s all about not giving a shit. The video is slow at first, but watch the gradual build of the dance party’s momentum. This guy has done this before.

Feature photo: cfarivar

Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. Photo: Petevity

Latitude – Southwold, England

There’s an old-school vibe at this year’s Latitude, a bohemian, artsy festival combining music with theatre, cabaret, film, poetry and comedy. Among this year’s line-up are The Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Spiritualized. www.latitudefestival.com

Ready to burn at Wickerman. Photo by Saraspoon

Wickerman – East Kirkcarswell, Scotland

Anyone familiar with the film will guess that this is a festival for hedonists, but it mercifully manages to be super family-friendly, too, and it’s cultish following has cemented its position as one of Scotland’s best music festivals. The range of music is huge – this year’s acts include The Zutons and The Human League, while reggae and acoustic music is also in plentiful supply. www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

Green Man – Brecon, Wales

Set in Wales’ beautiful Brecon Beacons, Green Man is one of the most laid-back and unusual festivals in the country. Last year, even the permanently torrential rain failed to dampen the spirits of hippies, students and teenagers. This year, acts including The Animal Collective, Wilco and British Sea Power promise to deliver the same low-key, folksy vibe. www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk

Fancy dress is only one reason why Bestival is
the Smurfiest fest around. Photo by Zillahpie

Bestival – Isle of Wight, England

Fancy dress nights and an always impressive line-up make Bestival an annual pilgrimage for many music lovers and social activists. It’s one of the few remaining non-corporate festivals, and the stunning surroundings of the Isle of Wight make it a summer favourite, too. Kraftwerk, Massive Attack and Elbow will be playing this year. www.bestival.net

Womad – Malmesbury, England

Womad – a favourite among world music fans – stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance, and it definitely does what it says on the tin. Founded by Peter Gabriel in 1980, the English Womad is one of a huge network of similar festivals around the world, incorporating an eclectic mix of styles as well as events for children. www.womad.org

Secret Garden’s relatively small attendence and location gives it
an enchanted feel. Photo by Jamieboyd

Secret Garden Party – Huntingdon, England

A very small, self-consciously eccentric independent music festival that started in 2004 with an audience of just 100 people. The location itself – the grounds of a stunning Georgian house in Cambridgeshire is as unconventional as the line-up, which this year will include Jarvis Cocker as well as several unknown acts. www.secretgardenparty.com

Guilfest – Guilford, England

Easily accessible from London, Guilfest definitely wins the award for this year’s most bizarre combination of artists – Brian Wilson, Motorhead, Will Young and The Happy Mondays. The swimming lido next to the site provides a welcome break during hot afternoons. www.guilfest.co.uk

The famous mud of Glastonbury. Photo by Sinister Pictures

Glastonbury – Somerset, England

The mac daddy of summer festivals, the 32nd Glastonbury this year was sold out months in advance, thanks to the best line-up in years. Blur, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young will be headlining, joined by old favourites including Status Quo, Tom Jones, and The Prodigy. Even the weather forecast, for once, looks promising! www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Loopallu – Ullapool, Scotland

One of the smallest festivals, Loopallu is far greater than the sum of its parts. The town of Ullapool is itself a joy to see, the acts often include forgotten gems (which this year include The Undertones and The Stranglers) as well as up and coming Scottish bands which can’t be missed. The perfect end to the summer festival season. www.loopallu.co.uk

Lounge On The Farm. Literally. Photo by Chalkbass

Lounge on the Farm – Canterbury, England

This year’s will only be the fourth Lounge on the Farm Festival, but its popularity is growing fast. The focus is very much local, with new bands from all over Kent getting and unrivalled opportunity to be heard. This year sees the addition of a Rockaoke, offering audience members a chance to take to the stage with a full backing band. www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk

Festivals like Wacken and Hellfest increase in popularity every year, with this year’s Wacken festival selling out six months in advance.

The increasing fanbase and skyrocketing festival numbers prove heavy metal really is the beast that cannot die. If you’re a metalhead losing your festival virginity, then heed these 12 survival tips from seasoned festival goers:

Wear steel-toed boots.

Photo: j. botter

Metal festivals are not the occasion for your beach flip-flops or strappy heels. Expect to be stomped on by angry Germans– you need to stomp right back.

Use the pay showers.

Photo: Ian Wilson

Most festival campsites provide port-a-loos and free shower facilities, which quickly become cesspools of the worst kind of human filth. Pay showers cost anything from 50c to 2 Euros, but they’re definitely worth the investment. Alternatively, don’t shower at all. Trust me, no one will notice.

Mark your campsite with a flag or banner.

Photo: madmetal

Several thousand identical dome tents spread out across a field means one wrong turn and you’re lost for hours. Each year we paint a unique festival banner to mark our campsite. Drape it over our tent or jam it in the campervan window, and voila! Banners incite discussion and/or criticism from your camping neighbours… and on hot days, they serve as excellent makeshift loincloths.

Learn the lingo.

Because ‘cool’ just isn’t metal enough.

Metalheads invent their own slang words. Nothing is ever ‘cool’; it’s ‘kreig‘ or ‘kvlt‘ or ‘nekro’. If a metal band is particularly admired, they’re considered ‘tr00‘ or ‘epic’ or even ‘epically brutal.’ And whenever you greet someone you must – and this is very important – string together an impressive set of adjectives: ‘Most grymm and metal hails to you!’

Throw the goat.

Photo: notsogoodphotography

If conversation fails you, throw the goat. Throwing the goat involves folding down your middle two fingers and thumb down and letting your pinkie and index finger form the grymm goat horns. The goat is the universal sign of the metalhead. Use it incorrectly at your peril.

Arrange meeting places for your friends.

Photo: cgo

Finding your buddies at a metal festival isn’t as simple as scanning the crowd for that one long-haired dude wearing a black t-shirt.

Arranging a central meeting place and time means no one gets locked out of the campervan because you got separated in the mosh pit. And please make your meeting place more specific than ‘by the beer tent’ because there are usually 10,000 metalheads hanging out by the beer tent waiting for their friends.

Be prepared for late night tent visitors.

Photo: harmonicagoldfish

People drink beer at metal festivals. A LOT of beer. And metalheads are friendly drunks. It never occurs to them that the person sleeping in the nearby tent might not actually want to join their late-night metal karaoke sing-a-long. Be prepared with a stern voice and a steel-cap boot to discourage unwanted late night visitors.

Pack for extreme weather.

Photo: russelljsmith

Extreme music festivals attract extreme weather patterns. Prepare for torrential downpours and sweltering, dusty heat, often in the same afternoon.

Spare tent pegs: Bring them.

Photo: Ian Wilson

I don’t know why, but camping metalheads cannot hold on to their tent pegs. Usually, they’ll borrow yours. Last festival, we went through 15 tent pegs on a two-person tent.

Remember: Fashion matters.

Photo: timparkinson

Metalheads pay almost as much attention to their clothing as runway models. If you wear a t-shirt displaying the logo of a false-metal or non-metal band, you will be the laughing stock of the entire festival (I’ve seen it happen; it’s not pretty). If you don’t know which bands are considered false-metal, you probably shouldn’t be attending a European metal-fest.

Play it safe with old classics like Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian and Judas Priest, or opt for underground bands with unreadable logos. No Emo t-shirts.

Lift crowd surfers with your legs, not your back.

Photo: chadlewis76

If your idea of dancing consists of elbowing your way to the front of the pit and throwing your innocent body into the mash of headbangers, you’ll be broken and bruised by the end of the festival. Minimize your discomfort by looking after your back.

We’re all metalheads here (Don’t be a dickhead).

You’re at the festival to enjoy the music and make new friends. So is everyone else.

Don’t be the person who spoils the concert for someone else. Consider your neighbours in the campground. Don’t host a banjo sing-along at four in the morning or decide to burn plastic drinking-horns on your campfire (they stink). If you see someone fall over in the mosh pit, pick them up again. Shout your new friends a beer. Hug strangers.

If you join the festival with the right attitude, you’ll come away with the most grymm experiences and the kreigest new friends!

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Check out Matador’s favourite world music festivals here. And for other summer music festival tips, check out this article.

There is no shortage of beer festivals in May, so if you’re anywhere in the vicinity of these places, make sure you stop by for a swig.

Photo Courtesy of lizzlebob

May 1-2: Edmonton International Beer Festival

Don’t be a hoser, eh! The Shaw Conference Centre in Alberta’s capital is hosting the Edmonton International Beer Festival and will have over 200 varieties to be sampled, so get your “aboot” sayin’ butt over there! 

Note: don’t expect to find any hockey going on as the Oilers are all out on the golf course. Feel free to pop over to Vancouver though, where the Canucks — who’ve just swept their first round playoff series with the St. Louis Blues — are sure to have a long Stanley Cup run (sorry, had to be done).

May 7-9: Banbury Beer Festival

Banbury is about 130 kms northwest of London in North Oxfordshire. Explore the countryside and visit heritage manors and beautiful gardens, but in between make sure to hit up the Banbury Beer Festival. The 9th annual version promises to be bigger than ever and will include a new Foreign Beer bar. Entrance is free for CAMRA members — but I have a feeling that, if you’re a CAMRA member, you would already know that.

Photo Courtesy of whiskymac

May 11-17: American Craft Beer Week

Not a festival per se, but American Craft Beer Week is a celebration of all that is wonderful of a carefully, handcrafted beer. Small, independent breweries around America are drumming up some special plans to honor the culture and traditions of this noble craft.

They call on beer enthusiasts to thumb their noses at the macrobreweries and to sign their Declaration of Beer Independence, promising to practice “informed consumption” and to champion the message of “responsible enjoyment of craft beer”.

In 2006, the inauguration of the week-long event was recognized by US Congress. You can even friend ‘em up on Facebook.

May 15-16: Fete de la Biere

The Fete de la Biere website is only in French, but no worries — here is all you need to know: the festival showcases more than 170 beers and can be found on the lake-shore in Lausanne-Ouchy, Switzerland, with the Alps providing a dramatic backdrop. Live concerts in the evening will ensure you’re given the full festival atmosphere.

Photo Courtesy of deegephotos

May 16: West Coast Brew Fest

The West Coast Brew Fest at Miller Park in Sacramento, California says this year’s 10th annual event will be better than ever. There will be over 60 breweries in attendance and live music on site. Like feeling special? Buy a VIP ticket for some special treatment — just make sure to buy early as they only have 100 of them (it’s exclusive too!).

May 22-23: Kelowna Beer Festival

A little late for snowboarding the champagne powder of Big White and maybe a tad early for water-skiing on Okanagan Lake, it’s the perfect time to partake in the Kelowna Beer Festival in beautiful British Columbia’s interior. Kelowna is an easy and scenic four hour drive from Vancouver, so it’s well worth the trip.

Some of the micro breweries on hand will be: Tree, Granville Island, Sleeman, Dead Frog, and Paddock Wood Brewing. Don’t know any of them? That’s alright, that’s the point! I’ve had several of these, and trust me, if you like beer, you’ll like these.

Photo Courtesy of lizzlebob

May 23-June 1: Czech Beer Festival

“If I had all the money I’d spent on beer, I’d spend it on beer.” – website of the Newark (England) Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

Not many countries do beer like the Czechs. The Czech Beer Festival is proclaimed to be the “largest gastronomic event in the Czech Republic”. There are a million reasons to visit Prague, as anyone who’s been there can tell you. And here is one more.

Over ten days you’re going to get the finest Czech beers, dishes and desserts, doled out by servers in traditional Czech folk costumes. If you’re super keen, you can count down on their website to the opening: 23 days, 16 hours, 52 minutes, 37 seconds…36 seconds…35 seconds…

May 30: Plattduetsche Park Beer Tasting Festival

If you’re in the center of the universe, stop by New York’s Franklin Square on Long Island. You have two sessions at the Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant to choose from if you want to taste some of the world’s finest beers. An authentic Biergarten atmosphere will be on hand, complete with traditional German music. Ladies: bring your dirndle!

Photo Courtesy of deegephotos

May 30: Atlantic Beer Festival

The Atlantic Beer Festival website urges you to “tap a firkin keg!”. Moncton, New Brunswick’s event also has two sessions to choose from, and they offer free shuttle after each one. There is much else to do on Canada’s Atlantic coast, including checking out interesting rock formations at Hopewell Cape or visiting the world famous tides of the Bay of Fundy.

May 30-31: 18th Weekend of Spontaneous Fermentation

Yes, I know there are at least 10 things to do in Belgium besides drinking beer, but, well…we’re talking about drinking beer here! What sets this Belgian beer fest apart from the rest is that only lambic beer will be sold. Of that, only “authentic” — no commercial ones — will be on tap. Don’t feel bad if you don’t know what lambic beer is, I certainly didn’t.

This beer is brewed only in the Pajottenland region of Belgium, and rather than using carefully cultivated brewer’s yeasts, lambic beer uses a process called “spontaneous fermentation”, in which it is “exposed to the wild yeasts and bacteria that are said to be native to the Senne valley”.

So, there you go; your May is set. If you do get to visit any of these fine beer fests, make sure to check back with us and leave a comment here to let us know how it was.

Feature Photo Courtesy of a4gpa

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Check here for Matador’s picks of the 20 Best Microbreweries in America.

Last year, Ben Cox and Jamie Kent went on a mission to find America’s best micro brews. Read about it here. If you’d like to know which are the best beer towns in America, here are 20 of them; best beer bars in New Orleans? Here you go.

And finally, what article about beer would be complete without a mention of the biggest beer festival in the world? Here is A First Timer’s Guide to Oktoberfest.

There were plenty of amazing things and people to see at Tattoo Show Buenos Aires 2009. Many of the country’s most modified people mingled with the estimated 12,000 convention-goers.

I spotted no less than four camera crews with their noteworthy television personalities in tow excitedly explaining to the un-tattooed masses watching from home just what these strange looking people were doing in the Bauen Hotel.

Sponsored by Mandinga Tattoo, this was the fifth year of this convention that in past years was called Convención Nacional de Tatuajes, but now goes by the simple name Tattoo Show.

300 tattoo artists, supply vendors, body modifiers of all sorts including piercers, branders and scarifiers from as far away as Europe and the U.S. and all over South and Central America gathered for three days. The modified came to see and be seen and maybe get some work done.

A tattoo convention is a unique opportunity to compare many artists in one place. Each tattooist has an album of their work on the table at the front of the booth and you get the chance to watch them in action, flip through their books and to ask questions if you’re so inclined.

Tattoo Show 2009 offered three floors of action including an auditorium in which 20 bands played throughout the afternoons and evenings.

The pageantry of Miss Tattoo and a contest for the best tattoos were commented on and judged by a panel of tipsy guys.

One of them inexpertly operated a video camera that fed two live monitors on either side of the stage while various punk rock hits played throughout at medium volume.

What I learned

I learned several things during Tattoo Show 2009. There is an Argentine branch of the Hell’s Angels, for instance. Here are some on the right escaping my camera:

I also met the Alberto Fornes, known as “El Mago,” renowned as the most tattooed man in Argentina (above, left). Highly personable, he shook my hand and asked about my plastic wrapped arm that had just been tattooed.

Here you can see that he will be 52 next month, though he seems much younger. Easy as it is to assume someone with so many tattoos would be exhibiting a cooler-than-thou attitude, I was happy to be recognized by him in passing and greeted warmly the following day. He was alive with excitement in an atmosphere so wholly dedicated to tattoos.

Beer was everywhere. Tattooists were drinking and tattooing at the same time.

I even saw a brimming plastic cupful in the drink caddy of a stroller. Here you can see crates of empties on their way to be recycled mid-day.

Of all the artists at work during the convention, I saw only one woman. Salome Sajnin’s shop is called Calavera No Chilla. Here she is, gloved and ready to go under a poster of one of her paintings.

The most impressive thing I saw by far was this tattoo of a dragon fish being done.

Diego Ortiz spent about three hours filling in the very simple outline he’d laid out using a photograph for reference. The guy getting tattooed endured Diego adding layer upon layer of ink for this full color, photorealistic piece without so much as a sigh.

Ortiz looked back and forth between the ankle and the picture in between interruptions from many friends who stopped by to shoot the breeze.

There’s a little something for everyone at a convention like this. The curious can get an eyeful and do a little shopping for some clothes that make them feel just a little weirder while those looking for an artist get the opportunity to find someone who melds with their style.

People in various states of undress show off piercings, tattoos and brands with nary a fear of the stink eye.

Next March, if you happen to be in Buenos Aires, you’re sure to see something to remember if you swing by Tattoo Show 2010.

All Photos by Kate Sedgwick

You can’t escape the beat. It permeates every street corner, every shop, and every footstep.

From the taxi drivers tapping their fingers on the steering wheel as they weave through traffic, to the hotel clerks salsa-stepping as they transport bags for the tourists – the silent music hums just beneath the surface of Barranquilla, Colombia.

This modern city sprawls along the delta of the Magdalena River, a few miles shy of the Caribbean coast. Renowned as an industrial giant, Colombia’s fourth largest city is also home of the Carnaval de Barranquilla, a four day festival second only to Rio’s legendary bash of the same name.

I’d come to the Carnaval with little knowledge of what to expect.

The rumours spoke of colourful costumes, hip-shaking music, and scantily clad dancers, along with unrivaled partying, fueled by good vibrations and litres of free flowing rum. But I quickly found the festival isn’t just an excuse to drink booze and “foam” unsuspecting strangers in the crowd.

There’s a spiritual and cultural dimension as well.

History of the Carnaval

Held four days before Ash Wednesday, the Carnaval is the last opportunity for the predominantly Catholic population to indulge before Lent. While the exact date of the first festival is unknown, many believe the traditional started as early as 1888.

Perhaps even more significant, the Carnaval de Barranquilla is a celebration of the three cultures that dominate the Colombian coast: Spanish, Native, and African.

Each group participates in the festival through traditional song, lavish dancing, and intricate costumes. In 2003, UNESCO honoured the Carnaval by adding it to the ranks of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Interested in joining the throngs of revelers yourself? Read on for the definitive first timer’s guide to the Barranquilla Carnaval.

How To Get There

While it’s possible to fly directly to Barranquilla from a few destinations outside Colombia, it’s more likely you’ll arrive via Bogota. Avianca airlines offers relatively cheap flights from the capital. Or for the more adventurous, the bus is a much cheaper alternative.

What To Bring

Barranquilla’s weather is hot and humid. Unfortunately the main parade route offers little shade unless you buy your way into a private section. Either way, make sure you bring a hat, or buy a traditional sombrero vueltiao (twisted hat) from the numerous vendors roaming the grounds.

Where To Get Tickets

The main parades are held on Via 40, a relatively bland avenue that is unfortunately the only place in the city to accommodate the estimated 550,000 paraders that dance, jig, twitch, and sashay their way past thousands of viewers crowding the edges of the route.

The route is broken up into sections, each rented out by different companies and hotels. This means you generally need a ticket to score a good seat for the action.

Theoretically, you could just show up and fight with the masses for the few available “public” areas – but be prepared for a battle.

The Main Events

Outlined below are the main events of the Carnaval.

Keep in mind these are only a small portion of the entire festival – in the weeks leading up to the show, the entire city is awash with mini parades, concerts, and impromptu dance parties. No matter where you are in the city, chances are you’ll find a crowd having a good time.

Day 1: La Batalla de Flores (The Battle of Flowers)

This is the big show. Thousands of participants kick off the Carnaval with a bang, interspersed with massive floats hooked to ear-splitting sound systems. Musicians, dancers, costumes, and (some say unfortunately) corporate sponsors are on display, rousing the crowd and pushing the party to new heights.

Day 2: La Gran Parada

Slightly toned down from the first day, La Gran Parada is dedicated to the dancers. Scores of troupes perform traditional dances like cumbia, congo, and paloteo, competing against each other for the coveted prize of gaining the honour of performing in La Batalla de Flores the following year. Costumes and musicians also abound, with the floats noticeably absent from the previous day.

Day 3: El Festival de Orquestas

A cacophony of Caribbean music groups. El Festival de Orquestas showcases the variety of musical influences that make up Colombia’s coast – all guaranteed to keep your feet moving and hips swinging.

Day 4: Joselito se va con las cenizas

The end of the Carnaval is symbolically closed with the “death of Joselito.” Numerous groups of participants pick a person to play dead, while the rest of them wail and weep down the parade route. Like all good things, even the partying must come to an end.

Chances are, you’ll want to find a nice quiet chill out spot to recover from the festivities. I suggest the idyllic fishing village of Taganga, only 4 hours away by bus.

For more information on the Carnaval:

• View our expanded slideshow of the Barranquilla Carnaval
• Browse the official Barranquilla Caranaval website
• Learn more about the traditional music and dance

If you speak with a Uruguayan long enough, you will most likely hear one or more of the following comments: the first World Cup was played here in 1930; Carlos Gardel (the revered tango singer) was born here; and for approximately 40 days Uruguay entertains the world’s longest Carnaval celebration. It’s a mix of parades, nightly shows, and more in Montevideo and a few of the beach towns on the Atlantic coast.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the 2009 Carnaval:

Parades showcase “murga” artists, each decorated with their own theme. The murgas sing, dance, and act their way down the street. This murga has stopped for a moment to adjust his hat.

Two female clowns roll by, crowds cheering them on in the background.

One group dressed and performed as disco dancers.

The 2009 Queens of Carnaval stand on their float, waving to the crowd.

A candombe musical group beats its drums and shares a smile with the crowd.

Community Connection:

Have you seen our Carnaval photos from Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia? Did you attend a Carnaval celebration this year? Share your photos with the community by uploading your favorite images to your Matador profile (if you don’t have one, sign up now! It’s free!)

“You’re kidding, right?” he asked.

Nope. Most images of Brazil’s Carnaval celebrations are shot in Rio, where men and women (often scantily clad) from samba schools parade through the Sambodromo arena, competing for judges’ favor in 10 categories. According to the Associated Press, each samba school can spend as much as $2.5 million USD in an effort to best their competitors.

But outside Rio, Carnaval is for the people and by the people, who gather by the thousands in the streets, some with costumes, some without, most dancing, and everyone pushing their physical limits as they enjoy six straight days of partying.

This week, I participated in Carnaval in the cities of Recife and Olinda, in the state of Pernambuco, and Salvador, in Bahia. Each city celebrates Carnaval in its own way. Here are my favorite photos from the past six days’ of partying!

Artist Silvio Botelho, seen here painting, is credited with starting the tradition of creating and carrying massive puppets down the streets during Olinda’s Carnaval. In the days (and nights) before Carnaval, Silvio and his apprentices work round-the-clock to respond to demands for puppets… which can cost several thousand dollars apiece.

One of Silvio’s finished puppets, crowding the living room of his house until Carnaval kicks off. Most of the puppets depict local politicians, musicians, and other celebrities.

Unlike Carnaval in Rio, where festival goers pay a premium price to view the festivities, Pelourinho’s Carnaval in Salvador is accessible to everyone. This young woman is marching with the Escola Olodum, filling the cobblestone streets with intoxicating drum beats and dance rhythms.

A rare sight– revelers resting before the next round of dancing!

Men in Pelourinho practice gender-bending for the day (and clearly weren’t shy about posing for the camera!)

The highlight of Carnaval celebrations in Salvador is the trio electrico: bands singing and dancing for hours on end from the top of floats built on tractor trailers. Crowds of loyal fans follow along, dancing and singing until the wee hours of the morning.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Enjoy more Carnaval photos! Check out Hal Amen’s dispatch from Oruro, Bolivia and Ian MacKenzie’s photos from Barranquilla, Colombia.

The main attraction is a 20-hour nonstop dancing parade accompanied by marching bands. Thirty-five thousand or so performers trace a 4km route through the city, which is lined with bleachers to accommodate the estimated half million spectators.

Each group performs its take on one of Bolivia’s traditional dance styles, with troupes from all across the country participating. Unique dress and costumes help distinguish the regional and stylistic affiliations of the different performers.

Of course, it’s not all about sitting and watching the dancers go by. Bolivian Carnaval is defined by intense water balloon wars and attacks utilizing other types of (relatively) harmless weapons, such as spray cans full of foam. Prepare to get dirty… very, very dirty.

There’s no shortage of variety in the costumes donned by performers, from the colorful and quaint…

…to the downright bizarre.

The energy only ratchets up with the setting of the sun. Festivities continue through the night until the sun rises once again on the wild, messy, frenetic streets of Oruro, Bolivia.

Community Connection

Check out our other Carnaval reports from 09, including Barranquilla, Colombia.

Jose paints a papier-mache animal mask in preparation for the Carnaval.

Each mask is created with an arcilla (clay) mould, and glued together with paste from the cassava plant.

Master craftsmen hand make hundreds of masks for the dancers.

A cumbia dancer adorns her dress for practice before the Carnaval.

The big day arrives: young Colombians crowd the main parade route, hoping for a glance of the performers.

Dancers in formation.

Playing the trumpet.

The Queen of the Carnaval waves to the raving crowd.

Skull-face flashes the thumbs up.

A gremlin poses for the camera.

Silver warriors intimidate and thrill with their war cries.

Congo men in their colourful costumes, hats piled with fruit.

Policemen abducted and still missing are honoured in the festival.

Masked dancers swing to the pulsating beat.

Black-faced boys twitch eratically and wave pointed spears.

Young and old all participate in the Carnaval.

Cumbia musicians play traditional music.

“Dirt man” combed the crowd, grossing out everyone by eating mud.

The coordinated dancers were the highlight of the festival.

Community Connection

Check out our other Carnaval Highlights from around South America, such as Oruro, Bolivia.

Mention Carnival and most people’s minds conjure images of Brazil.But Brazil and its Latin American neighbors are by no means the only places to find outlandish costumes, parades with ornate decorations and, of course, copious amounts of booze.

Travelers who brave the cold for a winter trek across the Atlantic discover that Europe is home to some of the most outrageous non-stop Carnival parties on the planet. For those looking for fun, this means hitting many different locales and experiencing how other countries get wild as the main party day differs from city to city.

And unlike the 12-day build-up to Christmas, Carnival’s main event is preceded by random drunkenness for nearly two weeks. Anywhere there’s Christianity, there’s some form of Carnival, but here are four must-see fiestas that make Mardi Gras look like a tea party:

Cologne

Nothing says Carnival like Catwoman. Or Catwomen. Photo by Martin Terber.

This college town has a population of nearly one million people, all of whom take full advantage of Carnival’s anything-goes atmosphere. From wasted dudes doing cartwheels in the middle of a busy intersection to even more wasted dudes riding the tiny slab of metal that connects train compartments, Cologne goes off.

The party actually gets going in November… and goes on and on. By February, the city gets cold, and you’ll need a jacket when you’re standing in line waiting to get in to one of the many clubs and bars that are so packed the windows are fogged up. But don’t worry: There’s the off chance that drunken college kids will keep you entertained by mooning you through the steam.

Those who drive need to make sure they don’t get stuck trying to cross the route on parade day. Not only will the floats add an extra hour to your drive, the swarms of drunken Germans following the parade have little regard for those stuck in vehicles.

Maastricht

A quick drive or train trip from Cologne is Maastricht, a sleepy Dutch border town with nearly all the accouterments of Amsterdam, minus all the tourists and hookers.

The train station lets off at the very beginning of the city’s main parade. This part of town is also where you can get a look at the floats before they get moving. Unlike the United States, where parades consists of baton-twirlers, marching bands and horses, the Maastricht version of Carnival is a bit racier, thanks to floats featuring such characters as an overweight guy sitting on a toilet.

Ah, but floats schmoats. The real action takes place in Vrijthof, the city’s largest square, where at least 10 bars are lined next to each other and costumed partiers dance the afternoon and night away. Nearly every shop closes for the main party day, which means anyone and everyone in town winds up here.

This year’s celebration takes place February 22-24, 2009. More information can be found here.

Venice

Photo by Chiara.

The thousands of people who descend on this romantic city come prepared with masks and costumes and don’t leave until they’ve gotten the most mileage out of their time in the City of Bridges.

Whether it’s officially sanctioned get-togethers in St. Mark’s Square or locals selling Chianti off a boat docked in the Grand Canal on a Sunday at 1 AM, there’s always a gathering of young and old (mostly young) people flipping the proverbial bird to damn near everything by staying out ‘til the sun comes up.

And with so many people out at all hours, those who stumble home take comfort in knowing they are never alone.

This year’s festival takes place February 13-24, 2009. More information can be found here.

Garmisch-Partenkirken

By now you’re wondering why a town most have never heard of would be included on this list. But sleep on Garmisch and miss the most amount of fun humanly possible. Here’s why.

Booze. Thanks to its location in Bavaria near the Austrian border, beer here is cheaper than water. And stronger too. Order a Helles and order another. Repeat until you achieve the desired results.

Costumes. It ain’t easy coming up with a stylish look when your entire life is contained in a backpack, but a silly ski suit found at a thrift store is all anyone needs to act the fool.

Snow. Yeah, you could buy a ticket and ski or snowboard down the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, but what makes Garmisch so special is Fasching, which takes place on Fat Tuesday. Although it’s not a holiday officially recognized by the city government, there isn’t a soul in town who doesn’t know what’s happening when all those people ascend the mountain just before sundown.

Nearly 200 people congregate at the top of the Zugspitze and enjoy cold beverages while overlooking a sea of perfect white snow. Once the sun sets, skiers, snowboarders and those brave enough to tackle the slopes on a plastic sled descend down four runs in complete darkness with nothing but a tiny light and the shrieks and shrills to guide them.

Each run is broken up with a hut where more beer warms cold bodies and people mingle, telling stories of how they nearly fell over a cliff they almost didn’t see. Sausage is ready and waiting at each stop; so is music, dancing and the occasional puddle of yellow snow.

Garmisch is home to the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, a hotel for American military members and their families run by Americans who sign up for 13-month contracts to run the facility. This means there’s always a slew of young English speakers around every corner.

So what are you waiting for? Add these European cities to your Carnival list!

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Are you a globe-trotting party animal? Check out our list of the 10 Biggest Parties Around the World, or — if you decide to head to Rio after all — read up on these 8 Essential Tips for Carnival in Rio.

Burning Man – a week in the desert from Matador Network on Vimeo.

Benny Lewis writes:

My incredible experience at Burning Man this year. I lost over half the footage from my hard drive getting damaged because of dust storms, but I still had enough to piece together this documentary! Enjoy!!

If you want to see this in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Irish and/or Esperanto – or if you’d like to see more of my videos – be sure to check out my videoblog at irishpolyglot.com

Feature Photo: Ross Borden

What’s better than a great steak? A great steak that chases you. Pamplona’s famous encierro, or “running of the bulls”, provides a rite of passage, a badge of bravery to those pilgrims willing to make the trek to northeastern Spain.

Popularized in the English-speaking world by Ernest Hemingway, the festival of San Fermin—the backdrop of the encierro—starts each year on July 6.

When/Where to Go

The bulls run daily from July 7 to 14, at 8:00am. During the weekend, you’ll find the most runners on the course, so plan accordingly. More runners = a more dangerous run.

Wherever you happen to arrive, head to the heart of Pamplona—the old town. Follow the people dressed in white. If you’re lost, ask, “Donde esta Casco Antiguo?” (Loosely, “Where is Old Town?”)

Where to Stay

Pamplona is one of the most welcoming cities you’ll find. You can eat, drink, and sleep almost anywhere you’d like.

If you didn’t book a hotel room or apartment a year in advance, forget about it; you’re on your own. If you decide to try one of the parks, bring something warm: the nights can get cold.

Need a place to store your stuff? Head to Plaza San Francisco. You can store your gear in an official, secure area.

A great option if you have a little extra cash is to rent a car and drive to Pamplona. You get a movable shelter, protection for you and your stuff, and the ability to explore the gorgeous Spanish countryside. If you can, check out highway N-240. It’s the scenic route, and it’s worth it.

Photo by www.viajar24h.com

What to Wear

The standard dress for the entire festival is white pants, white t-shirt, and a red scarf. You can bring them with you or buy them there. Of course, days spent with wine, beer, and calimocho (made from equal parts red wine and Coca-Cola), will ensure you leave looking like Jackson Pollock’s undershirt and smelling about as bad.

Before the Run

Plan to arrive the afternoon before the morning you intend to run. You’ll want to spend some time walking the actual 800+ meter course. This will give you a chance to scope out the area that you’d like to start from and plan possible escape routes.

Before 7:30am on the day of your run, you MUST be in Plaza Consistorial. You know you’re the right place if you’re smashed next to thousands of strangers listening to the p.a. system read off some guidelines in various languages.

Don’t worry. You won’t have to wait long before the barricades are removed and you’re released onto the course.

Photo by www.viajar24h.com

During the Run

Before they release the bulls, you have complete freedom to move about the course. Technically, you can start your run from just outside of the corral (where the bulls are running from) or just outside the bull ring (where they are running to). Keep in mind, though, that those points reflect either an extreme form of bravery that borders on lunacy or pathetic cowardice.

A rocket lets you know the door to the corral is open. The next rocket lets you know that more than 6,000 pounds of angry bulls are headed toward you. Big, ugly, and fast, they cannot be outrun, so timing is everything. When you see a wave of people heading toward you, it’s time to run. Hard.

Your goal should be the bullring, as a very special event awaits the lucky few who make it in before or immediately after the bulls. Thousands of ticketholders cheer from the stands as several cows are released—one at a time—into the ring, charging.

Grabbing a horn will draw cheers from the crowd. Getting hit will draw laughs.

Photo by www.viajar24h.com

Downtime

During most of the day, say between 10:00am and 7:00pm, most of the town is recovering from a hangover. If you brought a car, you’ve got plenty of time to explore northern Spain.

You can head to the beautiful coastal town of San Sebastian (1+ hour drive) or visit the Guggenheim in Bilbao (2 hour drive). No car? There’s plenty to explore in and around the town. The tourist office in Plaza San Francisco provides free itineraries for the day’s events.

Community Connection:

If you run with the bulls in Pamplona, we sure hope you blog about the experience on Matador. If you’re headed to Spain, be sure to get in touch with some Matador members like Teresa, a journalist from Madrid, or El Lobo , who leads cultural walking tours in southern Spain.

If the running of the bulls isn’t enough of a party for you, check out Matador’s round-up of the best festivals in Spain.

Monday 23:00 – Drive through Reno, relishing your last bits of civilization for a week. Stock up on water, groceries, and critical last-minute supplies like one more box of glow sticks.

Monday 24:00 – Arrive at the entrance to Black Rock City. Peer out the window at the stark lunar landscape, and wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into. Stop at the Greeters’ Station, where you are cheerily assaulted with a dusty hug and a hearty “Welcome Home!”

Tuesday 1:00 – Carefully drive around the City at a speed of 5mph, find your designated camp and pilot your mothership of an RV into its appointed spot. Get some sleep… you’ll need it!

Tuesday 10:00 – Greet fellow campmates and spend some time lighting and accessorizing your bike. You just *knew* that Electronic Yodeling Pickle from Archie McPhee would be put to good use someday.

Tuesday 12:00 – Enjoy your first Playa meal – pasta alfredo with smoked salmon and a crisp Chardonnay – and thank your higher power that you are camping with foodies, while others eat pop tarts.

Tuesday 14:00 – Explore the neighborhood. Greet your neighbors in their scorpion dune buggy. Visit The Golden Café, a full-service bar with live music. Dance barefoot in the dust.

Tuesday 19:00 – Attempt to shower in the RV’s tiny bathroom, and realize you’re just going to have to live with Playa dust in all your nooks and crannies for the rest of the week.

Tuesday 20:00 – Don your furriest, glowiest Playawear and head out to visit The Man. Admire His Dudeship in all his neon glory. Climb the tower and take in the exuberant, sparkling cacophony that is the Playa.

Tuesday 22:00 – Catch a ride home on a lit-up dragonfly art car. Marvel at the fact that although this has only been your first day, it feels as though you have been here all your life.

photo by raindrift

Wednesday 13:00 – In the 110-degree heat of the day, plunk yourself down and let the circus come to you. Immediately get rewarded for this brilliant plan, as a man covered in Mardi Gras beads walks by and gifts you with a freezie-pop.

Wednesday 23:00 – Assemble with several friends and ride out to The Opulent Temple, where some of the world’s best DJs spin house and techno from a booth that belches gigantic flames in time to the beat.

Thursday 11:00 – Crack open your copy of “What Where When” and become instantly overwhelmed by the sheer number of events taking place at any hour of any day.

Thursday 12:00 – Set out in search of 4:30 Plaza, where an art car tour of the Deep Playa is setting sail at 2pm. En route, stop at Pee Funnel Camp.

photo by alexthompson

Thursday 13:00 – Encounter the infamous Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro. Enjoy a refreshing glass of white wine, while relishing the torment of legions of plastic blondies. Celebrate the arrival of the French Maid Brigade, who stop by and “clean” everyone with huge featherdusters.

Thursday 14:00 – Arrive at what you believe to be 4:30 Plaza, where there is no art tour because you are actually at 4:30 Portal. Sigh. Spot a man bedecked head-to-toe in purple, wearing a beaded purple fez. He produces two George Bush voodoo dolls from the depths of his gold suitcase. Who needs art tours, anyway?

Thursday 15:00 – Enjoy the spectacle of the Topless Teeter-Totter of Terror, a three-story wooden seesaw ridden by a bevy of topless passersby. Consider riding the TToT yourself, but decide you’d rather have a cold lemonade in the shade.

Thursday 21:00 – Set out for a night of party-hopping that includes, in no particular order, stops at Spike’s Vampire Bar, Unicorn Camp, Ashram Galactica, Porn & Eggs, Duck Bar, and the Tree of Knowledge. Dance to Bollywood, techno, blues, and the ever-present tribal drumming.

Saturday 11:00 – Take a bike ride out to the Temple of Basura Sagrada, an enormous structure meticulously crafted from recycled materials. Write a personal offering on the Temple. Spend a few moments in silent contemplation.

Saturday 13:00 – On the way back to camp, visit the art installation “Bummer,” a massive Humvee painted khaki and dayglow colors. As another art car passes by blasting ‘80s tunes, join other Burners in an impromptu dance party on the Bummer’s roof and reflect on the duality of The American Dream.

Saturday 15:00 – Head inside the RV as an enormous dust storm begins to gather strength. As other campmates pile into the vehicle for shelter and libations, and Mother Nature shows no sign of letting up, you wonder if this might be the first year the Man actually does not burn. Shrug and help yourself to another mojito.

photo by mayhem

Saturday 18:00 – Listen to RFBM for some news of the Burn, but realize there is really no way to know if the howling wind and whiteout conditions will subside anytime soon.

Saturday 20:00 – The Man will burn! Hurriedly throw on some flair and join the grand parade out to the Esplanade. Watch the fireworks as the Man begins to go up in flames, and the crowd of nearly 50,000 people cheer, sing, chant, and dance.

Saturday 21:00 – As the remains of the Man tumble into a huge bonfire, the crowd rushes forward to dance around the circle. The world around you is a stew of music and lights and tribal drumbeats and other celebratory sounds. Hop an art car shaped like a giant rubber ducky, with laser beams shooting out its eye sockets, and ride into the maelstrom. The revelry continues till dawn.

Sunday 6:00 – Bleary-eyed, pack up your gear and head out of Black Rock City. Donate leftover foot and booze to the sainted volunteers who will remain behind to clean up. Adios until next year!

Above photo by EdenandJosh .

To anyone who’s ever gone camping while traveling, the alluring effect of a fire is all too familiar.

People gathered around its flames, taking turns dropping a tiny amount of water (or liquor) into its path, stretching their legs ever closer in attempts to seize the heat and capture its awesome energy.

It provides a sense of community. Swapping travel stories. Sharing drinks. Making smores (how internationally known are those, by the way?).

From dragon tales, to rites of purification, to a prominent mention in the 4th book of Harry Potter, fire plays a larger role in world culture and history than most would believe. Even in this modern age, with bonfires replaced by central heating and its light by alternating current, this common chemical reaction is literally larger than life.

In Japan, for example, one can bear witness to the…

1. Umbrella Burning Festival

Photo by Turner Wright.

By far the most unusual expression of fire I’ve ever had the chance to observe.

Once upon a time, nearly 900 years ago, two brothers by the name of Soga led an attack in the middle of the night against their adversary. Apparently unable to secure torches for the journey, they took to using the closest objects available, paper umbrellas, to light their path of vengeance.

This festival, the Soga Don No Kasayaki (そがどんの傘焼き), is celebrated in the southern city of Kagoshima (and Odawara, closer to Tokyo), the Naples of Japan, a city blessed with a beautiful landscape and some legendary hot springs.

In late July, residents gather along the riverbank to bear witness as a large stack of paper umbrellas is burned to the ground, accompanied by dancing, shouting, history lessons, and demonstrations of strength.

2. Fire Foods

Yakitori (焼き鳥)

Grilled chicken on a stick, available at many supermarkets and most festivals and open-air markets.

Takoyaki (たこ焼き)

Fried pieces of dough filled with mayonnaise and a piece of octopus… isn’t it helpful to read Japanese?

Yakiniku (焼き肉)

The cream of the crop, Japanese BBQ. A variety of meat grilled over an open flame and served on a bed of rice. Quite sweet and savory.

3. Flower Fire

Photo by Turner Wright.

Shigeru Miyamoto wasn’t too far off giving a mustachioed plumber from Brooklyn the power to shoot fire from his hands upon contact with a very special flower.

Fire flowers.

Flower fires, from the Chinese characters 花火, or, in layman’s terms: fireworks.

The 4th of July celebrations on American soil would be put to shame by many of the festivals across Japan in the month of August. Each prefecture, each city, strives to be the best, boast the biggest number of explosions in the sky, the loudest cracks, the most intense flames….

Try walking anywhere in Japan at the end of the Obon holiday (honoring the dead) and not see Japanese in their light summer yukata or kimono, wearing geta (wooden shoes), and on their way to an all-day celebration of food and drink before twilight sets in and the sky is ablaze.

Of all the locations I’ve seen firework celebrations in Japan, I prefer the island of Miyajima with the famous floating shrine. Be careful to escape quickly, though, because you could easily miss the last train to Hiroshima in the back of a 300,000+ crowd.

4. The Volcano is Lit… On Purpose

Photo by EdenandJosh.

Mt. Aso, or Aso-san as it is read in Japanese, was once one of the largest volcanoes in the world.

If you’d have glimpsed it thousands of years ago, it would have been a vision to make even Dante nostalgic for the 9th circle: dozens of smaller eruptions, venting the pressure from the larger magma source, yellow sulfur scattered across the landscape, burning blue just at the edge of the tree line… these explosions eventually occurred too quickly and frequently, causing the entire mountain to collapse in on itself, creating the largest caldera in history.

Locals see the peaks of Aso as resembling a sleeping Buddha, with the active peak, Nakadake, his navel.

An image of such harmony, belying the essence of the mountains, explains much of the culture: fire festivals are held every year to pay homage to this awesome force, fields burned to form one of the largest kanji (Chinese characters) on the planet, nearly 350 meters in length: 火.

Have you guessed it?

FIRE.

The Hifuri Shinji festival, held around the same time of year, is just as impressive, though on a smaller scale.

Participants, professionals, and tourists light torches in front of the Ichinomiya Aso Shrine and set them spinning in circles, creating literally what Johnny Cash meant figuratively: a burning, burning, burning ring of fire.

The act of setting the fire loose, or flinging the fire, as it were, is meant to ensure a good harvest in the coming months and to celebrate the union of the gods.

5. Firewalking

Photo by forward.

Purification by fire is a common belief amongst certain sects of Buddhism. On the island of Miyajima in mid-November, one can watch in angst as priests shuck their sandals and brave a river of hot coals, cleansing the body as well as the soul through pure flames.

Walking on coals isn’t as painful as some would have you believe; unless you’re standing in one place on them for more than a few seconds, it’s unlikely you’ll feel anything more than a warm tingling sensation… coal is not particularly conductive.

6. In Your Own Neighborhood

If you happen to be spending time in Japan in early-mid January, be sure to take advantage of the Tondo Festival. At the lunar new year, neighbors gather to light a huge bonfire and share stories, sake, and mochi (Japanese rice cakes, traditionally eaten at the new year).

Although the Tondo is more commonly attended by residents, I seriously doubt there would be any hesitation over letting a friendly visitor partake in the festivities. All in good fun, in the spirit of celebration.

How have you observed other cultures using fire? Share your stories.

Feature photo by PixJK.

–Note: Oktoberfest 2008 begins September 20th and runs to October 5th in Munich.

You race a mob of lads in leather shorts to find a seat in the packed, wooden tent. A busty barmaid whams down an enormous glass of beer. You drink to the cry of Prost! and get ready to do it again. Then you stroll outside and jump on the roller-coaster.

You’re pushed, pulled, stretched and slammed and decide this would have been a better idea before the beer!

Feeling hungry now? Nothing a plate of pork knuckles wouldn’t fix. Easy to fill your belly here, if you’ve got the coin for it. The sun goes down and you head back inside.

You start swinging your drink and singing along to the sound of oom-pah music. Soon you’re dancing on the benches with a dozen friendly locals.

Photo by Herby Crus.

Munich’s Oktoberfest originated in 1810 as a horse race to celebrate the royal wedding. But everyone apparently enjoyed the drinking a lot more than the horse racing and had such a great time they decided to do it all again the following year.

The horse race is now part of history, but the beer certainly isn’t. Oktoberfest is officially the world’s biggest party, drawing about 7 million visitors a year to southern Germany. The action takes place on Munich’s fairgrounds, called the Wiesn, south-west of the city’s main train station.

When to Go

Oktoberfest 2008 starts on Saturday, September 20 and finishes on Sunday, October 5. There’s often a mad rush to find a seat before the beer starts flowing at 10 AM (9 AM on weekends). There’s a parade on the second day and a gay party on the first Sunday. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends, especially around lunchtime.

Which Tent to Pick

Most of the drinking is done in the 14 big beer tents – actually big wooden halls. You can reserve tables through oktoberfest.de, but most sell out months in advance.

The festivities officially start in the Schottenhamel tent and often reach their rowdiest in the Hacker (Haven of Bavaria). The bright red Hippodrom tent near the main entrance can’t be missed: It’s the place to see and be seen among Munich’s hipper, younger, set.

The Hofbru tent is famed for pulling far more tourists than locals; the Augustiner might be the best for Bavarian authenticity; and the Lowenbrau becomes a good option when everywhere else is full.

Photo by StrudelMonkey.

Where to Stay

Munich’s Thalkirchen Camping Ground could be the cheapest place to stay with tents available for just a few euros. There’s a small supermarket on site, regular buses to the Wiesn and a 24-hour party ambience during Oktoberfest. It’s at Zentrall, 49, Munich.

A handful of good hostels sit just south of the main train station, about a 15 minute stagger back from the Wiesn. Check out Jaeger’s for its friendly bar, or the top-rated Wombat’s. Both are in Senefelder Strae.

What to Wear

Practically anything goes, but for an extra layer of fun, consider kitting out like a local. For guys, a pair of Lederhosen leather shorts start from 120 euros.

For gals, a traditional Dirndl dress costs about 100 euros. Tip: When worn correctly, Dirndls also reveal the wearer’s availability. Look just above the apron: If there’s a bow on the right, she’s taken. A bow on the left means she’s still to be had, and a bow bang on the front marks a virgin.

What to Eat and Drink

Beer!? The amber fluid is served exclusively in one litre glass mugs, called Ma (mass) that cost about 8 euros. The beer is slowly brewed through the summer and packs a six-percent alcoholic punch. For a change, try the beery-lemonade mixture called Radler, or head out to the wine tent.

Food is everywhere. Popular picks are roast chicken (Hendl), pork knuckes (Schweinshaxe), and giant pretzels. The huge hearts hung around girls’ necks are made of gingerbread. For the daring there’s the Ox (Osche).

Photo by .myke.

What to Say

Can I sit here? Darf ich mich zu dir sitzen? (Darf ik mik zoo dear sit-zen?)

One beer, please! Ein Ma, bitte! (Eyn mass, bit-tey!)

Cheers! Prost! (Prawst!)

Your eyes are as pretty as a meadow full of cows. Deine Augen sind so schn wie eine Weisen Tulpen. (Dine-ny ow-gen sind so schern vee eyen vee-sen tul-pen)

Let’s go back to my tent for a coffee! Gehen wir mal zu meinem Zelt f?r einen Kaffee! (Gay-en veer mal zoo mine-em zelt fair eyn-en kaf-ey!)

I need to chuck up. muss kotzen. (Ik moose kot-zen).

I have a killer hangover. Ich habe so einen Katter. (Ik hab-ey so eyn-en kat-er).

Want more insider tips for Oktoberfest? books and music can get you beered up–uh, geared up–for the big fest. Can’t get there this year? Try brewing your own beer at home and have your own Oktoberfest!

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky

Mind Shaft Society’s exhibit entitled “America 3.0″ encouraged people to answer the question “What is Your American Dream?”

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

(Happy) Playa Feet! Some people wore moon boots to try to keep their little piggies clean, others just gave in and embraced the dust.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

A life-size mermaid adorns the front prow of Lady Sassafras, a giant silver bus that roamed the Playa blasting out party tunes.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

The French Maid Brigade visits Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

This gentleman was giving away George Bush voodoo dolls from the depths of his fabulous gold suitcase.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

Just another day at 8:00 and Bonneville.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

The American Dream, burner-style, at sunset.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

Preparing for the impending dust storm at Center Camp.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

The Temple of Basura Sagrada, constructed mainly from burnable trash, recycled materials, and the tossed-off detritus of American society.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

View of The Man from the second level of The Temple of Basura Sagrada.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

Myk Henry’s “Bummer” art installation becomes an impromptu dance party.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

Accordion players strike up a tune at Kaleidoscope Kamp

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

Fireworks herald the start of the main event.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

The Man Burns!

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

The Temple of Basura Sagrada burns on Sunday night.

Photo by Ross Borden

Taken in a statue garden off the Esplanade at 5:45 am. This is the most beautiful time of day in the Black Rock Desert.

Photo by Ross Borden

Looking from the top of the Temple across at the Man towards 6:00 / Center Camp.

Photo by Ross Borden

The Fire Garden at 10pm — start your night with flames shooting a couple feet over your head in all directions.

Photo by Ross Borden

This place had great music, a bar that was always serving stiff drinks and was a favorite hangout for the “really, really, really, really goodlooking people”.

Photo by Ross Borden

Metal ducky: one of the cooler single passenger art cars we saw on the playa.

Photo by Ross Borden

Vegas has nothing on Black Rock City.

Photo by Ross Borden

Critical Tits. There were so many participating that it became a traffic jam of bikes and boobs before it even got going. Most ended up walking their bikes.

Photo by Ross Borden

Really good house music and fun people at this tent.

Photo by Ross Borden

Wrapping up a sunset DJ session.

Photo by Ross Borden

Flaming ping pong anyone?

Photo by Ross Borden

A super-creative art car, all made out of scrap metal and old car parts.

Photo by Ross Borden

A DJ way out near the Temple, finishing his set around 5:30am.

Photo by Sonia Zamborsky.

The Aftermath: where else in the world would you see trash quite like this?

Feature photo by Ben Cox and Jamie Kent. Photo above by Guanatos Gwyn.

Lucky for us, we don’t have to look hard for a better beer. Thousands of microbreweries are popping up across the nation and, chances are, there’s one in your own backyard.

Leaving beer-flavored water behind can be a little intimidating at first, like saying goodbye to those incoherent college days. But fear not – there’s an endless array of awesomeness that awaits you. No one has ever regretted the decision to drink quality beer.

The Great Beer Road-Trip Of 2008

Like you, we were thirsty for something different, and so we hit the road in search of the best beer in America.

Beer Quest 2008 was a crazy adventure that took us through about 30 breweries in 30 states. Although we’ve come home tired and broke, we’ve gained two valuable lessons about traveling and beer:

Lesson #1:
People are great, and most will offer inside info to road trippers. Play your traveling cards right and you’ll inevitably meet some amazing folks with great insights on the local scene.

Lesson #2:
There’s good beer everywhere. Just hit the bars with a touch of curiosity and enjoy the local microbrews on tap. You won’t know what you like until you try it.

Photo by Ben Cox and Jamie Kent.

Beer Report 2008

Sampling over 200 microbrews was hard work, but we’re proud of the fruit of our labor. Beer Report 2008 not only lists the best brews in the country, but also the best breweries and brewpubs to visit.

The Basics

All beer starts with four ingredients: water, yeast, hops, and malted barley (i.e. sugar). The yeast eats the sugar, creating alcohol. Hops are added for flavor and the water holds it all together. Pretty simple, right?

Well, the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) gives awards for 75 different categories of beer, so there’s plenty of room for creativity. 75 categories intimidates the hell out of us, so we decided to make things simpler and base our rankings on 11 general categories:

1. Pale Ale (English style and west coast) – a light, smooth beer. East coast generally equals English style; much maltier, less bitter. West coast pales are loaded with hops, so they smell fruitier and tend to pack a punch.

2. Pilsner/Kolsch – light bodied German style beers. New to beer? Try this one first; it goes down real smooth.

3. Hefeweizen – cloudy, unfiltered, golden wheat beer, often decorated with lemon.

4. Wheat -same as above, but filtered.

5. Fruit Beer – any type of beer with fruit added to the mix.

6. India Pale Ale (IPA) – a super hoppy beer with a fruity taste and a bitter finish.

7. Amber -medium in color, medium in body.

8. Brown – getting darker…

9. Porter/Stout – dark, toasty, creamy, a meal in a glass.

10. Miscellaneous – when brewers have the chance to get creative, there’s a lot they can pull off.

11. Only on tap – brews you can only find on tap at local brewpubs across the country. They can easily surpass the offerings of larger breweries, but you have to know where to find them (that’s where we come in).

Each of these categories brings a unique brew to the table. If you’re just getting into microbrews, we suggest starting with the light choices and working your way toward the dark side, just like Anakin Skywalker.

After six weeks on the road, 30 breweries and 30 states, 10,000 miles traveled, and over 200 beers sampled, here’s what we recommend.

Photo by Ben Cox and Jamie Kent.

Top Brews

Pale Ale

Steel Rail Pale Ale – Berkshire Brewing Co. (S.Deerfield, MA) (East Coast): Smooth, malty, with fruity hints, and straight from the Berkshire Mountains.

Mighty Arrow Pale Ale – New Belgium Brewing Co. (Ft. Collins, CO) (West Coast): A grapefruit filled nose, mouth watering flavor, and great balance. Packs a punch, but goes down easy.

Kolsch/Pilsner

Gruit Kolsch – Roots Brewing Co. (Portland, OR): Lavender and chamomile replace the hops here; relaxing, organic, and fantastic.

Wheat

Sunset Wheat – Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. (Chippewa Falls, WI): Smooth and fruity; like a great sunset, but bottled.

Hefeweizen

In Heat Wheat – Flying Dog Brewery (Frederick, MD): Chewy, with a strong wheat flavor and crisp finish.

Fruit Beer

Purple Haze – Abita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, LA): A raspberry lager Hendrix would love.

IPA

90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head Brewing Co. (Milton, DE): A hopheads heaven. This beer will kick your ass if you’re not ready for it.

Amber

Drop Top Amber – Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. (Portland, OR): Smoother than silk with fruity hints and a well balanced, malty body.

Brown

Hazelnut Brown – Rogue Ales (Newport, OR): Flavor that dances in your mouth, reminiscent of your morning coffee with a toasty body to back it up.

Porter/Stout

Chocolate Stout – Rogue Ales (Newport, OR): True dark chocolate flavor balanced with a crisp finish and creamy body.

Miscellaneous

Double Bag Ale – Long Trail Brewing Co. (Bridgewater Corners, VT): The smoothest beer with over 7% alcohol that we have ever tried.

Only On Tap

Meyer ESB – Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. (San Francisco, CA): This nitro infused beer looks just as good as it tastes.

Photo by misterbisson.

Top Breweries

All breweries were ranked based on overall quality, variety, availability, environment, social impact, creativity, and, well, our humble opinion. Based on these factors, five microbreweries surpassed the rest. Drum roll please…

1. Flying Dog Brewery (Frederick, MD)

Topping just about every one of our ranking categories, it is an honor to award Flying Dog with the Summer Brew Tour’s number one brewery ranking. Their list of great beers spans everything from an In Heat Wheat to the Gonzo Porter, giving them a well-rounded and practically unbeatable lineup.

The fine folks at Flying Dog also let us sample beer out of their 300 barrel fermentation tanks. By the way, did we mention all of their artwork is done by gonzo artist Ralph Steadman?

2. Rogue Ales (Newport, OR)

The variety and availability of this brewery are amazing for a midsized micro (at least 30 different beers in all 50 states!). If you’re into the darker stuff, Rogue Ales can’t be beat. If not, give their Red IPA or Chipotle Ale a try. If you’re not part of the Rogue Nation yet, join the revolution.

3. Magic Hat Brewing Company (S. Burlington, VT)

This Burlington-based brewery offers a fantastic artillery of beer, particularly for those hot summer days. Their unfiltered and unfettered Circus Boy is one of the top three Hefeweizens we’ve come across, and their flagship #9 is the best Apricot Ale we’ve ever tried. Not to mention, their recently expanded facilities in Vermont include a new taproom with 48 tap lines for the ultimate touring experience.

4. New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, CO)

Coined “The most environmentally friendly brewery in the world,” New Belgium not only sets the bar with their sustainability efforts, but they also offer a great lineup of brews. Their Mighty Arrow is the best West coast-style Pale Ale we’ve tried, and their flagship Fat Tire Amber Ale just hit the canning line. If that’s not enough, their taproom is open every day!

5. Widmer Brothers Brewing (Portland, OR)

This large micro is a Portland staple and most commonly known for its flagship Hefeweizen, which you can find just about anywhere in the country. Little do most know, the rest of their beer is just as good. The Drop Top Amber is unbeatable and the Broken Halo IPA is one of the top three West coast-style pales we’ve come across.

Keep an eye out for these guys – after a recent merger with Red Hook, we have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in your local liquor store.

Photo by Burnt Pixel.

Top Brewpubs

All of the brewpubs we visited were ranked based on the quality and variety of beers on tap, the food they served, and the overall atmosphere of the establishment. We highly recommend checking out these places.

1. Capitol City Brewing Company (Washington, D.C.)

CapCity’s unique lineup of quality brews is what propelled it past all other brewpubs in our journey. Its three locations in the D.C. area offer a great escape from the city and a hearty menu complements all the beers on tap. We’re sure there’s a brew and a meal here for everyone in your dinner party. Try the Tart Cherry Ale, a favorite of ours and something you won’t find anywhere else.

2. Mountain Sun Brewing Company (Boulder, CO)

The Mountain Sun has more beers on tap than any brewpub we’ve come across. Teamed with a cozy environment and an interesting crowd of diehard beer lovers, you’re sure to have a good time. Give the F.Y.IPA or the Pearl St. Porter a try.

3. Thirsty Bear Brewing Company (San Francisco, CA)

Thirsty Bear sets itself apart from the rest with an impressive tapas menu that leaves more room for the good stuff. Snack away as you sip on their nitro infused Meyer ESB, unquestionably the best we’ve come across.

4. Crescent City Brewing Company (New Orleans, LA)

Should you ever find yourself in The Big Easy, take a break from Bourbon Street debauchery and stumble over to Decatur, where Crescent City is waiting to introduce you to some quality German-style brews and classic local cuisine. Don’t miss the baked oysters and the Pilsner, both the best of this tour.

5. River City Brewing Company (Wichita, KS)

Located in the heart of Old Town, River City needs to be part of anyone’s trip to Wichita. They’ve got more seasonal brews than any brewpub out there, stretching the boundaries of traditional styles. You’ll leave wholly satisfied, most likely in a cab.

Feature photo by re-ality. Photo above by jeremydeades.

It’s sunrise. In fact, it’s my third sunrise this week. All around me, music blasts as hundreds of people dance and drink on the beach. Buckets and beers cover the sand and passed out people are checked on by the occasional passerby. I look around. Tonight was a lot of fun. Full moon raves always are.

What is the Full Moon Rave?

The origins aren’t fully known, but legend has it that in 1987 a group of young backpackers celebrated the birthday of a friend under a full moon in Thailand. They had so much fun they came back the following year and then the following month.

Word got out and more people came. Enterprising Thais saw an opportunity and hyped the party, bringing more people.

At first it was like a house party on the beach–a few hippies and backpackers playing guitars. The 90s brought the rave scene and all the drugs that went with it.

By 2000, Thailand was on the map and hordes of young people inspired by the movie The Beach were flocking to Ko Pha Ngan. The Full Moon Rave was in full swing.

Photo by zhaffsky.

What to Expect Now?

The Full Moon Rave has turned into a giant party with a lot of drinking, dancing, drugs, and sex. Each bar has its own sound system, so you’ll hear different music every few feet.

The beach is lined with people selling alcohol, fire dancers put on shows. Little booths are also set up selling glow-in-the-dark face paint as kids run up and down the beach selling trinkets and glowsticks.

When Is It?

The full moon of every month. High season parties see about 20,000-30,000 people, with the full moon around New Year seeing the most. It you miss it, there’s always the half moon party, quarter moon party, and black moon party. Really, every day is a party here.

Click here for the 2008/2009 schedule.

Photo by nogoodreason.

Where to Stay?

There’s accommodation all over the island, but you’ll want to stay in Haad Rin so you can be close to the action. Bungalows start at about 300 baht and go up from there. Bungalows on the beach, despite what Lonely Planet says, are at least 1,000 baht a night.

If you want any chance at cheap accommodation, get here at least three days in advance. The closer you get to the party, the higher the prices are and the harder it is to find a room. Get here that day and you’ll need a miracle to find accommodation, especially if it’s during the high season.

How Do I Get There?

There’s no airport on the island, so everyone comes via ferry. You can arrive via the Surat Thani, on the mainland, or from its bigger neighbor, Ko Samui. From Surat Thani, roundtrip tickets cost about 600 baht and drop you off at Thong Sala.

From Samui, tickets cost about 400 baht and leave from Big Buddha Pier or Maenam beach. The Samui ferry will drop you off at the main dock of Thong Sala or at Haad Rin depending on time of day. During the full moon rave, boats go from Samui to Haad Rin every hour.

Travel Tips:

Photo by re-ality.

Costs

Here’s a sample budget for a full moon rave in Haad Rin:

Partying Tips

Drugs: There are a lot of drugs here, especially during the full moon. All drugs are illegal in Thailand and possession is punishable with time in the worst prison or death.

Undercover police will try to sell you drugs only to arrest you. Locals will rat you out for a reward. You could probably avoid jail by paying a hefty “penalty.” Simply put, doing drugs here is stupid. The risk is not worth the reward. Ever see Brokedown Palace? They weren’t making that stuff up.

Buckets: Buckets are little sand pails filled with one pint Thai whiskey, one Red Bull, and one Coke. They’re deadly! One, two, three, passed out on the beach! If you want to make it to sunrise, don’t start drinking buckets before midnight.

(Note: The Red Bull in Asia is a kind of ephedra. This substance is like speed and you’ll be flying high after one of them. It also negates the effect of the alcohol quickly, keeping you from feeling drunk. Be careful and watch your consumption of both liquids.)

Photo by timparkinson.

Safety Tips

Pre-hydrate: You are going to be drinking a lot and, even though it is night, the weather is still hot and humid. Drink a lot of water!

Avoid the ocean: It may seem like a good idea to play in the ocean, but it’s not. Not only do you risk drowning, but everyone uses the ocean as a personal toilet. There’s a reason why the water is warm, and it’s not because you are in Thailand. Stay sanitary and don’t go in.

Wear footwear: Partying on the beach without footwear may seem like a good idea but as the night goes on, broken beer bottles and other sharp objects litter the beach. Avoid a foot injury and just wear something on your feet!

Protect your belongings: Theft is ripe during full moon raves. Bring as little as possible. You’ll be drinking so much, chances are you could lose something. Bring enough money for drinks and a copy of your passport in case of an emergency. You don’t need anything else.

Community Connection

Plenty of Matador members have partied hard in Thailand, but they’ve also enjoyed other experiences as well. Check out 18 year old Rigo Lara’s article about his first trip abroad or Ian MacKenzie’s profile of Sean Aiken, who made his experience SCUBA diving in Thailand.

Belisama. Photo by Toby Keller.

This is especially manifest in the wonderfully strange and whimsical art installations that populate the playa.

(Those not familiar with the BM premise should check out The First-Timer’s Guide to Participating at Burning Man for an excellent overview.)

Although Burning Man was always predicated on art and participation, it wasn’t until 1995 that Larry Harvey began introducing yearly themes to give focus to the growing, and increasingly diverse community.

Since then, the scope of the art installations have only been limited by the creators’ imaginations (and budgets).

some of the more awe-inspiring and ambitious pieces on the playa in recent history

Uchronia, 2006. Photo by Splatworld.

Nick-named the Belgian Waffle, much to the irritation of the Belgian team that constructed it, Uchronia was nearly 200 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 50 feet tall, dominating the Black Rock City skyline.

Steampunk Tree House, 2007. Photo by Mayhem.

Pipes run throughout the metal tree and branches that release actual steam for a sauna-like effect, which was a solace against the cold Nevadan desert nights.

Temple of Hope, 2006. Photo by John Curley.

Since 2000, the Temples have been built and ceremoniously set aflame along with the Man, becoming an enduringly popular ritual at the festival. Mark Grieve’s interpretation in 2006, an elegant courtyard populated with massive stupas, took participants to an exotic land.

Big Rig Jig, 2007. Photo by Russ Atkinson.

Created from two oil rigs, the interior compartment of Big Rig Jig housed silk plant life as a contemplation of the indelible yet often-forgot ties between the industrial and organic world.

Serpent Mother, 2006. Photo by John Curley.

Ten tons and 168 feet long, this kinetic sculpture has an audience-controlled joy stick, which swivels the head and operates the 41 flamethrowers placed along the spine.

Homouroboros, 2007. Photo by affinity1.

A massive, interactive zoetrope, Homouroboros only comes to life when participants determine the source of power generation and the controls to its activation.

Big Round Cubatron, 2006. Photo by Sterling.

Created from over 6,000 color-dynamic lights arranged 8 feet high and 40 feet in diameter, Cubatron’s experience takes a decidedly psychedelic turn while under the influence of certain mind-expanding substances.

Temple of Forgiveness, 2007. Photo by Perfecto Insecto.

Encompassing almost 42,000 cubic feet, the open-air temple had four grand entrances that led to the central altar, which allowed energy to pass though, up, and out–a metaphor for the sense of lightness felt after the act of forgiveness and all negative emotions are finally released.

Crude Awakening, 2007. Photo by John Curley.

Stirring controversy for its ironic use of 900 gallons of jet fuel and 2,000 gallons of liquid propane to build the largest flame cannon in history, Crude Awakening transformed modern oil dependency into a violently primitive religion.

Hope Flower, 2005-2006. Photo by Smoobs.

Constructed from a 100 foot hydraulic man-lift, the Flower serenaded and interacted with participants and performance artists as it roamed around the playa.

Duel Nature, 2006. Photo by John Curley.

Meant to evoke the image of the DNA double helix, Kate Radenbush’s enormous 30-foot wide metal and red-mirror sculpture is a meditation on the nature of duality and the opposing forces within the very essence of the human condition.

I.T., 2006 Photo by msr.

Although reminiscent of the terrifying aliens of 50s sci-fi movies, I.T.’s creator only had benevolent intentions–the red spotlight eye merely tracks approaching visitors, unlike the vaporizing beams of the fictional space creatures, and an extension ladder allows participants to experience the sensation of being suspended 30 feet above the ground.

Temple of Stars, 2004. Photo by eddy13.

Nearly a quarter of a mile in length, this David Best sculpture consisted of a main 100 foot structure and a system of paths that connected to smaller temples along the cardinal points, not to mention bridges, fabricated gardens, and benches placed throughout for participants to reflect.

Photo by Andrei Z. Feature photo by ImageMD.

You know about Art Basel and SCOPE, but some of the world’s best art fairs—and best art—can be found off these well-worn paths:

10. FEMACO

The Feria Mexico Arte Contemporaneo just celebrated its fifth year. A walk through the 2008 event, held at the spacious Centro Banamex in Mexico City, confirmed that the Mexican art scene embraces a vision much larger than its admirable tradition of mural art, exemplified by Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Jose Clemente Orozco, and its propensity for self-inspection, a la Frida Kahlo.

In fact, the FEMACO fair is notable precisely for the fact that its exhibitors include not only the most respected Mexican galleries and the artists they represent, but also a surprising number of European galleries, particularly from Scandinavian countries.

Photo by Nahkahousu

FEMACO is truly an international art fair, and a visit to this fair can easily be extended into a longer vacation that immerses you in Mexico City’s rich tradition of artistic activity, as well as its bustling contemporary scene. Mexico City is my part-time home, so if you do visit next year’s FEMACO, be sure to check out my Green Guide to Mexico City and the Top 5 Ways to Experience Mexico City Like a Local.

9. CIRCA Art Fair

CIRCA has been incorrectly dubbed as the Caribbean’s first international art fair, which overlooks the fact that Havana has long sponsored a biennial that is respected around the world, but no matter: CIRCA is a highly respectable art fair entering its third year, and each year has been better than the one before.

What makes the CIRCA Art Fair a must-visit on the international art fair circuit is the fact that both gallery owners and artists are accessible to new and established collectors alike. The fair gets bonus points because of its strategic location: a new convention center placed at the crossroads between historic Old San Juan and the popular nightlife and beach destination, Condado.

Having called San Juan home for two and a half years, I know the area well. Check out my Green Guide to Puerto Rico and Top 10 Experiences in Puerto Rico Guide.

Photo by Naligum.

8. ARTSingapore

While the Shanghai Art Fair might be bigger and more popular, ARTSingapore offers an interesting alternative in Asia for collectors and browsers.

First, the fair is held in October, whereas many other international fairs are held in the late spring or early summer, so ARTSingapore is a welcome addition to the fall fair schedule.

The other attractive aspect of the ARTSingapore fair is the diversity of its exhibitors. The 2008 exhibitor list includes at least 22 galleries from Korea, a country often excluded from other fairs, and additional participants from Israel, Australia, and Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, countries which also tend to be overlooked on the international art fair circuit.

Want some local news from Singapore? Contact Matador member Nora Dunn, whose current trip has her transiting through Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Photo by Hiromy

7. Affordable Art Fair

If you’re not in the market to buy an artwork with an inflated price tag, this is the art fair for you.

Held each June in New York City, the premise of the Affordable Art Fair is simple: attract a new generation of art collectors by introducing art work that can be bought within the limitations of almost any budget.

Pieces range in price from $100 to $10,000, but don’t think that the low prices mean substandard art work. With more than 70 galleries representing artists from North and South America, Asia, and Europe, you’ll certainly find a selection of art that doesn’t just fit your budget, but also aligns with your tastes.

While you’re in town, take advantage of your visit and see how many of The 10 Best Experiences in New York City. Period you can check off my list.

6. Joburg Art Fair

2008 was the inaugural year of this latest art fair in an already crowded international art fair schedule, but is poised to quickly become the “IT” destination for purchasing contemporary African art.

The fair also promises to be interesting to watch for the political issues it raises regarding the way Africa is represented and represents itself before the world, as well as economic issues.

Get insiders’ tips from our resident South Africa expert, Ethekwinigirl.

Photo by Matthias Contze.

5. Art Dubai

It’s not hard to believe that Dubai is the latest go-to destination for art collectors; after all, this is the “city built for tourism” as a “playpen for the rich.”

But even if you can’t afford a single piece at the Art Dubai fair, you’ll surely enjoy taking in views of some of the most exciting and edgy art in the world, from the ironic “Desperately Seeking Paradise,” a curated exhibit of work from Pakistani artists, to the Bidoun Lounge, a site-specific installation serving both as bar and theatre for the exhibition of video works from Middle Eastern artists.

Learn more about Dubai before you go from Matador member, Abha, who lived in Dubai and is our resident expert on the city.

4. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Another young art fair, the DAAF also promises to be a hot fair within the next few years.

Held in Darwin City, Australia, the DAAF is smaller than most international art fairs in terms of the number of exhibitors it includes in its schedule, but it’s also much more intentional about who it includes and why: only artists, galleries, and community based arts centers who can verify the provenance of the art work as justly acquired from indigenous and Aboriginal peoples.

Many artists are on hand to talk about their work. The diversity of the work itself is another reason to recommend this fair: in addition to paintings on canvas, collectors can acquire bark paintings, timber and metal sculptures, didjeridus, fiber arts, and jewelry.

Get some travel tips from Australia experts and be sure to check out the blog of Matador’s Australian expat, croftyangel, who reports about life down under.

3. The Moscow World Fine Art Fair

It’s likely you won’t be able to purchase a piece at this fair unless your pockets are deep, but that’s part of the fun of this particular art fair.

Attracting the growing nouveau riche class of art collectors from Russia and Asia, the Moscow FAF is as much about people-watching as it is about analyzing art.

Beyond the social value of this art fair, it’s one of the few fairs that have such a broad scope of artistic genres and works from various periods, ranging from antiquity to the present.

The location is interesting, too: poised between the Kremlin and Red Square, the Moscow FAF is pure fun. Matador member ZTP Teo has lived in Moscow; hit him up for some local recommendations.

Photo by 101 Tokyo Contemporary Art Fair.

2. 101 Tokyo

Fresh from its wildly successful first year, the 101 Tokyo Art Fair has already outgrown its host space and will be expanding in 2009, including 60 national and international galleries.

The list of first year exhibitors proves that the 101 Tokyo organizers are clearly able to collect an impressive range of galleries and genres under a single roof; the 2009 fair promises to be even more exciting.

Contact Matador’s Tokyo expert, Masaya, if you plan to visit this fair.

1. Toronto International Art Fair

TAF nabs the number one spot on our list because its organizers clearly concern themselves with much more than just selling art; they organize the fair to stimulate conversation about art by introducing a series of special projects intended to engage both serious collectors and first-time browsers alike.

The vast majority of exhibitors are Canadian galleries, suggesting that TIAF sticks with what it knows best: its own country’s art. Finally, like ARTSingapore, TIAF is held in October, a strategically smart move that minimizes competition.

Check out Matador member Travelflare’s guide, 5 Reasons to Visit Toronto.

Community Connection

Want to find local art fairs in the US? Check out ArtFairCalendar. For a list of other arts fairs around the world, check out Art Fairs International.

Over 40,000 people rocked out to the likes of Tom Petty, Coldplay, Jay-Z, and The Flaming Lips, along with over 100 other performers, at the first annual Pemberton Festival.

Myself and travel writer/host Robin Esrock were on the scene to capture the action.

Part I

Kicking off with a train ride on the Whistler Mountaineer, Robin Esrock (host of Word Travels) heads up to the first annual Pemberton Festival. Watch as Robin braves traffic woes, port ‘o toilets, and some excellent bands at BC’s largest rock concert ever. Part one features interviews with Grand Ole Party and Chromeo.

Part II

In Part Two, Robin interviews the bands Black Mountain, Low vs Diamond, and The Airborne Toxic Event. He also talks with music fans, panty vendors, asking what they liked the best and worst about the Pemberton Festival.

Did you attend Pemberton Fest? Share your experiences in the comments!

Feature photo by Marcus Correa. Photo above by carf.

Where to Stay

In Lapa, you’ll pay a fraction of the price that you would pay at one of the Ipanema or Copacabana high-rises and you’ll be close to the best all-night party. This way you can bus it to the beaches during the day. Otherwise, you’ll end up taking a taxi to Lapa at night.

You can prebook a hostel, like Brazil Hostel or Rio Hostel. If you like to travel by the seat of your pants, drop into one of Lapa’s love motels. They are cheaper than hostels, have private bathrooms, and you don’t have to book a package if you’re not staying all four nights.

Check out the Nova Mundo. It’s got balconies, radios, TV’s and big mirrors. Note there is also an upscale Hotel Nova Mundo in Flamengo, so if you hop in a cab, make sure you specify Motel Nova Mundo in Lapa.

Where to Party

If you want to watch Carnival, go to the Sambadrome. If you want to be in Carnival, stick to the streets. Keep your ears open for blocos, foot parades in which locals dance up and down the street to the beats of a truck top samba band. Beer carts follow.

Some good ones go up Rio Branco, the main street of downtown Rio, as well as Lapa and Santa Teresa. Copacabana has a wild one and Ipanema has a great gay party.

Samba Cheap Seats

You’re going to want to check out the Sambadrome at least one night. Plan to go when Mangueira or Beija Flor parade, but don’t buy expensive tickets ahead of time. Show up around 6:00 PM and get them from a scalper. They shouldn’t be more than 15 reais per ticket. Say “Mais barato possível.”

Banda Beija-Flor percussionist. Photo by carf.

Eats

Try açaí (Ah-sai-ee) from corner side juice stops. Order açaí na tigela com banana e granola. It’s a great energizing food on a hot day. If you don’t like it the first time, eat it two more times and I guarantee you’ll be addicted.

On the street, eat meat on a skewer dipped in farofa, ground flour from the manioc root. Other good snacks to fill your belly between drinks are misto quentes (grilled ham and cheese),presunto e queijo joelho (ham and cheese wrap), or frango com catipury (chicken and creamy cheese), and pastel com queijo (fried pastry with cheese).

In a restaurant, try isca de peixe com molho rose (fried fish pieces with mayo and ketchup sauce) aipim frito (fried yucca), and picanha, or filet mignon, the best cuts of meat.

Digs

Skol is the Carioca favorite. To order, just twirl your finger in a circular motion.

Only we, as foreigners, really drink more than one caipirinha–cachaça with sugar, lime and ice. They will put you down. Caipivodkas, made with vodka instead of cachaça, are a little smoother.

Capetas are devilishly delicious—vodka, condensed milk, vanilla, guaraná powder, and cinnamon shaken with ice. Batidas are fruity and creamy. I like guaraná soda and vodka. Hydrate with água de coco beachside from a green coconut.

How to Be and How Not to Be

Dance. Don’t worry if you can’t samba; just move your feet, work up a sweat and smile. Brazilians want you to enjoy their culture.

Don’t be afraid to participate in what I call “the kissing game.” All year long, visions of Carnival dance in Brazilian boys’ heads, the one time of year when they will get to kiss—a lot. Boys, that goes for you too.

Pre/Post Party

In Rio, the party doesn’t stop, especially between November-March. If you happen to be in Rio the months leading up to Carnival, go to a Samba school on a Saturday night. Mangueira, Beija Flor, and Sangueira are the most well-known, but don’t overlook the small ones, like Princesa Isabella.

If you miss the floats during Carnival, the winners parade once more the following Saturday. This is when most Cariocas go. And sunrise from Copacabana is always good to go.

Community Connection

Visiting Brazil but not during Carnival? Check out our guide to the best venues and shows in Bahia.

Studying (or thinking about studying) in Brazil? Check out the Best Places to Study in Brazil.

Finally, for dozens of blogs, plus feature articles, local experts, travelers currently in Brazil, as well as volunteer opportunities and more, check out our Brazil page at Matador.

Feature photo by larskflem. Photo above by spinlab

When I went to my first summer musical festival few years back I was unprepared and could’ve used a little guidance. Over the last few years as I’ve covered Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival, moe.down, and other summer festivals, I’ve acquired a checklist of sorts that I wish I’d had before embarking on my first festival.

Seasoned veteran or festival novice, I hope these tips can make your experience more rocking, relaxing and fun.

Picking a festival

One of the best places to start is going to Jambase.com, an aggregator of all things involved with music festivals and concerts. Check out the history of each particular festival via its website or third party music blogs or websites.

Each festival tries to set itself apart by creating a particular slant through a combination of line-up, location, and overall vibe. Generally, festivals will be teaming up with local and regional media and artists to offer unique side shows ranging from improve theater to art exhibits to on-site record stores and activist booths promoting voter registration and green initiatives.

As you do your research, think about the following:

Festival passes can range anywhere from $50 to $250 (US Dollars) or higher, depending on venue, location and who’s headlining and promoting the festival.

M.I.A. rocking Coachella. Photo by SToppin.

Musical tastes are pretty diverse these days as most people enjoy several genres and the festival line-ups show. Though there are festivals that are genre exclusive, most festivals showcase acts playing everything from bluegrass to hip hop.

For festivals like Bonnaroo, Coachella and Rothbury, much of the experience is all about pitching your tent and camping out for the weekend. Some of the camping festivals do offer luxury cabins or tents at higher ticket prices.

Most festivals offer a map before you get there so you’ll want to know where the camping sites are in relation to the parking and the music stages. If the camping sites are far you’ll want to keep your gear light or invest in a small pull wagon or cart.

Depending on how much sleep you want to get or how close you want to be to the action, as many of these festivals run 24/7, you’ll want to know if the camping sites are near the stages, scattered across the grounds or both.

Bring the usual camping gear–tent, sleeping bag, etc.—and in the age of texting and cell phones, you’ll want have some type of alternate power source like a car charger.

If you’re attending a festival located in a city or metropolitan area such as Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Festival in Chicago or All Points West in New Jersey, getting a hotel room for the weekend on your own is an option or you can take advantage of the festival’s package lodging deals.

Some cities also have affordable hostel locations available, or you can connect with a friend in that city and work out a set up to stay with them during the weekend and maybe even go to the festival together.

Learn the local history before you go.

As with any travels, having a cultural awareness of where you’re going can enrich your festival experience and take you beyond just enjoying the music. The uniqueness of many of the best festivals is rooted in their locality. For example, Glastonbury in the UK occurs on festival grounds that go back for centuries.

Being clued in on local culture and history will also help if you plan on venturing away during the show to give your ears a rest or plan a pre or post festival mini-excursion to visit other locations nearby.

Push slightly outside of your cultural and comfort zone.

One of the best parts about the summer music festival experience is observing the meshing of different cultures and being around a new group of people. As more and more festivals incorporate different genres, I’ve seen an increasingly diverse cross-section of fans at festivals.

Take the opportunity to interact with other festival-goers, and don’t be afraid to ask for that camping tool you forgot. chat about the last night’s set of a commonly admired band, or join in a game of Frisbee.

Be smart about using drugs and alcohol.

I don’t include this tip to be a killjoy, but only as a word of caution. I’ve seen festival experiences come to an early end and create a complete nightmare for everyone involved because of drug and alcohol abuse.

Even though music culture and drug culture overlap, especially in a live music setting, be wise about bringing drugs or large amounts of alcohol into the festival. At most festivals you’re going to get searched inside and out before you even get though the gates. Security will either confiscate prohibited materials or ask you to leave with no ticket refunds.

Make time to chill.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to plan out a few intervals of rest and not run yourself ragged and become ornery by trying to see every band. If you’ve done initial research on the area, take a short trek to one of those spots you learned about and give your cochleas a break.

Many festivals have also begun featuring morning yoga classes, offering a chance to recharge the mind and body. I can’t stress this enough. However you do it; whether it’s reading a book, taking a nap or journaling in a quiet spot, make time to give your ears and other senses a rest. Knowing the festival ground layout and scheduling in time to relax is the most important tip I can give you.

Community Connection

Heading to a festival this summer? Link up with new friends on your way there by posting to matador’s forum.

For more on music festivals, check out our Top 10 Music Festivals Worldwide.

Feature photo by marfis75. Photo above by paalb

Here’s a bit of trivia to impress your friends with: Did you know that Canada’s low-profile capital city hosts one of the largest music festivals in North America?

I bet you didn’t, and your friends don’t either.

Hey, you know what will make that little gem even more impressive? Dropping the factoid, and then adding: “And I’ve been there.”

What It’s All About

Ottawa’s annual blues festival (officially known as the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest) takes place for ten days in early July – this year’s runs from July 3 to July 13 – and brings in some huge acts.

In spite of the name, the festival doesn’t limit itself to blues; in fact, its official mission is to “support and sustain the growth of emerging and diverse musical genres” including world music, jazz, funk, soul, folk, and fusions of all of the above.

Photo by bagels

In the past few years, Bluesfest has seen the likes of George Thorogood, Lauryn Hill, The Neville Brothers, Etta James, ZZ Top, Johnny Lang, and Kanye West hit the stage.

Last year alone, I rocked out with Van Morrison, The White Stripes, Bob Dylan, Manu Chao and George Clinton’s P-Funk All-Stars, all in a matter of days.

While Bluesfest always draws big names from around the world, a huge part of their mission is about encouraging homegrown talent; several of the festival’s seven stages are devoted almost exclusively to Canadian up-and-comers.

It’s also a popular draw for those Canadian acts that have already made it big: Feist, Metric, Stars and Broken Social Scene have all been known to show up, and Canadian rock icons The Tragically Hip are regular performers.

All that, and it’s green, too! Last year Bluesfest introduced large-scale supervised bicycle parking, compostable corn-based beer cups, and bio-diesel generators to power the festival.

The whole show takes place at historic Lebreton Flats, beautifully located along the Ottawa River with great access to public transit, riverside bike paths, and walking distance to downtown.

Convinced yet?

Photo by tcp909

This Year’s All-Star Lineup

The range of acts at Bluesfest this year is as eclectic as ever.

On the hip hop side of things, Fergie, Sean Paul and Wyclef Jean are representing for the big-name, Top 40 scene, and Jully Black reminds everyone that Toronto’s got beats, too.

Boz Scaggs, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ put the blues back in Bluesfest, while Canned Heat is still going strong thirty-nine years after their appearance at the original Woodstock.

Feist, The Tragically Hip, Metric, Stars, Weakerthans, Hayden and Wintersleep are some of the bigger-name Canadians performing this year. Up-and-coming indie rockers Tokyo Police Club are a local hipster favorite.

Brian Wilson, Don McLean, James Taylor, and Lucinda Williams together represent a pretty influential (and diverse) spread in the great American singer-songwriter tradition, while Widespread Panic have been described as the inheritors of the Grateful Dead’s “road-warrior mantle.”

Photo by jsome1

Did I mention Akon? Joan Armatrading? Steely Dan? Primus? The Black Crowes?

How about Balkan Beat Box, featured recently in this Matador article? Ottawa-based and New Orleans-inspired Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo? Or Southern gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama? Perhaps you might remember The Wailers – better known as “Bob Marley and…”?

And that’s just a sample – the best thing about Bluesfest is having the chance to see old-timers you’ve always dreamed of catching live, and then wandering over to a smaller stage and discovering a new local gem.

This festival crosses boundaries of age, genre, language, culture, and nationality. It’s a music festival first and foremost, unfettered by distinctions between rock and country, blues and soul, indie and sell-out.

See the full schedule at the Bluesfest website – you can search by day, by stage, or by performer.

Tickets and Other Practicalities

Oh yeah – and did I mention that you can see all ten days of music for just $200?

Photo by bagels

The full-festival pass is a mind-blowingly good deal. The 4-day ($120) and 3-day ($95) passes for the two weekends of the festival are also extremely good value, while the one-day passes are a little steeper, ranging from $32-$40. Keep in mind that the festival starts rocking in the early afternoon and between all the various stages it never pauses for breath, so even a one-day pass is buying you up to 12 hours of live music.

The Bluesfest site has all the info on buying tickets in advance.

Detailed information on the capital’s greenest eats, accommodation, and activities can be found in The Traveler’s Notebook Green Guide to Ottawa. For more on the music that’s Made in Canada, see my blog, Music For A Canadian Road Trip. And for the inside scoop on O-Town’s culinary claim to fame, the mighty shawarma, check out Shawarma Love in Ottawa.

Community Connection

Bluesfest starts early this year, on Thursday, July 3. If you have the time, hit town a couple days early for Canada Day, on July 1. It’s the one day a year when Ottawa really lets its hair down, with a red-and-white-painted downtown street party 30,000-strong.

Flag-capes, drinking before noon, and strategically-placed maple leaves are de rigueur. Book your accommodation early, find a Couchsurfing host, or just suck it up and party all night long.

Finally, if you’re organizing a roadtrip there and looking for riders, post a notice on our forum and / or blog about it at Matador.

Feature photo by krebsmaus07. Photo by Nicole Pelligrino.

With over seventy percent of the population claiming African ancestry, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil has been described as the “Most African city in the Americas.” Yet limiting Bahia to a tiny piece of Africa nestled into the coast of Brazil is a bit too neat. Bahia represents one of the great cultural mélanges of the New World. Nowhere is this more evident than in the musical traditions of Salvador.

Living and working in Salvador, I’ve found that taking in the local music and nightlife is the best means of unwinding after my long, hot, post-work commute, or after an all day sun-bake at the beach. Salvador offers a wide assortment of venues and distinctive musical styles.

While Carnaval is the celebration of the year, the city provides ample year-round entertainment. From the authentic sounds of Northeastern Forró, Axé, and Samba, to African drumming and imports like Salsa and Reggae, to a unique breed of singer/songwriter types–there is truly something for everyone.

The following are the 10 best spots / events to take in the unique nightlife of Salvador.

1. Terça da Bênção

The weekly Terça da Bênção (Tuesday of Blessing) in Pelourinho jam-packs the streets of the Old City with both locals and tourists. Salvador’s famous drumming blocos take to the streets, and behind them Soteropolitanos (Individuals from Salvador) perform elaborate synchronized dances. Onlookers encircle the musicians and performers. Didá Banda Feminina, an all-girl Afro-bloco (and one of many community-based music groups) consistently draws a massive crowd.

2. Terreiro de Jesus

Terreiro de Jesus, the central public square in Pelourhino, framed by churches on nearly every side, is a popular place to check out a variety of local acts. The city erects a large, well-lit stage, and fantastic sound system. Folks flood the square; standing and sitting at plastic tables, eating Acarajé from Baihanas, drinking beer and citrus-sugary capirinhas. People dance and sing along. The effusiveness of Bahians is infectious—you will inevitably find yourself on your feet, dancing and chiming into the music.

Photo by fabbio

3. Gerônimo

Gerônimo is a must-see on Tuesdays. He and his band, Mont Serrat, take the stage which sits atop the steps of the Igreja (Church) do Passo on the Ladeira (Hill) do Carmo. The church stands at the cusp of Pelourhino and neighboring Santo Antônio, and the festivities begin around 7 PM. Arriving early is best to secure a superior view of the band.

Gerônimo’s music is the pride of Salvador, and the number of bodies crammed into the bottleneck-shaped space is always staggering. It may be a claustrophobe’s nightmare, but few Brazilians are daunted by the crowd’s density. Relax and join in the revelry.

4. Salsa Night at Sankofa’a African Bar

Stroll back in the direction of Terreiro de Jesus and stop in at Sankofa’a African Bar for Salsa night. I try to grab an open seat near the edge and watch the talented band and the highly-skilled Salseros. I am generally too intimidated by the expertise of these dancers to join in. For those more valiant than me, Salsa teachers who frequent Sankofa will be glad to lead if you are willing to try.

If your two left feet get the best of you, wander upstairs and take a break on one of the hammocks, and check out the old Reggae music videos on the projector screen, or wander onto the veranda and gaze down at the crowds below.

5. Reggae night at Arté Bahia

Salvador’s music scene is largely homegrown, but Reggae (pronounced “hay-gee” in Portuguese) is becoming an increasingly central element of the city’s musical repertoire. Friday is reggae night at Arté Bahia in Pelourinho, the open air bar; cheap drinks and affordable admission have inspired me to return time and time again.

As the popularity of Reggae continues to increase in Salvador, new artists are popping up rapidly. Even so, polished, experienced, and professional artists are still easy to spot.

Photo by brunogirin

6. Saturday Nights at Bispo Hostel

Bispo’s crowd ranges in age from teens through seniors, and the group is lively, the ambiance intimate and welcoming. Candles arranged in a circular pattern adorn the walls and provide the sole light source for the upstairs music area. Bispo also boasts a large backyard, with an elevated stage and a pit.

Performances are typically collaborative and varied, featuring new musicians and regulars alike. Shows integrate African-derived call and response, experimentation with such instruments as Zimbabwean Xylophones, as well as kalimbas and shakeres.

7. Ladeira do Curuzu on Saturdays

Ilê Aiyé is an Afro-bloco based out of Liberdade and can be seen on the Ladeira do Curuzu on Saturdays. Recently, I was fortunate enough to catch their annual Festival of Black Music and was treated to a showcase of talented musicians; some from Salvador and others from greater Brazil. Margareth Menezes’ powerful voice shook the walls of the concert hall from the stage, while the members of Ilê Aiyé drummed away on the same floor as the concert-goers, who were encouraged to participate, dancing and singing until 5 AM.

8. Sundays at O Galpão Cheio de Assunto

Peu Meurray has done a great job of turning his art into an accessible and interesting musical endeavor, including the transformation of tires into rolling drums. He plays on Sundays at O Galpão Cheio de Assunto in the Sete Portas neighborhoos. Accompanied by his band, os Pneumáticos, he adds new life to the classic sounds of Northeastern Forró.

The open-air music venue doubles as a miniature gallery, one of the most colorful and eclectic spots in the city. This is also a great place to learn how to dance forró. Locals will take you under their wing and show you the simple moves. Be prepared to move your hips; this is NOT the Texas two-step!

9. Jota Veloso at Sesi in Rio Vermelho

Rio Vermelho is a neighborhood on the opposite side of town, another popular location for both music and nightlife. Largo de Santana is notorious for having the best Acarajé in town. After grabbing a beer and food, I walk over to Sesi, a pricey but lovely restaurant and venue which backs up to the Atlantic Ocean.

Featured on selected nights is singer/ composer Jota Veloso (nephew of the legendary Caetano Veloso). A showcase of some of Salvador’s finest talent.

10. Mondays at Casa de Mãe

Another option is Mondays at Casa de Mãe, which are inexpensive, and relaxing. Get there early, and grab a seat with an ocean view on the balcony, as the heat inside can become a bit stifling. An interesting spot is Nhô Caldos, an anomaly in Salvador.

The bar and restaurant pours out onto Rua do Atlantico, and is the only place I have seen punk music featured in the city thus far. Yet other nights it maintains a quieter, family-friendly atmosphere. I cannot quite figure it out, but I like it.

Photo by Nicole Pelligrino

Tips on Nightlife in Salvador

The quantity of things to do is contingent upon the season, the day of the week, and the weather conditions. Carnaval time in February is the apex of the high season, while the low season is between July and September.

Though there is great fervor surrounding Carnaval, the city is much more affordable and relaxed during the low season. Spending the evening at one of Salvador’s many cheap outdoor bars and sharing beer with friends can be just as enjoyable as a night out on the town.

Arriving early at sure-to-be-packed events is a good idea, but do not be surprised if they begin an hour or two after scheduled. Nightlife is a game of give-and-take in Salvador; folks are incredibly low-key when it comes to going out, expect them to be similarly relaxed when it comes to punctuality. Shows scheduled for 7 PM may not commence until 9; friends with whom you have arranged to meet at 9 may not arrive until 10 or 10:30. I have grown accustomed to it.

Finally, these recommendations are intended to provide a concise list of possibilities for visitors and those new to the city. New opportunities to experience the vibrant music and nightlife of Salvador emerge weekly. Come see for yourself. Boa Sorte!

Feature shot by re-ality Photo above by grahammclellan

In no particular order, here are our top 10 must see parties:

La Tomatina

What: Nobody is really sure how it began- practical joke? A harmless food fight between two merchants? A prank? No one knows but this messy fiesta has been a strong tradition since 1945. On the last Wednesday in August, about 30,000 people descend on this little town to participate in the world’s largest food fight. Never had that massive cafeteria food fight when you were younger? Well, here’s your chance.

When: The last Wednesday in August.

Where: The tiny town of Buñol in the Valencia region of Spain

Bring: Throw-away clothes and goggles! Tomato juice in the eye stings!
Learn more

Full Moon Party

What: Legend has it that the Full Moon Party started as a birthday party in the 80s. The backpackers decided to come back again and again. Soon word spread and every month, backpackers would head to KPG to party.

Over the years, the hippy party morphed into a 20,000 person festival. Even in the low season, the party still sees about 10,000 visitors. Many people will tell you that it’s lost its charm over the years but for a serious dose of all night (and all day) partying in Thailand, this is place to get it.

Photo by jeremydeades

When: During the full moon, every month

Where: Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

Bring: Your drinking shoes, a red bull, facepaint, and clothes you don’t care about.
Learn more

Burning Man

What: Looking for the ultimate arts extravaganza? Burning Man is for you! An 8 day festival that culminates in the burning of a 72ft wooden man, this festival is where you can cut loose. Each year has a theme (this year, it’s “American Dream”) and last year 47,000 people decided to join the fun.

Photo by colvid daorado

When: Starts 8 days before the American Labor Day, September

Where: Blackrock Desert, Nevada USA

Bring: Everything BUT money! Burning Man runs on a full barter system and the only things you can buy are water and ice. Aside from the obvious supplies you’d take camping, other essentials include sunblock, a Camel Back and goggles. MOST importantly, bring something that allows you to participate–that’s what Burning Man is all about.
Learn more

Songkran

What: Songkran is the Thai New Year. It’s a spiritual festival designed to cool you down and wash away the sins of the previous year. What better way of doing that than by committing a few new ones, right away? Songkran takes place all over the country with everyone embarking on possibly the world’s largest water fight.

When: Mid-April

Where: Anywhere in the land of Smiles (Bangkok and Chang Mai have the biggest parties)

Bring: Anything you don’t mind wearing only once, a water gun, extra water, and a good attitude.
Learn more

Glastonbury Music Festival

What: A 3 day music festival designed to celebrate the earth, music, and the arts, this festival brings in people from all over the world. Last year’s event had over 177,000 people and 700 musical acts.

When: The last weekend in June

Where: Pilton, England

Bring: Tickets, a tent, sleeping bag, food, and whatever else you “need” to have fun.
Learn more

Holi

What: Similar to the Thai holiday of Songrkan, Holi is a two day Hindu spring festival that occurs in northern India. The first night is marked by bonfires, and the second day is spent pleasuring your inner 2nd grader by splashing colored flour and water over everybody. It’s a celebration about renewal.

Photo by faceme

When: The full moon in March.

Where: India

Bring: Red, orange, and green flour, lots of water, clothes you don’t need!
Learn more

Bay to Breakers

What: It’s supposed to be a 7 mile foot race but instead it’s a 7 mile costume party and keg race that goes through downtown San Francisco. It began in 1906 to keep people’s sprits up after the earthquake and locals are still keeping that alive, in force! Over 70,000 people, congregate downtown in costumes (or nothing at all) and shopping carts filled with kegs. A little Mardi Gras + a little Halloween college party = a lot of fun.

Photo by weylandphoto

When: The third Sunday in May.

Where: San Francisco, California

Bring: A crazy costume and lots of beer!
Learn more

Australia Day

What: Australians love two things: beer and bbqs. No day brings out the best in these two than Australia Day, when Aussies celebrate the first European settlement on the continent of Australia. Aussies, a normally festive bunch, kick it up a notch all over the country with bbqs, music, and beer. From the cities to the towns, Aussies are out in full force. If you don’t already have an Aussie friend to take you under his/her wing, head to a beach with beer and make some new friends! Most Australians would love nothing more to break in a newbie!

Photo by Scootie

When: January 26

Where: Anywhere in Oz!

Bring: Your Australian pride, a case of Carlton draught or Coopers, and something for the grill.
Learn more

Queen’s Day

What: The normally reserved Dutch cut lose to celebrate the birth of their Queen. Originally to celebrate the birth of Juliana, the day now celebrates the birth of Beatrix, whose January birthday makes it cold to party. All over the country, the Dutch head outside with their beer and music, flood the streets in orange, and cruise up and down the canals in revelry.

When: April 30th

Where: The Netherlands (Amsterdam has the biggest party)

Bring: Anything orange!
Learn more

Calgary Stampede

What: A 10 day rodeo that attracts over a million visitors during its course. The festival features a parade and is the largest event in Canada. But don’t come to watch the rodeo, come for the party! The throngs of people who flock to Calgary are there for the revelry, the beer, and the girls (or boys).

When: Second week in July

Where: Calgary, Alberta

Bring: Your best cowboy outfit and a tolerance for country music.
Learn more

What’s your favorite party on the planet? What nationality of people do you think party the hardest? Let your voice be heard and leave something for all to see, in the comments!

Serj Tankian. Photo of by CC_Baxter. Front cover photo of Coachella 2007 by Mick 0

Overview

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has evolved into the most diverse musical event in all of North America, and among the best of all festivals when you factor in the art installations and on-site camping. We’ll start with some recommendations if you’re a first-timer, then move on to our picks for the top 10 hottest acts.

Coachella is held in the desert terrain of Indio, California. Temperatures get hot during the day and chilly at night, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses and sweatshirts! It can get dusty too. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for heavy dancing.

Unfortunately, the free Coachella Express Train from LA to Indio is already at capacity, but check the carpool page to see if you can hook up with someone from your town! Another option: post a carpool request on the forums at matador.

There are five main stages and over 100 acts scheduled, so I’ve narrowed it down to 10 of the hottest, most diverse acts that you absolutely cannot miss:

1. DIPLO.

This native Mississippian (A.K.A. Wes Pentz) juggles Dirty South beats (His album Florida musically captures the landscape of the swampy state.) mixed with Brazilian, Indian, and other multi-ethnic vocals.

He’s worked with everyone from M.I.A. to Madonna, and it’s not hard to see why—his stuff is simple but hits you hard. For a sample, check out www.myspace.com/diplo

2. SERJ TANKIAN

Weird. At least, that’s what comes to mind at first listen to this Armenian-American musician from Los Angeles. Also the lead singer of System of a Down, it’s not surprising that his lyrics are politically critical (His new album’s called Elect the Dead).

Call it weird, call it punk, carnivalistic, or let me throw out “haunted,” one thing’s for sure: This is excellent music. www.serjtankian.com, www.myspace.com/serjtankian

3. KRAFTWERK

There’s at least one great reason to check out this group on Saturday: bragging rights. Kraftwerk is a legendary band–one of the first electronic music groups, which formed in the early ‘70s. This group has seen an evolution of many albums and many different members, but maintains the basics: synth-pop with manipulated instrumental tracks and vocal distortion, creating some of the most unique music out there. www.kraftwerk.com, www.myspace.com/kraftwerk

M.I.A. photo by SToppin

4. M.I.A.

This hot star on the rise has a sultry, tough style. Some of her lyrics are most certainly influenced by the fact that her family fled to London from Sri Lanka in the height of civil war, when she was just 10 years old.

She flaunts a crazy individualistic style in both fashion and music; her beats and rhymes are fresh and original. www.miauk.com, www.myspace.com/mia

5. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

If you feel like shaking your ass, check out Baltimore’s Animal Collective. They’re not your average, easy-going jam band, I’d say, but quite experimental and complex.

Trying to follow the lyrics through the rhythm and melody is like trying to find your way out of a labyrinth. www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband

6. KATE NASH

Twenty-year old Kate Nash will steal your heart with her rockin’ voice and irresistible British accent. She’s not exactly your sweet little girl with a guitar, however; some incredible back-up artists and a spunky style give her folk-pop songs an indie edge. Her lyrics can be ridiculously funny in that British way. www.katenash.co.uk, www.myspace.com/katenashmusic

7. DEVOTCHKA

You know you’ve got an interesting group on your hands when you find out that they started out as a back-up band for burlesque shows, and that their name comes from Nadsat (Anthony Burgess’ made-up language in A Clockwork Orange) for “young girl.” This quartet is a cocktail of sounds: gypsy, Greek, Bolero, Mariachi, punk, and folk, and yet all of the mishmash doesn’t take away from their delicate and melodic, almost classical style. www.devotchka.net, www.myspace.com/devotchkamusic

photo by Lauren Dukoff

8. GOGOL BORDELLO

Creating more of a funky cabaret experience than a concert, this self-described “gypsy punk” band will keep you laughing and dancing all-show long. A mixture of Eastern European street sounds (with traditional instruments such as accordions, fiddles, etc.), electronics, and a little punk to lace it all together, the energy of this conglomerate of musicians is through the roof. www.gogolbordello.com

9. MY MORNING JACKET

My Morning Jacket got their name from “MMJ,” the initials found on the lining of a jacket found in the ruins of the lead singer’s favorite bar after it had burned down. Combining the drawling Southern rock influences of their roots (Louisville, Kentucky) with more progressive, reverb-drenched tones, this group will leave you wondering where the merch table is. www.mymorningjacket.com, www.myspace.com/mymorningjacket

10. ROGER WATERS

All live music fiends know (or should know) who Roger Waters is, and somewhere at the core of our musical fabric of being is that lingering sentiment: “Damn, it would have been so cool to see Pink Floyd live.” Unlikely for our generation, but Waters, the ever-dedicated former Floyd singer, has been touring Dark Side of the Moon Live since the summer of 2006. Don’t miss it. http://www.roger-waters.com, www.myspace.com/georgerogerwaters

Have an awesome time at Coachella 2008!

Photo by Lucia Stewart

Burning Man is a gathering of the spicy, creative people who “come home” to Black Rock City, Nevada for one week a year to share wildly artistic creations and to play, dance and live in the moment dressed, or undressed, in whatever style suits them.

Burning Man was originally created on the beaches of San Francisco before moving to the Black Rock Desert, a dried up lake bed known as the playa. This is where some 48,000 people gather to create a bustling city that breaths art and interaction 24 hours a day for seven days each year.

photo by Lucia Stewart

Hardcore burners spend months, if not all year, planning, scheming, building and sewing for the Black Rock City’s art cars, art installations, and elaborate camps.

Daytime Activity

Whatever you desire, the city has to offer. It’s afternoon… Want to go Disco Roller Skating? Or how about learning to pole dance? There’s a 2,000-person meditation session over yonder? Or look, there’s someone serving popsicles out of a cooler on his lizard bike.

I heard there’s a phone booth where you can talk to God, or you might want to enjoy the Sweat Lodge Camp before playing the life-size Operator game that gives you quite a VOLT.

And of course, a stop at the Deep End for a few House DJ grooves with the 1,200 other afternoon revelers is definitely in order.

Nocturnal

Evenings and late nights are spent exploring the city that has transformed into a glowing, fiery, seemingly-endless landscape. DJ’s sound systems pulsate in every direction. Fire-dancing circuses and 3,000-person Light Saber wars last for hours.

A fireball-blowing elephant hosting 45 dancers rolls past with a groove that makes you jump on-board, where you find a full bar on the carpeted second-story. The elephant dance bar is one of hundreds of art cars rolling around the playa.

Morning

Mornings find you watching the sunrise in the deep playa, and slowly wandering home on your bike, exploring art installations of large hands reaching towards the sky or a series of smoke rings that greet the sun, shooting hundreds of feet in the air, high and wide.

Or how about one last dance at the giant golden dragon that is welcoming the day with smooth electronic grooves next to the intricately carved Temple.

Anytime of day or night, set-off into the city to discover whatever you desire — it will be found, plus more.

Essential things to bring

photo by Lucia Stewart

Bring what you would take to be a self-sufficient camping unit, complete with plenty of water and sunscreen.

In addition, your checklist should include: plenty of lively costumes, warm clothes, goggles, a dust mask, a method to light yourself up or your bike at night (very important!) and of course, a way to contribute to the community (OK, even more important!).

Burning Man is based on a society that thrives because of community contributions. Without this, the city would not function. There are over 2,000 volunteers for the event, along with tens of thousands of others who bring their contributions to the city.

Observers and Participants

See, there are the observers and there are participants at Burning Man. Those who are observers do not invigorate the society, and therefore really don’t experience Burning Man for what it truly is.

As a participant, you bring something to offer others — be it an art installation, an open conversation, or a hundred Bloody Marys. The most crucial and basic contribution is to respect and honor all that is around you.

Everything is free; everyone is welcome; just be a contributor to the community.

Myself, I am a member of Camp Hook-up – making sure you have what you need. As Hookers, we all carry portable brief cases and beauty kits filled with: toothpicks, glowing toys, chap-stick, finger lights, goggles, sunscreen, zip-ties, permission slips, bike repair kits, dinosaur flashcards, and so much more.

You name it, we will have something you need. Even if it’s just a drink. We carry portable bars, too.

photo by Lucia Stewart

We roam the city, meeting new people, exploring the depths of the sexy and spicy artistic energy in Black Rock City, and in every true burner you meet on the street.

Can you see a bit of color now?

Oh yeah, don’t forget to bring a fresh name. I’m Luscious.

Burning Man happens (August 25 – September 1st, 2008) the last week of August every year at Black Rock City, the third largest city in Nevada for one week a year. There is also a yearly theme, so be sure to visit the website before you go. Tickets are not sold at the door, so purchase them in advance. www.burningman.com.

Community Connection

Check out the Top 10 Lessons learned from Burning Man from fellow burner Erin Granat.

Spain, land of eternal fiesta and much needed siesta. Eating dinner at 10 and sleeping two hours midday has long been Spanish custom. Every month of the year boasts a festival, or feria, in Spain. Keeping up with these year-round festivities can be exhausting, but it sure is a lot of fun. Here’s a guide to the 5 best.

1. Carnival

In February, Carnival takes over every part of Spain. Carnival is the blow-out party before Lent and Easter. The Canary Islands and Mediterranean are prime places to experience it. Expect a week of parades, costumes, drinking and dancing.

When: Festivities begin in February, 45 days before Easter.

Where: Sitges in Catalonia (a gay tradition) or Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands or Cadiz

What you need: A costume and perseverance: this party lasts all night long.

2. Las Fallas

photo courtesy of viajar24h

People start to get a springtime buzz when March rolls in, and celebration is ceaseless. Las Fallas is a fire festival in Valencia. If you are a pyromaniac, you should be at Las Fallas, no exceptions.

Of course, it’s also interesting for the average person who wants to take his life into his own hands and wander burning streets and amidst whizzing firecrackers. Watch the head!

The good people of Valencia spend the better part of a year building wonderful sculptures made of wood and paper mache, which are giant in size and remarkable in beauty, only to burn them to the ground between the 15th-20th of March. It’s like the Rose Parade bu the floats are staues–some up to 70 feet tall–and everything is torched at the end of the week.

Some say this is the best feria in Spain and is not one to miss.

When: March 15th-20th

Where: Valencia city center

What you need: A lighter to participate in the festivities and a camera to capture the amazing images of el arte en fuego

3. Semana Santa

Right after Las Fallas is Semana Santa, which may be Spain’s most famous feria after San Fermin (The Running of the Bulls) in Pamplona. Semana Santa or Easter Holy Week is celebrated everywhere, but most spectacularly in the south of Spain.

A week-long celebration, Semana Santa involves daily processions depicting the death and resurrection of Christ. This is a religious festival which is a dazzling visual spectacle for believers and non-believers alike.

During Semana Santa, intricate alfombras, or carpets made of flowers, are crafted by locals only to be trampled by thousands of feet during the day’s next procession. Especially in Sevilla, you’ll have a lot more fun if you have a couple Spanish friends whose families get cabanas (where much of the party, music, drinking and dancing unfolds), otherwise you’re just wandering the streets.

photo courtesy of Gaspar

When: March

Where: Andalucia (Granada or Seville)

What you need: A camera and Spanish friends with a cabana.

4. Calçots

So many parties in March will surely make a visitor weary and hungry. Lucky for you, during the entire month of March Catalonia celebrates its Calçots festivals, or Onion-fest.

Calçots are young green onions which the Catalans grill on a barbecue and then dip in a red Romanesco sauce. These slippery but tasty onions are eaten whole, and the experience is both delicious and messy. Calçots can be sampled (usually with a full course lunch) any time in March and early April.

When: March

Where: rural Catalonia

What you need: A bib and an appetite.

5. Sant Joan’s Day

Summer equinox, June 24th, marks Sant Joan’s Day. A pagan holiday, Saint Joan has long been a favorite along the Mediterranean. Today it’s best to visit Barcelona or Menorca for this all-nighter.

In Barcelona the young and old (but mostly the young) head for the beach. This is the only night of the year where it is permitted to sleep on Barcelona’s public beaches. Fires are lit and people sing, dance and drink into the wee hours of the morning.

The city puts on a grandiose fireworks display and citizens create their own pyrotechnic shows in dangerous proximity to passers by. It is a wild party.

In Menorca, the party is a bit more subdued and the focus is more on the horses than fire and beer. Menorca is famous for breeding beautiful horses, and during Sant Joan, Menorcan horses and riders participate in parades and games with villagers gathered from all around the island to watch and cheer them on.

When: The 24th of June

Where: Barcelona or Menorca (Balearic Islands)

What you need: Barcelona: a lighter, a bottle and a guitar. Menorca: A hotel in Ciutadella and a love for cultural traditions.

6. San Fermín (Bonus)

Perhaps the most famous of all ferias in Spain, San Fermín is a week-long party that is both raucous and relentless. You have never seen people party this hard, for this long.

Tens of thousands descend on the sleepy mountain town of Pamplona for this single week and the experience is not for the light-hearted. Prices soar and it’s very difficult to find an affordable place to crash even if you plan ahead, far in advance.

The party is all consuming, with loud music blasting out of every hole-in-the-wall bar, on every street. People drink like there’s no tomorrow and when the sun begins to rise, the cops literally have to kick people off the streets to set up the fences that keep the furious, confused bulls on their course to certain death.

Many sleep in the park but due to the elevation, that can be cold and wet and opportunists lurk. You might be better off wandering the streets until dawn–but don’t drink too heavily if you plan on running. The danger is real and other runners are just as dangerous as the bulls themselves.

Seasoned runners will all tell you the same thing: “look out for number one.” All the danger and party scum aside, 24 hours in Pamplona during San Fermín is something you will never forget.

When: July 7th to July 14th

Where: Pamplona (best reached via train from Madrid)

What you need: A camera, a place to crash, and some tightly-laced Nike running shoes

Community Connection!

Matador is bursting with cool people who are currently living in Spain and/or experts on the nightlife there! If you’re looking for more info on Spanish ferias–or just general advice about partying in the world capital of nightlife, just reach out to the community.

In Madrid, you can count on Abha or Brian–or scan this underground guide to bars and clubs of Madrid. If you’re headed to Barcelona ask Doug, Khobi, or Georgia, what’s going on that weekend. Down south in Andalucia you can reach out to our Seville experts, Jon and Emily.