What, When, Where: local event alerts for April 2010

As promised, here’s the event alert post. I hope you find something you like!

Zurich:

April 11: Zurich Marathon – I can think of several things more fun to do than paying 110 Swiss Francs to run 42 kilometers, but hey, whatever floats your boat. And the route is so pretty, I might just walk it to take some shots. More info on the Zurich Marathon website.

April 18-19: Sechseläuten (Sächsilüüte) The traditional parade to welcome the new season starts with a children parade on the 18th, then the official parade with the costumed members of the Guilds, followed by the burning of the Böögg, a huge snowman-like rag doll laced with explosives. based on the tradition, the time between the lighting of the pyre and the explosion of the Böögg`s head gives an indication of whether Winter is actually over and Spring has arrived. I know it sounds lame, but it’s supposed to be really fun! Details here. Free.

April 19: Rihanna in concert at the Hallenstadion Zurich. Tickets are sold out on TicketCorner, but you might be able to score some on eBay or on one of the expat lists. Tickets priced at CHF 75-85.

April 24-25: Tweakfest, the social media-focused exhibition takes place at the Alte Börse. Demonstrations, workshops and the latest gadgets from geeks all over the world More info on the Tweakfest website. Ticket price range: CHF 15- 87.

Local:

already in progress – until May 22, Berne: Berne International Jazz Festival – I’m not into jazz, but if you are, you’ll definitely want to check this out. International musicians, many many performances and even a Jazz Gala. More info here. Ticket prices: CHF 22 – 50 for the performances, CHF 49 – 119 for the Gala.

April 2 – May 14, Morges (Geneva): Tulip festival – Morges is supposed to be one of the loveliest places in French-speaking Switzerland; I have never been there, but this might be the right time for me to visit. The Parc de l’Indépendance, near the lakeshore (Morges is right on Lake Geneva) becomes a colorful tapestry thanks to more than a hundred thousand tulips, narcissi and hyacinths in different colors, blooming under the older trees in the park. It sure sounds lovely, and there’s no admission fee! Free.

April 11, Milano: Fiori e Sapori – this flower and gardening show (its name means “Flowers and Flavors” in Italian) takes place once a year on the historical Naviglio Grande, which is an area of Milano that those used to visiting the center will find surprisingly quiet. The show is well known in Italy, it attracts retailers and visitors from the whole country. Exhibitors are expected to arrange their stands in ways that are not only pleasing to the eye but that create unexpected chromatic effects, especially when paired with the historical setting of the Naviglio. For photos of previous editions, visit the website of Navigli Live. Free.

April 16 – 18, Sils Im Engadin/Segl (Graubünden, Switzerland): Swiss Snowboarding Championship – proficient snowboarders can register online, while everyone else can simply enjoy the show and the beautiful Engadin region.

April 21 – 25, Geneva: International Exhibition of Inventions – companies and inventors from all over the world share their research and present their inventions. No doubt there will be a lot of niche products, but there might be some interesting stuff, too. For more info, visit the official website. Ticket prices: CHF 8 – 15.

April 17 – May 19: Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest (Stuttgart Spring Festival) – an amusement park, a firework show, a slew of foods of many different kinds and flavors, and of course rivers of beer for those who can’t wait until the Octoberfest. If this sounds too awesome for words, click here to know how to get more info and find out how to get there.

April 22 – May 12, all around Switzerland: Steps – this dance festival features 12 local and international dance companies, that perform in venues all around Switzerland. The performances vary in style from hip-hop to ballet, so there seems to be something for everyone. For a calendar of the performances and venues visit the Steps website. Ticket price range: CHF 15-55.

April 25, Murten (Berne): slowUp – slowUp is an event organized several times a year in locations around Switzerland, to promote healthier and more environmentally-friendly methods of transportation. It usually takes place around a lake. The roads around the lake are closed to traffic and people are encouraged to bike, run, even walk the established route  during the event. The next one, on April 25, will take place on the Mortensee, near Berne. For more info, see the slowUp website. Free, unless you need to rent a bike to attend the event.

April 25, Milano: antiques market – a monthly occurrence, this market, like Fiori e Sapori, takes place on the Naviglio Grande. The market extends along the Naviglio for a good stretch, and you can find a variety of antiquities large and small. It’s Italy, so haggling is a must Free too look, up to you how much to spend!

April 26 – 29, Strasbourg: Envies de Printemps – This sounds like something I’d want to check out: I may not be a gardening freak, but when I hear that Parc des Expositions is filled with stalls and products related to home, garden, health and leisure, I start thinking pretty things, inspiration and photos. Ticket price: EUR 4.50.

April 28-May 2, Geneva: Salon du Livre – this book fair counts over 300 exhibitors and features publishers from all around Europe. Over a quarter million people each year visit the fair to find new and old books in several languages and get them signed by the various local and international authors present. For a list of exhibitors and direction visit the fair’s website.  Ticket prices: CHF 5 – 12. Also on these dates and at this same location: Art by Genève.

Elsewhere:

already in progress – ends April 5, London: Ideal Home Show – interiors, garden, home improvement, shopping… if you are in London, you lucky skunk, this sounds like something you shoulnd’t miss. More info on the official website. Ticket prices: GBP 9 – 17.

April 10, Berlin: the Long Night of Operas and Theatre – the latest addition in the Berlin cultural event schedule will see many venues stay open until late and hosting back-to-back performances lasting about 30 minutes each; visitors will be able, thanks also to the shuttle bus service provided, to attend several shows in one night, or as many as they prefer and can fit in before closing time (1 am). More details here. Ticket prices: EUR 5 – 15.

April 21, Rome: the Birth of Rome – this annual celebration was created to celebrate the birth of the Eternal City, and sees the Rome Historical Group put up reenactments of gladiator shows, parades  and other period-related shows and activities. It always takes place on April 21, which is the historically and traditionally accepted date for the foundation of Rome by Romulus in 753 BC, and it takes place all around Rome, with the larger shows happening in the Circo Massimo.

April 21 – May 2, New York City: Tribeca Film Festival – This event brings together film makers and aficionados from the NY area, the rest of the US, and the rest of the world. Screenings, film-related seminars and events at various locations in lower Manhattan. Film buff? Get more info here.

April 24, San Diego: SELF Workout in The Park – the first date of this popular health and fitness festival is in San Diego, California. I attended the festival in 2008 in Central Park, in NYC; you can see a little more info from me here and some photos here. And then of course there is the official website. The even is really crowded, but also lots of fun. There is a lot to do and see, and there are always celebrity trainers on hand to lead classes, sign autographs, sometimes give seminars. If you want to go, buy your ticket online (or you risk not being able to get one)  and show up early, because the lines are brutal. But it’s still fun!

Is this too much? ’cause it was a bitch to put together, but if you find it useful I’ll sacrifice myself