Diary
What’s on in bmi destinations
[ZURICH]
FIND HIGH-ART GRAFFITI IN A GALLERY
Jean-Paul Basquiat started as a New York graffiti artist before breaking into the high-art world. And like Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain, he died at the age of 27, having already achieved artistic greatness. To mark what would have been his 50th birthday, Fondation Beyeler in Basel, close to Zurich, has organised the biggest retrospective of his work ever shown in Europe.
Until 5 September. Fondation Beyeler, Baselstrasse, Basel, www.beyeler.com
[MANCHESTER]
LOOK BACK ON AN AMAZING CAREER
The first major exhibition of his work, this is a rare chance to see inside the astonishing archive of Philip Townsend – one of the photographers who was at the heart of the Swinging London scene. He was the first person to shoot the Rolling Stones, after randomly meeting their manager in a Monte Carlo café, before going on to capture Grace Kelly, Twiggy, the Beatles and fashion shows at Mary Quant’s. Unlike the tightly framed portraits of David Bailey, Townsend places people in their environment, giving a strong sense of the time. 18 September – 7 November.
The Lowry, Salford Quays, +44 (0)843 2086005, www.thelowry.com
[LONDON]
THE NEW SEASON HITS THE RUNWAYS
London Fashion Week is back again. Showcasing the delights of next year’s spring/summer collection, runways will be rumbling with the visions of such British luminaries as Paul Smith and Matthew Williamson, while a tribute to Alexander McQueen, who died earlier this year, will show on Monday 20. You can see the work of rising star David Koma, whom we interview on p66; and if you stay at the May Fair hotel, you can get a free bottle of wine and earn double Diamond Club destinations miles.
17-22 September. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
[BERLIN]
LISTEN TO MUSIC IN AN AIRPORT
Bringing together the annual Berlin Festival, the Popkomm trade fair and the city’s world-famous nightclubs for the first time, Berlin Music Week is this autumn’s hot ticket for music lovers. Held at Tempelhof Airport, it will see acts like Fat Boy Slim and 2Many DJs (aka Soulwax) flying the flag for electronic music, while over 40 clubs in the city centre will also hold events.
6-12 September. www.berlin-music-week.de
[LONDON]
SEE SOME FANCY FOOTWORK
Shoes is a witty and affectionate dance revue, examining the nation’s infatuation with footwear. The story charts the history of the shoe obsession, from Louboutin highs to Crocs lows. Don’t expect just ballet shoes either; the cast of 12 dancers have their work cut out incorporating a dazzling array of footwear, with anything from flip-flops to Uggs. Laughter is guaranteed, as the production is composed by Richard Thomas, the man who brought you Jerry Springer – The Opera.
3-11 September, tickets start at £10. Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1, +44 (0)844 412 4300, www.sadlerswells.com
BOOKING AHEAD
[ 15 October ] GET CULTURED IN COPENHAGEN
During Kulturnatten, the Danish capital’s night of culture, visitors get free entry to a huge number of museums, galleries and exhibitions from 5pm to 2am. The local trains, buses, metro – even boat taxis – are free to use too. www.kulturnatten.dk/en
[ 23-29 October ] BE ENGAGED IN LONDON
The Inside Out Festival takes place across London in collaboration with nine universities and numerous important thinkers. Learn about music theory, the ‘literature of New Labour’ or how to publish your first novel. www.insideoutfestival.org.uk
[ 21 October – 3 November ] WATCH MOVIES IN VIENNA
Vintage cinemas in the Austrian capital’s city centre will be the setting for the 50th anniversary of the Viennale, Austria’s leading film event. Expect showings of new art films from around the world. www.viennale.at
