I Fly Nonstop » Events

London: Leonardo DaVinci Exhibition

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:04:00 +0000

‘Painter at the Court of Milan’ at the National Gallery. This is the most complete display of Leonardo’s rare surviving paintings ever held. This is the first time these paintings have been on display.

Windsor: The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:06:43 +0000

The exhibition presents a portrait of The Queen’s reign as captured in fleeting moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings.

Venice Carnival

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:48:22 +0000

Carnival started as a time for celebration and expression throughout the classes, as wearing masks hid any form of identity between social classes. Today, the Venetian Carnival is just what the name proclaims-a carnival. It no longer reflects most of the traditions of old. Costumes have become more elaborate and the parties have become wilder. The Carnival of Venice attracts 30,000 visitors from around the world each day. The masks are what make Venice’s carnival so unique.

Cologne: Karnival

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:57:02 +0000

The Cologne Carnival is a carnival that takes place every year. Traditionally, the “fifth season” (carnival season) is declared open at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of November. But, the time of merrymaking in the streets is officially declared open at downtown square Alter Market on the Thursday before the beginning of Lent. Street carnival, a week-long street festival, also called “the crazy days”, takes place between the Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and ends on Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday. All through these days, Cologne folks go out masqueraded. The typical greeting during the festival is Kölle Alaaf!, a Kölsch (Cologne) phrase which can be translated as “Cologne above all!”

London: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:02:52 +0000

Main event is at Spitafileds Mkt – other events around the country. Start training for Shrove Tuesday and join in the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race. All you need to do is gather a team of four people suitably dressed up (or down) to enter in the relay race. Bring your own frying pan and the organisers will provide the pancakes. The goal is to walk as fast as possible toward the finish line while flipping pancakes, which sounds easier than it really is. The race will be run along Dray Walk at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. The heats will start at 12.30 p.m. followed by the finals and the awards ceremony. The winners will receive a beautifully engraved – you’ve guessed it – frying pan! The best dressed team will also receive a prize. And there will be prizes for runners up and scrumptious pancakes for all entrants.

Tokyo Marathon

Jamie Kerr — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:44:53 +0000

One of the newer marathons, the Tokyo Marathon was established in 2007. In February of this year, 32,000 participants raced through the heart of Tokyo. The Tokyo Marathon has evolved into a great spectator sport, as many of the runners choose to complete the entire 26-mile marathon dressed up in head-to-toe costumes. Runners in gorilla suits, panda outfits and body-encompassing fruit suits are all among the ranks in the Tokyo Marathon. Some costumed runners were spotted making frequent stops on the sidelines to accept miso soup and sake from excited bystanders. Running a marathon through the most cosmopolitan and populated city in the nation will be an adventure to remember.

Munich: Starkbierfest (Strong Beer Festival )

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:55:48 +0000

Strong Beer Festival – The people of Munich owe this “spring health cure” to the monks, who since time immemorial have brewed an especially nutritious beer during Lent to strengthen their bodies that have grown weak from fasting. The official opening, with many prominent guests takes place when the first barrel is tapped in the restaurant Paulaner Wirtshaus on the Nockherberg. It is also celebrated in, among other places, the Löwenbräu Cellar, where the programme includes groups in local costumes and a stone-lifting competition.

Valencia: Las Fallas

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:58:58 +0000

Every year, Valencia plays host to Las Fallas, a giant fiesta that celebrates the beginning of spring. Neighborhood groups fundraise year round to build giant puppets (built of wood and papier-mache) mounted on floats which are paraded around and then burned in huge bonfires on the last day of the festival. The puppets are based off of historical figures, politicians or pop culture icons like Shrek. Music, food and fireworks are integral parts of the celebration, turning the city into an open-air non-stop party for four days. — Valencia is a Mediterranean destination on the sea, great for boating, and also is known as the birthplace of Paella, so you can’t visit the city without endulging in a heaping portion of saffron-colored rice filled with seafood and fresh vegetables. —– . The city is also home to the City of Arts & Sciences, a state of the art cultural center, designed by Valencia’s own native son, Santiago Calatrava. The center is a very cool modern looking complex of 7 buildings, holding an IMEX cinema, an opera house, a performing arts center and other museums and exhibits.

London: BADA Antiques and Fine Art Fair

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:05:12 +0000

The Duke of York Square, located near Sloane Square in the beautiful Chelsea neighborhood of London welcomes the UK’s premier art and antiques fair.

Netherlands: Floriade Flower Show

Jamie Kerr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:51:45 +0000

The Floriade Flower Show is only held once every 10 years, so don’t miss out in 2012!