Tribeca Film Festival – New York City, USA
Now entering its twelfth year, the Tribeca Film Festival has become one of New York City’s annual cultural highlights. Since inception, it has drawn an estimated three million viewers and stimulated $725 million of economic activity for its host city. Founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Craig Hatkoff and one Robert De Niro, the festival originally aimed to challenge the loss of vitality in Lower Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighbourhood in the aftermath of 9/11. Today, it’s firmly established as a key international cinematic showcase. Many leading players from the worlds of film, music and art are drawn to the festival to view cutting-edge feature and short films. Why not rub shoulders with them and pick up the knowledge that will be the envy of your cinephile friends. www.tribecafilm.com (18–29 April)
Semana Santa – Seville, Spain
While the entire Spanish-speaking world takes Easter very seriously, no place comes close to matching Seville’s Samana Santa festivities. Religious or not, you cannot help but be swept along by the passion, energy and emotion that fills the city’s streets for one week each year. Celebrations come primarily in the form of street processions with every church in the city represented by a float that’s accompanied by as many as 2,000 people carrying a signature depiction of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Each makes their way to the cathedral via the shortest possible route. Some processions are accompanied by marching bands, while others move in silence. Semana Santa is an assault on the senses in good and bad ways. The sights, sounds and smells of the festival will likely last in the memory forever. But for some, the long days and constant battles for space with exuberant old ladies will take their toll. www.semana-santa.org (1–8 April)
Golden Mask Festival of Performing Arts – Moscow, Russia
Russia has a rich tradition in the arts of drama, opera, ballet, modern dance, operetta, musical, and puppet theatre. Taking place in Moscow during spring each year, The Golden Mask Festival of Performing Arts brings together the best performances – as chosen by prominent theatre critics and journalists – from across Russia. Selection is based on both artistic quality and the conceptual approach to material. The festival’s programme tends to reflect the current trends in Russian theatre, drawing works from recognised masters as well as the country’s most promising young directors. The festival culminates in the Golden Mask Awards, the nominees for which can be watched between 27 March and 15 April. The winners receive their awards at the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre on 16 April. eng.goldenmask.ru (27 March–15 April)
Queens Day – Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Netherlands has made the last day of April the official birthday of its queen – her actual birthday falls in January. Why the change? The Dutch prefer to party when it’s warmer, that’s why. And make no mistake – they know how to party. If you fancy seeing for yourself head to Amsterdam, where 750,000 revellers pack the city. Orange flows down the streets with parades and down canals with flotillas – truly a sight to behold. On the day itself trading laws are relaxed – stalls run by everyone from businesses to young children make a market of the entire city. Meanwhile, on the night before, Koninginnenacht, sprawls of young Dutch criss-cross the city in search of the next best party. www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl (30 April)
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – New Orleans, USA
Celebrating the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, Jazz Fest’ encompasses the styles of blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, Afro-Caribbean, folk, rock, rap, country, bluegrass and everything in between. Over the course of ten days, mostly concentrated around the two weekends of 27–29 April and 4–6 May, scores of musicians, cooks and craftspeople will entertain 400,000 culture and pleasure seekers. Staged on the historic New Orleans Fair Grounds, 2012 sees the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Eagles, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, and The Beach Boys headline. www.nojazzfest.com
(27 April–6 May)
(Images: Semana Santa – F3rn4nd0_2; Queens Day – kerryinlondon; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Zack Smith)
