The sun has come and with it the beats and sounds of warmer lands. There are plenty of outdoors activities to choose from this week, the Copenhagen Carnival being a strong option for those who feel like letting loose and dancing their troubles away. The International Sand Sculpture Festival is another fantastic idea, particularly for beach fans, while burlesque and ballet aficionados may choose other ventures.
Copenhagen Carnival
What better way to enjoy this rare spell of beautiful weather than dancing the stress of the week away at the Copenhagen Carnival? Seven stages offer a variety of music from electronica to salsa, and Middle Eastern to Balkan. If learning new dance moves sounds more appealing than swaying to reggae beats, head over to the dance stage where instructors will help you master dances like the samba. Be sure to join the Carnival Parade on Saturday, which leaves from Højbro Plads at 10:00 and at Rådhuspladsen in the late afternoon. Children are, as always, welcome at the carnival, and will have their own area where they can play music and learn how to dance. A Children’s Parade on Friday starts at 10:00 at Sankt Hans Torv, proceeding to Fælledparken, and a second procession around the park leaves at 14:00 from the Family Booth. With parties springing up around the city, free music and entertainment, and fun for the whole family, there’s no reason to be anywhere but at the carnival this weekend. So grab a blanket, grab some beer (or, for the young ones, a juice box), and head over to Fælledparken to enjoy an exotic weekend right here in Copenhagen. SM
Fælledparken, Edel Sauntes Allé 13, Cph Ø; starts Fri, ends Sun, open Fri 15:00-00:00, Sat & Sun 11:00-00:00; entry: over-12s 20kr, under-12s free adm; www.cphcarnival.com
International Sand Sculpture Festival
Twenty sand sculptures along a 200m maze will take you from prehistoric times into the future. The world’s best sand artists will be showing their sculptures, and when inspiration strikes, you too can test your skills in a vast sandbox. In case of rain, bring an umbrella because the sculptures have been built to withstand Danish weather. SM
Ofelia Beach, Sankt Annæ Plads 36, Cph Ø; starts Sun, ends Aug 5, official opening Thu (May 31), open daily 10:00-21:00; Tickets: over-12s 50kr, under-12s 25kr, under-4s free adm, 3119 3393, info@cphsand.com; www.cphsand.com
Burlesque Hypnotique
Copenhagen’s very own queer palace Warehouse 9 is once again hosting a live burlesque show with eight enticing performances spread over an evening wrapped in the rhythmic powers of DJs Rita Blue and Curious. EBD
Warehouse 9, Halmtorvet 11C, 1700 Cph V; Thu May 24, 20:00-02:00; tickets 100kr from Sort Kaffe & Vinyl, Skydebanegade 4, 1709 Cph V or at the door, if there are any left. (cash only – very limited amount!)
Sidste Skrig
Watch the Royal Ballet’s dancers perform choreography by the world’s best. The show’s four pieces are devised by top choreographers: Wayne McGregor, Yuri Possokhov, Patrick Delcroix and the acclaimed Danish former dancer Tina Tarpgaard. British choreographer McGregor’s intense, acrobatic and sometimes lyrical choreography plays on contrasts, while Tarpgaard explores how to use technology in an interesting way. See page 18 in the newspaper for a full review. EB
Skuespilhuset Store Scene; Sankt Annæ Plads 36, Cph K; starts Sat, ends June 6, performances Mon-Sat 20:00; tickets: 75-495kr; Duration: 140 minutes (includes intermission); www.kglteater.dk
