All Over The Map - Great Dates
Destinations, JOurneys, and Diversions
Great Dates: August, September, and October
compiled by USAirways Magazine Staff
August
August 1–24
La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2008
San Diego
More than 70 artists and ensembles perform 16 concerts featuring masterpieces from the world’s most renowned composers. The highlight this year is the addition of a free outdoor concert overlooking the ocean on August 14.
lajollamusicsociety.org
August 6–10
Dublin Horse Show
Dublin
Thousands of people turn out for this annual show — one of Ireland’s largest events and a highlight of the summer season. See some of the best show horses and jumpers from around the world.
dublinhorseshow.com
August 7–10
Toronto’s Festival of Beer
Toronto
Raise a glass at Canada’s “premier celebration of the golden beverage.” More than 200 brands are on site for tasting at Historic Fort York.
beerfestival.ca
August 8–9
New York State Yo-Yo Contest & International Yo-Yo Open
New York City
Forget Walk the Dog and Loop the Loop. Yo-yo tricks have come a long way since the toy’s early days. See some of the world’s top performers demonstrate just how far at this second annual event.
yoyoopen.com
August 8–10
Key West Lobsterfest
Key West
Join local islanders for a weekend celebration of the tasty crustacean. Festivities include a street fair with live music, arts, crafts, and — of course — plenty of lobster. The weekend wraps up with a lobster brunch at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort (reservations recommended).
keywestlobsterfest.com
August 9–10
Spa Experience Aspen
Aspen
Presented by SpaFinder, this free show lets guests sample the spa lifestyle — from beauty treatments to healthy cuisine. Dozens of the world’s best spas and spa lifestyle companies will have representatives on site.
spafinder.com/spaexperienceaspen
August 9–17
Legg Mason Tennis Classic
Washington, D.C.
One of the longest-running tournaments in men’s pro tennis, this competition holds its 40th event this year. Last year’s champion, Andy Roddick, will be back to defend his title.
leggmasontennisclassic.com
August 15–17
American Craft Show
San Francisco
More than 250 artists display their unique creations in home decor, furniture, fashion, jewelry, toys, and accessories at the Fort Mason Center. New this year is a Green Craft category highlighting pieces created with recycled and eco-friendly materials and sustainable processes.
craftcouncil.org
August 17
Longacres Mile
Auburn, Washington
Located about 20 miles from Seattle, Emerald Downs hosts this annual thoroughbred race, now in its 73rd year. Don’t miss the events leading up to it: weiner dog races on the 15th and a run along the track on the 16th.
emeralddowns.com
August 18–20
Chicago Dancing Festival
Chicago
Dancers from some of the world’s best companies perform for free in Millennium Park. Shows feature representatives from the Martha Graham Dance Company and the American Ballet Theatre, among others.
chicagodancingfestival.com
August 28–September 13
Moab Music Festival
Moab, Utah
Experience “music in concert with the landscape” at a series of outdoor concerts that take place in spectacular settings — along the banks of the Colorado River and nestled among red rock canyons.
moabmusicfest.org
August 29–September 1
SantaCaliGon Days Festival
Independence, Missouri
One of the Midwest’s largest Labor Day festivals takes place just outside of Kansas City. It honors the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails, which all began in the town of Independence. About 250,000 people show up each year for the food, live music, crafts, and historic reenactments.
santacaligon.com
August 31–September 13
Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe
Philadelphia
Theater and dance performances at several venues feature artists from around the world. The Festival Plus program lets guests learn more about the artists’ work through a series of post-show talks and panel discussions.
livearts-fringe.org
September
September 3–27
Charlotte Shout
Charlotte
This month-long celebration of art, culture, and community presents more than 200 music and theater performances, art exhibitions, culinary festivals, and more. Don’t miss the popular Blues, Brews & BBQ September 11–13.
charlotteshout.com
September 5–7
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Pittsburgh
Enjoy Celtic music, Irish dancing, as well as traditional foods and crafts. A Gaelic Mass is held on Sunday.
pghirishfest.org
September 6–7
13th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival
San Francisco
Taste some of the Bay area’s most delectable treats, from chocolate-covered caramel and butternut toffee to organic tea-infused truffles and bars. Kids are invited to get messy at the hands-free sundae-eating contest featuring Ghirardelli Square’s signature Earthquake Ice Cream Sundaes.
ghirardellisq.com
September 13
3rd Annual Whitewater Festival
Charlotte
The U.S. National Whitewater Center invites everyone to stop by and experience what the facility has to offer. The daylong event includes a 5k trail run/stroller walk, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, zip-lining, and — of course — whitewater rafting. There’s also plenty of food and live music.
usnwc.org
September 14
NatureSweet Carmel TomatoFest
Carmel, California
Taste test from among more than 350 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, then sample tomato-based recipes from 60 of the country’s best chefs. There are also wine and olive oil tastings and a Salsa Showcase featuring variations from across the U.S.
tomatofest.com
September 17–20
Apple Expo Remix ’08
Paris
From iTunes to iPods, this event is all about Apple’s latest digital innovations. Industry professionals will be on hand to conduct presentations and workshops for the public.
uk.apple-expo.com
September 19–November 1
Terror Behind the Walls
Philadelphia
Venture inside Eastern State Penitentiary for one of the area’s scariest Halloween attractions. The now-abandoned prison once held the likes of Al “Scarface” Capone and bank robber “Slick” Willie Sutton.
easternstate.org
September 20–21
WalkingTown, DC
Washington, D.C.
Each spring and fall, Cultural Tourism DC sponsors free walking and bike tours designed to get residents and visitors acquainted with the capital’s unique neighborhoods.
walkingtowndc.org
September 20–21
Portland Pirate Festival
Portland, Oregon
It’s a pirate’s life for all at this 3rd annual fete held in Portland’s Cathedral Park. Highlights include live music, swashbuckling and battle reenactments, maritime and pirate history exhibitions, and a giant inflatable kids’ play area. The Marauder’s Market offers a range of unique treasures for sale.
portlandpiratefestival.com
September 21–January 4, 2009
Art and Empire: Treasures from Assyria in The British Museum
Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston presents a collection of 250 objects from ancient Assyria
(now modern-day Iraq). The pieces date from the ninth to seventh centuries B.C. and
include monumental wall reliefs, jewelry, ivory carvings, and clay tablets. The exhibition is
organized by The British Museum, which houses the finest collection of Assyrian art outside Iraq.
mfa.org
September 25–28
Merchant City Festival
Glasgow
Experience opera music in a courtyard, theater on a street, standup comedy and live music in a pub, and a short film in a hair salon at this 7th annual festival celebrating the diversity of the arts.
merchantcityfestival.com
September 27–July 26, 2009
Chic Chicago: Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum
Chicago
In honor of the women who believed fashion could transform the city’s reputation as gritty and industrial to cultured and sophisticated, this exhibit highlights treasures from the museum’s costume collection of more than 50,000 pieces. The creations date from 1861 to 1996 and include Gilded Age gowns by Worth and Pingat as well as modern masterpieces by Chanel and Versace.
chicagohistory.org
September 28
Sunrise to Sunset Acoustic Music Festival
Norfolk
Some of the region’s best acoustic musicians play all day in Town Point Park. The event features 15 concerts on three outdoor stages.
festeventsva.org
October
October 1–7
Duke Ellington Jazz Festival
Washington, D.C.
Local and international artists pay tribute to jazz greats, including D.C.’s own Duke Ellington. Catch performances all week at area nightspots, and don’t miss the free shows held on the National Mall.
dejazzfest.org
October 3–5
San Diego International Orchid Fair
San Diego
Hundreds of species and hybrids will be on display (with some available to buy) at Quail Botanical Gardens. Budding horticulturalists can also attend workshops on caring for orchids.
qbgardens.org
October 4–January 4, 2009
Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya
Pittsburgh
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History presents the first East Coast exhibition of works by Margaret Tafoya and her mother and daughters. The last of the matriarchs of the early 20th-century Pueblo potters, Tafoya was known for crafting unusually large storage and water jars in the tradition of her ancestors.
carnegiemnh.org
October 9–12
37th Annual National Shrimp Festival
Gulf Shores, Alabama
More than 300,000 people turn out each year for the fresh gulf seafood, arts and crafts, and live music. The festivities take place on Gulf Shores’ main public beach, located about 45 miles from Mobile or 35 miles from Pensacola.
nationalshrimpfestival.com
October 10–12
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
New York City
Spend the weekend tasting some of the best recipes and vintages in town. Highlights include Rachael Ray’s Burger Bash in Brooklyn; Meatpacking Uncorked, a neighborhood block party in the Meatpacking district; and Sweet, a late-night dessert, cheese, and chocolate party. Food Network stars including Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, and Alton Brown are scheduled to appear.
nycwineandfoodfestival.com
October 18–19
Via Colori Street Painting Festival
Scottsdale
Who says sidewalk chalk is just for kids? This fundraiser features 150 pastel chalk paintings by local artists. Proceeds benefit local children’s charities and cultural groups.
viacolori.com
