You can feel the love at this parade

May 11, 2008|Destinations

JULY 19 DORTMUND, GERMANY

Loveparade: In recent years, the reliability of this annual cavalcade of thumping dance music, exhibitionism, and good will has been spotty at best. There has been bickering among organizers, problems securing permits, and a general lull in the rave culture that initially helped turn the Loveparade into an international draw when it was first introduced in 1989. Fortunately, it appears that the parade is coming back to life. This year the endless stream of DJs on flatbed trucks is out of Berlin and taking over a national highway. It's the first time in German history that a highway has been closed for a cultural event. The lineup of DJs has yet to be announced, but artists in previous years have included Paul van Dyk and Chris Liebing. The event finishes in front of the Westfalenhallen where nearly a million dance music fans will gather. The event is free, but save that leftover cash for sunscreen and water. loveparade.com, 011-49-30-2000-423-33.

JULY 4-6 NEW ORLEANS

Essence Music Festival: The weekend-long Essence Music Festival in the Superdome is the summer's biggest urban and hip-hop music event, with sets from Kanye West, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, and L.L. Cool J. Louisiana Superdome, Sugar Bowl Drive, 800-488-5252, essence.com/essence/emf, $56-$110.

JULY 3-6 QUINCY, CALIF.

High Sierra Music Festival: For those brave souls who are not afraid of tie-dye T-shirts, drumming circles, and healing crystals, this festival offers an opportunity to enter the patchouli-scented universe of bands such as Bob Weir and RatDog, Gov't Mule, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Mike Gordon, and Railroad Earth. Plumas-Sierra Country Fairgrounds, 204 Fairground Road, 510-547-1992, highsierramusic.com, $157 for a four-day festival pass.

JULY 10-14 MIRANDE, FRANCE

Festival de Country Music: There is something wonderfully ironic about a festival of American country music taking place in the French countryside, headlined by John Schneider (!) no less. "The Dukes of Hazzard" may have been known as "Shérif, fais-moi peur" in France, but apparently, the down-home appeal was not lost in translation. The festival embraces Americana and includes a truck show, car show, country dancing, and the dreaded Miss and Mr. Country competition. Mon Dieu. country-musique.com. A five-day pass, with access to all 73 concerts, is $170.

JULY 3-6 LONDON

O2 Wireless Festival: Hyde Park is taken over by top-shelf acts including Beyoncé's possible new husband, Jay-Z, Amy Winehouse producer Mark Ronson, plus Morrissey, Beck, Fatboy Slim, and Counting Crows. O2wirelessfestival.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk. Tickets are $88 for each day.

PLAN AHEAD

AUG. 29-31 STRADBALLY, IRELAND

Electric Picnic 2008: A camping festival on a 600-year-old Irish estate with an incredible musical lineup that features Bjork, the Sex Pistols, Sigur Rós, Goldfrapp, Wilco, and Tindersticks. There's also comedy and theater. electricpicnic.ie, ticketmaster.ie, $370 for a weekend pass.

CHRISTOPHER MUTHER

Events are sometimes canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call or check online to confirm. Contact Christopher Muther at muther@globe.com.