Diary Planner: November events

NORWAY

NORWAY

2-7 November, Oslo World Music Festival

Norway's celebration of world music features talent from as far afield as Argentina and Pakistan. The musical genres represented are as varied as the artists that perform them, with jazz, folk, samba, rock and tango, and some unusual collaborations, such as Flamenco dancers accompanied by traditional Indian musicians. On 7 November there's a free children's day, with various workshops and performances throughout the afternoon. A number of seminars will accompany the concerts, for example "The Power of Music in a World of War". Performances, seminars and workshops take place at venues throughout Oslo. Times and prices vary; booking is recommended. Further information: 00 47 22 02 59 00; www.world-music.no.

MEXICO

11-21 November, Gourmet Festival, Puerto Vallarta

Master the art of Mexican cooking, sample your way around the restaurants of one of the largest resorts on Mexico's Pacific coast, or taste little-known Mexican wines. Puerto Vallarta's gourmet festival pulls in thousands of visitors each year, and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. The city's hotels and restaurants will stage a number of different culinary events, including special tasting dinners which allow visitors to sample regional specialities, such as mole (a savoury sauce made with chocolate and chillis). Professional chefs will be on hand to guide diners through the menus, and even teach them a thing or two during gourmet cookery classes. On 12 and 13 November, a free gourmet expo will be held at the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort, with hundreds of exhibitors from around the country. The cost of dinners and classes vary; booking is recommended. Further information: 020-7488 9392 (Mexican Tourist Office in London); www.festivalgourmet.com.

SPAIN

15 November-February, Michelangelo and his Age, Guggenheim Bilbao

Vienna's Graphische Sammlung Albertina Museum is lending Bilbao's Guggenheim 70 works by Michelangelo and his contemporaries for this major exhibition, including drawings and engravings by Raphael, Leonardo and Fiorentino. The exhibition will explore the breadth of work produced during the Italian Renaissance, with a particular focus on drawing as well as the works' cultural context. Visitors will be able to draw parallels between the artists' work and begin to understand the social climate that they were produced in. The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is €10 (£7). Further information: 00 34 94 435 90 80; www.guggenheim-bilbao.es.

US

20 November, Reopening of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York

After four years of extensive renovations, the MoMA building in Manhattan will reopen to the public next month. To celebrate the event, admission on 20 November will be free. Visitors will have access to the reinstalled permanent collections, as well as three new exhibitions. Michael Wesely: Open Shutter explores the transformation of the museum in a series of unique photographs, many of which were exposed for the duration of the renovations. Yoshio Taniguchi: Nine Museums presents nine designs from the architect commissioned to expand and transform MoMA. Lastly, Project 82: Mark Dion - Rescue Archaeology presents a number of historical artefacts unearthed during the renovations. A series of events is also planned, including a screening of Andy Warhol's Empire. Further information: 001 212 708 9400; www.moma.org.

GERMANY

25 November-31 December, Tollwood Winter Festival, Munich

Tollwood puts a slightly different slant on Christmas with cabaret and circus acts, as well as traditional Christmas markets. The theatre tent will showcase several modern theatre productions, concerts will take place each Monday and the doll theatre tent will put on puppetry for children. Fancy a new look for the party season? Then seek out the Spanish hair artists Osadia, who will be recreating ancient Egyptian styles on daring participants. The festival's 40 food stalls take inspiration from around the globe, with dishes from Hanover to Hanoi and a market in which to stock up on Christmas goodies. The festival takes place at Theresienwiese, the site of the celebrated Oktoberfest; times and prices vary. Further information: 00 49 89 38 38 50 24; www.tollwood.de.

BELGIUM

25-27 November, Sablon Nights Festival, Brussels

Explore Brussels' antiques quarter by night. This annual event draws crowds in their thousands who come to explore the shops, which stay open until 11.30pm. Visitors can choose to take a stroll around the quarter, famed for its antique shops, or see it in style by taking a horse-drawn carriage, complete with a costumed driver. Around 170 tradesmen take part in the three-night event, from antiques dealers to booksellers and chocolatiers - the perfect opportunity to stock up for Christmas. The district's shopfronts and buildings are specially illuminated for the festival, and many wine shops and chocolatiers will provide free samples. The festival is free and runs from 7pm to 11.30pm each day. Further information: 00 32 2 512 21 33; www.antiques-world.com/sablon (French only).