Ben Hamilton
May 25th, 2022

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The streets are there for the taking (photo: Distortion)

Distortion X
June 1-5, various venues in Cph; 200kr entry to ticketed areas; cphdistortion.dk
The Nørrebro street festival element, normally held on the opening Wednesday, has been completely scrapped, and the Thursday one in Vesterbro hugely scaled down, although it’s the same area as in previous years, with 24 free events, so there’s a good chance 50,000 people will turn up, mostly to hang out with multiple six-packs and take over the streets. The main focus for the organisers over the first two days (Wed and Thu) is now 200kr entry city centre ticketed areas: on June 1 in the areas around Langebro and Rådhuspladsen, and on June 2 in Rådhuspladsen and Vesterbro. However, the free events do not end in Vesterbro on Thursday, as there are 23 planned for Friday mostly in and around Copenhagen Harbour (see map). Meanwhile, serious party-goers are invited to enjoy Friday and Saturday at a 400kr ticketed venue in Refshaleøen. The final day is for chilling out; after all, even God needed a break.

CTC Fringe Festival
June 9-12; ICC Theatre, Frederiksholms Kanal 2, Cph K; tickets via ctcircle.dk/fringe2022
The Copenhagen Theatre Circle offers a unique opportunity to watch eight brand new plays written and performed by internationals living in the region. The plays, which are all in English, have been split into two groups, and there will be three opportunities to see each one. In total, there will be four evening shows beginning at 19:00, and two weekend matinee shows from 13:30. This year’s festival is being co-hosted by Improv Comedy Copenhagen, which will be offering a free improv workshop on June 12 from 16:30-18:00.

Danish referendum debate
May 25, 17:00; Købmagergade 43, Cph K; free adm, register via crossingborders.dk
Get involved in the global debate at this English-language event organised by Crossing Borders. Listen to keynote speaker Lisbeth Pilegaard, the former UN Global Compact global advisor, talk about the pros and cons of Denmark discontinuing its EU opt-out on defence and joining the union’s Defense Pact via the referendum on June 1. They’ll be serving free food and beverages (with vegan options!) but make sure you register.

Chamber music at Diamond
May 31, June 1 & June 2, 20:00; Dronningesalen, Black Diamond, Søren Kierkegaards Pl. 1, Cph K
Enjoy high quality chamber music from three top quartets at the Black Diamond library. On May 31, the Poseidon Quartet play Schubert and Beethoven, on June 1, Brooklyn Rider present a program called ‘4 Elements’ and on June 2, France’s Diotima Quartet play a program including Schubert and Thomas Adés.

Copenhagen Comics
May 28-29; Øksnehallen, Cph V; copenhagencomics.dk
Denmark’s largest comics festival welcomes big names from all over the world.

Science and Cocktails
May 30, June 3 & 20; Koncertsalen, DR Koncerthuset, Ørestads Blvd. 13, Cph S; tickets: 145-195kr, drkoncerthuset.dk
There are three instalments of the popular event this coming month, and that doesn’t include its participation in Act of Gravity as part of CPH Stage (see supplement). First off, on May 30, join esteemed reproductive epidemiologist Shanna Swan for ‘The Infertility Crisis: How our modern world is threatening our ability to reproduce and what we can do about it’. Four days later, renowned neuroscientist Andrew Huberman will present ‘The Neuroscience of Health and Performance. And then on June 20, join theoretical physics astrobiology expert Professor Sara Walker for ‘From Origins to Aliens: Understanding Where we Came from, and Finding Others Like Us in the Universe’.

Erotic Evening Festival
May 28-June 4; Malmö, various venues; erotikafton.com
This year’s Erotikafton Festival will take place at seven different venues over eight nights, welcoming 30 artists from all over  the world. Take part in workshops, talks and dancing, and enjoy art exhibitions, film screenings, performance art, music and DJs.

Bloom Nature and Science Festival
May 27-29; Søndermarken Pile Allé 55, Frederiksberg
Take part in three days of debates, talks and art presented by some of the leading scientists, thinkers and artists in the world.

Copenhagen Carnival
June 3-5; Cph K
The steel drums, costumed dancers and curbside revelry of Rio de Janiero’s famous Carnival fill the streets of Copenhagen on Pentecost/Whitsun weekend, offering a vibrant mixture of parades, live music and street food for all. Since its beginning in Copenhagen in 1982, the festival has been known to bring in as many as 100,000 spectators each year. The main parade is on Saturday. It begins in Kongens Nytorv and snakes along Strøget.

Sake Festival
May 20-21, 17:00-18:30; Seidokan Japan Center, Valbygårdsvej 36, Valby; 195kr
Get a taste of Japan in the heart of Valby. During the festival, you will have the unique opportunity of tasting over 50 different sakes from the Land of the Rising Sun. Additionally, during the festival you will have the opportunity to eat authentic Japanese ramen and taste specially blended drinks that have been curated by world-class bartenders.

CPH Photo Festival
June 2-12, 17:00-22:00; Refshalevej 163A; from 100kr
The largest Nordic festival of its kind returns with more than 30 exhibitions spread across galleries, museums and art institutions in Copenhagen and southern Sweden.

Copenhagen Medieval Market
June 3-6, open 10:00-17:00, until 19:00 from June 4-5; Kræmmerstien 1, Skovlunde (near Ballerup); 120kr; kmm.dk
Are you ready to be transported back to the Middle Ages? Listen to medieval music, watch the knights compete for honour and full-on pitched battles, enjoy medieval-themed food, shop for crafts and, most importantly, make sure you taste the amazing mead.

Sand Sculpture Festival
ongoing, ends Aug 31, daily from 10:00; Kajgaden 7, Hundested; sandskulptur.dk
Local and international sand sculptors, including several world champions, will display their biodegradable masterworks.

KLANG
ongoing, June 9-18; various locations; 80-250kr; klang.dk
KLANG, the Copenhagen Avantgarde Music Festival, will host over 30 Danish and international music acts. The festival is the country’s largest event for contemporary music and will have programs for all ages.

Copenhell
June 15-18; Refshaleøen, Refshalevej 185, Cph K; check internet forums for tickets; copenhell.dk
No wonder this metal festival has sold out. Metallica, Iron Maiden, Kiss and Judas Priest are all playing!

The Money Shot
ongoing, ends May 28, performances Tue-Fri 20:00, Sat 17:00, Sun 14:00; Krudttønden, Serridslevvej 2, Cph Ø; 160kr, teaterbilletter.dk
A final chance to see Neil LaBute’s ‘The Money Shot’, which is playing for two weeks at Krudttønden following a successful run last August during Copenhagen 2021. Steve (Tomm Voss), a 50-year-old action star, and his young wife Missy (Mikka Deleuran), are the guests of star actress Karen (Dina Rosenmeier) and her partner Bev (Dorte Rømer) at their Hollywood Valleys home to discuss the possibility of Steve and Karen having sex on camera to boost their sagging careers.

Boy George Aliens & Icons
ongoing, ends June 4, opening times TBC; Gallery Oxholm, Pile Alle 25, Frederiksberg;  gallerioxholm.dk
This exhibition featuring the artwork of Boy George will run at Gallery Oxholm until early June. Since his first exhibition in Monaco in November 2019, the former Culture Club singer has had plenty of time to hone his skills. The results are “noisy, crooked and border-seeking provocative”, promises Gallery Oxholm’s owner Kim Jørgensen.

Language Café
May 28 & June 11, 14:30-17:00; Studenthuset, Købmagergade 52, Cph K; free adm
Every other Saturday afternoon, join other language aficionados to learn new ones. The list of languages spoken at the café is updated on the official Facebook event page. So what are you waiting for?

Tivoli Food Festival
ongoing, ends May 29; Tivoli, Cph V; entry with Tivoli admission; tivoli.dk
For 18 days, the themepark will be hosting a festival of full-on food: a smorgasbord of regional and international delights. Sup cocktails, down beers at the American NoMad Bar, a pop-up for the duration, gorge on suckling pig, and take your pick of gourmet food, from the very best open sandwiches to vegan delicacies and sweets. Check the website for details concerning tastings, workshops, markets, cooking demos, competitions and events, which include one billed as the world’s largest beer tasting.

Open Mic @Cph Listening Room
June 5 & 19 at 19:30, sign up by 19:15; Onkel Dannys Plads 7, Cph V; free adm
For years now, Cph Listening Room has hosted its weekly open mic for songwriters. If you want to sign up to perform two songs, you better be fast! There are only 14 spots left. In the middle a featured act takes place: Effy Simon (10) and 32w (24). (AD)   

Opera Tours in English
Sat & Sun in May & June with the exception of June 4, 12:00; Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; 135kr, under-12s 60kr, kglteater.dk
Discover the Opera’s beautiful foyer with its clean lines, Olafur Eliasson’s light sculptures, and views over Copenhagen Harbour that embrace the shiny maple shell around the Main Stage.

Gravens Rand Quiz
June 7 & 21, 19:00; Søndre Fasanvej 24, Frederiksberg; entry 30kr
Maximum of four per team, it’s 1,000 kroner for the winners and a crate of beer for second. Two beer rounds, and shots for last place!

Globe Quiz
June 2 & 16, 19:15; Globe Irish Pub, Nørregade 43-45, Cph K; 50 kroner per person to enter
Game night’s on at this pub on Nørregade! The winners will be awarded 1,200 kroner, and there are plenty of spot prizes too.