From pop-up pools to hotels, beaches and a 300-metre water slide, this summer’s ad-hoc ‘happenings’ embody the spirit of carpe diem (or YOLO, as the generational case may be)
By Jessica Keller
Outstanding In The Field, Mt Fuji – 4 September: The regal Mount Fuji rises imposingly over miles of lush vineyards – in the midst of it all, an impossibly long banquet table set with fragrant dishes. A gathering of lucky diners will share this one-time-only meal experience by American chef and sake connoisseur John McCarthy, made from local Japanese farm ingredients. outstandinginthefield.ticketmob.com
Slide the City, Hong Kong – 22-24 August: For those who prefer their water slides epic (and ephemeral), Slide the City has the answer. The US-based company sets up 300-metre water slides in towns across the world, but their first one in Hong Kong will also be the first time they set up a slide by the waterside; it will be situated along Victoria Harbour. slidethecity.hk
Blueherring Art, Melbourne – Until 26 August: The amazing thing about artist Rita Analise’s photography is that, despite her photos’ crispness and jump-from-the-canvas vibrancy, they haven’t been digitally enhanced. Find her vivid scenes from around Melbourne on everything from calendars to cards and magnets in this mini-exhibition at Queen Victoria Market. blueherring.com.au
Etsy Made In Canada Day – 26 September: For one day only, the best of Canadian handicraftsmen and -women will showcase their creative wares at pop-up markets across the country. etsy.com
Paris Plages, Paris – Until 17 August: Not one, but three artificial beaches appear along the banks of the Seine each summer, involving 5,000 tonnes of sand and over 100 imported palm trees. Take in a free concert, go wall-climbing, play boules or simply relax in a deckchair between the Louvre and Pont de Sully, but head further up the river, to Bassin de la Villette, for kayaking and other water sports on the lake. next.paris.fr
The Eastside Pop-Up Market, Toronto – Monthly During Sumer: Never exact same twice, this market pops up one weekend each month in different locations across the city, hosting live music, food stalls, and local artisans and entrepreneurs selling their wares. thevberghouse.ca
Pop-Up Dinner L.A. – 19 September: It’s a flash picnic – attendees show up dressed in white, with their own food and wine in hand, ready for an alfresco feast surrounded by thousands of new friends. Tables and chairs are provided, as are live music and a dance floor. handmade-events.com
POP-Down, London – Until 22 August: Michelin cuisine at mid-range prices? Don’t mind if we do! Open for dinner bookings from Thursday-Saturday throughout the summer, POP-Down lets guests plop down for a multi-course meal prepared by Cuisson chefs who have trained in Europe’s elite kitchens (think Le Gavroche and The Fat Duck). cuisson.co.uk
Pop-Up Pool, Brooklyn – Until 7 September: Brooklyn Bridge Park sees that pop-up beach and raises you a pop-up pool. Show up for a designated 45-minute swim session (arrive early, as they’re first-come, first-served), then head to the beach for some chill-out time. brooklynbridgepark.org
Photo © Alexa Hoyer
Café Bustelo, Chicago – 5-14 September: The king of Cuban-style espresso brings you a here-today, gone-tomorrow café experience boasting regular live music and hosting networking events for career newbies near Chicago’s iconic Wicker Park. connect.cafebustelo.com
AWS Pop-Up Loft, NYC – Until 25 August: Pop-ups aren’t always purely for play; Amazon Web Services’ temporary loft space is designed not only as a place to offer free support for AWS clients, but also to encourage any interested techies to attend educational workshops and networking events. aws.amazon.com
Craft Beer Pop-Up Shop, Berlin – Until 15 September: More than 40 carefully selected craft beers are on hand at this bar within a bar within a hotel – the 5-star Hotel am Steinplatz in Charlottenburg. Drop by for a tasting, and if you have one too many, just book into one of the plush, yet surprisingly affordable rooms. hotelsteinplatz.com
Snoozebox Edinburgh – Until 31 August: Providing portable “luxury on-site accommodation” at events and festivals (“luxury” as in, “not a tent”), Snoozebox arrives in Edinburgh just in time for the city’s monumental fringe festival. There’s no pillow concierge or rainforest shower, but you do have an LCD TV, private bathroom and air conditioning, plus the ultimate amenity for modern budget travellers: a convenient location. snoozeboxhotel.co.uk
Smokin’ Graciela’s Rooftop Bar, London – Until September: Step up above the rooftops of Shoreditch and into 1950s Havana. Without a doubt the city’s hippest place to sip rum, play dominoes, listen to storytellers and pig out on classic Cuban cuisine. Creole fried chicken, anyone? queenofhoxton.com
Centre Pompidou (one to watch): The Parisian art icon is branching out. A satellite museum featuring over 100 works from the museum’s collection debuted in Málaga in March, intending to stay for 5 years, while further plans are in the works to open offshoots around France, each with a lifespan of 4 years. centrepompidou.es
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