PRELUDE: EVENTS

“MondrianMobile”©Emily Duffy www.braball.com
Photo©Harrod Blank www.artcaragency.com

Houston Art Car Weekend May 13-May 15
Witness the devotion of hundreds of car and bike enthusiasts who have customized their machines at this bizarre event. It’s not just about rims, paintwork and leather upholstery, though. The art cars and bikes on show really are works of art, decked out in flowers, tin foil and grass, or modelled into giant sunflowers, high-heeled shoes and even hamburgers. It’s a sight for sore eyes. www.orangeshow.org/artcar.html

Memphis Beale Street Musical Festival April 29-May 1
As part of the Memphis in May celebrations continuing throughout the month, the famous Beale St. plays host to world-renowned musicians. Past performers include Ray Charles, Van Morrison and Willie Nelson. There are over 60 confirmed artists playing on the four main stages, so there’s something for everyone, with R&B, blues, gospel, rock and world music. www.memphisinmay.org

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 23-May 2
This world-famous event provides an unparalleled showcase of authentic New Orleans culture: delicious food, crafts and lots of live music. Concerts take place at the Fair Grounds Race Course and other venues around the city. The music encompasses every style associated with the city and the state from blues, R&B, gospel, jazz, Cajun and zydeco to Afro-Caribbean, folk, Latin, rock, rap, country, bluegrass, and everything in-between. www.nojazzfest.com

New York The New York Antiquarian Book Fair April 29-May 1
Bookworms should head over to the Park Avenue Armory for a chance to buy rare, antique and first edition books, manuscripts and valuable maps from over 180 international book dealers. www.sanfordsmith.com/nyabookfair

Atlanta Inman Park Spring Festival April 22-24
A weekend of eclectic arts, crafts, costume parades, a street market and live music takes over Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood. Colorful and lively, the festival has an unusual highlight—the tour of homes, in which residents allow their homes to be turned into museums of the district’s historic architecture. www.inmanpark.org/festival.php

Baltimore 130th Running of the Preakness May 21
The Running of the Preakness is the mid-Atlantic’s largest, single-day, annual sporting event. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend the event at the Pimlico Race Course. The city holds a week-long celebration in the days leading up to this race, with public events, a hot air balloon festival and live music. www.preaknesscelebration.org