June / July 2016
Grimaldi Forum hosts a variety of summer events: "The Bodyguard" starring Alexandra Burke; actors and directors best compete for the Golden Nymph at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival; LikeBike, the world's most prestigious bike show.
THE Automobile Club of Monaco has the organisation of the Monaco Grand Prix down to a fine art. I never cease to marvel at the speed and efficiency of the workers as they begin to disassemble fencing and grandstands seemingly minutes after the winning driver completes his triumphal lap around the circuit. During the race, avenue Princesse Grace is closed to traffic. At one end, luxury hotels and apartment buildings overlook a virtually deserted beach; at the other, sleek F1 cars race down from the Fairmont hairpin bend at breakneck speeds and roar around the right-hand turn into the tunnel - the one place where cars can overtake - the high-pitched scream of their engines echoing back along the avenue, black skid marks and the smell of burning rubber the only signs of their passing. The small tribune at the mouth of the tunnel has scarcely emptied before the workers arrive with thick gloves and huge screwdrivers; fencing is unscrewed and crash barriers of tyres neatly stacked for night-time removal. The next morning traffic is moving as normal. This corner is where the new land extension is to be located and will doubtless affect the Grand Prix circuit in future years. Work on the environmentally friendly underwater foundations is scheduled to begin at the end of the year and of prime importance is the protection of the adjoining Larvotto fish reserve. The Prince Albert II Foundation is currently raising funds to add two rare species of seahorse to the reserve. What fun that would be ... a day at the beach and the chance to swim with a seahorse!
This ambitious urban extension project will include not only apartment buildings, public parking, a seafront promenade and a marina but an extension to the Grimaldi Forum, which is not only a successful conference and exhibition centre but a centre for the performing arts, with great plans for the summer season. Strategically placed between Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, LikeBike 2016 brings the latest bicycles from around the world to this popular event at the forum (June 3-5), then the elite of the television industry arrive for the 56th Monte-Carlo Television Festival (June 12-16) where the world's best actors and directors compete for the legendary Golden Nymph awards. There is an increased demand for high-quality TV programming and this festival is a landmark for the industry. Six British dramas and an ITV documentary are among the entries chosen to compete for the awards this year and the public are invited to see some of the films in competition. A week later, the stunning musical, “The Bodyguard”; starring Alexandra Burke arrives from London (June 23-26), then the forum's summer art exhibition opens, celebrating the life and works of British artist, "Francis Bacon, Monaco and French Culture", with over 60 of his works on display (July 2 -Sept 4). Joint tickets for the Bacon exhibition with the European Art Fair Monaco (formerly Point Art Monaco, PAM), running July 20-24, will be offered for €16. At the charming belle epoque NMNM Villa Sauber museum opposite, a nostalgic project of the life and times of legendary actress, Marlene Dietrich by Francesco Vezzoli, is a tempting alternative to the beach on a hot summer's day (until Sept 11).
At the Cafe de Paris, BAM celebrates the Queen's 90th birthday with the Band of the Carabiniers, who will play a range of British and well-known music to entertain members and guests at the Salon Bellevue on June 8 (only prepaid tickets, €50/pers).
No one comes to Monaco for peace and quiet, but in winter avenue Princesse Grace, with its empty beach and few tourists, is relatively calm ... but in summer Ferraris rev to and from Jimmy'z legendary night club; the beach is alive with long legs and bikinis and jazz at the Note Bleu or chilling at the first ever Amber Summer, the sister of Fl's charity auction and after-party Amber Lounge, at the Meridien Beach Plaza.
Since its inauguration by Josephine Baker in 1974, the Sporting d'Été has brought the world's greatest stars to the Salle des Étoiles, with its sliding roof that opens to the stars and fireworks finales. Rod Stewart kicks off the season this year, then old favourites Gladys Knight, Burt Bacharach and Tom Jones add a little nostalgia. On July 23, American singer Lana del Rey stars at the Red Cross Ball, the most glamorous social event of the season, where Dior gowns and Bulgari jewellery are de rigeur. So don your coolest threads and have a wonderful summer.
