(Hip Hop Kemp 2009)

(Prague, June 2009) Great music, local and world-renowned stars, gorgeous summer weather and a relaxed atmosphere - these are the ingredients of just the right open-air summer festival. Moreover, many festivals offer something extra: they teach the audience both to respect other musical genres but also to tolerate other cultures.

The festival Colours of Ostrava gets better each year, thanks (among other things) to the excellent performers. The programme is held at several places around the city, which the guests can visit for a special price using discounts through the Colours Plus card. From 9 to 12 July 2009, the Ostrava audience will hear the music of the best-selling English jazzman Jamie Cullum, the British dance legend Stereo MCs, the group Morcheeba that is ever popular in the Czech Republic, American performer David Byrne, and the unbeatable funky music symbol Maceo Parker.

Tickets: CZK 1,300 on-site

From 30 July to 2 August 2009, Sázavafest in Kácov will introduce a wide range of foreign stars at the largest domestic multi-genre festival. This year's main crowd-puller is the American producer, DJ and singer Moby, who, in addition to his new works, will reprise his biggest hits from the successful album Play. The Czech audience is pleased to hear Jimmy Somerville's name as it is the first time this Scottish singer will appear in the Czech Republic. The acid-jazz formation Freak Power and the Arabian techno rock ‘n' roll presented by Speed Caravan also have large followings of fans.

Tickets: CZK 1,200 on-site

The most popular Czech dance music festival Summer of Love celebrates its 13th year of existence with the motto "We Call it Techno!". The performances, to be held on 15 August 2009 at the Festival Park in Hradec Králové, include the techno DJ Chris Liebing with his special six-hour show, plus Roni Size & MC Dynamite. All that will be supported by large-screen displays, laser shows and, first and foremost, quality sound.

Tickets: CZK 990 on-site

All hip hop fans are welcomed to Hip Hop Kemp at the Festival Park in Hradec Králové during 20-22 August 2009. The performers on the main stage will be Method Man, La Coka Nostra, Lady Sovereign and some 200 more stars that include top performers from the Czech and Slovak stage. The accompanying programme is no less impressive: a breakdance stage, a streetball court, water football, BMX exhibitions and a zorbing track.

Tickets: CZK 1,200 on-site

If you are looking for the place with the Czech Republic's longest tradition of festival performances, the Trutnov Open Air Music Festival (20-23 August 2009) is the place to be. The Trutnov audience is well-known for its tolerance for other genres, and this year's performances will include the British formation Primal Scream, Anti-Flag from the USA and, of course, the elite of the Czech music scene.

Tickets: CZK 990 on-site

Other music festivals:

• Hip Hop Jam
• Masters of Rock
• Mighty Sounds
• Benátská noc
• Hradhouse Boskovice
  

Markéta Chaloupková, CzechTourism

chaloupkova@czechtourism.cz