Karim Rashim housewares that will be on offer at the new Alessi flagship store in Milan.iMac
The latest openings and events from around the world.
Milan After taking up shop for nearly 25 years on Corso Matteotti, Italy's foremost purveyor of industrial chic housewares is moving its showroom to a bigger, bolder space. Designed by Catalan artist Martí Guixé, Alessi's new flagship store is billing itself not as an everyday retail space, but as a "shop resort." The entire range of Alessi products are on display over one brightly lit floor. In addition to its classic Bird Kettle and comical Gianni kitchen containers, you can find the latest in the brand's spring/summer line, which includes Karim Rashid's Hellraiser collection of irregularly shaped, angular trays, citrus baskets and centrepieces. The store opens officially on June 9 at 14-16 via Manzoni. alessi.com
SINGING IN THE BATHHOUSE
Berlin Immerse yourself in an underwater opera at Berlin's Stadtbad Neukolln. The art nouveau bathhouse is the stage for Aquaria Palaoa, a quirky performance that depicts the struggles of a seal trying to find the elixir of eternal youth. Donning an emerald-green evening dress and oxygen tank, champion swimmer turned diva Claudia Herr literally dives into the lead role, singing from beneath the water while her chorus swims and croons around her. The resulting mix of traditional opera and whale-like melodies are broadcast on speakers, accompanied by a live orchestra and pre-recorded sounds that were drawn from 100 metres under an Antarctic ice shelf. Dress down for this performance. There are no chairs, but small towels can be purchased to sit on for $7 (€5). Performances take place on June 15, 16 and Sept. 10, 17. unterwasseroper.de
THE HIGH-TECH HOTEL
London The quintessential English guest house has come a long way since the days of chintzy floral decor and saggy mattresses. Soon to open in a restored Georgian townhouse in London's leafy Pimlico neighbourhood is Eccleston Square, a 39-room hotel that may become best known for its cutting-edge guest amenities. Each room is outfitted with Bluetooth iPod connections, VoIP phones, heating and lighting settings that can be pre-programmed to your preferred wake-up and sleep settings. Guests can sink into their handmade $19,000 Hastens massage bed and fiddle with an in-room iPad2, 46-inch 3-D television, and a 3-D Blu-Ray player. With this many bells and whistles, technical difficulties are inevitable. Perhaps the hotel should hire a gadgetry concierge. www.designhotels.com/eccleston
NYC BEACH BUM CENTRAL
New York If you're craving sun and sand, but can't afford a summer house in the Hamptons, consider spending weekends at Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club. Recently opened on the South Street Seaport, alongside Pier 17, the urban beach comes complete with unobstructed views of the Brooklyn Bridge, plenty of lounge seating (chaises, hammocks or glowing chairs are scattered across a 560-square-metre stretch of sand), and outdoor amusements like foosball, Ping-Pong and pool. The adjacent beer garden features a selection of craft brews and a casual menu of burgers, fish and chips and pretzels by Chef Jason Mayer, formerly of the hip Chelsea restaurant Buddakan. On Sundays, indie-rock bands take the stage for free concerts. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. beekmanonthewater.com
Special to The Globe and Mail