January 22 agenda: Vancouver Cultural Olympiad opens

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Friday's selection: Vancouver Cultural Olympiad starts in Canada, stars gather to support Haiti earthquake's victims, Brussels hosts its biggest art fair, in Paris old cars and new design objects, and "Britain's best graphic designer" on view in Manchester, among other events.

Vancouver Cultural Olympiad
January 22-March 21
Vancouver, Canada

The 60-day Cultural Olympiad 2010, which begins before and continues throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, presents music, performing arts and visual arts events throughout Vancouver. The eclectic lineup comprising more than 600 ticketed and free performances includes a Ugandan dance troupe, emerging Canadian talents brought together by Neil Young, as well as the best DJs in the world.

www.vancouver2010.com/culturalolympiad

Haiti fundraiser
January 22
USA

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, actor George Clooney has teamed up with MTV Networks to host a live telethon. The fundraiser will be telecast on all MTV channels worldwide, US television channels ABC and NBC, and cable channels HBO and CNN with guests such as Bono, Sting and Justin Timberlake. Clooney will host the charity event with Wyclef Jean, Black Eyed Peas singer from Haiti.

Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA)
January 22 - 31
Brussels, Belgium

The 55th edition of the Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA) will be held in January in the historic Tour & Taxis site. More than 130 exhibitors from across the globe will display Antiquities, Oceanic art, Tribal art, Modern art, Contemporary works, jewelry, furniture, and curiosities to an avid crowd of more than 36,000 visitors.

http://www.brafa.be/

Maison & Objet
January 22 - 26
Paris, France

Held twice a year, the decoration and furniture trade show attracts 600,000 visitors, half of whom come from abroad, and 17,500 exhibitors from 115 countries.

http://www.maison-objet.com

RetroMobile
January 22-31
Paris, France

RetroMobile is known as the "Pebble Beach of Europe" (a reference to the prestigious classic car auction), and is expected to welcome over 120,000 visitors to the 35th year of the show. Auction highlights include a 1925 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia Roadster that has recently surfaced after 70 years at the bottom of Lake Maggiore.

http://www.retromobile.fr

Alan Fletcher: Fifty years of graphic work (and play)
January 22 - April 3
Manchester, UK

Alan Fletcher has been described as "Britain's best ever graphic designer" by the Observer and "one of the giants of 20th Century design" by the Guardian. Now CUBE gallery in Manchester is putting together a major retrospective of the designer's and artist's work spanning designs from 50 years.

http://www.cube.org.uk

Swimming: World Winter Swimming Championships
January 22-24
Bled, Slovenia

Over 600 participants from 20 nations will be taking part in the WWSCs in Lake Bled, in a series of competitive and non-competitive races. As well as breaststroke, freestyle, and relay races, there is a special endurance swim and a performance category scheduled to round off the championships on Sunday, January 24. As such, the WWSCs serve as a celebration of cold-water swimming and a precursor to the Winter World Masters which take place in Bled the following week.
Entry fee: €30 for individuals, €100 for teams

http://www.2010winterswimming.com