WORLD CUP COMPANION EVENTS

Music in the stadium

The Glückaufkampfbahn sports stadium was Schalke 04's home grounds from 1928 to 1973. This summer, the venerable old stadium once again plays a momentous role. All the matches are shown on a big screen here, and international pop greats perform in the Oval: Simple Minds (June 8); Status Quo (June 28); the Gipsy Kings (June 29); Mustafa Sandal and Sümer Ezgü (July 2); Die Fantastischen Vier (July 3); Tokio Hotel (July 6) and Bryan Adams (July 7). In the amphitheater, Bob Dylan (July 2) and James Blunt (July 6) round out Gelsenkirchen's ambitious World Cup music program. Outside the arenas, the Bahnhofstrasse (Alt-Gelsenkirchen district) and Hochstrasse (Gelsenkirchen-Buer) pedestrian areas are meeting points for fans and parties, with entertainment on multiple open-air stages. The Pixel Café in Florastrasse offers a handson exhibition for World Cup visitors. Amateur photographers using their own cameras are encouraged to capture and display digital soccer moments (June 9 to July 10). At the Städtisches Museum, the exhibit "Verrückte Ansichten" (Distorted Views) presents selected kinetic art works (May 14 to July 30). The World Theater Sports Championship, held at 14 locations across Germany - including the Consol-Theater in Gelsenkirchen - promises to be truly competitive. Organized by the Dortmund improvisation theater, "Emscherblut," 16 national teams from all five continents compete in the art of improvisation. At the behest of the audience, actors spontaneously create comedies, tragedies or poetic plays. Gelsenkirchen hosts three matches (June 28, July 1 and 3). Artistic productions with local flair are presented at "ExtraSchicht 2006" (Extra Shift 2006). The annual "Industrial Culture Night," (June 17) when some 100,000 visitors tour former coal mines, coke plants, slag heaps and blast furnaces, is dedicated to football this year.

SIGHTS

ZOOM ERLEBNISWELT

Bleckstrasse 47, Phone 0209/954 50

A gigantic, completely new breed of zoo with large outdoor enclosures. Kodiak bears, polar bears and wild water falls: Alaska in the heart of the Ruhr. Africa and Asia will follow soon.

ZECHE CONSOLIDATION

Bismarckstr. 260

The striking, twin-strut frame headgear from 1922 is the symbol of the Bismarck district. The former coal mine houses a theater and a restaurant.

RESTAURANTS

BRAUHAUS HIBERNIA

Bahnhofsvorplatz 2, Phone 0209/20 85 31

Rustic Ruhr charm with master brewer Ärwin. Order the miner's special and the Gruben Gold beer that is brewed on the premises.

RÉSIDENCE

Essen-Kettwig, Hotel Résidence

Phone 02054/95 59 0

The go-to place for gourmets. Chef Henri Bach and his team have been pampering their guests with light, creative cuisine for years.

PUBS

TWO FACES

Hochstrasse 60, Phone 0209/386 24 43

An exquisite selection of exotic cocktails and extravagant African atmosphere entice guests to come in and chill out.

KRONSKI

Springemarkt 2, Phone 0209/702 25 35

A colorful watering hole in the chic market hall located in the Buer district. Café in the morning, bar in the evening, and club on and off.

SHOPPING

CENTRO OBERHAUSEN

Oberhausen, Centroallee 1000, Phone 0208/82 80

One of Europe's largest shopping centers boasting a good 200 stores, bars, restaurants, discos and a fun park. The Sea Life aquarium is right next door.

MANUFACTUM

Waltrop, Hiberniastrasse 5, Phone 02309/93 91 42