Creative Japanese t-shirt brand UNIQLO presents the 5th anniversary of their UT Grand Prix - the true Olympics of t-shirt design. Up-and-coming t-shirt creators from all over the globe will battle it out in this international competition for a grand prize of 3 million JPY (almost 18,000€!). Winners of the first and second rounds will be chosen from an expected 10,000 entries and will be showcased on the internet, while the final stage of the competition will see the awarding of the top prize by high-profile judges (including Kashiwa Sato and Yayoi Kusama). Twenty more designs will then be produced and sold as UNIQLO t-shirts at the company's flagship stores in New York, Paris, London, Hong Kong, China and of course Japan. With such a fantastic prize at stake and with the competition open to everyone, it's time to get inspired on the t-shirt front. Sign up now at UNIQLO's website. TM

The silver screen has never been so radiant as under the August sky in Paris. For three weeks, public locations all over the capital will be illuminated with a series of free big-screen cinema projections, all of which come complete with a comfortable deckchair. This year's festival takes a tour of European capitals exploring cinematic representations of great cities from Rome to Vienna and Lisbon to Dublin. Highlights include Pedro Almodovar's ‘Talons Aiguilles,' (10 Aug, Jardin du Trocadero), Carol Reed's ‘The Third Man' (9 Aug, Parc André Citroen) and Lone Schervig's ‘Italian For Beginners' (17 Aug, Terrain de Sport Menilmontant). The beautiful outdoor setting, however, is scheduled for every performance - weather permitting. Take a look at the full programme and find your nearest location here. TM

Despite having been moved forward a week on account of a certain pontiff's visit, the 10th annual Paris Techno Parade is still set to transform the streets of the capital into one massive party. Anyone who's anyone on the techno scene will want to be involved in what has become a focal event on the world's electro calendar. This year's theme, like so many festivals around the city, has chosen Europe as its focus and its slogan ‘Rock To The Beat' is provided by Detroit pioneers Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson. What's more, continuing in the vein of last year's green theme, the birthday celebrations will strive to promote environmental awareness, even sorting through the debris left on the parade route. TM

Only at La Bellevilloise would you stumble across a field in a loft. Yes, for the second summer running, the eastern Paris restaurant/bar/venue has transformed its generous loft space into a ‘Grande Prairie' complete with lavender, sunflowers, water hyacinths, deck chairs and that most essential of features - hammocks. Of course, just like all the very best fields, this one comes complete with a cocktail bar, a massage area, and reflexology treatment, and even better, is completely free (with little or no threat of angry farmers). So, if you want to explore your agricultural side without leaving the city - or you just fancy relaxing with a comic book and a mojito beside an lily pond, grab your straw hat and get down to La Bellevilloise post haste. TM

A collection of diverse workshops, artistic introductions and live music that enliven the 13th arrondissement three nights a week throughout the summer season. Both the boat-cum-nightclub Le Batofar and its neighbouring Quai François Mauriac take on a new lease of life with African dance classes, improvised theatre, soul & blues nights and even sewing classes, all for only 5€ a pop. All info here. TM

Inspired by the Myth of Apollo and set in the breathtaking grounds of the palace of France's own 'Sun King,' Les Grands Eaux Musicales comprises a set of promenades in the gardens of Versailles. The walks are based on a manuscript by Louis XIV himself entitled 'Ways to show the gardens of Versailles,' and are accompanied by the gentle rythms of Baroque music especially chosen by the Maestro Herve Niquet and performed by a variety of select musicians. The route, which leads the visitor through the fountains, groves and grand vistas of the royal grounds is a glorious way to experience these gardens in the manner they were designed. TM

Fed up of the Cinema? Tired of over priced tickets, oily popcorn, sticky seats and formulaic blockbusters? You're not the only one. Which is why Cinéma en Plein Air 2008 endeavours to bring a different kind of cinema experience to the city. Throughout this festival, Parc de la Villette is transformed into an open-air movie theatre, showing only the best and top quality output from some of the world's most talented directors. Sitting pretty under the night sky, the audience can expect to enjoy the work of such cinematic giants as Pedro Almodovar, Akira Kurosawa, and Martin Scorcese while drinking in the thespian genius of such legends as Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart and Marlene Dietrich - all for a fraction of the price of your local Multiplex. This scrumptuous festival's schedule is jam packed with absolute must-sees for any movie aficionado, and all, crucially, are shown in their original versions with subtitles. TM

Outrageous floats and costumes and a strong political agenda meet in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans March. The parade sets off from place Denfert Rochereau at 2pm (avenue de l'Observatoire> bd St-Michel> bd St-Germain> pont de Sully> bd Henri IV> Bastille at 5.30pm), culminating in a FG Radio party at Bastille (from 3pm) and special club events.

The Japanese online style mag Shift has been trying to offer artists many platforms to showcase their works online. Their calendar competition, held every year since 2003, pushes the boundaries between online and off line using a ‘calendar' as its medium. Entries are invited from all over the world and the twelve winners will have their work distributed internationally in the format of an actual physical calendar. Submission deadline is 10 Sep 2008. This year, selected works will be exhibited and sold on the PRINT'EM web site for a year with support by PRINT'EM, a graphic print center operated by Mitsubishi Paper MIlls Limited. Send original work. Go here for more info.

Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy are just a few of the personalities who chose to don themselves with the creations of Valentino Garavani over the last half century. Without a doubt, this Italian fashion marvel has left an indelible mark on the style legacy of the 20th century, and continues to do so in this unique retrospective exhibition. Coming just five months after his grand farewell to Paris, ‘Valentino - Thémes et Variations' celebrates 48 years of fashion history. Charting Valentino's illustrious career from the opening of his first Salon in Rome in 1959 through his receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, the exhibition showcases some 200 of his most inspired creations. Elegant, sophisticated, modern and classic, this representative compilation of a life's work is a feast for the eyes for any fashion enthusiast. TM