FRIDA KAHLO

BERLIN
Although Kahlo is the most famous female artist of the first half of the 20th century, her work has seldom been exhibited in Germany, but this landmark retrospective at Martin-Gropius Bau certainly makes amends for that. The more than 120 paintings and around 70 drawings, some of them never seen, reveal unknown aspects of the Mexican artist’s personality, and included are landscapes that metamorphose into sexual fantasies and subtly humorous plays on words and images. In what promises to be an intimate presentation, there will also be a section devoted to photographs belonging to Kahlo’s family and friends, which has been has been curated by the artist’s great niece, photographer Cristina Kahlo. Until 9 August. www.berlinerfestspiele.de

DREAMLANDS

PARIS
See cities in a new way from 5 May at Centre Pompidou’s Dreamlands exhibition, where art meets architecture. Over 300 works – including films, architectural models and documents – from artistic visionaries and architects such as Salvador Dali, Rem Koolhaas and Renzo Piano, have been brought together in the centre’s Grande Galerie, and explore how imaginative ideas have influenced urban design over the years. The ‘dreamlands’ up for debate here range from Dalí’s design for the Venus pavilion (built by architect Ian Woodner in New York, 1939), to the polished marble world of 21st-century Dubai. The wacky exuberance of theme parks and Las Vegas are also acknowledged for their part in turning artistic dreams into urban reality. centrepompidou.fr

KISS

EUROPE
Crazy face-paint fans and 1970s’ metal gods, Kiss are bringing their flamboyant hard rock extravaganza to 27 European cities this May and June. The Sonic Boom Over Europe tour, which follows swiftly on from 2009’s well-received Sonic Boom album, marks Kiss’ return to arenas after an 11-year break. Expect outrageous outfits, pyrotechnics, and music loud enough to drown the creaking limbs. www.kissonline.com

ALSO ON THIS MONTH

MILAN
Roy Lichtenstein, Meditations on Art; until 30 May.
Don’t miss the chance to see a new side of the renowned pop artist’s work, as unpublished pieces from the 1950s are revealed in this colourful retrospective. www.triennale.it

NEW YORK
Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum; until May 30.
With 75 years of success under its belt, this Biennial always delivers multimedia art that’s ‘of the moment’ as well as a fresh crop of familiar and less well-known artists, and this year is no different. www.whitney.org

PARIS
Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Opera National de Paris; opens 7 May.
Get mystical and enjoy the fantastic stories of Hoffman being brought to life in three acts through Robert Carsen’s imaginative stage direction of Jacques Offenbach’s last and unfinished work. www.operadeparis.fr

LONDON
Henry VIII Shakespeare’s Globe; from 15 May The fireworks and royal pomp of this dramatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s most spectacular play will surely raise the roof – if only it had one – of London’s grandest open air theatre over the course of the summer. www.shakespearesglobe.org

WORLDWIDE
Robin Hood; from 13 May. This epic adaptation by Ridley Scott sees Russell Crowe kick predecessor Kevin Costner to the curb as the heroic outlaw Robin, and promises to be a thrilling start to the summer blockbuster season.

BRUSSELS
Kunstenfestivaldesarts, 7–29 May An edgy mission dedicated to new creations in performing and visual arts, at theatres and galleries across the city give this cosmopolitan festival the cool factor. www.kfda.be