A variety of sounds will be hitting the streets of Utrecht over the next week, ranging from the sublime to the truly unusual. The international Europa Cantat festival will be taking place in Utrecht from 17 to 26 July at various locations throughout the city. The festival, held every three years in different countries, brings together individual singers, choristers and ensemble singers as they take part in concerts, programs and workshops in a variety of musical styles and themes, ranging from Hindu ritual singing to Renaissance singing to rap.

More than 3000 people are expected to participate in the official concerts, but there will also be daily Open Sings, during which anyone can join in and make a joyful noise -- or at least try. Other open events include boats full of singers sailing and singing down the Oudegracht, and karaoke nights through 25 July at the Domplein. The full schedule of events can be found here, including a listing of the numerous free, and open-air events held daily.

Tickets for individual concerts are €10 each, while tickets for the discovery ateliers and special day-ticket options start at €50. Complete information about ticket purchases and options can be found here.

In conjunction with the Europa Cantat is the unusual, but fascinating, Rioolfest, aka SewerFest. From 18 to 21 July, special speakers will be placed in the sewers of Utrecht, and from them will emanate the sounds of the London Underground, a modern zoo, fairy tales and even the Tour de France. This unique sound project can be heard from the street level as the sounds make their way up through the pavement and storm drains in the city. The heart of this project will be located at the Zadelbar at Zadelstraat 22 in the city center. The full schedule can be found here (in Dutch).