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Twenty years ago, as the fable goes, Danny Rampling, Paul Oakenfold and Nicky Holloway et al came to Ibiza, dropped their first E and started the voyage of discovery that became the acid house explosion.

Fittingly, Ibiza is preparing to celebrate the momentous anniversary of the Summer Of Love with what can only be described as a world-beating line up of parties, superstars and sexed-up mischief.

Despite a low hum of bad judicial noise and the advent of strict new opening hours laws Ibiza's best and brightest are preparing for a summer which promises to take the party scene new heights, even by island standards. Nearly all the major promoters have already confirmed their presence on the island and A-list artists are being added daily for June's opening party extravaganza.

The major surprise of the off-season shuffle is that Pete Tong leaving his Friday night at Pure Pacha after five years to open Wonderland at Eden on Friday 13th June. Radio 1's frustration at Tong's lack of studio time during the summer, coupled with Pacha's unwillingness to pay for the private jet to get him to the club on time, mean Eden have pulled off a major coup in their quest to gain real credibility in the eyes of Ibiza's clubbing aristocracy. Tong will undoubtedly attract big names to San Antonio; how is Groove Armada, weekly, in the back room for starters?

First, though, Eden opens its doors on Saturday 31st May for long-running San An fave Judgement Sundays (Opening 8th June), which this year has Rob Tissera's much loved Kissdafunk brand fortnightly in the second room. While Tranz Ibiza at Eden will be competing for the glow-stick junkies from 3rd June with Tidy Boys, Anne Savage, Rob Tissera and Frantic all getting in the mix.

Ibiza Voice and Zenith return to their old stomping ground, Blue Marlin, on 31st May with a full complement of the freakily talented Freak n' Chic crew. For everyone else, it's an opening party; for the hard working Ibiza Voice crew it's one last blow-out before a hectic summer at the helm of the island's most essential website... expect madness!

In deference to the new after-hours laws the usual flamboyant Space Opening (Sunday 1st June) kicks off from 12 noon sharp. With over 10,000 partiers rampaging across multiple zones, Space Opening is the closest thing Ibiza gets to a festival. The scale of the event has to be seen to be believed. Expect the usual grab-bag mix of polished A-list talent (Tong, Novy, who else?) plus local talent and a few surprises. On 15th June We Love... inaugurate their summer circus with the first of 16 parties hosted by the usual staggering selection of superstars including exclusive appearances from Carl Craig, Miss Kittin, Claude VonStroke, Steve Lawler and more. Erstwhile after-hours favourite Matinee returns from 28th June, following Cassagrande which starts on 12th June.

As always, reports of Circoloco's death have been greatly exaggerated. The ultimate twisted disco is back is back at DC10 for 2008 (Opening Monday 2nd June). No doubt the usual paragons of moderation and discretion will be in attendance (yeah right!) Despite the continual rumours about demolition and with an owner of whom the authorities seem keen to make an example (Read here) , DC10 is still Ibiza's most controversial venue hosting the most unique party. It's difficult to put into words, so I won't try - this one you have to see to believe.

Meanwhile, beautiful-people magnet Pacha is shrugging off Tong's defection by stocking Pure Pacha with new residents, Sander Kleinenberg, the Swedish House Mafiosi, Axwell, Steve Angello and Seb Ingrosso as well as, reportedly, Basement Jaxx and Faithless. Get your glad rags on for the opening on Friday 30th May. Don't forget to save something for the glam opening of marina hotspot El Divino on 6th June, either, when Salvacion returns on a new night (Tuesday) with its usual sexy old tricks.

Lovers of louche French glitz will already have Thursday 5th June marked in their diaries for the opening of F*** Me I'm Famous, which has cemented their relationship with Pacha by going weekly. The rest of Pacha's usual suspects are out in force from early June: Erick Morillo's Subliminal (Wednesdays from 4th June), Satoshi Tommiie's Def Mix (Saturdays from 7th June) and Defected (Tuesdays from 10th June).

In the opposite corner, Amnesia has been sharpening its jabs and is now poised to defend its crown as best global club in what is sure to be a fiercely competitive season. Following the club opening on 7th June, Amnesia has ridiculously popular UK bosh-a-thon Cream opening Thursday 12th June. With tea-sipping Deutsch demi-god Paul Van Dyk as resident (eight dates) and Sasha spinning at the opening they've clearly thrown down the gauntlet for trance rivals Armada. The fabulous madness that is Cocoon returns with a Disco Invader theme on Monday 16th June, which gives Sven and his posse of techno space-walkers another excuse to raid the fancy dress box every week.

Privilege, the World's Biggest Club (TM) will be hoping to shrug off the drama surrounding Manumission's departure last season -- starting with their opening bash on 31st May. Dutch trance demi-god Tiesto takes residence on Mondays and our favourite racing-themed night Monza is back on Thursdays...

The one to watch, though, will be Manumission on Friday (Opening 13th June). Having taken over the full club (Made In Italy is moving to Wednesdays) this is Amnesia's chance to further their grip on the island's party scene. They've spent the winter remodelling the terrace to accommodate Manu's shows and we can't wait to see it! 

Fittingly, it was Amnesia where Rampling and Oakenfold had their Damascene dance conversion. A lot - some would say everything - has changed since then yet a special vibe unmistakably remains. Through all the ups and downs the White Island has never lost its love of a good party - and the more the outside world turns the pressure up the more its loyal hedonists rally to keep the true spirit of Ibiza alive. This is one season you don't want to miss… 

Ibiza Openings  May 16 - June 30 - Calendar Here