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| July, 2008 |
| Well, summer is unfolding nicely in Barcelona! Get out the sunscreen and hit the beaches! Click here for a description of our area beaches. Or visit the city´s beach website for the up-to-the minute temperature and beach conditions through their webcam images in conjunction with the Maritime Sciences Institute. We´re in the midst of our famous "rebaixes", a twice-a-year tradition - sellathon - where all the stores in town have marked down their merchandise in preparation for the fall collection. You think 50% off is good, wait for the "seguns rebaixes", or second-phase of the sales, beginning toward the end of the month, where the merchandise will be marked off 70% - 80%! Stop to think about it.... the stores will have had to mark up their merchandise how much to be able to offer 80% off? hummmmm..... Here are some of the events happening in our fair city in July: * The city is hosting its “Music in the Park” series, classical, jazz and band music at several parks throughout the city. Full details online at the city´s website. * Open Air Cinema is on the agenda throughout Barcelona. The Sala Montjuic started the first week of July - a fabulous Barcelona summer tradition! A giant-size screen is set up outside the Castell de Montjuic´s walls to show 35 mm films in their original version with Spanish subtitles. Live music and entertainment scheduled prior to the film. Tickets are 4€. Have a picnic on the lawn! Food, beer and wine available on site. This year, Sala Montjuic has scheduled three screenings a week instead of two. Audience limited to 2500, with 2000 tickets available on site. Opening time 20:30. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for five weeks. Ticket price: 4 Euros. Deckchair rental: 3 Euros. How to get there: Special free bus shuttle service from Plaça Espanya begins at 19h00. You can also take the green metro L3 to the funicular, switch to the teleferico (price is about 3€) to the castle. You can also buy tickets online at Servicaixa. Other summer cinema treats include the “Cinemar” and “Cine de barrio al aire libre”, the free open air cinema in several Barcelona neighborhoods. “Cinemar” take place aboard the Golondrinas boats that cruise the waters of the Barcelona shoreline. The movies are old comedies, some dating from the early 1900s, with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton, accompanied by live piano music. The boat leaves the waterfront at 22h00 and the price is 25€ that includes a snack. In bad weather the movies are shown while the boat stays docked at the waterfront. Fridays and Saturdays. “Cine del barrio” are open-air movies that take place in the L´Eixample, Horta, Sants and Nou Barris neighbourhoods of Barcelona. Drop by one of the following cines frescas to watch a film by the light of the moon: Centre Civic Ateneu Fort Pienc (Pza. Fort Pienc 1) Centre Civic Cotxeres de Sants (Sants 79) Pza. 1 de Maig (Vallbona) Jardins Can Frasó (Juann de Mena 10) Centre Civic Sagrada Familia (Provença 480) Campillo de la Vigen (Feliu i Codina 55, Torre Baró) Pza. Esglèsia (Pedraforca 2, Ciutat Meridiana) Centre Garcilaso (Juan de Garay 116) Movies begin at 22h00. * An interesting cultural experience can be had at the Havaneres, old sea shanties brought home by Catalan sailors at the end of the 19th century from Cuba following the war of independence. They are sung in Catalan and Spanish and the music is usually provided by a guitar and accordion. The songs relate stories of leaving loved-ones behind and the audience typically participates with the waving of hands or swaying in unison. The Havaneres are more often performed at fishing ports along the Costa Brava, but these traditional songs and music can also be found at Barcelona´s Bogatell Beach. * On July 29th, the Centre d'Interpretacio Historica Refugi 307 will be hosting a visit to the bunker built by the community. The site is devoted to the memory of the local population's passive defence in the face of bombardment from both Italian and Franco's forces. Includes readings from literary works on wartime and a refreshment. Nou de la Rambla, 169, 21h. €10. Also hosted on August 5th and August 19th. * Catch the neighbourhood festivals – or festas mayors: The Festa Mayor Raval festivities takes place July 12-29 at the Centre Cívic Drassanes, with the actual feast taking place on July 26th. Take the metro line L3 to Drassanes. The Festa Major of Poble Sec will take place July 12-20th. Take the green metro line L3 to the Poble Sec stop for great small town fun within the urban area of Barcelona. The Festa Mayor Clota takes place on July 25th, with festivities throughout the weekend. Another local festival of interest is the Hamaka Festival, will take place on July 20th, August 17th and September 21st at the Montjuic Castle. Barcelona's annual outdoor relaxed music festival features theatre and artistic performances, food, drinks and of course "hamakas" to lounge in. Performers include: Okou, Melanie Pain, Bitxe, Chris Wyatt Scott, Lole, Blue & Joy, Chris Vogado (Zero db) and the acclaimed band Nouvelle Vague. Venue: 12h00 – midnight. Check out the Hamaka myspace site for more details. * Visit the wartime bunkers, built by the neighbouring community, Refugi 307 in Poble Sec. This is a heritage site devoted to the memory of the local population's passive defence in the face of bombardment from both Italian and Franco's forces. Visit to the bunker and readiings from literary works on wartime. Also 5th and 19th August. Centre d'Interpretacio Historica Refugi 307, Nou de la Rambla, 169. €10.00 (includes refreshment) * The Museu Picasso is hosting a tribute to this famous artist. "Brossa’s spirit will wreak havoc on the Picasso myth, creating crazy optical distortions to disconcert the spectator, who will pass from being a true admirer of Picasso to becoming a true Brossian, realising, in a Fregolian way, that life is a hyperrealist ?ction. And then, the analytic-introspective superpainter will be transformed into a tame minotaur, shaking the dust and cobwebs from the world sounded by Brossa’s stethoscope. And so we shall witness the supreme synthesis of the dialectic between oligophrenic art on the one hand and anti-theatrical counterpoetry on the other. And, in a corner of the courtyard, we shall witness the epiphany of a crazed horse wearing a shoe with a hole where his corns show through." July 9 – 10 / July 16 - 17 / July 23 – 24. Approx running time. 1 h 5€ Admission Fee * The Caixaforum sponsors “Summer Nights”, with free admission (Except concerts at the Auditori - 4 €). www.lacaixa.es/obrasocial. Address: Av. Marquès de Comillas, 6-8, Metros: Red L1 and Green L3 (Plaça Espanya), buses: 13, 50. 8pm & 10pm Other musical events: Almaritim, a summer cycle featuring music at the Maritime Museum, fills the night with the sounds of Latin America with sessions of tango and folklore. July 16-19th Museu Maritim, 21h00. Tom Waits. Concert of the year at Barcelona´s Forum complex as the world´s greatest and quirkiest songwriter calls for a double date gig. With more than 35 years of songwriting in his baggage, Tom Wait´s career has been marked by a progression from folk to jazz to rhythm and blues and a voice that has gone from hoarse to gravely. July 14-15 at the Auditori del Forum, Rambla de Prim 1-17. Duffy, widely considered to be the most promising of the “new Amys”, she released her debut album with a combination of retro white soul and pop. July 11th, Razzmatazz. International Sitges Music Festival takes places July 12-13th. Isabel Pantoja is at the L´Auditori on Saturday, July 12th. Marenostrum Rock Festival is taking place at the Parc de la Pau in Sant Adria del Besos, July 11-12th. The Festival Jardins de Cap Roig, "Return to forever", Auditori dels Jardins, Girona. July 11th. Summercase Barcelona will take place July 18-19th at the Parc del Forum, with the participation of Interpol, Cornelius, The Raveonettes, Tiga, The Breeders, CSS, Foals, Kings of Leon, The Long Blondes, Los Campesinos!, Maxïmo Park, M.I.A., Mystery Jets, Pete and The Pirates, Sex Pistols, Sons and Daughters, The Stranglers, The Verve. The 31st Grec Festival was opened on June 25th. It is Barcelona’s largest Dance, Music and Theatre festival, and will take place until August 2nd. The event takes its name from the Teatre Grec, a Greek-style amphitheatre on the Montjuic Hill near Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium where many of the events take place. Other venues include Fundació Joan Miró and Plaça del Rei, and other spots spread throughout the city. The festival has a strong focus on contemporary culture, and offers a great mix of entertainment, including theater, music, dance, circus performances and more. Performers this year include Xavier Rudd, Vanessa Da Mata, and Javier Colina Featuring Pancho Amat. The festival has signed the “Declaration on Intercultural Dialogue”, a common initiative of the European Festival Association for developing and promoting intercultural dialogue in the network of European Project “2008 European year of Intercultural Dialogue.” Each year the organizers aim to bring something new and different to the international audiences who attend the festival. Many of the performances such as concerts and dancing shows are free of charge and are set not only in the streets of Barcelona but also in beautiful venues such as museums and concert halls. Give it a try! You can find more information at www.barcelonafestival.com/eng/programme Venues for the Grec are online. CINEMA Films playing in Original Version…..To see films in their original language check out the following cinemas. Films marked 'VOS' are shown in the language the film was originally made in, with subtitles (usually in Spanish or Catalan, while films marked 'VO' are shown in the original version and may or may not be subtitled. Yelmo Icaria (c/ Salvador Espriú, 61), Centre de la Vila shopping center Nearest metro: Yellow metro line L4 Ciutadella/Vila Olimpica. Renoir-Les Corts (c/Eugeni d'Ors 12) . Nearest metro green metro line L3 Les Corts. Renoir Floridablanca (c/Floridablanca, 135) . Nearest metro purple L2 at Sant Antoni or red L1 at Universitat) Verdi (c/Verdi 32, Gracia) Nearest metro green line L3 at Fontana. Tel: 93.238.79.90 FilmoTeca de Catalunya (Avda. de Sarria 33) . Nearest metro blue line L5 at Hospital Clinic) Casablanca-Kaplan (Passeig de Gràcia, 115, Gràcia) . Nearest metro green line L3 or blue line L5 at Diagonal. Méliès (Villarroel, 102) . Nearest metro red line L1 at Urgell. Boliche (Av. Diagonal, 508-10). Nearest metro green line L3 or blue line L5 at Diagonal. MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITIONS MUSEO NACIONAL DE ARTE DE CATALUNYA (MNAC)….. Monedas en Lucha: Cataluña en la Europa Napoleónica. Display of coins, military medals, documents and other items related to the conflict of the Spanish War of Independence against the French. Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-7pm. Sunday, 10am-2:30pm Price: 6€ ________________________ MUSEU DE LAS ARTES DECORATIVAS….. Francesc Torres: An exhibition of the Barcelona artist’s multimedia installations dating from the 1960’s and which are mostly comments on violence and speed. Until September 28th. Schedule: Monday through Friday, 11am-8pm. Saturday, 10am-8pm. Sunday, 10am-3pm. Price: 7.50€ ________________________ MUSEU PICASSO….. Olivando a Velázquez. Las Meninas: Works by artists over the centuries interpreting Las Meninas who were the subjects of one of Veláquez’s most famous paintings. The exhibition also explores the influence the court painter had on other Spanish artists through the ages, including, of course, Picasso. Until September 28th. Schedule: Tuesday through Sunday, 10am-8pm. Price: 6€ ________________________ MUSEU DE HISTORIA DE CATALUNYA…..Mujeres. Los Caminos de la Libertad: More than 300 items including posters, photos, books and documents tracing the struggle of women for their rights and freedoms. A special section, Feminismos en Cataluña, highlights the women’s movement in Catalonia at the beginning of the 20th century. Until July 20th. Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-7pm. Sunday, 10am-2:30pm. Price: 3€ ________________________ CENTRO DE CULTURA CONTEMPORANEA DE BARCELONA…..Magnum. 10 Secuencias: Works by ten photographers of the Magnum agency (Gueorgui Pinkhassov, Harry Gruyaert and others) illustrating the influence of cinema on their imaginations and perceptions. Until September 7th. Schedule: Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-8pm. Price: 4.40€ OTHER ACTIVITY Gel Ice Skating Club….. Relief from the heat with a few hours on the ice! Gel Ice Skating rink offers daily sessions, lessons and rentals. Schedule: Monday through Tuesday, 10:30am-1:30pm. Wednesday through Friday, 10:30am-1:30pm and 5pm-9pm. Weekends: 10:30am-2pm and 4:30pm-9pm. Extended hours began in May. Price: Non-skaters, EUR 1 Without skates, EUR 13.70. With skates, EUR 9.50 Roger de Flor, 168. Yellow metro line L4 Verdaguer. ________________________ IMAX 3-D… Giant screen cinema at its best and the perfect place to finish a post-Sunday lunch stroll on the Rambla and along the waterfront. Two new films are now showing: Los Alpes and Profundidades Marinas 3-D. Schedule: Open daily with showings throughout the day. Price: 10€. Metro green L3 to Drassanes, walk across the pedestrian bridge. Also stops on the Bus Turistic ________________________ Catalunya en Miniatura….. Said to be the largest of its kind in the world, this 25,000 square metre complex boasts 150 miniaturised monuments from around Catalonia. Kids delight in pointing out those they know such as Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral and other emblematic edifices. A train ride, picnic areas and restaurants makes it the ideal spot for a great day out. Schedule: Daily, 10am-7pm. Price: Adults, EUR 10. Children, EUR 7. * The city has just published its guide to sports in Barcelona. In Spanish and Catalan. Downloadable PDF brochure available at the city´s website http://w3.bcn.es/fitxers/esports/guiaanyesport.265.pdf or at any of the Customer Service centers in the different neighborhoods of the city. Barcelona happenings at the city´s website, in English, at http://w3.bcn.es . And finally, the magic fountains play their weekend repertoire. Winter: (October to April) Fridays and Saturdays: 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM Summer: (May to September) Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM For more Thursdays though Sunday, every half hour beginning at 21.00 until 23.30. The performances with music and colourful lights are at 21h30, 22h00, 22h30 and 23h00. Don´t forget that during the summer, the metro runs continuously throughout the evening on Saturday, so enjoy the late-night events! Also, don´t forget there are over 200 ornamental fountains throughout the city. Find the closest one through the city´s interactive directoryof public fountains. If you need any help with arrangements or information for your visit to Barcelona, send us an email at bcnvacation@gmail.com or call us at +34 665 661 294. Have fun! See you next month. Cheers from the social secretaries at BCN VACATIONS |
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