Madrid Movies and Music

Looking  for something to do this weekend? Well, La Casa Encendida is filling “La Terraza” with their summer music and film presentations.  La Terraza suena will rock out with underground music from around the globe.  This Sunday, August 22nd, Toro y Moi will be on stage giving us a look at the unique musical stylings of Chaz Bundick and a taste of his contribution to the musical genre, chillwave.  Cine en La Terraza’s theme this year is “Through the Looking Glass” and takes a look at the influence of Lewis Carroll in cinema.  This week’s movie is Juliet of the Spirits, a classic from one of the world’s greatest directors, Federico Fellini.  For all the info on the music series click here and for the film presentation click here.

La Casa Encendida always pushes the envelope when it comes to exhibitions, and the summer music and cinema presentations are no exception.

Where: La Casa Encendida
Metro: Embajadores

By Coleman File

Madrid Festival: La Latina Fiestas

Madrid Summer Events: Magical Farm Nights

Let me start by saying, this is not exactly what it sounds like! Yes, the events take place on a farm, but there is neither hay nor animals involved. Music, dance and circus are a few of the different spectacles that will constitute this year’s program. Some of the most-anticipated summer cultural events will be found at the month-long festival. Among the glut of artistic performances is the second annual International Festival of Magic, which will take place during two evenings. The Third Annual International Festival of Music and Dance is another main attraction, boasting renowned artists from many nooks of the world. The National Acrobatic Circus from Pekin, China, will also be a well-attended show.  With a dream-like set, a rural venue, and a lucid assortment of events, the festival is by far one of Madrid’s most progressive and unique summertime cultural offerings.

Located about an hour outside of the center of Madrid (in the direction of Segovia), the San Ildefonso Farm is a lovely escape from the August heat. For information on how to get to the farm, e-mail the office at info@turismorealsitiodesanildefonso.com or call (+34) 91 328 90 20. Trains and buses are common modes of transportation, as well as cars.

When: July 16th – August 24th
Where: Patio Central of San Ildefonso Farm

By Chloe Nash

Veranos de la Villa

This summer marks the 25^th anniversary of “Veranos de la Villa”, an extensive cultural festival with venues throughout Madrid. Until August 22^nd, the festival will host plays, concerts and performances that celebrate both the artistic appetite and activity of Madrid. The program reaches across many cultural genres, with theatre, concerts, opera, musicals, dance performances and more. An ample amount of noted artists from various genres and disciplines will offer unforgettable Spanish summer nights. Whether it’s a rock concert, a musical, or the opera, Veranos de la Villa presents something for everyone. There is no specific audience for the festival; it is a series that offers cultural entertainment without boarders. There is even a program dedicated to children.

The main musical venue, Escenario Puerta de Ángel, will host a vast selection of Spanish and international musicians and bands in its lovely open-air space. Until the 31^st, one can find a medley of must-see artists, such as Jeff Tweedy, Erykah Badu and Diego del Cigala.

Jardines de Sabatini, the primary venue for dance and theatre, is also open-air and boasts an impressive series of shows this summer. The play Gran Via, which can be seen until July 16^th, and is already making a splash.

Veranos de la Villa also brings their cultural offerings to the street, occupying some of Madrid’s most beautiful plazas.

Throughout these past 25 years, Veranos de La Villa, has made many ties with other artistic venues in Madrid. The festival pairs up with theatres and auditoriums to host concerts and plays in different corners of the city.

Although Madrid is already a cultural Mecca, Veranos de la Villa makes the city one of the richest in Europe regarding summer activities and culture. To explore the festival’s complete program, click here.

When: Now – August 22^nd

Where: Venues Vary

By Chloe Nash

Microfusa Festival – A Night of New Music

The Microfusa Festival, which supports young and alternative musicians and bands, will return to Madrid July 2nd. The venue will be the funky Sala Caracol, a noted music venue and weekend destination for Madrid’s young and lively adults. Starting at 19:30 p.m., 3 emerging bands will let loose with the hopes of increasing their following and making their audiences boogie on down. The festival’s headliner, Cycle, will kick off the night with their distinct electronic/rock sound. Most of what you’ll hear is from their newest album, Sleepwalkers. Next up is Olimpic, a band from Bilbao with a more trans-jam feel, but also electric. Closing the festival is Notes from Underground. Their new album, Crossing the Rubicon, is already making a splash with its unusual combination of electronica and “industrial” heavy metal.

The Microfusa School, an institution that teaches its students about the digital technology behind recording and producing music, puts this festival on every year. To be a student at the Microfusa school is to step into the ever-evolving world of musical technology. Founded in 1987 as a “sound laboratory, ” the institute is now Madrid’s most known space for audio experimentation and musical creation. The school also produces and sells its own musical accessories, usually with cheap prices for those on a college budget. All in all, the Microfuse School is without a doubt Madrid’s most well versed organization in musical production. What does all this mean regarding the festival? That people with refined musical knowledge and taste selected the lineup for Microfuse 2010– so the festival is bound to be a night brimming with good sound.

For free admission to the festival, print out an invite online (1 invite is valid for 2 people).

When: Friday, July 2^nd at 19:30 p.m.
Where: Sala Carocol
Address: Bernardino Obregón, 18
Cost: Free with Invite

By Chloe Nash

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1. Calle de Bernardino Obreg�n, 18

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GAY PRIDE MADRID 2010

June 30^th marks the start of Gay Pride Madrid 2010, Madrid’s most festive summer festival! Most of the daytime action will take place in Chueca, Madrid’s colorful neighborhood known for its trendy bars, artsy shops and established gay community. But the festival has grown so big (attracting thousands of people from all over the world) that its events and parties have flooded into many other parts of Madrid. Although the celebration commemorates gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals, there has been a growing turnout of heterosexuals these past few years. Everyone is invited – that’s the whole point.

The parade is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the celebratory energy. On July 3^rd, funky floats and folk will depart from Plaza de Independencia and march all the way down to Plaza de España.

A Breakdown of the biggest 2010 Gay Pride Madrid Parties

Thursday, July 1^st
Fiesta Royal in the Sala Heineken. Starting at midnight, the “opening ceremony” will consist of animations and visual projections that will impact and inspire everyone. DJ Naxto Zamora will spin his stuff on the main stage, while the upper level will be the “Low and Dirty Zone” with mellow music, mood lighting and games.

Where: Sala Heineken
Metro: Plaza de España
When: midnight – 6:00 a.m.
Cost: 12 euros

Friday, July 2^nd
Fiesta Shok brings the idea of a party to a whole new level. As if famous DJ Peter Rauhofer doesn’t make for a lively night in itself, there will also be 16 Gogo-dancers, 2 strippers and a performance by 2 acrobats. The aesthetics of Fiesta Shok were well planned by a team of creative directors so that the scenery and affect are nothing less than dazzling.

Where: Sala Macumba
When: midnight – 6:00 a.m.
Metro: Chamartin
Cost: 15 euros

Saturday, July 3rd
Infanta 2010– Widely known as the most popular party for everybody, 6 musicians/djs will pump the volume from 23:00 p.m. until 7 in the morning. If your ears need a break, fear not – in addition to the main dance floor, there will be 4 zones boldly catered towards different preferences.

Where: Telefonica Arina Madrid
Metro: Casa de Campo
When: 23:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Cost: 45 euros. Yes I know – Yikes! But if you do the math it is only 5.63 an hour, and the incredible energy, music and people will surely make up for the slight blow to your wallet.

Sunday, July 4^th
The Shower Party on the Terrace of Chamartin will be a refreshing finale to the week full of celebrations.  The open-air site will transform into a water park with giant sprinklers, public showers, lounge chairs, fans and sunglasses. Of course, there will also be music. A couple hours later, the “Pride Space” Party will begin in the Sala Macumba, plunging into the final wave of festivities. The legendary trio of animation, projections and sound will elevate the crowd to the party-peak. DJ Danny Leblack will be the music man.

When: Shower party: 10:00 a.m. Pride Space: 12:00 p.m.
Where: Sala Macumba & Terraza Chamartin (Venues are adjoining and both can be reached through the Plaza de Chamartin)
Metro: Chamartin
Cost: 30 euros + Drink for entrance to both events.

If everything appeals to you, you might as well buy the 60 Euro Pass, with which you can attend all the parties listed above. Enjoy this week of Gay Galore!

The parties listed above are only a fraction of Gay Pride Madrid 2010. There is also a night-long festival specifically catered for lesbians, a party with fetish-y undertones for men, the official closing party, and more.

By Chloe Nash

Visible Festival: Art and Culture from Madrid’s Gay Community

Madrid is now in the midst of the sixth annual Visible Festival. Founded in 2004, the festival is an extension of the Association for Visible Cultural, otherwise known as the Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual and Bisexual Organization. Although relatively new, it is the first Spanish organization that works and fights for the rights of LGTB Spaniards. The Visible Cultural certainly takes the high road when it comes to its advocacy. It does not function through resentful demonstrations, but rather, the group uses the arts as its main tool for social change. Theatre, dance, literature, sculpture, films and workshops are the most prevalent manifestations of the Visible Culture’s creative energy and engagement with Madrid.

This year’s festival extends through July 18^th, 2010 and contains a glut of events. Some highlights of the exhibitions and performances include:

Literature:
Alicia in the Real World
This edgy short story is in comic-book format. Alicia has an exhausted love life when she discovers she has cancer. As she goes through treatments, she embarks on an unexpected introspective journey in which her perspective on her daily life is shaken. The author and illustrator will present their book in Berkana Bookstore, the gay and lesbian bookstore in Madrid. The unveiling of Alicia in the Real World is sure to attract an interesting crowd.

Drawings: Susanna Martín
Text: Isabel Franc
When: June 29^th, 17:30 p.m.
Where: Berkana Bookstore
Address: Calle de Hortaleza, 64
Metro: Chueca or Gran Via
Cost: 18 euros for the book, Free to attend presentation.

Theatre
Eduardo II
If you want a little man-on-man action, check out this steamy play. The subject matter? A king in love with another man. There will also be great live music accompanying the intimate drama, thanks to the (Texas-based group) The Turtle Creek Chorale. To give you an idea of how graphic the play will be, the photos that accompany the information about Eduardto II all consist of two naked men embracing.

When: July 4^th, 22:00 p.m.
Where: Sala Triángulo
Address: Calle de Zurita, 20
Cost: 12 euros. Tickets available at venue or online.

Exposition
Photographer Nuria López Torres was interested in giving transsexuals a better reputation. Her exposition consists of portraits of transsexual women holding or interacting with objects that represent their dignity as human beings (the subjects chose their own objects). The project aims to depict transsexual women as nothing more or less than any other person. This exhibition is one of the more PG events of the festival.

When: Now until July 17^th,  20:30 p.m. -23:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday
Where: DT Espacio Esénico
Address: Calle de la Reiña, 9
Metro: Gran Via
Cost: Free!

For a full listing of the festivals events, visit the Visible Festival’s online magazine. Although it’s only in Spanish, feel free to use the Q&A section of Map Magazine’s website for any help translating the information about an event.

By Chloe Nash

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2. Calle de Zurita, 20
3. H10 Villa de la Reina
   The H10 Villa de la Reina has an ideal location on Madrid’s central Gran

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El Mercado La Boca: A Design Haven for Young and Independent Creators

El Mercado La Boca is a funky open-air market that began in 2005 to satiate the artistic appetite of many emerging and independent designers in Madrid. What is now a colorful bazaar full of good company and good art was the result of many Madrid-based artists coming together to create a communal platform for showing and selling their homemade goods. Mercado La Boca’s creative contributors generate an atmosphere in which inspiration, ideas and even friends are shared. There are four of these markets throughout the year (one for each season) and the summer market starts now! June 10 – June 13 in La Plaza Lavapiés.

El Mercado La Boca is only one of La Boca’s exciting projects. La Boca is a creative community with its own Espacio de Cultura, or Cultural Space.  The gallery-like space is in Lavapiés, one of Madrid’s spiciest neighborhoods. According to the website, “practically anything is possible” within the Cultural Space. The community’s objective is to offer a new and alternative channel for the promotion and diffusion of artistic culture. As an open forum-type community, the artists involved with La Boca are constantly and freely sharing ideas and projects.  Expositions, recitals and film screenings are just a few activities one could find in La Boca’s Espacio de Cultura.

Check out La Boca’s market in the next 4 days!  Be sure to bring some cash because what you’ll see will surely be tempting for the wallet.

El Mercado Boca Schedule:

Thursday June 10 : 19:00 p.m. to 23:00 p.m.

Friday June 11: 19:00 p.m. to 23:00 p.m.

Saturday June 12: 12:00 p.m. to 23:00 p.m.

Sunday June 13: 12:00 p.m. to 22:00 p.m.

(metro: Lavapiés)

To learn more about the market, check out the official El Mercado La Boca Blog.

For More information about La Boca’s community at large, click here to see the webpage.

By Chloe Nash

La Boca del Lobo: Erotic Film Festival

La Boca del Lobo is a mixture of venues in one: boasting a live music space, a restaurant terrace and an international short film festival which will be entering into its 13^th year this year. And it’s for the latter that we’re shining a sex-fuelled torch on this cultural hub. The short film festival has gone sexual and with La Boca Erótica (“The Erotic Mouth”) the wolf’s gaze has turned to all things sexy. From June 2^nd -5^th, you can see a variety of fictional & documentary short films and theatre works that are all based around an erotic theme. One of the special shows takes place at 22:00 p.m. on Friday, June 4th, and is brought to you by the improvisation theater group La Tran Tran Improv who, with the help of 3 musicians, 3 actors, dice and the audience will take you on an erotic journey that the audience member helps guide.

The idea behind this sexual foray into the carnal jungle is to explore, challenge, excite, expose and celebrate the various parts of human relationships, including: eroticism, sex, love, seduction, desire, passion and conflict, among many others. So leave your prudish hat at home for the night, make your way to La Boca del Lobo and get a mouthful of sex. For more information click here.

By Tom Burgess

Madrid’s Annual Book Fair Returns to El Retiro

Once again the Feria del libro de Madrid (May 28th – June 13th) will invade the parque Retiro, where millions of pages will rip themselves free and return to their trees of origin. Also, a great number of Spanish publishers will be lined up to offer enough books to be browsing through there for days. Originally set up along Paseo de Recoletos in 1933 (which is still done), the seventeen day fair now happens at the Paseo del Duque de Fernán Núñez in the Jardines del Buen Retiro. This year’s focus is on Nordic literature, particualrly popular in Spain after Stieg Larsson’s Millennium phenomenon. Books won’t be the only one’s around, there will be many authors signing their work too. Click here for more information on the fair.

By Daniel Sznajderman