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Barcelona for Idiots » Barcelona Dance

Soap: Circus, Cabaret, Comedy….and Bathubs

May 18th, 2012 | 1 Comment

Through the 26th of May, Soap: The Show is on at Barcelona’s Teatre Poliorama on La Rambla (you know, that street with the living statues, the flower stands and the pick-pockets….La Boqueria Market is down that way, too). A mixture of acrobatics, drama, dance and the burlesque, set to modern music, SOAP is well worth the entry price. Tickets start at 25 euros, and it’s a small theater, so even the bad seats aren’t so bad. The stunning and often sexy acrobatics set to modern music (think Tool, Mika, Ben Harper and more) will not disappoint. Amazingly athletic dance and circus numbers are interpersed with comic relief by a very annoying clown, and songs by a talented opera singer. While the opera singer doesn’t do well when the show turns to her to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Art, Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Events, Barcelona Music, Barcelona Things to Do, Featured, Uncategorized

La Feria de Abril: A little Andalucia for the Barcelona-Mix

April 27th, 2012 | Comments Off

If you’ve been looking for a time to get started on your lifelong dream of learning to “bailar sevillanas”, this is your weekend. From April 27th through the 6th of May, locals and tourists alike can hop public transport (Trambesós, bus 23 and metro L4 more information at TMB) to the Fòrum and pretend they’re in Seville at Barcelona’s version of La Fería de Abril. Snap pictures of women in rainbow-hued ruffled dresses, watch amateurs and professionals dance sevillanas, take in a Flamenco concert, and stuff yourself with tapas and other eats from Southern Spain (pescadito frito, anyone?). Don’t forget to loosen up with a few shots of Andalucia’s famous sherry, Fino. Just remember, Fino is cheap, fortified wine (between 1 and 5 euros in supermarkets)….and will cause the mother of … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Concerts, Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Eateries, Barcelona Events, Barcelona Flamenco, Barcelona Food, Barcelona Holidays, Barcelona Music, Barcelona Music Festivals, Barcelona Things to Do

Three Cheers for Green Beer: St. Patrick’s Day in Barcelona

March 16th, 2012 | Comments Off

You may not be aware of this, but the neither the Catalans nor the Spanish are particularly Irish. The Catalans may feel a certain kinship with the Irish for cultural/political issues (think Ireland v. Britain, Catalunya v. Spain), but that doesn’t translate to any noteworthy Barcelona St. Paddy’s celebration (no parades, or gigants in green). No matter. Barcelona is full of Irish Pubs, and if you insist on wearing silly green wigs and hats, pinching people who aren’t wearing green or throwing back a chilly pint of Guinness or Harp on March 17th, they’re the place to be. For Irish eats and drinks from 10am on, try Flaherty’s just of Les Rambles (Metro Drassanes). For your typical deep-fried bar food and a wide selection beers (Irish and otherwise), head to … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Events, Barcelona Food, Barcelona Freebies, Barcelona Holidays, Barcelona Things to Do, Uncategorized

The Much Promised Photos of La Mercè

October 4th, 2011 | Comments Off

So Barcelona’s biggest party has been over for more than a week…so sue us. But hey, there’s always next year. Here are some pictures to give you something to look forward to next September when Barcelona spends millions of euros of fireworks.  Which considering the economic times we live in isn’t so smart. Especially not when they’re literally burning millions at the same time as they cut the salary of our already abysmally paid medical professionals. Don’t get us wrong, we love fireworks and free events, but we love having qualified doctors more…. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Art, Barcelona Concerts, Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Events, Barcelona Flamenco, Barcelona Freebies, Barcelona Movies, Barcelona Museums, Barcelona Music, Barcelona Music Festivals, Barcelona Parks, Barcelona Politics, Barcelona Sites to See, Barcelona Things to Do

Barcelona’s Biggest Party….La Mercè

September 24th, 2011 | 5 Comments

This year Barcelona’s city government is partnering with Saint Petersburg to present locals and visitors alike with 4 days of festivities in celebration of its patron saint, la Mercè, a virgin said to have saved the city in times of need (plague, etc). Interestingly enough, La Mercé replaced a prior patron saint (another virgin), la Eulàia, a young, Joan-of-Arc-ish character that stood up for her religion and her city and was martyred. So it goes…in with the new (saints)…..out with the young? At any rate, the festival has very little religious flavor these days, and is instead a 4 day festival of free events in Barcelona. Think live music, theatre, dance, free admission to museums (MNAC, MACBA and the Sagrada Familia among others) and impressive throngs of people out in search … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Art, Barcelona Concerts, Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Flamenco, Barcelona Food, Barcelona Freebies, Barcelona Holidays, Barcelona Music, Barcelona Music Festivals, Barcelona Things to Do

Greek in Barcelona

July 14th, 2011 | 3 Comments

No, we’re not talking about food, or people, we’re talking about Barcelona’s Grec (Greek) Festival, ongoing until the very end of July (the 31st, if you must have a numbered date). And interestingly enough, the Grec Festival has nothing to do with Greek culture. The thirty-something festival (young by European standards) is a celebration of all things theatric, with live theatre, dance, music, circus and other stage arts and is named for the place where the opening sessions take place, s Teatre Grec. Check out the calendar of events here. Who knows, there might be something that catches your fancy. Coming up this weekend, July 15-17, speakers of can enjoy a translated production of ‘s great existentialist work (Esperant Godot), or Call me “Maria” a circus production set in … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Art, Barcelona Concerts, Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Events, Barcelona Flamenco, Barcelona Music, Barcelona Music Festivals, Barcelona Things to Do

Carmen–A Spanish Classic by Way of France

June 3rd, 2011 | 4 Comments

So Flamenco isn’t a Barcelona thing, we know, and you should know, but if you live here, or just don’t have time to get to Andalusia during your Barcelona vacation, there are some options available. Currently playing at Barcelona’s Teatre Victoria, this classic story of the gypsy Carmen, and the mess she made of her life and that of those around her,  arrived in Spain by way of France. It was first published as a novel by Prosper Mérimée and later made into an opera by Georges Bizet. While the opera was a flop during Bizet’s lifetime, it later became a critical and commercial success. And it’s not surprising, really. Who can resist a the story of a loose, hot-tempered gypsy, a Spanish officer and a bull-fighter. Oh, and the music, did … Read entire article »

Filed under: Barcelona Culture, Barcelona Dance, Barcelona Flamenco, Barcelona Music, Barcelona Things to Do, Featured, Uncategorized