27/10/2011

The Mariinsky Ballet at the Teatre Liceu

There is something distinctively festive about ballets – all that plush white tulle against an inky black stage, the porcelain ballerinas floating in mid-air like delicate snowflakes. Restore the rosiness to your cheeks this winter with an opulent ballet by the world-famous Russian Mariinsky School at the stunning Liceu Teatre. continue reading

27/10/2011

Beefeater In-Edit festival

The Beefeater In-Edit festival has finally returned to Barcelona for its ninth edition, opening our eyes and ears to the world of music documentaries between 27th October and 6th November. In the arena for the opening ceremony are both music heavyweights and the creator of the Music Documentary genre, Michael Nyman – all expected to pack a strong punch at the 2011 event. continue reading

25/10/2011

…how do you like your halloween?

Until a few weeks ago it may still have been possible to cling onto the last slivers of late summer warmth but we can no longer deny Autumn’s golden glow. With dark winter nights looming ahead of us, it’s the perfect time to think about one of our most exciting festive knees-ups: Halloween on 31st October. continue reading

25/10/2011

El día de los muertos, Mexican style

“For an inhabitant of New York, Paris or London, death is a word that is never spoken, because it burns the lips. The Mexican however is on good terms with her, sleeps with her, courts her; she is one of his favourite playthings and his most lasting love.”
Octavio Paz. The solitary labyrinth, 1961 continue reading

13/10/2011

Rekons, an ode to pies

One of the most enjoyable parts of this time of year is the urge to start battening down the hatches and plumping for hearty, warming dishes – comfort food that warms the cockles and melts the heart; chicken soup for the soul. continue reading

12/10/2011

48h openhousebcn: opening doors

Barcelona has long been known for its varied pastiche of architectural offerings. Modernist prodigies rub shoulders with roman relics, art nouveau sidles up to poker-faced gothic basilicas – even taking a stroll through Eixample and the old quarter will guide you through a rich tapestry of design and styles. continue reading

02/10/2011

A photographic tour of Barcelona

A diver prepares for take-off at the Piscina Municipal de Montjuic, against the perfect city backdrop

Barcelona; an energetic, vibrant city, and of course, part of the fun of staying in such a lively place involves capturing the special places you encounter on your stay. Here is a list of the top places to take photos and/or watch the world go by…

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27/09/2011

Brangulí was here

Brangulí. Barcelona 1909-1945
7th June – 23rd October

Josep Brangulí (1879 – 1945) accompanied Catalunya throughout monumental socio-political changes during the first half of the twentieth century. During his impressive career as a documentary photographer, Brangulí gave equal weight to the ordinary and everyday as he did to significant historical events. continue reading

19/09/2011

Harlem – for all your jazz needs

After all is said and done, the smoking ban could have been detrimental to the overall health of jazz clubs – once defined as dark dens of iniquity where music laid heavy in the air as billowing plumes of smoke whipped around the musicians, audience wheezing and coughing ‘til dawn. continue reading

19/09/2011

La Terrazza – bringing the Balearics to Barcelona

For the sixteen years since its inauguration as an Atmospherical Fun Club, La Terrazza has been consistently hailed as Barcelona’s answer to the sort of free-spirited, alfresco merriment usually reserved for the naughtiest sibling of those Balearic islands, Ibiza. continue reading