About Barcelona

In About  Barcelona we have information of things that are happening in the city, events, fairs, congresses, or popular events that will take place together with Festivals and Concerts, Sporting Events and Art Exhibitions. Also information on interesting places to vist and what we like to call our favourite places, museums and outdoor sculptures.

Musical Events and Dance > Ballet

Opera y Flamenco

Opera y Flamenco is a special production in which the Flamenco Art, impassioned style of music and dance, native from Andalusia, that forms part of the culture of Spain, is mixed with popular Opera and Zarzuela (Spanish Operetta) Arias. The beauty of lyrical singing with famous Arias like the “Habanera” from George Bizet’s “Carmen”, the seduction of the Gitano dance and music with Popular Flamenco’s “Fandangos” or “Seguidillas” together  with the charm of Spanish Operetta with the aria “No puede ser” from Pablo Sorozabal’s Zarzuela “La Tabernera de Puerto” makes this festival of music a memorable fusion to express human emotions.
The show is centered on a tormented love story which is explained through the souls of the dancers and the voices of the tenor and the soprano, that explain what the protagonists live, combining the strength and melody of the opera with the sensual passionate choreography of flamenco.
The show is on stage in Barcelona since 2004 in the prestigious Teatro Poliorama and the Palau de la Musica Catalana and has also gained critical acclaim in international theaters as  the Auditorium Parco Della Musica in Roma, the Teatro Verdi in Firenze or the Teatro Pavarotti in Modena.
The cast, which has been kept for the past five years, includes outstanding figures of both dance and opera such as Tenor Oscar Marin, who has accompanied the great soprano Montserrat Caballe, well known dancers Katia Moro and Ivan Alcala, and Flamenco singer Sara Flores, from the tradition of Carmen Amaya´s family, with Musical Opera direction by David Granato and Musical Flamenco direction by Juan Cortés with the Barcelona Opera Orchestra and the Flamenco Ensamble “El Duende”.
The show will be on stage this fall in Barcelona till November 30. To see specific dates and theaters please visit the operaflamenco website.
 

Musical Events and Dance > Concerts

Manuel González - Mestres de la Guitarra Espanyola

Within the Concert Season Masters of the Spanish Guitar (Mestres de la Guitarra Espanyola) Manuel Gonzales presents a very interesting program formed by different pieces from some very well known Spanish Composers such as Joaquin Rodrigo (Aranjuez ma pensée), Isaac Albeniz (Asturias and Sevilla from the Suite Espanyola), Ferran Sor (Introducció, tema i variació, op. 9), Francesc Tarrega (Recuerdos de la Alhambra and Gran Jota Aragonesa) and Gaspar Sanz with arrangements by himself (Fantasia Española).
Manuel González is a guitarist, born in Barcelona, considered worldwide one of the best classical guitar performers of today and one of the leading specialists of Spanish music in the world.
Organized by Poema SL (Produccion y Organizacion de Espectáculos Musicales y Artisticos) the Concert Season takes place in some important architectural and historic landmarks venues of Barcelona like the Capella de la Sang or the Crypt of the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi (Gothic Church from the 14th Century) or the Sant Jaume Church (on the former site of a synagogue) together with the magnificent Modernist Concert Hall the Palau de la Musica Catalana (declared Unesco Cultural World Heritage in 1997).
Manuel Gonzalez future concerts at the Palau de la Musica Catalana will take place on September 4th, 11th, 18th and 28th, October 1st, 9th and 22nd and November 10th. For more information visit the Palau de la Musica website.

Musical Events and Dance > Concerts

Michael Bublé - Crazy Love Tour

Michael Bublé will start on September 24 in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin the second group  of theEuropean concerts of his Crazy Love World Tour and will be in Barcelona at the Palau Sant Jordi on October 30 and in Madrid at the Palacio de Deportes on October 31 in the two only concerts he will give in Spain.
Michael Steven Bublé was born in 9 September 1975, and is a Canadian singer, actor and songwriter. He has won several awards, including two Grammy Awards (2008 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album – Call me Irresponsible and in 2010, the Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden  DVD for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album multiple) several Juno Awards, a World Music Award in 2005, and others Awards together with many more nominations including several nominations for the Brit Awards.
Michael Bublé, the singer's debut album, was released on February 2003 featuring a range of standards from various eras including "Fever", "The Way You Look Tonight", "For Once in My Life", "Moondance" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine", and the album reached the top ten in the UK and Canada. Bublé's second studio album, It's Time, was released on February 2005, and included other standards like "You Don’t Know Me", "Feeling Good", "Can't Buy Me Love", "Save the Last Dance for Me", "Song for You", and "Quando, Quando, Quando" (a duet with Canadian pop singer Nelly Furtado and included also an original track, "Home", co-written by Bublé, his musical director Alan Chang, and Amy Foster-Gilles. Bublé's third studio album, Call Me Irresponsible, was released on May 2007 included new songs from different eras such as Always On My Mind, Dream, I've Got The World On A String, and Comin' Home Baby (a duet with Boyz II Men). Everything". "Me and Mrs. Jones. The fourth studio album, Crazy Love, was released on October 2009. The album contains 12 tracks (and 1 bonus track), including two original songs co-written by Bublé, "Haven't Met You Yet" and "Hold On".Most of the tracks off the album were recorded live because Bublé did not want his album to sound overproduced and slick.
Michael Bublé has been described as having a vocal style similar to that of Frank Sinatra even as being an heir to Sinatra.

Musical Events and Dance > Concerts

Guns N'Roses - Democracy World Tour

Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy Tour is the current concert tour to promote the group's long-delayed album Chinese Democracy. The tour first leg in 2001featuring three U.S. dates and a Brazilian one, while the 2002 tour included Asian, North American and a few European dates. The third leg did not start until May 2006, when it toured North America again and performed a major tour of Europe. The band's tour continued in 2007 with shows in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Mexico and their first show after the release of Chinese Democracy (Nov 23, 2008) was held on Dec  2009 in Taiwan. For the remaining of 2009 they also played South Korea for the first time, as well as two dates in Japan. The tour continues throughout 2010 with concerts in Canada, South/Central America, Europe and Australia.
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California in 1985. Led by front man and co-founder lead vocalist  Axl Rose (born William Bruce Rose, Jr.), the band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album while going through numerous line-up changes and controversies since its formation. The current lineup comprises Axl Rose, lead guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DJ Ashba, rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.
The band will give 4 concerts in Spain in Madrid at the Palacio Vista Alegre, in Bilbao at the Anoeta Stadium, in Zaragoza at the Pabellon Principe Felipe and in Barcelona on October 14th at the Pavello Olimpic de Badalona.

City Info > Restaurants & Bars

El Vaso de Oro

Of the few good tapas bar that you can still find in Barcelona “El Vaso de oro”(the Golden Glass) needs a special attention.
Located in the Barceloneta Neighborhood in a new building from the 70s with an inside decoration that looks likes much more a German style brewery bar not really very interesting, being the place itself extremely narrow with a long bar that goes from one end to the other and fortunately with different doors to get in or out as it is very difficult to move inside; nearly always busy or really very busy and even sometimes it is nearly impossible to find a place so you will need to wait to order the tapas and some of their specially brewed beer; opened from Mondays to Sundays from 9:00 to 24:00 with only some special days that is closed.
The place is noisy and lively and so not recommended for those seeking tranquility, despite the cost of losing one of the best tapas bar in the city, as one of the things that makes this place very special is that the high standard quality of the food has been maintained through the years and makes it a place that you can return every now and then without being disappointed. You will be served with a great selection of first-rate tapas.
From the classic Pimientos del Padrón (miniature green peppers) or Patatas Bravas (spicy potatoes), Blood Sausage,Cured Meat, delicious Croquetas de Jamón (ham croquettes), the varied shellfish and seafood salads or the different fried seafood dishes or the special mixture of meatball with cuttle fish and not to lose also the juicy solomillo (sirloin steak) or the duck liver. Really everything to be remembered.
Not easy to find a stool and packed with locals and foreigners it is still an special experience that needs to be shared at least once if you enjoy tapas.

Sporting Events > Athletics

Garmin Barcelona Triathlon

The third edition of Garmin Barcelona Triathlon will take place in Barcelona on October 10th 2010, with a very similar route as last edition and some modifications that will make it even more exciting.
The Triathlon is a combined endurance sport in which the participant performed three tests. These are: swimming, cycling and running. The order is set and the clock does not stop during the entire duration of the competition. The rules of the competition are those of the Catalan Triatló , and specific provisions contained in this regulation.
The Garmin Barcelona Triathlon is divided, also as in the other editions, into 4 categories (sprint, olympic, super sprint, y Tri-corporate)
All the activity will be centered around the Pavelló de la Mar Bella, as the swimming race will in the waters in front of the Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella beaches and the transitions will be made on the streets nearby with the cycling race giving 3 laps to a circuit through Avd Litoral, selva de Mar, Diagonal, Pg Garcia Faria ,Carmen Amaya and Avda litoral streets, and runnig will go around de Litoral Marina, Paseo de Circunvalación Parc de la Ciudadela Paseo Picasso Paseo Pujades Paseo lluis Companys to end up the pavello de la Mar Bella.
the circuits will have different forms depending on the distance traveled: Olympic Category with the1.500 m swim, 40 km cycling and 10 km race walk, Sprint Category  with 750 m swim, 20km bike and 5 km jogging and the Supers print, Category 400 m in the aquatic environment for cycling 10 km and 2.5 km run.
And as happened in the last years there will be the test Corporate Tri Challenge, team relay, to encourage amateur athletes who do not have the level to complete an entire triathlon but which are able to play a part. This discipline is meant for all the companies point to their relay teams and participate against other companies in the Corporate Tri Challenge.
To point to a team only need to bring together three people in your company and that each makes a different mode. A swim 750 meters or 1.5 kilometers, one bike will go 20 or 40 miles and the third run 5 or 10 kilometers. Each team will choose the distance you want.
The organization and Garmin as sponsor hope to break the record achieved in the last issue and reach the 5,000 participants.

City Info > Tours

The Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter

A walking tour guide through the Ramblas and part of the Gothic Neighborhood to end up at the Cathedral.
There are different ways to discover Barcelona, and the many interesting places in the city. It is possible to do it by your own or it can be interesting also to be accompanied by a guide that will give you tips about the places you are going through.
One of the classic walks around the Gothic Quarter that takes around 2 hours and a half starts at Plaça Catalunya and walking down the Ramblas on direction to the Port first you will find newspaper stands and probably several human statues; afterwards you will get to the Birds Area, where you will find small pets and birds, and continuing downwards the Flower Stands, with different types of flowers plants and seeds. In the middle of the Flower Stands Area at the right hand side of the Rambla you will find the Boqueria Market (Mercat de Sant Josep or commonly la Boqueria). Special stop to visit the fresh food Mercat de La Boqueria is higly recommended. Returning to the Ramblas and continuing walking towards the sea you will walk over the Joan Miro pavement (Pla de l’Ós pavement) just before seeing at the right hand side the Barcelona Opera House (Gran Teatre del Liceu), continuing with different terraces where to have something to drink or eat. On the Left hand side after passing by Ferran Street you will find a small arcaded passageway to the Plaça Reial. On the left hand side of the square having the Ramblas at your back you will find some arches that you can walk through to get to Ferran Street again.
Time now to look for other small squares inside the Gothic Quarter. On Ferran Street walking towards Sant Jaume Square you will get to Raurich Street where you will find on the corner a Bar called Schilling. Raurich Street is not very nice but it will take you to a charming group of small squares around the gothic Church of Santa Maria Del Pi called Placeta del Pi, Sant Josp Oriol and Plaça de Pi. From Plaça del Pi it can be interesting to have a walk through narrow Carrer Petrixol full of activity.
From Sant Josep Oriol Square there is a small nice street Carrer Ave Maria to get to Carrer dels Banys Nous, and from there through the Baixada de Sant Eulalia is time to walk through what it was the Jewish Quarter in Medieval times inside the Gothic City, up to Plaça Sant Jaume (political centre of the City with the City Town Hall on one side and the Autonomous Government of the Generalitat on the other side).
Continuing the walk through Carrer Llibreteria and Baixada de la Llibreteria and turn left at Carerr Veguer will take you to the Medieval Style Plaça del Rei. The next walk is around the back part of the Barcelona Cathedral through Carrer de La Pietat, turning right on Carrer del Bisbe, turning left at Carrer Sant Sever and right again at Carrer Sant Felip Neri to get to Plaça Sant Felip Neri, one of the most peaceful places with a special magic of all the Gothic Quarter.
To end up, just a little walk more through Carrer de Montjuic del Bisbe turning left at Carrer de Bisbe and immediately again right at Carrer de Santa Llucia to get to the main entrance of the Barcelona Cathedral.
This walk is easy to do and can be done by your own or accompanied by a special guide.
The following link to Google Maps gives you more indications of the route and of the places to visit: Ramblas and Gothic Quarter.
The Barcelona Guide Bureau organizes and provides guided tours. You can have information at bgb.es.

Art and Culture > Outdoor Sculptures

Columbus Monument - Monument a Colom

The Columbus Monument (Monument a Colom) is a 60 m (197 ft) tall monument for Christopher Columbus at the lower end of the Barcelona Las Ramblas in front of the Old Port that was finished in 1888 in time for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona and immediately became one of the most characteristic icons of the city.  It is located on the site where Columbus returned to Spain and reported to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand  after his first trip to the Americas.
The statue on top of the column represents Columbus with his back to the city, his right arm extended and the index finger pointing towards the sea. Initially it was mentioned that was pointing America, but this statement created controversy because America is located in the opposite direction to where the finger points. So three different currents of opinion were developed; the first is that the statue must be understood as a metaphor and that the public would not understand that a finger pointing towards the Ramblas could mean that he is pointing towards America. The second is that the statue is not pointing to America, but to India that was what he wanted to find as an alternative route that did not need to cross the Turkish Empire that not let European traders move to Asia; and the third mentions that the statue does not point to America but to Genoa (alleged birthplace) although it actually points directly towards Mallorca island.
Inside the monument going through the column there is an elevator that carries up to the hemisphere beneath the socle of the statue, to a viewing platform which overlooks the city.
The monument was designed by the authors divided into different parts with a chronological significance, the basement is a circular base, six meters wide, with four group of stairs, eight statues of lions and bas-reliefs of eight coats of the Spanish provinces and around different bas-reliefs  that explain  moments of Columbus life, organizing the trip and asking for help, explaining his project to the Church and the Catholic Kings, boarding on Port de Palos, discovering America and back in Barcelona with the Kings. Next step is a polygon of eight sides, four of them arranged as buttresses, cross-shaped, with allegorical statues of Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla y León, as well as the figures of Boyl Bernardo, Pedro de Margarit, Jaume Ferrer de Blanes and Luis St. Angelo (Columbus collaborators), then the Corinthian column (40 m (131 ft) tall), with a base with figures of ships, cranes and Fames winged and a capital with representations from Europe, Africa, Asia and America (the capital intends to represent the discovery and the consequences of it); and on top of all stands the Columbus bronze statue (7.2 m (24 ft) tall) in a majestic posture by sculptor Rafael Atché.
A contest was held exclusively for Spanish artists to submit the design of the Monument and it was won by Catalan Gaietà Buigas i Monravà. Different other sculptors participated on the Monument. Pere Carbonell I Huguet, Josep Gamot, Rafael Atché and Josep Carcassó worked on the allegories of the kingdoms; Manel Fuxà, Josep Gamot, Eduard Batista Alentorn and Francesc Pagès i Serratosa on the eight stone statues of Columbus collaborators; while the bronze four lions at the base were designed by Agapit Vallmitjana and the eight bas-reliefs with scenes of Columbus, were designed by  Antoni Vilanova and Josep Llimona, that disappeared shortly after, and in 1929 they were replaced by new ones by Fuxà and Carbonell i Torres.

Fairs and Congresses > Fairs

Magic Internacional 2010

26th edition of the anual Magic Internacional 2010 Fair in Barcelona
Magic International Fair 2010 in Barcelona aims to spread out the hidden knowledge and also to present it to the visiting public. Magic International Fair annually becomes the center of the world of hidden knowledge, becoming an essential point of meeting between amateurs and professionals, to exchange cultural information, technical and parascientists knowledge; to show the existence of spiritual and alternative sector of society and spread it culturally and economically through the dissemination and promotion of businesses and professionals.
Magic International is a monographic show dedicated to the knowledge of the esoteric sciences, parascientific and alternatives in its three aspects: The first is dedicated to wide audience thematic program of lectures, rituals, experiences, ceremonies anthropological discussions and demonstrations of clairvoyance live sessions and training workshops. All these activities are carried out in several halls and classrooms, to which the visiting public can attend and participate. In addition, during the show different specialist will present to the public their latest research in the field of esotericism, the para-and alternative therapies, and also different authors will present their latest publications and specialized thematic publications. The second aspect allows visitors to participate freely in various interactive themed activities present in the Magic International, where they can enter, live and experience how other worlds are. The visitors can take part in  parapsychology laboratory or Alternative Spirituality and express themselves mentally and spiritually. The Magic International offers the visiting public to be transported to other magical realities present in this esoteric show. The third aspect is the display and sales of commercial products of the sector that will be presented in different stands as well as to provide oracles and humanist consulting services to the public by the best specialists.
The Fair will take place in the Palacio Alfonso XIII, (Hall No. 6) of the Fira Barcelona in the Montjuic Venue on December 10 to 12.

Fairs and Congresses > Fairs

Salon Nautico - Barcelona International Boat Show

Gran Via Exhibition Centre of the Fira de Barcelona and the Port Vell - November 2010
The 49th edition of the annual Barcelona International Boat Show (Salon Nautico), the biggest in Spain and one of the top events of its kind in Europe, will be presenting all the services, products and innovations in every sector of the nautical industry in the classical venues of the Show.
At the Gran Via Exhibition Centre of the Fira it will be located the five traditional themed Areas:
The Innovation zone will be showcasing the new projects from design centers and R+D+I projects, engineering practices and shipyards featuring some of the most innovative ideas for the nautical industry, a great opportunity to discover the latest trends in new technological developments.  The Fun Beach zone revealing the secrets of the sea, aimed primarily for young people for them to sail in a pool on board canoes, kayaks and dinghies, the best way to learn about the sea. The Traditional Sailing Zone  where ‘Sea wolves’ and fishermen recount their stories, sharing space with artisans building boats in the traditional way, with a backdrop of schooners, dornas and other traditional wooden fishing boats. Homage to our historical heritage where you can join also in workshops, view exhibitions or listen to different performances. The Fishing Zone to promote responsible fishing that features fishing tackle and virtual simulators that reproduce the experience of deep-sea fishing, and presenting also various educational and recreational activities to promote responsible fishing among children. Several sea- and river-fishing championships will also be featured. And  the Espai del Mar Zone, an space for debate and discuss issues concerning the marine environment and every aspect of sailing, presenting also at the show  the main regattas like the The King’s Cup, the S.A.R. Princesa Sofía – Mapfre Trophy, the Christmas Race and the Salt Route.
At the Port Vell of Barcelona there will be the Floating Exhibition, the opportunity to see large vessels and mega-yachts.
The show will be in Barcelona from the 6 to the 14 of November.