English
Once Christmas has been and gone, after eating all those sweets and excess family dinners, life goes on. Even though many of us would like to spend the whole month of January hibernating in bed in order not to spend any more money, the truth is that the clock pushes us back to routine, to face the harsh reality of life.
We´ve ended up with no money after spending it all on food, presents and partying, and there´s still a long month ahead of us. However, after a week´s work we will probably want to go out again and enjoy Barcelona, so there´s a problem ahead: go out to keep mentally sane or stay in and save the little money we have?
Don´t worry, you can do both things because we´ve prepared a list of free activities that you can do in Barcelona in January. Here goes:
Concerts
If you like live music and reduced crowds, you´re in luck:
Jazz
Sunday 18th. At Casal Prosperitat in Nou Barris, jam session with “participative music” at 10.30pm.
Pop-rock
Saturday 26th, from 9.30pm, pop-rock minifestival with Gerard Civat i els Civets+Cyrene+Please Wait at Espai Jove La Fontana, in the Gràcia district. Free entry!
Classical music
Sunday 6th. Free Anna Maria Reverté concert at Palau de la Generalitat, in Plaça Sant Jaume at 12pm; Wednesday 15th. Maria Ivanovich piano concert at the North American Institute in the Sarria district at 7.30pm.
Folkloric
Thursday 17th. Sara n Trio brings R&B, soul and Brazilian music at the Centre Cívic Sagrada Familia. Free entry and starts at 8pm.
Thursday 24th. Music made with oil barrels with Stell Drums. Starts at 8pm at Centre Cívic Sagrada Familia and free entry also.
If none of these options has convinced you, here´s a list of bars where you can listen to live music every weekend:
– Cara B. C/ Torrent de les Flors 36 (Pop – rock – folk)
– Coleccionista C/ Torrent de les flors, 46 (Pop – rock – folk)
– Big Bang Bar C/ Botella 7 (jazz – blues)
Film
Monday 7th. If you are one of the people who complains about how expensive going to the cinema is and you´re a fan of French film, you´re in luck: a free ticket to see the film Un heureux événement (A happy event) (2011) by the French director Rémi Bezançon at Centre Cívic Sagrada Familia at 8pm.
Monday 14th. At the same time (8pm) a free ticket to see the French film Babies (2010) by Thomas Balmes.
Wednesday 16th. Documentary Som del Raval (We are from Raval) (2011) by Àngela Bosch at Casa Elizalde in the Eixample district at 7.30pm.
Second hand markets
Sunday 13th. You can even make some money by selling things that you don´t use anymore. Every week you can sell your junk and buy someone else´s junk in Two Market, a second hand market in Barcelona. More info here: http://www.twomarket.es/
If you´ve gone back home for Christmas and your partner has kicked you out upon your return because he or she doesn´t recognize you with that stone or two that you´ve put on, remember that you don´t have to sleep on the street. Check out apartments in Barcelona for days .
