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ONLY BE BARCELONIAN
Only-Be Barcelonian
Chance to win tickets for the Sónar Festival 2012
Once again Barcelona will be the place of one of the most important and influential international festivals for advanced music and multimedia art for 3 entire days. As it is already a tradition, there will be artists from the world of electronic music and those who like to mix it up with other genres. At Sónar you will have the chance to listen both, artists with worldwide fame as well as emerging talents. Only-apartments invites you to participate in a contest to win your ticket for the Sónar 2012. All you have to do is vote for one of the 10 artists listed below that will perform at the festival and leave a comment. Among all participants, we will give away 3 tickets for Sónar Night on June 16th 2012. The draw will take place on June 4th 2012. Good luck!!! 1) VOTE 2) LEAVE A COMMENT and YOUR CONTACT DETAILS [poll...
Primavera Sound in Barcelona
Primavera Sound has returned to Barcelona. This time it has a poster even more interesting and daring than last year. And this 2012 Primavera is committed to sounds that are heavier and more experimental than other times, with bands like Godflesh, Napalm Death, Sleep and Mayhem. Is the audience at Primavera leaving behind hipster pretenses and turning to harder music? Does it mark the end of modernity? Far from it. One possible explanation is that the impact of some of the heavy metal bands that will be at the festival have been so important to the development of independent music in general that leaving them out would be neglecting what has been happening for the last 20 years. Some say that many of the most influential bands today, such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Pelican and Neurosis, with their experimental music that trends toward heavy metal have renewed this genre and converted it into post rock or post metal. Two groups will make important returns to the stage this year. One is the enigmatic Codeine, a pioneering American slowcore band. With slow cadences and whispering voices, Codeine preceded the post rock scene, and especially bands like Tortoise, Do Make Say Think and Mogwai. In a similar vein and drone, the impressiveMain, with Robert Hampson at the controls, will also be present. This important English musician was the lead guitar and vocals of the legendary psychedelic bandLoop.Mainstood out in the 90s for his cold, experimental sound, which was layered and had an intense atmosphere with hypnotic, repetitive rhythms. The funny thing is that if we watch the video promotion for...
Best burgers in Barcelona
While the burger is the traditional American food, over time it has become an icon of modern living to be a meal served at as its name says “fast”, you waste no time eating it and has a pleasing flavor that is open to an endless series of combinations. Its origin goes back to the Mongolian and Turkish tribes of the fourteenth century, but the modern version of the hamburger comes from the nineteenth century, when the Germans brought to the U.S. the Frikadelle, which was known as American steak Hamburg-style. Shortly thereafter it was transformed into the famous burgers. So to help you find this delicacy in Barcelona, here we tell you where are the best burgers and their characteristics, and the quality of the products they contain. For those who are sophisticated and like to eat gourmet style in La Burg will find a nice burger. This restaurant opened thirty years ago, while proving that burgers can be prepared with style and creativity. They use brown-alpine beef, without chemicals and in accordance to the most demanding sanitary rules, in their preparations. The menu is composed by thirteen types of burgers, including lamb and vegetarian, making a difference with any restaurant specializing in this type of specialties. They offer a take away service and is located at Passeig Sant Joan Bosco 55. Following the same quality standard is El Filete Ruso, whose name honors the Tatar name of hamburger, and has taken this popular preparation for turning it into a gourmet dish. Along with choosing the best products, which are treated in accordance to the sanitary rules, it...
Primavera Sound 2012 in Barcelona
Primavera Sound in Barcelona is back with its 11th edition. This is one of the most important alternative music festivals in Europe and the whole world, that will surely be a huge hit once again. Get ready to live five days and nights with the best music from more than 200 live performances that will fill each corner of the city with plenty of decibels. The Parc del Fòrum will once again be the focus of all the attention, the festival´s eye of the storm. In this edition they will be going back to their original spirit: alternative indie, rock and pop that´s far from the commercial music scene, with emerging and legendary bands that will unite in perfect symbiosis. The programme has bands from all over the world, from countries such as Mexico, USA, England, Austria, Iceland, Canada, Luxembourg, Poland, France, Portugal and Sweden. The main attraction of the festival will undoubtedly be the participation of the legendary band The Cure. This 70s band holds the legendary status among lovers of alternative music, post punk and new wave. The Cure repeats a visit to Barcelona after having done so in 2008 and will thrill us with the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the release of their amazing album ´Wish´, the album put them on the world map and the international music scene. The chameleonic Icelandic artist Bjork is another of the headliners of Primavera Sound 2012. Innovative and pioneering on the electronic-pop scene, she arrives at the Catalan capital to present us her latest album, ´Biophilia´. Regarding Spanish musicians, we highlight the appearance of Christina Rosenvinge. There´s not much left of the teenager who...
Bruce Springsteen Concert in Barcelona
Exactly one hundred years ago, Europe was having an exciting debate on patriotism. The continent seemed to go into an inevitable war of incomparably greater proportions than any other before, the socialist left had analyzed the phenomenon in terms of struggle against the imperial supremacy of one country over others. For intellectuals like Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg, imperialism was merely an advanced stage of capitalism and the global war, which would result in inescapable so therefore could not be more contrary to the interests of workers living in the countries involved. The real enemy was the capitalist exploitation and to defeat it, the workers around the world should join forces instead of wanting to kill each other. Lucidly analyzed the situation, for years the socialist internationalism made an outstanding effort to convince workers that they should not participate in the coming war. However, when the hour of truth came, the national socialist parties were convinced of the necessity of a war, because of the astute inclusion in the government of each state. Co-opted in this way in the name of patriotism and reasons of state, the internationalist left suffered a tremendous defeat and Europe for four years became the bloodiest battle ground ever known over a conflict that killed much of the youth of the time, causing a deep wound to the European civilization of which probably it will never be healed, while creating the germ of an irreparable crisis in confidence in the idea of humanity and progress. Despite the lessons they might have learned, we seem to remain hostage to the idea of the possibility of the...
Judas Priest in Barcelona
Metal lovers will enjoy another spectacular concert on May 16 at the Sant Jordi Club inBarcelona. The phenomenal line-up includes Judas Priest, Blind Guardian and U.D.O. The headlining band is Judas Priest, who has already given several great performances inBarcelona. They are now returning with their Epitaph tour that began last year. This tour, as the title implies, will be the last given by this legendary heavy metal band. It may be the last opportunity to hear the voice of Rob Halford, which is one of the most popular and distinctive in the world of metal. The setlist for the concert includes the most successful songs from their nearly forty year history. Among other noteworthy ones are “Never satisfied” (Rocka Rolla, 1974) from the first album that initially launched them into stardom, or the mythical “Starbreaker” (Sin After Sin, 1977) or the equally impressive “Breaking the Law” (British Steel, 1980), which was for many the most popular of the band’s career. And not to forget, some of the later hits like “Judas Rising (Angel of Retribution, 2005) or “Dawn of Creation/Prophecy” (Nostradamus, 2008) will be included. This time Judas Priest will be accompanied by the famous German band Blind Guardian, which has basically maintained the same formation since it was created in the 80s. It’s only missing the drummer Tomen Stauch, who left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Frederik Ehmke, who is now firmly a part of the group. Blind Guardian is known for being a group that combines fast melodic rhythms, sometimes accompanied by acoustic guitar or even bagpipes. Many of their songs are inspired...
How to Make Sushi at Home
Among all kinds of food, sushi is undoubtedly one of the most popular around the world. Its preparation and presentation is not only highly attractive, but also a source of health. Its preparation involves low-calorie ingredients: fresh fish, vegetables and, of course, delicious rice. The main ingredients for making sushi are: Sushi Rice: This rice, also known as “gohan” is something different from conventional rice because its grains are somehow shorter. It is essential that you use this rice as it is the only that gets the sticky texture that allows you to make the rolls in a proper way. Nori: Nori is the seaweed used to wrap the rolls. They are usually black or dark green. Its lightweight but sturdy texture contains the sushi rolls, with a very fresh ocean flavor as well. Rice Vinegar: This vinegar will give flavor to the grains of rice in the sushi. It is also essential to the final touch. Soy sauce: Indispensable for seasoning and dipping sushi rolls once ready. Ingredients for filling: This is where your creativity and style come into action. You can use fresh fish or cooked seafood. Among the most popular fish for sushi are tuna and salmon, but other variants are possible and, of course, various vegetables from all seasons. When making sushi you will want to properly wash the rice and then cook it, with an extra touch of water, so that the rice gets a little more sticky in order to be better handled. Once cooked, the rice is seasoned with vinegar and then you will proceed to the rolls. The cutting of both...
Returning to Vintage in Barcelona
Vintage is neither a fashion nor a trend. It’s more of an attitude: the knowledgeable look beyond novelty and are able to recognize the quality and beauty of certain older objects. While collectors seek very valuable items and don’t take a second look at relics or antiques, the vintage aficionado or those who up to now have not gotten to know this terrain, aspire to recycle something from yesterday, incorporating into contemporary life. If we concentrate simply on fashion, it seems that certain successful series such as the award-wining “Mad Men” have contributed to the return of this attitude and also a characteristic way of dressing. An example of this trend can be seen in the revival of “New Look” (after some 60 years) which was first seen in works by Christian Dior from the 50s. Full skirts with tight waists and mid-calf lengths and tailored jackets were all the rage among the elegant women of yesterday as much as among the celebrities today. At the same time as this reinterpretation, fashion addicts are going crazy to have bags that are emblematic of the 50s and 60s, especially those of crocodile and alligator skin. The Lucille de Paris label (which has been active since the 70s in New York), to name but one example, reflect this, as the price for a bag rarely goes below 250 dollars. If a bag (all of them are handbags) is found to be in good condition, it could easily be worth 500 dollars. Although Spain doesn’t have a vintage tradition, Penélope Cruz walked down the red carpet at the Oscars in 2009 (where...
May Promotion
They say that 63% of the happiness that one experiments travelling comes long before boarding the plane. It´s those moments in which we sit in front of the computer, travel guide or TV, when our mind starts to fantasize about all the things that we can do and discover around the world. We know how important travelling is to you and we want to make things easier for you. From the 1st until the 10th of May, make the most of this offer and get 5% discount in all of our apartments. Now, just let your imagination run loose, decide where your next trip is going to be and introduce the following code in the required field 😉 Promocode: PCECC4HP57KD Maria Climent Whether you´re going to stay in one of our apartments in Barcelona or a tent in Madagascar, enjoy yourself before and after the...
International Comic Book Fair in Barcelona
For 30 years, Barcelona has been the home of the International Comic Book Fair, an event where fans of the ninth art can come and see all the editorial novelties as well as the authors of the comic books, so they can take back a signed copy or even a dedicated drawing by one of their favourite cartoonists. After going through various locations, the fair is now located at the Fira de Barcelona, and this year it will take up Pavillion 8, which is over 4 acres big, where the different publishers will present their latest publications, together with the bookshops that exhibit their material. Also, they will organize various presentations of authors, both Spanish and international ones, who will attend the event to show their latest work to the Spanish crowd. As well as the authors presented by the publishers and the organization of the fair, it´s easy to find other cartoonists and scriptwriters who will go there by themselves to this event, the most important comic book fair in Spain. This year, the American cartoonists Greg Rucka and Greg Capullo as well as the British ones David Lloyd and Mark Buckingham and the Italian Milo Manara will be attending, along with the Chinese ones that have been invited there since China is the invited country to this year´s edition. Famous sci-fi film and TV actors will also visit the fair, such as Julian Glover (The Empire Strikes Back) or Paul Blake, who played Greedo in Star Wars. The seven exhibitions, as well as the one dedicated to comic books in China, are dedicated to the robots in comic books, making the most of Go Nagai´s presence, the creator of Mazinger Z. Spider Man will also be there...Promotions
