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ONLY BE BARCELONIAN
Only-Be Barcelonian
Explosion! Pollock Legacy at the Miró Foundation in Barcelona
Movement, speed and energy are coming to the Miró Foundation as, together with the Stockholm´s Moderna Museet and sponsored by the BBVA Foundation, they have organized the exhibition ´Explosion! Pollock Legacy at the Miró Foundation´. The exhibition tries to show the influences that Pollock, unconsciously, created through action painting, since it opened a large field of possibilities inside conceptual art and performance. This experimental attitude, where the importance lies in creative art and in the painting that results from this action, was to have a large impact in the 40s and 60s. And so, in this exhibition, not only can you find works by Jackson Pollock, but also from other artists such as Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Allan Kaprow, Andy Warhol, Lynda Benglis, Saburo Murakami, Bruce Nauman, John Baldessari, and Paul McCarthy among others, thus offering a broad view of this 20th century artistic style. Let´s remember though what action painting is and which were the most-used techniques by Pollock. In action painting, the canvas goes on the floor, according to the artist, since the painting cannot be made on the easel because it needs a hard surface, like the floor, so that the artist can walk around the work or even introduce themselves into it (like sand painting in western Indian tribes). The way of painting is with powerful strokes and quick movements, to the point of making it in an automaton-like way. By automatism we understand the dramatic and unstoppable representation of the subconscious, just like the surrealists used to do it. This type of representation is known as abstract exprressionism, from which Jackson Pollock was the main representative, developing a new...
Keane concert at Razzmatazz in Barcelona
Keane, one of the most successful British band of the recent decades is on tour in Spain in October. The lucky cities that will be fortunate to have them live will Pamplona, Madrid and Barcelona, which will have them perform three concerts starring the new just released in May album, “Strangenland”, a work that includes more guitars and gives the band a more rock sound to them. Keane´s history dates back to 1995, when Tim Rice-Oxley gets together with some college friends to form a cover band. This first step was the starting point for this band, a band with the most sales and more number ones in the UK music charts in the recent UK music history. The band´s name comes from a sort of tribute to Tim´s mothers friend, Cherry Keane, who was a big musical influence for hiim. As many other English bands, Keane started playing in London Pubs. In 1999, after a year playing in various bars and clubs , Keane recorded their first single, which was sold on a small scale as they had no record label at the time. It was not until 2001, after recording two EPs n and selling limited CD copies -disks that are worth a fortune today and are considered as items of worship- that the band finally signed with a serious label. BMG was their first multi national record company , which was in charge of the tremendous success of the single “Everybody´s Changes” 2003. The new and current band´s label is Record Islands. With four studio albums, the band arrives in Barcelona on October 24. The concert...
Going out in Barcelona for under 20€
Barcelona is getting more and more expensive, especially for locals, and it´s also more expensive to go out because, let´s not kid ourselves, dinner, drinks, club entry and taxi home is quite a spend. If it carries on like this, we will need to save all year long to celebrate New Year´s Eve! So that this doesn´t happen, we´ve found a route to go out partying in Barcelona for less than 20€. My friends, let the party continue: Instead of going out for dinner at a restaurant, you can go to one of those bars that offer beers for 1€ and tapas for 1€ or 2€. This way, for five euros you can drink and eat. Take note: Can Eusebio, Vilà i Vilà, 84. Beers and patatas bravas for one euro, and the rest of tapas for less than 5€ each. La Milagrossa, Torrent de les Flors, 94: This small bar managed by an Argentine specalizes in pasties and breaded steak, which are delicious. It has beer for 1€ and, also, if you want to have dinner, they offer combos for two pasties and a drink for less than 5€. La Gata Mala, Rabassa, 37. This narrow bar (which is always full) is run brilliantly by two lovely girls. 1.50€ for the beer and a free tapa. The good thing is that every tapa is better than the previous one: they start with a piece of bread with cheese, the second one will be Spanish omelette and the third one will be steak. Bar Atrapatapa, Compte d´Urgell 77 not only serve the free tapa with your drink...
The Cranberries concert in Barcelona and Madrid
The Irish rock band returns to Spain. The Cranberries will present on October 5 at the Palace of Vistalegre in Madrid their sixth album called “Roses” But it will not be the only concert by the Irish, the day before they will be playing in Barcelona at the Club Sant Jordi. It has been two years since the Irish rock band visited our country, just at the time when they got back together after seven years apart. Now back on track with a new album which was released on February 14, produced by Stephen Street and recorded in May 2011 in Toronto and London called “Roses”, this is the first studio album by the band in ten years. For them, of course, it is very special. But, how did the form?. The Hogan brothers, once they finished school, began to help their parents who ran a bakery. One night during a concert they met Fergal Lawler, a hairdresser of Parteen. And this curious mix between bakers and hairdressers formed into what we now know as The Cranberries. Their rise to fame happened in the 90s with the album “Everybody else is doing it, so why can’t we?” Which achieved them stardom for the album became a commercial success with over 5 million copies sold in the U.S. and more than 40 million albums worldwide. Their other successes are “No Need To Argue”, “To the Faithful Departed” and “Bury the Hatchet”. In 1999 they surprised us with “Just My Imagination”, undoubtedly one of my favorite tunes by them . “Just My Imagination” was the third single from their fourth studio...
Films Shot in Barcelona (without Seeming Like It)
“Walking around New York is like walking through a large-scale Hollywood set” is a comparison well known in the history of world tourism. Obviously, Barcelona is not characterized as a city in this way but because of other no less special reasons: sun, sand, sangria and paella… Most people known of the Sagrada Familia, the parties in Gracia and even Joan Clos dancing to the rhythm of Carlinhos Brown. The truth is that this city has more often played a secondary than central character. But if you’re interested in finding the settings that you’ve seen on the big screen, we will name a few of the movies that were shot inBarcelona. They capture a bit of the city but not the whole. The Perfum by Tom Tykwer, 2006 Although this film is set in eighteenth-centuryParis, it was shot between Figueres, Besalú (Costa Brava) and Barcelona. The director, Tom Tykwer, chose to shoot it between Girona and Barcelona because these are places that “have better preserved the essence of the architecture” of the time. So, in the Gothic quarter they set up a market with tons of authentic fish that would have been worthy of the time period before sewers. Another part was set in the Laberint d´Horta and others, in the Poble Espanyol, where they filmed the famous final scene. REC by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, 2007 This film was shot almost entirely in the same block of buildings in the Rambla Catalunya (no. 34). Of course, they could also have been done in my town and no one would have noticed, but I...
Careful you don’t get ripped off in Barcelona!
In the beautiful city of Barcelona you´ll find a large amount of bars, terraces and restaurants where you can enjoy a nice coffee. Despite that this city can be expensive, the price depends on the district or place that you´re in. The most touristy area and the one with the most influence is definitely the Ramblas. Located in the city centre, they are the famous pedestrian street where thousands of people walk up and down all day, from Plaça Catalunya to the port, immersing themselves in the Gothic quarter, going up the monument of the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus. To either side of the Ramblas, you´ll find anything and everything, and many places to have a coffee. However, this is quite expensive due to its location. A good example of this is Starbucks, an American coffee-shop chain that charges 5€ for a coffee. However, it´s a great coffee with a view of the Ramblas. Starting again from the main square in the city, Plaça Catalunya, we go up the hill towards Passeig de Gràcia, another unique but expensive street located in the Eixample district. Here we can find the best shops, two buildings by Gaudí (La Pedrera and Casa Batlló), the Antoni Tàpies Foundation and the best restaurants and cafés with pleasant terraces. These two streets are all aimed towards tourism, so don´t expect low prices. In the centre you can enjoy a nice coffee at a reasonable price at Iposa. It´s a bar-restaurant in Raval, a few yards away from the back entrance of the Boquería Market, on 14 Carrer de les Floristes de la Rambla. It...
Shops You Shouldn’t Miss in Barcelona
There are a number of reasons why more and more is being required of shops, especially inBarcelona. It may be because the competition is keener, the clientele poorer (at least in this country), or because your partner finds shopping incredibly boring, but the truth is that the stores have to reinvent themselves and customers are looking for yet another incentive. Today we’re giving you a list of shops where you won’t mind (much anyway) spending some dough. Olokuti, Calle Astúries, 38 (Gracia neighborhood, Metro: Fontana) Olokuti is one of those charming, beloved shops. Above all, for its philosophy: fair trade. But also for the quality of its products and a special atmosphere it exudes. It is located on the ground floor of an old building in Gracia and preserves the original layout of the rooms and antique tiles. They have clothing, bags, wallets, picture frames, toys and baby clothes, necklaces and earrings, books, music, and a section of green technology (please forgive me for leaving out tons of other objects since I´m not taking inventory there). Sounds great, but there is also another incentive that makes it unique: it has a fairly large courtyard with trees and a garden where you can enjoy a cup of tea, a juice or even the ice cream that they sell. In addition, they often host cultural activities such as exhibitions or concerts in this courtyard. The cuina d´en Garriga, Calle Consell de Cent, 308 (Metro: Diagonal) This place is like shopping in the past, with the exception of the prices, of course. It seems a bit like...
Miguel Bosé in the Palau Sant Jordi – the Papitwo tour!
Miguel Bosé is definitely one of those artists who need no introduction in Spain. For good reason, he’s appeared on television and in the hits charts from his early youth until today. Miguel Bosé is one of those musicians who can maintain their creativity and have the strength and enthusiasm to continue making good music. September 27 is going to be an extra special night since we will have the opportunity to enjoy him live in concert in one of the best venues, the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona. After the huge success of “Papito”, on September 4 Miguel Bosé launched a new greatest hits album that also features duets with other artists. As usual a new album results in a new tour, and since this guy never fails to give 110% on stage, it is sure to be one of the year´s greatest events. If we take a short look at Bosé’s history, many are surprised to find out that he is native to Panama, son of a Spanish father and an Italian mother, who were famous in the world of bullfighting and acting, respectively. Both families were related to the families of such important artists as Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway, so it seems quite natural Miguel also became an artist of one kind or another. In 1977 he began making war with his first album, which is known for the songs “Linda” and “Mi libertad”. Until the 80s his music focused on winning over the teenage female audience, with remarkable success, but in 1984 he decided to change the tone and style of...
The Jayhawks concert in Barcelona
Born countercurrently to the American music scene of the time, The Jayhawks have always advocated a classic sound, halfway between country and rock, which eventually became one of the most important groups of the post -punk era. The group emerged in the late 80´s in Minneapolis. Its founders, Mark Olson, Gary Louise, Marc Perlman and Norm Rogers, came from different local bands and published in 1986 their first self-released album, titled “The Jayhawks”. After this first job, they recorded three more albums: “Blue Earth”, “Hollywood Town Hall” and “Tomorrow The Green Grass”, which garnered good reviews, but never became top selling albums. In 2009 they released a new album, “Ready for the Flood”, which was presented in a world tour that brought them to Spain with great success. In early 2011 they reissued their first albums, “Hollywood Town Hall” and “Tomorrow The Green Grass”, with many unpublished extras , for the delight of their diehard fans. Today, numerous albums, multiple concerts and various inputs and outputs of components after they are back with a new work: “Mockingbird Time”, released last year, and that is presented in Spain on a tour of four concerts that will take them around Barcelona , Madrid, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela. For this tour, the band has recovered most of its original components, including one of its former leaders, legendary Mark Olson, who left the group several years ago to live a quieter life as a solo singer, along with Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg and Tim O´Reagan came to Spain to present their latest work and review their legendary discography, which has already...
The BAM 2012 will fill the streets of Barcelona with indie music
September is a great month to be in Barcelona, especially on the weekend of the 21 to the 23. The spring-summer festivals are far behind but September brings an expected encore with live music that also is FREE! BAM, or Barcelona Accio Musical, is one of the proposals that Barcelona offers residents and visitors due to its cultural feasts, “Festival of the Mercè ” from the 21 to the 24 of September. The year 2012 presents us with more than 500 arts, leisure and cultural activities, being one of the most anticipated highlights the BAM, which has music filling Barcelona since 1993 and this year celebrates its 20th edition. It seems unthinkable that to enjoy such good bands, some of them being international cost zero euros. Every corner of the city is a party and you should not miss it In previous years it has been possible to see groups like Ok Go, Standstill, Vinila von Bismark & The Lucky Dice, Boat Beam, Cat People or LA. Do you want to know what lies ahead in this Barcelona Accio Musical 2012? The biggest international group this year will definitely be The Kooks. A true luxury to have them in Barcelona, as it is one of the most booming international indie rock bands. With hits like “Naive”, “Seaside” or “Junk of the Heart (Happy)” their style is very close to brit pop, but they have something cool that makes them stand out and sound different. Their latest album Junk of the Heart, which premiered in 2011 will have many of its songs played live. The Kooks play on the 22 in the...Promotions
