Barcelona - unlike

Event: Turtles can fly - 24 Jul 22:00

2009-07-11T17:21:00+02:00

Set in Ghobadi’s native Kurdistan, close to the Turkey-Iran border. Soran is a 13-year-old boy who orders other children around as he installs an antenna for villagers keen to hear of Saddam’s fall. Eventually, he falls for Agrin but is disturbed by her brother Henkov, who was left armless after he stepped on a landmine and who can now seemingly predict the future

21.00 Giulia y los Tellarini, indie music
22.00 Coco rallado, Concha López Nieto, 2008, CECC

Castillo de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.salamontjuic.com/eng/programacio.php

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Event: 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days - 22 Jul 22:00

2009-07-11T17:14:26+02:00

The story of a forbidden abortion in the late era of Ceaucescu’s dictatorship. The film received the Palme d’Or Award for the 2007 Cannes Festival

21.00 Jinx Jazz Band, dixieland
22.00 Nit bus, Juanjo Giménez, 2007, Nadir Films

Castillo de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.salamontjuic.com/eng/programacio.php

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Event: La Nuit américaine - 17 Jul 22:00

2009-07-11T17:10:27+02:00

A film company at work. Actors arrive and depart; liaisons develop. Julie, the beautiful but possibly unstable lead, is recovering from a breakdown, aided by an older physician, her new husband. Alphonse is insecure, he babbles. When his fiance exits with a stunt man, he threatens to quit. Julie must convince him to stay. Alexandre, a consummate pro on the set, runs back and forth to the airport hoping a certain young man will visit. Severine, no longer young, hits the bottle and covers blown lines with emotional outbursts. At the center is Ferrand, the writer director, who must make constant decisions, answer a stream of questions, and deliver the film on schedule.

21.00 Triandó, flamenco fusion
22.00 7:35 de la mañana, Nacho Vigalondo, 2003 Kimuak

Castillo de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
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Event: In Bruges - 20 Jul 22:00

2009-07-11T17:06:42+02:00

Bruges, the most well-preserved medieval city in the whole of Belgium, is a welcoming destination for travellers from all over the world. But for hit men Ray and Ken, it could be their final destination; a difficult job has resulted in the pair being ordered right before Christmas by their London boss Harry to go and cool their heels in the storybook Flemish city for a couple of weeks. Very much out of place amidst the gothic architecture, canals, and cobbled streets, the two hit men fill their days living the lives of tourists. Ray, still haunted by the bloodshed in London, hates the place, while Ken, even as he keeps a fatherly eye on Ray’s often profanely funny exploits, finds his mind and soul being expanded by the beauty and serenity of the city.

21.00 Elektric Consort, jazz fusión
22.00 Runners , Marc Reixach, 2008, Escandalo Films (ESCAC)

Castillo de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.salamontjuic.com/eng/programacio.php

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Event: Youssou N'Dour - 20 Jul 21:00

2009-07-07T11:52:28+02:00

Senegalese Youssou N’Dour brings his unique fusion of African music and pop to the Auditori—and presents his latest album, Rokku mi rokka (Give and Take).

L'Auditori
C/ Lepant, 150, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.auditori.com/seccions/programacio/fitxa.aspx?idconcert=1364&cicle_id=

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Event: GREC'09: Racconti Crudeli della Giovinezza - 17 Jul 22:30

2009-07-06T17:36:58+02:00

The power and rebel of adolescence is the theme of this play, “Racconti Crudeli della Giovinezza” (“Cruel Stories from the Youth”). It’s a sociological work—an investigation about the condition of youth—by Italian collective Motus, née Enrico Casagrande and Daniela Nicolò.

The play is in Italian with Catalan subtitles

Mercat de les Flors
C/ Lleida, 59, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.mercatflors.org/fitxa/310/m/7/motus

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Event: GREC'09: La menzogna - 13 Jul 21:00

2009-07-06T17:34:46+02:00

Award-winning dance and theater director Pipo Delbono questions society in all of his work, bringing up many questions that underline themes of humanity and sensitivity.

At this year’s Grec festival, Delbono presents his latest play, “La Menzogna” (“The Lie”), in Italian with Catalan subtitles.

Mercat de les Flors
C/ Lleida, 59, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.mercatflors.org/fitxa/309/m/7/de-pippo-delbono

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Event: GREC'09: La menzogna - 14 Jul 21:00

2009-07-06T17:34:46+02:00

Award-winning dance and theater director Pipo Delbono questions society in all of his work, bringing up many questions that underline themes of humanity and sensitivity.

At this year’s Grec festival, Delbono presents his latest play, “La Menzogna” (“The Lie”), in Italian with Catalan subtitles.

Mercat de les Flors
C/ Lleida, 59, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.mercatflors.org/fitxa/309/m/7/de-pippo-delbono

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Event: Festen - 15 Jul 22:00

2009-07-05T14:58:29+02:00

The Father turns 60. His large family gathers to celebrate him on a castle. Everybody likes and respects the father deeply…or do they? The Youngest Son is trying to live up to The Father’s expectations. He is running a grill-bar in a dirty part of Copenhagen. The oldest son runs a restaurant in France, while the sister is a lawyer. The older sister has recently committed suicide and the father asks the oldest son to say a few words about her, because he is afraid he will break into tears if he does it himself. The oldest son agrees without arguments. Actually he has already written two speeches. A yellow and a green one. By the table, he asks the father to pick a speech. The father chooses green. The oldest son announces that this is the Speech of Truth. Everybody laughs, except for the father who gets a nervous look on his face. For he knows that the oldest son is about to reveal the secret of why the oldest sister killed herself.

21.00 Lívia Lucas, Brazilian music 22.00 Sintonía, Jose Mari Goenaga, 2005, Kimuak

Castillo de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.salamontjuic.com/eng/programacio.php

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Event: Volver - 13 Jul 22:00

2009-07-05T14:57:55+02:00

Set in Spain, this is a generational story of two daughters who lost their parents as children during a fire: a good mother mother carrying a hard life upon her shoulders, and an illegal hairdresser whose shop is the meeting point for all the neighbourhood gossips. When the mother’s drunken and abusive partner assaults her daughter, catastrophy strikes. The daughter murders the partner in self defence and the mother does all that she can to protect her little girl being caught out by her aunt, or the nosey townspeople. But the aunt has a family secret of her own to keep which she divulges to the daughter, that would put the mother on an emotional rollercoaster. Will the truth be revealed?

21.00 Banan Kaló, African music

Castillo de Montjuïc
Carretera de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.salamontjuic.com/eng/resultado.php

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Festival: Sala Montjuïc

2009-07-05T14:55:48+02:00

The summer movie experience at its best at this legendary open air movie theater: films in 35 mm and in their original versions on a giant-sized screen.

Three screenings every week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Festival: El Grec

2009-07-01T09:22:45+02:00

El Grec Festival 09 will feature more than 60 theatre, music, dance and circus shows across 26 venues. The works range from classical drama to radical theatre; from new works by up-and-coming Catalan playwrights to productions on the international scene; from shows for family audiences to the latest in digital art; in short, a whole world of choice, transforming Barcelona to one great stage.

Story: Crystal Castles show off!

2009-06-22T18:39:52+02:00

For all who missed Alice Glass live at Sònar Barcelona, punching a security with the drumset …

Here´s the official Sònar statement:

In view of the difficulties during the show by Crystal Castles last night, the festival organisers would like to make the following clear:

· All the technical problems during the concert were the sole responsibility of the group and their team of technicians.

· Despite the warnings and advice given by the festival organisers, the band’s sound technician adjusted the configuration of the equipment incorrectly, which led to the series of errors and mishaps which the concert finally consisted of.

· The festival provides the artists with technical equipment of the highest quality and all the human resources to operate it under optimum conditions. The correct use of this equipment is the responsibility of the artists and their team from the point at which their show begins, which is when they take control of the equipment and become responsible for operating it.

· The festival’s technical supervisors repeatedly attempted to remedy the situation, by asking the band’s sound team to solve the problem. Their efforts were in vain due to the negligent and irresponsible attitude which the band’s technicians displayed throughout the show.

· The festival organisers deeply regret the inconvenience caused, which turned one of the night’s most eagerly-awaited shows into a disaster.

Read the whole story at the NME

Event: Au Revoir Simone - 14 Jul 21:00

2009-06-22T10:53:58+02:00

This chick band is one of the sweetest—the three long-haired lookalikes based out of Brooklyn, New York, play soft, happy lullaby-esque indie pop that is the perfect soundtrack for springtime.

Check out the nostalgia-ridden Sad Song, which might harp on love past but affirms our love for the trio in the present.

BeCool
Plaça Joan Llongueras, 5, 08021 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.myspace.com/aurevoirsimone

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Location: Chringuito Inercia

2009-06-18T18:16:13+02:00

Inercia is chiringuito numero tres on Nova Icária beach—a darling among Barcelona’s beaches—which basically doesn’t offer anything terribly different than its peers, but it’s still very good: a relaxing athmosphere, simple dishes, a long list of drinks and—most famously—an extensive assortment of classic cocktails, all whipped up by a cheerful staff.

Inercia’s popularity though most likely comes from the well-tuned sound system, on occasions played by DJs laying down easy electronic grooves. Meanwhile, the nearby giant rope pyramid is where the youngest beach visitors call home—and thus and makes Inercia a favorite for families as well.

Passeig Marítim del Port Olímpic, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
May-Oct: Daily, 10:00-2:00 (May-Oct)
[L4] at Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica

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Location: Amaltea

2009-06-14T19:51:58+02:00

Supporting Barcelona’s reputation as a hippie haven, Amaltea is a health center catering to the crunchy set and yoga fans. With a range of services from tai-chi to Bach flower remedy courses and vegetarian cooking classes, Amaltea is centered on enlightenment through the body.

If you aren’t searching for enlightenment and just a good, vegetarian meal, this is your pit stop. Weekly lunch menus offer affordable options made from an array of health conscious recipes. Evening and weekend menus are a bit more expensive, but with 11 years experience, Amaltea knows how to heal with they culinary delights.

C/ Diputació, 164, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Thu, 13:00-16:00 & 20:00-23:00; Fri-Sat, 13:00-16:00 & 20:00-23:30
+34934548613
http://www.amalteaygovinda.com
amaltea@arrakis.es
[L1] at Urgell

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Event: Nouvelle Vague - 18 Sep 21:00

2009-06-12T13:25:39+02:00

The cooing female vocals that rework dark ‘80s ballads like Joy Division and The Talking Heads belie the true geniuses behind these covers: Frenchmen Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux. The music collective harness a love of bossa nova, acoustics and downtempo beats to fuel already familiar songs into something entirely new—and soothing enough to make even your grandmother dig it.

Preview tonight’s concert by watching the group’s performance of “Blue Monday” here.

Apolo
C/ Nou de la Rambla, 113, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.myspace.com/nouvellevague

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Location: Mercabarna-Flor

2009-06-11T12:34:14+02:00

From the outside, this architectural eye-candy looks more like a contemporary art museum than a market. With its endless strips of vertical color, the two-tiered angular structure resembles Paris’ La cheminée de Moretti, a kaleidoscope of color among drab warehouses.

Playfully obstructing an immediate understanding of purpose, the crisp air and interior fragrance eliminate any confusion surrounding the building’s program. Spanish architectural firm, Willy Müller Architects (WMA), designed the state-of-the-art flower market in three main sections—one for cut flowers, one for plants and one for accessories.

Though buying a dozen roses isn’t an option (Mercabarna-Flor only sells to wholesale buyers), if you plan ahead you can see the striking building and its colorful contents on a guided tour.

Ctra. Antigua de Valencia, número 1, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
Mon, 8:00-14:00; Tue-Fri, 6:00-16:00; Sat, 6:00-10:00
+34935563627
http://www.mercabarna.es/mercabarna-flor/presentacio/info-mb-flor/es_index.html
mb@mercabarna.es
[Bus] 109 at Plaça de Sants or Plaça d’Espanya; [Bus] 21 at the Avinguda del Parallel; [Bus] N1 at Plaça de Catalunya or Plaça d’Espanya.

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Festival: Sonar

2009-06-04T19:06:03+02:00

After successful pre-shows in New York and London, Barcelona’s most beloved music festival Sonar is back in full force. The three-day electronic music affair drew more than 80,000 people last year and shows no sign of stopping, from acts like dubstep visionary Martyn, indie-rock darlings Animal Collective and Ed Banger’s Gazpatshow on Friday’s program.

Check out the full festival lineup, plus select nighttime events on our festival guide below, or just dive straight into the danced-out crowds yourself all over the city from June 18th-20th.

Event: The Jazz Century - 21 Jul 11:00 - 18 Oct 00:00

2009-06-02T19:39:58+02:00

Jazz, together with film and rock, was one of the most foremost artistic happenings of the 20th Century. This exhibition offers an across-the-board reading of its complex history, based on a chronological structure providing a narrative thread that follows a timeline marking the main events in the history of jazz.

CCCB
C/ Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.cccb.org/en/exposicio-the_jazz_century-25706

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Location: Blondie

2009-05-27T19:32:32+02:00

As if the floral-against-black prints and loads of tuxedo jackets weren’t indication enough, the ‘80s are back in full force. Right in frame, Blondie is one of the newest spots in Barcelona’s nightlife and is run by tour de force DJ Tres Manos, known for having graced nearly every single club and bar in town with his house skills.

Retro neon-lights with checkered black-and-white walls nail the point home that this place is all about being a material girl, while the cozy atmosphere is only threatened on Friday nights when the iPod Battle takes place.

C/ Roca, 14, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 20:00-3:00
http://blondie-bcn.com
[L3] at Liceu

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Event: João Gilberto - 26 Jul 20:30

2009-05-26T19:03:17+02:00

A living legend of Brazilian music comes to the Liceu. João Gilberto, inventor of the Bossa Nova is one of the most influential musicians of the last 50 years. Entrances vary between 25 and 140 Euros…shall be a memorable experience.

Teatre Liceu
La Rambla, 51-59, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
http://joaogilberto.org

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Location: Hotel 1898

2009-05-25T18:40:37+02:00

While luxury may come at a price, the type of luxury offered by Hotel 1898 is worth splurging on. Like being in the heart of the action? Look no further. Located on the buzzing Las Ramblas, the hotel has soundproofed all its windows, letting guests soak in the street’s energy while still maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.

Named for the year in which the final Spanish colonies—Cuba and the Philippines—gained independence, the decor incorporates a contemporary twist on colonial-chic. Heavy on striped patterns and dark woods, the building was the former headquarters of the Compañía de Tabacos de Filipinas.

If your nights out on the town are taking their toll, head to one of the hotel’s two pools (outdoor or indoor, take your pick) or one of their two libraries. Not enough? Try a spa treatment.

La Rambla, 109, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
+34935529552
http://www.hotel1898.com
1898@nnhotels.com
[L1][L3] at Plaça Catalunya; [L3] at Liceu

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Festival: BAFF

2009-05-04T15:58:59+02:00

In its 11th year running, the Barcelona Asian Film Festival (better known as BAFF) celebrates Asian cinema through a European lens. With a program of 60 feature films, all of which were produced over the past year within Asia, the festival lights up Barcelona’s silver screens for ten days.

Divided into different areas of focus—including films from Southeast Asia, emerging talents, video games as cinema and Filipino cult films—the festival’s program is select while still offering a range of filmic topics and approaches.

Highlighting the trap of using the all-encompassing term, “Asian films,” the organizers have organized the festival in such a way that uses films from the continent to emphasize the diversity of the area and its arts.

Event: The Gossip - 13 Jul 20:00

2009-04-29T02:43:46+02:00

Loud, voluptuous and enjoying her extended 15 minutes of fame, Beth Ditto, the lead singer of the Portland-based band, The Gossip, is more than just a post-punk virtuoso. Known for her bold attitude—a plus size model and the cover girl for Katie Perry’s inaugural glossy, Love—her DIY indie rock/post punk creations have become the talk of the town.

Ditto and her fellow band mates, Brace Pain (guitar, bass) and Hannah Blilie (drums), have just finished a new album, Music for Men. The album, produced by Rick Rubin, will be released on June 22nd.

If you don’t get to see her live, maybe you can get your hands on a new Beth Ditto doll, because apparently Ditto is the new Barbie.

Razzmatazz
C/ Almogavers, 122, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
http://www.myspace.com/gossipband

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Festival: Primavera Sound Festival

2009-04-27T13:05:30+02:00

It’s baaaack! Primavera Sound, Barcelona’s premier indie music festival, comes to the city for its fifth incarnation with an arsenal of venerable names, both old and new. The main events take place at Forum on the 28th, 29th and 30th, but the complementary swirl of parties start at Barcelona clubs as early as the 25th.

With so much to see, hear and do, we’ve weeded out the best and brightest from the week-long fest that music-lovers of all tastes can attend.

Location: Fundación Alorda-Derksen

2009-03-31T17:06:21+02:00

A passion for art runs in the family of garden furniture mogul Manuel Alorda, his wife Hanneke Derkson and their four children. Now the dynasty of art gurus and collectors, the Alorda-Derksen family, has given their collection and vision a permanent home—located in the center of the city.

Brand spankin’ new, Fundación Alorda-Derksen is sure to provide the newest exhibition perspectives and facilities, bringing Barcelona the best of international contemporary art.

Carrer d'Aragó, 314, 08009 Barcelona, Spain
Wed & Fri, 10:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:00; Sat, 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00; closed in August
+34932726250
http://www.fundacionad.com
info@fundacionad.com
[L4] at Girona

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Location: Number

2009-03-25T16:31:33+01:00

Given the overwhelming amount of drop-crotch, genie pants sashaying around Barcelona, one would think the city is full of clove-smoking, Gaudi-loving hippies who couldn’t care less for fashion. While these so-called free-spirits may be in abundance, we are happy to report that the city’s got style, thanks in large part to Number.

Located in El Born, Number focuses heavily on shoes (say goodbye to espadrilles and flip flops), including their primary London-based brand, Swear. Additionally, the shop offers up pairs by Eley Kishimoto and Bernhard Willhelm, not to mention pieces by Henrik Vibskov, Opening Ceremony and Peter Jensen.

Shoppers can count on Number for a fresh, rotating selection of cutting edge, international labels—stop by and grab a pair of their newest designs, because you know, one is the loneliest number…

c/ dels Ases 1, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Daily, 11:00-14:30 & 16:30-21:00
+34933194429
http://www.numberbcn.com
info@numberbcn.com
[L4] at Barceloneta

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25hrs: Javier Mariscal

2009-03-25T16:04:12+01:00

What I like most about Barcelona is the piece of land it is built on: between sea and mountain, between the Mediterranean and the Tibidabo. That’s why I enjoy painting the port and the Observatori Fabra so much.

I also like it because it’s sunny the whole year—in the winter you can drink a beer on the terrace while children are playing. Also, there is the Montjuïc and the Fundació and the Pueblo Espanyol which is tremendously kitschy. The streets of Raval make you feel like you’re in Islamabad and there are all these tourists all over…but that’s nobody’s fault. We all like to visit other cities to later come back and note that it’s not that bad at home, after all.

Location: Santa María

2009-03-24T16:04:43+01:00

The creative brainchild Paco Guzmán, who whittled his culinary chops at the Ferran Adrià school of cooking, Santa Maria invigorates the dulled palate with tapas that are whimsical takes on classics. Hungry for some tuna? Try it combined with eucalyptus and pomegranate. A steak tartar comes with a dollop of mustard ice cream, an inventive play on the concept of the cold dish, while the unadventurous can still order a stellar suckling pig nestled over a bed of Spanish-style sauerkraut and mustard.

The Borne eatery’s buffered minimalist chic aesthetic is more upscale business lunch than four-hour cava sipping, but the prices are fair: shell out in the teens midday, and less than 50 Euros for dinner. In the meantime, dust up on your cooking knowledge by visiting Santa Maria’s strangely technically savvy website, which hosts YouTube videos of the action behind the kitchen.

Comerç, 17, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 13:00-16:00 and 20:00-00:00; Sun, closed
+34933151227
http://www.santamania.info
info@santamania.biz
[L4] at Jaume I‎

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Location: Observatori Fabra

2009-03-23T10:15:43+01:00

Built in 1904, Observatori Fabra by the Reial Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelona is the city’s astronomic, meteorologic and seismologic observatory, where the comet 32P/Comas Solá was discovered by Josep Comas Solá in 1962. Perched high up on Tibidabo, it is opened for public visits Sundays between 11 and 14hrs, night visits for star observations are upon appointment—just call +34 902 222 191.

We recommend coming during the summer months, when the observatory offers Sopars amb estrelles (dinner with stars), serving good Mediterranean dishes in combination with a breathtaking view over Barcelona.

Camí de l'Observatori, s/n, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Sun, 11-14:00; for summer dinner check website
+34934175736
http://www.observatorifabra.com/es/
info@observatorifabra.com
[Parallel] at Tibidabo

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Location: Momo

2009-03-17T12:32:19+01:00

In a semi-hidden shop close to Placa St Jaume, on a small street in Gotico, lies Momo. The little shop holds a stunning collection of artifacts—handcrafted Japanese ceramics, origami paper, calligraphy supllies, kimonos (for kids and adults), sandals, beautifully colored Japanese lamps, tabis, chopsticks, the list goes on.

The charming owner, Kaori, has been running her shop since the beginning of the century. She works with love and careful attention to detail—her shopping bags, for example, are handpainted—and constantly travels back home to return with new goodies for the shop.

C/ Arc de St. Ramón del Call, 6, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Tue-Sat, 11:00-14:00, 16:30-20:00; Mon, 16:30-20:00
+34934122937
http://www.momo.ms
[L3] at Liceu, [L4] at Jaume 1

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Story: Digital Design Tournament

2009-03-11T13:05:03+01:00

Nearly a thousand spectators showed up in 2007 to watch Cut & Paste’s third New York digital design competition—proof of a growing interest in the world of design. What steps are involved in the creative process? How do different designers churn out the perfect product or graphic? The Cut and Paste competition, launched for the first time in New York in 2005, was devised with the intention of answering these questions by exposing every step of the artistic process. In each tournament, rival designers are put in the spotlight. Given a theme on which to base their design, they work on stage under a huge projection screen that shows exactly what they are penciling, penning, erasing, cutting and pasting. This may sound nerve-wracking, and it is. But that is exactly what makes the Cut and Paste tournaments so exciting.

This year, Cut & Paste has planned its largest tournament calendar yet. The tour kicked off with a bang in LA, followed by recent stops in San Francisco and Portland. After hitting Boston, New York, Toronto and Chicago, founder John Fiorelli will take his competition trans-Atlantic to Europe.

A Digital Design Tournament of extreme proportions

The first stop on the list is Amsterdam, a fine starting point for immaculate design. London the world’s most prominent center for design—is the tournament’s second stop in Europe. The disproportional number of designers in the city means that competition for fame is already high. Cut & Paste brings this rivalry between young and emerging artists onto the stage of London’s Coronet theater—making for an interesting contrast between a historic building and the high-tech activity of Cut and Paste.

Though London will be a hard act to follow, Berlin and Barcelona are both quickly becoming important centers of art and design in Europe and their competitions will no doubt have you on the edge of your seat.

Finally, Cut & Paste in Shanghai is another platform that bridges the gap between historic and modern. The city where ancient temples and brand new skyscrapers coexist presents both an inspiration and a challenge for young Chinese designers as they attempt to satisfy both the traditional and the contemporary.

Festival: Sitges Vintage Car Rally

2009-02-27T13:29:44+01:00

Put 70 old clunkers, an idyllic seaside road and a 45km race together and what do you have? The Sitges Vintage Car Rally. If retro vehicles rev your engine, this is certainly the event for you: no car younger than 85 years old can participate (1924 is the cutoff year).

The rally itself takes two days and snakes along the Mediterranean from Barcelona to Aiguadolc at Port de Sitges. The racers proudly display their vehicles at the Passeig dels Tillers in the Parc de la Ciutadella on the first morning and at the downtown Plaça Sant Jaume the next. When it comes to the rally itself (which begins at 11:00 on the second day), speed is not the essence—the quality of the vehicles and vintage clothes of their owners are considered more important.

Location: Els Pescadors

2009-02-26T17:27:30+01:00

The ancient square that Els Pescadors opens off of was once a favorite hunt of local fishermen, no doubt because of its convenient proximity to the Mediterranean. It is an apt—as well as idyllic—location for one of the city’s best fish restaurants.

Els Pescadors serves its guests on marble-topped tables in a beautifully preserved, wood-accented dining room. The terrace on Plaza Prim, the site of many a 19th-century party, continues to be a popular choice on warm summer evenings. The food itself is equally appealing: meat and vegetables imported from the excellent Catalonian producers; a long but discriminating wine list; and fish quite literally fresh off the boat, delivered daily from the nearby village of Arenys del Mar. All together, it’s enough to make anyone sing with joy—just make sure it’s a sea shanty!

Plaça Prim, 1, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
Daily, 13:00-15:45, 20:00-23:30
+34932252018
http://www.elspescadors.com
contacte@elspescadors.com
[L4] at Poble Nou

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Location: La Cantina de Palo Alto

2009-02-25T10:56:15+01:00

Founded in 1997 by six of its 19 current inhabitants, the Palo Alto creative complex (officially the “Private Foundation Centre of Artistic and Cultural Production Palo Alto”) provides studio space for designers of every stripe, from architecture to graphics to fashion, as well as exhibitions and other related events. Palo Alto sprawls across an expansive, smartly refurbished textile factory but its social hub is undeniably La Cantina del Palo Alto, whose colorful decor and tasty nosh attracts visitors as well as inmates.

The Cantina’s skilled chef Núria specializes in simple, effective dishes. The reasonably priced lunch menus are a particular hit: not only are they extremely good value for money—they also feature an appropriately inspired mix of Mediterranean and Catalan cuisine, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients.

C/ Pellaires, 30-38, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Fri, 8:00-12:00, 13:30-15:30
+34933070974
http://www.paloaltobcn.org
[L4] at Selva de Mar

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Location: Passadís del Pep

2009-02-24T16:07:15+01:00

With 25 years-worth of experience in the great art of maritime cuisine, Passadís del Pep ticks all the right boxes. For one thing, it’s tucked away in a corner—you might have to find it with your nose, by following the delicate Meditteranean aromas down the corridor that leads up to its entrance—and it features an elegant but unostentatious decor.

Secondly, the fish is fit for the gods (or at least a connoisseur of the highest order): Passadís del Pep’s menu comprises skilfully cooked seafood that is so fresh it’s practically swimming. The helpful staff will happily guide you through a selection gleaned from six local markets. With all this to its credit, Passadís del Pep is perhaps the worst-kept secret in town: be sure to book a table in advance.

Pla de Palau, 2, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 13:30-15:30, 21:00-23:30
+34933101021
http://www.passadis.com/
restaurant@passadis.com
[L4] at Barceloneta

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Location: Atticus

2009-02-23T18:40:20+01:00

Past and present clash once again in Barcelona at this Gotico spot. Here, the gallery and designer toy store’s concepts merge together to create a comfy medieval locale. And we’re not joking when we say that these people know their main topic of “design” extremely well.

Find the latest and sought-after collectors and limited-edition toys and artist prints at the store or through their online service. Then check out the works of international artists in the frequently rotating exhibits. The right stop for all you Gotico players and for those still stuck in their “To Kill a Mockingbird” childhood days.

C/ Lledó, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 11:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00
+34933193476
http://atticusbcn.com
info@atticusbcn.com
[L4] at Jaume 1

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Festival: Xperimenta'09

2009-02-23T13:19:21+01:00

This biennial event amasses experts from around the world (filmmakers, producers, programmers, distributors, academics, archivists…), who meet in Barcelona to debate the current direction of experimental cinema. In three days of discussions, screenings and presentations, Xperimenta explores the artistic and technological developments of the form – casting a critical eye on the past and present in an attempt to get a feel for the future.

Location: Gracia Arts Project

2009-02-20T13:39:06+01:00

Since the opening in 2006, this non-profit gallery has established itself as an independent artists’ association, attracting a network of talents from all nations in the heart of Gotico.

With more than 110 profiles, the current compact space houses an eclectic mix of work, from fine arts and photography to music and writing through their integration. In addition, it offers art, language and meditation classes as a public resource.

Gracia Arts Project’s ambitious long-term objective includes a future relocation to a larger space in Gracia, thereby providing a more versatile platform of artistic interaction and academy.

C/ Sant Honorat, 11, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 11:00-20:00
http://www.graciaartsproject.com
graciaartsproject@gmail.com
[L3] at Liceu; [L4] at Jaume 1

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Location: Tapas 24

2009-02-19T14:07:59+01:00

Tapas 24 is not the cheapest way to please your palate—nor should one expect it to be, as it’s the offshoot of the renowned Comerc 24 restaurant located on the corner of Diputacio and Passeig de Gracia. The place tends to be packed during lunch and dinner hours, and therefore can reach shouting-inducing noise levels, which makes up part of its charm.

With simple tapas with a unique twist, the restaurant serves the kind of fare you’ve come to expect from chef Carles Abellan, a 10-year veteran of El Bulli. We suggest the Calamares a la Romana en su Tinta, the McFoie Burger or the Ous Estrellats al Gust (fried eggs with potatoes and chorizo), though these are just a slender window into the outstanding and creative selection of tapas on offer.

C/ Diputació, 269, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 8:00-0:00
+34934880977
http://www.tapac24.com/tapac24/english/index.html
[L2][L4] at Passeig de Gràcia

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Location: Fnac

2009-02-13T18:43:10+01:00

This tech/book/record department store looms large over Plaça de Catalunya, a grand expanse at Barcelona’s touristic center. Fnac does not shy away from the attention: its rooftop sign may well be the second manmade landmark visible from outer space, after the Great Wall of China.

Indeed, there is no doubt about the size of Fnac’s sales operation. Billing itself as a “distributor of cultural leisure products”, FNAC leaves no stone unturned. There are books, records, films, cameras, laptops and much, much more, all in ridiculous abundance. The prices aren’t amazing but if it’s sheer quantity you’re searching for, then look no further.

Pl. Catalunya, 4, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 10:00-22:00
+34933441800
http://www.fnac.es
attclientes.triangle@fnac.es
[L1][L3] at Pl. Catalunya

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Location: Pla

2009-02-11T12:04:42+01:00

“Pla” is a distinguished Catalan surname. It belongs not only to the proprietor of this charming restaurant in the Barrio Gotico, but also to the eminent writer Josep Pla. But the word also happens to mean “plain”, which Pla’s owner claims as a watchword for his establishment.

The reality turns out to be slightly less modest. The restaurant’s rather impressive decor includes chandeliers, grand arches and a spacious dining area; the food, too, is rather ornate—Mediterranean-style dishes prepared with exotic, haute cuisine flourishes. “Sea and the Mountains”, for example, combines classic Catalan fare with innovative touches: the creamy mixture of porcini rice, scampi and blood sausage that works delightfully well.

Pla’s “simplicity” is most evident in the friendly service: that typically Catalan knack for delivering creativity without pretension.

C/Bellafila, 5, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Thu, 20:30-0:00; Fri-Sat, 20:30-1:00; Sun, 20:30-0:00
+34934126552
http://www.pla-repla.com/
pla@pla-repla.com
[L4] at Jaume 1
Pricing: €42,- /person

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Location: American Apparel

2009-02-10T11:37:18+01:00

Anyone who has hung with the hipster crowd in the last five years knows all about American Apparel. From its factory in downtown L.A., the brand has expanded at breakneck speed, with over 230 stores in locations as far flung as you can imagine.

American Apparel makes simple, more or less classic, mainly cotton clothes in a vibrant array of colors. The more idiosyncratic designs are intended to be mixed and matched with non-A.A. items—a point that’s sometimes lost on the less enlightened wearer. Ignore this advice and the only heads you’ll turn will be those trying to avoid the migraine your garish Day-Glo ensemble threatens to induce; follow it and this modest but well-stocked store in Barrio Gotico could provide the backbone of your wardrobe.

C/ Avinyo, 7, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 11:00-21:00
+34933012632
http://www.americanapparel.net
marsha@americanapparel.net
[L3] at Liceu

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Location: Espai B

2009-02-08T20:48:41+01:00

Since Espai B opened its doors in 2003, its aim has been to give young Spanish artists a new platform. The gallery, which devotes itself to the promotion of contemporary art in its many different expressions, offers these unknowns the opportunity to engage with the public by showcasing work that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The gallery alternates these collections with shows by more experienced artists. Its exhibitions feature a wide variety of disciplines, from painting, photography, sculpture and engraving to installations that incorporate digital technology—cameras, projections and so on. But no matter what medium it’s displaying, Espai B always offers an intriguing glimpse at the future of Spanish art.

C/ Torrent de l'Olla, 158, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
Tue-Sat, 10:00-14:00; 18:00-21:00
+34932171090
http://www.espaib.com
galeria@espaib.com
[L3] at Fontana

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Location: Empanadas Argentinas

2009-02-06T16:24:15+01:00

There are “empanadas argentinas” and there is Empanadas Argentinas—undoubtedly one of Barcelona’s top purveyors of this Latin American speciality.

If you happen to be around Gracia and fancy a bit of a change from the typical tapas fare, this unpretentious café serves crusty empanadas with many different fillings: beef, chicken, vegetables, cheese, tuna, turkey and more. To sop it all up, try a Quilmes (Argentine beer) or two.

The decor consists of brick walls and a few diner-style tables, but it’s a lively spot at night, especially in the summertime. The takeaway service is a real deal: if your order includes at least six empanadas, Empanadas Argentinas will deliver it to anywhere in Barcelona at no extra cost.

C/ Torrent de l'Olla, 132, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
Tue-Sun, 20:00-0:00
+34932171967
[L3] at Fontana

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Location: Music Ages

2009-02-05T14:54:34+01:00

This store in Gracia acts as a showroom for Roberto Valcarcel’s eponymous label. Music Ages’ catalogue includes rare music from the 1940s and 1950s that Valcarcel transfers from original vinyl pressings, restores (he gets rid of small flaws like crackles) and then records onto CD: the resulting sound comes very close to the analog dynamics of an original recording. The ever-growing collection of CDs is only sold at Music Ages and at FNAC.

The shop is also strewn with 1940s and 1950s music paraphernalia: gramophones, Wurlitzers, old singles and many more retro goodies. The selection always changes—it’s all for sale—so you may find yourself coming back again and again.

C/ Torrent de L'Olla, 31, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sat, 10:00-14:30, 17:30-21:30
+34935019317
http://www.musicages.tv
rm@musicages.com
[L3][L5] at Diagonal

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Location: El Jardí

2009-02-04T17:06:50+01:00

This charming café, with its terrace in the courtyard of the Biblioteca de Catalunya, is a surprisingly quiet spot in middle of busy Raval.

El Jardí is run by a young, international team fronted by a culinary wizard named Mariana, who makes sure the tapas is always delicious and only prepared with the freshest of market ingredients. The menu stretches from typical Catalan and Spanish tapas to Mediterranean and French dishes. The “queso de cabra con manzana y miel” (goat cheese with apple and honey) is excellent and, for romantic dinners a dos, the “menu degustacion” (which offers a mix of all tapas) works well with candlelight and a nice bottle of wine.

Although El Jardí stays open all year round, the terrace is lovely in summertime, when it offers exotic cocktails and live music several evenings a week.

C/ Hospital, 56, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Mon-Sun, 10:00-23:00
+34933291550
http://www.eljardibarcelona.es
info@eljardibarcelona.es
[L3] at Liceu

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Location: En Ville

2009-02-03T15:24:30+01:00

This delightful bistro run by a French/Norwegian couple is located just a stone’s throw from the MACBA.

En Ville’s interior is charming and spacious, with marble tables, plants and mirrors on the walls. The menu is equally appealing: it features classic French cuisine made from ingredients bought fresh at the nearby Mercat de la Boquería. En Ville’s specialities include Steak Tartare, Duck Magret and the Angus Steak with Gratin Dauphinois as well as a dish that involves goat cheese, filo pastry and tomato sorbet and tastes just as incredible as it sounds.

Along with these from the culinary thrills, En Ville also provides live jazz and bossa nova music every Tuesday and Wednesday from 21:00.

C/ Doctor Dou, 14, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Mon, 13:00-16:00; Tue-Sat, 13:00-16:30, 20:00-0:00
+34933028467
http://www.envillebarcelona.es
info@envillebarcelona.es
[L3] at Liceu

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Location: Sabater Hermanos

2009-02-03T10:46:33+01:00

The saga of the Sabater family business stretches back to the 1930s, when the Buenos Aires-based granddad of the clan started making soap in many different tints, flavors and shapes.

Since its opening in late 2006, the Barcelona branch of Sabater Hermanos has been located on one of the city’s most beautiful and historic squares: Plaça de Sant Felip Neri.

At this shop—which is still a family affair: it is run by the Sabater granddaughter Eliana—there are over 40 types of soap on offer: chocolate, old lavender, green tea, tea rose, pomelo, jasmine, coconut oil, olive oil… The list is long, colorful and extremely well-scented.

Plaça Sant Felip Neri, 1, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Daily, 10:30-20:30
+34933019832
http://www.shnos.com.ar
jabon@shnos.com.ar
[L4] at Jaume 1

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