đđ» The Tapa Weekend: April 26
Featuring lots of flamenco, a lesbian film exhibit and yet another immersive experience.
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | April 26, 2024 | Madrid | Issue #51
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Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Happy Friday, everyone!
I hope you are all ready for a very special weekend. Not because of whatâs happening in Madrid (nothing cooler than usual) but, unlike most weekends, many of you will be counting the hours to Monday for Prime Minister Pedro SĂĄnchezâs big, consequential announcement (and learn whether we need to vote in the summer again).
To survive this very Schrödinger weekendâin which SĂĄnchez has both resigned and notâwe offer you a few options that will keep you busy (and sane) until then.
The media is befuddled. PSOE leaders are scrambling and planning support demonstrations for this weekend in an effort to convince him to stay. Seriously, Spain hasnât seen this much tension since the U.S. accidentally droppedâand momentarily lostâa few nuclear bombs in AndalucĂa in 1966 totally by mistake (yes, that really happened, FYI), so letâs make sure we make the best of it!
Hold on to your butts! (And enjoy).
1. DerniĂšre Minute: An Immersive Experience
Letâs begin with the trippy stuff because God knows we need to uncouple from reality this weekend. And whatâs trippier than immersive experiences?
French artists Adrien M & Claire B present DerniĂšre minute, an immersive experience that challenges the notion of time through the metamorphosis of a particle.
The exhibit is inspired by the Adrien's experience of scattering his father's ashes and reflects on the continuity of life and presence in the universe.
In a space filled with images and music composed by Oliver Mellano, âvisitors immerse themselves in a symbolic journey, experiencing the moment just before crossing the threshold, dying, or being born, while they become drops, flames, smoke, ashes, and other elementsâ. Cool, no?
DerniĂšre Minute. Teatros del Canal. C. de Cea BermĂșdez, 1, Madrid. Through April 28. Check website for schedules. Tickets start at âŹ9.
2. Alter Ego: A Night of Flamenco
Tired of falling for flamenco tourist traps? (Hard to believe you havenât learned your lesson yet, but who are we to judge). Then get ready for Alter ego, a flamenco show that is⊠not a tourist trap.
As itâs starring dancers Alfonso Losa and Patricia Guerrero, we have to admit that weâre intrigued by the showâs synopsis:
âWe are a body with an asterisk above us that floods us with possibilities, with freedom to correct ourselves, to live another destiny⊠Alter Ego is a game of specters, of two bodies that show us and teach us their asterisks, dancing on the edge of what is their ownâ.
Look, we have no idea what that description means but if you look at the video above it seems like itâs a pretty spectacular thing to witness.
Also, doing some research online we came across another description that seems to make more sense:
âAn act of creation, a play of mirrors in which the two artists uncover an ego in the other that has always existed yet has never been explored, offering them endless opportunities to live without fear, beyond expectations and in the openâ.
Look, itâs a flamenco show. People dance and clap on stage while you sit and watch, itâs not rocket science. Both Losa and Guerrero are amazing dancers so no matter what the plot is, itâs visually and musically stunning. Just go see it.
Alter Ego. Teatro Español. Plaza Santa Ana, C. del PrĂncipe, 25, Madrid. April 26 and 27. Check website for hours. Tickets start at âŹ7.
3. David Truebaâs Los Guapos
Have you seen Past Lives? Well this is kind of like it, but in a theater.
In Los Guapos, actors Anna AlarcĂłn and Vito Sanz bring to life two friends called Nuria and Pablo, who grew up in the same working-class neighborhood but whose lives took different paths as the years went by. (Sounds familiar? Told you!)
Now both of them are all grown up and adulting, and we all know adulting is hard. Pablo is a lawyer specializing in social causes who has moved on from the âhood. Nuria, however, has remained stuck in time, with few options and opportunities.
Nuria contacts her old friend after years of not hearing from each other to ask for help with a legal matter and bam! Drama. The title of the play, Los Guapos, speaks to the fragility of those who were once desired.
The play is written and directed by filmmaker David Trueba, one of Spainâs most celebrated directors, who is trying theater for the first time in his career.
Los Guapos. Teatro MarĂa Guerrero. Calle de Tamayo y Baus, 4, Madrid. Through June 9. Tuesdays to Sundays, 8 p.m. Tickets start at âŹ12.
4. 13th Exhibit of Lesbian Cinema
Nothing like a lesbian film exhibit to forget the Pedro SĂĄnchez drama.
Get ready to dive into a world of love, happiness, heartbreak and many other things that have nothing to do with politics. The 13th muestra is ending in a few days so better hurry if you want to catch it.
Today thereâs a Galician punkie-queer meta-documentary called Alex y Munchie, an âunderground optionâ to discuss art, film and identity with your friends.
Then thereâs Lesvia, directed by Greek and lesbian filmmaker Tzeli Hadjidimitriou, who explores the lesbian fascination with the island of Lesbos and the struggle between two groups for a local identity over more than 40 years. Itâs like a less gay version of Mamma Mia!.
And you even have more options tomorrow!
My Sole Desire is a âfeminist journeyâ led by actress Lucie Borteleau, who tells us the story of Manon, a university student from Paris who one day feels like trying out what stripping is all about and ends up creating a very special bond with one of her classmates (as one usually does). This one is basically like Magic Mike, except with a plot.
Anyway, at this point weâre seriously considering turning into film critics. Go see them because itâs a lot better than what you can find on streaming services.
XIII Muestra de Cine LĂ©sbico. Through April 29. Multiple locations around Madrid. Check website for hours and tickets.
5. Feria de Abril at Mercado de Prosperidad
You didnât have money time to go to Seville for the traditional Feria de Abril this year? Donât worry, the Mercado de Prosperidad is bringing it to you. (Sort of. I mean, itâs not. Definitely not. Looks nothing like it. But thereâs cheap tapas and beer and thatâs all we need).
This weekend is your last chance to indulge your taste buds with a gourmet Tapas route inside the market, as all of the restaurants inside are offering a great selection of culinary delights that you can pair with a beer or wine or whatever it is you like to drink (and each tapa is âŹ5!)
Thereâs ceviche, tortilla de camarones, mini arepas, chicken wings, and many more!
Thereâs also live flamenco music by David de Paloma tomorrow afternoon (2 p.m.) and even a photocall so you can have fun with your friends and family taking photos and pretending youâre one of the Kardashians.
So if youâve got nothing better to do and need to stop thinking about a certain PM, go to this market and drink your sorrows away.
Feria de Abril. Mercado de Prosperidad. Calle LĂłpez de Hoyos 81, Madrid. Through April 28. Check website for opening hours. Free admission.
đšđ»âđ» Viral Stories of the Week
đ¶ AI finally has a purpose
When we learned of Pedro SĂĄnchezâs dramatic need for reflectionâand love for Begoñaâall we could think was, âThis really needs a soundtrack.â Thankfully, we have artificial intelligence. Here we leave you with three of the best musical renditions of the Drama Kingâs letter (Song #1, Song #2, Song #3).
đ A Message From Our Sponsor
Secret Kingdoms is your English bookstore in Madrid. It specializes in Spanish history and literature, contemporary and classic novels, books for children and young adults of all ages, history and historical fiction, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, biographies and much more.
Located on Calle de MoratĂn 7 â a few blocks away from the Prado Museum â and with over 20,000 new and used books, Secret Kingdoms has something for everyone.
Find out more at www.thesecretkingdoms.com
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