đ„ The Tapa Weekend: May 3
May 2 reenactments, Basque electronic music and beheadings. (Yes, beheadings).
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | May 3, 2024 | Madrid | Issue #52
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Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Happy Friday, everyone!
We did it! We survived this brutal week in which politics and polarization seemed to suck all the air out of the room (at least according to the people who care).
People in Madrid lucked out and are getting a much deserved break since, on top of Wednesday, yesterday was a regional holiday too so in all likelihood they are taking today off as well.
For those of you who stayed in the city and didnât leave for, I donât know, MĂĄlaga, here are a few things you can do this weekend.
Enjoy!
1. Dos de Mayo: Reenactment of a Deadly Uprising
Every May 2, Madrid commemorates the Dos de Mayo uprising, a civilian-led rebellion against the French occupying forces in the city that ended badly for the madrileños (mainly they lost and were executed).
The city organizes many events around town to remind us of this bloodbath. Of course, everyoneâs favorite is the reenactment of the uprising which, fortunately for us, takes place several times during this long weekend so itâs hard to miss.
Organized by the âVolunteers of Madridâ Historical and Cultural Association of 1808-1814 (time to think of an acronym, maybe), there have already been two reenactments this week, which weâve missed. But fret not, we can still catch it.
This evening, a period dance will be held at the Palace of the Dukes of Santoña (not as fun as shooting squads and beheadings but hey, itâs free).
And tomorrow, the big one: a historical reenactment of the Liberation of Madrid in Retiro Park, which will also serve as the starting point for a grand civic-military parade. There will also be historical walks and guided tours.
The reenactment involves almost a thousand actors from 10 different countries, along with 20 horses, 2 cannons, and 2 carriages. Fun!
If thereâs one thing you do this weekend, make sure itâs this. Then you can go back to watching El Caso Asunta on Netflix.
Dos de Mayo Reenactment. Parque del Retiro, Madrid. May 4. Free admission. (Start time not posted at the time of writing so keep checking the website for more information).
2. Fiesta de las Mayas: Celebrating the Arrival of Spring
Nope, nothing to do with the Mayans (but good thing that you asked).
The LavapiĂ©s neighborhood is once again hosting the Fiesta de Las Mayas this Sunday, a popular celebration thatâs been declared of cultural heritage by the Community of Madrid.
To celebrate the arrival of spring, the city puts up the iconic âMayaâ, which is a girl or a young woman in charge of presiding over events from an altar constructed mainly with vegetables and decorative objects.
As the official Madrid website explains, âthe young woman dresses for the occasion in sumptuous garments, adorned with embroidered shawls. While remaining motionless, she is accompanied by a court of girls. The residents come dressed in ancient Castilian and Madrid-style costumes to dance traditional dances, such as jotas. The Goyaesque aesthetic is characteristic of the celebration in LavapiĂ©sâ.
During the event there are also dance parties and live music, while people offer carnations to passersby. Oh and thereâs also pastries and wines from the region.
If beheadings are not your thing, then maybe you can skip the reenactment and save your energy for this event on Sunday. We wouldnât blame you.
Fiesta de las Mayas/Mayos. Multiple locations around Lavapiés, Madrid. May 5. Check website for schedule.
3. A Classic Tragedy: Oscar Wildeâs SalomĂ©
Even if you donât know what this is about, itâs still worth going just to see amazing actress BelĂ©n Rueda (star of the terrifying 2007 film The Orphanage) on stage. (If youâve never seen The Orphanage, stop what youâre doing and go see it right now).
SalomĂ© is an adaptation of Oscar Wildeâs famous tragedy, written in 1891 and based on the (wait for it) beheading of John the Baptist. Thatâs right, more beheadings! Itâs directed by playwright and director MagĂŒi Mira.
The play addresses themes such as lust, the power of sex, obsession, and death. All of this is conveyed through a narrative full of symbolism and poetic elements.
In ancient Rome (and pre-Bumble era), SalomĂ© falls in love with John the Baptist, but heâs like âthanks but not thanksâ. Heâs also sentenced to death so it kind of makes sense. But she doesnât take this rejection well (he was a total babe so who could blame her?), so she asks for his head on a platter as punishment (and now you know where the expression comes from).
Her stepfather Herod Antipas is horrified by this but at the same time is probably trying to win her over so heâs like âfineâ. And thatâs pretty much it. Boom! Spoiler alert: beheaded.
Tickets are selling fast so if you want to go see it, buy them now.
SalomĂ©. Teatro Bellas Artes. C. del MarquĂ©s de Casa Riera, 2, Madrid. May 3 & 4, 8 p.m. Tickets start at âŹ32.
4. Zetak: Dance to the Cool Tunes of Basque Electronic Music
OK, no beheadings in this one, we promise (at least none that weâre aware of).
Basque folklore and pop-electronic music come together in the music created by electronic band Zetak, who are presenting their new album AAZTIYEN and you should definitely check them out.
Zetak has always âsought to explore readings that go beyond identityâ and has been enjoying great success since early days.
Band members Pello Reparaz (singer), Gorka Pastor (synthesizer player), Leire Colomo (percussionist) and Iban Larreburu (drummer) have sold out shows in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Barcelona, and Bilbao, and are now playing in Madrid.
The title of their new album is derived from the dialect of Arbizu, the town where its leader is from, and it means "recently". The album also features various collaborations, including artists Marala, Neomak, or Fillas de Cassandra.
With a âcreative proposal and compact soundâ, Zetak is an interesting experience for those of you who are into pop-electronic music. Tickets are going fast so donât waste time and get them while they last.
Zetak. La Sala, Wizink Center. Avenida de Felipe II, s/n, Madrid. May 4, 8 p.m.
5. El Rastro, Saturday Edition
In case you didnât remember, the Rastro street market comes alive on the first Saturday of every month as well. Yes, weâve all been there on Sundays but if youâre a contrarian, hereâs your chance to go against the current.
At the Plaza del General Vara del Rey, you can not only find vintage items, collectibles and antiques but also street food options, amazing cocktails, arts, craft, music and much more!
Back in the 70s there was something called the Feria de Desembalajes (âthe unpacking fair,â we guess) and the Saturday edition of this classic Madrid destination tries to recreate its original allure. So if you think itâs just like every other Sunday, you should know youâre wrong. Head there tomorrow and you will find:
Feria de Desembalajes: antiques, collectibles, and vintage clothing on display.
Gastro Circuit: a route to savor traditional and innovative Madrid gastronomy.
Shopping Circuit: a route to discover the best neighborhood shops.
Family Circuit: a variety of family activities at La Glorieta de Puerta de Toledo.
Seriouslyâwhat more do you need?
Los SĂĄbados del Rastro. Plaza del General Vara del Rey, La Latina, Madrid. May 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Free admission.
đšđ»âđ» Viral Stories of the Week
đ€·ââïž Did we mention that Pedro SĂĄnchez is staying?
PM Pedro SĂĄnchezâs decision to take a few days off and then stay like nothing spurred the memesphere to new heights (or depths), and here we share three of the funnier ones. Mostly, theyâre about SĂĄnchez basically feeling good and laughing at the PP which is probably pretty much what seemed to have happened (make sure you click on the link below the images to see the original tweets).
đ§č This is how weâd like to be sent off in retirement
After 24 years sweeping the streets of Sevilla, Chelo got this retirement sendoff from her colleagues. We approve.
đ A Message From Our Sponsor
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Find out more at www.thesecretkingdoms.com
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