Los Top Ten

11.11 - 07.12

On the Couch
Mirada Michael Haneke
The Espai Freud, an association dedicated to furthering Freudian discussions in a contemporary context, are combining forces with the Filmoteca de Catalunya and Austrian Cultural Forum to programme a complete Michael Haneke retrospective. Seeing as Freud himself began thinking about the Oedipus complex after a performance of that Greek play, who knows what inspiration might strike after a trip to the Filmoteca this month. And just in case you need counselling after seeing this selection of films ranging from the unsettling (Code Unconnu) to the downright disturbing (La Pianiste), there’s a round table for a touch of post-film analysis on the 4th of December.
Place: Filmoteca de Catalunya @ Avda. Sarrià, 31-33
Admission: 2.70€
More info: www.espaifreud.blogspot.com/2008/10/mirada-haneke.html

04.11 - 22.11

Art House Film Festival
L'Alternativa
Now part of the Barcelona festival establishment, the best of ‘l’alternativa’ lies in its retrospectives. More than the just films in competition, whose ilk can be seen at similar events all year round, these sidebars are genuine gems. Organized in collaboration with cultural embassies like the Casa de America en Catalunya or the Goethe Institute, they are tributes to some of the most unique voices in world cinema. This year’s featured directors include Tony Gatliff, the Algerian/ French director with a fantastic ear for music and an undying interest in outsiders, and Glauber Rocha, one of the forces behind Cinema Novo de Brasil. Rocha’s films are revolutionary thanks to their subject matter but his style is resolutely and classically photographic. This year’s festival looks full of brilliant contradictions.
Place: CCCB, MACBA, Malda Arts Forum, FNAC El Triangle, Instituto Frances, Casa America en Catalunya
Admission: Varies according to venue, free entry to MACBA & CCCB Pantallas Grandes
More info/contact: www.alternativa.cccb.org

17.11

Cabaret, Cabaret
Adanowsky
Adan Jodorowsky, dubbed the “pop neocrooner,” is a Chilean-French singer who claims he’s not new age but likes the universe. As Adanowsky he sings in French and Spanish in a baritone voice with a cabaret-vaudeville twinge. An unusual looking fellow, he seems to be making fun of himself in his videos, surrounded by beautiful girls but unable to stop smirking and raising one eyebrow directly at the camera. One listen to “Estoy Mal” and you find yourself in an old western saloon. But as the burlesque show ends and the jazz hands and cigarette smoke clear, you look up to see a goofy dude with sideburns wearing a red leather jacket and singing in Spanish. He says in this song that he is “infinitivamente mal,” but I tend to think he is infinitely awesome, as he has a self-deprecating sense of humour, creative lyrics, and unique songs. He has pelvicly thrusted his way into something completely weird and wonderfully original.
Place: Sala Bikini @ Deu i Mata, 105
Time: 22:00h
Admission: 10€
More info/contact: www.myspace.com/adanowsky

20.11 - 22.02

Transformaciones de un Imperio
En la Ciudad China
Walk into themed rooms called Garden, Character, Earth, Water, Feng Shui and Construction / Destruction. Visit cities like Xi‘an, Canton, ShangáiShangái and Beijing via an installation using, as its basis, archaeological documents, works of art, models, archive images and contemporary creations. Basically, straddle the past and the present in the Chinese city. The promotional video on the website alone will blow your mind. And, while the exhibition lasts till February, if you go on this particular day you’ll be able to hear Harry Wu speak about the laogai and the persistence of forced labour and re-education in present day China. Wu, speaking from a place of profound experience, spent 19 years imprisoned in a laogai (“reform through labour” prisons) and is currently the director of the Laogai Research Foundation, helping monitor and inform the world about human rights abuses taking place in China.
Place: CCCB @ Montalegre, 5
Time: Harry Wu @ 19:30h, Free / General opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 11:00h – 20:00h, Thursdays until 22:00h
Admission: 4.50€
More info/contact: www.cccb.org // www.laogai.org

20.11 - 22.11

Label Family Meeting
No-No-Logic 08
Cultural association La Olla Expréss is organizing its first music festival for independent labels. Participating labels come from many a país including France, Israel, Germany, Holland, Ireland and Spain and, along with the artists, No-No-Logic has also invited producers in the hopes of creating an open atmosphere for sharing individual experiences, exhibiting alternative works and listening to non-conventional concerts. The genres swing from electronic, experimental, dance, electro-pop, and naïve to electro-punk and deviant pop. Some artists (open your myspace) include Felix Kubin, Pole Pole, Ben et Bene, Mil pesetas, Harry Merry, Pavan, Gym and Tony, Pokipoki, Gelbart, Gunter Adler, and Nova Huta. The size and scope of the festival is impressive in and of itself, considering it’s the first, and we dig on the initiative. Be warned: there is some seriously experimental shit going on here.
Place: Convent de Sant Agustí @ Comerç 36 // Apolo 2 @ Nou de La Rambla, 111
Time: 20.11 at 19:30h // 21-22.11 at 20:30h Admission: Free at Convent de Sant Agustí
More info/contact: www.sala-apolo.com // www.nonologic.com

21.11

Inauguration
The Minute Museum
The place: the corner of C/ Llibreteria and C/ de Freneria at 14:45 on October the 1st, 2008. The idea: capture transitory moments in a city. The artists lived that minute, recorded absolutely everything they possibly could, and are now reassembling sensory exhibits, collections of artefacts and subjective accounts at the gallery, hoping to bring one lost moment from obscurity into history. Still sound vague? Consider this: Among other sensory stimulations, they’ve gone as far as to make perfumes from elements of street culture they found to be present during that precious minute on a Barcelona corner. Genius.
Place: Gracia Arts Project @ Honorat,11
Time: 19:00h
Admission: Free
More info/contact: graciartsproject.com

29.11

Tap Dance Jam
HOOFALOGIES - In the Spirit of Jimmy Slyde
Changing one smashingly fantastic name for another, the man born James Titus Godbolt eventually became more well known as Jimmy Slyde, which perhaps evokes his tap-dancing pimpness to a finer degree. If you’ve never heard of him before, head to La Cova de les Cultures tonight for dance percussionist and choreographer Roxane Butterfly’s documentary HOOFALOGIES - In the Spirit of Jimmy Slyde. The 45 minute film stars Miss Butterfly as she covers not only Jimmy, but other old masters of tap as well, and the legacy they’ve all left behind. After the film, stick around for a tap jam session featuring jazz and flamenco musicians from around Barcelona. If you don’t have any tap shoes just glue some spoons to the bottom of your shoes.
Place: La Cova de les Cultures @ Carrer de l’Angel, 12
Time: 22:00h Admission: 5€ socios/8€ no socios
More info/contact: www.lacovadelescultures.com // www.worldbeats.free.fr // www.myspace.com/roxanebutterfly

01.12

Illegal Street Art Expo
Posa't Guapa
This is an art “opening” unlike most. For one, it’s already begun. There will be no vino and there will be no pica pica. There will be no end date. Though it might end. The paint will eventually fade or the BCNeta attack squadron B will roll through with their yellow waders and they’ll set about bombing over the bombers. That’s right. Bombers. This art “opening,” ladies and gents, is called “vposa‘t guapa/ embellish yourself – an illegal street art exhibition in barcelona.” The exhibition online will include photos and a detailed map pointing out some chosen “spots” so you can go see these graffiti pieces in their natural element. All vital info will be up online starting December 1. Before that, however, the participating artists – jordae, RIPO and Vadr – will post their manifesto in English, Spanish and Catalan. According to our sources, the exhibition will contain more than 50 works from each artist. Keep an eye on the blog until the time comes to print out the map and hit the streets.
Place: Starts December 1 (see blog before for manifesto)
More info/contact: www.posatguapabcn.wordpress.com

01.12

US Dance-Punk
The Faint
In case you didn’t know, the Faint has been around for a while. Once you listen to them you might think, “how have I missed out on that?” and call them your new favorite band soon after. They sound like a hell of a party. The guitars build a solid dance floor, telling you the story of where these five once came from. Electronic beats shoot around like the strobelights in a discotheque while the lead singer animates you like a good friend dragging you out at night even though you wanted to stay in. There is no way you’re gonna miss this fiesta. The music, accompanied by videoinstallations, turns this into an experience of a special kind. Live, they will not disappoint you.
Place: Sala Bikini @ Carrer Deu i Mata, 105
Time: 21:30h
Admission: 26€
More info/contact: www.thefaint.com

08.12

Gypsy Punk
Gogol Bordello
Gypsy? Why you say? Oh, only because this band includes a Russian-Romanian-Ukranian frontman, Russian violinist, otro Russian on the accordion, an Israeli guitarist, a bassist from Ethiopia and an American drummer who maintains that they’re a band from New York. I’m not gonna lie. At first listen, one might think this is Borat’s new album, but it’s not. It is ridiculous, but also ridiculously smart and hilarious. In their song “Super Theory of Supereverything” they say, "First time I had read the Bible/It had struck me as unwitty/I think it may started rumor/That the Lord ain‘t got no humor." If you haven’t heard them before, start with “American Wedding” before moving on from that blatantly unpatriotic and raucously nutty song to “Wonderlust King.” After this little introduction to the band, their instrument combinations and the lead singer’s enjoyable accent, you will want to attend the concert. It’s really freakin’ great and people say it’s twice as exciting live.
Place: Razzmatazz @ Pamplona, 88
Time: 20:45h
Admission: 20€
More info/contact: www.myspace.com/gogolbordello

More Listings

Friday 14

Folk Rock/Música Pura
Lady in Black
With “una voz, una guitarra y un saxofón” sincerity resonates from the haunting and beautiful voice of the front woman for Lady in Black. The chills will inevitably arrive after one listen to their rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Place: Casa Golferichs @ Gran Vía, 491
Time: 20:00h
Admission: Free
More info/contact: www.myspace.com/ladyinblackbcn

UK Alternative Rock
Lady Starling & the Ravens
Lady Starling and The Ravens are the new kids in the barrio. Only Barcelona could produce a band of such diverse origins. They have the melodic tunes of art-rock and the snarling raw power of punk interwoven with a hiss of ambient/noise music.
Place: Big Bang @ Calle Botella, 7
Time: TBA
Admission: 5€
More info: www.myspace.com/ladystarlingandtheravens

Saturday 15

Documentary
La Ciutat Transformada // Until 08.12
The debate about the urban development plans for the barrio of Poblenou is ongoing. The artists and documentary filmmaker, Jacobo Sucari (Buenos Aires, 1958), shows the past and present of a hard-fought urban territory on three screens simultaneously in the installation La ciudad transformada. Un documental expandido sobre el crecimiento urbano de Barcelona.
Place: Caixa Forum @ Av. Marquès de Comillas, 6-8
Time: Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00h // 23.10 - 08.12
Admission: Free
More info: www.obrasocial.lacaixa.es

1er Concurso de Nuevas Bandas
Go Blind! Go Blind!
The City’s Last Noise nearly won Indie•Pendent and, ganar o no, they rocked it hard. Thomas Aussenac was only absent from that final due to scheduling confl icts, but now you can see them both play alongside a third finalist, Minimal ¡Suerte a todos!
Place: Sala BeCool @ Pl. Joan Llongueras, 5
Time: 21:00h
Admission: Free if you send your name and DNI number
More info: concursogoblind@blindrecords.net // www.myspace.com/concursogoblind

Theater
El Bordell // Until 30.11
It’s twenty-fi ve years after the night of the failed coup d'état. The Madame, a gentleman, a military officer, a transvestite and a woman traveller meet up again in a roadside brothel close to the border. Lluïsa Cunillé, distinguished contemporary Catalan playwright and winner of the National Culture Prize 2007, produces in El Bordell a metaphor of the disenchanted Spain in which we’re destined to live.
Place: Teatre Lliure@ Pg de Santa Madrona, 40-46
Time: 05.11-30.11 // English Subtitles on Thursdays and Saturdays // 17:00h/21:30h
Admission: 19€
More info: www.teatrelliure.com

Sunday 16

Experimental Sounds
Etermortifera
Guitars, samplers, percussion, and a soothing Spanish voice culminate in a creation that the band declares sounds like “ondas cerebrales y latidos de corazon.” Attend to chill out and think about life.
Place: Miscelänea @ Guardia, 10
Time: 20:30h
Admission: 3€
More info/contact: www.etermortifera.net

Alternative British Rap
The Streets
Hailing from the UK, The Streets both repel and attract at the same time. Their songs chiefl y consist of Mike Skinner calmly and confi dently speaking over catchy garage beats - this guy’s British accent intermixed with simple rhymes and likeable hooks is a fantastic find.
Place: Razzmatazz @ Pamplona, 88
Time: 20:00h
Admission: 25€
More info: www.myspace.com/thestreets

Monday 17

French
L'Heure d'Été // Ongoing
Director Olivier Assayas describes this as his Taiwanese film. Given that it premiered at Cannes, stars Juliette Binoche, rising Belgian star Jérémie Rénier and Charles Berling, this is a little surprising. But the story of three siblings whose decision to sell the family house in the south of France after their mother’s death leads to a destruction of their ties, makes the fi lm observant, clever, touching and, as such, not one to miss.
Release date: 14.11
Admission: 7€ // Mondays 5.50€
More info: www.yelmocineplex.es

Not Another Holocaust Film
La Question Humaine // Ongoing
This long feature explores a Human Resources Manager’s loss of self when he becomes the pawn in a senior management power struggle. The fi lm’s director and writer compare this process to the de-humanising system of Nazi Germany. They ask if contemporary society is in the process of fi nding a ‘fi nal solution,’ to the human condition. A more relevant question these days.
Release date: 14.11
Admission: 6.50€-6.20€ // Mondays 4.80€
More info: www.cinesrenoir.com

Tuesday 18

Contagious Pop
The Ting Tings
The Ting Tings, or Jules de Martino and Katie White, are a British pop duo with snappy beats and a perky, lively personality as a band. Songs like “Great DJ” and “That’s Not My Name” will have you guiltily admitting that, yes, you like crappy pop when it’s done right.
Place: Sala Bikini @ Deu i Mata, 105
Time: 21:00h
Admission: 22€
More info: www.gamerco.com

Spoken Word
Riot Über Alles
Riot Über Alles aka Óscar Valero is an all-star in more than just one discipline. Like many others, he’s a graphic designer by day but dedicates the after-hours to wallowing in the vice of doing art for art’s sake. Painting (his exhibition at Welldone Gallery just ended) and poetry (two books published) are his passions and he’s invited to Bar Electric this evening – together with the band Telemáticos – to perform his poemas en directo.
Place: Bar Electric @ Travessera de Gràcia, 233
Time: 22:00h
Admission: Free
More info: www.fotolog.com/riot_uber_alles

Cineambigú
Chiko
Özgür Yildirim’s debut gangster-drama, Chiko (2008), produced with the support of Fatih Akin was a big hit with audiences at this year‘s Berlin Film Festival. The tough gangster plotline takes place in a grimy Hamburg setting where two young Turks try to wiggle their way into the drug trade in their quest for money, power and recognition. Not cliché-free yet credible, this fi lm has fuelled the debate on integration and criminality. But don’t worry, it’s not a documentary on social schisms camoufl aging as drama. This is Popkornkino.
Place: Maldá Arts Forum @ Pi, 5
Time: 20:30h // 22:15h
Admission: 6€
More info: www.retinas.org
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MARCH '09

A Picture Says More Than...
World Press Photo // Until 14.12
Every year, an independent and international jury selects the best press photos taken from what must be something near 57,000,000,000,000 submissions. Photos are divided into categories from news and events to art and entertainment and the winning photos are then sent on a tour of 80 cities in 40 countries, the only condition being that they’re never censored. People all over the world see stunning and powerful images, some of which helped and still help change the course of history. You might wanna take a look too.
Place: CCCB @ Montalegre, 5
Time: 18.11-14.12 // 11:00h – 20:00h, Tuesdays to Sundays, Thursdays until 22:00h
Admission: 4.50€
More info: www.cccb.org

Wednesday 19

Dansa
La Veronal Presenta Suècia
Five years ago, choreographer Marcos Morau (at that point still a student himself) founded the dance company La Veronal, a group of young dancers who, like him, were interested in bending the rules of the genre. With an emphasis on narrative structure, their multimedia productions treat dance as an abstract language with which stories can be told. In Suècia, they explore the relation between men and women, feelings of curiosity and insecurity, vulgarity and sensuality.
Place: Teatre Tantarantana @ Les Flors, 22
Time: 18.11-19.11 // 21:00h
Admission: 12€
More info: www.tantarantana.com

Soulful Funky Pop
The Cabriolets
This madrileña band has musical talent to go along with the beautiful face of their lead vocalist/ model, Bimba Bosé. They play pop music, but enhance it with the infusion of R&B, soul, and rock.
Place: Sala Bikini @ Deu i Mata, 105
Time: 20:00h
Admission: 18€
More info: www.cabriolets.com

Thursday 20

Inauguration
María del Mar Monty
With wine and música, inaugurate Me quiere mucho, poquito, nada by Argentine artist Mar Monty who works on large canvasses with big themes: amor, identidad, tiempo, lo moderno, lo bello, lo feo. Caramba!
Place: Espacio 88 @ Pamplona, 88
Time: 19:00h
Admission: Free
More info: www.yalohagoyo.com

Contemporary Jazz
Chris Potter Underground Quartet
Chris Potter and his quartet are bringing something new to jazz. With different rhythms infl uenced by funk, rock, rap, and country, it’s like freshly squeezed jazz.
Place: Luz de Gas @ Muntaner, 244
Time: 21:00h
Admission: 22€
More info: www.theproject.es

Friday 21

Western
Appaloosa // Ongoing
Oh but things were so simple back then. The bad guy was British (Jeremy Irons). The good guys (Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen) could do what they wanted, and women (Renee Zellwegger and Ariadna Gil) meant trouble. It’s good to escape into a simpler world sometimes – especially in such good company.
Time: 21.11 // Consult cinemas for screening times
Admission: Standard price 7€ Mondays 5.50€
More info: www.yelmocineplex.es

Electronica Pop
The Pinker Tones
The Pinker Tones are, to use 90s terminology, the bomb. They are two Barcelona oddballs who brilliantly use drums, samples, keyboards, guitars, percussions, theremin, and clear vocals to make you feel like you’re tripping on acid, and then convince you that you have to go tell your friends about them. They have been described as employing everything from funk, dance-pop and reggae to Euro-bubblegum trash to make a ridiculously bizarre slash awesome style that is all their own.
Place: Espacio Movistar @ Pascual i Vila, 2
Time: 22:00h
Admission: 15€
More info/contact: www.thepinkertones.com

Saturday 22

A History Lesson
Maestros Checos // Last Day!
Czech art has been on display for a while now, both in the Caixa Forum with the Alfons Mucha exhibition but also in the Kowasa gallery, where you have one last day to take in a representative collection of three photographers who, at various times throughout the fi rst half of the 20th century, experimented with photography and its limitations through the lens of Czech culture, helping to transform and modernize both Czech society and the photographic medium.
Place: Kowasa @ Mallorca, 235, bajos
Time: Until 20:30h
Admission: Free
More info/contact: www.kowasa.com/gallery

Bluesy Raspy Rock
Joe Bonamassa
Known as “ Smoky Joe,” this guy has been an absurd guitarist since the age of nine and got his big break opening for B.B. King when he was twelve. The way he plays is unbelievable and his years of experience in rock-and-roll have rasped his voice so he just oozes the best kind of blues.
Place: Sala Bikini @ Deu i Mata, 105
Time: 21:00h
More info: www.jbonamassa.com

Oh Shit!
The Bankers
Any fiesta with The Bankers is a fiesta worth its weight in fucking gold.
Place: Bar Tribbiani @ Escorial, 173 (M Joanic)
Time: 22:00h
Admission: Free
More info: www.myspace.com/thebaaaankers

Sunday 23

Elegant Alternative
The Ladybug Transistor
The Ladybug Transistor are Brooklyn-ites who are a mini-orquestra comprised of 6 members who all play at least two instruments including the trumpet, bass, violin, keyboards, and guitar. An elegant sort of alternative rock that is just plain good.
Place: Sala BeCool @ Joan Llongueras, 5
Time: 22:00h
Admission: 15€
More info: www.myspace.com/marlboroughfarms

Music
Pantaleimon + James Blackshaw
There is not as much urgency in seeing Pantaleimon, but James Blackshaw is fingerpicking good. An English guy with an acoustic 12-string guitar, he is a one-man band, a solosymphony, if you will – he layers patterns and melodies on top of each other with one guitar so that no other instrument or person is necessary. His talent is unreal. Check him out.
Place: Apolo 2 @ Nou de la Rambla, 111
Time: 21:00h
Admission: 10€
More info: www.es.youtube.com/watch?v=zCsNrhn41iQ

Monday 24

Punk Soul
Cold War Kids
Matthew Aveiro, Jonathan Russell, Nathan Willett and Maust make up the Cold War Kids, a band with an edge. The dark undertone of their songs help them to rock hard with strong drums and guitars and, mixed with the wailing, cool and different voice of Nathan Willett – we have a legitimate example of sweet rock-and-roll.
Place: Razzmatazz @ Pamplona, 88
Time: 20:00h
Admission: 18-20€
More info: www.coldwarkids.com

Tuesday 25

Classic Indie Brit Rock
The Futureheads
The Futureheads are all kinds of pumped up. In their songs these guys are going all out – they sound like the Clash – but this Brit quartet rocks out like they mean it giving you music you want to jump up and down to. They’re loud, energetic, and full of overall kickass-ness.
Place: Apolo @ Nou de la Rambla, 111
Time: 20:15h
Admission:22€
More info: www.thefutureheads.co.uk

Wednesday 26

Copy Low Cost
Copy-Vic // Ongoing
We know very little. That being said, the idea nos parece muy interesante. Copy-Vic is a multi-artist exhibition in a copistería. That’s right, a copyshop. A Kinkos. A Work Center (damn them!). The artists participating have used the copistería as their medium, putting low-cost production, relative graphic simplicity and mass reach into perspective. Go. Take pictures. Report back.
Place: Copistería @ Vic, 4 (M Diagonal)
Admission: Free
More info: www.saladestar.com

As Good as New
Fashion Exchange // Monthly
Surely, the less money you have the more alluring the fashionable garments in the highstreet shops. But don’t despair. Pack your suitcase with all clothes you haven’t been wearing for the last year (be honest! Be radical!) and take them to the fashion exchange that launches today at Be&Artist. Let your hunter and gatherer instinct run wild and swap that puffy light-blue jacket your mum gave you last Christmas for something black and sexy.
Place: Be&Artist @ Av. Diagonal, 337
Time: 20:00h-22:00h
Admission: 10€ including drink
More info: www.nowandthengallery.com

Thursday 27

Yesterday's Music
Vintage Room
This group came together at the end of last year to bring 70s and 80s classics back to life. They are a classic jazz quartet that takes stuff from Brazilian, afrocuban, rock, and pop music. Rocío Faks’ soothingly smooth jazz voice is the conductor of the seductive little time machine that they are.
Place: Bar Electric @ Travessera de Gràcia, 233
Time: 22:00h
Admission: 3€
More info: www.myspace.com/vintageroom

Inauguration
Boris Hoppek
Boris returns to some of the walls in Barcelona with a new medium. Photos. Iguapop hosts an exhibition that uses familiar Hoppek themes like sex, love and vulnerability to make the viewer uncomfortably stimulated. The difference this time around is that his subjects are not only constructed out of paint, cardboard and sculpture. Real sexual meets sexurreal.
Place: Iguapop Gallery @ Comerç, 36
Time: 20:00h
Admission: Free
More info: www.iguapop.net

Experimental Rock
Mercury Rev
No one can keep Mercury Rev down. This band started in the 80s and has been reinventing itself and its music ever since—it seems that now their newest CDs (yes, 2 at the same time) are the culmination of every type of music they have ever tried out. Their songs contain meaningful lyrics on top of unpredictable, multifaceted rhythms and sounds.
Place: Espacio Movistar @ Pascual i Vila, 2
Time: 21:00h
Admission: 18€
More info: www.mercuryrev.com // www.myspace.com/theuglysuit

Encuentros en el Presente Continuo
The Minifest of NOW Documentaries // Until 30.11
The seven NOW themes are Open Science, Cybersphere, Eco Factor, Art Now, Emerging Culture, Psi Particle and New Activism. Good. Now that we have that all cleared up... NOW is an organization dedicated to “reflecting” scientific, technological, artistic, social and spiritual transformations taking place in the 21st century and their medium of choice this time round is documentary fi lm. See it all come together in documentaries specifi cally chosen to stimulate debate on our so-very-prevalent and urgent human crises.
Place: CCCB @ Montalegre, 5
Time: 27.11-30.11 // Thursday 17:00-21:30h, Friday to Sunday 11:00h-21:30h
Admission: Free
More info: www.cccb.org

Video Screening
Peter Downsbrough
Galería Àngels Barcelona brings Peter Downsbrough and his toolbox (filled only with black tape, adhesive letters and aluminum pipes) to our fine ciudad. And in this particular ciudad, where space, public space and personal space are either reserved, restricted or really expensive, it’s the perfect exhibition for our time. Buscamos solutions and this fella thinks outside the box.
Place: Galería Àngels @ Pintor Fortuny, 27
Time: 20:00h
Admission: Free
More info: www.angelsbarcelona.com

Friday 28

Actuació
Convolution + Núria Antentas + Josep Ma. Jordana
As part of the Flux Festival de Vídeo d'Autor, Mark Cunningham and Silvia Mestres will accompany a video projection by Núria Antentas and Josep Ma. Jordana
Place: Caixa Forum @ Av. Marquès de Comillas, 6
Time: 22:15h
Admission: Free
More info: www.fluxfestival.org/08/index.htm

Blowback
Bruce LaBruce // Last day
Bruce LaBruce takes photographs that will either piss you off, make you laugh, or make you leave. To fi nd out which group you’re in, visit the Antigua Casa Haiku and gaze upon a representative selection of his most well known work draped in his most commonly recognized themes.
Place: Antigua Casa Haiku @ Milà i Fontanals, 14
Time: 16.10 – 28.11 // Until 20:30h
Admission: Free
More info: www.antiguacasahaiku.org

Video Documentary
People's Gods
This 27 minute documentary by Maya Djokic titled People‘s Gods investigates a Singapore that, while a small island, is home to one of the densest human populations on earth and, also incredibly, a place where nearly every religion in the world and its followers have found a way to coexist. How? Obama will not likely be there, but he should be there. Quick! Somebody post the documentary to his facebook page!
Place: Niu @ Almogàvers, 208
Time: 20:45h
Admission: Free
More info: www.niubcn.com

Saturday 29

Psychedelic Pop
Foals
Of this English band it has been said that they’re "not afraid to rock a house party." This may be have been proven by the fact the guitarist once broke a tooth at a concert because he was rocking out so aggressively. They can also, however, cool it down a notch. They like African beats as well and funky, trippy rhythms, but they’re not telling anyone to be quiet – they like being a band that’s part of the party.
Place: Razzmatazz @ Pamplona, 88
Time: 01:00h
Admission: 15€
More info: www.myspace.com/foals

Glamour Dark Pop
IAMX
IAMX is bursting with glamour and explodes in the androgynous front man, Chris Corner, a descendent of the Sneaker Pimps – a part of the more dramatic Brit Pop. Their music definitely has its dark and tragic elements, though. It’s like a room with synthesizer walls where Chris Corner’s voice is the stairs that lead you down to the forgotten corners of your soul. Why they are playing in a club clearly known for hosting Dark Wave is a little mysterious. But the true fan won’t mind the journey to BCN’s gothic-heavy outskirts because they know it will be well worth it.
Place: Sala Salamandra @ Avinguda Carrilet, 235 / Hospitalet de Llobregat
Time: 21:00h
Admission: 22€
More info: www.profile.myspace.com/iamx

Sunday 30

Theater Workshop
Actors, Players, Etc. (A.P.E.) // Weekly
Looking for something to do on those boring Sunday afternoons? Well, its time you checked out the free weekly workshops, open to actors, players, and performers of all levels. You can take classes in improvisation, comedy improvisation, characterisation, scene playing, script reading, or whatever else may come along.
Place: Casinets D'hostafrancs @ Carrer Rector Triadó, 53
Time: Every Sunday 17-19h
Admission: Free
More info: infoapebarcelona@gmail.com

To Look Forward to in December:

Wednesday 3

Canadian Songwriter
Ron Sexsmith
Many people have called Ron Sexsmith the best unheard of songwriter in the world, and for good reason. His name hardly rings any bells, although he has already released eleven albums. The last one, Exit Strategy of the Soul, which was released in middle of this year, is great, but sadly, went unnoticed. Among his fans are Paul McCartney, Radiohead and Chris Martin. You’re next.
Place: Sala Bikini @ Carrer Deu i Mata, 105
Time: 21:30h
Admission: 23€
More info: www.myspace.com/ronsexsmith

Thursday 4

Punk Rock
Against Me!
The exclamation mark can sometimes be misplaced, but in this case, it is quite perfect. A band from Florida, these guys were dubbed "Best Punk Band" this year in Rolling Stone and are scratchy-voiced and angry! And, many of their anthems are directed at the Bush administration! When asked about their current, crazy touring schedule they said they just, "really just wanted to hit it hard." Don’t you want to see them hit it hard? I do!
Place: Razzmatazz @ Pamplona, 88
Admission: 14-18€
More info: www.myspace.com/againstme

Tuesday 9

US Experimental Punk Rock
Butthole Surfers
This is your one chance to see this unique band, as it appears to be their only Spanish gig and quite possibly their only continental European one as well. The band will play with the same line-up for the first time since 1989 (minus the naked dancer). Their live show has a seizure inducing light show and video elements to go along with the music—the background of the stage has been said to have displayed disturbing scenes like penis reconstruction surgery and flight test footage. Make sure to catch the best blend of Texan Punk/Noise/Experimental/Neo-Psychedelic Rock there is!
Place: Sala 2 @ Nou de la Rambla, 111
Time: 22:00h
Admission: 23€
More info: www.buttholesurfers.com

Straight from the horses' mouths

		Music by The Bankers

Como dirían The Jam, “in the city there’s a thousand things I want say to you”, y, después de noviembre, podréis contarles a vuestros nietos que estuvisteis en el nacimiento de la época con más conciertos desde la explosión punk de los 70’s ingleses.

No os perdáis el rap garajero de The Streets y rompeos la cadera bailando a The Pinker Tones y los británicos The Ting Tings. Patead la ciudad buscando buena música, pero sabed que a partir del 15.11 llegan grandes bandas como Franz Ferdinand, Stereolab, Futureheads o Monster Magnet. También podéis disfrutar de la “Nit dels Cantautors” en la sala Monasterio. Mención de honor para el concierto de los Mood (21.11 en St. Cugat), que con su mezcla Ferdinand-Muse darán mucho de qué hablar – y ojito, chicas, que estos cuatro degenerados tanto podrían ser músicos como modelos de calzoncillos. Si queréis una noche divertida, tendremos a los nuevos gurús de las pistas de baile, los mallorquines Rayuela djs, cuyas mezclas nos excitarán como a Pajares y Esteso en tiempos del destape.

Llegados a este nivel, damos entrada a las opiniones de nuestro bastardo cantante: Estimats lectors de la columna Bankeriana, espero i desitjo que no assitíssiu a la decebedora bodeguilla “La leyenda de Los Planetas”. Els granadins fracassen en directe fins i tot quan no apareixen, però tindran una altra oportunitat perquè “el indie es una guerra y la ganan Los Planetas”. Una aposta segura i fiable que no us decebrà és el Primavera Club ’08 amb Giant Sand, The Dodos, The Wave Pictures, The Extraordinaires i el nou rei del soul, Eli “Paperboy” Reed. November clever and December Goldmember.

		Film by Joan López Lloret

Dos títols de ficció, que encarnen la realitat, destaquen a la cartellera cinematogràfica d’aquests dies.

El primer és Gomorra (Data de l’estrena: 14.11.08) de Matteo Garrone, adaptació cinematogràfica del polèmic llibre amb el mateix títol de l’escriptor Roberto Saviano, també coguionista del film. Roberto es va introduir a la màfia per escriure aquesta història i ara pateix una seriosa amenaça de mort de la camorra napolitana. Sempre pot ser un problema portar a la pantalla fets reals. Així, s’obre un debat ètic sobre si un autor ha de tenir carta blanca quan parla d’activitats delictives i si està disposat a assumir-ne les conseqüències. Segur que val la pena acostarse al cinema per veure aquesta obra que va ser reconeguda amb el premi del jurat al darrer festival de Cannes.

L’altre títol és La buena nueva (Data de l’estrena: 14.11.08) d’Helena Taberna. La directora basca, autora de la pel•lícula Yoyes, on explicava la història de la ex etarra que va ser assassinada pels mateixos companys de l’organització, ens porta ara un film fonamentat també en fets reals. L’argument es basa en el testimoni del seu oncle que va defensar presos republicans al poble on va ser capellà durant la guerra civil espanyola. La història d’aquest petit poble de Navarra, que va estar ocupat per les tropes franquistes des del principi de la guerra, és una més de les vivències que estan sortint a la llum últimament amb la recuperació de la memòria històrica. Els testimonis d’aquella època van desapareixent i això ha fet que la commemoració dels 70 anys d’aquell conflicte produeixi una sèrie de llibres i pel•lícules que, al contrari de Gomorra, ja no comporten greus conseqüències per als autors. El pas del temps sempre és important...

		Art by David Guillén

¡Caramba! Llega el frío y un mes glacial... o casi. Afortunado aquel que pueda aferrarse a un clavo ardiendo...

Con noviembre también llega un mes plagado de muestras fotográficas, como la que ofrece la Fundación Foto Colectania hasta el próximo 10 de enero. Se trata de Ojos Privados, una exposición en la que se reúnen piezas de la colección de Lawrence Miller, una oportunidad única de disfrutar de algunas de las piezas más representativas de la fotografía internacional, con un enfoque particular en la norteamericana. Artistas como Diane Arbus, Aaron Siskind o Helen Levitt forman parte no solamente de la colección privada de este coleccionista, sino también de su propia biografía. Su interés por coleccionar la obra de artistas poco conocidos en su momento, guiándose únicamente por su gusto y su intuición, le han permitido atesorar una colección con piezas que en muchos casos son grandes clásicos de la fotografía.

Y de la intuición en el coleccionismo artístico nos vamos paseando a la intuición foto periodística representada en el World Press Photo 2008 (18.11-14.12), que se celebra en el CCCB. Las fotografías ganadoras de este certamen, pertenecientes a 11 categorías, realizan una exposición anual que puede verse cada año en 80 ciudades de 40 países, mostrándose todas las obras sin ningún tipo de censura. El hecho de que miles de visitantes de todo el mundo vean esta exposición evidencia el poder de la fotografía para superar las fronteras lingüísticas y culturales. World Press Photo aporta imágenes para la memoria colectiva. Imágenes impactantes que han cambiado el transcurso de la historia y la opinión pública.

En noviembre..., amos de la bufanda, nuestra mejor amiga.

		Theater by Rafaela Rivas

Este mes se dan lugar en Barcelona dos de los festivales más importantes a nivel de promoción e investigación teatral. Por un lado, y sólo hasta el 7 de diciembre, se consolida la Mostra de Teatre de Barcelona con su 13ª edición, esta vez presentando los 15 espectáculos seleccionados en una única sede: el Teatre del Raval. Es la oportunidad de ver en exclusiva, y por un módico precio, espectáculos de compañías noveles y textos de creación propia. Por ejemplo, Un día, una hora (13.11-14.11). La “Cia. Producciones Viridiana”, bajo la dirección de Jesús Arbués, es la encargada de interpretar sesenta de los cuentos reunidos por Javier Villafañé, escritos muy seriamente por niños y destinados a ser vistos por “adultos con humor”. Un texto que habla sobre los niños que fuimos y sobre los niños que todavía somos.

Otra opción es la que nos ofrece “La Partida Teatre” que pone en escena el espectáculo La partida (4.12-5.12). Contradicciones, envidias e hipocresía son las claves de esta “amistad” entre un grupo de amigos de toda la vida que se reúnen una vez al mes para hacer una partida.

Y para vosotras, mujeres, y para los hombres con ganas de conocernos mejor, os informo de la octava edición de “Novembre Vaca”, teatro hecho por y para el universo femenino. El Centre de Cultura de dones Francesca Bonnemaison ofrecerá el work in progress Com a peix a la gàbia (27.11 y 29.11), un espectáculo en castellano y catalán que versiona muy particularmente dos de los grandes mitos clásicos femeninos, el de Medea y Ofelia, sin duda, un espectáculo que no nos dejará indiferentes.