InMadrid March 2011 Issue by InMadrid

MARCH 2011

W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

features arts &culture THE RIGHT TO REMEMBER Ten years work by the Association for the Recuperation of Historical Memory

ad index

BARS

14 Month Ahead

8 PARANORMAL OR PARANORMALITY?

Art & theatre listings

AREIA, P9 PICNIC, p15 TABERNA CHICA, p7 TEMPLO DEL GATO, p15 TUPPERWARE, p15

Interview with psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman

music

9 RAISING CAÑAS AND QUESTIONS

YELMO CINES IDEAL, P18

16 Concerts Our pick of this month’s gigs FAIRS

Science and the paranormal at Madrid’s Sceptics in the Pub

16 Album reviews

Expatica, inside front cover

The best new music releases

17 Nightlife

10 BACKING THE BARBARIANS

The most up-to-date clubbing guide

Madrid’s English-speaking rugby club

HEALTH AZUARA DENTAL, p9 CLINICA DENTAL CISNE, p15

JOB OFFERS

movies

See Service Guide for job offers, p19-22

18 Movie reviews

11 THE OTHERS

New releases on the big screen

LANGUAGE SERVICES See Service Guide, p19-22

Anglos working beyond the realms of English teaching

outandabout

11 MADE IN MADRID

CINEMA

Paranormal or para comer?

The city behind the film—The Limits of Control

Scene WHAT’S NEW IN TOWN

Mad World MADRID RANDOMNESS!

11 LOOK WHAT YOU’VE SAID

The origin of “Gringo”

Another Fine Mes

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES MADRID ACTION, back cover

PUBS DUBLINERS, p17 FINBAR’S, p7 IRISH ROVER, p5 O’CONNELL ST, p6 O’NEILL’S, inside front SHAMROCKS, p9

THE MONTH’S NEWS DIGESTED

13 BARRIO GUIDE: LAVAPIÉS

5 Great Places to Buy... CRAZY CUPCAKES!

Finding the best that the neighbourhood has to offer

15 SHAKING, STIRRING AND SWINGING Foot-tapping music mix from Malagueño band Dry Martina

11 Streetwise WHAT’S IN A NAME?

hree ghostly figures were seen in the InMadrid office last Friday morning. Their pale white faces and dark bloodshot eyes were devoid of life, and all were emitting gruesome groans. Phantoms? Lost spirits? Or should tel: 91 523 30 91 our interns really not party so hard on a Thursday night? email: Draw your own conclusions, but this month we have editor@in-madrid.com paranormal treats for you. An interview with Professor Richard Wiseman, whose new book looks at the psychology behind odd experiences (P8), plus MacKenzie Elmer visits Madrid’s Sceptics in the Pub for their monthly discussion about science and the strange (P9). On a normal note, Tessa White checks out the Madrid Barbarians rugby club (P10), Scott Boehm looks at ten years work of exhuming Civil War graves by the Association for the Recuperation of Historical Memory (P7), and Chelsea Mooney speaks to music group Dry Martina, who are looking to combine an eclectic mix of styles (P15). We hope you enjoy it all.

InMadrid

ARTEMISA, p15 EL ESTRAGÓN, p12 MIL Y UNA NOCHES, p12 TERRA NOVA, p13 See Restaurant Guide, p19

12 Food & Drink ¡GOOD GRIFO!, RESTAURANT REVIEW

editor’s note

RESTAURANTS

regulars

THEATRE Face 2 Feac Theatre Group, P17

WEB SERVICES JAN JAEGER, p13

19 RESTAURANT GUIDE 20 SERVICE GUIDE 23 CLASSIFIEDS Cover photo: Jesus Chacon

Want to contribute to InMadrid? Or how about being an intern? If you’re interested in collaborating, send your CV, samples of journalistic writing and ideas for articles to editor@in-madrid.com

Want to advertise in InMadrid? Quieres anunciar en InMadrid? Email us! ¡Escribenos! marketing@in-madrid.com Call us! ¡Llamanos! 91 523 30 91

PUBLISHED BY: CITYSCOPE S.L. (UNIPERSONAL) MANAGING DIRECTOR: NICK HAUGHTON • EDITOR: JEFF WISEMAN DESIGN: KNIC • MARKETING AND SALES: marketing@in-madrid.com • ADMIN: ELENA ORTIZ • ART: TESSA WHITE & ALEJANDRA SARAGOZA MUSIC (REVIEWS): RUSSELL PARTON • MUSIC (GIGS): OLIVIA WATERS • NEWS: MARTIN DELFIN • NIGHTLIFE: MACKENZIE ELMER • SCENE: ALEJANDRA SARAGOZA • THEATRE: RAVEN KELLER • INTERNS: ALEXANDRA LIGHT, ALEJANDRA SARAGOZA, TESSA WHITE, VICKY KNILL, MIKE SWAIN, MACKENZIE ELMER, MATT UNHJEM, ALEX FLEMING, KAYLA CALDWELL • THANKS TO: LAURA EDGECUMBE-ANDSELL, NICK FUNNELL • WEBMASTER: KNIC • PRINT: IMCODAVILA

STAFF

Views expressed in InMadrid are the opinions of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. Although we make every effort to quote the correct prices and opening hours for establishments mentioned in the magazine, it is possible some may have changed since we went to press. All advertisements are published in good faith. InMadrid cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions in individual ads or accept responsibility for work, service or goods. InMadrid is published by CityScope SL (unipersonal), c/Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 6-4ºA — 28004 Madrid. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage. D.L.: M-11696-96.

T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

MARCH 2011

scene

Let kids enjoy learning English by visiting the Kids Fun Ideas Fair on 6 Mar from 11am-7.30pm at the Hotel Convención. See www.kidsinmadrid.com

■ Alejandra Saragoza

Teatralia The International Performing Arts Festival for Children and Young Adults celebrates its 15th annual showcase this month. For 24 days there are 23 companies from around the world undertaking everything from magic and puppet shows for children to musicals and break-dancing for teenagers. This festival is a big event, with nearly 200 performances being held in 57 different locations Teatralia — Boxy George, Teater Refleksion in the city. Its goal is to consolidate young people’s interest in theatre and its endless world of possibilities and surprises. Teatralia, various venues, 4-27 Mar. See www.madrid.org/teatralia

St Patrick’s Day The patron saint of Ireland has his internationally-celebrated day on the 17 March. (You didn’t know?) Check out our Irish pub ads for the fun goings-on, and don’t forget to wear something green, if only to blend nicely with the colour of your face the morning after.

Madrid es Negro Looking to make Madrid the temporary world capital of black music, Enlace Funk, a madrileño magazine and pioneer for the promotion of jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop and groove in the city, together with Maderfaker, a Malasaña club, kicked off a celebration of their 15 years of collaboration in February, but the parties and concerts continue this month. There are seven events in March and three more in April, to show the music’s diversity. Performers and DJs include El Sr. Rojo, Electric Five Samba and Pyramid Blue. Think funk to soul, reggae to Afrobeat and Latin to electro. Madrid es Negro, various venues. Until 9 Apr. See www.madridesnegro.com

Free Tickets-Titanic: Fish and Ships The Face 2 Face Theatre Company is an educational group whose mission is to provide imaginative and comical theatre in English. This month they’re performing a comedy about a charming but very clumsy captain, his silly crew, desperate stowaways, snobby aristocrats and some clever fish. The play is a journey through the waters of human stupidity, filled with absurd situations, silly songs and a shocking ending. Physical theatre, mime and slapstick permeate the show, making it easier for English learners to understand. InMadrid has five pairs of tickets to give away—just send your name, address and tel. no. to competitions@in-madrid.com to be in the lucky draw. Closing date for emails is Monday, 14 March. Titanic: Fish and Ships, Teatro Alcázar, C/Alcalá, 20 (Metro: Sevilla/Sol). Sat, 5pm; Sun, 12:30pm. Entrance: 15. Until 27 Mar. See www.face2facetheatre.com or www.gruposmedia.com

A feather in one’s cApp Aidan Potts, the talented cartoonist and illustrator who provides our “Look What You’ve Said” strip has come up with an app for iPhones and iPads that allows people to discover the story behind English idioms, such as the one featured on page 11 of

Printed Matter Three books have been drawn to our attention this month, with the writers all having a connection with Madrid by virtue of home, work or study:

this month’s InMadrid. Go on— “don’t beat about the bush”— check it out! See www.learnenglishidioms.com

La Calle de los Idiomas AULA (Salón Internacional del Estudiante y la Oferta Educativa) is hosting its annual language fair entitled La Calle de los Idiomas, which provides one of the best and most diverse selections of educational tools for foreign language learners. There will be 22 companies that specialise in language teaching. Organised by IFEMA, the fair is also aimed at providing students, parents and teachers with information on future job prospects for school leavers and university graduates. There are also courses, and language and technical programmes. La Calle de los Idiomas, IFEMA, Feria de Madrid, Avda. del Partenón (Metro: Campo de las Naciones), 2-5 Mar, 10am-7pm; 6 Mar, 10am2pm. Entrance: 3. See www.aula.ifema.es Photo (CC) flickr: sheadunn

1936: Memorias del Silencio Organised by the art collective El Ojo Cojo, this is the first film festival to pay homage to the thousands of victims of the Spanish Civil War and franquismo. A selection of 17 films, made up of Spanish and foreign productions, will be shown under the categories Mirada externa (An Outside Look), Arte y realidad, Propaganda franquista, Víctimas and Cuidades mártires (Martyred Cities). The programme has both feature films and documentaries, and will be accompanied by lectures and panel discussions with survivors, witnesses, filmmakers, historians and journalists from around the world. The venues include the Reina Sofía, Casa Encendida, Matadero de Madrid and La Tabalacera. Memorias del Silencio, various venues, 14-18 Mar. See www.elojocojo.org

Comedy in Madrid Mike Huntley and other comedians will be giving the city some stand-up comedy on 6 March with their show In ‘the’ English. Mike has been living in Madrid for five years, and started doing stand-up comedy at universities and in UK clubs. He recently changed to presenting the routines in Spanish, with success, but also does this monthly gig in English. In ‘the’ English, Soul Station, C/Cuesta de Santo Domingo, 22 (Metro: Callao/Santo Domingo) 6 Mar, 8pm. Entrance: 5. See facebook/Stand Up English

For all the history buffs out there, writer Peter Fieldman has created an adventure story about the events depicted in the worldfamous and unique Bayeux Tapestry. 1066 the Conquest combines fact and fiction as it weaves a tale about the illegitimate child who became the Duke of Normandy when only eight-years-old, then survived numerous attempts on his life to become one of the most powerful medieval warlords of his time. Fieldman’s portrayal of the Norman Conquest is appealing for all ages and tells the important tale of one of the most defining moments in England’s history. 1066 The Conquest, by Peter Fieldman. Price: 7. Available at leading bookstores and www.amazon.com

Madrid’s Royal Botanical Gardens look to the Canary Islands this month, and host “The Biosphere of Fuerteventura”, an exhibition to combine the conservation of natural diversity and sustainable development. With photography, music, movies and designs created by a team of science and nature experts, this project aims to raise awareness about the importance of the care and protection of Earth’s natural resources. The exhibition will also include discussions, workshops and other activities that illustrate the biodiversity of the island. The Biosphere of Fuerteventura, Royal Botanical Gardens, Plaza de Murillo, 2 (Metro: Atocha/Atocha Renfe). 11 Feb-27 Mar, 10am-7pm. Entrance: 2.50. Fiftypercent discount for students, free for seniors. See www.rjb.csic.es MARCH 2011

English teacher Martin Brown and student Ana Arienza have written a humorous, educational and useful book to help both business professionals and tourists. This is really two books in one, because if turned upside down and backwards, you get ¡No me des calabazas! (Don’t give me pumpkins), and as the titles indicate, the objective here is to improve colloquial communication. It’s a wellorganised compilation of common expressions and proverbs, translated both literally (for amusement) and colloquially (for education). The idioms and sayings have been divided into sections, including British slang and tongue twisters. Some of the movie title translations are curious, to say the least. Great fun. Don’t Give Me the Cold Shoulder! by Ana Arienza and Martin Brown. Price: 10. Available at leading bookstores and www.amazon.com

1066 The Conquest

Biosphere of Fuerteventura

Don’t Give Me the Cold Shoulder! (¡No me des el hombro frío!)

Como aprender inglés de una puñetera vez Casey Sier’s unique guide to learning English is not your typical textbook. Designed for Spanish speakers, instead of simply reviewing grammar and vocabulary, the author also addresses the common errors and problems that many Spanish speakers encounter while learning the English language. A different issue is addressed in each of the 20 chapters, in which Sier explains how and where English learners go wrong, and includes tips on how to use or improve language skills. Helpful charts, illustrations and diagrams complement the text. Como aprender inglés de una puñetera vez, by Casey Sier. Price: 12. Available at www.lulu.com W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

mwoarldd

Top ten classic works of literature updated This month, to celebrate World Book Day on 3 March, Vicky Knill thought she’d imagine what it would be like if those dull old literary classics were dragged into the 21st century.

Romeo and Juliet: “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” texted Juliet. “C U in 5,” replied Romeo.

Moby Dick: “Banned? But I’ve been pursuing it for ages! Give me my harpoon back!”

The Trickster of Seville: Don Juan is dragged on a daytime chat show, where DNA tests reveal that he is father to over 320 children. He is then required to pay child support and ends his days bankrupt and alone.

A Christmas Carol: “Work tomorrow? But sir, tomorrow is Christmas Day and requiring us to work on a public holiday would clearly violate EU regulation 3172B….”

Around the World in 80 Days: The story of one customer’s epic struggle to get home with a low-cost airline.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: “What is this?” gasped Basil stepping back aghast. “I did not paint this hideous image, this monster!” “Relax, it’s just Photoshop.”

Frankenstein: “It’s alive! I will teach it to sing and dance and take it on Britain’s Got Talent!”

Animal Farm: All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others, and none are equal in taste to the pigs, who were all turned into chorizo. The end.

Don Quixote: The story of one man’s battle against the wind turbines recently erected near his house. After attacking them, he is charged with criminal damage and sent to a psychiatric hospital.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: “But Holmes, how on earth did you know she was going to be in the café at precisely three o’clock?” “I friended her on Facebook, Watson.” “Friended? Is ‘to friend’ a verb, Holmes?” “Yes Watson. Here’s fifty pence. Go and buy yourself some street cred.”

It’s raining cats and frogs! Pete Sexton tells a tale about a surprise from the skies After having worked in Madrid as an English teacher, a few years ago I moved to Tibi, a tiny village in the mountains north of Alicante, where one student told me that “it rained frogs here two years ago.” I thought it had to be a wind-up, even though other students confirmed that it was true. Yeah, pull the other one! Two days later, when in my local bar, I noticed a story on the front page of the regional newspaper: Lluvia de ranas. Raining frogs! Serendipity, or a joke? I read the report about the amazing “frogfall” and there was even a photo of three tiny frogs on a man’s hand to give you an idea of their size. My students later explained that frogspawn is laid in humid and damp places and, without much rainfall in Alicante, what little moisture there is evaporates in the sunshine, taking the little frog embryos with it. They grow in the clouds until they eventually become too heavy to Photo (CC) flickr: thieving_joker float and, hence, it rains frogs. At the time I considered the explanation to be highly implausible, but a recent Google search revealed that a wide range of objects, including human body parts, small animals and insects, have been reported as having fallen out of the sky over the years. The most common animals to “rain” are fish, frogs and birds (in that order, apparently). I entered the same search in Spanish, which confirmed that there had indeed been a reported frogfall in Alicante in 2007 (which seems about right, timewise, for the newspaper report). Scientists appear to be divided on these phenomena but the general consensus is, I think, that the explanation I got in Tibi (frogspawn evaporating into the clouds) is most improbable. Far more likely is that whirlwinds, tornadoes and the like tend to pick up small creatures, toss them about a bit and, if they survive, they find themselves a long way away and understandably somewhat bewildered by their experience.

Editor’s note: Many thanks Pete. Do any other readers have strange tales to tell? Don’t forget also to see the Madrid Skeptics (P9) and Paranormality (P8) this month.

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W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

Fairy Tales

By Jerome Apolda

The Gay Paradox “Behind every great man, there’s a great woman” and behind any columnist (worth being read or so they think), there’s an awesome assistant, i.e. me. My name is Leo and I’m taking over Fairy Tales. I imagine your frowning face, stunned in disbelief and you’re asking yourself—where on God’s green earth is Jerome? After a week-long relationship, Jerome got dumped (no big surprise there!); his broken heart is weeping, and bitter tears are flooding out of his bloodshot eyes. The sorrow being too great to bear, he’s not been once to El Apolo (C/del Barco, 18) where he goes to write—although he asked me never to mention his secret hide-out, oops! Instead he mopes around the house in his bath robe, dragging his sorry 32-year-old corpse from the fridge to the bed. I tried to tell him that his “best before” date had expired, that he should call it quits, that retirement from the scene was the only reasonable option, but he just burst into tears before stuffing himself with chocolate cake. There’s no helping some people! As his assistant—which is, quite frankly, beneath me—my sole responsibility is to answer his fan mail. Fan mail that he receives by the truck load and that always astonishes me by its dullness: Dear Jerome, Can I receive a signed naked pic? I sent him one of Susan Boyle instead. I hope he liked it. Dear Jerome, My pseudo-boyfriend refuses to commit. It’s been over a year and we still both continue to go on GayRomeo (Spanish gay dating site) dates. Help! Jerome would most probably dive into one of his fishy theories such as his latest, the Spanish Paradox. It sounds like the title of a bad Doctor Who episode. He would start by saying that out of the hundreds of interviews he did (Hundreds? Tens more like it), all the madrileños he met said the same thing: “I want a boyfriend! But no one wants to commit”. He would then ponder about the dilemma. Making grand gestures, he would make longwinded statements such as—and I’m quoting here: “In a world where everything is at our fingertips, where everything is possible, loneliness has become an illusion that follows us like an overbearing shadow, we fool ourselves into believing that we can find love, the same way we buy carrots when ultimately, the choice being too overwhelming, we fall into mediocre over-consumerism.” YAWN! I don’t even listen to what he says anymore! I simply wrote back: We all like cocks! The more the merrier. I mean why fool ourselves? When you live in a candy shop, just make sure you have a good dentist and everything will be peachy. Jerome would frown upon what he calls a demeaning and detrimental vision of our community before going on and on about how I just spread stereotypes and pave the way for the anti-gays by picturing us as promiscuous. The old fart doesn’t get it: We like cocks! We’re not all washed up, balding romantics like he is. We just want to get some! Dear Jerome, My fabulousness knows no bounds while yours is decaying by the minute. Time has come to disappear into the night and never to be heard of again. Yours sincerely, Leo “Majo” Drape For Bonus Fairy Tales go to: www.jerome-apolda.com

MARCH 2011

Another fine mes

Visit the Museo del Traje (Costume) for Women’s Week, 7-13 March. Many special activities to coincide with Int’l Women’s Day. See museodeltraje.mcu.es

Marty Delfín dissects the past month’s news headlines

Cleaning up Madrid

New party, no new faces

The city of Madrid found itself in a murky situation last month when scientists reported that the Spanish capital had exceeded the European Union limits on air pollution. A dark brown haze could be seen for days hovering over the city as politicians on the ground battled it out to determine who was going to have to pay for the big clean-up. Last year, Madrid exceeded the legal EU limit for pollution by having an annual average of 44 micrograms of suspended particles within less than 10 micrometres. The EU limit is 40. Because none of the politicians from the city-backed Popular Party government could clean up their act, Madrid’s environmental chief Ana Botella called for a temporary moratorium on the EU guidelines. The City Council urged people to use public transportation and leave their cars at home, but few responded. The airborne dirt has made it difficult for people to breathe, exercise or just walk outside their doors. Some politicians are calling for shock measures such as increased road tolls and restricted days for people to use their automobiles. Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón has promised to bring down pollution levels to EU standards by 2015. However, the city got a reprieve in the middle of February when rain showers and wind appeared to have washed the air. Nevertheless, the pollution is set to return once the rain stops and the long dry summer begins its approach.

Batasuna, the party which was outlawed in 2003 because of its ties to ETA and refusal to renounce violence, presented on 7 February a new set of statutes that its members hope will allow them to field candidates in the 22 May regional race. The name of the new party is Sortu. According to the 2002 Law of Political Parties, organisations can only be deemed legal if they reject terrorism or any similar incitement of violence. This time around, Batasuna members along with the radical “abertzale” left said that they would make the rejection, to include the practices of ETA, but the government and opposition parties say it still isn’t enough. Some of the members in attendance at the ceremony to present the statute had, at one time or another, faced terrorismrelated charges, while others are still facing charges and are out on bail awaiting trial. Government officials are still sceptical. Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba said that “Batasuna’s credibility is what it is: at a historical low. I don’t want anyone to forget that ETA has not declared an end to violence.” Even prosecutors in the Basque Country are threatening to go to court to keep Sortu from registering. The Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw Batasuna was upheld by the International Court of Human Rights in 2009. Radical leader Rufi Etxeberria, a historical figure in pro-ETA circles, is demanding the government allow his party to register. They are under a tight deadline to ensure that their candidates get on the ballot by May, but prosecutors are said to be planning to file for an injunction so that the courts will ensure that the registration will stall until after the elections.

A different voice

Photo: (CC) flickr: cbarbi

MARCH 2011

Speaking of elections, Tomás Gómez, the Socialist candidate for Madrid regional premier, once again has shown that he’s not afraid to be a non-conventional guy. After standing tall to Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who tried to shoot down his ambitions to run last year forcing the Socialists into a primary, 44-year-old Gómez wants voters in the capital to be aware that his proposed administration will represent all sectors. That is why it was no surprise that he selected Carla Antonelli, a transsexual, actress and political activist, to join him on his slate. She could become the first member of the transgender community to hold a parliamentary office in any region. But Gómez’s decision wasn’t for good looks or to appease the LGBT community. Antonelli, a native of Tenerife, has

W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

Carla Antonelli

Photo: Alvaro Villarrubia

been active in politics since she officially joined the PSOE in 1977. She was instrumental in helping the Socialists draft the current gay marriage law as well as engineering another measure that makes it easier for transsexuals to have their names switched on their national identity card (DNI). In 1997, she held several positions within the party’s policy making unit concerning transsexual, gay and lesbian rights. However, she gave it all up to focus on her acting career, appearing as, of course, a transsexual in the short-lived medical drama television series “El Sídrome de Ulises” (Ulysses Syndrome) on Antena 3, and other programmes. Antonelli is a frequent panellist on late-night talk show debates, and has appeared in numerous theatre productions. But now she says she is ready to make a return to politics. “I hope to become an example that will help break the stereotypes of transsexuals and give us more visibility,” she says. “I want business owners not to put up any excuses when a transsexual person comes to them looking for a job.”

T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

The right to remember Scott Boehm looks at a decade’s work by the Association for the Recuperation of Historical Memory

Photo (CC) flickr: armh36

he 23 October 2010 marked the tenth anniversary of the exhumation of a mass grave in Priaranza del Bierzo (León) containing the remains of thirteen people, whose identities were later revealed by DNA testing. Significantly, the event also led to the foundation of the Asociación para la Recuperación de la Memoria Historica (ARMH) by Emilio Silva, the grandson of one of the victims, and Santiago Macías, a young writer from Ponferrada. Like hundreds of thousands of Spaniards, “los 13 de Priaranza” were executed in the wake of the July 1936 military coup waged against the Spanish Republic as part of an operation to clean Spain of “los rojos” (reds) and restore the country to the glory days of the Counter-Reformation. In pueblos across the country, people loyal to the Republic were systematically rounded up and summarily executed by fascists working in conjunction with the Guardia Civil, the Catholic Church, and other local authorities who supported the violent rebellion led by Francisco Franco and a handful of other generals. The failure of the coup due to popular resistance in Madrid, Barcelona and other parts of Spain, led to a two and a half year armed struggle that became the Spanish Civil War. It resulted in victory for the Nationalists in 1939 and was followed by the installation of a repressive dictatorship led by Franco until his death in 1975.

The lost and the law The mass executions carried out during the war and under the dictatorship resulted in 2,052 known mass graves and 143,353 desaparecidos, or disappeared persons. Since the establishment of the socio-political movement sparked by the Priaranza exhumation, 230 more mass graves have been exhumed and the remains of 5,277 desaparecidos have been recovered. In 2007, pressure from the ARMH and the UN Working Group on Involuntary Enforced Disappearance resulted in the Spanish government passing the “Law of Historical Memory”. The legislation purportedly attempts to assist family members trying to locate and recover the remains of the missing, but has actually accomplished little more than to increase frustration for those it intended to help. It raised expectations, but at the same time it seems it was purposely designed to be ineffective. On 16 October 2008, Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón opened the first investigation of crimes against humanity committed in Spain. He was forced to close it only a month later because of resistance from within the National Criminal Court and the Attorney General’s office. In the spring of 2010, Garzón was suspended from the Spanish judiciary on the basis of lawsuits presented by La Falange, the Spanish fascist party and Manos Limpias, a far-right organisation, claiming that he had knowingly overstepped his jurisdiction by opening the investigation. Upset by the perceived persecution of Garzón as the only Spanish judge brave enough to tackle the injustice suffered by hundreds of thousands of Spaniards, the families of victims and members of the historical memory organisations joined with other outraged citizens to form the Plataforma contra la impunidad del franquismo y en apoyo a Garzón (Platform Against Francoist Impunity and in Support of Garzón). T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

Private to public Massive demonstrations took place in Madrid and 24 other Spanish cities on 24 April 2010, marking the beginning of a new phase of organisation around the issue of historical memory. The movement shifted from relatively isolated, semi-private exhumations to foregrounding the spectre of the disappeared in very symbolic public spaces. In Madrid, tens of thousands of people took to the streets carrying pictures of disappeared family members, Republican flags and banners in defence of Garzón. Support also came from film director Pedro Almodóvar, the writer Almudena Grandes and Marcos Ana, a poet and political prisoner who spent 23 years behind bars under the dictatorship. Together, the three read a text denouncing the culture of impunity that defines Spanish democracy and demanded justice for the victims of franquismo and their families. Those landmark protests have been followed by regular demonstrations in La Puerta del Sol, still held every Thursday from 7-8pm. Aside from marking the centre of Spain, the location was chosen because the Real Casa de Correos, which currently serves as the home of the regional government and the epicentre of national grape eating on New Year’s Eve, was formerly the headquarters of the security forces and the secret police under Franco. Thousands of people were tortured and held there, with many then sent to Carabanchel Prison, the remains of which the government tore down amid protests in 2008. In June 2010, a group of high profile Spanish actors released a video campaign called “Cultura contra la impunidad”, in which Javier Bardem, Maribel Verdú, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón and others gave voice to the disappeared. The videos, with English subtitles, can be viewed on YouTube.

LA TABERNA CHICA VINOS, TAPAS, COCKTAILS & LOUNGE MUSIC FABULOUS CAIPIRINHAS

Sights set As Baltasar Garzón awaits a Supreme Court trial that will determine whether or not he is permanently removed from the Spanish judiciary, on a separate issue historical memory organisations have been pressing the government regarding the future of the Valle de los Caídos. The monument was erected in honour of Franco and José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the father of Spanish fascism, both of whose remains are located in its underground Basilica. While defenders of the monument claim that it was intended as a site of national reconciliation, the fact that it was built with slave labour and attracts annual pilgrimages by nostalgic Francoist supporters and fascists alike suggests otherwise. In November 2010, the ARMH sent a letter to President Zapatero asking how much longer Spanish citizens must finance the site—which includes a fully-functioning Benedictine abbey—with their taxes, while the Foro por la Memoria (Remembrance Forum) organised a demonstration outside its gates, calling for immediate demolition. The government has not responded to these demands, but for the first time since Franco inaugurated it in 1958, the days of The Valley of the Fallen, Europe’s last large-scale fascist monument, seem to be numbered—something impossible to imagine ten years ago. W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

c/Costanilla de San Pedro, 7 (Metro: La Latina)

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MARCH 2011

Paranormal or paranormality? Ever seen a ghost? Had an out of body experience? Chatted with a mongoose? Tim Inkling speaks to psychologist Richard Wiseman, whose new book reveals the science behind strange phenomena

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pushes it towards you. These reactions say a lot about being on the right track,” Richard adds. To expose our vulnerability towards buying into these types of services, he draws a comparison with a less mysterious purchase. “If I was going to buy a second-hand car, I’d want to take someone with me who knew about them, or I’d try to find out about them myself. What’s interesting about psychics is that people go to them and make important life decisions, even though they know nothing about the practice of giving a psychic reading. My hope is that people become more informed and that by knowing how you fake it, knowing about the psychological strategies, you can properly assess the abilities of the person giving you life advice.”

Board senseless In addition to analysing supposed psychic ability, Paranormality also explores darker and spookier subjects such as Ouija boards and ghosts. The former have a particularly eerie reputation, but is it deserved? “The worst thing you can say to anyone, especially teenagers, about Ouija boards is ‘Don’t try that!’” says Richard, “It’s like a red rag to a bull. It’s better to say ‘have a go’, but understand that it’s unconscious forces. If you use letter cards on a Ouija board it’s possible to spell out a name, but if you turn over the letter cards and jumble them up, suddenly the spirits can’t spell—which for omnipotent all-powerful spirits is rather curious. The reason they can’t is because you can’t see the letters, therefore you’re unable, without realising it, to push the glass in the right direction. It’s the same with ghosts—when you understand about the psychology of fear and how you become hyper-vigilant in an allegedly haunted place, suddenly that place becomes a lot less scary.” Photo (CC) flickr: SanFranAnnie

You can create out of body experiences very easily once you know what you’re doing,” explains Professor Richard Wiseman, “I won’t go into details, but some experiments involve a false arm, two paint brushes and a cloth.” It’s a humorous and refreshing approach from the world-famous scientist, and he’s referring to the content of his new book, Paranormality. Based at the UK’s University of Hertfordshire, Richard has achieved international recognition for his research into unusual aspects of the human mind, and his three previous books—The Luck Factor, Quirkology and 59 Seconds— were all best-sellers. In his latest work, paranormal experiences are under the magnifying glass. The objective is to shed light on the psychology behind the paranormal (the book is subtitled “Why we see what isn’t there”), and the focus ranges from psychic reading and Ouija boards to dreams and brainwashing. “There wasn’t a book that explained the paranormal from a psychological perspective,” says Richard, “There are those that tell you it’s all true, and a few that tell

you it’s not true, but there was nothing that said ‘Here’s the interesting psychology behind the strange experiences you might have.’” Although he chooses to say “might have”, one fun and intriguing aspect of the book makes “can have” more appropriate. Each chapter contains simple instructions that allow readers to produce the phenomena that’s being scrutinised.

Action and reaction During his research, Richard crossed paths with a number of interesting characters. “One was a very good psychic reader, but a complete fake because he knew it was all psychological and not parapsychological. He came to the lab and we filmed him giving readings, after which he told us all of his techniques.” Paranormality discusses that information, which until now has been difficult to find in the public domain. “Some of the secrets lie in interpreting physical reactions from people—casual nodding, or in a palmistry reading whether someone draws their hand back or

Mystery solved? For many people this might seem to be ruining life’s mysteries or taking the super out of supernatural. Richard, however, thinks the opposite—that by exposing the natural, scientific and psychological roots of strange phenomena, it opens an enormous cabinet of scientific wonders, perhaps more mysterious because the search for answers and knowledge is ongoing. “If you take out of body experiences, the fascinating question is how on earth does your mind decide where it is and how can it suddenly make a decision that you are two feet in front of yourself?” he asks, “Once you understand the psychology involved, you can reliably produce that weird experience yourself. I hope the psychology and the science add to the beauty of the experience, rather than remove it.”

Professor Richard Wiseman

Even if a mystery is not solved, its consequences can have far-ranging effects. As a sort of intermission between chapters, the case of a mongoose called Gef (pronounced Jeff) is examined. “The case took place on the Isle of Man in the 1930s, and was investigated by Harry Price, one of my all-time favourite investigators of the paranormal,” explains Richard, “Apparently Gef could talk, and although nothing was ever proved, the story ends with not only a major shake up at the BBC in terms of its hiring and firing policy, but also a libel trial with one of the largest ever libel payouts—all over a talking mongoose. You couldn’t write fiction as extraordinary as that.”

Coded messages More than two million people have taken part in Richard’s mass participation experiments and his YouTube site has generated more than 11 million views, so it’s no surprise that Paranormality also incorporates new technology in the form of mosaic black and white bar codes. “I think it’s only the second book to have them, and possibly the first for science. The readers will occasionally come across a bar code and if they use a smart phone to read it, it will link to the internet for additional information relevant to the chapter. Maybe a video, or an interview or research footage. It’s possibly the most interactive book ever on the paranormal.” The final chapter looks at why people have a strong ability to find patterns in the world and to relate one occurrence to another. “But sometimes that mechanism goes into overdrive and we see patterns that aren’t there,” finishes Richard, “If you’re in a supposedly haunted house, you look at a jagged wall and you make out a face. The face isn’t actually there, but we’re hardwired from an evolutionary perspective to see a few faces that aren’t there rather than miss one that is. Similarly, if we have a dream, and the following day it comes true, we think the two things are related. Those false patterns are essentially the paranormal.” Whether there was any implicit intention to include mosaic bar codes and finish on patterns is open to question. Spooky? A coincidence? Or perhaps it’s just good scientific preparation.

Paranormality is out on 4 Mar, published by MacMillan. See www.paranormalitybook.co.uk ■ CAMINO MARTÍNEZ

Five great places to buy... crazy cupcakes Cupcakes seem to be conquering the city, so what better excuse to send out a sortie to find the finest and trendiest examples available

Cosmen & Keiless. Cosy and nicely decorated, based on the aesthetics of old American bakeries, the specialities here are natural, handmade bread and typical American baking. They make carrot cake, cheesecake, doughnuts, muffins and, of course, cupcakes. The cupcakes are produced with vanilla and chocolate, and adorned with fun figures. Plaza de las Salesas, 8 (Metro: Chueca). Tel: 91 319 67 42. www.cosmenykeiless.com. Mon-Sun, 8.30am-8.30pm. From €1.50

Decake. Formerly known as Decoracake, if in addition to eating cupcakes you like preparing them, then this is the establishment for you. Lovers of cookery will find a wealth of ingredients and equipment for cakemaking. In fact, the stock encompasses absolutely everything you can imagine to make the nicest and the coolest cupcakes, from baking tins, toppings, sugars, and pastries to mixtures and wrappers. The store also

MARCH 2011

occasionally organises courses to learn to decorate cupcakes. C/Arturo Soria, 243 (Metro: Arturo Soria). Tel: 91 350 50 08. www.decake.es. Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm, 5.30-7.30pm; Sat, 10am-1.30pm. Boxes of cupcakes from €1.30

Cupcake Madrid. Located in the sophisticated Barrio de Salamanca, this shop is devoted to making “gourmet cupcakes”. High quality ingredients and fun designs are the mainstay of their delicious little products. They use chocolate, vanilla, carrot, banana and spices for the sponge, which is decorated with butterflies, funny monsters, flowers or ladybirds, and flavoured with apple, caramel, ginger, raspberry and even “after eight” mint. C/Velázquez, 126 (Metro: Avenida de América). Tel: 91 563 37 29. www.cupcakemadrid.com. Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat, 10am-2pm. From €2.50 Cupcake Madrid

Decake

Happy Day. The fun style, wallpaper, colourful lamps and vintage furniture are the most eye-catching features of this cute place. There are branches in Malasaña and La Latina which offer yummy cupcakes, decorated with a wide range of original frosting, including delights like blue vanilla, carrot cake and red velvet. In addition, they sell muffins, cookies, cakes, bagels, hot dogs, coffees, smoothies—in fact, it’s nothing short of a mini American supermarket. C/Espíritu Santo, 11 (Metro: Tribunal) and C/Cuchilleros, 14 (Metro: Tirso de Molina). Tel: 91 522 91 33. www.happydaybakery.es. Mon-Sun, 10am-11.30pm. From €2 W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

The Old Bakery. This pretty shop specialises in cooking traditional bread and sweets, all made by hand. They also sell a large range of Spanish, American and English specialities like ginger biscuits, brownies, cakes, shortbreads and bagels. Their selection of delicious cupcakes includes chocolate, vanilla, carrot or apple, along with frosting made with cream cheese and butter, as well as coconut or biscuit toppings. A wickedly wide choice. C/Abtao, 38 (Metro: Conde de Casal). Tel: 91 287 36 08. Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm, 59pm; Sat and Sun, 10am-3pm. From €1.75 T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

Raising cañas and questions Everyone gets into a spat now and then, but in Madrid they make a formal event of it. MacKenzie Elmer visits the Escépticos en el pub, where cold beer and solid reasoning join forces to combat society’s paranormal superstitions

he first Saturday of each month, madrileños throng to the loft of The Clover House, a cosy Irish pub tucked on the corner of Calle Almansa near Guzmán el Bueno metro. The Escépticos en el pub group is made up of scientists, students, writers and any interested parties who have a large appetite for explanations of the seemingly inexplicable. It’s not just an intellectual excuse to escape to the bar, but a night of discourse, questions, and challenges. After attending a 2009 international sceptic event in London, José María Mateos, one of the founders of the Madrid pub chapter, was motivated to start the Spanish branch. “Anyone who is interested in scientific divulgence can attend. The point is to make these chats accessible to everyone,” he says. Social scepticism became “pubular” in London when Dr. Scott Campbell launched the first Skeptics in the pub event in 1999. Now, according to its website, it boasts the largest regular pub meeting in the world and has been widely reviewed by publications such as The Economist and The Washington Post. Past guest speakers at the London event have included Jon Ronson, author of The Men Who Stare at Goats (recently made into a film starring George Clooney) and Simon Singh, whose books include Fermat’s Last Theorem and The Code Book. Talks have ranged from “Trick or treatment: alternative medicine on trial” to “How not to investigate the paranormal”. Photo: MacKenzie Elmer

A question of space In Madrid, Escépticos have gained so much popularity that audience members lean against the back wall looking for creative spaces to rest their beer glasses. Previous guests have included secondary school science teacher Eugenio Manuel, who presented his 50 hypotheses disproving the 1969 moon landing. He is the author of La conspiración Lunar: ¡vaya timo! (The Moon Conspiracy: It´s a scam!). Armed with a degree in physics, Manuel argues that the video taken from the landing site contradicts basic laws of nature and alleges, for example, that images like a rippling American flag are impossible without the presence of lunar wind. Manuel is clear when explaining how one can think like a sceptic. “The thought process of a sceptic is not to negate,” he states, “but to doubt when an argument has no solid base or there is something peculiar we can address.” Erik Perez, an engineering student and one of the more timid in the pub audience, started coming to Escépticos after reading Manuel’s book. He was already a fan of Carl Sagan, the popular American cosmologist and science communicator, so when he happened upon La conspiración Lunar, it was just his cup of tea. He is hesitant to answer questions, but when asked if he believes humans did indeed land on the moon his response is firmly, “Yes!” Rodrigo Soteres, a group regular and student of the Université libre de Bruxelles, says he attends because it’s a unique place to unite with other scientists. “I study the environment, but I come here to search for an extended scientific vision and to connect with professors who can help me with that.”

Bad press For their February meeting, Josu Mezo, blogger of malaprensa.com, presents “Why the media deceives us, even when it doesn’t try to.” The night plays out at first like a college philosophy course: Mezo, a professor of Social Sciences, uses PowerPoint to explain, in his opinion, why propaganda and partisanship mislead journalists from telling the “ultimate truth”. Immediately following the start of the presentation, the audience members begin “la charla”—a stump-the-scientist question session.

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If after the lecture and discussion you haven’t had your fill, all attendees—guest-speaker included—are invited to stay for dinner. Fear not, o’ ye the faint of heart, for these sceptics treat each other like family, with each table splitting their bill.

Believe it or not More than fifty countries including Japan, India, and even Kazakhstan, now have national sceptic associations. In Spain, with financial support from the Spanish branch of the ARPSAPC (Society for the Advancement of Critical Thinking), pub scepticism is spreading like wildfire. New pub divisions are opening up in Barcelona and Gijón (called “Enigmas and Beers”), and are coming soon to Valencia and the Canary Islands. On the ARP-SAPC/Escépticos website, there’s a monthly podcast, Pensando Criticamente, which has interviews with pub guests. The society also produces the ¡Vaya timo! literary series, which includes Eugenio Manuel’s book, as it remains dedicated to its mission of critically confronting topics such as creationism, UFOs, psychic power and yetis. On 5 March, the Madrid Escépticos have invited a special guest to present a talk entitled “Magicians, Mentalists and Paranormals: a critical perspective of magic, the mental and the paranormal”. The speaker will be Colombian-born astrophysicist Andrés Carmona, a current post-doctorate associate of the ISDC Astrophysics Data Centre in Geneva; and he’s promising demonstrations. He specialises in planetary formation, a study that seeks to understand the origin of all life. Carmona is a colourful character whose mass of interests are seemingly as broad as the limits of space itself. However, because space is an unfortunate pub reality, Escépticos have found a new, bigger location: the Irish Corner pub on Calle de Arturo Soria, metro Ciudad Lineal. Eat, drink, be sceptical! For further information about Escépticos en el pub, see: Website: www.escepticos.es Blog: www.escepticos.es/?q=blog/14 Podcast: www.escepticos.es/?q=taxonomy/term/328

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MARCH 2011

sport FIXTURE FIX ■ Compiled by Keith Miles

Football Euro 2012 Qualifiers 25 Mar Spain v Czech Republic 25 Mar 8.30pm—Serbia v N Ireland 26 Mar 4pm—Wales v England 26 Mar 8.45pm—Rep Ireland v FYR Macedonia 29 Mar Lithuania v Spain 29 Mar 8.45pm—N Ireland v Slovenia International Friendlies 27 Mar 12am—USA v Argentina 27 Mar 3pm—Brazil v Scotland 29 Mar 9pm—England v Ghana 29 Mar 8.35pm—Rep Ireland v Uruguay Champions League 8 Mar 8.45pm—Barcelona v Arsenal 8 Mar 8.45pm—Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma 9 Mar 8.45pm—Schalke 04 v Valencia 9 Mar 8.45pm—Tottenham v AC Milan 15 Mar 8.45pm—Bayern Munich v Inter Milan 15 Mar 8.45pm—Man Utd v Marseille 16 Mar 8.45pm—Chelsea v FC Copenhagen 16 Mar 8.45pm—Real Madrid v Lyon Europa League 10 Mar 9.05pm—Dynamo Kiev v Man City, 10 Mar 9.05pm—Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal 10 Mar 9.05pm—PSV v Rangers 10 Mar 9.05pm—CSKA Moscow v FC Porto, 10 Mar 9.05pm—Liverpool v Braga 17 Mar 9.05pm—Man City v Dynamo Kiev 17 Mar 9.05pm—Villarreal v Bayer Leverkusen 17 Mar 9.05pm—Rangers v PSV 17 Mar 9.05pm—FC Porto v CSKA Moscow 17 Mar 9.05pm—Braga v Liverpool La Liga 2 Mar Valencia v Barcelona 2 Mar Getafe v Atlético Madrid 3 Mar Real Madrid v Malaga 6 Mar Racing Santander v Real Madrid 6 Mar Barcelona v Zaragoza 6 Mar Atlético Madrid v Villarreal 6 Mar Sporting Gijon v Getafe 13 Mar Real Madrid v Hercules 13 Mar Sevilla v Barcelona 13 Mar Almeria v Atlético Madrid 13 Mar Getafe v Athletic Bilbao 20 Mar Atlético Madrid v Real Madrid 20 Mar Barcelona v Getafe Premier League 1 Mar 8.45pm—Chelsea v Man Utd 6 Mar 2.30pm—Liverpool v Man Utd 20 Mar 5pm—Chelsea v Man City FA Cup 12 Mar Sixth Round—Stoke v West Ham, Man City/Aston Villa v Everton/Reading, Birmingham v Bolton, Man Utd v Leyton Orient/Arsenal

F1 27 Mar 8am—Australian Grand Prix

Rugby Union Six Nations 12 Mar 3.30pm—Italy v France 12 Mar 6pm—Wales v Ireland 13 Mar 4pm—England v Scotland 19 Mar 3.30pm—Scotland v Italy 19 Mar 6pm—Ireland v England 19 Mar 8.45pm—France v Wales European Nations Cup 12 Mar 4pm—Spain v Portugal, Madrid 19 Mar Romania v Spain

Cricket 19 Feb-2 Apr World Cup, Asia

Athletics 4-6 Mar European Indoor Championships, Paris

✄ 10

MARCH 2011

Backing the Barbarians With the Six Nations tournament in full swing, Tessa White discovers an English-speaking rugby club digging its heels into Spanish soil

open the door to Scruffy Murphy’s bar on Calle de la Palma in search of “Barbarians” only to find friendly giants enjoying a few beers and having a good chin-wag about all things rugby. The members of Madrid’s English-speaking rugby club hail from sixteen countries, which include the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but also unexpected nations like the USA and the Czech Republic. Yet even with such an international contingent, fifty per cent are Spanish. It’s a notable proportion, as whilst most expats took up the game between the ages of five and ten, most of the Spanish members only started at University. “The aim of the club is to promote everything that is good about rugby: friendship, fair play, sporting development but most importantly the growth of an international social community based around the sport,” founder Andrew Smith explains. It’s an admirable philosophy, and coincidentally Andrew is nicknamed Miyagi, the mentor in the Karate Kid films, although the reason remains as mysterious as the fictional character. “It could be some time before it replaces football or basketball as a mainstream Spanish sport but for now it is progressing well” he adds.

Meet the guys So what attracts seasoned and new players to the Barbarians? “We provide the best of both worlds: we have room for keen and occasional rugby players as well as social members. If we were mainly a social side with a bit of rugby, then those who want to play and train on a regular basis would leave, and vice versa,” states co-founder James Kent. The Madrid Barbarians were founded in November 2009 and joined the Madrid Rugby League in 2010. One of the first members was Martin Darby, an air steward, who played for the national Under-21 side in Australia before moving to Madrid. For Darby the best aspect of the club is the team camaraderie. “The club has huge potential; it has risen from nothing in one year and already has a great support base.” Native madrileño and construction engineer Francisco Javier García Belmonte has been with the Barbarians since the beginning of this season. He took up rugby whilst at University in Spain and has been playing for twenty years. “There were only a few rugby schools in the whole country when I started,” he says, “I

So what’s next for the ambitious Barbarians? Miyagi reflects on progress so far. “This first season has seen us starting in the league and it has been an enjoyable learning curve as we adapt to the style of rugby here. We would like to expand the number of players so that we can form more teams, set up a women’s and kids’ side and have them all competing in the Madrid leagues.” A little over a year in existence, having attained 113 members and currently arranging a club tour to Lisbon next month, it appears that the Barbarians are well on the way to achieving their ambitions.

The club is self-funded and values its supporters every bit as much as the players. It has a strong support system with physiotherapists, photographers and loyal sandwich makers at hand, but the running costs are a whopping 12,000 per annum. The Barbarians pay 90 rental for each training session held at a Polideportivo in Puerta de Hierro, and 140 for every home game. “Other teams assist us by playing friendly matches against us at their home

EFL League Table

Matches Points

Game Plan

Counting the cost

Liga Tercera de Aficionados, Grupo 7 Table Teams

grounds without charging,” says James Kent. “Finance is one of the major difficulties with setting up a club in Madrid,” adds Miyagi, “particularly due to the cost of joining the league at 1,300 per annum.” There is very limited funding available from the government. Membership fees, fund-raising events and personal donations are helpful but sponsorship will be the key to survival. Scruffy Murphy’s was its first sponsor, and recently two more were secured— the Kiwi Rugby Store and the Public House Bar, both located on Calle Fernández de los Rios. “We are always on the lookout for corporate sponsors that can help us with funds,” Miyagi smiles.

like the club philosophy and I wanted to be part of something that I think can get bigger and bigger. When that happens I want to be here.” Guy Thistlethwaite, a British native and English academy owner, is equally optimistic, having been with the club since March 2010. “The Barbarians will become an important name in Madrid and Spanish rugby,” he predicts, “It will become the ‘go to’ team for new arrivals of every nationality in the city because of the regular training and the opportunity to play competitive league rugby.” Thistlethwaite started playing at age eleven but hadn’t had a competitive match for thirteen years before signing up. “I turned up for the first game, only expecting to watch, played the whole 80 minutes and just about lived to tell the tale. Then we had some beers and the rest is history.”

Goals E

1st division

Played

Pts

E.M.F. AGUILAS MORATALAZ "B"

Atlético Cero

SPORTING VALDEBERNARDO-EL BRILLANTE

O’Neills United

SPARTAK MADRID C.F.

Santana

CLUB RIVER VALLECAS

Finbars Celtic

A.D. COSMOS HURACAN

Atlético Retiro

C.D. NUEVAS PALOMERAS

FC Copenbadly

A.D. VILLAVERDE BAJO

Finbars 67

F C BRITANICO DE MADRID

Madrid Villains

C.D. RACING DE MORATALAZ

CLUB JUVENTUD ELIPA

Barones de la Birra

A.J.D.C. LA MANCHA "B"

Los Lobos

Triskels Tavern

23 Jan San Cristobal Angeles 2 FC Británico 3 30 Jan

C.D. AUTOLAVADO DELUXE

C.D. PALESTRA ATENEA

Studio Banana

ESC. FUT. A.V. LA CHIMENEA "B"

Madrid Reds

ABSOLUT SPORT “A”

FC Británico

AA.VV. LOS ROSALES

Moores Tribunal

A.D. ESC. BALONMANO VILLAVERDE

Dirty Sanchez

C.D. SAN CRISTOBAL ANGELES "B"

(to 21 Feb)

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FC Británico Recent Results:

FC Británico 5 AJDC La Mancha B 4 6 Feb AD Cosmos Huracan 1 FC Británico 0 13 Feb FC Británico 1 Club Juventud Elipa 1

Note re EFL League: EFL Madrid is always recruiting new players to join existing teams. Send an email with the subject “EFL Bosman Board” to lewis.carroll@honeywell.com

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Carmel, 30, UK

Why did you decide to move to Madrid? After five years of living and working in London, I wanted to move abroad and also to become fluent in Spanish. I knew that I’d like to live somewhere warm and sunny and as the financial centre of Spain, Madrid seemed like the perfect location.

Freelance Translator

What do you do here? I have recently set up my own translation company, Traducciones Financieras (www.ttff.es), which specialises in the translation of financial reports and documents from Spanish to English and the proof-reading of financial text written in English by non-native speakers. Our services cover anything from due diligence reports or information memorandums to financial statements and more. How did you get the job? I always hoped that one day I’d have the opportunity to set up my own business and after qualifying as a chartered accountant in the UK and working for seven years for a global professional services firm, I felt that the time was right to give it a go on my own. Also, I believed that there was an opportunity in the market to improve the quality of the information produced in English about Spanish companies. Plus, the attraction of being my own boss and having a more flexible lifestyle was hard to resist—and so far so good.

What’s been difficult about moving to/living in Madrid? Arriving here and being immersed in Spanish conversation immediately. I had done A-Level Spanish but that was a few years ago and so I quickly had to get back to studying. I found being out with groups of Spaniards really tough at the beginning, especially in bars and clubs with loud music. But it’s true what they say about practice—it’s the only way to improve and now I’m really comfortable with my level of Spanish. Has it worked out as you planned? Yes and no. I had originally planned to spend two years on secondment in Madrid and then move back to London, however after almost three years I’m still here and love it more than ever. I’ve also managed to travel around Spain, which has been fantastic—one of my favourite trips was to Extremadura for Semana Santa last year. What are the major differences in work environment/culture compared to home? One interesting aspect that has struck me, particularly whilst setting up my business, is the value and importance of building genuine relationships here in Spain. Getting to know partners/clients/colleagues on a personal level is a key part of business life and these relationships underpin business success. What are your long term plans? My focus at the moment is on growing my business during the next year and enjoying the extra flexibility that being my own boss allows. Beyond that, who knows? ■ INTERVIEW BY TOM BURGESS

Located about a stone’s throw from bustling Callao, and adjoining Gran Vía with Plaza del Carmen, lies a street with a hefty history. There is more than one story as to how Calle de la Abada earned its name, but the most entertaining arises from an oddly comical, though slightly dark, accident between a young boy and, you guessed it, a rhino. Legend has it that a group of Portuguese acrobats brought the animal to Madrid as part of their display, drawing wide-eyed crowds to gaze upon the magnificent creature. (Abada is Portuguese for a female rhino.) Unfortunately for one boy, curiosity and intrigue translated into misfortune. The boy offered some newly baked bread to the rhinoceros, but the heat from it burned the rhino’s mouth, sending it into a rage, during which the boy was crushed and killed. Immediately the acrobats were expelled, but not before the rhino made one last footprint in madrileños’ memories: it escaped its restraints, trampling and killing more people before finally being captured in Vicálvaro. “Lads, I’m not sure the rhino’s doing us any favours,” was the lead acrobat’s comment upon arriving home. Actually, it wasn’t—we just made that part up. ■ KEDZIE TELLER

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In conjunction with www.silver-screenspain.com, each month we focus on an English language movie made in the comunidad. Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of the stars or play scene-spotting with a DVD, the clues start here. And...action!

The Limits of Control Release date: 2009 Stars: Isaach de Bankolé, Gael García Bernal, Bill Murray Director: Jim Jarmusch Jim Jarmusch’s most recent venture, The Limits of Control, garnered criticism for its slow pace but was praised internationally for its beautiful cinematography and ambitious scope. It is an intriguing, mysterious and highly accomplished independent movie, in the reasonably lowbudget style for which the director of Night on Earth and Coffee and Cigarettes is well-known. The movie is set in various Spanish cities, including Madrid, Toledo and Seville, but it begins in Paris, from where the protagonist Isaach De Bankolé, a hitman, jets off to Madrid. On arrival, he hides out in the Torres Blancas (White Towers), situated near Avenida de América, a bizarre apartment building designed by madrileño Torres Blancas Photo: InMadrid architect Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oíza. The building has fascinated Jarmusch for decades. “White Towers is amazingly strange, though I’m not sure I’d want to live in it,” Jarmusch has said. “The owner ran out of money when it was built in the late sixties, so instead of white marble on the exterior, they ended up using brown concrete. Each apartment is configured differently, and the building has all these curves.” In fact it took five years to complete—from 1964 to 1969— stands 71 metres high, and has 21 floors. It’s also a window cleaner’s worst nightmare. As the film continues, the hit-man meets bizarre strangers with cryptic instructions. Sipping an expresso in Malasaña, he spends days watching the passers-by near the little corner bakery Nuevas Croisantarias on Calle del Barco and Calle de Don Felipe. Madrid’s Reina Sofia also makes a cameo—the hit-man visits and re-visits the museum several times, gazing endlessly at various Picasso paintings and other artworks. Guernica, however, Picasso’s masterpiece and the Reina Sofía’s pride and joy fails to make an appearance. After Madrid, on his lone journey across Spain, he continues to Seville, taking the high-speed AVE which gives Jarmusch a chance to explore the varying Spanish landscape. Appearances from a range of stars, such as Bill Murray, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Mexican heartthrob Gael García Bernal, and Goya-winner Luis Tosar make The Limits of Control enjoyable for foreigners and Spanish alike. The mix of Spanish, English, Arabic and French dialogue is a great way to brush up on your languages. The key phrase for the non-Spanish speaking hit-man to distinguish between friend and foe? “No hablas español, verdad?”

MARCH 2011

food&drink

Brazilian Bean Feast

¡good grifo ! Tapping into Madrid’s finest watering holes

La Taberna Chica Where? Costanilla de San Pedro, 7 (Metro: La Latina). Tel: 91 364 53 48.

Beans means sending Janel Torkington to check out the taste of South America on the borders of Malasaña

re you fed up with fabada? Has cocido madrileño long ceased to cut the mustard? Dahl doesn’t do it for you, and a shiny tin of Boston-baked is an ocean away? My personal bean obsession may border on the clinical, but there are certainly worse food fixations: this humble legume is featured front and centre in showpiece dishes from just about every international cuisine. The prolonged protests of Madrid’s chilly winter make it high time my legume leanings took a jaunt to the steamy southern hemisphere. As luck would have it, a fragment of tropical Brazilian samba beats has lodged itself snugly at C/San Vicente Ferrer, hovering on the outskirts of Malasaña. Swathes of green, red and gold coat this café-bar-restaurant-art space-cultural centre, named Kabokla. An oversize, ceiling-mounted anaconda winds its way through wafting scents of dark beans and salty pork to greet me at the door. My lucky appetite and I have been brought here by destiny itself. Brazilian lunch feasts can run for several hours and, just like Thanksgiving, the key is not to rush in headfirst. The goal here is hedonistic culinary pleasure, evidenced by the olfactory hints of what’s to come emerging from the kitchen. This is reflected in both the relaxed interior atmosphere and the informal, unhurried service; they know I need sufficient time to savour the sweet intoxication of my stiff caipirinha’s lime tang, swirled with rum and sugar. Although Kabokla offers a menu del día during the week, as well as a variety of à la carte options, beanseekers should ideally come on Sunday afternoons, between the hours of 2.30 and 6.00, when the specialty of the house is enormous pots of feijoada (“fay-ZWHAdah”), Brazil’s national dish. The 12 meat-and-bean

When? Mon-Sun, 8pm-2am.

stew has its origins in Portugal, where white or kidney beans are slowly simmered in a thick clay pot with fresh pork or beef, as well as a medley of tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage. The Brazilian variety, also served in a lidded clay pot, is much more meat-centric, featuring a thick mess of black turtle beans, salted pork trimmings, bacon, smoked pork ribs, and often several types of sausage. After sipping enough of the caipirinha to gently nudge my appetite into a frenzy, a colourful plate of traditional accompaniments are placed before me: chopped and fried collard greens, lightly roasted cassava flour (known as farofa in Portuguese), peeled and sliced orange rounds, and the essential hill of white rice. An anxious minute passes, before the afternoon’s star performer appears from the kitchen: an unbelievably huge clay pot just for me, its escaping steam promising bean heaven within. My strategy here involves pressing the rice into a volcano shape to cradle the spoonfuls of feijoada. I then top it with vivid greens and a sprinkling of farofa. The waiter thinks to ask if I require “picante”, and although I’m already elbows deep in glorious beans— yes, yes I do. The vinegary chillis add intrigue, the kind that sharpens the blissful carnivore haze of tender pork falling all over itself into finely piquant points of heat. There’s just no way I’m making it through the whole heaping pot, yet spoonful after ambrosial spoonful later, I find myself scraping the bottom for buried bacon treasure. My bean needs are sated.

Kabokla, C/San Vicente Ferrer, 55 (Metro: Noviciado) Tel: 91 532 59 66. Mon-Fri, 1-4.30pm, SatSun, 2.30-6pm. See www.kabokla.es

¡Pour favor! What to drink this month It’s a surprising fact that Spain allots more of its land to vineyards than any other country. With over 75 classified appellations, wine styles differ. Hundreds of kilometres south of La Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorato lies Jumilla, just 75 km from the Mediterranean: warm weather, dry summers, chalky soil over limestone bedrock; low yields (few berries per vine equals more powerful berries) and widespread use of the native grape monastrell (aka mourvèdre) all contribute to a stylistically distinct region of growing significance in southeastern Spain. There, winemakers swap the subtle elegance of the cooler regions for powerful, fruit-forward vinos tintos. We’ve opened one of Jumilla’s best-known bottles to see what they’ve got. Appearance A deep ruby coloured wine with a bit of violet. It’s very dark but some light still passes through. Aroma It’s intense, fruity and spicy. Smells like blackberry and plum, similar to dark berry preserve. You might find allspice and nutmeg, lightly roasted coffee, fresh cedar, or a slightly chemical scent like leather polish. That last one would be the high level of

Bodegas Juan Gil 2007 Juan Gil DO: Jumilla. 25 days sur lie, 12 mos French oak. 100% Monastrell, 15% ABV. Available from Bodega Santa Cecilia: €9.45

alcohol. However it’s mostly fruit and spice. Taste This wine packs intense flavour, mostly of the same distinctions that appear in the aroma. A smooth blend of ripe blackberries, plums and semi-sweet spices. One might taste vanilla. Structurally the wine is big, powerful, and concentrated, a result of coming from a very low crop yield and spending nearly a month macerating with must and lees, which also explains the robust tannins. There’s nothing light or mild-mannered about this. However its weak point may be balance,

with a lot of flavour up front and an alcohol burn in the back. It’s a good idea to let this breathe for a while. If you can, buy two and put one away, as it should only smooth out over the years. Try it with Rare steaks and flavoursome sauces, or something equally bursting with savour and intensity. Game meats like venison and boar. There aren’t many foods that can match this wine, which is the reason it is such a good pour with the right dish. Try it with something spicy like a curry and watch the wine comfortably stand its ground. It also stands up to almost any cheese. Final thoughts It’s important to have different sets of wine laws in one country to cultivate diversity of style. With Jumilla, we can find unhindered devotion to an oft-overlooked varietal in the country famous for Tempranillo and Garnacha, and one that is not dominated by ageing laws. Twelve months in oak for such a strong wine is by no means excessive, and the vintner is free to pursue a new-world style wine from old world vines, producing a lively, robust red to enjoy for less than €10. ■ THOMAS SPAETH

What? A genuine cosy, cosmopolitan cocktail bar, La Taberna Chica is located just off the Plaza de San Andrés. The walls are adorned with pictures and quotes, and what the bar lacks in width it makes up for in length. The serving bar stretches back into its depths, and if you venture in far enough you might be fortunate to be stuck there all night. See the “drinks” section below for the reason behind “fortunate”. People? Erasmus students, party groups, nights out, madrileños and city visitors. A real mixed crowd. Expect to bump into night owls from Montreal to Montevideo and Copenhagen to Cape Town.

Drinks? Herein lies La Taberna Chica’s enviable strength. The carefully stacked glasses behind the bar will give you a clue, inside which sit mouth-watering fresh fruits—strawberries, oranges, kiwis, pineapple— ready to be clubbed and crushed with a little wooden truncheon by the bar staff. Once made into a pulp, neat spirit is added. Vodka, for example, to strawberries, or rum to the Chinese oranges. The result treads a fine line between being wonderfully healthy, naturally sweet, and excitingly dangerous. The bar boasts an affectionately crafted cocktail menu, offering more than just the now standard mojito or caipiroska. Of course, these crowd favourites can also be found on the carta, but the bartenders offer their own flourishes, twists and interpretations. The strawberry caipirinha is one such standout as well as the seemingly infamous aforementioned Chinese orange concoction. The drinks are prepared as they should be, with intricate and experienced techniques, using local and original ingredients (only authentic Brazilian cachaça, por supuesto!) Just to help with the enjoyment of the cocktails, there’s a cool catalogue of music, from funky to jazz to chillout. Anything else? Three chicas from the north of Spain were out for the night with their madrileña friend when we visited. Esti decided to be spokeswoman, and was happy to give a verdict on the ron con naranjas de la china. “Super-ricas,” she grinned.

(Yes, this ad is upside down on purpose!M)

Oriental tea house Arabic cuisine and cakes –Delicious Couscous– Tues-Sat, evenings: belly dancing Classes: belly dancing Arabic percussion Poetry circle– –P c/Martín de los Heros, 28. Tel: 91 559 57 85

MARCH 2011

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T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

madridscape barrio guide

Lavapiés In the sixth of our guides to the barrios of Madrid, Alexandra Light checks out the wild flavours of multicultural Lavapiés

Where is it? Lavapiés snuggles between Embajadores and the barrio de las Letras. It’s rough boundaries are Calle Atocha to the east, Ronda de Valencia to the south, Calle de Embajadores to the west and Calle de la Magdalena to the north. Four metro stations serve the area— Lavapiés or Embajadores (line 3), and Tirso de Molina or Anton Martín (line 1).

What’s it like? Whilst notorious for its open drug-selling (worry not, it is perfectly normal to leave the metro and be greeted with an offer for hash), gritty Lavapiés is an enormously diverse and artistic area with steep hills, pretty streets and plenty to do. Graffiti is commonplace, no doubt partly due to the area’s previous revolutionary and anti-establishment tendencies. Lavapiés is the most multicultural barrio of Madrid. The name literally means “wash feet”, a reference to the ritual washing of one’s feet before entering a temple. Originally home to the Lavapiés is a web of charming alleys designed to give your calves a good workout Photo: MacKenzie Elmer Jews of the city before their expulsion from the claims that the cuarto de cordero was “the most succulent, amazing, delicious lamb I country in 1492, Lavapiés became a very popular location for squatting during the have ever eaten”. Carnivores might also enjoy La Buga del Lobo (C/Argumosa, 1980s thanks to its neglected, empty apartment blocks. Now, due to a huge influx of 11). This affordable super-funky eatery has an incredible cocido completo on their international immigrants and an artistic and progressive-thinking youth population, it current lunch menu. consists of a wealth of diversity and a dynamic mix of cultures and people. For those with a penchant for spicy food, many of the authentic Indian and Asian House prices restaurants can be found in this corner of town. The restaurants can be basic beyond belief, often just some plastic tables outside a hole in the wall, but the food is worth it. Despite its proximity to the centre, property rental costs are relatively low. However, although once renowned for its cheap housing, prices have soared over recent Free time years, not least because of the bohemian attraction it holds for young people. If you are willing to get cosy with two to three other roommates, renting a room in the area Culture vultures will find plenty to interest them. Housed in the historical Cine Doré, can run as cheap as €250-300 a month; generally, renting a flat will cost between Filmoteca Española (C/Santa Isabel, 3) is one of the cheapest cinemas in Madrid €650-800. and a favourite hangout for film lovers—tickets are only €2.50. The films are always shown in original language versions, which depending on the programme emphasis Best bars can range from English to Bengali. The cinema also houses a coffee shop so you There’s certainly no shortage of bars. Take in a fantastic view of southern Madrid can sip a café con leche whilst browsing the monthly listings. In the summer from the Gaudeamus Café (C/Tribulete, 14), a chic and urban rooftop bar on the months, an outdoor screen means you can enjoy your pick of the films under the UNED building. Sip your drink and enjoy the atmosphere amongst pop-art posters of starlit madrileño sky. If it’s music you’re after, it’s worth trying Sala Juglar Audrey Hepburn and James Bond—art exhibitions and cinema festivals regularly take place there. Also catering to the cool crowd, the Marimba Café (C/Lavapiés, 11) has a personality that changes depending on the music, which vacillates between superchill and funky jazz (along with a smattering of “global” rhythms). Alternatively, step back 100 years to true Castizo Madrid in Café Barbieri (C/Ave Maria, 45). Its intimate atmosphere defines café culture with crowds flocking nightly to enjoy the high quality alcoholic drinks. Heads up: our favourite is The Great Alhambra Reserva Green bottle. Relax amidst the mirrored walls and decadent setting.

Best restaurants Lavapiés is saturated with a diverse range of international restaurants. You can venture to another part of the world with Baobab (C/de los Cabesteros, 1), a Senegalese restaurant with a summer-friendly terrace and authentic, home-cooked Senegalese food. They serve Ceebu jen—a dish of fish, rice and vegetables. It might sound basic but the way in which the food is prepared and home-cooked means it’s bursting with authentic West African flavour. Somewhat ‘secret’ and normally frequented by locals, the rooftop restaurant Casa de Granada (C/Doctor Cortezo, 17) is situated atop an apartment block and offers views of Tirso de Molina’s old-fashioned rose and mustard-coloured buildings. The typically Spanish tapas are delicious; the chopitos platter (four different types of meat, calamari, potatoes and six different sauces all for €8.20) is a winner for feeding a hungry crowd. The menu del día is a reasonable €9 on weekdays and €12 at weekends. Traditionally Spanish and very pleasant, we highly recommend it. For Galician cuisine, there is Restaurante Portomarín (C/de Valencia, 4). A traditional place where paper and olive stones litter the floor, one of InMadrid’s staff

La Tabacalera, where everything is free except the beer

Photo: Aranxa

(C/Lavapiés, 37). A small concert venue with great local bands performing seven days a week, it’s perfect for those seeking less mainstream musical talent. Also housing late-night discotecas, it’s cool-kid central. In the heart of Lavapiés, La Tabacalera (C/Embajadores, 53) was, as its Spanish name suggests, originally a tobacco factory but is now a huge social and art centre. It is a collaborative art space put together with the cooperation of local artists and the Spanish Ministry of Culture. You can take one of many free workshops like bicycle making or Spanish lessons, check out a Senegalese dance concert, or enjoy the artsy atmosphere at night with a drink in the courtyard. Because of the community contribution, everything is free except the beer! Meanwhile, literary types might enjoy La Libre, Librería Café (C/Argumosa, 39). This reasonablypriced coffee shop sells second-hand books in various languages, as well as different teas and coffees (including English tea), cakes and pastries.

Anything else? The Teatro Triangulo (C/Zurita, 20) bills itself as “a meeting point for cultural research and development.” It offers a platform for young artists, providing modern, avant-garde and sometimes surrealist performances. If you have the classic Saturday afternoon dilemma of whether to shop or relax with a drink, at El Tío Vinagre (C/San Carlos, 6) you can do both. Chill out with a copa, listen to great music, and stock up on some cool vintage clothes or handmade broaches that are for sale. The rooftop Guadeamus Café

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Photo (CC) flickr: zumalakarregi

History

Looking for a room or flat? You’ll find it in the accommodation section of The InMadrid classifieds online at

www.in-madrid.com

Photo: MacKenzie Elmer

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MARCH 2011

Month Ahead art

Pi CK

■ TESSA WHITE AND ALEJANDRA SARAGOZA

o’ the month

Laberinto de miradas. Un recorrido por la fotografía documental en Iberoamérica. Antiguo Edificio de Tabacalera C/Embajadores, 53 (Metro: Embajadores). Tue-Fri, 12-2pm, 5-7.30pm; Sat, Sun 11am-2pm, 5-7.30pm. Free. With over 500 photographs that represent social issues in Latin America, this exhibition is presented in Spain for the first time. The project consists of three showcases that have travelled for nearly three years throughout 18 Latin American countries, and is based on the ability of images to evoke thought and escape clichés. With the aim of promoting documentary photography and contributing to the exchange, circulation and strengthening of professional networks, it features the work of 76 individual photographers and their viewpoints regarding social issues. Among the primary themes are the fight against poverty, human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability and cultural diversity. The first exhibition, Identidades y fronteras, realises migration as a constant in the world, while the second, Fricciones y conflictos, looks to show the violence and injustice in society. Finally, Colectivos fotográficos iberoamericanos is a selection of works from the most prominent photographers in Latin America, capuring observations of regional social phenomena, politics and culture. Until 15 May.

crucial years of Poland’s history are on display in Spain for the first time. With textiles, sculptures, photos, books, films, posters, furniture and architectural models, this exhibition presents Polish constructivism as a compelling and comprehensive artistic movement. Until 15 May.

Other galleries A Floating World. The first major retrospective of photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue (18941986) to take place in Spain places particular

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza Po Prado, 8 (Metro: Banco de España). Tel: 91 369 01 51. Tue-Sun, 10am-7pm. General admission €8, students €5.50. Heroínas. In Western art, women are often reduced to one of two models: mother or object of sexual desire. This exhibition depicts women in active roles and highlights the gender identity crisis, covering a broad chronological span from the Renaissance to the present day. The other roles highlighted, in which the female figure has liberated herself from a passive, submissive position in order to become an active subject, include hunting, exercise, war, political power and religion. From 8 Mar until 5 June.

Centro de Arte Reina Sofía Heroínas — Autorretrato con collar de espinas y colibrí

Frida Kahlo

Museo del Prado Po del Prado, s/n (Metro: Atocha). Tel: 91 330 28 00. Tue-Sun, 9am-8pm. General admission €8, students under 25 €4, permanent exhibition free Tue-Sat, 6pm-8pm; Sun, 5pm-8pm. Nerón y Séneca. This award-winning statue by Eduardo Barrón has undergone restoration for the past two years and is now finally on display. It depicts the Cordoban philosopher Seneca instructing Nero while Minerva, the goddess of wisdom floats in the background. Barrón focuses on a dramatic expression of their differences in character, and hints at the unjust fate of the Seneca, who would be accused of treason and forced by the Emperor to commit suicide. Until 24 Sept.

Círculo de Bellas Artes C/Alcalá, 42 (Metro: Sevilla/Banco de España). Tel: 91 360 54 00. Tue-Sat, 11am-2pm, 5-9pm; Sun, 11am-2pm. €1. Un Mundo Construido: Polonia 1918-1939. The most fascinating artistic developments from these

C/Santa Isabel, 52 (Metro: Atocha). Tel: 91 774 10 00. MonSat, 10am-9pm; Tue, closed; Sun, 10am-2.30pm. General admission €6, temporary exhibition €3. Free Mon; Wed-Fri, 79pm; Sat, 2.30-9pm; Sun, 10am-2.30pm. El Deseo Nace del Derrumbe. Roberto Jacoby, the Argentine poet, essayist, sociologist and writer of rock song lyrics, has shown an exceptional capacity for versatility over the course of his career. This exhibition presents his work as one of the first and most important figures in conceptual art. Until 30 May.

emphasis on his view of women in a rapidly changing world. More than two hundred pieces including modern copies, original snapshots taken and developed by himself, as well as cameras, notebooks and diaries explore photography as a tool of memory, as it captures the fragility of existence and the brevity of happiness. CaixaForum, Pº del Prado, 36 (Metro: Atocha). Tel: 91 330 73 00. Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm. Free. From 4 Mar until 19 Jun.

and it forms a tour of the past, present and future of African culture. The show aims to contribute to the knowledge of African cultural diversity so as to promote respect and tolerance between peoples of different cultural and religious traditions. Nearly 200 traditional and contemporary works are on display conveying the historical, social and economic concerns affecting the development of individuals and communities. Teatro Fernán Gómez (Art Centre), s/n Pza. Colón (Metro: Colón) Tel: 91 436 25 40. Tue-Sat, 10am-9pm; Sun, 10am-7pm. Free. Until 1 May.

Yinka Shonibare, MBE. El futuro del pasado. British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, MBE is internationally recognised in contemporary artwork for his use of visual symbols. From the colourful patterns of African fabrics he incorporates in his creations to the elaborate scenes with headless mannequins, his works evoke historical, artistic and cultural references. In the 22 pieces on show, the emphasis is on history, art, literature and theatre to represent the global political climate of our generation. Sala Alcalá 31 (Art Centre), C/Alcalá, 31 (Metro: Sevilla/Banco de España) Tel: 91 720 81 17. Tue-Sat, 11am8.30pm; Sun and 21 Apr, 11am-2pm. Free. Until 15 May.

África. Objetos y Sujetos. African art donated by various artists, collectors and museums in Europe and Africa is the basis of this exhibition, Dysfunctional Family

theatre Tejido Abierto

Director Jorge Eines is doing something quite incredible this month—a play based on texts by the indelibly unusual Samuel Beckett. Among the odd and eerie Beckett stories used as inspiration is the tale of two men and two women who are separately summoned to a meeting at an abandoned train station. Each character brings a suitcase full of the things that they need to survive. With this unique baggage, they are bound to the stage where they become part of a strange and fragmented world. Círculo De Bellas Artes, C/Alcalá, 42 (Metro: Banco de España, Sevilla) Tel. 91 360 54 00. Tickets (entradas.com) 15, or 9 on facebook “La Escuela Interpretacion Jorge Eines”. Tue-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. 22-27 Mar.

The Crucible Madrid’s English-speaking theatre group, the Madrid Players, present Arthur Miller’s 1953 play based on the Salem Witch Trials—a grave and horrifying story that still intrigues and befuddles people today. At the end of the 17th century, a group of God-fearing pilgrims begin their hunt for the witches among them. A group of young girls pretend to be possessed by demons and snicker as they see their female neighbours burned, hung and drowned. Incredibly enough, Miller’s play is an allegory of

dance

■ BY RAVEN KELLER

MARCH 2011

McCarthyism, the period during which the US government blacklisted suspected communists. Instituto Cardenal Cisneros, C/Reyes, 4 (Metro: Plaza de España/Noviciado). Tel. 91 521 63 72. Tickets (www.madridplayers.org) 12. Thur, Fri, 7.30pm; Sat, Sun, 4pm, 7.30pm. 31 Mar (Advanced group bookings only), 1-3 Apr.

Silenciados

Sombras del Mundo “Along came Petruk and it was the first time that we welcomed shadows all winter.” The scruffy young Petruk is travelling the world with an archaic suitcase atop his leery-eyed donkey, Curro. Fortunately, he has allotted himself sufficient time to give madrileños a lesson in shadow puppetry. Shadow Theatre is an ancient Asian art form, using paper cut-outs to cast shadows onto a curtain. The method is simple but incredibly dramatic and, when done well, can convey moving images, humour and a wide range of rich emotions.Teatro Pradillo, C/Pradillo, 12 (Metro: Concha Espina). Tel: 91 416 90 11. Tickets (entradas.com) 8. Sat, 5pm; Sun, 12.30pm. 26-27 Mar.

Yinka Shonibare

■ BY RAVEN KELLER

666 666 imagines the unthinkable—a series of wild, slapstick antics among a group of dirty convicts on death row. Four prisoners arrive for execution; seemingly, they have two options—to slump in despair and await their nasty deaths or live out every bizarre scenario that they can possibly imagine. Somehow these bad boys have access to knives, a guillotine and a myriad of other taboo items. The production is light on dialogue, but heavy on grunts, slaps and stomps. Not recommended for those with a low tolerance for vulgar humour, or for children under 16. Teatro Alfil, C/Pez, 10 (Metro: Noviciado). Tel. 91 521 58 27. Tickets (entradas.com) 24. Tue, 8pm. Until 21 Jun. W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

DT Espacio Escenico approaches the very sensitive, but relevant topic of sexual discrimination this month. Silenciados tells the stories of five individuals who were killed for their sexual preferences and have now been resurrected to share their experiences through dance. In their search for freedom, the pentad of performers find only oppression. The production is accompanied by a poem: “Without freedom there are no decisions. Without decisions there is no blame. Do not disapprove of my silence. It was not I who decided to be silent. There were others who decided to silence me.” DT Espacio Escénico, C/de la Reina, 9 (Metro: Gran Vía). Tel: 91 521 71 55. Tickets (www.dtespacioescenico.com) 10. ThurSat, 8.30pm. 10-26 Mar.

Cartografías de la Danza This eclectic annual Artibus series aims to support all companies, dancers and choreographers. Classical ballet, neoclas-

sical Spanish dance, flamenco, modern and urban styles are employed to tell a number of different stories, such as Irresponsables on 3 March, which sets in motion doubt, guilt, vanity and desire in the “short stories” of people’s lives. The Ballet David Campos presents En clave de jazz: tribute to Gershwin on 6 and 7 March, whilst Barcelona’s Kònic Theatre performs contemporary dance in its production A D’Aigua on the 12 and 13. See www.teatrodemadrid.com for more information on specific shows. Teatro de Madrid, Avenida de la Ilustración, s/n, La Vaguada, (Metro: Barrio del Pilar) Tel: 91 740 52 74. Tickets (entradas.com) 1016. Until 21 Mar.

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music interview

Dry Martina: shaking, stirring and swinging

Tue-Thu 21:00-3:00 Fri-Sat 21:00-3:30

Pool Tables

A mix of styles and foot-tapping rhythms lead Chelsea Mooney to chat with Laura Insausti, lead singer with Malagueño group Dry Martina, on the release of their first single

Photo: Jesus Chacon

inger and songwriter, Laura Insausti was enjoying a sunset on the coast of Cádiz and drinking martinis with olives when inspiration struck for her band name. “I told my friends about my new project and someone, between jokes, came up with the name Dry Martina. The next day, in the sorrow of a headache, it seemed like a very good idea,” Insausti says. The concept behind Dry Martina is to revamp and fuse different types of music to create a unique sound. There are hints of everything from Motown, jazz, funk and swing to 50s rock’n’ roll and pop; the mix has been dubbed by some as retropop. Their first single Musarañas (roughly translated as Daydreams) has a distinct “swing” sound, combining trombone, double bass and guitars, but Insausti says that swing is an influence more than a focus. “What we have learned as music listeners has led us to this underlying style [swing]. We began listening—and thus composing—90s pop-rock music, and in each pro-

they are still working together—he plays guitar for Dry Martina, along with Jaime Fernandez (trombone/vocals), Gerard Mases (double bass), Javier Forero (drums) and Ricky Vivar (guitar/vocals). In 1998, Laura was part of an English rock-pop band called Duty Free, which received acknowledgment and awards in Spain. After that, she was involved with groups such as Free Soul Band, which used to sing covers to bring back the best of soul and funk, and Miss Moneypenny, an electric-rock group in which she performed with three other girls and also wrote songs. These different experiences in various music genres have only helped the development and progress of Dry Martina. The mixture of methods doesn’t stop with their music. The video for Musarañas is an unusual combination of techniques, created by Daniel Etura of Elephant Studio. Instead of the band performing in a realistic setting, Insausti and company escape reality by singing and dancing on the front of various vintage magazine and album covers, peppered with curious blurbs and headlines. A large hand swoops in to change the titles, thereby transporting the musicians to a new image. Some covers provide a way to creatively display names or information—on one Insausti is seen singing and dancing enthusiastically next to the title Twist All Day, whilst on another the whole group is featured playing their instruments under the words Dry Martina Swing to You. The images and wordplays are plentiful, and are ideal for representing the catchy and fun rhythms incorporated in the song.

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Ventura de la Vega, 4 (In front of “las Cortes”) Tel: 91 429 50 92 Tres Cruces, 4 (Metro: Sol) Tel: 91 521 87 21

Staying focused The group were faced with a lot of challenges before reaching the brink of a new album. Their current output has been described as “the rhythm of swing, the feeling of soul and the coolness of pop”. “We have been playing in dive bars for many years,” explains Insausti, “We have recorded demos. But to record an album is a serious thing. To go in front of a camera for a video clip or photos, it scares the life out of anyone. And it takes a lot of courage to go out and play before a new audience.” In the past, they’ve had the opportunity to play in incredible places, including ships, caves, rooftops and even in bars that they quickly and surprisingly discovered were strip clubs. Dry Martina have also toured in Morocco and had the unusual opportunity to open for Boney M. According to Insausti, their experiences on ships amidst occasionally wonderful, yet sometimes wild weather, are definitely some of the most memorable. Photo: Jesus Chacon

ject we have gone back several decades, depending on the music that we are passionate about at that moment. Now you can find all of the influences in our music, not in an absolute form but mixed, because we want to have our own sound.” Swing may be more noticeable than the other influences because it is the newest style Dry Martina have incorporated.

Group therapy Insausti has come a long way since she began singing in children’s summer camps. Her brother, Rafa, encouraged her to pursue her musical talents, and T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

More to come The album is due to be released this year and four songs from the production plus the Musarañas video can be found on their website, www.drymartina.com, along with tour dates. Insausti hopes that the success of Dry Martina continues to grow in the future. “We want to have a place in the Spanish musical world, to record more songs. We hope that people come to the concerts and that they have a good time with us. We want to perform and to perform a lot, and we want to continue to have great experiences.” To get in the swing and experience the sound, you can catch them at La Boca de Lobo in Madrid on 31 March. W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

BRITISH DENTAL SURGEON

Dr. Ian Daniel B.D.S. (Univ. Bristol) And the team of highly trained dental healthcare professionals provide optimal care for people of all age groups. The modern philosophy of prevention is an integral part of all treatments. Specialists in: General dental care. Orthodontics (P.O.S, U.S.A). Maxillofacial surgery and implants.

CLINICA DENTAL CISNE Magallanes 18, 1º (Metro: Quevedo), Madrid 28015. Tel: 91 446 32 21, Emergency tel: 661 85 71 70 MARCH 2011

for the record

Russell Parton gets out his olives and tells us what we should, or shouldn’t, be listening to

PJ Harvey Let England Shake Universal PJ Harvey’s eighth studio album is her boldest and most ambitious to date. Recorded live in a church in Dorset, Let England Shake is a serious and profound portrait of a country built on war and bloodshed. The album explores the singer-songwriter’s complex feelings of disappointment, love and pride in her country, and it does so poetically and with an historical scope that shows that the horror of war is timeless. The first line of “The Last Living Rose” sets a grisly, parodic tone—“Goddamn Europeans! Take me back to England,” but not to those green and pleasant lands but rather to “the grey, damp filthiness of ages.” Bandmate John Parish sings “The Colour of the Earth”, a first person account of a fighter in the trenches whose friend is killed before him, whilst “In the Dark Places” is a funeral dirge. “The Glorious Land” parodies a marching song with a mockingly out of time trumpet call leading troops into battle. This is no barrel of laughs, but Let England Shake balances the intellectual weight of its subject matter with melodic songs that draw you in. And as the sampled reggae refrain “Let it burn, burn, burn” plays “Written on the Forehead” out, you realise that an apocalyptic message has been twisted into something strangely and defiantly joyful.

French Horn Rebellion The Infinite Music of French Horn Rebellion Mushroom Pillow As far as claims go, using the word “infinite” to describe your music is a bold one, and New York duo French Horn Rebellion don’t quite pull it off with their debut album, The Infinite Music of French Horn Rebellion. It’s a quirky mix of melodic synth-pop and ironic soulboy stylings—playful one moment, dark and experimental the next. This sense of fun serves the group best, along with an ability to fashion fizzy dancefloor fillers like the infinitely catchy “Body Electric”, the feverishly synthy “Up All Night”, or potential new disco anthem “This Moment”. However, there’s little coherence to the album’s fourteen tracks. Nondescript instrumentals like “New Florida” and “Antarctica” sabotage the good natured vim of it all and will have you reaching for the skip button for the next bouncy good time number. There’s a lot of potential on show, and some outstanding individual tracks, but as an album it’s meanderingly inconsistent and ultimately flawed.

Havalina Las Hojas Secas Origami Records “Son la hostia, y si son de aqui”, parps the press release for Las Hojas Secas, Havalina’s sixth full length LP. It was difficult to share the enthusiasm on hearing the first few bars of album opener, “Desierto”. Post-punk ambient noise— check; guitar menace—check. Suddenly I was transported back to my teenage years with memories of school metal bands, complete with guitarists hunched over the instruments they wore around their knees. Cue the entrance of Manuel Cabezali’s velvety smooth vocals sitting atop the melee, fragile and raw with the Spanish lyrics almost sick from lovelorn desire, and I knew I should have left my cynicism at the door. “Dejame colarme esta noche en tu jaula” he sings on “Tu Ciudad”, a kernel of nineties distorted guitar absorbed by a slow swagger and irresistibly melodic chorus that will find you, intentionally or not, donning your head like a true rocker. But once the melodies tail off during the album’s latter stages, there’s little to distract from the band’s otherwise limited musical palette. The plodding majesty and emotional potency subsides and you’re left with longwinded ‘epics’ like “Mordiente” and “Por La Noche”. A mixed bag.

James Blake James Blake Polydor Don’t let the resemblance 22-year-old Londoner James Blake bears to UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg cloud your judgment of the starlet’s self-titled debut LP. It’s a subtle beast of an album not easily pigeonholed—a futuristic sound grounded in classic R&B and soul. Last year Blake was raising eyebrows as a dubstep DJ and producer. Now, instead of making our pants shake with bass, he uses space and silence to create a sense of emotional weight. He builds on simple compositions, often with a single line of melody, using sequencers, vocoders and drum machines to bend them—Uri Geller style—into something unique. Standout track “Limit To Your Love”, a stunning reworking of Feist’s weepy piano ballad complete with pitch-shifting distortions and a whiff of sub-bass, is the nearest the album gets to a traditional “song”. The rest of it is more challenging—not least the overlapping vocals and wonky gospel harmonies of “Measurements” or the pulsating beat and helium vocals of “To Care (Like You)”.

MARCH 2011

concerts ■ BY OLIVIA WATERS

Check out the Roller Disco on the patio of La Casa Encendida from 10-13 Mar. Five invited DJs from the Lovemonk label await. See lacasaencendida.es

Christina Rosenvinge

Roger Waters Fri 25 & Sat 26 Mar Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid, C/Jorge Juan, 99 Tel: 91 401 91 04. (Metro: Goya/O’Donnell). www.palaciodedeportes.com. 50 from www.ticketmaster.es With giant posters announcing the arrival of Roger Waters and The Wall Live tour being plastered all over Madrid for about the past year, it would have been hard to miss the fact that one of 20th Century music’s greatest talents is coming to town. As part of what has been called one of the most ambitious and complex rock shows ever staged, The Wall Live tour promises all of the original Pink Floyd’s psychedelic lighting and sound effects. Catch Waters on 25 and 26 March at the Palacio de Deportes—not to be be missed! Photo (CC) flickr: diago oliva

Fri 4 Mar Joy Eslava, C/Arenal, 11 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 366 37 33. www.joy-eslava.com. 15 from www.ticketmaster.es A regular around these parts, Madrid-born Christina Rosenvinge is perhaps better known as a member of the 90s Spanish group Christina y Los Subterráneos. With the help of Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo she embarked on a solo career in 1997, before relocating to New York two years later. However, having recently collaborated with Nacho Vegas, she is back on European soil with her 2011 release La Joven Dolores and will be playing at Joy at the beginning of March. Photo (CC) flickr: alterna2

Joan as Police Woman

Slayer & Megadeath

Fri 11 Mar Joy Eslava, C/Arenal, 11 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 366 37 33. www.joy-eslava.com. 20 from www.ticketmaster.es Joan as Police Woman is Joan Wasser, a 40-year-old singer-songwriter and violinist whose third studio album The Deep Field was released this January. Although an impressive performer in her own right, Wasser is perhaps better known for her collaborations with some of music’s biggest talents, having worked with Rufus Wainwright, Lou Reed, the Guillemots and Photo (CC) flickr: macskapocs Antony and the Johnsons just to name-drop a few. Although not a household name, her unique style is gaining recognition in the indie music world— make the effort to get to Joy on the 11th to check her out.

Mon 28 Mar La Riviera, P° Bajo de La Virgen, s/n (Metro: Puerta del Ángel/Príncipe Pio). Tel: 91 365 24 15. www.salariviera.com. 42 from www.ticketmaster.es Actually two different Californian thrash metal bands who have come together for a couple of special European dates, Slayer and Megadeth were both formed in the early eighties. Proudly aligning Photo (CC) flickr: aresauburn themselves with the likes of Anthrax and hugely popular Metallica as members of the Big Four of Thrash, the two groups are better known in the USA but have joined forces once again for the European Carnage Tour in March and April. Catch them at La Riviera on the 28th.

booking ahead Adele Sat 2 Apr, Sala Caracol, C/Bernardino Obregón, 18 (Metro: Embajadores). Tel: 91 528 54 71. www.salacaracol.com. 25 from www.ticketmaster.es Justin Bieber Tue 5 Apr, Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid, C/Jorge Juan, 99 Tel: 91 401 91 04. (Metro: Goya/O’Donnell). www.palaciodedeportes.com. 40 from www.ticketmaster.es Shout Out Louds Thur 7 Apr, Sala Heineken,

live listings BY OLIVIA WATERS Rock/pop CLAMORES, c/Alburquerque 14, (Metro: Bilbao). Tel. 91 445 79 38. www.salaclamores.com 1 Mar: Flavio Rodrígues 2 Mar: Troublemakers 3 Mar: Gastelo 4 Mar: Wau y Los Arrrghs!! 5 Mar: Being Sur 6 Mar: Lola Montenegro 7 Mar: Ilda Fava In Memorian 8 Mar: La Jam de Camilo 9 Mar: Litus 10 Mar: No Band for Lluvia 11 Mar: Madri Popfest 12 Mar: Madri Popfest 13 Mar: SoúlJazz 14 Mar: Lunes Alverso 15 Mar: Eva Cortés 16 Mar: Kamilya Jubran 17 Mar: Angel Petisme y los Hijos del Cierzo 18 Mar: Pedro Iturralde Quartet 19 Mar: Pedro Iturralde Quartet 20 Mar: D`Callaos 21 Mar: Carme Canela 22 Mar: Jazznosune 23 Mar: De Perdi2….Alpuente 24 Mar: Jaime Anglada 25 Mar: El Septeto Santiaguero 26 Mar: Los Cobardes 27 Mar: Wallace Rooney Quintet 28 Mar: Pepín Tree 29 Mar: Music Maker Blues Revue 30 Mar: Music Maker Blues Revue 31 Mar: Music Maker Blues Revue

COSTELLO CLUB, c/Caballero de Gracia, 10 (Metro: Gran Vía). Tel: 91 522 18 15. www.costelloclub.com 3 Mar: Sesiones Indiegenas 4 Mar: Contacto en Francia 4 Mar: Basico Permanente + Sonograma

C/Princesa, 1 (Metro: Plaza de España). Tel: 91 547 57 11. www.salaheineken.com. 18 from www.ticktackticket.com. Manowar Sun 10 Apr, La Riviera, P° Bajo de La Virgen, s/n (Metro: Puerta del Ángel/Príncipe Pio). Tel: 91 365 24 15. www.salariviera.com. 39 from www.ticketmaster.es Deerhunter Thur 14 Apr, La Riviera, P° Bajo de La Virgen, s/n (Metro: Puerta del Ángel/Príncipe Pio). Tel: 91 365 24 15. www.salariviera.com. 25 from www.ticketmaster.es Angus & Julia Stone Sun 25 Apr, Ramdall, C/Ferraz, 38

10 Mar: Maria Villalon 12 Mar: Chin Yi + The Adepts 17 Mar: Rick Brendan 18 Mar: Homenaje a Buenas Noches Rose con Estrichina 19 Mar: Jaime Anglada 24 Mar: Benavente in Memoriam con los Nastys 25 Mar: Against the Odds 26 Mar: Perro Flaco 24 Mar: Festival Ellas Crean con Coffee & Wine 31 Mar: Suite

EL HEBE, c/de Tomás Garcia, 5, (Metro: Puente de Vallecas). www.hebe-vk.com 11 Mar: Blue Identity ( 5 with cerveza)

GALILEO, c/Galileo 100, (Metro: Islas Filipinas). Tel: 91 534 75 58. www.salagalileogalilei.com 1 Mar: Marieta Kohn 2 Mar: Al Andaluz Project 3 Mar: Susheela Raman 4 Mar: 5 Mar: Sly Jo Hnson 6 Mar: 3rd Festival de Alkasaba 8 Mar: Bimba Bose & The Cabrioles + Vilma y Los Señores 9 Mar: Diego Martin 10 Mar: Ndono Herencia 11 Mar: Aljibe 12 Mar: Odaliisca 13 Mar: Sarasvati Danza 14 Mar: Danays Bautista 15 Mar: Mujeres Frontera 16 Mar: Mamadou Diabate 17 Mar: Mabu 18 Mar: Carlos Chaouen 19 Mar: Javier Krahe 20 Mar: Gala Solista Orient Express 21 Mar: Marwan + Andres Suarez y Luis Ramiro 22 Mar: Ilustres Ignorantes 23 Mar: Emite Poquito + Romero Castillo & Bastante 24 Mar: Javier Ruibal 25 Mar: Antilopez 25 Mar: Joaquin Reyes y Ernesto Sevilla 26 Mar: Num9

W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

27 Mar: Gala Solista 2011 de Gloria Alba 28 Mar: Festival para el Sahara 29 Mar: Pedro Ojesto Flamenco Jazz Company 30 Mar: Roi Casal

GRUTA 77, c/Cuclillo, 6 (Metro: Oporto). Tel: 91 471 23 70. www.gruta77.com 2 Mar: Le Pork –Epic + Mukava + Leequid 3 Mar: baby Woodrose 4 Mar: Desechos 5 Mar: Eureka + Noiah + Cero Negativo 10 Mar: Germenes 11 Mar: Sham 69 17 Mar: Bad Co. Project + Suzio 13 20 Mar: Latigos Calientes + Motel Crash 24 Mar: The Kids 25 Mar: Bodega Bodega + Comando Kachimba 26 Mar: Franky Med & The Gardeners + Laura More 27 Mar: La Taberna de Platon

JOY ESLAVA, c/Arenal, 11 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 366 37 33. www.joy-eslava.com 3 Mar: Taxi Fin de Gira 4 Mar: Christina Rosenvinge 11 Mar: Joan As Police Woman 12 Mar: Luis Ramiro 16 Mar: Judith Mateo 17 Mar: Kiko Veneno 19 Mar: Txarrena 23 Mar: La Sonrisa de Julia 24 Mar: Nacho Vegas 25 Mar: Nacho Vegas 26 Mar: Moe Club Music 11 31 Mar: The Go! Team

MOBY DICK, Avda. del Brasil, 5 (Metro: Santiago Bernabéu). Tel: 91 555 76 71. www.mobydickclub.com 12 Mar: Boat Beam

PALACIO DE DEPORTES DE LA COMUNIDAD DE

Tel: 91 435 85 08. www.salaramdall.com. 22 from www.ticketmaster.es The Human League Thur 5 May, Circo Teatro Price, Ronda de Atocha 35, (Metro Embajadores). www.teatrocircoprice.es. 20 from www.ticketmaster.es McFly Sat 7 May, Palacio Vistalegre, C/de Utebo 1, (Metro: Vistaleagre). Tel. 91 563 94 93. www.palaciovistalegre.com. 26.50 from www.ticketmaster.es The Wombats Sun 22 May, Joy Eslava, C/Arenal, 8 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 366 54 39. www.joy-eslava.com. 20 from www.ticketmaster.es

MADRID, c/Jorge Juan, 99 (Metro: Goya/O Donnell). Tel. 91 401 91 04. www.palaciodedeportes.com 19 Mar: Taylor Swift 25 Mar: Roger Waters 26 Mar: Roger Waters

LA RIVIERA, P° Bajo de La Virgen, s/n (Metro: Puerta del Ángel/Príncipe Pio). Tel: 91 365 24 15. www.salariviera.com 11 Mar: Rise Against 12 Mar: Sonanta Arctica 18 Mar: Beady Eye 24 Mar: Camila 26 Mar: Rulo y la Contrabanda 28 Mar: Slayer + Megadeth 30 Mar: Asian Dub Foundation

LEMON, c/Concepción Jerónima, 4 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 429 57 66. 5 Mar: La Mala Razza 11 Mar: Cesar & Parker 12 Mar: Jaula de Grillos 18 Mar: Chorro de Leche 19 Mar: Nómadas 26 Mar: Kenny Bell

SALA HEINEKEN, c/Princesa, 1 (Metro: Plaza de España). Tel: 91 547 57 11. www.salaheineken.com 3 Mar: Nolasco 4 Mar: Imperial State Electric 5 Mar: And One 6 Mar: Concierto Rumbo a Gaza 10 Mar: Dinero 11 Mar: Walden Uno 12 Mar: Def Con Dos 16 Mar: White Lies 17 Mar: Rage 18 Mar: Ras Kuko & Friends 19 Mar: Sodom 22 Mar: Cut Copy 25 Mar: Emeterians 27 Mar: Feeder

SALA SIROCO, c/San Dimas,

3 (Metro: Noviciado). Tel: 91 523 01 74. www.siroco.es 3 Mar: Blueskank 4 Mar: Greenwhales + Todoesponerse 5 Mar: Candymen + Cordura + Love Division 10 Mar: Yacunde 11 Mar: Fiesta Enlace Funk 12 Mar: Tigre + Somos Señoritas + Tropical Mifflin DJs 17 Mar: Entrepapeles 18 Mar: Fiesta Retumbarama 19 Mar: Martynez + June Mack 24 Mar: The Brassass 25 Mar: Ellas Crean 2011: Gatonieve 26 Mar: Soho + Los Malos

SALA YASTA, c/Valverde, 10 (Metro: Gran Vía). www.yastaclub.net 4 Mar: La Habitación Roja 11 Mar: French Horn Rebellion 18 Mar: Beady Eye Aftershow – Paul Gallagher DJ Set 25 Mar: Gran Hart + Dani Llamas

WURLITZER BALLROOM, c/Tres Cruces, 12 (Metro: Gran Vía). www.wurlitzerballroom.com 24 Mar: Blue Identity

Flamenco LAS TABLAS Plaza de España, 9 (Metro: Plaza de España). Tel: 91 542 05 20. www.lastablasmadrid.com CARDAMOMO C/Echegaray, 15 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 369 07 57. www.cardamomo.es CASA PATAS C/ Cañizares, 10 (Metro: Antón Martín). Tel: 91 369 04 96. www.casapatas.com

Celtic/folk Finbars. Tel: 91 548 37 93 The Irish Rover. Tel: 91 597 48 11 Taberna Elisa. Tel: 91 369 74 263

T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

We do our best to keep these listings up to date but clubs come and go so if you see anything incorrect in here, please let us know by sending an email to editor@inmadrid.com. You’ll automatically be entered in a draw to win a free pair of cinema tickets

nightlife

■ COMPILED BY MACKENZIE ELMER

dance & mixed CLUB COLORS, Laydown, Plaza de los Mostenses, 9 (Plaza de España). First & third Fri of the month, 12.30am3am. www.myspace.com/clubcolors Dance, sit, or even lie down while listening to the beats inspired by different electronic and dance genres at this “sexy groove session”.

: Cheap,

NEU!CLUB, Sala Galileo Galilei, c/Galileo, 100 (Islas Filipinas). Sat 9.30pm-5.30am. myspace.com/neuclub. Electronica, bluegrass, Motown, 60s, rock and pop during the musical, cultural and audiovisual nights, plus live music and DJ sessions. €€ OCHO Y MEDIO, c/Mesonero Romanos, 13, corner of Gran Vía, 34 (Callao). Fri 1-6am.

Masquerade Carnaval @ Circulo de Bellas Artes

Nightlife Spotlight

C/Alcalá, 42 (Metro: Banco de España), Sat 5 Mar, from 10.30pm. www.circulobellasartes.com. The Circulo de Bellas Artes in downtown Madrid will once again host its fabulous masquerade bash. The theme this year is “El Hortelano,” named after an artistic counterculture movement during the post-Franco era. The night is a two-part event, beginning with the “Disguise Competition” at 11:00pm (participants in the competition must pre-register). At the stroke of midnight the winner will be announced, and an almost seven hour long dance party begins featuring six different DJ events in two of the beautiful ballrooms of the Circulo. Presenting music genres for every age with pop and soul artists, to the music of Cole Porter and Frank Sinatra, to Afrobeats from Photo (CC) flickr: corinne_day Floro DJ. Don a disguise and help celebrate a glorious madrileño tradition dating back to 1891. Buy tickets online through Bellas Artes website: 40, various discounts available. COPOLACLUB, c/San Hermenegildo, 7 (San Bernardo/Noviciado). Wed-Sun 11pm-3.30am. www.copolaclub.com Funky disco-bar with jazz, soul, pop and chilled house upstairs and electronica and techno downstairs. Test out your DJ skills on weeknights. € FOROCIO.COM FIESTA DE INTERCAMBIO, Sala Torero, c/Cruz, 26 (Sevilla). Wed. www.forocio.com. Meet people from all over the world at this awesome international party. € JOY ESLAVA, c/Arenal, 11 (Sol). Daily 11.30pm-6am. www.joy-eslava.com. Hosting lots of guest bands and DJs, Joy attracts a mixed crowd who get all dolled up to dance to an eclectic mix of music. €€ KAPITAL, c/Atocha, 125 (Atocha). Thur-Sat midnight-6am. Over-the-top seven-floor macro-club playing everything from house to hip hop to Spanish pop. €€€

T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

myspace.com/ochoymedio. Popular night featuring electrodisco, bastard-pop, punk-rock, new wave and post-punk. €€ OUI MADRID, c/Jorge Juan, 99 (Goya). Thur-Sat midnight3am. www.ouimad.com. Start the night off right at this chic restaurant which turns into a nightclub around midnight. Take the elevator to the top floor and dive into the crush of people. Don’t forget to dress to the nines! €€€ PACHA, c/Barcelo, 11 (Tribunal). Thur-Sat midnight-6am. www.pacha-madrid.com. Ultra-classy Pacha, a major force in Madrid since the 80s, now plays house, hip hop and commercial music on three floors. Worth a try, but leave those Converse at home! €€€ REINA BRUJA, c/Jacometrezo, 6 (Callao/Santo Domingo). Fri-Sat 11pm-5.30am. www.reinabruja.com. Well-mixed, popular hip hop and R&B for the fashionable youth of Madrid. €€ YA’STA, c/Valverde, 10 (Gran Vía). Thur-Sat midnight-6am.

: A bit more pricey,

: Damn! That’s expensive!

www.yastaclub.net. Thursdays are jazz, funk and soul, Fridays are dirty rock and electro, and Saturdays are techno and psychedelic trance. Talk about a complete weekend! €€

indie pop & rock ESPIRAL POP, c/San Andrés, 23 (Tribunal/Bilbao). WedSun 11pm-3am. myspace.com/espiralpop. Pop and electro pop at this funky café with featured DJs. € INDEPENDANCE CLUB, c/Santa Engracia, 26 (Alonso Martínez). Thur-Fri-Sat midnight-6am. www.independanceclub.com. Enjoy popular, danceable indie-pop and rock at this excellent indie club. Email info@independanceclub.com with your full name, number of people and day attending for free entry! € SALA TABOO, c/San Vicente Ferrer, 23 (Tribunal). ThurSat 11pm-5.30am. www.taboo-madrid.com. Hosting both concerts and DJs, this Malasaña venue has it all, from funky electronica to punk-rock to trip-hop by upcoming artists. Watch out for its indie night, Dots Club, on Thursdays. €€ TRANSMISSION CLUB, Sala Star Studio 54, Plaza del Carmen, 3, lower floor (Sol). Fri 11pm-3am. myspace.com/transmission_club. Here’s a bar with a heavy musical focus, even mixing up the styles—post-punk, gothic, 80s and more—depending on the night. € TUPPERWARE, c/Corredera Alto de San Pablo, 26 (Tribunal). Wed-Sun 10pm-3am. myspace.com/tupperwarebar. Superkitsch design and an indie-pop vibe that gets everyone dancing. € WILD THING BAR, c/Martín Machio, 2 (corner Padre Claret) (Alfonso XIII). Sun-Thur 9pm-close, Fri-Sat 10pmclose. www.wildthing.es. DJs rock this artsy bar with 90s and indie greats every night of the week. Make sure you take advantage of its happy hour on Thursdays from 9pm to 1am, when beers are only €2! €

electro, house, techno & drum’n’bass CAPOTE, c/Santa Teresa, 3 (Alonso Martínez). Tues-Sat 10pm-5am. This little gem of a bar puts on a good show with resident DJs Timo and Roberto Jean. Enjoy some tasty house music to whet your appetite. €€ CASSETTE CLUB, Sala Boite, c/Tetuan, 27 (Sol). Sun midnight-6am. myspace.com/clubcassette. Electro to help ease you into the working week with a smile on your face. A cool night for a cool crowd. €€ DARK HOLE, Sala Flamingo, c/Mesonero Romanos, 13 (Callao/Gran Vía). Sat 1-6am. myspace.com/darkholegothicclub. Madrid’s unofficial gothic headquarters. Listen to dark ambient, electro and goth music until dawn. €€ DOMINION CLUB, Sala Jala Jala, c/la Puebla, 6 (Callao/Gran Vía). Fri 10.30pm-3am. www.myspace.com/dominionclubmadrid DJs Fran Raven and guests spin a dark mix of EBM, dark electro, synth pop, industrial electro and future pop. FREE

W W W. I N - M A D R I D . C O M

DU:OM, Sala Heineken, c/Princesa, 1 (Plaza de España). Fri-Sat midnight-6am. www.duomclub.com. Dress to impress and dance the night away to house and progressive house provided by some truly talented DJs: Hugo Serra, Iván Pica and Pombo. €€€ ELIXIR, Changó, c/Luchana (corner of Covarrubias) (Iglesia/Bilbao). Sat midnight-6am. A classy venue with goodlooking people, hot go-gos, decadent design and dance music till dawn. €€€ LOW CLUB, Sala Pirandello 1, c/Princesa, 3 (Plaza de España). Fri-Sat midnight-6am. www.intromusica.com. Spend your weekends dancing away to resident and international DJs spinning the latest electro and techno beats. €€€ MOMA 56, c/José Abascal, 56 (Gregorio Marañon). WedSat midnight-6am. www.moma56.com. Dance to resident DJ Koke’s tunes at this disco bar. €€ MONDO, Sala Stella, c/Arlabán, 7 (Sevilla). Thur-Sat 0.306am. www.web-mondo.com. Funk and electronica feature in this fantastic venue located smack dab in the centre of town. Fridays lean more towards house, techno and electro under the night’s pseudonym, The Room. This is a place you night-owls won’t want to miss! €€ OHM, Plaza Callao, 4 (Callao). Fri-Sat midnight-6am. myspace.com/ohmclub. Great house DJs, great people and a great vibe. And don’t miss Weekend on Sundays, which features funky house. €€ 69 PÉTALOS, Avda Alberto de Alcocer, 32 (Cuzco/Colombia). Fri 11pm-6am. www.grupo69petalos.com With a shake-up of funk, RnB and popular house, plus cabaret, ludicrous outfits and general debauchery, the totally fabulous 69 Pétalos will leave you begging for more. €€ SUPERKLUB, Sala COOL, Isabel la Católica, 6 (Santo Domingo). Sun midnight-6am. Sunday evenings just got better than ever, with Superklub spilling non-stop house music into your Monday morning as if the weekend was never going to end. €€€ TWIST CLUB, @ Sala Pirandello, c/ Martin de los Heros 14 (Plaza de España) With the new year, a new chapter unfolds for Twist Club, Madrid´s N*1 weekly drum&bass night: the club moves to a new venue, still in the centre of Madrid though with more capacity and a bigger sound-system! The music policy stays true to its roots, with a selection of (inter) national dj’s playing across the full dnb spectrum. €€

reggae, funk, jazz & world music BERLÍN CABARET, c/Costanilla de San Pedro, 11. Mon, Tue, Wed: shows 1.30am; Thur: shows 1.30am & 3.30am; Fri, Sat: shows 1.30am, 2.30am & 3.30am. www.berlincabaret.com Located in La Latina, Berlín Cabaret attracts a diverse audience spilling out from the many bars in the area. It offers a lively, funky atmosphere with eclectic music ranging from the Jackson 5 to “La Lambada” and live cabaret shows, such as Psicosis Gonsales and In Drag. €€ LA BOCA DEL LOBO, c/Echegaray, 11 (Sevilla). Wed-Sat 10.30pm-3.30am. www.labocadellobo.com Rock, funk, electronic jazz and rare groove served up four nights a week, plus live music. €€ COSTELLO, c/Caballero de Gracia, 10 (Gran Vía). Daily 6pm-3am. www.costelloclub.com. Everything from funk and electronic jazz to pop, rare groove and rock music. €€

EL JUGLAR, c/Lavapiés, 37 (Lavapiés). Daily midnight3am. www.salajuglar.com. Get your daily dose of funk, house, reggae and breaks at this neighbourhood hotspot. € EL JUNCO, Plaza Santa Bárbara, 10 (Alonso Martínez). Daily 11pm-6am. www.eljunco.com. Late-night funk and electronic jazz. €€ MARULA CAFÉ, c/Caños Viejos, 3 (La Latina). Daily 10.30pm-6am. www.marulacafe.com. Come and get your funk on at the palace of funk, also known as Marula Café. € SWEET FUNK CLUB, c/Doctor Cortezo, 1 (Sol/Tirso de Molina). Thur-Sat midnight-6am. sweetfunkclub.com. Feel free to get a little dirty at this hip-hop club near Sol. €

special nights Carnaval Electrónico Audiovisual @ Pabellón Satélite Arena, Casa de Campo (Metro: Lago), Sat 5 Mar, from 9pm to 6am. www.recmadrid.com/ If masquerading (see Nightlife Spotlight) is not for you, then on the same night you can not only mix beats, but mix mediums at Madrid’s 6th annual audio-visual electronica festival, REC, held at the Pabellón Satélite Arena de la Casa de Campo. Eight headlining DJs mix rhythms and artistic mediums for a futuristic thrill of a night. At ten o’clock, German electropop legend Karl Bartos will present AUDIOVISION, a juxtaposition of static sounds and cinematography. Be sure and stay until the early hours for Daniel Cantero’s incredibly strange Audiometrage, a mad music-scientist who fashions fluorescent beats using a computer based, touch-screen instrument—this promises to be an intergalactic clubbing experience that will stimulate the cerebral. Free entrance. GOA Manga Carnaval @ FABRIK, (Cercanías: Fuenlabrada), Sun 6 Mar, from 1pm. www.grupokapital.com/fabrik/ This month, one of Madrid’s hottest clubs showcases Goa Electronic Parties, Manga-style. Dress-up like your favourite Manga character or simply embellish your wardrobe with something extraordinary. Feeling sheepish? Club FABRIK is fully equipped with 15 bars and multiple dance floors to wash away the nerves. The DJ line-up is bursting at the seams with fifteen different artists including the Canary Islands’ Javier Carballo and Indie-house specialist Phonique. British DJ John Digweed will charge the Main Room with a four-hour set of techno-static, making Madrid the fifth stop on his European tour. Grab a bottle of coloured hair dye and suit-up for Mangamania! Order tickets through their website, €30. CARHARTT presents C.A.L.O.R. @ The Fame, c/Doctor Cortezo, 1 (Metro: Sol), Thurs 17 Mar, from 10:30pm. www.thefame.es If you’re looking for an indoor alternative to bar hopping, escape Madrid’s chilly streets for an electronica heatstroke when CARHARTT presents C.A.L.O.R. Full charts from Spain’s hottest DJs like thick beat-dropping Mwëslee, the Galician who melds hip-hop and electronic into a quintessence of sound. Stick around for BFlecha who boasts “synthetic pop” and eclectic cosmic mixes. Check out his MySpace page for an extreme remix of Lil’Wayne’s “You”. There’s also K **O (pronounced Kigo), who specalises in UK sounds and has hit floors in London, Moscow, and Paris. Go and break a sweat at C.A.L.O.R. Entrance plus drink, €15.

MARCH 2011

moviereviews

Gabrielle Easter previews the big-screen releases heading to Madrid this month

Tomorrow, When the War Began (Mañana, cuando la guerra empiece)

■ BY NICK FUNNELL

Any young adult from Australia will be familiar with John Marsden’s Tomorrow, When the War Began book series released throughout the nineties. But for all those nonAustralians out there without knowledge of the novels, the film is just as enjoyable and entertaining. Seven high school friends, conveniently multicultural and encompassing all the classic stereotypes, come back from a camping trip in the bush to find that their hometown has been invaded and their country is in the midst of a war. In an attempt to fight back against the invaders and save their families, the teenagers band together to form an inexperienced guerrilla-style army and are soon faced with the realities of a violent conflict. With a relatively unknown cast and lesser-known director Stuart Beattie, Tomorrow, When the War Began isn’t flawless— it doesn’t sway too far from the source material, but the corny script and Never let me go less-than-subtle racial stereotyping detract from the actionpacked and engaging storyline. Nevertheless, for a film that engrossed, but it is an exceptional film from director Mark lacks big names and established crew members, there is a Romanek. Out 11 March good mix of drama, humour and excitement—enough to entertain any young adult, regardless of having read, or heard of, the The Dilemma (¡Qué dilema!) books. This has all the hallmarks of becoming a series, and is Ron Howard isn’t too well known for his comedic talents. He’s well worth a quick peek. Out 4 March the Oscar-winning director of dramas including A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Frost/Nixon (2008), but this time he’s set Never Let Me Go his sights on comedy it-boys Vince Vaughn and Kevin James. (Nunca me abandones) Ronny (Vaughn) and Nick (James) have been best mates since Another film-adaptation of a successful novel, Never Let Me their college days and have now gone into business together. Go is based on the book by Japanese writer Kazuo Ishiguro. They are trying to get their auto design firm off the ground, However, instead of taking place in Japan, this British film is but soon their friendship goes awry. When Ronny discovers set in 1980s England and although the era seems familiar that Nick’s wife Geneva (Winona Ryder) is cheating on him, he enough, there’s an underlying strangeness and discomfort to begins to investigate further. The more he investigates, the the setting. Carey Mulligan plays Kathy, a young adult who nar- more secrets he unveils, and before long he is caught in a rates the story of her relationship with her two best friends sticky situation as to whether or not he should tell Nick what Ruth (Keira Knightley) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield). Jumping he’s discovered. The Dilemma explores the decision-making between their time together in an English boarding school and aspect and boundaries of friendship, but sadly there is not much more to this slapstick comedy, which intermittently mentheir teenage experiences, the three soon learn the daunting tions some serious issues such as gambling but fails to reality of their existence after a disturbing twist in their story engage on a deeper level. The trailer also received harsh critiis revealed. A mix of sci-fi and period drama, the screen play cism for its offensive use of the word “gay”, which gives an of Never Let Me Go is written by The Beach’s Alex Garland, who explores similar dystopian themes and the reality of mor- indication of the type of humour to expect. Despite an all-star tality. This haunting movie is beautifully filmed, and Mulligan cast including Channing Tatum, Jennifer Connelly and Queen carries it in her role as Kathy, a quiet and passive character. Latifah, this comedy does little to set itself apart from all the While filled with great potential, the support cast fails to shine other man-love or bromance films out there, a quiet indicator in comparison, and there is something missing to make it that maybe Howard should stick to Oscar-worthy dramas. Out 25 March completely engaging. Never Let Me Go won’t keep you wholly

MARCH 2011

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The Fighter Mark Wahlberg gives an impressively low-key performance as a struggling prizefighter trying to emerge from under the wing of his drug-addicted trainer and half-brother (Christian Bale), a former champ himself, in director David O Russell’s (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees) real-life boxing drama. Out now Tangled (Enredados) Disney’s take on the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale Rapunzel features Shrek-style humour and pretty animation. Out now The Adjustment Bureau (Destino Oculto) Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy takes on army of sinister agents guiding his destiny to win girl back—it’s romance, Philip K Dick-style. Bourne Ultimatum writer George Nolfi directs and Matt Damon takes the lead in this adaptation of a story by the Blade Runner author. Emily Blunt, Terence Stamp and John Slattery of TV’s Mad Men costar. 4 Mar Ispansi (Españoles) Set against the backdrop of real events, Carlos Iglesias’s film stars Esther Regina as a young woman from a rightwing Spanish family forced to give up her illegitimate baby to an orphanage. But when the Civil War starts and she learns the child is being sent to the Soviet Union for protection, she robs a dead woman’s identity to accompany it as a volunteer carer. 4 Mar Rango Directed by Pirates of the Caribbean’s Gore Verbinski, this animated comedy features the vocal talents of Johnny Depp as a chameleon with dreams of being a hero who is forced to protect a western town from bandits. Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy, Ray Winstone, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Harry Dean Stanton and Ned Beatty also give voice to the surreal fun. 4 Mar Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis Actor-director-screenwriter Santiago Seguro’s bald, fat, fascist, sexist, corrupt, Atlético Madrid-supporting cop José Luis Torrente goes forth in three dimensions. Featuring cameos from the likes of David Bisbal, Cesc Fàbregas, Kun Agüero and Belén Esteban,

Buy a big bar of chocolate, hide yourself away, and eat it.

Also out it’s worth seeing if a) you want to widen your Spanish pop culture knowledge or b) think farting is funny. 11 Mar In the Electric Mist (En el Centro de la Tormenta) Tommy Lee Jones is the Louisiana detective dealing with a serial killer, a Hollywood star (Peter Sarsgaard), a local crime kingpin (John Goodman), a 30-year-old murder and a whole heap of strange memories and hallucinations in French director Bertrand Tavernier’s messy thriller. 11 Mar La Mitad de Óscar Thirty years old, Óscar (Rodrigo Sáenz de Heredia) leads a routine life as a security guard in an Almerían salt mine. But it’s disrupted when his Alzheimer’s-afflicted granddad is taken into hospital and his estranged sister (Verónica Echegui) re-enters his life. Antonio de la Torre (A Sad Trumpet Ballad, Primos) co-stars in director Manuel Martín Cuenca’s quirky drama. 18 Mar Barney’s Version (El Mundo Según Barney) A journey through the colourful and caddish life of Barney Panofsky (Paul Giamatti), a man who meets the woman of his dreams at his wedding— and she is not the bride. Based on Mordecai Richler’s bestseller, it stars Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, and Dustin Hoffman as Barney’s dear-old dad. 18 Mar The Rite (El Rito) A sceptical trainee priest (Colin O’Donoghue) travels to the Vatican to attend a school for exorcists. There he encounters the unorthodox Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), a sort of Dumbledore of the dark side, who takes his possession studies to an even deeper level. Inspired by true events—apparently. 18 Mar Guest Shot everywhere from Bogotá to Hong Kong, Spanish director José Luis Guerin’s (En la Ciudad de Sylvia) poetic travel diary is a collection of encounters, portraits, descriptions, chronicles and happenings from the various film festivals he attended over the course of a year. 25 Mar

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Eating & Drinking great ideas for eating out in Madrid

Thai Restaurant The authentic taste of Thailand in Madrid c/San Bernardino, 6. Metro: Plaza de España. Tel: 91 559 83 15

Bangkok Excellent Thai Cuisine c/Arenal, 15 (esquina Bordadores, 13) Tel: 915 591 696. Metros Sol or Ópera.

VEGAVIANA

Anuncia tu restaurante ó bar en esta sección y llegarás a nuestros 66.000 lectores. Llamar 91 523 30 91 para informarte de las opciones y ofertas disponibles

Vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Madrid Daily Menu 9,70

c/Pelayo, 35 (Metro: Chueca) Tel: 91 308 03 81. Open Tues-Sun 1:30-4pm. Tues-Sat 9-midnight. Closed Sunday & Monday

service guide service guide service guide service guide computer services

counselling

Need help with your computer? ! Effective and professional staff ! Secure and reliable service ! YOU are in control Whether you need some help with a program or have a problem with your Windows or Mac system, we can help you remotely or come to where you are.

902 24 64 24 www.benn.es

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mediation

Delara Fahr

Psychologist Gestalt Therapy Advanced Therapy Adults, Adolescents, Children English, French, Spanish First consultation is free Sliding scale

Telephone: 629049105 tai chi & reiki

PSYCHOTHERAPIST COUNSELOR David Hugener MSW US Trained/Licensed

Help in relationships, emotional distress, problem solving. Brief or longer-term therapy for individuals and couples.

books & coffee therapy

Sliding Scale Free Consultation Tel: 91 594 22 08 or 626 16 00 24 Argüelles area

US Trained & Licensed

Psychotherapist Maite Martinez MSW

Individual, couples and family therapy. Solution-focused therapy. EMDR. Therapy in English, French and Spanish.

Phone: 637 753 264

obstetrics & gynecology

ENGLISH SPEAKING GYNECOLOGIST Dr. Anne Suárez

care for the elderly

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OFFERS YOU A FULL WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE SERVICE Family Planning, Menopause, Pre-natal care Centro Clínico Betanzos Avda Betanzos, 60 91 730 42 02 or 91 730 26 84 www.centroclinicobetanzos60.es

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Find out how you can reach our 66,000 readers Call marketing on 91 523 30 91 MARCH 2011

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language services

Spanish for foreigners 1 Small groups 1 All levels (D.E.L.E. Official Exam) c/Fuencarral, 13-2º, 28004 Madrid Tel: 91 522 31 22. Fax: 91 532 85 09. e-mail: info@carpemadrid.com www.carpemadrid.com

language services

TEFL CERTIFICATE COURSE 4 WEEK INTENSIVE (new courses starting every month)

Externally moderated and accredited by IATQUO Course fees 1,275 which includes: ● ●

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Guaranteed Interviews. Our premium CV service that connects you with over 180 agencies and has ensured all our graduates work. Free Spanish classes. Welcome lunch and farewell party. Membership to TtRed. Full support pre & post course.

Tel: +34915721999 email: info@ttmadrid.com www.ttmadrid.com

C.E.E. -Idiomas Spanish Language School

coaching

- All levels - Preparation for DELE Exam - Cultural activities

Also ENGLISH - FRENCH GERMAN - ITALIAN

84E 20 HOURS MONTHLY

140E 40 HOURS MONTHLY * Groups or private classes * Special classes for companies c/Carmen, 6 — 28013 Madrid 91 522 04 72 - 91 521 10 04 91 522 18 57 - 91 531 38 56 e-mail: info@cee-idiomas.com

coaching

legal services

Find out how you can reach our 66,000 readers Call marketing on 91 523 30 91 20

MARCH 2011

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service guide service guide service guide service guide service guide work offered

fitness

work offered work offered

Madrid School of Languages is looking for native English, French, German and Italian teachers with teaching qualification and experience for the academic year 2010-2011. Please send CV to: coordinador@madridschool.com or call at 91 554 01 63. T H E E N G L I S H - L A N G U A G E M O N T H LY

Salespeople Teacher (QTS) and an NVQ3 Required native English female to work with 1 to 6 year old children in a British Nursery School in Pozuelo. School Holidays paid. Possibility of full day job (9.00h a 17.30h) or half day job (9.00h a 14.30h).The Nursery is very well communicated with Madrid centre by train or bus or metro ligero.

Please send your CV to britishnursery@britishnursery.com. www.britishnursery.com

We are looking for freelance, (commission-only, first 3 months) sales people. Very attractive commissions and bonuses and a permanent position for the right person. You should be highly motivated, enthusiastic and have a high level of English and Spanish. Please send your CV to work@in-madrid.com

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MARCH 2011

service guide service guide service guide service guide service guide work offered

work offered

professional layout services

Maquetaci贸n profesional de documentos y tesis con correci贸n integrada de ingl茅s. Para presupuesto sin compromiso: barrywallman@gmail.com

travel translation / interpretation

MARCH 2011

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The InMadrid classifieds section is the perfect way to reach the English-speaking international community. To place an ad, visit inmadrid.com and click on classifieds. Obtain the best response from your ad in the shortest time by choosing one of our economical, combined print&online packages,

from as little as 8,33 / month. online-only ads in many categories are

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Visit inmadrid.com and click on classifieds to create your account. DEADLINE FOR NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE IS 22ND OF THIS MONTH. Ads received after this date will be published in the following issue. NOTE: InMadrid is not responsible for the contents of its classified ads. It is the reader’s responsibility to investigate the authenticity of advertisers.

accommodation accommodation-offered BIG ROOMS FOR RENT IN A HOUSE, CENTRO MADRID easy walking distance to 2 metro stations cercanias,bus,free parking,rooms are bright and airy as there are lots of windows,All mod cons in huge kitchen and an outside patio,internet,musical thread,Soils radiant .350€ .680653202 carlosgasanz@yahoo.es. SUPERB AND BRIGHT ROOM FOR SHORT OR LONG TERM All included price, three different rooms availble in the same flat, fully equipped kitchen, refurbished, lots of light, internet connection. all ammenities, supermarket, gym, plenty of cafes and bars, 1 minute walk from quevedo metro station. €530 Tel: 670681435 or 622737470, Email: rentals@innovate.es. ROOM IN SHARED FLAT FOR SHORT/LONG LETS - MONCLOA Room to let in shared flat for short or long term lets. Perfect location five minutes walk from Arguelles metro and ten minutes from Moncloa transport hub. €450 Tel: 670681435 Email: rentals@innovate.es. BRIGHT STUDIO FLAT IN CHAMBERI FOR SHORT/LONG LETS 30m2 bright furnished or unfurnished studio flat with balcony overlooking an enormous patio. Kitchenette with glass hob, modern fridge and washing machine. Flat with a/c & central heating. 5 mins walk from Alonso Cano & Rios Rosas metro station. 10 mins walk from the Canal Isabel II public pool, running track, football field, tennis and padel courts. €660 Tel: 670681435 Email: rentals@innovate.es. 3 BED FURNISHED FLAT LONG/SHORT LETS-EMBAJADORES 3 bed furnished 6th floor flat for short/long term lets. central heating included in the price. 15m2 living room with access to 6m2 terrace. Fully fitted kitchen with large fridge, oven & four burner stove. One double bedroom with desk & built in wardrobe, one bedroom with bed & a half, desk & wardrobe & 3rd bedroom with single bed, wardrobe & desk. €1050 Tel: 670681435 Email: rentals@innovate.es. NEWLY REFURBISHED 25M2 LOFT STUDIO/DUPLEX-TRIBUNAL For short or long term lets we have this top floor newly refurbished 25m2 loft studio duplex with or without furniture and appliances. In the very sought after area of Tribunal close to an abundance of bars, restaurants, nightlife and clubs. €730 Tel: 670681435 Email: rentals@innovate.es. LUXURY MINI-STUDIO FOR SHORT TERM RENTAL Small studio accommodation with dbl. bed, beautifully furnished, available for short term let, minimum 5 days,maximum 1 month. 1 week 280, 2 weeks 500, 1 month 950 Euros. Top floor, balcony, very sunny, very quiet.Internet, TV , cooking facilities, ind. heating and airconditioning. Contact wengerbarbara@gmail.com. 90M2 LUXURY ONE BED FLAT CHAMBERIGREGORIO MARAÑON Luxury 90m2 bright one bedroom exterior facing furnished flat with two bathrooms. Professionally Refurbished By Interior Designer. Kitchen fitted with all mod cons including Washer / Dryer, Dishwasher, Built In Deep Fat Fryer etc. Air conditioning. Central Heating included in the price. €1400 Tel: 670681435 Email: rentals@innovate.es. COZY STUDIO SHORT OR LONG RENTALS: TIRSO DE MOLINA Lovely 30m2 fully furnished refurbished studio for long or short term lets with separate bedroom area, a/c & heating. Separate kitchen with washing machine. Well designed flat with optional internet and flat screen TV. In the sought after area of La Latina & Tirso De Molina. Ideal location for long or short term stays, 10 mins walk from Sol. €760 Tel: 670681435 Email: rentals@innovate.es. casas-rurales

babysitting WANTED AN ENGLISH SPEAKER TO LOOK AFTER TWINS Twins of 20 months old need

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to be looked after, but they really want to have fun with you! Are you easygoing, extrovert and independent? The person required should love and understand toddlers and be able to stay in some days and nights (although she could stay all). Plenty of time off is assured. Home duties are not needed. 400€ plus. . . contact me for more information. Phone 618344297. Email marsa314@hotmail.com thank you.

books BOOKS IN FRENCH Bibliothèque française pour tous. venez nous voir ! Tous les dimanches de 11h à 13h 8.000 livres : nouveautés, romans, 500 livres pour enfants ( Martine, Caroline, Jojo, Bibliothèque Rose, J ‘ Aime Lire... ) , Bd, Histoire et Littérature ... Métro Nuñez de Balboa ou Serrano Adresse 9 Padilla (porte piétonne) entre Serrano & Lagasca Madrid Espagne Contact Catherine 917599453 Email beatricesohm@gmail.com Téléphone 600555576.

business MARKETING PERSON WANTED FOR SURFING CAFE For a surf style cafe located in an elegant area of Madrid. The job consists of bringing new clients to our local. Looking for a fun and outgoing person. If you are good PR you will make a good money. Jimbo 670 88 68 77 kensisan@yahoo.es.

classes

euros negotiable. Cristina 656 634 343. Email: cristina_dom@hotmail.com. SPANISH CLASSES IN CENTRAL MADRID Learn Spanish easily with experienced teacher, graduate of International House. One to one or groups. Materials provided. Grammar and conversation for all levels. DELE exam. From 15 euros negotiable. Contact Javier: 661 871 239. Email: javiersanjoseespeso@hotmail.com. Web: http://javiersanjoseespeso.jimdo.com. TAILOR-MADE SPANISH Have little time but are eager to learn Spanish? Are a bit worried about slow progress in a language school and want to explore the one-to-one approach? Your availability is far from being ordinary?. Weekends are frequently your sole possibility? Please call or write. Sure I can help you. 626 169 229 — mailto: spanish_1to1@yahoo.es.

english LIBROS Y INGLÉS - BIENVENIDO A BOOK GROUP ** Book Group - read books in English and discuss them. €10 per student per hour. Interesting and fun. ** Or choose a subject (history, art, literature, current affairs...) and talk about it ** Normal classes available too. Group or individual (Indiv :€25 p/h) Details: www.illuminateEnglish.com Tel: 627 619 563 Email: info@illuminateEnglish.com. PROFESORA BRITÁNICA TITULADA DA CLASES DE INGLÉS Profesora nativa de inglés titulada (TEFL CELTA). Inglés general; inglés de negocio; inglés jurídico; inglés técnico (seguros, construcción, publicidad, marketing, inmobiliaria, energía, medicina, etc.); Business English Certificates; International Certificate in Financial English; International Legal English Certificate (ILEC); preparación a los exámenes de Cambridge (First Certificate, Advanced, Proficiency). 13 años de experiencia en empresas del IBEX35. Particulares 20€; dos personas 30€; grupos 40€. Llamar al 91 459 12 60/626 065 482 o escribir a profesoresnativosdeingles@yahoo.es. LICENCIADO FROM OXFORD Licenciado from Oxford with extensive business and teaching experience offers English classes. Conversation, grammar, preparation for interview or exams. Please call 610 307 499. other-languages

other-classes COMPUTER CLASSES IN ENGLISH AT ITENGLISH Computer classes in English. ITEnglish is offering user-level classes in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Powerpoint), Windows, and Internet navigation. Already know Office but unfamiliar with the new format (2007, 2010)? Take a Fast-track seminar in “The Ribbon”. Native professor with 15+ years experience teaching IT at university level. Update your computer skills in a fun and friendly environment. Small classes, individual attention. Handicapped accesible. From 7,50€ per hour. PHONE 91 506 0764 or EMAIL info@it-english.es WEB: www.it-english.es SPANISH FOR FOREIGNERS TOO!.

sailing BOATING LICENSES NOW A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN SPAIN Serenity Sailing RYA Training Centre, Competent Crew to Yachtmaster,Powerboat Level Two, VHF & ICC. Own-boat tuition on sail and power. If you have a yacht or powerboat get qualified and certified. Contact Richard 0034 638056224 / enquiries@serenitysailing.com / www.serenitysailing.com.

clubs

art-classes

music-classes SPANISH GUITAR LESSONS Teacher, graduated (high degree), gives lessons of Spanish guitar (every musical stile). Students of any age. Classes in English or Spanish. Lessons are 1 hour each, costing 25 euros. Metro: Iglesia (línea 1) Canal (líneas 2 y 7) Telephone: 650672356 Email: astur_kirichian@yahoo.es.

language-classes spanish SPANISH CLASSES Clases de español en zona centro (junto a museo reina sofía). Experiencia. Gramática y conversacion todos los niveles. Tamar:637210638. tamarmartinlinked@gmail.com SPANISH CLASSES Qualified native teacher with experience. One to one or groups. Grammar, conversation. DELE.Revision text. Zone: Moncloa or in your place. From 15

health-and-fitness ASHTANGA YOGA AND THAI MASSAGE My name is Amorn from Thailand. I live in Madrid almost two years now. I am Ashtanga Yoga teacher and also offer Thai Massage (certified from Wat Pho Traditional Medical School in Bangkok Thailand) and Thai cooking classes at home and outside. My place is located in the center of Madrid, metro Goya and Principe de Vergara. For more information about me and price for Yoga, Thai massage and cooking class, please kindly check at my website: www.BAAN-AMORN.COM or write me at: BRIESELANG70@YAHOO.DE. ESCUELA DHARMA DE YOGA INTEGRAL Hatha Yoga Dinámico, método orgánico. Respiración, fortalecimiento, flexibilidad y relajación. Atención personalizada. Precios asequibles y descuentos. Clases colectivas e individuales. Horarios de mañana, mediodía y tarde. Todos los niveles. Grupo de Meditación. Seminarios de fin de semana. Pregunta por nuestros masajes. Website: www.yogaorganico.es Adress: Asociación Shiva-Shakti de Yoga Integral. c/Pelayo 80 1ºdcha (subway stations: Alonso martinez, Chueca). More information: 91 310 51 81 and info@yogaorganico.es.

heart-to-heart hetero BUSCO CHICA INTELIGENTE, AGRADABLE, TRANQUILA y amante de la lectura, para amistad, y quizá más. ¿Quién soy? Bueno... a decir de los demás: Eres muy tranquilote (un compañero de piso); es como los curanderos, no se sabe cómo lo hace, pero su invento funciona (mi padre); es alguien a quien le gusta crear y destruir (un pariente, al minuto de conocerme); ¡¡¡Gustavo, deje de hacer cosas con las cejas!!! (mi capitán, solemnemente, ante más de 100 asistentes); hay mucho hijo de puta que hace magia (un enemigo); está siempre en la inopia (una profa). Gustavo. dcufacuc@gmail.com. Prometo contestar.

intercambios groups

clubs-general-social FURNITURE DECO & RESTORATION STUDIO MADRID Furniture restoration & decorative painting. Come and learn to restore old furniture and transform it with different techniques. Discover a new world of decorative painting. No previous skills required. Classes in English, Spanish, French and German. Contact Paloma on 620 362 842. STUDIO: C/San Hermenigildo 18. Metro San Bernardo. Email: palodesell@gmail.com.

counselling COUNSELLING MADRID Counselling Madrid is devoted to the international community in Madrid. We provide confidential counselling services to students, expats and spouses. Visit our website for more details: www.counsellingmadrid.org. PSYCHOLOGY/PSYCHIATRY/SPEECH& OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Counselling, Psychology, Psychiatry, Speech and Occupational therapy services in English and Spanish (some services also available in other languages) for all ages. Our staff of professionals has vast clinical experience helping adults and children in the Englishspeaking community in Madrid with depression, anxiety, cultural adaptation, couples/relationship problems, sensory impairments, language disorders and more. www.sinews.es. QUALIFIED THERAPIST Qualified Sexual Relationship Therapist and General Counselor. UK trained. British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy standards of practice. You don’t have to go through this alone. Is the right time to deal with it? I would be happy to help. Pablo Díez: 653132932 pablodiez@fastmail.es.

PARENT AND CHILD GROUP Parent and Child Group in Madrid. If you are new in town or a single parent looking to meet other parents with kids or simply want to expand your child’s network of friends then join us for walks and outings with the kids. All nationalities welcome. Write to roseantrobus@yahoo.es or call 626 065 482. Thanks!.

clubs-sports FIELD HOCKEY - MIXED SOCIAL TEAM Los Naranjas is a mixed social club with all level of players on the team, from complete beginners to seasoned veterans. We play every weekend between September and June. If interested please contact los.naranjas.hockey@gmail.com. MADRID CRICKET CLUB Madrid Cricket Club is always looking for new players of all levels and nationalities. We hold regular training sessions and friendly matches in Madrid from March to November and we have two teams in the Spanish Cricket League. For more info contact Joss (663 395 058) or Jon (655 069 9 11), send an E-mail to cricketinmadrid@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.cricketinmadrid.com.

W W W. I N M A D R I D . C O M

MADRIDBABEL: INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN MADRID!!! Meet people from all over the world, practise languages absolutely FREE & make new friends through our wide range of international activities: EVERY WEDNESDAY > International Evening from 20:30 at The Quiet Man (Valverde 44 metro Tribunal or Gran Vía). EVERY SUNDAY > International Afternoon from 19:00 at The Quiet Man (Valverde 44 - metro Tribunal or Gran Vía). EVERY WEEK-END > Films in o.v., international dinners, tapas evenings, excursions, sports, wine tastings, cultural visits, parties & many other activities!! For more info contact Fran (madridbabel@yahoo.es) or visit www.madridbabel.es.

jobs jobs-offered FINANCIAL ADVISOR SEEKS PERSONAL ASSISTANT This is to work in our busy central Madrid office You would be making telephone calls to clients and new contacts, as well as general office duties. Full time position, but would consider part time / job share. You must be highly motivated, have a happy disposition, and be a fluent English speaker. Salary with bonus scheme available to the right candidate. Possibilities for promotion, which may suit graduate entrants. Please reply with a copy of your CV (in English) to: hr@amaliawealth.com. SPONSORED TEFL COURSE WITH WORK

Hundreds more ads online in many different categories at inmadrid.com OPPORTUNITIES Oxbridge has two centres in Barcelona and one in Madrid and we teach English to more than 800 students and 150 clients such as corporations, small and large firms, and private students. We provide high quality English classes to all kinds of business people, young learners and adults. We offer one month intensive TEFL courses in English teaching in Madrid. The course is subsidised and costs 400€. There is a short interview for the course. We are also always looking for new, dedicated employees. For further info please send us your CV and a covering letter to tefl@oxbridge.es. ACTOR WANTED Theatre company seeks native English-speaking actor for one-man shows. Dynamic, high-energy, 22-32 years old, self-reliant. Mornings, good pay, great boss. Contact Mike: 918425005.

services ENGLISH HAIRDRESSER Top London stylist worked whith Trevor Sorbie and Vidal Sassoon trained. Available for HOME visits in and around Madrid. for more info, and prices check out: http://englishhairdressermadrid.squarespa ce.com or call Sally at: 651481916. LIVELY CELTIC MUSIC Talented Irish musicians available for concerts, functions, weddings and parties. Tel: 654 225 305. N.I.E. SEGURIDAD SOCIAL EMPADRONAMIENTO, ETC. NIE, Seg. Social,Padron Do you need an N.I.E. fast? (EU passports)We also process your “empadronamiento” (registering and address) and also register with “Seguridad Social” as well as processing the validation of your academic / teaching qualifications (P.G.C.E. QTS, H. Dip. Primary)with the Spanish Authorities, help with finding suitable accommodation in Madrid, etc. etc. We also have a free service for qualified, native teachers looking for employment in Madrid with day schools. Call Richard Harrison on: 91531-4783 or 91-532-9734 for further information. E-mail: richardinmadrid@gmail.com. LIVE MUSIC Duet of classical guitar + flute / jazz guitar + saxophone will give a touch of class to receptions, parties, weddings, etc. We’re serious musicians with an ample repertoire and lots of professional experience in the jazz and classical fields. There is the option of solo guitar (jazz + classical), duet, trio with double-bass, quartet with double-bass and drums, and formations with singers, trumpet players, etc. Please email: cywilliams@telefonica.net. COMPUTERS / NETWORKS / WEBSITES System administrator offers professional service. Computer / laptop repair, data recovery, password recovery, IT infrastructure planning, software installation and maintenance, network administration, resolving email problems, IT security, backup solutions, web pages. Windows, Linux/UNIX supported. I speak English and German. email: info@jjaeger.fastmail.fm or Tel.: +34 91 559 31 58 Mobile: +34 65 335 11 36. MAN WITH VAN FOR HIRE Large van with driver available for hire for house & office moves, deliveries and collections (IKEA etc) free help with lifting and carrying included in charges. Hourly and daily rates in Madrid and the rest of Spain. Monthly trips back to the UK and other European destinations. Very good service. English. Call Ian 663 548 418 or guywithvan@hotmail.com. COMPUTER SOLUTIONS (ENGLISH/ESPANOL) Speed up your system and fix old software problems. Fast, quality service. Just call or email me for an estimate! Fernando 644 02 79 68 ferttag@gmail.com Best value in town.

travel-adventure TRAVEL WRITERS WANTED Looking for travel writers who would like to have their articles posted on our website regarding travel in Spain. Please contact for more info at travelwriter@letango.com.

MARCH 2011