1307 inmadrid july 2013 issue

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Cover pic is of Beardyman who’s playing in the Iboga Summer Festival. See page 7 for details.

Class Distinctions > Page 11 Every country has a different education system. Rachel Morgan meets some foreign students in Madrid to find out how they’ve managed to cope, or not, with the Spanish way of learning

Not the Editor’s Note I was busy trying to stop my one-and-a-half year-old son from exploring some granite steps head first when my phone rang. It was a fellow called Eduardo calling from Lavapíes and wanting to know when the print issue would be out. So I walked around the garden in my slippers with my son in one arm and explained that June was, in fact, our last issue on squashed tree. Yes folks, it’s official, the days of soaking up that wine spill with your trusty copy of InMadrid are gone. You’d probably get an electric shock if you tried it with this issue. After 17 years without a pause we’ve finally had to pull the plug on the paper version of the mag as it was no longer plausible to print. The last two years have been especially tough and I’d like to personally thank our ex-editor Jeff Wiseman and all the people who have helped keep the magazine alive over the years: our interns, writers, sales-people, distribution, readers and clients. Without you all InMadrid would not exist. InMadrid is funded by our advertisers or sponsors. The more people that read it, the better chance we have of keeping it going and making it better. You can help us in any of the following ways: 1) Sign up for an account on inmadrid.com (it’s free) and you’ll get access to special content and giveaways. 2) Like us on facebook.com/InMadrid.magazine and let us know what you think and what you would like to see in the magazine. 3) Subscribe to this digital issue at issuu.com/inmadrid. We hope you enjoy this issue. The layout has changed due to being free from the constraints of paper, and it will continue to evolve. As for the contents page, well for this month, as we’ve run out of time, we suggest you just explore! Nick Haughton Madrid in English


Scene

By Emanuel Díaz, Sarah Kempe, Andrea Garcia

Veranos de la Villa

Fringe13 Madrid

Ben Howard

The annual Veranos de la Villa Festival takes place at five venues this year—the Teatro Circo Price, Los Jardines de Sabatini, the Matadero, the Teatro Conde Duque and the Centrocentro arts centre. Music takes precedence at the Teatro Circo Price, with big-name concerts including Earth Wind and Fire (4 Jul), Ben Howard (10 Jul), The Original Blues Brothers Band (15 Jul), Rickie Lee Jones (17 Jul), Alex Clare (23 Jul), Diana Krall (25 Jul) and Elvis Costello and the Imposters (27 Jul). Los Jardines De Sabatini is where you’ll find the more classical and traditional performances, including dance, a wide variety of flamenco and even Cinderella on Ice (23 Jul-4 Aug). The Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Madrid will hold weekly concerts at the Conde Duque, whilst the Matadero will host Fringe13 (see separate listing on this page). Seven classical concerts will also take place under the title Nocturnos en Cibeles at Centrocentro, and cinema is represented by Fescinal 2013, a season of more than 200 outdoor screenings in 60 days (until 7 Sept), including Spanish, original version movies and animation, all at the Parque de la Bombilla near the Río Manzanares. Veranos de la Villa, various locations, 27 Jun-7 Sept. For full details see veranosdelavilla.esmadrid.com

Rickie Lee Jones by Myriam Santos

Madrid welcomes with open arms once again the event that left the residents in awe last summer. Fringe13 Madrid returns bigger and stronger than ever with a switch in venues and a name for itself across the globe. This “fringe” concept was born in 1947, after a group of rejected companies who applied to be part of Edinburgh’s famous festival decided to take their talents to the streets. Ever since, cities across the globe have adopted the modality, evolving it to an impressive arena where art can express its creativity while involving the spectator. The first Madrid edition took place last year at the Centro Cultural Conde Duque, but with an impressive response from the audience (with completely sold out sessions), plus the aroused interest of international art companies, the team decided to up the stakes by moving it to a space more fitted to the role: the Matadero. From 500 artistic proposals received, 50 survived the selection process and will be showcased in the most innovative arrangements. Providing something for everyone, Fringe13 Madrid will offer puppetry, theatre, dance, poetry, clowns, audiovisual Mi pasado en B experiments and on-stage painting, among others. There are some productions notable for their individuality: a short play in the bathroom (of the Matadero), a performance carried out by a pair of robots, an interactive self-conducted routine, a dance number in the ventilation room and a monologue on the roof. Needless to say, Fringe13 Madrid focuses on the innovative use of unusual spaces to provide a unique experience. Regarding the importance of the festival for the city, performing arts director of the Ayuntamiento de Madrid Natalio Grueso stated that “Fringe is turning out to be one of the biggest art festivals in Europe…Madrid has discovered a rare jewel that should be kept consistently polished in the future.” So buckle up everyone, because July will be a promising month to get your art on! Fringe13 Madrid, Matadero, Pº de la Chopera, 14 (Metro: Legazpi). Tel: 91 252 52 53. 5-27 July. For full details see www.fringemadrid.com

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Scene

La Sierra Electronica—Electronic Music Festival

This is the first year of this electonic music festival, which promises 12 hours of non-stop sound. The bill already includes artists such as Wally Lopez, Steve Angello, Carl Craig, Maceo Plex, Miss Kittin (live), and Oscar Mulero. The festival will take place in Collado Villalba, just 25 minutes from Madrid, with both train and bus connections easily accessble. La Sierra Electronica, Collado Villalba (Cercania Lines C2, C3, C10). Tel: 90 215 0025. 6 June, from 6pm. Tickets from â‚Ź30. See www.lasierraelectronica.com

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Scene Madrid Orgullo—Mado

Madrid’s annual celebrations for the city´s LGTB (lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual) Pride Week take place this month, with the main focus being in and around the Chueca neighbourhood. The festival is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and there will be outdoor concerts on six different stages (including Plaza de Chueca, Calle Pelayo, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Callao and Plaza del Rey), not to mention parties, exhibitions, and culture. Expect a wild weekend of fun and freedom. Madrid Orgullo, Chueca (Metro: Chueca). 3-7 Jul. See www.madridorgullo.com

Photo (CC) flickr: Antonio Tajuelo

Original Flamenco Festival 2013

Now in its second year, the Original Flamenco Festival (OFF2013) will take place from 1-26 August, under the slogan “Flamenco with Soul”. More than 70 flamenco artists will participate in 30 different productions. The Teatro Compac in Gran Vía will be at the centre of the Festival, hosting a large-scale flamenco dancing premiere each week, for five performances only. The shows include Las cinco estaciones, a gala which opened the recent Festival de Jerez, Ángel: del blanco al negro by Córdoba-born dancer Ángel Muñoz, Horizonte flamenco by Rafael and Adela Campallo and Con la música en otra parte by the Rafaela Carrasco Company. Various other performances will also take place in Pequeño Gran Vía and Teatro Galileo. The Festival will also offer live flamenco activities such as courses, exhibitions, wine tastings, street activities and even a flashmob. Original Flamenco Festival 2013, 1-26 August. Various locations, events and activities. For full details see www. originalflamencofestival.com

Summer Radio Workshop

Ann Bateson, host of Madrid Live on Radio Círculo, will be holding a workshop this summer for young kids interested in experiencing and learning about working in radio. Participants will learn the historical and current contexts of communication, the content selection process, production, writing and voice techniques, interviewing and live presentations. Ann has collaborated with the BBC, Radio Exterior de España and teaches a radio course in English at the IE University de Segovia. To participate in the workshop, you must be fluent in writing and speaking English. Summer Radio Workshop, Círculo de Bellas Artes, C/Alcalá, 42 (Metro: Banco de España/ Sevilla). Tel. 91 360 54 00. Mon-Fri, 8-12 Jul, 10-12am. Course Price €75. For full details see www.circulobellasartes.com/evento. php?s=talleres&id=332

Adela Campallo

Madrid in English

Photo: Daniel M Pantiga

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Pablo Heras-Casado & Placido Domingo

Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado, at only 35 years old, has established himself as one of the youngest and most talented individuals in his field, and one of the fastest-rising stars in the classical music world. Specialising in Renaissance, Spanish Baroque or contemporary music, he is currently enjoying a four-year term as principal conductor of the Manhattanbased Orchestra of St. Luke´s, and has already conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. As recently as 2010 he was awarded the Ojo Crítico de Música Clásica by the Spanish Broadcaster RTVE, for his outstanding contribution to Spanish culture. During July, he will conduct five performances of Daniel Catán’s opera Il Postino at the Teatro Real, and to whet your appetites even more, Plácido Domingo will play the part of Pablo Neruda. Il Postino, Teatro Real, Plaza de Oriente, s/n (Metro: Ópera). Tel: 91 516 06 06. Wed 17, Sat 20, Tues 23, Thurs 25 and Sat 28 Jul. 8pm. For further details and tickets see www. teatro-real.com

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Scene

Iboga Summer Festival

If you’re down on the coast near Jávea (alicante) on the last weekend of July, then check out the first Iboga Summer Festival, a tribute to Balkan, Swing and Ska music. Artists include Beardyman, Mahala Rai Banda, Ska Cubano, Shantel and the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble. A low-cost bus service (€35) from Madrid and Barcelona will also be provided by the organizers. Iboga Summer Festival, La Plaza de la Constitución, Javea. Fri 26, Sat 27 Jul. Two-day pass €39. See www.ibogasummerfestival.com

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Music Festival Advice

The British Foreign Office is warning music fans heading for festivals in Spain this summer to keep their possessions safe from thieves if they want to avoid spending time with the police and British Consulates instead of enjoying the music. A new video on YouTube contrasts the fun of festivals with victims of crime talking about how having their stuff stolen ruined a good time. It’s already attracting thousands of views. The video was filmed during Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB) last year. Its message—“Make sure you spend your time at the festival, not with us”—aims to encourage music fans to keep their belongings safe before going off to enjoy the beach or a gig. Make sure your festival visit ends on a perfect note, rather than with a time-consuming official one. See the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii7pW26_Td0

Save the Children—Toy Sessions

Save the Children is the leading independent organisation defending the rights of children worldwide, and it has started a Spanish project “Toy Sessions” to draw attention to child mortality. The objective is to bring music and childhood together, with more than 50 artists from different music genres having recorded songs with a difference: they use toy instruments. Many famous names have signed up for the project, like Alejandro Sanz, Melendi, Vetusta Morla, Manolo García and Anni B Sweet. With this original project, Save the Children is asking people to collaborate and donate to help save the lives of boys and girls who die of easily preventable diseases. See www.toysessions.savethechildren.es for a selection of videos

Museo Nacional de Antropología Concerts

Photo: Sarah Kempe

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As part of the Veranos del Museo season, the Museo Nacional de Antropología is presenting various free music concerts on Thursdays this month. On 11 July, there’s Tradición Flamenca by Loreto De Diego, accompanied by José Amarcha on the guitar. Alturas Trio, considered one of the best groups in their genre, will perform traditional Peruvian music on 18 July, and finally on 25 July it’s the turn of Darawich, a group that focuses on Eastern rhythms and sounds. All concerts start at 8.30pm. Museo Nacional de Antropología, C/Alfonso XII, 68 (Metro: Atocha). Free, but space is limited. Tickets will be available from 7pm at the museum ticket office, maximum two per person. See mnantropologia.mcu.esvvv

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curiosity shop

Camino Martínez

Curiosity Shop: Antigua Casa Talavera

Located near Gran Vía is one of the oldest shops in the city— established for more than 100 years, it’s an ideal place to buy original and artistic ceramic items In 1904, when Antigua Casa Talavera opened its doors, it specialised in small furniture and articles made of iron, but during the 1930’s it began to offer ceramic products, which were, and still are, handmade in several cities, towns and villages all over Spain. The shop facade is particularly distinctive and beautiful, made with pieces of small glazed tiles, and also showing a plaque, awarded by the City Council in 2004 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the family business. Its current stock remains high quality and artistic ceramic pieces, which line the interior shelves like works of art. All are handmade and hand-painted by ceramic workers in places such as Talavera, Granada and Valencia, with the designs sometimes showing reproductions of famous Spanish paintings. In addition of the ornamental items, visitors can also find useful objects, like coffee sets, water or sangría jars, bowls, jewellery boxes, salt and pepper sets, and mugs. With all the pieces on the walls, the original ceramic floor and its posters from the 20s, the Antigua Casa Talavera is almost a small museum itself, and well worth some moments of your time, whether to buy or browse. Antigua Casa Talavera, Calle de Isabel La Católica, 22 (Metro: Santo Domingo). Tel: 91 547 34 17. Mon-Fri, 10am-1.30pm, 5pm-8pm; Sat, 10am-1.30pm.

life on the line

Vicky Knill

InMadrid sheds some light on the famous individuals whose names merit a city Metro station

M

iguel Hernández was born in 1910, and worked as a goatherd and farmhand for most of his childhood. Although he received little formal education, he taught himself to write poetry, and despite his father’s disapproval of his literary pretensions, Hernández’ first book of verses was published when he was 23 years old. His work covered a range of topics: from love—inspired by his wife, Josefina, who he married in 1937, to politics—he was very much concerned by the rights of the working man. Prior to the Civil War, he was involved in the “Pedagogical Missionaries” project, for which volunteers drove around Spain with mobile libraries, trying to increase the level of literacy. He also worked with José María de Cossío on “Los Toros: Encyclopedia of Bullfighting”. During the Civil War, he sided with the Republicans, addressing troops on the front line, and in the aftermath he attempted to escape to Portugal, but was caught and arrested. As you can imagine, his previous republican activities made him less than popular with Franco’s government; he was sentenced to death for his anti-fascist tendencies, being labelled “an extremely dangerous and despicable

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element to all good Spaniards.” His death sentence was later commuted to imprisonment for 30 years. Recently, his family has challenged this sentence in the High Court, and they are currently waiting for the Spanish Government to issue a posthumous pardon. The case continues. During Hernández’ time in prison he wrote a large amount of poetry, including his most famous piece, “Onion Lullaby”, inspired by a letter from his wife in which she talked about having to live on only bread and onions while breastfeeding their son. Hernández died of tuberculosis in 1942, which was brought on by the stresses and strains of the war years, and the appalling conditions in which he was being kept. He wrote his last poem on the wall of the hospital where he passed away. It read “Goodbye, brothers, comrades, friends: let me take my leave of the sun and the fields.”

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Months gone by: June, 2005 (Vol 10, issue 6)

InMadrid looks at its archives to remember how things were in times past An interview with Morgan Freeman by Deliana Haslam took pride of place in our June, 2005 edition, as Morgan was in town to promote his latest movie, Danny the Dog. Other features included a report on the legalisation of same sex marriages (also by Delaina Haslam), and a look at whether Madrid’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics was a good idea or not, written by Patricia Dawn Severenuk. Music: Certainly a good month for music in the city—Bruce Sprinsteen was at the Palacio de Deportes, the Riviera hosted Moby as well as Elvis Costello & The Imposters, whilst Green Day played at the Madrid Arena. Movies: The biggest film release came at the end of the month, with Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning. I Heart Huckabees was also on screens, with an all-star cast including Jason Schwartzman, Isabelle Huppert, Dustin Hoffman, Jude Law, Mark Wahlberg and Lily Tomlin. Curiosities from our classifieds: Our “Heart to Heart” section, again, offered some interesting ads. We love the end of the following: “Hi, I’m Maria and I’m looking for some smashing, outgoing, 30 upwards friends to hang out with. No weird people”. There was also little doubt about this offer: “Bored? I am. If you are young, pretty and female, let’s do something in the afternoon while my girlfriend’s at work”. But the most specific criteria came from: “Spanish woman (49) would like to meet nice Australian, German, American, British, Canadian, 47-50, who is slim, faithful, stable with class, blue or green eyes, good economic position, for relationship. I accept also disabled”. Ah, those were the days... er... weren’t they?

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Top Ten best-named Spanish villages In summer, many madrileños return to their family villages for their holidays. Jeff Wiseman selects ten examples where a name may merit a visit by itself: 1.

Valdelamatanza (Salamanca)—with its name translated as “Valley of the Killing” (or maybe “Slaughter”), this is surely a great location for horror movies. The population is about 170 people. Apparently, some years ago, it was 50,000—no, just kidding!

2.

San Esteban de los Patos (Ávila)—St Stephen of the Ducks sounds wonderful, although we believe ‘Ducks’ is sadly a family name, rather than the relating to the large birds that frequent ponds. The village has a population of 26 people, and on a farming note is home to a herd of Highland cows.

Photo (CC) flickr: mikebaird

3.

Moraleja de Matacabras (Ávila)—mata can mean ‘bush’, but Matacabras could also be translated as ‘goatkiller’. We like ‘Moral of the Goatkiller’, and would like to believe that the moral is “Act quickly; no ifs or butts”.

4.

Las Bodas (Leon)—surely every bride in Spain must be tempted to have her marriage take place in “The Weddings”? Nearby villages are “Bridesmaids” and “Bestman”. Just kidding again.

5.

Pollos (Valladolid)—yes, there’s a village in Valladolid called “Chickens”. Great place for a hen night?

6.

El Alamo (Madrid)—the Alamo, apparently, is in the Comunidad de Madrid. Remember that. (Alamo actually translates as “poplar tree”)

7.

Cebolla (Toledo)—the village of ‘Onion’ can be found in Toledo. Does that make the villagers ‘Onions’? And is the local Casanova an onion-lover?

8.

El Barranco del Infierno (Almería)—only about ten people live in Almería’s ‘Hell’s Gorge’ or ‘Hell’s Ravine’. Perhaps anyone who undertakes social or charitable work there is called a Hell’s Angel?

9.

Nonduermas (Murcia)—the village of ‘Don’t Sleep’ is very close to the city of Murcia. It would be great if the residents were known as ‘Insomniacs’, but we suspect they’re called Nuendermeños.

10. Las Rozas and Las Matas (Madrid)—we’ve linked these two villages together because they follow each other on the train line out of Madrid. Rozar is ‘to touch’, and matar is ‘to kill’, hence the Spanish expression about the locations, “First you touch them, then you kill them” (or worse, the other way round if you’re travelling in to Madrid). We’ve heard this is a running gag for commuters.

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Class distinctions

Every country has a different education system. Rachel Morgan meets some foreign students in Madrid to find out how they’ve managed to cope, or not, with the Spanish way of learning

a

ttending university in a foreign city, with classes in a foreign language, is like hiking up an unfamiliar trail; coming to terms with a new system of education can be more akin to hiking up a hill on the moon. However, how much are adjustments and differences influenced by a student’s country of origin? InMadrid speaks to some “alien alumni” to find some answers.

UK and USA

Lounging around in shorts and tank tops, three girls from different lifestyles and cultures sip on Mahou and iced coffee, letting the first sunlight in months stream into the living room of a piso in central Madrid. Though they have varying backgrounds, there is never a lull in the conversation, flowing from films or literature to history. The girls also share a common Spanish university as well as a collective agreement that Spanish higher education differs vastly from that of their university life at home. “The format is very different,” starts Suzannah Mollow, an English girl studying in Madrid on a break from Edinburgh. “Here, it’s very much that the teacher talks at you for an hour and a half. But in the UK, we have seminars and then we have lectures.” Darla MacDonald, a native Californian from the University of California in Santa Cruz, adds to the discussion. Generally, she doesn’t judge the Spanish system negatively, but picks up on teaching techniques. “In the States, we have PowerPoint presentations and everyone is there copying word for word,” she says, noting the lack of such on the Spanish side. “I don’t know that I consider them better, but it’s nice to have some point of reference so I know what’s important.” Each of the girls agrees that the difference between how professors treat assignments is one of the most difficult transitions. In US grades are given throughout a semester, so you have a better idea of progress, plus what’s needed for the final exam. Kaitlin Gibson, a Texan from Oklahoma State University, mentions, “I had one project last semester, and I got that grade back with my final grade.” However, native English-speakers are not the only ones stressed about the transition between two systems of education. France and Spain, although they are neighbours, have very differing views on how to educate their students.

France

Two political science majors, Juan Tapia and Adrián Zamuz Eghbali, take a break from their books to voice their opinions about studying in Bordeaux versus Madrid. Juan finds that the most significant difference between the university systems is that of the prácticas, which are classes in addition to regular lectures. “Here, it’s more theoretical,” he notes, and also

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mentions that there is much more participation in his university in Bordeaux. “It stimulates you more.” The two boys have also noticed the distinction between how professors use class time. “[In Spain] you do everything at home,” Adrián remarks. “In France, they give you things to think about at home and later you have a real debate in class.” France and Spain are neighbours, but moving further east broadens comments on the education transition.

Serbia

Katarina Vitomirovic, a student from Belgrade in her final year of university, sees the variations between universities as a learning experience, shedding light on Europe’s education system as a whole. “[In my university in Belgrade], you have to do less, but more often,” she says. “It’s not like that in Spain. You have to read everything, which is really good. Just for the first semester, I read more books than I read in three years in Belgrade.” A difficulty that Katarina faces in her Spanish university, however, is coping with the student-teacher relationship. “Professors in colleges and faculties are considered entities that you need to respect no matter what,” she states. “You don’t have a right to say anything. You don’t have the right to complain.” She mentions that although she has experienced this with several professors during her year abroad, things are changing with the new generation of teachers, who are more accessible “They were taught like that, and they are teaching like that. Times change,” she adds.

Poland

In opposition to Katarina’s viewpoint, Roksana Pikhard, a student from Poland working on her final thesis, finds the professors to be much more accessible in Spain than in her home university. “In Poland, you can’t have familiarity with the professor. There’s a bigger distance between the professor and the students,” she comments. “The professor is the one with power and the students are like worms.” Now back in Poland, Roksana yearns for the student lifestyle that she found in Madrid. “When you come out of the university [in Madrid], you’ll see many people drinking beers, smoking, playing guitar,” she reminisces. “In Poland, when I tell people this, they don’t believe me!” she adds with a laugh.

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sport

Team talk

With the soccer season having drawn to a close, what was the outcome for the IFL Madrid and FC Británico? Luc Ciotkowski and Neil Moran report

The IFL Madrid

The IFL Madrid raised their glasses to Atlético Cero, who made theirs a double as they won both the first division championship and the Nuez Web Solutions league cup in the same season for the first time. The mostly Peruvian outfit outclassed the rest of the field with a probing, attacking brand of possession football, in which the attitude was ‘score one if you want, but we’ll score three”—with their final goal difference backing up that comment almost exactly. Star striker Dani Espadín hit 85 league goals, a ratio of ‘only’ 4.5 goals per game played (he managed a record ratio of more than five per game last season), which gained him his third consecutive Pichichi top scorer award. The game that epitomised Cero’s commitment to goalscoring was the titanic cup semi final when they played the team with the best defence—O’Neill’s United. O’Neill’s led 4-2 five minutes into the second half. Cero then substituted their goalkeeper for an attacker and the daring gamble paid off: Atlético Cero won the tie 7-6 and went on to claim the cup against Santana in a repeat of the 2012 final.

Eight-times league winners Santana had come back from a poor start to the season to be the team who pushed Cero the hardest, beating them in both their league meetings before succumbing in

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that cup clash. Yet it was the year’s revelation team, FC Twenty, who snatched the first division runner-up spot and in doing so capped off a meteoric rise from being the fourth-placed side in the second division in 2011/12 to becoming one of the league’s heavyweights. FC Británico also made a notable transition to the league’s top table after winning last season’s second division, although they lost momentum with midterm player departures. Madrid Reds had flirted with the drop to the second tier following the upturn in fortunes for others, but they stepped up a gear after Christmas and managed to equal the fifth place finish of last year. O’Neill’s United had begun 2012/13 as favourites alongside Atlético Cero, but suffered a disappointing year by their own high standards. They did, however, give us a flash of the sublime when they steamrollered all opposition at the IFL’s touring International Cup for the third time in succession. This year the tournament was held in Valencia, from where teams contested the competition along with those from Madrid. The recipients of silverware were rounded off by Triskel Tavern, who convincingly sealed the IFL second division title, as they did two years ago during their last sojourn outside the top flight. The season’s greatest advert for perseverance was the seemingly hapless Rastro Bar-barians, whose record in mid-February read played 13, lost 13. They won seven of their nine remaining games and rose from rock bottom to fifth in the second division, leaving everyone wondering what they’d been drinking on Saturday nights. There was no such mystery with FC Red Calm, sponsored by the brand of Ribera del Duero red wine which gives them their name. It wasn’t exactly a vintage year for them as they found themselves bottom of the barrel, but the playing, and the drinking, was a lot of fun. - LUC CIOTKOWSKI

The IFL Madrid is always looking for new teams and players. See www.iflmadrid.com or email lewis.carroll @ honeywell.com

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sport

FC Británico

The 2012/13 season got underway with preseason training back in early August. There was the annual encouraging influx of new players, but with many more players than normal leaving Madrid recently, the 1st team squad this time round was almost completely new. When the league season got under way in mid-September it looked like the team had been playing together for ages, as they ran out 3-0 winners on the opening day, although mixed results in the next few games saw them round off the first five fixtures with two wins, one draw and two defeats. It soon became apparent that Group Six of the Tercera regional league, in which the 11-a-side FC Británico play, was going to be a competitive one. Some quality teams had been relegated to this Group, and others had strengthened their squads from last season. At the Christmas break, FC Británico sat in mid-table and were certainly having no trouble scoring goals, banging in 40 in the first 14 games, with Barry Shiel and Zak Harry leading the charge with 18 goals between them. From the New Year, results were a mixed bag, with the highlight being a 7-0 victory away against CD Perales de Tajuña, a record scoreline in the four years that the club has been in the regional league. The season ended with a 12th place finish, reflecting the transition that the side has been through. Going in to the 2013/14 season, the vast majority of the team will be around to build on the hard work, and with new players arriving again in August and September the side has a good base from which to develop and push on. At the end of season awards presentation, Josh Franco was voted Players’ Player of the Year, Andy Hodnett received Player of the Year and Barry Shiel scooped the top scorer award. The FC Británico second team completed the season with a mid-table place, having qualified for the Division de Honor from the Liga Bunwer. Zak Harry took the Top Goalscorer prize along with the Manager’s Player of the Season award, whilst Ally Renucci won Players’ Player of the Season, and Amar Chibberm, received Clubman of the Season. - NEIL MORAN

FC Británco welcomes players of all levels to be a part of the club. If you’re interested, please email regional.manager@fcbritanico.com and we’ll let you know the plans for preseason or any friendly games during the summer. You can also keep up to date on www.fcbritanico.com or facebook.com/fcbritanico. Madrid in English

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In the footsteps of the famous

With the help of www.silverscreenspain.com, Laura Stephens identifies a walking route that connects English language movies filmed in Madrid

t

he narrow, winding Hapsburg-era calles around Plaza Mayor, the magnificent ornate Bourbon-period Conde Duque, or the beautiful green Casa de Campo. These and many other awe-inspiring slices of the Madrid cityscape have featured in hundreds of Spanish films set and shot in the capital, not least by director Pedro Almodovar, who has almost made the city a protagonist in his films. But what about English language movies? You may be surprised to discover that quite a few non-Spanish filmmakers have used our breathtaking and grand city as a backdrop. Spain was a popular country to shoot grand-scale productions in the 50s and 60s, with the low cost of labour and extras along with the barren desert-like landscape of the hinterlands making it an ideal setting for epics such as El Cid (1961) and The Rise of the Roman Empire (1964). Madrid, with its mix of architectural styles, has also inspired many American and English directors to shoot scenes within the city limits.

Cibeles

Just out of shot

David Lean, when refused access to the Soviet Union to make his 1965 epic Dr Zhivago, set up camp in the Madrid area. A huge set was built just outside the city, although some scenes were filmed in the centre, including that in which Geraldine Chaplin, playing the doctor’s wife, alights the train to meet her husband (this took place in Estación de Delicias, now the

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Museo del Ferrocarril at Paseo de las Delicias, 61). The final car chase scene in the 2012 action thriller The Cold Light of Day, in which Sigourney Weaver’s character is trapped in her car as it skids sideways across tarmac and into the entrance of a metro station, was filmed in the courtyard of the Plaza de Toros at Ventas. Casa de Campo has been used as the backdrop in innumerable films, including Spartacus, Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 masterpiece, and A Fistful of Dollars, the first of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western Dollars trilogy, which rocketed Clint Eastwood to international stardom.

And… action

In a scene in the 2007 release The Bourne Ultimatum, the third of the espionage thriller series, Matt Damon’s character, Jason Bourne, arrives in the city by way of Atocha station, and this is where we start our walk. The station is such a significant part of Madrid’s history it would be a shame not to spend a little time here, so grab yourself un café y algo dulce and provide some energy for the forthcoming stroll. Alberto de Palacio Ellisagne, a former student of Gustave Eiffel, designed Atocha’s magnificent steel and glass construction, completed in 1892. In the huge tropical garden inside the station there are turtles and fish as well as all manner of plant life. Having consumed your coffee, take a walk out of the station towards the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. The museum Photo (CC) flickr: jl_cernadas is visited by the arthungry professional assassin Lone Wolf, played by Isaach De Bankolé, in acclaimed indie director Jim Jarmusch’s 2009 release The Limits of Control, a crime drama costarring Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Gael García Bernal. Cross the Paseo del Prado, and then by way of Calle Claudio Moyano, stroll into the Retiro. Continue in the park along Paseo Fernán Núñez towards

Instituto de Cervantes

Photo (CC) flickr: puroticorico

Ricardo Bellver’s famous Ángel Caído statue, inspired by a passage from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which represents Lucifer falling from Heaven. The statue is thought to be the only known public monument of the devil, and Jodie Foster, Julian Sands and Ellen Barkin pass by him in Mary Lambert’s 1987 film Siesta, an experimental art house release with themes of sex and death, with a smoky score performed by Miles Davis.

Park and stride

As we continue along the tree-lined avenue of Paseo Republica de Cuba we come to the estanque. The small lake has featured in many films, notably in the finale of the 1964 John Wayne and Rita Hayworth vehicle Circus World. The monument to King Alfonso XII provides the background for the final circus scenes in what was to be the last of big-time Hollywood producer Samuel Bronston’s epic films made in Spain. (Incidentally, the Russian-American producer is buried in Las Rozas near Madrid, where his success had helped him build a magnificent film studio complex in the late 1950s). From here we turn left and, by way of Paseo Argentina, exit the park. We are faced with the Plaza de la Lealtad, and slightly to the left the Plaza de Canovas with its Fuente de Neptuno, which Jeff Goldblum passes in a taxi in the 1992 comedy Shooting Elizabeth. Across the Plaza and entered by walking up Plaza

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Jodie Foster, Julian Sands and Ellen Barkin amble past Ricardo Bellver’s famous Angél Caído (Retiro park) in Mary Lambert’s 1987 film Siesta

Palace Hotel

Photo (CC) flickr: Tomas_Fano

de las Cortes, is the historic Palace Hotel, within whose luxurious five star walls many a script has been written and negotiated. However, perhaps its most surprising function was to portray Teddy Roosevelt’s White House during the filming

of John Milius’s 1975 adventure film The Wind and the Lion, starring Sean Connery.

Stares and stairs

Coming out of the hotel, we head back down to the Paseo del Prado where, in front of the Prado museum, sits Velázquez, unchanged since his appearance in the 1962 art-heist movie The Happy Thieves, which starred Rex Harrison. If we head north along the Paseo del Prado we come to another of Madrid’s famous fountains, Cibeles, which has been used as a backdrop in films such as the aforementioned The Cold Light of Day, 1998 drama Talk of

Madrid in English

Angels and the 1959 comedy romance It Started With a Kiss, which stars Glenn Ford as an air-force sergeant serving in Spain, and Debbie Reynolds as his new wife. We now pass the grandiose Palacio de Cibeles and turn left into Calle de Alcalá, where at number 49, is the Instituto Cervantes, whose impressive facade became the entrance to the Banco Nacional de San Sebastián for a robbery scene in the 2008 action thriller Deception, which stars Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams. The entrance is quite interesting and dramatic, which is more than can be said about the movie. Further along Calle de Alcalá, at number 15, is the impressive Casino de Madrid, which portrayed the ‘Parisian’ hotel in which stays Maggie Smith’s character, the flaming-red headed eccentric Augusta Bertram, in the 1972 comedy adventure Travels with my Aunt. Director George Cukor made good use of the casino’s ornate staircase in the film based on Graham Greene’s novel.

Star bar

To finish, we suggest taking an about turn, going back down Calle de Alcalá, and turning left in to Gran Vía. At number 12 is the classic art-deco cocktail bar Museo Chicote, the perfect place to enjoy an early evening livener. Silver screen

stars of the golden age such as Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Olivier, Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra all spent considerable time drinking the bar’s signature cocktail the Chicote, a mixture of vermouth, gin and Grand Marnier. The bar also played an important part in Madrid’s 1980s Movida movement, and to this day is frequented by luminaries of the national and international entertainment world. So sit back, relax and soak in the atmosphere. The bar might not have featured in any movies itself, but you can bet its walls have heard a hundred stories.

Retiro’s boating lake

Photo (CC) flickr: Cruccone

For a longer Madrid cinema walk, details of cinema walks in other cities, and concise information about English Language movies made in Spain, see www.silverscreenspain.com

InMadridmag

JULY 2013

15


month ahead

art

By Andrea Garcia and Sarah Kempe

pick o’ the month

La colección Helga de Alvear: El arte del presente

CentroCentro, Plaza de Cibeles, 1 (Metro: Banco de España). Tel: 91 480 00 08. Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm. (Last admittance 7pm). Adults €5, reduced €2.50. (Free, Tues, 10am-2pm.) The collection of Helga de Alvear is one of Europe’s most important contemporary art collections, from which more than 100 works have been selected for this exhibition at CentroCentro. With her finger on the pulse of trends in all art genres, the exhibition includes photography, painting, video installations, sculpture and drawing, by artists such as Helena Almeida, Matthew Barney, Jean-Marc Bustamante, Santiago Sierra, Jeff Wall, Tomas Ruff and Ai Weiwei. Many are cutting-edge designs, capturing a moment in the ever-changing moods and fashions of the art world. Helga de Alvear, whose personal collection extends to more than 2,500 pieces, believes that no collection is a universal or defining truth, but rather the result of an overall view of artistic developments worldwide. Some of the works on show are by artists for whom she expects a bright future. 24 May-3 Nov.

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

Po del Prado, 8 (Metro: Banco de España). Tel: 91 369 01 51. Tues-Sat, 10am-10pm; Sun, Mon, 10am-7pm. General admission €10, students €6. Reflejos. De Van Eyck a Magritte This is the sixth installment of the series “Miradas Cruzadas”, and on this occasion the chosen theme is the visual games and differences between the real and the reflected image. The works show techniques used to make glass, mirrors, metals and reflective surfaces illustrate details that remain outside of the frame, or within darkness on the canvas. Many artistic periods are represented, from the 15th to the 20th century. 10 Jun-15 Sept.

Telephone booths by Richard Estes

Georges Méliés. La magia del cine From the end of July, the CaixaForum presents a tribute to Georges Méliès, the first master of cinema. The exhibition examines Méliès roots, culture and techniques, to show that the origins of his world are at the origins of cinema: animated shadows, magic lantern, phantasmagoria, chronophotography, illusion, magic and fantasy. The objects in the exhibition belong to the Georges Méliès collection (drawings, movies, gadgets, clothes, etc) of the Cinémathèque Française. CaixaForum, Po del Prado, 36 (Metro: Atocha). Tel: 91 330 73 00. Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm. CaixaForum ticket: €4. 26 Jul-8 Dec.

16 JULY 2013

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month ahead Museo del Prado

Po del Prado, s/n (Metro: Banco de España/Atocha). Tel: 91 330 28 00. Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun 10am7pm. General admission €14. Reduced €7. Permanent collection free, Mon-Sat, 6-8pm; Sun 5-7pm. La belleza encerrada. De Fra Angelico a Fortuny Hidden Beauty, from Fra Angelico to Fortuny continues through the summer at the Prado, featuring more than 250 tiny-scale works and spanning more than six centuries of artistic expression, prepared from a massive survey of its permanent collection. The exhibition includes the work of masters like Murillo, Rubens, and Goya. 21 May-10 Nov.

theatre

Other galleries

Pisando metas: Historia del calzado deportivo It’s fair to say that you’ll get a kick out of this exhibition, as on display are more than 50 different sports shoes from the 19th and 20th century, ranging from ice skates to football boots. Tracing sports shoe history up to the everyday trainers that are now so popular, key attractions include boots worn by Spanish mountaineer Edurne Pasabán, and Rafael Nadal’s footwear when he won the 2007 Wimbledon final. Museo del Traje, Av de Juan de Herrera, 2 (Metro: Moncloa). Tel: 91 550 47 00. Tues-Sat, 9.30am7pm; Sun, 10am-3pm. Free. 19 Jul-13 Sep. Drácula: un monstruo sin reflejo The Casa del Lector at the Matadero is hosting this exhibition which looks at the character of Dracula, and also pays tribute his creator, Bram Stoker, reviewing his biography, his friendships with Walt Whitman and Mark Twain, and his dealings with Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and H. G. Wells. The way in which filmmakers and illustrators, since 1922, have taken different approaches to the character is also examined. Matadero, Pº de la Chopera, 14 (Metro: Legazpi). Tel: 91 252 52 53. Tues-Fri, 4-9pm; Sat, 11am-3pm, 4-9pm; Sun 11am-3pm. Free. 22 Mar-8 Sep.

Georges Méliés. La magia del cine From the end of July, the CaixaForum presents a tribute to Georges Méliès, the first master of cinema. The exhibition examines Méliès roots, culture and techniques, to show that the origins of his world are at the origins of cinema: animated shadows, magic lantern, phantasmagoria, chronophotography, illusion, magic and fantasy. The objects in the exhibition belong to the Georges Méliès collection (drawings, movies, gadgets, clothes, etc) of the Cinémathèque Française. CaixaForum, Po del Prado, 36 (Metro: Atocha). Tel: 91 330 73 00. Mon-Sun, 10am-8pm. CaixaForum ticket: €4. 26 Jul-8 Dec.

by Sarah Kempe, Andrea Garcia and Mika Kubo

Eoloh!

After a very successful tour, the majestic spectacle of Eoloh! returns to Madrid. This new version has even more impressive numbers and performances than before, with the show including aerial choreography, acrobatics, a grand video projection, a snow show (which will release more than 10kg of synthetic snow), 120 costumes and more than 20 artists from other world-renown productions such as Cirque du soleil and Afrika Afrika. Prepare for an unconventional evening of entertainment. Nuevo Teatro Alcalá, C/Jorge Juan, 62 (Metro: Goya/Principe de Vergara). Tel: 91 426 47 79. Tues-Sun, 8.30pm. 18 Jun-14 Jul. Tickets from €21 at www.entradas.com

Beatlemania

The Beatlemania production comes to Spain for the first time, telling of the journey of the legendary Liverpool ‘Fab Four’ through their greatest hits. The tribute band recreating the sound are Beatlemajesty, who arrive in Madrid after seven years performing nightly at the Casino Theatre in Las Vegas, and they’ve earned themselves the reputation of being the best Beatles tribute band in the world. It’s a great celebration of John, Paul, George and Ringo’s music, and captures the magic of many of their hits, from “All My Loving” to “Yesterday”. Teatro Nuevo Apolo, Plaza de Tirso de Molina, 1 (Metro: Tirso de Molina). Tel: 91 523 44 20. Wed-Fri, 9pm; Sat, 7pm and 10pm; Sun, 7.30pm. 3-14 Jul. Prices from €20 at www.entradas.com

LUMA Cirque of Light

Michael Marlin, creator of LUMA Cirque of Light, brings his spectacular show to Madrid’s Teatro Caser Calderón. When the curtains go up and the lights go down, the darkness becomes a canvas. Brightly coloured, neon, and glow-in-the-dark lights fill the theatre, accompanied throughout with music by composers such as Rossini and Aaron Copland, giving the show that extra touch. The show has toured internationally in countries such as Japan, Scotland, Italy and Venezuela, but this is its first run in Spain. Teatro Caser Calderón C/Atocha, 18 (Metro: Sol). Tues-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. 2 Jun-7 Jul. Tickets from €19 at www.entradas.com

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JULY 2013

17


month ahead

By C Quinn-Sparkell

live music

Live Music Listings for July SALA ARENA, C/Princesa, 1 (Metro: Plaza de España). www.salarena.es/ 5 Jul: Soulfly 7 Jul: J-Alvarez 18 Jul: Cultura Protética BOGUI JAZZ, C/Barquillo, 29 (Metro: Chueca). Tel: 91 521 15 68. www.boguijazz.com. 3 Jul: Los Mighty Calacas, Jazz 4 Jul: Blas Picón & The Junk Express, Blues 5 Jul: Patáx 6 Jul: Neda & Labutis, Jazz Quartet 10 Jul: Ignacio Berroa Trío, Jazz/Latino 11 Jul: Cajun Moon (Kike Jambalaya & David Gwynn), Blues 12 Jul: The Bob Sands Quintet 13 Jul: Américo Bellotto & Guillermo Lancelotti Quintet 16 Jul: Jeff Espinoza 17 Jul: Ángela Cervantes Canta a Cuba, Jazz/ Latino 18 Jul: Red House, Blues 19 Jul: Marta Sánchez Quintet 20 Jul: Tony Lakatos & Bobby Martinez Quintet 23 Jul: Jeff Espinoza 24 Jul: Yelsy Heredia & Camino a Maisí 25 Jul: Flaco Barral Trío, Blues 26 Jul: Ander García Sexteto 27 Jul: Sinouj con Javier Paxariπo 28 Jul: Jeff Espinoza 31 Jul: Síntesis, Jazz/Latino SALA CARACOL, c/Sebastián Elcano, 18 (Metro: Embajadores). Tel: 91 527 35 94. www.salacaracol.com 11 Jul: Caracol: High Voltaje + Lado Positivo + The Perverteds + The X +XXI Gramos 12 Jul: In Verso + Next Step/ Pervy Perkin 13 Jul: Evento Benefico 18 Jul: Caracol: Cultures Emotional+ Oxido + RHG + Rodrigo Muñoz, Sueños Flamencos CENTRAL CAFÉ, Plaza del Angel, 10 (Metro: Sol/Antón Martín). Tel: 91 369 41 43. www.cafecentralmadrid.com 1-7 Jul: Virimá 8-14 Jul: O Sister 8-14 Jul: Bob Sands Cuarteto 22-26 Jul: Lou Donaldson Quartet SALA CLAMORES, c/Albuquerque, 14 (Metro: Bilbao). Tel: 91 445 79 38. www.salaclamores.com 1 Jul: Tributo a Neil Young, Pop 2 Jul: Octeto Sambusa, Jazz 3 Jul: Señoritas on Fire, Pop 4 Jul: Alikindoi, Flamenco Pop 5 Jul: Red House & Blues Friends, Blues + Lorca, Canciones 6 Jul: Juan Matute y amigos, Pop + Red House & Blues Friends, Blues + Habana Abierta, Fusión Afro-Cubana 7 Jul: Red House & Blues Friends, Blues 8 Jul: John Pizzarelli, Blues 9-10Jul: Imany (Francia), Soul 11 Jul: Dead Capo, Jazz 12 Jul: La M.O.D.A. ( La Maravillosa Orquesta del Alcohol), Pop + Bus Brothers Band, Blues 13 Jul: Javier Elorrieta, Canción Francesca + Reverendo Brown, Soul 14 Jul: Little Mike & The Tornadoes ( U.S.A.), Blues

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15 Jul: Aruan Ortíz & Michael Janisch featuring Greg Osby, Jazz 16 Jul: Gabriel Peso Trío, Jazz 17 Jul: Shemekia Copeland ( U.S.A.), Blues 18 Jul: Mavi Díaz y Las Folkies + Marián Farías Gómez, Música Argentina 19 Jul: Gene Taylor Blues Band, Blues 20 Jul: Marco Dettoni, Pop-Rock + Gene Taylor Blues Band, Blues + Angélica Leyva, Flamenco Fusión 22 Jul: Ara Malikian & Fdo. Egozcue Qt., Tango-Jazz 23- 24 Jul: Vijay Iyer ( U.S.A.), Jazz 25- 26 Jul: Jerry Gonzáles Band, Latin Jazz 26 Jul: Picadillo, Música Cubana 27 Jul: Tord Gustarsen (Norguea), Jazz + Clover Jazz Trío, Jazz 28 Jul: Monsieur Perine, Jazz manouge 29-31 Jul: Zenet, Jazz

GRUTA 77, c/Cuclillo, 6 (Metro: Oporto). Tel: 91 471 23 70. www.gruta77.com 2 Jul: Los Martes el arte por el suelo 4 Jul: Concierto Benefico Proa: Scopitones + Tapaskada 5 Jul: Hard Skin + The Blood + The Fill Sor Iknout 6 Jul: Para Muerte + Profesor Betu + Bubble Bones 9 Jul: New York Ska Jazz Ensemble 11 Jul: Gran Gombate Músico- Literario: Ruben Pozo (Pereza) vs. Kike Turrón 12 Jul: 1° Festival Helios Rock: La Leñera + Deskarte + Doxa 13 Jul: Marky Ramone S Blitzrieg con Andrew WK a la voz 16 Jul: Los Martes el arte por el suelo 18 Jul: Concierto Benéfico para la Asociacion Solidaridad con Madres Solteras (ASMS): Con Mora + Oscar Corrales + Karamemba + Rodrigo

SALA GALILEO GALILEI, c/de Galileo, 100 (Metro: Islas Filipinas/Canal). Tel: 91 534 75 57/58. www.salagalileogalilei. com 1 Jul: Dorisha, Danza/ Musica Oriental 2 Jul: Bruno Bonacorso, Pop 3 Jul: Antonio de Pinto, Canción de Autor 4 Jul: Raks Madrid Marhaba, Danza/ Musica Oriental 5 Jul: Raks Madrid Perfumes de Oriente, Danza/ Musica Oriental 6 Jul: Raks Madrid Gala de Clausura, Danza/ Musica Oriental 7 Jul: Sejmet- Festival de alumnas, Danza/ Musica Oriental 8 Jul: Escuela de Teatro Musical María Beltrán, Varios Estilos 9 Jul: Gaudea y Blue velvet, Pop Esperanza Spalding plays Teatro Circo Price on 14 Jul 10 Jul: Jorge Blass, Magia Gomez + Roberto Corrochano 11 Jul: Luís Pastor, Canción de Autor 19 Jul: Emision Pirala: Duelo de guitarras con 12 Jul: Beat Beat Yeah, Todo Beatles Jorge Sulan + Not Too Late + Fran Soler + Arkania 13 Jul: Caída Libre + Ro Band, Pop 20 Jul: Fiesta del Banador: Los Derrumbes con 14 Jul: Layali Alkasar, Danza/Musica Orienta Marcos Sendarrubia S + Juanola Headst + The 15 Jul: Tributo a Hilario Camacho, Canción de Autor Garage Players 16 Jul: Javier Ruibal, Canción de Autor 25 Jul: New Ska Jazz Ensemble 17 Jul: Tontxu, Canción de Autor 26 Jul: Fiesta Fin de Temporada: Los Petersellers 19 Jul: Noche Sabinera, Pop-Rock + Mama Ladilla 20 Jul: Stompin´at the Galileo una noche de 27 Jul: Snatchers + Screamin´Fish Swing, Swing/ Melódica 21 Jul: Escuela de Música y Danza Libre Galileo JOY ESLAVA, c/Arenal, 8 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 98, Baile y Danza 366 54 39. www.joy-eslava.com 22 Jul: Jean Dáquila y Beatriz Mellizo, Baile y 7 Jul: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Danza 11 Jul: Wild Belle 23 Jul: Antonio Zambujo, Música Portuguesa 24 Jul: Luís Ramiro, Canción de Autor SALA LEMON, Avda del Brasil, 5 (Metro: 25 Jul: Ana Alcaide, Pop Santiago Bernabéu). Tel: 646 006 433. 26 Jul: O Mandal Sambakiteria y Grandela Danza, 5 Jul: Boobingas Danza Africana 27 Jul: Rafael Amor, Canción de Autor PALACIO DE DEPORTES DE LA COMUNIDAD 28 Jul: Maykel Blanco, Música Cubana DE MADRID, Avenida Felipe II, s/n (Metro: 29 Jul: Amigos de Tara Guadalupe, Canción de Autor Goya/O Donnell). Tel. 91 444 99 49. 30 Jul: Black Light Gospel Choir, Gospel www.palaciodedeportes.com

CAFÉ LA PALMA, c/Palma, 62 (Metro: Noviciado). Tel: 91 522 50 31. www.cafelapalma.com 4 Jul: Suka 5 Jul: Massena 8 Jul: Joan Vázquez 10 Jul: Lígula 11 Jul: Los Nanómetros 12 Jul: Tucan Morgan + Parker Band + Foeme 13 Jul: ITCN + After The Rain 14 Jul: El Cabo 17 Jul: Francis White 18 Jul: Victor Santana Band 19 Jul: UBHS + Norris 20 Jul: Trafik & Dj Rune + JML + Selop + J3L con DLO 21 Jul: José Lucena 25 Jul: Sumer Jam 26 Jul: Doubtful Sound + Ojos de Gamba SALA PENELOPE, C/ Hilarion Eslava, 36 (Metro: Moncloa/Argüelles). www. penelopemadrid.ticketbox.es/ 12 Jan: ToteKing & Shotta 19 Jan: Pastora 26 Jan: Obús SALA EL SOL, c/Jardines, 3 (Metro: Gran Vía). Tel: 91 532 64 90. www.elsolmad.com 3 Jul: Rachel Arieff 4 Jul: El Antiguo + Tea 7 Jul: Jonathan Wilson 9 Jul: The Delta Saints 12 Jul: Torche + Grupo Invitado 17 Jul: Hanui el Khatib 18 Jul: Fiesta Past Concierto Bomba Estéreo 27 Jul: Andrea Ecke LA RIVIERA, P° Bajo de La Virgen, s/n (Metro: Puerta del Ángel/Príncipe Pio). Tel: 91 365 24 15. www.salariviera.com 5 Jul: George Thorogood & The Destroyers 10 Jul: La Pandilla Voladora 13 Jul: Tame Impala TEATRO CIRCO PRICE, Ronda de Atocha, 35 (Metro: Embajadores). www.teatrocircoprice.es 3 Jul: El Cigala 4 Jul: Earth Wind&Fire 5 Jul: Soleá Morente 6 Jul: Wynton Marsalis 9 Jul: Reinaldo Creagh 10 Jul: Ben Howard 11 Jul: Zenet 12 Jul: Marwan 13 Jul: Silvia Perez Cruz 14 Jul: Esperanza Spalding 15 Jul: The Original Blues Brothers Band 17 Jul: Richie Lee Jones 18 Jul: Fanfarlo 21 Jul: Carlos Do Carmo 23 Jul: Alex Clare 24 Jul: Buika 25 Jul: Diana Krall 29 Jul: Dulce Pontes 30 Jul: Luis Eduardo Aute TEATRO LARA, c/Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 15 (Metro: Callao). Tel: 91 523 90 27. www.teatrolara.com 24 Jul: Julia Holter

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A faith in music

As part of the Veranos de la Villa festival, singer/songwriter Alex Clare plays Madrid’s Teatro Circo Price. Tim Inkling finds out more about his unusual rise to fame, and how he balances his religious beliefs with his music career. Additional reporting by Clementyne Chambers The words “commercial” and “success” are often linked together, but they perhaps refer to Alex Clare’s springboard to success more literally than most, as public interest in his music shot up after his song, “Too Close”, was used in a number of ads for Internet Explorer 9 in March last year. The song actually came from Clare’s first album, The Lateness of the Hour, released in July 2011, although it failed to make an impression at that time. The ad, however, turned everything on its head. Whilst not putting the success entirely down to luck, Clare is philosophical about the timing. “I believe everything happens for a reason and when it’s the right time, it’s the right time,” he says, “but I owe a lot to that commercial!” “Too Close” reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, and the number one spot in Germany; it was also nominated for Best British Single at the 2013 BRIT Awards. Clare’s story, though, could have been very different. By the time the single gained popularity, despite various stories about how his career had changed, he had actually moved from the UK to Israel, and was at a yeshiva school studying religious texts of Orthodox Judaism. “If the Explorer call had never come though,” he muses, “I’m sure I’d probably still be in Jerusalem making new music.”

Starting dead

Clare’s musical interest started when he was only seven years old, first with playing the trumpet, and then, four years later, the drums. His guitar-playing and songwriting didn’t commence until he was in his late teens, by which time he was paying the drums in various bands and helping with backing vocals. His first stage name was Alex G Muertos, which raises some curiosity as the surname means ‘dead’ in Spanish. “It just so happens that I was in a band called Los Muertos,” explains Clare. “It was never a conscious decision [to use the name], but at that time in London, there was a trend that if you were in a band, you would be known by the band’s name. Therefore, when I would play acoustically solo, I would be billed as Alexander G Muertos.” He was initially training to be a chef, but decided that music was his true vocation, and with his work in the studio proving more attractive than the kitchen, he began writing songs for himself and others. His sound is difficult to pin down to one particular genre, as he grew up listening to all types of music, including his father’s jazz records. When Clare was a youngster in the 90s, jungle and garage were prevalent. Madrid in English

His debut album, the aforementioned The Lateness of the Hour, was produced by Mike Spencer and Major Lazer. Spencer has worked with Emeli Sandé, Jamiroquai and Kylie Monogue, amongst others, whilst Major Lazer is the former production team of Diplo and Switch. Clare’s success has opened further doors and working partnerships. “I’ve just done a collaboration with Don Diabolo which is sounding really good,” he admits. “I also worked with Rudimental last summer and there might be some more to come from that collaboration. In terms of future projects, I tend not to talk about then until they’re finished; I don’t like to jinx things!”

Keeping faith

Clare adopted Orthodox Judaism about six years ago, even though his early life was secular. His chosen religious path has apparently already cost him the opportunity of supporting Adele on tour, as he will not work on the Sabbath or religious holidays. He takes kosher products with him when travelling, and according to The Times of Israel (www.timesofisrael.com), “his bodyguards help ward off the mobs of screaming teenage girls… so that nobody touches him, since he adheres to religious laws of modesty which forbid touching women.” He studies Jewish texts, including the Tanya, a work of Hasidic philosophy. With the music industry being amongst the most hedonistic, it must be difficult to balance the demands of touring and recording with his faith. “Music is very spiritual and also very emotional,” he says, “and to be a religious person and to be a musician, both require emotional intelligence and spiritual sensitivity.”

InMadridmag

JULY 2013

19


Nick Funnell selects the best movies to see this month

We Live in Water

Jess Walter Harper Perennial This book of short stories is filled with neglect: parents neglecting children, lovers neglecting each other, people neglecting themselves. The grittiness of the tales—touching on themes from homelessness to drug addiction—is the first noticeable connection across the collection, but beneath the initially difficult topics there is a deeply understandable humanity as the protagonists make bad mistakes without seeming to be bad characters. How you react to the collection may depend upon whether you interpret the stories as presenting poverty as it really is, or whether you consider them as being too excessive in the sadness they convey, and unnecessarily tear-jerking. Occasionally the tales do seem sentimental and without surprise, but rich detail and beautiful language keep them from becoming simplistic. There are a few wild diversions from the general theme, like the dystopian zombie story Don’t Eat Cat, and the extremely realistic Statistical Abstract for my home of Spokane Washington which shows a new vision of living in a poor area of town and a new kind of pride in one’s imperfect home. Overall, the tales are distinct in character from Walter’s humorous novels, such as The Financial Lives of the Poets and the highly acclaimed Beautiful Ruins, and create a rewarding read despite the intensely emotional topics. LAURA TABOR

Before Midnight (Antes del anochecer) Director Richard Linklater’s follow-up to the achingly romantic Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004) finds formerly star-crossed lovers Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy now married with kids and analyzing long-term commitment on holiday in the Greek islands. Out now After Earth Will Smith and son Jaden star in M Night Shyamalan’s sci-fi thriller about a crash-landed father-andson team battling newly evolved creatures on an Earth abandoned by humankind a millennium before. Out now Star Trek Into Darkness (Star Trek en la oscuridad) Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto return as James T and Spock in JJ Abrams’ follow-up to his 2009 Star Trek reboot and find themselves up against supervillain Benedict Cumberbatch (of the BBC’s Sherlock). Also boldly going where, let’s face it, numerous others have now gone before are Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Simon Pegg and, yay, Leonard Nimoy. 5 July

The Scent of Lemon Leaves Clara Sánchez Alma Books

The ebb and flow of the action in this bestselling novel may feel daunting at first, but it quickly catches and entwines you in the undulating chaos. Originally titled Lo que esconde tu nombre and translated into English by Julie Wark, the book begins with a slow build of momentum describing the life of the protagonist, Sandra, a young pregnant woman. Sandra is currently in search of direction: she has no job and is living in a house belonging to her sister on the east coast of Spain while she is pondering her future. As a result of a fainting spell on the beach, an elderly Norwegian couple take Sandra under their wing in a seemingly harmless way. The protagonist remains content until Julián—an 80-something Argentinian man who survived a World War II concentration camp—comes into her life and enlightens her about the couple’s dark past. Sandra struggles with this knowledge throughout the novel, living a sort of double-life that puts her at risk. The beginning and midsection of the novel are wholly captivating, but it’s difficult to come to terms with the end, which proves puzzling. The protagonists seem to behave in a manner that is contradictory to the way their characters have been developed, resulting in a finish that feels unsatisfactory. Two random love affairs are thrown into the mix, both of which seem unnecessary and distract the reader from the heart of the story. However, despite these setbacks, the descriptions that Sánchez provides of the protagonist’s sentiments carry the plot, which although flawed and occasionally frustrating, offers an entirely fresh perspective on youth, age and platonic relationships. RACHEL MORGAN

20 JULY 2013

The Wolverine (Lobezno inmortal) Hugh Jackman shows his claws once more as the Marvel superhero in this Japanset sequel to 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. James Mangold (Walk the Line) directs a script co-written by The Usual Suspects’ Christopher McQuarrie. 24 Jul The Lone Ranger (El llanero solitario) Armie Hammer (The Social Network) is the legendary masked cowboy and Johnny Depp his Native American sidekick Tonto (known as the slightly less humiliating Toro in Spanish) in Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski’s action comedy update of the classic serial. 23 Aug

InMadridmag

Madrid in English


boy’ style the most. It’s a Jewish custom to keep one’s head covered at all times as a sign of respect to what’s above us.”

/Continued from page 19

Capital opportunity

His forthcoming concert at the Teatro Circo Price, which will be his first ever live show in Spain, fills him with excitement, although like many of us the country holds fond memories for holidays when a child. “I used to travel to Spain with my parents as a kid, to Barcelona and to a small town in the north called Santillana del Mar. I always loved the atmosphere,” he recalls. “I can’t wait to perform for the Madrid crowd, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the city has to offer, as I have never been to Madrid before.” As we finish, we couldn’t depart without enquiring about Clare’s distinctive hat, which seems to be more or less a constant companion, and is evident in quite a number of his press and concert photos. Was there a reason for selecting it? And were there alternatives? “Believe it or not, I do wear other styles!” he laughs, “but I like a ‘baker

For the record

Alex Clare appears at Teatro Circo Price, Ronda de Atocha, 35 (Metro: Embajadores), on Tues, 23 July, at 9pm. For tickets and further details see veranosdelavilla.esmadrid.com or www. teatrocircoprice.es

Ben Howard

Also at the Teatro Circo Price, on Wed, 10 July (his only tour date in Spain) is English singer/songwriter Ben Howard. Howard won two BRIT awards this year, “British Male Solo Artist” and “British Breakthrough Act”, and performed his single “Only Love” at the ceremony. His first full album, Every Kingdom, was nominated for a 2012 Mercury Prize.

Matt Sachs gets his olives out and tells us what we should or shouldn’t be listening to

Baths Obisdian Anticon

One of the most undeniable aspects of the recent advancements in music technology is the possibility for musicians making music alone in their bedrooms to be plucked out of obscurity. And there is no better example of this than Baths, the stage name for the 24 year-old electronic musician, Will Wiesenfeld. Wiesenfeld makes beats that clip and fade rapidly, incorporating unconditional sounds taken from household objects. Combined with simple, washed out instrumentation, his music is chaotic and arrhythmic, simultaneously unnerving and entrancing. Baths newest release, Obsidian, is less experimental and moves more in the direction of electronic pop, focusing on melody and vocals and more straightforward beats. Though such a shift has inherent risks, for the most part, Weisenfeld does it quite successfully, highlighting the inherent beauty of his music without undercutting its originality. “Ironworks”, for example, begins with a poignant piano melody and string accompaniment, before Wiesenfeld’s rich falsetto enters, backed by an otherworldly beat created from some hybrid of crackling twigs and maddening mastication. “No Past Lives” dances between a silly, childlike piano melody and a dark, gurgling beat made in part from pseudorandom beeps and boops from a malfunctioning record player. At times, however, the album sounds too much like unadulterated electronic pop: likable yet trite. “Miasma Sky”, for example, could be found on the newest Postal Service album, featuring a catchy melody and a standard beat completely devoid of much of the sounds and noises that make Baths so thrilling. Obsidian is a bold move for a follow-up album, with Wiesenfeld’s shift having the potential to bring his music to an entirely new audience, yet there is also a chance it will alienate some of his current fans; but the album successfully finds the middle ground, combining vocal and piano hooks with ever captivating rhythms.

The National Trouble Will Find Me 4ad

For the past few years, The National have dominated the indie music sphere, headlining some of the biggest music festivals throughout the world and releasing two best-selling albums. Though the five-piece, originally from Cincinatti, have been around since 2001, it wasn’t until their fourth studio release, 2007’s Boxer, that they began to find commercial success. However, there is nothing new on Trouble Will Find. Lead singer Matt Berninger sings dark and cerebral vocals in an instantly recognizable baritone over a rich layer of interweaving instruments played at a sauntering pace, and while there are moments of music and lyrical brilliance, the album as a whole tends to drag and bore. “Don’t Swallow the Cap” is a standard indie anthem, with steady drums, banging piano suspensions, and swelling strings. Although the energy does eventually pick up with a distorted guitar, the song as a whole is repetitive and innocuous. The same is true of “Sea of Love”, the album’s first single, despite an uplifting chorus and a harmonized, chanted refrain at the end. Berninger’s deep voice seems to work best within a more intimate context. “Fireproof” is one of the only tracks that provides this context, beginning with a mysterious guitar melody and the slow crescendo of a chugging snare drum. It builds slowly with the addition of the bass and strings, accentuating the natural pathos and rawness of Berninger’s voice. The album is a good, solid, indie rock record; the question is really whether they deserve all the hype and critical acclaim. What you think of Trouble Will Find Me comes down to what you think of their previous work, and whether or not you find their mid-tempo anthems and Berninger’s moaning melodies stirring or tedious.

Madrid in English

InMadridmag

JULY 2013

21


Madrid and midsummer mornings

Spain is a country beloved by travel writers. Catriona Spaven-Donn opens the pages of Laurie Lee’s As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, and asks: Has the city changed so very much?

p

erhaps it is the sheer diversity of Spain’s geography, culture and regional languages that inspire writers as they cross the country from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean. Perhaps, too, it is Spain’s volatile past which has aroused writers’ political passions. Bands of volunteers inextricably linking both of those themes are the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War, in whose ranks served many famous international writers. Foreigners have got to know Spain through the texts of their compatriots who wove themselves into the history of this complicated nation with their military action, but sometimes more so with their written word. Among those big names are Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Gerald Brenan and Laurie Lee. All awakened interest in a country which, since their journeys, has changed beyond belief. However, it is Lee’s autobiographical bestseller As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning that draws our attention, for a few roasting, unrelentingly hot days during the summer of 1935, to Madrid. Has the city he found changed so very much in more than 75 years?

presidents, historical dates and virtues.” When he reaches Madrid, he takes the reader through the “pomp and vacuity” of Gran Vía and Calle de Alcalá, their “political parade-grounds,” and the contrasting “living lanes of the city” behind them. A post-siesta stroll in the late afternoon sun, following the maze of streets east of Plaza Santa Ana, or between Gran Via and Tribunal, reveals the same quotidian scenes that Lee saw all those years ago: fruit sellers, children running, window-shoppers and neighbours passing with the slurred farewell greeting of “’sta luego.” Lee searches for the life blood of a city that everyone who knows Madrid has experienced in its backstreets and pedestrian precincts. Whether in Malasaña or Lavapiés, the vibrancy and pulsating energy of the people, nightlife and street culture is evident on every corner. Here is where people celebrate la madrugada or, as Lee puts it, “those nights when nobody slept, sitting around till dawn on their little pavement chairs.” The proximity of people, of noise, of the rise and fall of wonderfully expressive conversations can be felt on any walk down Calle de las Huertas after a night out. For Lee, it was “like life in some public bed.”

Behind the buildings

Time to sip

Lee set out on an adventure and arrived in Spain with almost no Spanish and very little sense of direction; yet the routes

As the city heats up and its residents head en masse to Madrid Río, the Casa del Campo and the Retiro Park, the café culture could be something taken for granted. But as a rainy spring recedes and summer finally arrives, the familiar silver tables and chairs have been appearing on the city’s pavements again. Can you not picture the local café: white tiling, framed pictures askew on the walls, floor strewn with paper napkins and the bar covered with glass display cases almost always empty? Well, Lee could: “For Madrid… was a city of a thousand exquisite taverns—water-cooled, barrellined, and cavernously spacious, Atocha station Photo (CC) flickr: Matthew_Black cheap and affectionately run, in he made travelling south-east across the whose traditional shade the men, at least, Castilian plains will never be forgotten. In spent a half of their waking time.” a time of uncertainty for Spain during the Tourists flock to the tapas bars and 1930s, when those abroad knew little of its peruse menus with little dishes para daily life, Laurie Lee opened doors and eyes. picar famous the world over. Lee Although, when arriving at Atocha commented that “nobody drank without Station, the visitor’s first view of the eating—it would have been thought city might be the imposing Ministerio de uncivilised (and may have been one of the Agricultura across the road, Lee looks reasons why nobody was drunk).” So the beyond these grandiose architectural Spanish attitude was one of “unhurried structures. For him they are “wedding dignity and noblesse”; drinking was just cake mansions… bearing the names of “one of the natural privileges of living.”

22 JULY 2013

Surely this could be rewritten in the present tense and read as a piece of travel writing about Spain today, sitting in one of the many “caves of ice” shaded from the sun and “under the terra-cotta roofs”, sipping a Mahou and nibbling at the free food put down before you as though the summer sun has made time stand still.

The right steps

Indeed, when you wake the next morning, your head clear and belly full despite the beer and because of the food, you witness the sunrise and it is, as Lee says, a miracle of renewal. For each day in this city can be a discovery of its living lanes or its lionjaws streets. As the summer strengthens and the days lengthen, perhaps the discovery will be all the more profound. After all, a stroll in the Retiro followed by a drink in a shady café just out of the heat of the sun is surely the perfect way to experience this city. Before Lee’s departure to continue his journey southward, he seemed to capture the city as the sun rose once more; he seemed to grasp it as he moved away from it: “Raised close to the sky, the city sparkled, as though among the first to receive its light. Indeed Madrid, the highest capital in Europe, was a crystal platform at this early hour. … Standing on its mile-high plateaux their city was considered to be the top rung of a ladder reaching just this side of paradise.” As you’re seated on a shady terrace, taking sips of cold beer and watching the world go by, do remember that phrase, and never stray from a ladder without plenty of thought. I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning is available from Penguin books.

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Madrid in English


NOT THE INMADRID CLASSIFIEDS! To see in the summer with a smile, Jeff Wiseman comes up with some alternative InMadrid classified ads.

accommodation wanted HI! I’M NEW to Madrid and I’m looking to rent a large one-bedroom apartment, with bathroom, balcony, and good light, in Central Madrid. Will pay up to €25 per month. Email: OptimisticLucy@dreamland.co.uk BUDDING BUT untrained musician looking to share an apartment in Madrid due to disagreements with previous flatmates. Essential that new sharer likes trombones. Email: DeseeBell@practicemakesperfect. co.uk PERFECTLY NORMAL, pleasant ventriloquist seeks flatshare. Non smoker. Likes reading, cinema, music and sport. Cheeky Charlie likes all of these things too. Gottleofgeer@dummy.com

desperately seeking SMALL GROUP of professional men looking for driver with fast car. Dark glasses, bank experience and good knowledge of Madrid backstreets helpful. Mustn’t panic if things don’t go to plan. Apply: Eljefe, PO Box 101, Madrid. DO YOU HAVE the winning numbers for next week’s lottery? I would like them too. Email: MadMaria@ward13.es MAN WITH BATON seeks orchestra. Tel: 12 1234 TATTOOIST ENTREPRENEUR needs partner. I tattoo map of central Madrid on your back. We walk round together and make money helping lost tourists. Apply: Tigerman@theinkpot.es MAN WITH ONLY left leg seeks man with only right leg. Objective: cost-effective shoe purchasing. JuanHopper@entrepreneurs.es

classes LEARN MONGOLIAN CAMEL BAITING. Two week course near Mostoles. Camels not supplied. JuanFez@thehump.es LEARN TO BE A GIBBON. Three hours each week spent swinging and hanging from trees in the Retiro. Private insurance essential. FunkyMonkey@swingit.co.uk THE RHYMING COUPLET SOCIETY seeks new members. It’s sad but it’s true, we’re short of a few, so come share a caña, near Plaza d’España.

Madrid in English

I LOST MINE on line four of the metro, probably near Serrano. Black frames, strong lenses. Only pair I have, so please return if found. Raquel, PO Box 0-0, Madrid. (I think she’s misread the column heading—Editor)

friendship MAN WHO COLLECTS SNAKES is looking for woman who may like occasional handbag or pair of shoes. Must also be comfortable if surprised by a large boa constrictor in bed. SlitherySam, PO Box 555. WOMAN WOULD LIKE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS. Ideally a man. Of course any relationship will start excellently but then we’ll begin to disagree, argue and fight, just like all the other men I’ve known. In the end we’ll call the whole thing off, and I’ll feel miserable for months if not years. So why bother? Actually, I’ve always wanted to start my own aquarium. Forget friendship. Contact me if you have unwanted fish. TrishBarking@dumped.com

business ANTI-GRAVITY bobble hats. €12 per dozen. SEE WHERE YOU’RE GOING! Carry a torch. €5.99 excl. batteries. MAKE MONEY! Buy chairs! People always need to sit down. The Surplus Chair Company, Peckham, London, UK. UNICYCLING MIDGET available for weddings. PO Box 3ft 6.

heart-to-heart BLONDE FEMALE FORMER 60S wild child on the market again. I am the moon, I am the stars, I am Neptune, I am Mars, I am a grape on sun-drenched vine, squeeze me tight and taste my wine. No time wasters. PO Box 69. HANDSOME SEXY SPANISH MAN is looking for nice English tourist girl. I let you explore my Plaza Mayor and we enjoy my chorizo. Miguel, PO Box 11. FEMALE ENGLISH TOURIST, visiting Madrid soon, would like to meet handsome Spanish man to see Plaza Mayor and share chorizo. Rose, PO Box 22. ROSE! CONTACTARME!

Contactarme! Miguel, PO Box 11. RETIRED SPANISH CIVIL SERVANT, male, looking for extranjera for nights out. Written applications only, in triplicate, detailing name, passport number, current address, previous address, job, length of stay in Spain, next of kin, medical history, qualifications, school record, three references and signature. Enclose stamped addressed envelope as incorrect applications will be returned. If no response received within six months, please write again. Alfredo, PO Box 666.

for sale MY BOYFRIEND IS MOVING OUT so all of his stuff is for sale. Books, guitar, CDs, DVDs, and even clothes and food. Must be seen and taken between 10am and 6pm on Friday, because I’m going to tell him Friday night. NastyNuria@ revenge.es INCOMPLETE DINNER SERVICE. Originally a six-place setting, but now would suit an occasion for five people, where one person skips the starter, two others opt out of the main course, and then an extra person turns up just for dessert. And nobody wants gravy. DaffyDoris@worthashot.com EMPTY IKEA BOX—for placing against the wall in your lounge. Even if you haven’t bought any IKEA furniture, this will make people think you have. SvenSvenssonssonsson@ BigSwede.com LARGE SPANISH BANK. Apply Ministerio de Economia, Gobierno de España.

I saw you YOU WERE A CUTE, blue-eyed blonde. You smiled at me on the 146 bus as it stopped in Alcalá. I fell out of the bus door. Would love to meet you when I get out of hospital. Simon, Ward 10, Gregorio Marañon. FIRST I SAW YOU, THEN I DIDN’T. Then I saw you again, then you disappeared. Then you were back, then gone again. Would love to meet you in a club without strobe lighting. SquintingSid, Electroclub Flashing.

InMadrid is looking

for writers with ideas and individual style. Also folks interested in making short videos with own camera. Send samples of your work to editor@in-madrid.com

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JULY 2013

23


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 E-magazine and web packages, from as little as €8,33 / month. web-only ads in many categories are FREE 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 CENTRO MADRID ROOMS rooms for rent, Centro Madrid easy walking distance to 2 metro stations,bus and cercanias, rooms are bright and airy as there are lots of windows, All mod cons in kitchen and an outside patio. line 1 Puente de vallecas line 6 Mendez alvaro 250€+expensive,deposit. tel.659056304. soniviguesa@hotmail.com. FROM 1 JULY ROOM TO RENT IN 4 CAMINOS From 1 July room to rent in 4 CAMINOS for woman in a two bedroom flat. Apartment completly furnished and with internet. The room has a table to study. Apartment to share with another girl. Very centric area close to 4 CAMINOS and NUEVOS MINISTERIOS subway. 300 euros month+ expenses apart+ 1 month deposit. Call Diana: tlf. 676 15 69 87.

classes music-classes GUITAR LESSONS-ALL LEVELS Learn to play jazz, blues, folk, bossanova, fingerpicking styles, classical guitar (I have the Título Superior from the Madrid Conservatory), etc. Teacher with lots of professional experience playing and lots of experience teaching in all styles. All levels welcome. Retiro area. Call 676222117.

language-classes spanish SPANISH CLASSES Qualified native teacher with a lot of experience. One to one or groups. Grammar, conversation. DELE.Revision text (tesis). Zone: Moncloa-Quevedo or in your place. From 15 euros negotiable. Cristina 656 634 343. Email: cristinadomingo3@yahoo.es. SPANISH CLASSES Economic classes from 10€/ hour or 15€/1 hour and a half.Graduated teacher; more than 25 years experience.Coloquial, Business, D.E.L.E. examination. good,funny and easy learning. All registers, all levels.Communicating strategies, with or without grammar. Try one free interview.(English or French spoken). Maria. Retiro area. 699 3315 05 gretachic@yahoo.es.

24 JULY 2013

LEARN SPANISH WHILE YOU HAVE FUN Enthusiastic, native Spanish speaker offers private Spanish lessons (all levels) at his place in the centre (near metro Tribunal) or in yours. Nice home with terrace and a lot of books. Pablo, licensed in Fine Arts and free-lance journalism, offers one to one or group classes. Grammar and conversation. All in a fun way. From €12. Learn about Spanish culture with visits to exhibitions, museums, theatres, bars and sight-seeing. Hourly and total immersion classes. Contact pablopeinado50@gmail.com or phone 659794508. IMPROVE YOUR SPANISH THIS SUMMER WITH MELISA 14€/H Hi guys! My name is Melisa, a 23 year old Spanish-Peruvian girl who, after living in some European cities, is currently living in Madrid. I’d be glad to teach you Spanish and help you to improve your grammar or speaking skills. From Beginners to Advanced level, you will improve day by day tu español. I have a large experience giving Spanish private lessons, feel free to have a look at the references left by my students and check the prices at www.melisarecalde. com Email me and I will answer asap! I’ll be waiting for your replies! melisa.recalde@gmail.com www. melisarecalde.com. COMMUNICATIVE SPANISH LESSONS IN SKYPE OR FACE TO If you want to learn Spanish in a communicative way but also comfortable from home or work, it is possible. I am a very qualified Spanish teacher. I offer in my services: - communicative method - optional communicative book - free meeting before start in order to check the interests and objective of the student -teaching: normal Spanish lessons, Spanish conversation Spanish business, Spanish any subject, preparation for the DELE. Personalized your lesson. - levels from beginners to C2 - free email consultant. Email: amaya_solas@hotmail.com VOCAL TRAINING - EDUCATION AND VOCAL CONSCIOUSNESS Do you want to improve your speech, your SPANISH ACCENT? To foreign people, whose mother tongue is different from the Spanish one, children who need some

help with their speech and “voice professionals”,actors, announcers, teachers, communicators. Qualified vocal trainer with experience offers individual or group classes and at my place or at yours. We work with practical exercises and (practical) phonetics on a regular and constant basis. This method is very effective and will improve your pronunciation and comunication skills. From 18 Euros per hour. Rodolfo(636705726) info@entrenatuvoz.es.

english QUALIFIED ENGLISH TEACHER, LONDON UNIVERSITY. Qualified English Teacher, London University. Specialized in business English and Cambridge exams. 20 years experience. celine83@gmail.com, 679159919.

sailing SERENITY SAILING - BOAT TRAINING & SKIPPERED YACHT CHARTERS Hop on board Serenity this summer. We continue to provide a high level of boat training and internationally recognised RYA licenses, plus high seas adventure for all the family this summer. NEW!! Summer sailing camps for teens in August. Contact us for more info: enquiries@ serenitysailing.com / (0034) 638 056 224 / www.serenitysailing.com.

yoga YOGA INTEGRAL IN DOWNTOWN MADRID Since 2002 we offer private lessons & coaching, regular group classes, workshops, and a meditation group. Yoga Organico is also proud to offer a Yoga Alliance registered teacher training program, led by senior instructor E-RYT500 José Manuel Vázquez. For more information, please visit www. yogaorganico.org, email info@ yogaorganico.org or call 913105181. English classes available. Metro Alonso Martínez.

clubs clubs-art HAVE YOU GOT THE ACTING BUG? Coming soon, The Madrid Players is proud to present… YOU! The Madrid Players puts on a range of English-language productions throughout the year, so if you think you might like to be involved then we would love to include you. We are looking for new members for all areas of the theatre. So whether you are interested in: Acting, Costumes, Set, Directing, Singing, Stage Management, Dancing, Marketing and Publicity, Hair and Makeup, Producing or Play Reading then we would love to meet you! For more information email madridplayers@gmail.com We look forward to welcoming you!.

clubs-sports LOS NARANJAS - FIELD HOCKEY We are a mixed team of men and women of all ages and levels of experience, who meet up at the weekends to play hockey and socialise afterwards. If you are

interested in joining, contact us via email: 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. MADRID LIONS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB, EST. 1997 Madrid Lions Rugby Football Club welcomes new players of all levels and nationalities. Pub night Thursdays from 8.30pm at Finnegan’s, Plaza de las Salesas (Metro Alonso Martínez or Chueca) where you can find out why we are Madrid’s most popular and successful social rugby club. Check out www. madridlionsrfc.com, email info@ madridlionsrfc.com or ring Charlie on 636 067 716 or Paul on 679 225 067.

counselling

COUNSELLING MADRID Welcome to Counselling Madrid, a friendly & professionally run private counselling practice devoted to the international community. Expats, spouses, students & foreign professionals, the main users of the service, enjoy access to both face-to-face & online counselling services. Living & working abroad brings many challenges while support networks take time to develop. This explains why the practice is run by qualified Counsellors, Therapists & Coaches who have lived & worked abroad themselves. Counselling Madrid abides by the BACP Code of Ethics. www.counsellingmadrid.org - admin@ counsellingmadrid.org - C/ General Diaz Porlier 57, Madrid. THERAPIST / COUNCELOR Psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioural and Humanistic approach, Solution Focused Therapy, Graphotherapy, Hypnosis. Anxiety, mood disorders, depression, relationships, social skills, addictions, marriage and family counceling, group therapy. Possible on-line therapy. Handwriting analysis. Introduction to graphology. Nereida Gómez, registered psychologist M-17.690 Tel. 659 50 26 88 n.gomez@iridio-sl.com. COUNSELLING THERAPIST IN MADRID Counselling Therapist in Madrid offer a bilingual psychological counselling service in English and Spanish, which is orientated to the specific needs of the English speaking community in Madrid. The first session gives me the chance to evaluate if I can be of help to you and also it allows you to evaluate whether you wish to continue working with me. This first session has a fee of 10 euros to cover my costs. I have an office in calle de la salud 15 28013 Madrid, just off the Gran Via. e-mail me at: chrisneill@ counsellingtherapistmadrid. com my web page: www. counsellingtherapistmadrid.

InMadridmag

Madrid in English


intercambios

jobs

groups

jobs-offered

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 Café Galdós (Los Madrazo 10 - metro Sevilla). EVERY SUNDAY > International Afternoon from 19:00 at Café Galdós (Los Madrazo 10 - metro Sevilla). EVERY WEEK-END > Films in o.v., international dinners, tapas evenings, excursions, trips, sports, wine tastings, cultural visits, parties & many other activities!! For more info contact Fran (madridbabel@yahoo. es) or visit www.madridbabel.es.

SUMMER DAY CAMP/RESIDENTIAL COURSES/GROUP CLASSES The day camp is located in the centre of Madrid, and the children/teenagers range in age from 4 to 18. All material for the camp is prepared beforehand and has a communicative focus. The centre is air-conditioned and the rooms are equipped with interactive boards. We are also looking for teachers that are available as of September 2013 for adult classes in various locations in Madrid and for telephone classes. We are also continuously hiring teachers for intensive weekend courses with various ESP focuses. Contact: enquiries@meltonlanguageservices. com.

Madrid in English

services

IT GUY - PROBLEMS WITH YOUR COMPUTER? Do you have computer/ phone/ website problems? I am a trained computer engineer who knows how to explain issues in a non-technical way (-; I work in both Spanish and English. I deal with: computer maintenance, configuration/ security WiFi, the design and programing of web sites, domain and email configuration, configuration of social networks, Internet and computer classes. Don’t worry, no problem is too small or big – free consultation. Contact: M. 627 837 435, ingenioencasa@outlook.com.

LIVE MUSIC - CLASSICAL OR JAZZ Give a touch of class to your private party, company event, reception, cocktail party, etc.,with live music. We have played both jazz and classical music professionally for years. The options are many: solo classical guitar or solo jazz guitar (or both); classical duet of guitar + flute or jazz duet of guitar + saxes/flute; jazz trio of guitar + saxes/flute + double-bass; jazz quartet with the addition of a drummer. We also work with singers, trumpet players, etc. Seriousness, responsibility,’buena presencia’ and great music guaranteed. Write: cywilliams@telefonica.net.

Lots more classifieds on inmadrid.com

InMadridmag

JULY 2013

25


Fairy Tales By Jerome Apolda

Happy Ending (Part one of three)

Streetguys

Dazzling Deer or Disco Goat?

The return of Prince Charming

There are moments in one’s life when the world is turned on its head—when everything you’ve ever believed in is shattered into a million pieces, when who you thought you were is somehow unravelled, and what comes out of your mouth is as surprising to you as it is to everyone else. There are those moments—usually painful ones, but not always—that change one’s destiny. Moments that define you, or redefine you. This was one of those moments. It was one of those rare afternoons in late March when winter decides to give us a break, when the sun is no longer smothered by clouds and can stretch its rays, gently embracing us with its glorious warmth. I gathered all the pillows and cushions I could find and made myself a Persian throne on my balcony. The glow of the caressing sun, the soothing comfort of tea and the genius of Douglas Adams, I was in heaven. Little did I know that Heaven had other plans. Millions of miles away in an entirely different galaxy, lost in worlds where the impossible was just one of many possibilities, I heard an echo. Someone was calling out my name. I reluctantly put down my book, feeling as though I was putting it on hold, freezing the action, paralysing its people and let reality set back in. There were people walking up and down the street, pushing prams, eating ice-cream, laughing. The sun had gone down a bit but was still the same majestic sphere of light towering above us like a merciful god. I heard my name again but it wasn’t the harsh, stressed, oscillating English version of my name; it was a softer, flatter, almost hypnotic French caress, like a whisper, like a poem. I stood up and looked down, and there he was, beaming, his eyes sparkling like a million specks of stardust; I felt as though his soul was piercing me through and through. I grabbed the railing of my balcony to steady myself. I had not seen him in years, not since he moved on with his life, not since we’d said goodbye and I hadn’t had the courage to tell him how I felt. Not since, as the good friend that I was, I’d hugged him one last time, knowing that we wouldn’t probably see each other again. When I waved him goodbye, I knew I was waving goodbye to my happy ending. A happy ending that had never got started. I hid my tears and wished him joy and happiness and above all I wished him love. Needless to say, I spent that remaining weekend cuddled up in bed listening to Whitney’s “I will always love you”. But now, there he was, looking up at me with that devastating grin, asking me to buzz him in. We hugged and I felt like I was home. He put his hands on my face and caressed my cheek. Overwhelmed, I felt myself welling up, but before a single droplet could tarnish the moment, he pressed his lips against mine and I felt my heart being reanimated, as if it was expanding, being flooded with light: a luminous, carnation red, blooming into its full glory. We had never kissed before. But what a kiss it was! What a kiss! It seemed his lips already knew mine, like they were old friends, like they had already tamed each other or that they were just, simply, always meant for one another. Even now, even while writing these words, I can feel them tingling as the memory of that kiss has become part of my physical being, forever embedded into my skin. (To Be Continued…) FAIRY TALES is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. Revisit old columns at www.jerome-apolda.com and Join me on Facebook!

To be honest, we’re not really sure what this figure is, but we do know that every time anyone walks past it, it makes a clicking sound by moving its mouth up and down. The noise sort of resembles that of a bad castanet player. It seems to represent some sort of deer or goat, albeit perhaps one that got a little too drunk at the Grazing Animal Christmas Party, and was wrapped up and sent on its way by fellow cows/horses/partygoers. Or maybe it just had a really bad time trying to take down the Christmas decorations in the family deer or goat domain. Or maybe it’s just been attacked by the Madrid Tinsel Monster. (What do you mean, you’ve never encountered such a beast?) Regardless, it certainly puts a sparkle into the goings on in Plaza Mayor. JEFF WISEMAN

Craicpot


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