BCN WEEK issue 9 by Marcus Villaca Design

INSIDEdrag ain’tart///lafatxa needs space! ///catalan fish tales

Week BCN

‘FIGURAS’ OUR ‘A-LIST’ OF BARCELONA PERSONAJES PA G E 3

B A R C E L O N A ’ S F R E E C U L T U R A L N E W S W E E K LY | W W W . B C N W E E K . C O M | J U LY 1 4 – 2 0 , 2 0 0 6

S AY F O R M AT

GE!

FREE!

B A D -A CROSSING SS-LONA! INTO EL CI THE RIU BESÒS NT

VOL 1, NO 9

T H E T R AV E L I S S U E

PA G E 1 0

URÓN ROJO .

LET’S GOALL THEWAY, NENA.

WANNA GET OUTTA TOWN BUT DON’T HAVE NADA DE PASTA? COME WITH US.WE’VE GOT SOME INSTANT VACAS FOR YOU.

PA G E 4

VOL 1, NO 9

Week

FA N M A I L

BCN

J U LY 1 4 - 2 0 , 2 0 0 6 W W W. B C N W E E K . C O M

E D IT O R’ S L E T T E R I just wasn’t cool enough to go to Bread & Butter. It was really my own fault for waiting until Tuesday to try to get my passes for the biggest thing to happen to fashion since jelly bracelets. I was instructed to wait in Plaça Espanya and someone would descend Montjuïc and bequeath me with passes. I showed up in very stained Carhartts and toes in desperate need of a pedicure and I sat and waited watching all the beautiful girls whose large sunglasses appeared to weigh more than their heads lugging suitcases into BBB’s fashion camp. I waited and waited and waited but my guy never showed, never called. I wasn’t that disappointed. I didn’t have anything to wear anyway. I did, however, get to realize my life-long dream to see the Misfits play live at the Vice B&B party. They were old, and slightly sagging but fun, like how seeing the Moody Blues would be fun. So here in Barcelona, you win some and you lose some. This week we recognize that no one has money to do anything. You have dreams to leave the overflowing side streets of the Barri Gótic but your slim wallet precludes you from doing as such. There is a world out there and you can get there with your flimsy little metro card. We traveled to the end of the metro lines to explore what happens when we leave our safety zones — quite a lot for quite a little. Remember: It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. If you can’t get to Formentera this summer, Fondo is a perfect substitute.

paella en las ramblas debe ser una tortura, qué horror!!!! Las mejores se hacen Catalunya, pero muy, muy al sur pues los de vinaròs, ya en castelló, dicen que las suyas son las mejores y los de alcanar, tarragona, más alla del delta del ebro, que las suyas. En esa frontera se come de muerte sea Catalunya o València... Reconozco tan poco mi ciudad que me siento un turista accidental, tan guiri como cualquiera de vosotros que a lo mejor está más integrado que yo. ¡¡Ni siquiera saben llevar las bermudas con el estilo tropical!!! Me gustaría conoceros por la sana curiosidad de saber cómo se os ocurrió montar este chiringuito tan divertido. De tanto en tanto escribo, básicamente en catalán. Mi inglés no es perfecto ni mucho menos pero alcanzará para gosssar el lunes con Willie deVille y el maestro de maestros BB King. The Thrill Is Really Gone? Salut!!! Miquel Queralt

THE THRILL IS REALLY GONE? Anteayer, de vuelta a casa, pasé ante un bar irlandés cerrado y pillé vuestro semanario. Me ha gustado este número en el que dices que no tenías ni idea de cómo éramos cuando llegaste. Me hace gracia pues acabo de pasar 9 años en el trópico y los gringos que he conocido aterrizan más o menos igual. Sin saber distinguir un panameño de un hondureño. Hay quien lleva 20 años y sólo sabe decir: “una cervessa, po’ favorrr...”. Es triste. A mi también me preguntaban, "Don Miquel — allá todo el mundo es don — por qué insiste tanto en decir que es catalán”. La respuesta dependía del tipo. “O tenemos un idioma y una cultura propios” o “estamos hechos de una pasta especial”. Apenas llevo unos meses, y la ciudad me parece irreconocible. Sucia y carísima. Lo del Estatut es una vergüenza, nos pasamos la vida bajándonos los pantalones delante de Madrid. Veo que algunos colaboradores no tienen muy claro lo del flamenco: Poveda, es de Badalona; Duquende, de Sabadel; Ginés Ortega, de Cornellà y Maite Martín, creo que del Poble Sec. Y Camarón se murió en Badalona porque la mitad del tiempo lo pasaba aquí. Cerca teneis el taller de músics donde hay mucho flamenco. El tema de la paella tampoco anda fino. Una

no dominio de la language Hello, I’m a reader who would like to make a complaint.... I’ve just read the July 7-13 issue and firstly, I’d like to say that I like the format of the paper, the design, etc.. thumbs up on that front. The articles, as well, are entertaining and in general, well written. I say in general because what happened with Isolda Dosrius Délafeu’s column “La Fatxa?” I know you guys have a free paper, but isn’t there a minimum of criteria for what gets published? Don’t you guys have proofreaders? The article is riddled with mistakes, not spelling errors, but mistakes in syntax, that is, written in incorrect English. It’s pathetic. How can something like that be overlooked? How can someone who doesn’t have “dominio” of the language be allowed to write a column without it being checked by a proofreader/editor? You guys have a nice paper, but stuff like this lowers its quality. Un saludo, Cristina

Compliment us! Call us gilipollas! Correct la fatxa’s mistakes as much as you want! SEND YOUR EMAILS TO LETTERS@BCNWEEK.COM

Jennifer Cross J E N N @ B C N W E E K .CO M

staff Marcus Villaça foundeR / creative director Jennifer Cross editor / publisher Lena Wiget managing / listings editor David Tressel copy editor Tiffany Carter proofreader / pie baker Laurent Bompard distribution director Bruna Cypel design assistant Kade Agan intern extraordinaire editorial contributors Laurent Bompard, Isolda Dosrius Déulafeu, Elliotsdöttir, Nuria Ferrer, Noelle Julian, Hillary Leben.Joe Littenberg, Alec Radford, Spencer Tarp, Daniel Valls, Marcus Villaça, Lucy Wyatt

art contributors Toni BG, utensil

advertising sales Domenico Composto dom@bcnweek.com Joe Littenberg joe@bcnweek.com Robert Senior rob@bcnweek.com Francesca Hanson sales/marketing assistant

Week BCN

San Gil 2, bajos 2, 08001 Barcelona, Spain info@bcnweek.com | www.bcnweek.com

‘FIGURAS’ OUR VERY OWN ‘A-LIST’ OF BARCELONA PERSONAJES BY

Joe Littenberg

la secreta We walk into Bershka together, me and my lady. Every time I come into this place, I want to flee, huir, run out screaming, or at least punch a blond girl wearing a polka dot tank top. They’re like wolves in here. So little space, so much clothing. “Baby,” I say, “I’m going outside to roll un porro.” Yes... it’s true. Portal d’Angel is full-isimo. This isn’t a place I’ve come to find a unique Barcelona personaje, so I’m not really looking. I turn left down a less conspicuous street as I break a cigarrette apart and spill its contents into my palm. I put the rolling papers behind my ear and glance to the left at a skater/surfer shop advertising rebajas. They better rebaja that shit some more because I still can’t afford it; not after spending 20 bones on this little chunk of chocolate. So there I am, reaching into my pocket for the aluminum foil wrapped goodies, when a fellow guiri approaches. He’s wearing a souvenir shop t-shirt that says San Diego across the front. He’s wearing some long “jorts” (half jeans, half shorts = jorts) and the perfect guiri sandals, cheesy, brown, and clunky. Then, this guiri does a funny thing. He, too, reaches into his pocket, pulls something out, opens it, and says, “policia.” Mierda. The bastards! Secretas. I’ve been warned about these dudes. But they really are good. He looks so damn guiri. The predictable question follows. What do you have in your pockets? Please empty the contents into the trunk of the car (the car that, 3

seconds ago, seemed so harmless now has flashing po-po lights). It seems like you were going to roll a porro. No shit, Sherlock. My denial lasts about 30 seconds, lasts until super-secret-guiricop number two starts putting on black leather gloves. “We can do this here, or we can go down to the comisaria.” I’m not getting out of this. And even the idea of a holding cell in foreign countries scares the caca right out of me. Aqui está lo que buscas, I say, as I pull the little block out of my pocket and hand it over. To my surprise the rest was rather painless. Mean secreta went and sat in the front seat with my California driver’s license. And nice secreta and I chatted. Having hashish or marijuana for personal use is ok, in your house, he explains. But once you leave your house, no. As he fills out my future Spanish police record, I start to laugh. Qué? I point to the part where he’s written, sustancia de color marrón, posiblemente hachís. I can tell you right now that it’s hash, and shitty hash at that. He laughs. He’s alright, this wolf in sheep’s clothing. So I point to what had once been mi chocolate and ask him, “Can I keep it?” “No.” “Half?” “No.” Damn. I meet my girl back in Bershka, and hand her my new police report. She’s pretty nice about it, and laughs it off after a minute. Maybe because it happened to her too a few years back. “He came up to me dressed like a vagabundo (a bum) and I was flipando. You can’t be policia! Eres un puto vagabundo.” Guess again guiri-lover.

BCN

Week

Guiri Trivia! THE L1, OR RED LINE, IS THE SECOND OLDEST LINE, THE LONGEST IN LENGTH (20,7 KM) AND THE ONLY ONE WITH THE WIDTH OF THE ‘OLD IBERIAN WAY’ (1674MM). W I K I P E D I A C AT A L A N V E R S I O N

T H E T R AV E L I S S U E

the endof la linea OUT OF DINERO, BUT NEVER OUT OF LUCK.WE TAKE YOU TO ‘FAR AND DISTANT LANDS’FOR THE PRICE OF A METRO TICKET. YORYANAIR, BEAT THAT! 4

BCN

Week

L1 fondo DUST, chatarra AND IKEA BY

Marcus Villaça

Stations fly by. Clot, Navas, Fabra i Puig. Train cars are packed tight in this siesta-inducing steamy summer afternoon. The red line is probably the most travelled in the metro system, slicing Barcelona in half, creating an imaginary line between mountain and sea. We come to Baró de Viver. La gente thins out. I can finally sit down. Then Santa Coloma. Here everyone gets up. Feels like the end of the line to me! But no, there’s still Fondo, or the “backyard”. Appropriately named, I oughta say. I climb the stairs out into the stark sunlight. Bright yellow gruas greet me back. Yes, this is the land of interminable construction, five-story cheaply made apartment buildings sprouting everywhere. The gray of old has given way to the ochre of dust. Not much of an improvement, I must add, plus now you get to cough your lungs out. Walking down a few hundred yards, I see an empty lot with protest graffiti adorning the remaining walls of what must have been two or three edificios. They were brought down by a gas explosion that took the lives of two people. There’s a sign right upfront that reads like a 9/11 shrine. Vecinos must stop here everyday and pray for the victims. Other graffiti hints that this might not have been a ‘natural’ accident, a clear allusion to the dark forces of unbridled development, and to the complacency of our beloved utility company. I’ve decided to make my way up the hill to IKEA, one of the two possible reasons a guiri such as myself might make the pilgrimage out here. The other is skateboarding. But today it’s too hot to do half-pipes, and lying on the beach must feel soooo much better. So I keep to the shade side of the street and soon enough I come to a bumper-to-bumper cola of ten or so ‘parked’ cars with hand-made FOR SALE signs on the windshield. I’ve run into the biggest makeshift used car lot in town! I assume the ayuntamiento doesn’t charge for street parking out here so car owners seem to revel in leaving their wash-me-please dirty chatarras for the roaming crowds of 15-year-olds to wet-dream about. Lots of broken glass on the ground. No one seems to care. IKEA is the air-conditioned oasis in this desert of moving trucks, carpet mega-stores and beer bottle deposits. I’ve come here for the best Swedish meatballs Spain has to offer, and I’m not disappointed. It’s been worth the trip and the fine, budget-conscious dining ‘ex-pe-ri-ence’ has made me giddy and loose with my money. In the end, I grab a couple of IVAR shelves and make a dash for the smooth sliding doors... Hej D˚a Fondo!

QUE HACER EN EL FONDO? IKEA BADALONA LUXEMBURG, S/N CUZ OF THE MENU D’ESTIU FOR 9,95¤

granja el semáforo MILÁ, 12 CUZ ‘HAY CARACOLILLOS CON CALDO’

bar jelo MILÁ, 3 CUZ THERE’S FUSSBALL + CHIRPING DIAMANTES VICHY CATALAN COST OF LIVING INDEX 1,15¤

L1 Hospital de

Bellvitge the evo has landed BY

Marcus Villaça

First I see el hospital, flat, round, institutional shapes with very little sense of proportion or surrounding. Then I turn around, and there, looming monstruous in front of my very eyes, is a bright-red tick-tack-toe espigon of a building, with spiraling metal arms and what seems to be a UFO sitting pretty on top. Whadda hack? Oh yes, it’s the new Hesperia Tower Hotel and Convention Center. The odd looking assemblage on top is EVO, chef Santi Santamaria’s new pricey eatery du jour. A 360 degree sweep of the land takes in the U.T.E. Duran Reynals, a cancer hospital ‘shell’ just south of the carretera where Faust did the hanky-panky with a preteen in La Fura del Baus’ cinematic interpretation of the classic, a Media Markt superstore, a snobbish-looking sports club (and spa!) and the impenetrable wall of decrepit

rectangular blocks of ‘old’ Bellvitge, with their washed-out, but at least colorcoordinated, orange and green toldos. That’s what Barcelona decided was appropriate habitatge for the masses of immigrants from Andalucia who moved to the periphery of the ciutat condal here in the 60’s and 70’s to work in the booming Catalan industry. Not surprisingly, you almost never hear people parlando Catalan in these parts. So much for integration. Smack right in the center de tot is the preserved Ermita de N.S. de Bellvitge, a gothic stone edifice that seems to me even more alien in these parts than EVO. I walk around, staring up at the glaring monoliths, notepad in hand. A well-dressed señora on a bench asks me why I am taking so many notes. I inform her of my predictment. She smiles and tells me of how good the food is up there on top of that shiny new hotel. I ask her if she’s ever eaten there. She tells me no, she could never ever afford it. So how does she know? Well, everyone knows that if it’s expensive and flashy it must be good, she replies with a sigh.

QUE HACER EN HDB? ciutat sanitària

UB / BELLVITGE CAMPUS

CUZ OF THE CUTE NURSING STUDENTS

ermita de bellvitge OPEN 10-12/16-18 M-F, 11-13 SAT, 11:30-13 SUN

granja bar aurora NEXT TO LA ERMITA CUZ OF THE SOPA WAN-TUN WITH EL MENU VICHY CATALAN COST OF LIVING INDEX 1,40¤

BCN

Week

L3 canyelles rustic tranquilidad BY

Hillary Leben

At the end of the cool inspirational journey that is the linea verde lays one of Barcelona’s most well kept secrets. Upon surfacing at street level you may not immediately recognize its charm, but after a short stroll you will want to leave Barrio Gótico and Gracia behind for good to bask in the rustic tranquilidad that is Canyelles. The first of its secrets waiting to be discovered is an impressive expressway. Here you can watch, through a construction fence, vehicles of various size and color including trucks and buses. This motorway boasts multi-lane movement in both directions. Billboards and expressway signs marking various exits decorate this stimulating beacon of the developed world. La zona arriba of the neighborhood itself is a dark cement park like those they are so fond of in this city. Its dark winding trails and thick shrubbery are just perfect for having pre-marital relations, jerking off, or hiding from someone you are stalking or waiting to attack. Aun mas arriba, you will find a happening area with romantic views of parked cars and abandoned peluquerias. This is the “center,” if you will, of Canyelles, where locals gather to enjoy the view and drink tinto de verano. There are two bars to choose between and the one on the right is particularly special. They have experimented with patatas bravas by adding a fishy essence to them. It’s really quite extraordinary. Abajo is an exciting residential zone. Better move fast, as soon as this gem is discovered the rents in this area will most likely soar sky high.

Universitaria. That’s right, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than Canyelles, you climb up the long metro stairway and make your entrance upon this fascinating land of chic, overnight stays and air-conditioned conference centers. A short stroll will have you marvelling at an impressive amount of acreage devoted to botanical flowers and plant-life. This park of winding paths and impeccably organized floral displays is called Parc de Cervantes i Roserar. In addition to some beautiful landscaping, an equally impressive amount of signage has been posted throughout outlining the rules of this park just in case there was any doubt about what you can and can’t do within the park. Next, cross the busy streets and trespass your way onto the property of Hotel Rey Carlos I. Here, you will find nicely manicured lawns, fountains, and a luxurious pool area. A five star hotel, Hotel Rey Carlos I not only has an obvious advantage being in such a great location as Universitaria, but it also has a tiki bar outside next to the pool. While this investigator, her friend, and her friend’s dog salivated at the thought of the possible blender that might or might not exist in the depths of the tiki bar shelves, they were promptly asked to escort the canine off the property as dogs are not permitted in “ningún sitio del hotel.” Abandoning the idea of piña coladas and willing to settle for a bottle of water, these investigators continued their stroll. In their hunt for water, which was never acquired, they came upon several other mentionable sights including a tennis club, horse track, and a “restaurante, terraza, discoteca,” from which they were also immediately asked to leave. So, the next time you find yourself with that hankering to look at some Dianthus gratianpolitanus plants and then afterward sunbathe illegally with Italian businessmen, Universitaria is your stop. But leave the dog at home, dress like you’ve got pasta, and bring your own bottled water.

QUE HACER EN LA ZU? hotel carlos I

DIAGONAL, 661-671

CUZ OF OFF-LIMITS POOL SIDE TIKI BAR

parc de cervanta i roserar CUZ YOU ARE A MASOCHIST VICHY CATALAN COST OF LIVING INDEX 2,10¤

QUE HACER EN CANY?

horta/ cornellà

move there before everone does VICHY CATALAN COST OF LIVING INDEX 1,20¤

centre

zona

universitaria

undoggly pleasures BY

Hillary Leben

Attractive Italian business men, five star hotels, and botanical gardens, these are just a few of the delightful treasures you will find at the other end of the green line, hasta el final, in Zona

BCN

Week

huertas and discos BY

Joe Littenberg

All I knew about Horta and Cornellà, the two ends of the blue metro line, was that they exist. Not that I know much about the rest of line number five. It’s like the Myanmar of metro lines. You know it’s out there, somewhere, but what is it really? Well, I got on at Sagrada Familia and rode that sucker all the way to the end, to Horta. The first impression was that it’s like a different country compared to the center. There is more grass, more trees, and more green in the first eight steps than in the entire center. I suppose the name Horta (huerta in espanol and garden in English) has something to do with it. They even have garbage bins dedicated to organic materials. Anyway, I feel like I am in a different país. This is more like a relaxed, small town than BCN. Of course, ugly, large, typically Spanish, mass-produced apartment buildings are here and there. And the shops are similar, the bars, the fruterias. But there are also sections of single planta houses. Houses! There are

little fenced-in gardens (Gardens!) with white wroughtiron tables and chairs waiting for their owners to sit and pass the afternoon amongst the potted flowers. I come across one homeowner outside painting his door jamb. His door’s wide open. The street’s virtually empty. Can you tell me a little about the neighborhood? I ask him. He tells me to go down the street to number three. “Knock and ask for Antonio. He knows everything about Horta. He loves talking about the neighborhood.” So I do. Antonio, his wife, and his grandson invite me inside (Inside!). As soon as I cross the threshold, I realize that in the city center, these things don’t happen to random guiris who knock on random doors. This old Spaniard, originally from Andalucía, loves this area with his heart and soul, and tells me everything about it. Photo albums in hand the lecture begins and I’d be able to tell you a lot if I had understood half. Fortunately, I am really good at nodding appropriately. The fact that he was missing his front teeth didn’t help. So if you wanna know about the bar scene in Horta, or the clubs, or where to find the best botifarra, then I’ve failed you. I spent the afternoon there in Antonio’s precious garden, gazing over his fish pond and at photos of the long dead heroes of Horta, and left with the distinct impression that this part of BCN has somehow maintained the small-town feeling of what actually used to be just a pueblo next to the growing city of Barcelona. But the journey didn’t end there. I escaped from Antonio’s sermon, por fin, and got back on the bliggity blue line to take a nap while I rode from end to end. A woman tapped me on the shoulder and I shot awake. We’re here. Cornellà. There’s something immediately reminiscent of Horta. Tranquility. As soon as you leave BCN and head for the afueras, everything’s more chill. When you leave the metro station in Cornellà, you can choose from six different typical bars in the first block. So that’s nice. A look to the right will reveal a massive Eroski commercial center. The golden arches of McDonald’s grace the sky, along with a 14-screen cinema. So that’s nice. The Rambla d’Josep Anselm Clave begins at the corner of the plaza a block away from the metro stop. There’s a traditional granja bar called Bao-Bab in the plaza with a nice terrace from which you can watch little Cornellanians play on the swing set. A stroll down the rambla reveals a whole lot of nothing, so I stop a middle-aged woman and ask if she lives there. She does, in fact, so I ask if she could direct me to a nice park or an original bar, or a beautiful building. A half-sour laugh slips past her lips. No hay mucho ambiente aqui, she tells me. There isn’t much of anything. There used to be some nice macias (traditional Catalan farmhouses) but they’ve been torn down to build these (shitty) apartments. More walking doesn’t prove her wrong. The buildings are typical, which is to say ugly modernindustrial. Almost every bar is just like every other. If you turn right at the end of the rambla, there’s one original bar called Pachanga. Copas and latin hip shaking in a cool atmosphere. There are three discos, Malalts de Festa, Bora-Bora, and another. They’re all, according to one resident, normal, commercial Spanish clubs. So that’s nice. Oh, and there’s a Corte Inglés tambien. So that’s nice. Or is it?

QUE HACER EN HORTA? hang out with los vecinos CUZ THE WATER IS FREE*

QUE HACER EN CORNELLÀ? malalts de festa END OF RAMBLA CUZ YOU WANT TO SHAKE YOUR CULO VICHY CATALAN COST OF LIVING INDEX GRATIS*

LAVERONICA.qxd

19/6/06

12:26

Page 1

pep ventura/

parallel

molt espai! BY

Noelle Julian

For an American guiri like me, the name Pep Ventura conjures images of a pep rally at ‘Ventura High,’ or some other equally exciting event. At first glance, the last stop on the purple line and the beginning of Badalona appeared to be just another Catalonian suburb with a few shops, apartments, and restaurants. After walking down the main street a bit further it was evident that this was a full-scale rambla with your usual array of fashion catering to middle-aged woman (puke green: very hot), some trainer outlets, and a few nice cafes. The best part of this jaunt was not being trampled by young Swedes on their way to the H&M rebaixes. The general atmosphere carried a suburban charm and a laid back pace that was a refreshing break from the big city. The duplex style older apartment buildings seemed spacious. Being nosy I peeped in a few open doors and found out that Pep Ven seemed to offer a surplus of square meters not found in Barna. After strolling for a bit it looked like I’d have to eat Chinese and get acupuncture (two distinct possibilities), but there was yet another surprise in store for me: a delightful beach… Toto, we’re not in Barceloneta anymore! No beet-red English tourists were to be found anywhere on this beach. Instead, topless women and children played languidly in the sun. Like the rest of Pep Ventura there seems to be an excess of space on the beach as well. If you come here you’ll never turn over and see someone’s thonged bum a few centimeters away from your face. The chiringuitos here have a more primitive feel with tarps covering the wooden floor and metal tables with laid back Latin music being played on low-fi speakers. I had some patatas bravas that lacked a little brava at a relaxing chiringuito run by a nice man who resembled a pirate (a definite plus in my book). His place is named after the beach, ‘Playa Anis del Mono,’ but don’t look for a sign anywhere, because you won’t find one. Yes, it’s that exclusive. mondohamacas.qxd

29/5/06

19:53

So put on your flip flops, hop on the metro, and mingle with the locals this summer in Pep Ventura. On the opposite end of the purple line is the bustling Parallel metro stop. Most of you have been here before, or at least passed through underground, although I might have to say that this was my first trip to Parallel by day and possibly my first time being there sober. Upon walking up and out of the metro I was met by a large sign advertising the infamous Bagdad strip club. A little further down Nou de La Rambla you can buy what seem to be used/stolen televisions. Definitely good to know. The general landscape is one of construction, large apartment units, and hotels. The ambience is definitely not as nice for an afternoon stroll as Pep Ventura. I stopped for lunch and a drink at the Pizzeria La Farandula. This pizzeria is one of several lining this large throughfare. You can sit for a beer or meal and relax, but the rush hour traffic and construction work that looms over you can make it a bit hard to achieve this goal. So what, you may ask, is the point of going to Parallel if stolen TVs and sex shows aren’t your idea of a good time? Well the neighborhood on the Montjuïc side of Parallel, Poble Sec, is full of great restaurants and bodegas and is still unknown to tourists. After a great dinner and some nice wine there’s only one more stop to make, the Sala Apolo. If you have never been, then you should definitely check it out as it hosts great live music and offers varying nights of reggae, funk, or hip hop. If you go to Apolo to dance make sure you plan an easy next morning because things don’t usually get going until 2 am. So take the metro on a Friday night and just hop back on at 5am for a full night’s experience at the Parallel metro stop.

QUE HACER EN PEP? playa ‘anis del mono’ CUZ NO THONGS IN YOUR FACE

QUE HACER EN ‘LEL? sala apolo NOU DE LA RAMBLA , 111 CUZ IT ROCKS AND HIP HOPS! VICHY CATALAN INDEX PRICELESS**

PIZZA & SALADS / TERRACE SUN & SHADE / “TAKE AWAY” MON–FRI 19:30-1:30 / SAT 12:30-1:30 KITCHEN OPEN NON STOP

SANCHEZ MOLINA LAWYERS LEGAL HELP FOR BUSINESSES /// SERVICES FOR REGULAR CLIENTS LICENSING SERVICES FOR ANY BUSINESS ACTIVITY /// HAVE YOUR OWN COMPANY IN 24 HOURS FOR SHELF COMPANIES /// LEGAL DEFENCE AND REPRESENTATION OF THE INTERESTSOF CORPORATIONS /// TAX-RELATED LAWSUITS CONSULTATION CONCERNING QUESTIONS ABOUT CURRENT LEGISLATIONIN SPAIN BUSINESS REGISTRATION UNDERANY FORM OF OWNERSHIP CONTACT_ JAVIER GARCÍA | GRAN VIA CARLOS III, 84,5 08028 BARCELONA +34 93 490 96 69 JAVIERGARCIA@SANCHEZMOLINA.COM | WWW.SANCHEZMOLINA.COM

WE SPEAK ENGLISH, SPANISH, ITALIAN AND FRENCH

** AFTER A LONG NIGHT OUT

Page 1

GET A DE A A H NDM MOCK M A H MINI HEN YOU FREE WHAMMOCK BUY A

In + Outdoor Hammocks Hanging Chairs

Mon to Sat 10.30 - 14.00/ 16.00 - 20.00

Marañon, Un Mundo de Hamacas

C. Josep Anselm Clave, 3 CLOSE TO THE COLUMBUS STATUE AT THE END OF THE RAMBLAS

Carrer Marquès de Barberà 15 (only 100m from Rambla)

TEL (+34)933041885 BCN

Week

20/6/06

14:26

Page 1

MANCHESTER BAR ‘HAPPY HAPPY’ COCKTAILS

3¤ FROM 19-22H EVERY DAY

5 ESQ. AVIGNÓ / BARRIO GÓTICO PLAÇA MILANS

you can win a 1GB ipod nano! go to bcnweek.com for details

Week BCN

“ipod nite”at manchester bar on pl. milans 1¤ FOR 4 SONGS 3¤ COCKTAILS EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT 20:00h—24:00h

The pizzería prefered by those that have good taste.

FORA, FORA, FORA!

‘‘ that’s nothing...’

mystical’ experiences are part of the catalan dna

Catalans love holidays just as much as the next ethnic group. Given the chance, we Catalans are quick to grab our luggage, close our shops during high season in Barcelona, and leave the rest drifting around a ghost-like city. Thank god for the Pakistanis who faithfully maintain their shops open throughout the heat of August. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that blends nationalities in one big melting pot. Due to the constant mingling with new cultures, Catalans have lost fear of the exotic, grown used to the unknown, and are eager to discover the places our new brown-skinned neighbours talk so much about. Cheap travel and installment plans allow us Catalans to get the hell out of Barcelona as often as we can, and we don’t miss a chance to do so. Those of us who choose common tourist destinations such as the Caribbean, Egypt, or New York endure the burden of having to explain to locals that although our passports are Spanish, we are not. We walk around surrounded by awes of people we meet that have just discovered that Spain is more than bulls and paella. Being simultaneously Spanish and non-Spanish gives us an edge on other peninsular citizens abroad. Mostly because by exposing our separatism, we take on the role of an oppressed and marginalized group and attract more attention… and we’re better looking. BCN Catalans are more likely to choose remote wild locations than urban sites; most of us would rather grab a back pack and head to some

A pleasant place in the heart of Raval.

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remote forgotten village in Sudan than make reservations in an overcrowded and civilized metropolis. While small town folks head to New York, Paris, and Chicago, urbanites seek more exiting places like Timbuktu, Maputo or Kinshasa. BCN Catalans prefer savouring monkey brains with mango sauce in Bophuthatswana over a KFC in Manhattan. Some lost gene in our Catar-Jewish DNA searches for mystical experiences provided we get a good story to tell back home. We all have a friend who lost his pinkie to a carnivorous ant in the Mosquito Coast in Honduras, slept on the shores of a billabong in Australia and had his dog eaten by crocodiles, or walked the Appalachian Trail in three weeks surviving on Melba toast and Evergreen root juice. We are the Indiana Jones of Iberia. On long weekends or other short term holidays, we point our hoods to nearby coastal towns or mountain villages, where the locals run to the hills when they see us coming. People in small towns mock us all the time for our stressed out nature and our ability to be impressed by the most common bird in the area while repeatedly mumbling — Qué maco (that’s nice, in Catalan) —, thus the nickname; Quemacos, or the pixoners (pissers) due to our fondness of peeing just about anywhere anytime. It is clearly written in the recently approved Estatut; Article XI, verse XII, Row II, seat VII, Catalans can and will pee wherever we damm feel like it, especially if it means losing our manhood to a hungry crocodile. What a story to tell back home!!

Mediterranean salads, great selection of pasta, more than 30 differents kinds of pizza.

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Daniel Valls

Week

+34 93 269 09 93

Spencer Tarp

I love Alaska,and was thrilled to see her at Razzmatazz’s second ‘hetero-friendly gay party, Dancing Queen’. Don’t know who she is? Well she’s only the mother of all things cool in post-Franco Spain,and was the most visible figure of the 80’s counterculture explosion ‘La Movida Madrileña’. She embodies all that which is not like the rest and does s o eloquently, intelligently,and artistically. I love her. I want to be her. I want to live in her skin.Well, maybe not, but I do admire her. But what if I did want to live in her skin? The closest I could get without silencing her lamb would be to impersonate her on stage, lip-syncing her tunes.That wouldn’t be so difficult to accomplish, because in BCN even you can be a drag queen. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but our lovely city is swarming with the caped night creatures. I used to date a drag queen,and maybe that’s why I get regretful just thinking about them. He belonged to a group of four and they were quite famous in the circles that are familiar with such red lipped and pancake makeup made up men. We had lots of fun together, did lots of cocaine and drank lots of vodka. My first year in Spain was spent untangling fishnet stockings from my jeans as I pulled the wash from the laundromat’s washer.You can imagine the looks I got from those waiting. I was a drag queen VIP and loved it, loved it because it was crazy and stupid, because I was laughing and high. Until

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that one fateful night when the cold hand of reality snatched my attention from the coke/ecstasy/whatever it was early morning house party blur to someone saying, loudly and excitedly,‘Uh oh, uh oh, it’s a playback, he’s gonna do a playback!!’. I followed this person’s eager and expectant stare to find my cracked out boyfriend, lips quivering to the beat.The horror hit me like a soylent green realization...they saw all of that makeup and memorization as art. These people thought that all that crap, all the nights and blurred disco lights, was art.As the baneful morning light rose through the window, my boyfriend rose to his feet and ‘performed’ before an audience of crack heads, me included, and they, me excluded,acted as if they were witnessing genius. That’s the bile I taste thinking of BCN drag queens,that they think what they do is art.We go out to have fun and disconnect from the reality we’re forced to live.We drink too many vodkas, smoke joints, snort coke or pop pills.We dance, sing,we do things we knowwe’re not supposed to do in the name of ‘diversion’ and it’s nothing more than that. Drag queens are only funny punctuations in nights written with extravagance and the presumption that drag is anything more is just ignorant. The most a drag queen can hope for is a free ride into the dark of the night life where reality is distorted, sex is regrettable,the music is pounding,and art is a laughing, bitchy man in a dress.

Isolda Dosrius Déulafeu

voices, noises, no space I don’t like it! Have a look at the stairs! Black and dirty. “Eeeegs!!! quin fàstic” I never take the metro. I hate the vagons noise, the people’s smell. If I take the metro, I become stressed. My psycologist always recommends me to go everywhere with my personal driver. Today is the last day I take the metro... When my psycologist will know I was here, he will say the 3 last weeks therapy was useless ‘cause my oddity is to do that. Sort he’s the best psycologist in BCN, he does therapy to all of my richest friends. Why I’m here today... I’m lost, I’ve to tell it to him... Ah! Mimí!! Yes. I never take the metro, except when Mimí has some dangerous tale to tell. She believes she’s protected underground between unknown people. She thinks this kind of people (third class people) are not able to get our language. She likes especially the red metro line. I can see her: full of gold, my hoity-toity chanel friend. - Hi Mimí. How are you? You know where we are? - Fine, thanks! Yes, of course! Why?She’s really emotioned and shaking her jewels. - Will we go to a party in Pedralbes? You’re dressed for that... - No, Isolda. Listen to me. Two weeks

SOME LIKE IT GROSS

ah,the great outdoors! BY

Laurent Bompard

As great as it is living in Barcelona, there are moments when you just want nature, silence, and a healthy hike instead of bar life. This is what took me, some time ago, on an expedition crossing the Parc del Garraf to L’Arboç with my dear friend Dagi. This is a 40km hike that you can easily enjoy over a two-day period stopping by a nice lake surrounded by thick and lush vegetation. A really easy way to go: Take a train to Villanova i la Geltrù, cross the city until you reach the ugliest part of the town, keep walking towards a huge antenna and there you are on your way... unless you are with me and I keep telling you “oh yes, I remember, it's this way”. Then, you should really give me a severe look and ask: “Are you sure?” Since my friend didn’t do that, we ended up in the middle of nowhere, an insignificant detail for such a seasoned explorer like me. A few scratches later we were back on the trail and happily hiking our way gradually entering that delirious state where you can only think of ice cream or a cold beer while roasting under the sun. After a few hours walk, plus the occasional quickie amidst nature, we reached the lake of Castellet, and shortly after, our hotel in L'Arboç (there is only one hotel, you can’t miss it). The next step after such a healthy program was, of course, to look for a terrace where we could enjoy a satisfying cold beer. It was at this moment of quiet satisfaction that

suddenly, my eyes caught a few people walking around in punk tshirts, mohawks, mullets and everything in between. Then some more, and then some more. At this point, knowing how to interpret my interested glances, my dear friend offered to check out what was going on. There was only one explanation for the presence of such a big punk crowd: Yes! A punk gig! Right in a barn/warehouse in L'Arboç, the epicenter of punk rock in the middle of Pénedès, 5¤ for 5 bands and a drink. You just can’t beat the offer, so off we went. I must admit that I felt a bit like a guilty spoilt child (can you be spoilt and guilty at the same time?) about having lured my healthy hiking companion into this. As things go, and as welcoming as the rural Catalans are we were soon armed with some weed. I soon noticed that my friend Dagi was, thanks to the help of a few beers, enjoying herself like a drunk teenager. The bands were surprisingly better than what you usually hear in cheap punk gigs in Barcelona, and the crowd was perfect: cheerful, abandoned, and not showing a hint of this annoying punk elite attitude. The way back to the hotel was pretty normal, if coming home half drunk from a punk gig is your idea of normal. The second half of the hike on the following day was a bit different, slightly reminiscent of the desert part in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, but that’s a different story altogether.

DRAIN YOUR BRAIN

L THE

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LA FATXA

ago. On the beach. Under the sun. An exotic erotic “picant” boy. - Not! - Not? - Yes, but I can’t believe it... - Yes. We met last week. - Let’s go. We’ll lose the metro. Sit down please Mimí. Relax yourself please! - I can’t. If you felt that “tros de carn al ventre”... ups! It’s inevitable: she blushs and people turn their heads to us. - Take it easy: they don’t get us, or yes, Mimí? But not the guiris. Their inquisitive eyes on us... What are they doing here? - Oh yes! they don’t get us. And he caught me the waist... - The “quillo’s” waist of BCN... This metro line connect two suburbs of this waist: Santa Coloma de Gramenet and L’Hospitalet. Sorry! These ones have its own town council. - His plump lips and his breath on my lips... - Well, in any case, around BCN there are an inmigrant belt. Really the guiris wanna go there? - Yes, Isolda, his hands wanted to go across my skin, underwear. Softly. His tongue in in in my mouth, my God! - Long time ago I liked it,... - And not now??? - ... it was the best way to have low cost workers and, at the same time, to be far away from them. Now we must see the guiris with no decorum invading our streets!! - Are you saying I’m not decent? Sorry, we were “sota d’un portal”. It was very very dark... mmmh. - “No n’hi havia prou” with the 60’s invasion and her consequences: this “quillo”’s waist, or belt?, rounding BCN and the “Feria de Abril”... Ja! The Santa Coloma’s Feria de Abril invaded BCN “con nocturnidad y alevosía”, finally, - Finally? Don’t you like my adventure? - and now we’re bearing guiris. They invade us. - Oh, Isolda, “tant estreta com sempre”. I like he invades my body. Voices, noises, no space.

BCN WEEK GOES FICTION! DIVE INTO THE CITY’S UNCONSCIOUS AND SEND US YOUR FICTION PIECE OF NO MORE THAN 600 WORDS THROUGH AUG 1ST. THE MOST CREATIVE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN BCN WEEK’S ISSUE 12.

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S AY F O R M A T G E !

OPEN IN AUGUST! TUE/WED/THU 18:00 - 2:00 FRI/SAT 18:00 - 3:00 SUNDAY 18:00 - 1:00 FOOD SERVED UNTIL 2:00

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ARGENTER 2 08003, BARCELONA 93 319 70 62 WWW.GRANJAROCA.ES

bad-ass-alona! WHEN BUTANOMAN BECKONS,WE HEED THE CALL. BY

Our Investigative Team

The city’s too full. You can’t even ride your bike without almost killing a pink little tourist whose neck is crooked from looking up at things so much. It’s hot. You are sticking to yourself. Luckily, just a short trip away from Barcelona exists a little seaside suburban oasis called Badalona. We are not risk takers. We do not like adventure. We are a group of people that would travel to India and never leave our hygienic hotel room alone. So we needed a guide. Someone who knows the lay of the land. And that was Toni, aka Butanoman.

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Remember The Color of Money?

The first thing we noticed upon exiting the train was a very disappointing display of globalization in this 200,000 person town. McDonalds, Burger King and Pizza Hut stood in all their neon taking-over-the-world glory among smaller, less abrasive shops and restaurants. We quickly headed for La Rambla to escape the slight temptation to pop in for something on the .99 menu. Our first stop was Bar El Paso, where Butanoman’s three local friends showed up. This made us happy since it isn’t every night we get to emerge from our little guiri bubble and mingle with non-English speaking locals. There were a few things worth noting at Bar El Paso, namely the back door. Butanoman explained to us this door exists in case someone you don’t Pagewant 1 to see comes in the front (the boyfriend of your new girlfriend, for example). This allows easy exit into the night much like Batman. We asked Toni if he had used this escape route before — “often” was the reply. Other things worth noting – the fish in the large wine glass with Grave’s Eye Disease (that’s when your eyes bulge out of your head on account of your malfunctioning thyroid). This could also be a result of living in a wine glass in a smoky bar. We were also curious about the bartenders T-shirt which simply read “I hate him.” Who and why? We asked. She wasn’t sure.

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Week BCN

GROWSHOP L’INTERIOR BARCELONA 08001

EVENTS

C/ DEL CARME 29 | TEL. 93 412 50 73

| METRO L-3, LICEU METRO STATION

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Week

place where people were tortured and their souls remain lurking.

Sneaking out the back door is something we all like to do. We left behind Bar El Paso and headed to La Rambla de Badalona. There is only one word to describe this area: pleasant. Open restaurants, people eating, children singing, waves lapping at the shore, lovers walking, sharing ice cream cones. It was such a stark contrast to the humid, smelly, gawking Ramblas that we know and love. Stop two was one of the Rambla’s tapa bars. We wouldn’t eat at a tapas bar on La Rambla in Barcelona so we weren’t so sure about eating at a tapa bar on La Rambla in Badalona. L’Antic Café de la Rambla met our low expectations. Overpriced frozen tapas and unidentifiable bravas heaped with garlic mayonnaise is what you get for not trusting your instinct. At least by now our Moritz was starting to work its “don’t worry about it” magic. Following a disappointing and expensive meal, there is only one thing to do: go to a Casal Independentista. It was confirmed by the owner: we were the first guiris to enter the Casal Antoni Sala I Pont. Much more our speed: the beers were cheap and the conversation was loud. We were on the brink of Playing Trivial Persuit (Catalan edition) but felt the language barrier may have give Toni & co a distinct advantage. Guide Toni informed us that things close earlier in Badalona so we had to get our move on. Our next stop was 1886 Bar, where bartender Colin treated us to vodka cava shots. A new form of quick-fix for all of us, we were happy to oblige. This is not a commonplace compliment of the house — Guide Toni is a connected man in Badalona. Later, he showed us the basement of 1886, which was recently the location for an up-andcoming Catalan Zombie movie and clearly a

The end of the night was creeping up and as much as we expected things to be quieting down on the streets of Badalona, they were on the up and up. Throngs of youths with tattoos and cargo shorts had taken to the streets. We wanted to know where they were heading. Thankfully, we had Butanoman who instructed us they were going nowhere good and we should go with him to the Titty Twister Metal Bar. Any bar that has the word “metal” in it is a place after our own hearts. Particularly if there is a Misfits logo on the door, a foosball table inside, and a mural of Kiss on the wall. Not to mention the huge screen projecting soft porn and the tattooed men with guns painted on the bathroom door.

Who knew the pleasant Badalona could be so bad ass? Butanoman’s connections were in place at Titty Twister as the bartender began pouring endless little shots of what could only have been cherry-flavored Robitussin because that is what it tasted like and it had the same coma-inducing effects.

Any time you leave the city — the question always becomes how do you get back? We asked a cab and that would have cost us around 25¤ — not too economical. Nit Bus it was. We slid out of Titty Twister, little puddles of Badalona fun had, and waited for the bus. Within two seconds of sitting our weary bottoms down we were offered Class A drugs, which we politely declined. The bus ride home took over an hour, for most of which we could be found asleep and drooling. Prior to our investigative report on Badalona, we were informed by several people that in choosing to go to Badalona we all would risk death of boredom. Badalona was a fun time. It has 5km of beaches that don’t appear to double as ashtrays (though they are rumored to be fairly polluted on account of nearby factories). At any rate, a little pollution never hurt anyone. We say go to Badalona and see what you find.

GETTING THERE If you are courageous you can walk. Badalona is North East of Barcelona on the far side of the Riu Besòs. It might be more advisable to take the train. The RENFE Cercanías runs regularly from Plaça Catalunya and it takes about 20 minutes. The Nit Bus is number 2 and you can bank on about an hour or so until you are back in your safety zone.

L’ANTIC CAFÉ DE LA RAMBLA RAMBLA, 32 /// 933 89 46 86

CASAL ANTONI SALA I PONT RIERA D’EN MATAMOROS, 103

1886 BAR PRIM, 97 /// 93 384 33 40

TITTY TWISTER METAL BAR CARRETERA DE MATARÓ, 2-20, LOCAL 9

WHEN BACK IN BCN

the short list

bars, restaurants and hangouts que molan big time M E T I C U L O U S LY S E L E C T E D ( B U R P ! ) /// R E P E AT E D LY J U E R G A -T E S T E D /// N E V E R E V E R PA I D F O R

FOOD

AL PASSATORE P L A D E PA L AU , 1 1 ( Y M Á S T H R E E O T H E R L O C AT I O N S ) TEL. 93 268 84 87

The good thing about Al Passatore is that there are four of them throughout the city so really at any point during your daily travels you can enjoy the best pizza in town. We’ve tried all of them and agree the Borne locale is the best. It is a great place to bring a large party of people or dine with your respective other. It isn’t romantic at all but when you have marinated muscle juice dripping from your chin are you really concerned with romance? Start your meal with the Saute de Vongole — clams served up with parsley, garlic and olive oil for 10,50¤. There are two pages of pizzas to choose from but we recommend the Oliva, Barcelona and Estate which range in price from 7,40¤-8,50¤. Service can be a bit prolonged but the wait staff will bring you plenty of bread to compensate. Cuidado with the salads unless iceberg floating in water and cat-food tuna is your idea of a party. Al Passatore is open daily 13.00-12.30h Monday through Wednesday and 13.00–1:00h Thursday through Sunday.

FOOD

FOODBALL ELISABETS, 9 TEL. 93 270 13 63

T A K E AWAY / D I N E I N

POLLO RICO S A N PAU , 3 1 T E L . 9 3 4 4 1 3 1 8 4

It may appear to be a punishment: so hot it hurts to breathe, old men tearing chicken apart with their bare hands while wiping their mouths with greasy napkins, and small children running around recklessly. It’s not karma kicking your ass — it’s Pollo Rico and it’s sooo good. You may have passed by before and marveled at the multitude of little spit-roasted chickens spinning the day away in the window while people wait endlessly to get served but dared not enter. Waffle no more — gather up your guts (and appetite) and waltz right in like you own the joint. You will immediately be granted the respect of the waiters who will eye you suspiciously while handling

enormous carving knives like a poultry samurai warrior. There are plenty of good things on the menu but this spot is about chicken and that is what you should order. Para llevar you can get a small chicken for 3¤. It you are sticking around you can sit at the bar where all the action happens but you may risk a heat stroke. The best spot is upstairs where air conditioning is on full force and the service is lickety split. A 1/4 chicken with fries is 3,40¤, a 1/2 with fries is 6,30¤. The fries aren’t the best in town so why not just go the full way and get un pollo solo for 11,50¤. Pollo Rico doesn’t take credit cards and is closed on Wednesdays. If you have too much time on your hands check out their website: www.polloricosl.com — it’s quite possibly the only website for a rotisserie chicken joint with its own music video.

B E S T O R X ATA I N T OW N

EL TIO CHE

RAMBLA DEL POBLE NOU 44-45

You may have wondered once and again what exactly horchata (Orxata in Catalan) is. BCN WEEK is here with the answer: tigernuts. Yes, tigernuts (and some water and a lot of sugar). It is served severely chilled from a chilled metal bucket with a ladle. At El Tio Che on the Rambla del Poble Nou they’ve been serving up horchata for four generations since 1912. It is a perfect pit stop on your way back from the

TEL. 93 309 18 72

beach but be careful — this sweet stuff that’s been dubbed “the milk of the gods” goes down smooth but too much of it will give you a belly ache. At 2,30¤ for a mitja its easy to request más... To avoid this common problem Uncle Che also serves up horchata without sugar but that is just wrong. You can also get artisan ice cream (mint is the best) and extremely dangerous turrones de mazapán.

Don’t be dissuaded just because Foodball is owned by a company that makes shoes and it has the word ball in it. Camper continues to diversify itself beyond fashionforward footwear (their hotel is right next door) with this totally new concept of ‘kind-of-expensive’ dining. Everything available at Food Ball is free of stuff that will make you sick and eventually kill you: that means additives, fertilizers, animal fat, white sugar etc. Foodball is exactly that — balls of food. They are actually balls of rice with varying ingredients inside. They are served hot or cold in a bed of lettuce on a biodegradable tray. There always seem to be new balls appearing, we recommend the chickpea, seaweed & tofu, chicken and from the forest (shrooms) which range in price from 1,95¤-2,95¤ per ball. They can be a bit dry so you might need some pricey sauce, we say white miso but you might want coco and curry. For dessert? Sweet balls. Carob bean is best and will cost you 1,85¤. If you are all balled out try some fresh fruit for 1,25¤. If this all becomes a bit too confusing there are three menus ranging in price from 4,99¤-8,99¤. Take pause and watch the Camper-clad ball-makers work their magic before taking your tray to the stadium-like seating area.

BAR

ABSENTA BAR SANT CHARLES, 36 TEL. 93 221 57 85

It’s been said that absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the self. We aren’t that philosophical — we just like places that serve things that are banned in certain countries. Casi at the beach, Absenta Bar is the quintessential travel bar. Sometimes even when you aren’t travelling it’s still amusing to hang out at a travel bar because it is there that you can meet travellers who usually have entertaining stories, and we’ve heard some here. Absenta has a pleasant terrace where you can watch the colorful neighborhood characters who hang out at the foot of the beach. Inside you can munch on empanadas for 2¤ and take your time deciding what kind of absinthe you want to sample. There are around 20 to chose from but we don’t recommend you try to sample them all in the same sitting. Check out the live music scene during the weekend which varies greatly (pass by to get the month’s line up). Get there early if you want to sit down.

BCN

Week

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HAPPY HOUR ALL DRINKS ALL DRINKS

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EXCLUDES TAPAS, COCKTAILS AND TOP SHELF SPIRITS

the week BY

Lena Wiget

How to talk small this week: Where are you travelling in August? Have you found anything nice in the summer sales? Are you going to Summercase? Don’t you think the line-up for Benicassim is better? Have you heard about that little country music festival Mr. Banjo? And have you seen the new cultural newsweekly BCN WEEK yet? We are having a launch party on Sunday at a Chiringuito. Did you go to the Fiesta Mayor de Raval last year? They’re doing free concerts again at la Rambla de Raval on Friday. Have you heard that Metrònom is doing a “sabattical” year? It seems they can’t maintain the gallery anymore. That’s why they’re doing the exhibition Memorial Metrònom. And by the way, did you know that the guys who have organised the Marató de L’Espectacle and the Dies de Dansa are now doing another series of events called Interferencia de arte where artists are reclaiming public space? Oh, and the other day a Brazilian friend of mine told me that the CCCB is hosting a series of discussions called Cracks in Brazil: Segregation and Counter-culture in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Have you ever been to Brazil…

thursday /// jULY 13 The gallery Metrònom first opened in 1980 in the neighbourhood of Sant Gervasi and has resided for some years in el Borne next to the old, unused Mercado del Borne in the Carrer Fusina. Last month the director Rafael Tous announced that the gallery will have to close during the next season and it is questionable whether they’ll be able to raise enough funds to reopen which makes the current exhibition ‘Memorial Metrònom’ that revisits 603 artists and 26 years of contemporary art at Metrònom all the more worthwhile. In addition, they are showing Panoplie#1 today and tomorrow at 22:00h (free entrance), a dance show choreographed by Laure Bonicel and performed by Julia Cima that plays with the stereotypical views on female identity perpetuated by the fashion industry. At Almazen another session of MAD-MOVIES: ciclo cortísssimos starts at 22:00h under the motto “mad about star wars” [1977-2005] that features entertaining short and animation films made by Star Wars fanatics. Entrance free. Also at 22:00h the documentary “Rock & Cat” starts, a rather biased film about the rise of Catalan rock in the 80s and 90s. It’s screened open air as part of the Cinema a la fresca of the Centre Garcilaso. Again at 22:00h starts the concert of Kevin Johansen & The Nada at the Conjunto Monumental de la Plaça del Rei. Kevin Johansen, an Alaska born half-Argentinian singer-songwriter peddles a wry brand of subtropicalismo: catchy acoustic songs, half in Spanish, half in English while The Nada provide a chamber backing of violin, bandoneon and percussion. Tickets cost 25¤. Last but not least, it’s time again for the monthly NUGGETS CLUB at [2] organised by Iguapop featuring Only Son, Regina Spektor and Mad Mats.

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Nui has invited the French independent DVD label Lowave to presents its last production called ‘Resistance[s]’ that unites films and videos from artists such as Zoulikha Bouabdellah, Taysir Batniji, Mounir Fatmi, Lamya Gargash, Usama Alshaibi and Jayce Salloum that capture the contemporary audiovisual culture of the Middle East and North Africa. The screening starts at 20:30h, takes 107 minutes, is subtitled in English and free of charge. Today begins the Fiesta Mayor de Raval with free concerts at the Rambla de Raval organised by La Trifulca under the motto La Alegría del Barrio 06 with a line-up that mirrors the multicultural reality of Raval. The stars of the evening are Radio Malanga (funkyafrobeat-hip hop-latin) who will go on stage last at 0:30h. The event begins at 18:00h with DJ Molestoso. At 19:30h play La Floresta (flamencotango-latin), followed by Krishna from India at 20:40h and Raspa (cumbia-chucuchucu) at 23:20h. The big names of course play at the first Summercase festival that begins tonight in Madrid and Barcelona. At the Parc del Fòrum play Massive Attack, Belle & Sebastian, Super Furry Animals, Filthy Dukes and many, many more. If you’ve got 100¤ to spare – that’s your call. And finally, fuera de Barcelona in Terrassa the sixth country music festival Mr. Banjo 06 starts and will continue until Sunday. Tonight on the guitar: Ove Stoylen (22:00h) and Moot Davis (24:00h). Entrance costs 15¤. More information under www.mrbanjofestival.com. NUI @ ALMOGÀVERS 208 // LA ALEGRÍA DEL BARRIO 06 @ RAMBLA DE RAVAL // SUMMERCASE @ PARC DEL FÒRUM

saturday /// jULY 15 At the CCCB Cracks in Brazil: Segregation and Counter-culture in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro starts, a series of debates that analyse emerging urban processes from various viewpoints alongside the screening of documentaries. It focuses on the emergence of new socio-cultural dynamics that have brought segregation, violence and social inequality to the centre of the urban stage in the big Brazilian cities. At 19:00h the documentary ‘Notícias de una Guerra Particular’ by Kátia Lund and José Moreira Sales (1999, 56 min, VO) begins, showing interviews with inhabitants of a

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number of favelas in Rio — people who are caught in the crossfire between drug traffickers and police. And at 20:00h Palace II by Kátia Lund and Fernando Meirelles (2001, 21 min, VO) starts, a film about two children who live in the ‘Cidade de Deus’, one of the most violent favelas in all Brazil who want to raise money to go to a concert. The only option they have is the most dangerous one: getting it through drug trafficking. Less disturbing but also pretty informative is the exhibition “Visions of science” that is currently at the Palau de la Virreina. The question here is: How objective is the scientific account of reality really?! At 21:00h begins the Cena Popular organised by Almazen in Calle Guifré (at 23:00h follows a Karaoke session). Everyone is invited and culinary specialities from your home country are more than welcome. At the C3-Bar the trio Jam-X presents its new CD Whole New Peace (Soul-hip hop-funk-electro) at 22:00h. Entrance is free while Oscar Aguilera + Pelucas will fill the Salón de los espejos at Club Fellini with sounds. If you’ve got the 100¤ together New Order, Primal Scream, The Long Blondes, The Conreters and many more await you at the Summercase Festival… CCCB @ MONTALEGRE 5 // PALAU DE LA VIRREINA @ LA RAMBLA 99 // CENA POPULAR @ GUIFRÉ // C3 @ MONTALEGRE 7 // CLUB FELLINI @ LAS RAMBLAS 27

sunday /// jULY 16 Up and coming artists are selling and exhibiting their work today (and yesterday) at an event called Saldao – a sort of art bazaar. The idea is to establish a platform for emerging artits (Paola Sman, Antonio Gagliano, Lolo & Sosaku, Nuno Valerio, Violeta Cenzi, Michel Nath and Pedro Cuevas) and to give visitors the chance to buy their work (prices will vary between 5¤ and 500¤). Y ahora un poco de promo for our own project: BCN Week, the city’s first cultural newsweekly which hit the streets nine weeks ago is celebrating its launch party at the Chiringuito Mochima at Playa Nova Marbella from 18:00h onwards. You may recognise Marcus by his baseball cap and Jenn by her red high-heels but it’s going to be harder to find our star-colunmists Isolda, a.k.a. La Fatxa, and Mr. Spencer Tarp. Give it a chance and meet and mingle with some nice guiris on the beach. SALDAO @ HOSPITAL 48, ENTLO 1A // CHIRINGUITO MOCHIMA @ PLAYA NOVA MARBELLA

monday /// jULY 17 The debate “Cracks in Brazil” continues at the CCCB. The discussion about “Narratives of Inequality” starts at 19:30h with experts in Anthropology from the University of California. The film screenings begin at 22:00h. As part of the Interferencia 06 (July 10-17, for details see www.interferencia.info) Fred Abel will let his tramp Dirk loose. Dirk is a live size figure, resembling a tramp, who walks behind his rattling shopping-trolley. Dirk pushes the trolley, the mechanism in the trolley pulls the strings, the strings make Dirk walk pushing the trolley, a vicious circle... At first sight the audience has the illusion of dealing with a real human being, as the mechanism is more or less hidden between plastic bags and bottles. Most people don’t appreciate people like tramps and bagladies in their surroundings and are really confronted with their ideas the moment they realize Dirk is artificial. To watch the puzzled look on peoples’ faces is as interesting as Dirk himself. Dirk continues to evolve, he will be gaining more and more human qualities, maybe even body odor.... Dirk is on the loose at Rambla de Raval from 19:00h til 21:00h. CCCB @ MONTALEGRE 5 // DIRK @ RAMBLA DEL RAVAL

tuesday /// jULY 18 Paco Zarzoso and Alex Rigola have produced a tragic comedy of Bush’s career entitled Arbusht that’s presented at the Teatre Lliure tonight at 21:30h. And believe it or not: La Paloma is hosting a Yoga session tonight for the first time and plans to continue doing throughout the summer, every Tuesday evening. It’s officially called SESIONES DE SWÁSTHYA YÔGA where a professional Yoga teacher will climb on stage and introduce everyone — novice or professional, to the art of Yôga Antiguo or SwáSthya. Entrance costs 4¤. A bottle of water is inlcuded in the price. TEATRE LLIURE @ PG SANTA MADRONA 40-46 // LA PALOMA @ TIGRE 27

wednesday /// jULY 19 As part of its Off-Grec program the Theatre Tantarantana presents today for the first time and until the 23 July a dance show called ‘Lulú, primera nit’ by the dance company Roberto G. Alonso that’s part of a trilogy about sex and literature. At La Paloma they’re hosting a rather special charity event tonight, the ArtSolidari06 that starts at 22:00h and continues until 3:30h. It’s the second ArtSolidari that’s organised by the NGO Asociación Educativa Integral del Raval and it shows the latest projects of emerging artists (music, photography, audio-visuals). The money that the event generates goes towards disadvantaged children. TANTARANTANA @ LES FLORS 22 // LA PALOMA @ TIGRE 27

reviews

ALBUM

motor city jazz

A RT

biskup’s bad eye

RECLOOSE /// HIATUS ON THE HORIZON /// LOOP RECORDS 2006 BY

Lucy Wyatt

AMERICAN CYCLOPS /// IGUAPOP GALLERY /// UNTIL AUG 9 BY

Alec Radford

Imagine a painting that you may have seen before: a soldier from the American Revolution high upon his horse, sword above head, leading a charge towards the enemy with lightning in his eyes. Now replace those eyes with one large eye and his body with that of a hairy monster with robot-like arms and legs. “American Cyclops” is the title of the collection of works being displayed this month at the Iguapop Gallery. Californian “punk rock, anarchist, street” artist, Tim Biskup, who’s shown his work around the world, has his art on exhibition in Barcelona for the first time. “American Cyclops” explores, in its own unique way, the United States’ brief history, the history of a one eyed monster, a history permeated by paranoia, corruption, violence and ignorance that continues fullstrength to this day. Biskup uses a style of creation that sometimes resembles a children’s book or an old Walt Disney cartoon. Many of his pieces contain subjects ranging from witches to4/7/06 artillery and housead_LAUNCH.qxd 20:45

colonial chairs marked “F.U.”, and manages to communicate a satirical social commentary with these simple yet effective forms. His nostalgic use of color, shape, and placement create an aesthetic value that could even catch the eye of a one-eyed, heaving monster hell bent on conquering the world. Especially effective is a row of prints, primarily orange and black, that stands out boldly against their white backgrounds. Two specific pieces in this group represent very well the blend of artistic skill and thought that Biskup displays in his work: one being an intricately designed peacock, supplying a feast of natural pattern for the eyes, and the other being a wreath of hand grenades dangling from a ribbon. Both are awesome. But, thought aside, the biggest piece alone, a seven-foot tall plastic cyclops monster standing behind the entrance window, makes the whole thing worth seeing even if you hate art and don’t give a shit about societal and political metaphor. And Pageit’s 1 free.

Matthew Chicoine, a.k.a. Recloose, is originally from Michigan where he studied music and played jazz saxophone. While developing his diverse musical style in Detroit, he experimented with everything from mixing techno and sampling to urban breakbeat and 80’s funk. He allegedly forced his big break while working at a to-go joint by slipping a demo tape into the sandwich of Detroit techno king, Carl Craig. From the Motor City he moved on to playing at jazz festivals in New Zealand. This is where he currently resides after falling in love with the people and the country. “Hiatus on the Horizon” is Recloose’s second album, vastly influenced by the inspirational talent of Wellington’s bubbling music scene. There is a perpetual acid jazz buzz throughout the album with a strong soul vibe, though some tracks are more on the dubby-ska tip with “Mana’s Bounce” providing a springy groove of trumpets that are guaranteed to get your head nodding taking you to a sunny place. With a few vinyl scratches to get your moves in gear this track is a definite hit. Another peach is “Dust”, which has settled nicely over Ibiza’s dance floors this summer. It’s a storming track blessed with Joe Dukie’s (Fat Freddy’s Drop) blissful vocals which bind the uplifting keyboard and sax riffs together stunningly. “Spinnin’ Out” slows the album down with a rather tired 90’s acid jazz feel as does “Still Beyond Me” and “The Game Goes On”, featuring the soulful vocals of Hollie Smith whose voice is undoubtedly smoky and sexy. The diversion sets the album back, needing stronger songs to get it back on track. The funkiness of “Why I Otta” does exactly this by stretching musical barriers with a vast mixture of instruments from horns to drums and spinning vocals with the track building up to give an impressive finale.

vamos al mochima, oh oh oh.

SUNDAY JULY 16 h 18:00-1:00

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VI RUTA DEL ARTE /// LOFT /// JULY 5-SEPT 15 BY

Elliotsdöttir

The 6th edition of the Ruta del Arte offers the same subject in different galleries. The general gist of the collective exposition is to tackle the fashion world as an industry. The artists seek to shock us, and to shake up our thoughts so we will question societal values and structure to see the translucid thin line between what’s fashionable and what’s pure cold vanity. However, I must stress that in a collective exposition it’s very important that everyone stays on the same page that doesn’t mean that and they all need to have the same opinion but they need to constrain themselves to the theme, but anyhow if we ignore the HUGE lack of organization between the galleries and overlook the lack of unity between the artists most of them are worth seeing. To start you must go to Loft/D’art there you’ll find: ZENG YICHENG // CHINESE PHOTOGRAPHER His work will surround you with his hot pink dream world where women play an important role in a cotton candy film. Zeng creates tasteful

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atmospheres and impeccable points of view on modernism. Absolutely amazing, with a high level of criticism towards our little gadgets of the socalled civilized world. TONY SOULIÉ // FRENCH PAINTER His intervened pictures give the impression you are looking through a window that allows you to see the decay of the big apple, yet I wonder: how does his work have anything to do with fashion? I can see how N.Y.C can be emblematic of capitalism and consumerism but I don’t necessarily agree that his work is linked to the fashion industry. JACQUES BOSSER // FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER AND DESIGNER Shows us a very large geisha, simple up in your face compositions with a little touch of renaissance coldness. THIERRY BISCH // FRENCH PAINTER, FILM DIRECTOR Trying to make a point with his paper doll drawings, the idea itself is quite good, people half naked with a fashion touch yet his drawings are lifeless. They seem to be lacking enthusiasm, and are slightly rigid.

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sean penn as sam bicke.

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Núria Ferrer

Be prepared to get your hands dirty. ‘The Assassination of Richard Nixon’ may be constructed as a relentless dive into one man’s wrenching emotional territory, but the audience doesn’t escape without scars either. Director Niels Mueller’s well-chosen subject and excellent technical execution have come to the public in a historicopolitical moment that has catapulted this film’s status from a solid directorial debut into a hauntingly relevant work of art. Sean Penn’s portrayal of Sam Byck (here Bicke) the man who, in 1974, attempted to hijack a plane and fly it into the White House, reminds us eerily of the cyclical nature of history and the age-old conflicts between the powerless and the powerful. The nature of Bicke’s mental instability collides disastrously with the nurture of his dissolving life. His wife leaves him, he can’t suffer the hypocrisies of his sales jobs, he’s inundated with televised images of Nixon barefacedly lying to the

American people. The movie uses the story of Bicke’s descent into depression and madness as a prism to split and reflect upon society’s interaction with the individual. What’s surprising is that so many elements of Bicke’s story form part of our current social consciousness: the expectations created by the American Dream, the feeling of powerlessness in the face of an administration at war, the allconsuming nature of the American job, the paranoia brought on by solitude and untold hours of TV news, the birth of a terrorist in someone who has nothing left to lose, the ease with which ideals can be mutated into something evil. The movie touches, strangely, on so many different aspects of seemingly unrelated issues that the viewer is left with emotions as mixed as those inspired by the events of the last six years. If every film left this kind of wake, movies could begin to reclaim their status as an art form.

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BARCELONA THREE STARS HOTEL 36 euros PER PERSON Central located three stars hotel with air conditioning and small kitchen from 36¤ per person in double room. Consult info@rainbowinspain.com or visit www.rainbowinspain.com

BARCELONETA Very nice IKEA renovated 1 bedroom apartment next to the market and subway. Tons of light. 700 ¤. Rafa 616 560 299.

sunny room Room for rent (Urquinaona) Nice bright, fully furnished room, exterior in a comfortable flat, situated in the center. Only 2 minutes from the Metro L1 y L4. 280¤/month all bills included. simon-sparks@excite.com

Hostal Santa Anna The friendly family-owned Hostal Santa Anna is practically on Las Ramblas. The quiet, clean and well maintained hostel has 18 simple rooms with views of the street or interior. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Poble Nou Beach Rooms Poble Nou Beach Rooms is a cosy place with lots of natural light in (where else) Poble Nou. A

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A basic 2 star hostel located in the very heart of the historical centre of Barcelona, at Portaferrissa, the most commercial street in the city. The hostel offers basic, clean, well conditioned rooms, where you will be able to relax and rest, as most of them are interior and very quiet. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hostal Plaza This picturesque, 2-star, 20-room hostel is located between Passeig de Gràcia, Pl. Urquinaona and Pl. Catalunya, in the 1st floor of a modernist building. In the 1st floor, the hostel offers common areas, such as a bar serving drinks and breakfasts with plasma television, and a lounge with sofas and a quieter atmosphere inviting to read and relax. In addition, here is an Internet service for the clients. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hotel Travessera The Hotel Travessera 2 star hotel located right next to Gaudí’s lovely Parc Guell. Hotel Travessera has been recently refurbished and has 23 well-equipped rooms with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, heating and TV. A good value, for reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hostal Las Flores The Hostal Las Flores is a cosy family-run hostel located right on Las Ramblas. This quaint 1 star hostel is an economical choice, with 22 rooms on 4 floors. Almost all have access to a shared bathroom, except one double room which includes a private en suite bathroom and has a view of Las Ramblas. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hotel Nuevo Triunfo Great value for money, modern 2-star hotel (opened in 2001), located close to Avenida Paral.lel, a bustling avenue just10 minutes’

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Apartamento de la Paz The spacious 100m2 Apartamento La Paz has a 30m balcony stretching around the building and looks out over Las Ramblas and Port Vell. The apartamento can sleep up to 6 people, and is located on the first floor (no lift access) with lots of natural light. There are 3 double rooms, 1 with 2 single beds, 2 rooms with 1 double bed each. For holiday rentals, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hostal Barcelona Ramblas The Hostal Barcelona Ramblas is a brand new and clean hostel located in Nou de La Rambla. The hostel’s 32 rooms are equipped with heating and fans for your comfort. You’ll feel right at home with a TV featuring international channels. The staff at reception are helpful and friendly and speak English, French, German and Italian. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hostal Ciudad Condal Great-value, 21-room hostel located on Rambla Catalunya, one of the nicest streets in the city, right in the heart of Modernist Eixample. All the rooms in this central, clean hostel have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, and TV. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

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Hostal Rembrandt Hostal Rembrandt is a clean, wellrun 28 room hostel in an unbeatable location on Portaferrisa. Can you ask for a more central location? visit www.barcelona30.com for reservations.

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A modest, well-maintained, 2-stars hostel of 26 rooms located near Meridiana Avenue, on the corner of Fabra i Puig Avenue, close to the commercial centre of Heron City. The hostel is situated in a 5-floor building with lift. Not especially charming, but it does offer clean, well-maintained rooms. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

A modest hostel placed in an old building with a beautiful entrance door, in the popular Gràcia district, an area full of live with a special charm, which still keeps its village atmosphere. It is located a 15 minutes walk to the famous Parc Güell and Passeig de Gràcia. The hostel offers simple, clean rooms; but do not expect a design decoration. However, all of them are equipped with a complete bathroom, and TV. There are double rooms with 1 double bed or 2 individual beds, and triple rooms, which are more spacious. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Short-term rental in a double room for 1 or 2 persons with en suite private bathroom and TV in gorgeous shared apartment. apartment is right by Arc de Triomf metro station (line 1) and Renfe regional train station. Visit www.barcelona30.com.

BARCO Paula I Have an original experience on the Paula I sailboat (not a houseboat), or as we like to call it the “floating apartment,” located in the Port Vell. The boat can sleep up to 6 people, with 3 cabins with double beds. Watch the curious smiles of your friends when you tell them you’ve stayed on a 40 foot sailboat (not for sailing). Not many people will be able to say they spent their Barcelona vacation on a luxury boat! For short-term rentals, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Crayon Box Apartment 2.1 The Crayon Box Apartment 2.1 is a 40m2 private apartment located on the beachfront of Barceloneta. This newly renovated apartment can sleep up to 4 people in 2 double rooms, one with a large double bed and another with bunk beds. A sofa bed sleeps one more, which is located in the living/dining room which also has a TV and balcony. The kitchen has all the amenities and there is also a full bathroom. The apartment is equipped with heating and air conditioning. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Hostal Boquería The Hostal Boqueria is a newly renovated hostel right on Las Ramblas, opposite the lively atmosphere of the Boquería. 15 neat and tidy rooms with TV, air conditioning, heating and private bathrooms, this is a fairly standard hostel: 2 single beds and a sink in the room. Good value accommodation right in the centre of Barcelona. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

BARCO Déjà vu Oceanis 36cc The Déjà vu is a gorgeous 36 foot (11 metres) cruising yacht moored in the marina Port Vell. A Jeanneau Oceanis 36cc, it was built in 2003 and waves the French flag. Outfitted in cherry wood, the boat is equipped with modern comforts, such as satellite TV, kitchen, full bathroom, towels and bed linens, and even slippers in case your feet get cold. Sleeps up to 4. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Apartamento Picasso 32 Up to 5 of you can stay in the 50 m2 Picasso 32 Apartment smack in the middle of the historic and yet trendy district of Born. It has two bedrooms, one with a single bed and the other with two singles. The living/dining room has a TV and 2 sofas, one a sofa bed which sleeps two. The kitchen is fully-equipped, as is the bathroom. A small balcony gives a good photo-op of the gargoyles from the building in front, not something you wake up to every day. AC. For holiday rentals, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Levante Apartament M1 A recently renovated, 95m2 apartment with an excellent location, which can accommodate 4-8 persons. Located in the heart of the historic Barri Gòtic, it is a basic, cosy apartment, decorated with

Hotel Climent The 1 star Hotel Climent is located on the Gran Via in a 7 storey building with 5 rooms on each floor. The rooms are neat and clean, with minimal decor. They have an en suite bathroom, heating, TV and telephone. All rooms are exterior, with natural light, and are sufficiently soundproofed with windows with double paned glass to guarantee a good night’s sleep. The hotel is well-maintained and is wheelchair accessible. Breakfast included. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

Pension Cortes Pension Cortes is a basic, clean hostel located in beautiful old building on Gran Via. Rooms are clean and cosy with single beds. Although the rooms overlook the street, it is relatively insulated from street noise. Metro station Urgell. For reservations, visit www.barcelona30.com.

WANTED

used bike I want to buy a men’s bike for less than 60¤. hleben@gmail.com

LOOKING FOR ROOM Hi! Soy Gaby, chica de 31 aòos, working for BCN WEEK. I’m looking for room or piso in BCN, close to the beach or in very center. If you know anything: gaby@bcnweek.com.

AND SERVICES VAN AND DRIVER FOR REMOVALS AND CARGO TRANSPORTATION Inexpensive, safe and flexible. Any day, any time. Barcelona / Catalunya. 647533344 / 933291363 www.vanbcn.com

MASSAGE EXCHANGE Seeking to start a small group of people doing bodywork at any level and willing to exchange sessions for the joy of it. I do Hawaian Lomi Lomi, Ayurvedic Yoga, Reiki and Metamorphic massage. galileanin@gmail.com

AND I SAW YOU Did u see someone you like? Need to get a message across? Too shy to say it to their face? Then BCN WEEK’s ‘I SAW YOU’ is for you! Be sure to tell us who you are (man/woman) who/ what you saw (man/woman/badly parked car... etc) when? where? why? email or contact detail required.

DIVE

CHURCH GOER

Young and creative couple- her photographer, him artist looking for a cheap dive to live in. central barcelona or gracia. unite against middlemen! murray 600 706 442

I saw you in front of that church in the Borne - near the fire thing. You had a little dog that was barking. You stopped to pick up his mess. Email me: starrevartan@hotmail.com

bike needed Any type can be interesting. If it’s old and not damaged — perfect. If it’s a bit more modern, ok! But don’t want to pay more than 100¤. schwester_polyester@yahoo.com

TV donation Necesito que me regale TV Busco una tele para que pueda disfrutar mi tiempo libre — me

it was 1898 I saw you at the hotel check in of 1898 on Las Ramblas. You were complaining at the check in. You seemed to know what you want. You had on a pink shirt. I don’t like pink shirts but if you are still around email me - klivin@gmail.com

world cup heat I saw you the night of the world cup at Flaherty’s. You’re friend kept calling you Michelle. If you are Michelle and were watching the WC final at Flaherty's then email me. You’re HOT! cpollard19@hotmail.com

JAMBOREE Most guys can’t dance. I think you were good and cute. You were at Jamboree last Thursday wearing a striped Polo USA shirt. Email me anack@yahoo.es

VECINO I keep seeing you in mi barrio. You always look like you just woke up. Yesterday I finally said hi. I said hola. I know you read this. I’ve seen you looking at it before. Email me mzagle@hotmail.com

are you sad? I saw you crying on the street. You looked really sad. Do you need a friend? I asked you if you were OK. rsalva@yahoo.es

BANK with me I saw you last Wednesday in La Caixa in The Borne. You were trying to ask if you could open another account but didn't speak much Spanish. mderby@gmx.de

BCN

Week

SWIM

Dora is wearing the Rouched One-Piece from our year-round swim line.

We promise to come to Barcelona soon and open a store there. In the meantime we're offering BCN readers free shipping when you shop online until August 15th. Just enter the following promo code when you get to checkout: BCN2006.

Made in Downtown LA Vertically Integrated Manufacturing

To learn more about our company, to shop online, and to find all store locations, visit our web site: www.americanapparel.net