💦 The Tapa Weekend: July 14
A water battle in Vallecas, more movies al fresco and another f*cking street market.
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | July 14, 2023 | Madrid | Issue #16
🎉 Welcome to a new issue of The Tapa: Weekend Edition! An English-language newsletter about what to do this weekend in Madrid (plus memes because why the hell not).
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Here are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
We’re officially on vacation! Well, at least some of you are (not us, because journalism doesn’t take a vacation). And while many of you are lucky enough to be sunbathing somewhere cool, we’re stuck in Madrid trying to survive heat waves in the concrete jungle. For those of you who, like us, are looking to survive the heat, we have a few options to make the experience more tolerable.
Here are a few cool things to do this weekend.
1. A Very Wet Batalla Naval in Vallecas
If you’ve never experienced the crazy Naval Battle of Vallecas, you’re missing on something special. Every July, thousands of people head to this Madrid neighborhood for the Fiestas del Carmen and join what is probably one of the most epic water fights you’ve ever seen. This year’s it celebrates its 42th edition, so expect it to be big.
It starts with a proclamation and a parade, and then things move quickly towards the designated “wet zone” near the Rayo Vallecano stadium, where people drench one another with water guns, buckets and anything that can carry water, really. There will also be bands, floats and even a “super paella” served at Plaza Vieja, where hundreds of people get together for a communal feast.
Batalla Naval de Vallecas. Calle de Peña Gorbea, Vallecas, Madrid. July 16, 4:30 pm.
2. Trash!: A Musical Comedy about Recycling
Comedy, percussion and… recycling? That’s right, Trash! is a musical play that will not only make you laugh, but it will also make sure you take waste separation seriously. Trash! is a fun, energetic show about the possibilities of recycling told through percussion, movement, and humor. Set in a garbage recycling center, four imaginative workers give new purposes to all kinds of waste that arrives at the facility—hopefully making us reflect on the excessive consumerism of our society in the process. Do we really need a new iPhone every year? (Honestly, could we really afford a new iPhone every year?)
From gas cylinders to umbrellas, balls, toolboxes, horns and of course, garbage bags, any unwanted item that falls into the hands of these workers is transformed into colorful musical numbers that are actually pretty funny. Don’t miss it.
Trash! Gran Teatro Caixabank Príncipe Pío. Cuesta de San Vicente, 44, Madrid. Saturday July 15, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.. Tickets start at €22.
3. Another F*cking Street Market
Pardon our French! But that is the actual name of this sort of exclusive street market that takes over the inner patio of the Hard Rock Café Hotel in Madrid this weekend. Otro Puto Mercadillo (literally “Another F*cking Street Market”) is a small, pop-up event that comes straight from Barcelona and features products from independent artists such as clothes, tattoos, nail art and bijou, among many other things.
But that’s not all. Even if you feel like chilling and grabbing a bite and an Aperol Spritz, the market will also feature food trucks and a bar so you can eat and drink while you shop.
Otro Puto Mercadillo. Hard Rock Cafe Hotel Madrid. Ronda de Atocha 17, Madrid. Saturday July 15, 6 p.m. Free admission (but get your tickets on Evenbrite)
4. Top Secret: Movies and Espionage Exhibit
James Bond and Mission:Impossible fans, assemble! The Top Secret exhibit is here and it’s worth paying a visit to learn a bit more about the sexy world of spies. Top Secret explores the relationship between cinema and espionage, fiction and historical events, and the props and technology used by spies, from Mata Hari to Homeland’s Carrie Mathison or Malotru, including our favorite fictional spy, 007, and Edward Snowden.
Following a chronological path, there are some 300 items in the exhibit, including electronic devices, movie costumes, historical artifacts, archival documents, photographs, drawings, paintings, posters, art installations, and film excerpts. These pieces come from the collection of La Cinémathèque française, as well as from other museums, archives, and private collections.
Top Secret. CaixaForum. Paseo del Padro 36, Madrid. Through Oct. 22. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Tickets start at €6.
5. La Estival en Plaza de España
Open air cinemas are a summer classic in Madrid by now and La Estival, in Plaza de España, probably takes the crown. Once again this key downtown location becomes the epicenter of Madrid's film culture, hosting a “grand open-air cinema” surrounded by gastronomy and history promoting the capital’s three major values: culture, gastronomy and solidarity.
From Singing in the Rain to Barbie, this month La Estival is exploding with options for movie fans. It is also hosting concerts, micro-musicals and stand-up comedy shows that are broadcast through everyone’s wireless stereo headphones. So even for those of you English speakers who complain about all the movies being dubbed here, you will be able to change the language soundtrack with just a button. Some of the screenings (like The Godfather, Mission:Impossible — Dead Reckoning or Interstellar) will include a live mini-concert with highlights from the movies’ soundtracks. And if you want to grab a bite before or after the movie, the event will offer many options for you.
La Estival. Plaza de España, Madrid. July 15 to Sept. 10. Check website for movies and schedules. Tickets start at €8.
👨🏻💻 Viral Story of the Week
👵🏼 “¡Olé tu coño!”
As they say: Only in Cádiz. Local TV correspondent Beatriz Anillo was delivering a news report to camera on the streets of Cádiz when an elderly woman rolled up with her stroller and, intrigued by the report, paused to listen.
She waited politely until the end, and then… (Wait for it.)
…she smiled approvingly at Anillo and said, “¡Olé tu coño!”
Now, for those of you/us prone to very literal interpretations of words, this does not mean “Cheers to your vagina.” Rather, it it an expression of approval or praise, like “Good job” or “Well done.”
But because of the woman’s sudden earthy compliment, and Anillo’s surprised, giggling “Gracias”, the clip has made its way into Spanish internet history.
🔔 A Message From Our Sponsor
Secret Kingdoms is your English bookstore in Madrid. It specializes in Spanish history and literature, contemporary and classic novels, books for children and young adults of all ages, history and historical fiction, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, biographies and much more.
Located on Calle de Moratín 7 — a few blocks away from the Prado Museum — and with over 20,000 new and used books, Secret Kingdoms has something for everyone.
Find out more at www.thesecretkingdoms.com
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