π³οΈβπ The Tapa Weekend: June 30
Pride Weekend, a techno music festival and a nighttime cemetery tour.
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | June 30, 2023 | Madrid | Issue #14
π 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
Happy Pride Weekend, everyone! Itβs that time of the year again, when downtown Madrid turns into a giant rainbow in which straight and queer people meet to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. And the locals can be very proud of the festivities indeed. Last year, Madridβs Pride brought together a total of nearly 2 million people, turning it into the biggest Pride event in Europe and one of the most important LGBTQ+ events in the world.
This weekend thereβs live music everywhere, workshops and, of course, Saturdayβs big event: the Pride Parade. So grab your multicolor bandana and head over to Chueca for some sun, fun and pop music. You wonβt regret it.
Here are a few cool, rainbow-themed things to do this weekend.
1. Madridβs Pride Parade 2023
This is the big one! The march + parade is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, so expect an enormous amount of people gathering all over the Paseo del Prado and Cibeles areas as thousand others march or dance on floats. With this yearβs motto of "Embracing Family Diversity: Equal in Rights,β the Madrid Pride will demand equal rights for all families, advocate for the implementation of the recently approved LGBTI+ Law, and call for the urgent creation of a State Pact against Hate Speech.
Organizers expects an attendance of over 2 million people. Itβs going to be very hot so make sure you stay hydrated and wear tons of sunscreen.
Madrid Pride Parade. From Atocha Train Station to Plaza ColΓ³n, Madrid. July 1, 7 p.m.. Free admission.
2. Theatrical Guided Nights Tours of the Almudena Cemetery
What better way to celebrate these cool summer nights than walking around the tombstones? (Seriously.)
The Madrid Funerary Services (not a great name, weβll admit) is offering curious visitors the chance to explore the cultural and artistic heritage preserved within the walls of the Almudena Cemeteryβat night. And not only that: the tours through this βopen-air museumβ with 130 years of history include performers playing some of the personalities buried there. Expect them to pop up from time to time (yikes!) to talk about their lives. So, like, not at all scary.
Nighttime Cemetery Tours. Almudena Cemetery, Avenida de Daroca, 90, Madrid. July 1 to Aug. 31. Tickets start at β¬1.50.
3. MatΓas Umpierrezβs Eclipse
Argentine interdisciplinary artist MatΓas Umpierrez presents a show that combines elements of a lecture, a performance, and a concert, all inspired by stories related to masks, whether they are real or virtual.
An anonymous and masked speaker (along with a doppelgΓ€nger) appears on stage to explore the meaning of the word "mask." The work delves into the importance of masks in a world full of technology, rebellions, utopias, capitalist Buddhists, secret societies, and other themes. This is achieved through what MatΓas has called "trans-scene," in which myths, ghosts, hacktivists, and various figures from a population dominated by screens and archives intertwine. Confused? Donβt be. Just go. Do not miss!
Eclipse. Naves del EspaΓ±ol en Matadero. Paseo de la Chopera, 14, Madrid. June 28βJuly 2. 8 p.m. Tickets: β¬10.
4. Paulina Rubio at Madrid Pride
If youβre need last-minute cool plans tonight, look no further: Paulina Rubio is here to lighten it up (please donβt tell us you donβt know who she is).
Hailed as a βvisionary and a trans-generational artistβ, Rubio is expected to drive the crowds crazy in Plaza EspaΓ±a with some of her greatest hits, ranging from the beginning of her career in the 80s to her more recent bops. She will be the closing act of the now traditional Mr. Gay Spain competition, in which a bunch of hot guys compete for the much coveted crown. She will also go on stage to accept the honorary Mr. Gay EspaΓ±a award. Expect huge (huge!) crowds so try to get there early.
Paulina Rubio. Madrid Pride, Plaza EspaΓ±a, Madrid. Friday, June 30. 12:30 a.m. (yes, technically it would be Saturday but you know what we mean). Free admission.
5. Maudes Festival 2023
Get ready for a massive (and outdoors) techno and electronic music event. Maudes Festival is back for its third edition and this year it features artists such as Paul Kalkbrenner, Monolink, Joris Voorn, Chelina Manuhutu, Regal, Karretero and many others, as well as contemporary art exhibits, a street market with tons of food samples, techno βworshipβ areas and a whole lot more. There will even be an area dedicated to emerging artists.
Itβs a pretty impressive setting (watch the video above) where you get to dance in front of a βretro-futuristic industrial artworkβ created by Valencian falleros that celebrates a βthematic fusion of art, commitment, culture and electronic techno musicβ.
Maudes Festival 2023. Recinto Ferial IFEMA Madrid. June 30βJuly 1. 6 p.m.. Tickets start at β¬35.
Bonus: 4th of July Celebration at the American Club in Madrid
Join the American Club in Madrid for their annual Fourth of July celebration this July 4, starting at 7 p.m., at the stunning Irreverente Rooftop Bar.
Enjoy an open bar serving your favorite beverages, indulge in delicious food and enjoy a mouthwatering BBQ that will leave your taste buds delighted. There will also be a variety of games and activities in which you can participate and hopefully win exciting prizes, including a membership raffle that is open to all attendees. The American Club in Madrid offers an early bird discount for those who sign up now. Members can secure their spot for only 45β¬, while non-members can join in the celebration for 55β¬. A great time to join and celebrate together!
4th of July Celebration at the American Club of Madrid. Irreverente Rooftop Bar. Calle de Sagasta 22, Madrid. July 4, 7 p.m.. Ticket start at β¬45.
π¨π»βπ» Other Headlines of the Week
These are some of the most ridiculous or viral stories in Spain this week that didnβt make our Thursday edition but we felt deserved a (dis)honorable mention today.
π³ 23J election madness
With the 23J election bearing down on us (and the heat sapping our energy), weβre taking the easy way out and featuring election memes. First thereβs the pro-SΓ‘nchez side, which is proud of hows heβs killing it with his media appearances, and then thereβs the right, which is just salivating over βrepealing Sanchismoβ. You can check out more by searching for Mr. Handsome and AyusopasiΓ³n on TikTok or Twitter.
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π 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 MoratΓn 7 β a few blocks away from the Prado Museum β and with over 20,000 new and used books, Secret Kingdoms has something for everyone.
Find out more at www.thesecretkingdoms.com
π Once again, please remember to share this newsletter with your friends on social media. The more we grow, the more information weβll be able to offer each week.
Weβll be back next week with more.