๐๏ธ The Tapa Weekend: March 1
Museum night tours, fun street markets and opera shows about Nazis.
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | March 1, 2024 | Madrid | Issue #43
๐ Welcome to a new issue of The Tapa: Weekend Edition! An English-language newsletter about what to do this weekend in Madrid (plus memes!)
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Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Itโs Friday again! And not to freak you out or anything, but 1/6 of the year is officially gone. Weโre in March! The month when we finally say goodbye to this cruel winter and its unpredictable mood swings.
Think about it: in three weeks weโll be back in the spring, sitting in the warm sun and enjoying the slightly longer days. To those of you monsters who for some reason thrive under horrendous freezing temperatures, we salute you and wish you well (to a point).
Youโve had your winter of discontent, now itโs time for our spring awakening.
Here are five things for you to do this weekend.
1. ย A Night at the Museum: Prado Edition
The Prado Museum is once again opening its doors at night on the first Saturday of every month so if you havenโt had a chance to see masterpieces in a different light (literally and figuratively), make sure you do so this time. (Especially because itโs free!)
The dark hallways and somewhat quieter rooms allow for a more intimate and personal connection with art, creating an exclusive atmosphere thatโs perfect for those who wish to delve deeper into the stories and secrets behind each masterpiece, away from the busy and loud Paseo del Prado.
Night visits mean smaller groups, offering a more personalized experience. It's like having the museum to yourself, with the freedom to explore and absorb the art without elbowing through crowds. Remember the opening scene of The Da Vinci Code? Itโs just like that (without someone getting murdered).
There's something inherently mysterious about museums at night. The dimmed lighting and quiet halls create a mystical atmosphere that can make the art seem even more alive. It's an ambiance that daytime visits simply can't replicate.
Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or a curious newcomer, the night museum visits are waiting for you. Enjoy!
Museo del Prado Night Visits. March 2. 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Paseo del Prado s/n, Madrid. Check website for tickets. Free admission (limited tickets).
2. Lynda Benglisโ Sculptures at the Juan March Foundation
If youโve had enough of the Prado Museum, then fret not, as this weekend presents an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Lynda Benglis at the garden of theโstill relatively unknownโJuan March Foundation in Salamanca.
Benglis, a pioneering figure in American contemporary art whoโs considered an โheirโ to Jackson Pollock, extends an invitation to explore the dialogue between nature, art, and architecture through her four mesmerizing sculptures in a sensory journey that promises to engage and inspire. Itโs like having a little oasis, away from the busy streets of downtown Madrid!
Visiting these sculptures offers more than just an aesthetic experience; it's a chance to deepen your understanding of contemporary art movements and the pivotal role Benglis has played in them. It's an educational opportunity that's as engaging as it is enlightening.
So make this weekend memorable by experiencing Lynda Benglis's art in a setting that enhances and complements her dynamic sculptures. Whether you're a connoisseur of contemporary art or simply looking to sit in a garden for a change, this may just be the right plan for you (oh, fyi, the video above is not of the sculptures being exhibited).
Lynda Benglis Fuentes Jardรญn Banca March. Juan March Foundation. Nรบรฑez de Balboa, 70, Madrid. Through June 2024. Check website for opening hours. Free admission.
3. A Night at the Opera: La Pasajera
Opera time! The Teatro Real, in collaboration with the Bregenz Festival, the Wielki Theater in Warsaw, and the English National Opera, produces an operatic show based on the novel "Pasaลพerka" by Zofia Posmysz. Oh, and it premieres tonight!
La Pasajera (The Passenger) is an adaptation with music by Polish composer Mieczysลaw Weinberg, directed by Mirga Graลพinytรจ-Tyla and the British David Pountney.
The show is inspired by an autobiographical story that presents two women who lived in the Auschwitz concentration camp: one as a prisoner, Marta, and the other as a jailer, Lisa. After WWII, Lisa flees Europe. Four years later, she returns to the old continent by boat and during the crossing believes she recognizes the face of Marta, the prisoner she tortured and thought was dead.
This vision triggers her memory, reliving the complex and perverse relationship of affection and subjugation she had with the her. Through her memories, a critical reflection on the Nazi holocaust is provided, relating the past and present at the same moment.
Intense? Sure. Worth seeing? Absolutely.
La Pasajera. Teatro Real. Plaza Isabel s/n, Madrid. March 1. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at โฌ18.
4. Vive Suecia Live at the Wizink Center
Viva Suecia (Long Live Sweden) is actually a Spanishโand not Swedishโband. And tomorrow, they are ending their tour with a big performance at the Wizink Center in Madrid. If youโre a fan, get your tickets now. If youโre not a fan but you are intrigued by their name and music, read on.
Viva Suecia has been stirring up the indie rock scene with their compelling melodies and heartfelt lyrics. It's not just a concert; it's an experience, an opportunity to be part of the raw, emotional journey that Viva Suecia promises to deliver. Their music, known for its introspective depth and explosive energy, creates a live show atmosphere that's both intimate and exhilarating.
The band is famed for its ability to blend powerful instrumentals with poignant narratives and making their music resonate on a personal level with their audience. Each song is a story, and seeing them live adds a layer of authenticity and emotion that's unmatched.
Viva Suecia Tour. Wizink Center, Av Felipe II s/n, Madrid. March 2, 9 p.m. Tickets start at โฌ32.
5. The Salesas Festival & Street Market
The Festival Street Market in the Salesas neighborhood (north of the Chueca subway station) usually takes place on the first Saturday of every month.
If you havenโt checked it out, itโs definitely worth a visit. The self-described โcrazy, cosmopolitan and uniqueโ street market is a place where you can buy modern art, listen to cool music, try on some hipster hand-made clothes and sample chocolate from Papua New Guinea (at least thatโs what we did there once).
Artisans, fashion designers, bartenders and poets are all mixed together here. And best part is, once youโve made your purchase (trust us, you will), you can head over for brunch to one of the many cool cafรฉs and restaurants in the area.
Check their official website for more information on what to expect.
The Festival Street Market. Near the Alonso Martรญnez metro station. March 2. Free admission.
๐จ๐ปโ๐ป Viral Stories of the Week
๐ฆ Retiro ducks on the loose!
A family of ducks normally native to Retiro park takes a stroll through Salamanca. Hilarity ensures. ๐คฃ
๐งโ๐ณ Valladolid gastronomy tour goes awry
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
A TikToker took to the streets of Valladolid to ask the masses to name their favorite restaurant in the city, which has plenty of good restaurants. One joven, however, didnโt get the memo that you were supposed to name a local restaurant. Polรฉmica ensues.
๐ A Message From Our Sponsor โ With a Coupon!
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Hungover? Not yet? Come celebrate making it through Dry January with Wet February at MEAT. Tell your waiter you're with The Tapa or show him this coupon on your phone for two free drinks (beer, wine or soft drinks) with your meal (โฌ15 min. check/diner). Valid through February.
MEAT is located on Calle de Santa Teresa 4, just off Plaza Santa Bรกrbara, and open every day from 13-16:30 and 19:30 to midnight. Reservations: 91 029 60 41.
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