🌧️ The Tapa Weekend: May 26
Another book fair, some cool live music and a very rainy weekend.
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | May 26, 2023 | Madrid | Issue #9
🎉 Welcome to a new issue of The Tapa: Weekend Edition! An English-language newsletter about what to do this weekend in Spain (plus memes because why the hell not).
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Here are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
We know. Most of you subscribers, along with the rest of the country, are headed to Barcelona this weekend to see Coldplay live. Those of us less fortunate and stuck in places like Madrid (somebody has to cover the elections) have to put up with a rainy weekend and a psychotic weather that makes us feel like we’re back in March. But hey, while we may not be able to visit a rooftop and sit in the sun this Saturday afternoon, at least we have some cool options.
Enjoy.
1. Thylacine
Have you heard of Thylacine? If you thought of a Tasmanian tiger, we’re impressed. But no. We’re actually referring to the French DJ and producer (née William Rezé), who offers a unique blend of electronic music (a combination of house, techno and ambient sounds) and who creates energetic live performances with instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines. His followers say his music takes them on an emotional journey “evoking introspection and uplifting experiences” (check out the video above if you don’t believe us). While he’s an emerging artist, he seems to be on his way to become a star, so this is your chance to see him live and then pedantically claim that you knew him before he was famous. He is in Madrid presenting his fifth album.
Thylacine. Café Berlin, Costanilla de los Angeles 20, Madrid. Friday, May 26, 8 p.m. Tickets: €18.
2. The 2023 Madrid Book Fair
We feel like there’s a book fair every weekend in this city, but this one is THE book fair, we promise. The Madrid Book Fair is held annually in the Retiro Park and it showcases the work of best-selling authors, the classics, and pretty much every book that’s for sale in 2023, really. It also includes cultural events like author signings, presentations, and workshops as it tries to promote reading and supporting the publishing industry (no one reads any more, remember?). Check their website for times and to check out the hundreds of authors who will be attending. If you need to buy more books that you will probably never read, this is a great plan for you. We are kidding of course, but seriously, this is a really great way to spend a few hours this weekend.
The Madrid Book Fair. Retiro Park, Madrid. May 26 to June 11. 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission.
3. Mercado del Encanto
Have you realized how many markets Madrid has? Well, if you like them, there’s another one for you this weekend. Since 2015, the Mercado del Encanto is known for its pop-up events and its emphasis on selecting creators and designers that get to exhibit their products (these include decoration, art, gourmet food, fashion and jewelry). Due to its itinerant nature, the Mercado has organized many different editions in the past, ranging from intimate to large scale. This weekend you can find it in Chueca, where there will also be a terraza so you can grab a bite and watch some of the shows they’ll be doing. Don’t miss it.
Mercado del Encanto. Palacio Santa Bárbara. Hortaleza 87, Madrid. May 26-28. Starts at 10 a.m. Free admission.
4. RIZOMA International Festival
RIZOMA is an international festival that combines cinema, art, music, conferences and “a commitment to the community to build each edition around a central concept.” With a focus on “interconnectedness, non-hierarchy, and mutual inspiration among different cultural branches”, the 11th edition of the festival brings together emerging and established artists, fostering a nurturing environment for both. From domestic to international films and shorts, there’s something for everyone, so check out their program. It also offers workshops, meet ups with artists and masterclasses. John Waters (yes, that legendary John Waters) is the festival’s godfather so don’t be surprised if he shows up.
RIZOMA. Multiple locations around Madrid. May 24-28. Visit their website for more information.
5. Photo Exhibit: Crónica Creativa de los 80
Ah, the 80s in Madrid. You kids were too young to remember (or not even born yet), but this city was a post-dictatorship creative hub that changed this country’s pop culture forever. Since you missed it, lucky for you the Canal Foundation is hosting the photo exhibit "Madrid: Creative Chronicle of the 80s" as part of the PhotoEspaña2023 festival. The exhibit focuses on the artistic explosion that took over this city (like, ever heard of the “Movida Madrileña”?) and features over 300 pieces from more than 80 artists. The exhibition “highlights the cultural impact of Madrid, serving as a catalyst for societal change and embracing new times” and runs from fashion to painting and photography.
Crónica Creativa de los 80. Fundación Canal. Mateo Inurria 2, Madrid. May 19 to August 20. Free admission.
👨🏻💻 Other Headlines of the Week
These are some of the most ridiculous or viral stories in Spain this week that didn’t make our Thursday edition but we felt deserved a (dis)honorable mention today.
🛩 No one died in this crash so you can laugh or at least not feel bad
An F-18 belonging to the Spanish Air Force crashed in Zaragoza (the province, not the city!) at noon last Saturday. The pilot who had taken it out to practice for an exhibition flight, Daniel Pérez Carmona, was crazy experienced, with over 1,000 flight hours. He managed to eject from the plane before the rash, and although he had several fractures, his injuries were not life-threatening (phew). And WOW WAS THAT A BIG CRASH!
👶 Pep, you were not a child then
Former Barcelona star and manager (and current Manchester City boss) Pep Guardiola celebrated the famous “treble” Manchester United won in 1999, when it won the the Premier League trophy, the FA Cup, and, in a game Pep saw, the Champions League European trophy in a game where it beat Bayern-Munich at Barcelona’s Camp Nou (Pep’s home ground). “I was there, as a little boy. I was there.,” he said. Awwww…..
All sounds nice and good, right? Sure, but for one little thing. Pep, who was born in 1971, was 28 years old and captain of FC Barcelona at the time. So, by “little boy”, is he referring to emotional maturity?
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We’ll be back next week with more.