Parallel Parties This Weekend!

This weekend sees a bit of a local party in the middle of Avenida Parallel. For those of you who don't know this area, Parallel is the Theatre area of the city, which I suppose you could compare to broadway in New York. That's certainly the idea that the current mayor wants in any case, making a "classy" avenue between the Port and Plaça Espanya where many popular conferences and conventions are held. There are many Theatres along Parallel and one in particular is undergoing a bit of a revamp - El Molino. El Molino is your kind of Moulin Rouge of Barcelona, and had been sitting in ruins for many years.



There are many kids workshops with face-painting, giant dances, themed dances, live music and plenty to keep the locals entertained. Many cultural and charity works have stands and information explaining the good work done in the neighbourhood. There are also inflatable table footballs, tennis courts, basketball courts, etc. for the kids, too - and a handy few Moritz bars at either end and in the middle for the parents/people without kids who want to quench their thirst!



There are many live concerts which are going on right until the wee hours, too. Part of the street has been closed to traffic, and the party is set to continue until the evening, so get yourselves down and check it out!



Coming to Barcelona this month? Check out these apartment rentals as a great way to save money between friends or as a family group. And for a quick look at the sights to see, read this great Barcelona guide.

Come on Sonar!! Come on Sonar!!

What a good feeling! Less than 2 weeks to go before the World Cup starts in South Africa, and we're well into the swing of things as regards partying, planning, barbequing (is that a word?) and then that all too familiar date pops up in your diary/BlackBerry/Iphone - 17th, 18th and 19th June. Woo-Hoo!! It's Sonar time!

Still a stroppy teenager at 17 years, Sonar is a Barcelona institution and never disappoints. There's something about Sonar arriving (end of exams, good weather usually been here for a while) that makes you quite sure summer has arrived (even though, technically it hasn't yet - not until Sant Joan!).



One thing I also always love about Sonar is the publicity promoting the events. This year is no exception, with the cool posters of ghosts splattered all around town (Yes, please I'll have one of them made into a bag, thanks). But it also appears that this year has more to do with it that just clever posters. Next Friday sees Renoir Floridablanca premiere "Finisterrae" which tells the story of two ghosts who are "tired of wandering limbo so decide to take the "Way of Saint James" and ...begin their journey to the land of the living" - classically wacky stuff and just in time for Sonar Kids which begins next weekend, too.

The line-up for Sonar this year is just as enviable as other years, with organisers managing to capture the imagination with headline industry greats The Chemical Brothers, Roxy Music or Air and mixing it up with usual suspects 2Many DJs and great cameos from people like the Sugarhill Gang, Dizzie Rascal, Pete Tong, The Pinker Tones...the list goes on.

One of the best things about Sonar is the by Day events, who despite pressure from neighbourhood groups, refuse to move from their extremely central position of in and around the MACBA and CCCB - right downtown in Barcelona's old town and not miles away at the Forum, for example. The night events are held at Gran Via 2 just outside the city and have enormous spaces with booming sound systems and attractions (dodgems!!). This year also sees parallel shows in A Coruña, with a similarly impressive line-up.

So what do you reckon? Heading to Sonar this year? Who are you looking forward to seeing? Let me know in the comments, below. And if you're visiting the city this June, don't forget to check out alternative accommodation to a hotel room, like these great Barcelona Rental Apartments for a different kind of holiday altogether!

Blast to the Past with Cypress Hill

OK, possibly another slightly indulgent post for me here. I just think it's cool that some groups I used to listen to as a young lad get back together and do some touring. Especially as these kind of groups never set foot in the north east of England when I was young (the closest I got was a ticket for Nirvana at Leeds and then Kurt shot himself a few months before).



In the late 90s there were no cooler cats than Cypress Hill. Along with Jump Around by House of Pain, they were the American Dope-Smoking dudes rapping about...well, smoking dope. Infectious beats and lyrics combined with wacky voices made for a perfect recipe and they were considered as rock and roll rappers and it was perfectly normal for you to be listening to a compilation of grunge rock and mix it with the likes of the Hill. Well, the movie Judgment Night had some great collaborations on the soundtrack which included Pearl Jam and Cypress Hill and Dinosaur Jr with Del the funky homesapien (now with Gorillaz).

Anyway, if you fancy pulling out your black t-shirts and baggy jeans, and reliving those days you can't quite remember too well, then head on down to Razzmatazz on the 20th. I'm not exactly sure how the organisers are going to stop all the smoking going on in there, either, but we'll see?! Are you going to the concert? Looking forward to it? Let me know in the comments. And if you're looking for accommodation in Barcelona then consider renting an apartment for more freedom and space to relax. Also, if you're looking to explore outside the city, here's a link to the best Barcelona day trips.

Big Disco Swimming Pool? OK!

There are some awesome festivals each year in Barcelona. As we bid goodbye to Primavera Sound, there are some great ones coming around the corner. Sonar is an institution in Barcelona (post to follow) and the heat of the summer has even more reasons to party with your sunglasses on in the Mediterranean heat.



However, there's one particular party that brings a smile to my face. I don't know who or where those "foam parties" ever started (surely everyone must have been to one before and ruined a pair of shoes?), well how about doing the same, but in a water park?! Sounds mad? Well, that's cos it pretty much is! Here to the rescue is Matinee Summer Festival. The folks at Matinee group have been at the forefront of dance music in Barcelona for as long as I can remember, and have some of the best DJ's and party organisers in the land.

The Summer Festival is happening just outside Barcelona and is easily accessed with public transport, which is handy, as it means you can have a few beers in the sunshine without worrying about the designated driver! It's located at Illa Fantasia, and the website has full details of the easy ways to arrive. If you check out the promotional video on the site, you'll see that last years was a roaring success and was a great warm up for the Circuit festival. I'm guessing that a lot of people will be repeating, too. Are you planning on going? or does it look like something that you fancy? Let me know in the comments.

If you're thinking of coming to Barcelona this summer for a festival, then forget about looking for a hotel and check out these rental apartments in Barcelona instead. And for some relaxing ideas, see this guide for the best Barcelona Parks and Gardens.

Another Reason to Visit Park Güell

Park Güell is probably one of the busiest and most visited attractions in the city. It's never in a top 10 list of visitor trends as it's free to get in, so difficult to get this kind of information. Late last year, Barcelona council had plans to charge an entrance fee to the park, in order to help with the costs to clean the park, clean up the graffiti, etc. Well, the plans were fortunately scrapped last month, meaning that it's still one of the best things to do in Barcelona for free.



Well, if UNESCO World Heritage Status wasn't enough for you, Saturday gives you another reason to hit the park. The two Hansel and Gretel-style house at the entrance to the park have pretty much been ornamental thus far. Well, on Saturday, you can gain entrance to a fully-restored "Casa de la Guardia" or porter's house. This is a three storey building and was intended to serve as the park's porter/janitor/security guard's house. The restoration work has cost 113,000 Euros according to press reports this morning, and has restored the bright primary colours intended for the inside, and explains a little more about just why the idea of the park never quite took off - for those of you unaware, Gaudi and (funder) Eusebi Güell planned for the park to be an exclusive neighbourhood for the rich bourgeois, a kind of old fashioned Beverly Hills, if you like. Should be interesting!


For a different stay in the city, try renting apartments in Barcelona. You'll feel much more at home than a hotel, and can choose some great locations, too.

Primavera Sound Kicks off Festival Season

Yes, it's that time again. The warm weather daring you to hide your jackets and coats (after the snow shock last in March!), and the trees blossoming, the terraces filling with happy smiles and the beginning of the festival season in Barcelona.



Kicking off tomorrow is Primavera Sound, which has transformed from a little spring festival in Poble Español to a monster event down at the Parc del Forum. These kind of events, a little like the upcoming Sonar, tend to have far too many great people you want to try and squeeze in seeing, and it's impossible to please evryone/satisfy that hunger to check out the live performances. So, just sit back, relax, put on your dnacing shoes and have a beer (it's sponsored by San Miguel, of course).

Some of this year's highlights include Pavement, Pet Shop Boys, The Charlatans, Pixies (!), Florence & the Machine, Marc Almond, Orbital, Lee Perry, and many many more. Particularly cool this year looks to be the Ray Ban unplugged stage.

Many of the clubs in the city have been joining in the fun already this week, and tickets are still available at 75 Euros for one day or 180 Euros for the full pass. Don't forget to change your ticket for a bracelet at Apolo to save the huge queues.

So, are you coming to the festival this year? Anyone in particular you're looking forward to seeing? Let me know in the comments.

Apartments for rent, Barcelona are a great way to chill before and after the festival. And to check out the area around the festival, see this short page about the Olympic Village and beaches of Barcelona.