Christmas in the Ramblas

Every year by Christmas time, Amics de la Rambla, an Association of shops, neighbours and friends of this famous avenue, organise a concert and a big "xocolatada" (chocolate with some cookies and sweets) to celebrate the upcoming days.

The concert has been offered by two musical groups:

- Musical's Choir: composed by young musical singers that offered some of the well-known songs of the Miserables, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, among some typical Christmas carols.

- 17 downstairs: a group of young rock & soul promises that offered some well-known hits.

Meanwhile, the "xocolatada" took place and was offered by shops and restaurants of the Ramblas or close to them, such as: Granja Viader, Café de la Opera, Hard Rock Café Barcelona, Boqueria Market and others.

A great way to share catalan traditions for Christmas in the Ramblas!

Jotas in Liceu theater

Today a special concert with regional dances and songs from Aragon will take place in Liceu. It's a good chance to taste other Spanish regions folklore!

Remembering Pau Casals: "El cant dels ocells"

In memoriam of Pau Casals, catalan world's greatest cellist, who was born the 29th December 1976 and died the 22nd October 1973. The song he plays is called "El cant dels ocells" and although it's not his composer, he adapted it and is a reference since he played in the the headquarters of the United Nations.

Casa Beethoven: a corner for musicians in the Ramblas

Casa Beethoven opened in 1880, following the relevance of music in the area of the Ramblas and evidence by the Opera Theater Liceu and other artistic fora en the surroundings. The small and cosy shop, located next to the Virreina Palace, in Ramblas nº 97, offers a huge variety of music scores, all styles, and placed in small wooden boxes and shelves. The place worths a visit and a flashback trip towards the latest centuries styles.

We found this video, which although it's in Spanish and Catalan, gives you an idea of the place you cannot miss!

Bayreuth Festival in Barcelona

This year the famous Bayreuth Festival, created by Richard Wagner in 1874 in the city of Bayreuth, wil be organised in the Opera Theather Liceu in Barcelona for the second time since its foundation. The first occasion took place in 1955 and was a real success. The theater Liceu has always included Wagner in its repertoire and it's an opportunity to join he festival which this year will play, in concert-version, Der fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin and Tristan und Isolde.

For more info: http://www.liceubarcelona.cat/en/2012-2013-season/festival-bayreuth.html 

Los Tarantos: pure flamenco in the Ramblas

In the autumn of 1963, a year after the release of the Francisco Robira Beleta film of the same name, the tablao Los Tarantos opened on Plaça Reial, a venue destined to become an indispensable point of reference for flamenco in Barcelona. Its a small, cosy theater, that costs around 8 euro, and offers daily 3 flamenco sessions: at 8.30pm, 9.30pm and 10.30pm. As some of the flamenco players and dancers say, the last session is the hotest one as they have been performing previously and flamenco becomes better as perform takes place.

Some of the well-known flamenco players, singers and dancers have performed in Tarantos: Duquende, José Manuel Cañizares, Miguel Poveda, Montse Cortés, José el Francés, Rafael Riqueni,  Monica Fernandez, Moraíto Chico, Pepe Habichuela, Enrique de Melchor, Paco Cepero, Tomasito, Pedro Javier Gonzalez, Rancapino, Eva la Yerbabuena and Niña Pastori.

Don't miss it and, if you have the chance, everyday the flamenco group is different so you can repeat!

Chopin in the Ramblas

Frédéric Chopin visited Barcelona during some days in both occasions between 1838 and 1839 on his way to Mallorca and used to stay at the Hotel Cuatro Naciones, in the Ramblas nº 40. During the year 2010, several events took place to celebrate the 200 years of his birth and Barcelona also organised some activities and recognitions, as a small memorial that's placed in the entrance of the Hotel.

The photo is an old postcard of the square where the Hotel Cuatro Naciones is placed: