Digest of cultural events in Spain from October 11 to 18

From October 11 to 18, residents and visitors to Spain await a variety of interesting events – exciting open-air performances, entertainment for the whole family and unique gastronomic festivals. Nature lovers will be able to watch the northern lights, and art lovers will enjoy world-class performances. Regardless of preferences, everyone will find something for themselves in the rich program of the upcoming days.

The Northern Lights return to Catalonia

Where: Catalonia

When: evening of October 12-13

On Thursday, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory recorded a sudden explosion of magnitude X9, the most powerful in the current solar cycle. It is therefore likely that the northern lights will once again be visible in the skies of Catalonia this weekend. The best places to observe this amazing natural phenomenon are those with low light pollution. Some of the best locations in Catalonia include:

• Sierra del Montsec mountains and other areas of the Pyrenees;
• the municipality of Prades (Tarragona);
• the natural and historic region of Empordà;
• the town of Portus (municipality of La Junquera in the province of Girona);
• rural areas of Lleida — Pla or la Segarra;
• Bergeda (Barcelona);
• Anoia (Barcelona);
• the historic and natural region of Pagliars.

Those wishing to admire the northern lights in Barcelona can go to Montjuïc Hill, visit the Torre Baró and Turó de la Magarol viewpoints in Collserol, the Turó de Putxet Park or the Fabra Observatory.

MADn Circus Festival

Where: Madrid

When: October 11 to 27

Circus lovers in Madrid will have the opportunity to attend performances for free for two weeks. On October 11, the international circus festival MADn returns to the city. 13 local, national and international companies will perform in the streets, squares and theaters of the districts of Fuencarral-El-Pardo, Tetuán and Vallecas. The program of productions can be found at madnfestival.es.

MADn Circus Festival, created to popularize circus arts, combines the best acrobatic acts and family shows. Therefore, the performances will appeal to both children and adults. Entrance to the open-air shows is free, but the number of seats is limited. And for the shows that will be held in cultural centers, you need to buy tickets.

Night at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Valencia

Where: Valencia

When: October 12

The Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Valencia is offering children ages 6-12 and their parents a night with dinosaurs. On October 12, starting at 20:00, the museum will host activities and workshops to learn about these prehistoric animals. At 10 p.m., all event participants will gather in the hall for dinner and then set up an impromptu camp among the exhibits, where they will sleep on mats and in sleeping bags. Breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 the next morning, which all group members should bring with them. 

All Those Food Market

Where: Barcelona

When: October 12 and 13

The 10th edition of the popular gastronomic festival All Those Food Market will take place this weekend in Barcelona. The event will take place in one of the city’s iconic locations, the Forum Park (Fòrum de Barcelona). It will bring together representatives of Barcelona’s best restaurants and coffee shops, artisans, as well as producers of craft beer and wine. Festival guests will be able not only to buy unique handmade products and taste excellent street food, but also to take part in numerous master classes. There will also be a Swiss cheese tasting, many gastronomic seminars and free entertainment for children.

The Crazy Hole Party

Where: Madrid

When: October 31 to November 30

If you appreciate unconventional and creative shows, are ready to go beyond the usual theatrical productions and crave a vivid experience, don’t miss the provocative The Crazy Hole Party. “Here provocation is the rule, and unbridled pleasure is the only way out” – that’s how its organizers describe it. An exciting performance that combines cabaret, circus, burlesque, erotica, comedy and music awaits you. 

The party starts on October 31, but ticket sales have already started, so hurry to order them at theholeshow.com. The performances will take place at the Sala But club (Calle Barceló 11, Madrid) on Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday and Sunday nights from 00:00 to 6:00. Tickets are priced from 24 euros.

«Swan Lake» performed by San Francisco Ballet

Where: Madrid

When: October 15-22

San Francisco Ballet makes its Teatro Real debut with a new version of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake with choreography by Helgi Tomasson. The company’s artistic director is Madrid-based choreographer Tamara Rojo. This will also be her debut in Spain as the company’s director. 

Thanks to its drama and exciting story, «Swan Lake» has long taken its place among the most outstanding ballet works in the world. The plot centers on Princess Odette, who has been bewitched by the evil wizard Rothbart and turned into a swan. During the day she is forced to live as a bird, but only at night, under the glow of the moon, does she take on a human form. Prince Siegfried, who meets swans while hunting, is enchanted by Odette and promises to save her by breaking the spell, relying on the power of his love. Performed by San Francisco Ballet, recognized as one of the most technically accomplished ballet companies in the world, the production promises to be truly unforgettable. Tickets for the performance can be purchased at teatroreal.es.

Opera «Mary Stuart» 

Where: Madrid

When: December 14 to 30 

In December, the Teatro Real in Madrid will present the exciting premiere of the second part of Gaetano Donizetti’s Tudor Queens trilogy. Scottish director David McVicar, already known for his productions of Rigoletto and Don Carlo, will present the opera Mary Stuart. It will take the audience into the dramatic atmosphere of the 16th century, where two powerful queens, Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I, find themselves embroiled in a struggle for power, love and survival. The plot centers on a love triangle where both women vie for the attention of the Earl of Leicester. He is forced to torn between loyalty to his Queen Elizabeth and attraction to the captive Mary.

The production will be conducted by José Miguel Pérez-Sierra and the leading roles will be sung by opera stars Lisette Oropesa, Yolanda Auyanet and Aigul Akhmetshina. Please note — the leading roles are performed by different artists on different dates. To see the distribution by day and to book tickets, the sale of which starts on October 11, visit teatroreal.es.

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Photo from operabase.com