Ladies and Gentlemen… Carnival is back, and at its most participatory!  The Arribo, the Saraus, the Passacaglias, the Taronjada, the Burial of the Sardine… Welcome to the kingdom of the Carnival King.

The programme, of Barcelona Carnival (which is on from 12 to 18 February) starts on Fat Thursday, that same day will see the «Arribo» and Carnival Fireworks. This year’s new feature is the Ball del Rodolí, which takes place on Friday, 13 February. There will also be, what’s more, close to thirty neighbourhood processions distributed throughout the city, most of these held on Saturday, 14 February. Sunday 15 February marks the Taronjada (an orange confetti and balloon fight) with Carnival dancing at Plaça Comercial and a music procession featuring the Carnival King. Last but not least, Carnival will come to its official end on Wednesday 18 February, with the Burial of the Sardine ceremony held at Ciutadella Park.

Rua held that Saturday, for example in historic districts of Gràcia, Horta and Sants. The Rua are parades of floats and people who, carrying imaginable costumes, dance and play the rhythm of a joyful and contagious music. The tour starts around 17:00 pm and lasts about two hours. It is usually a family event enjoyed by children and adults.

Carnival in Barcelona is relatively quiet, even in bars and nightclubs as Nick Havanna or the Sala Bikini have parties to celebrate that last until late. For the more adventurous, there is the Carnival in Sitges where it is armed a very, very lively party.

There are few towns that can boast a world-famous carnival. In Sitges (28,000 inhabitants), 30km from Barcelona, is built on a great show which brings 300,000 people, full of color and sensuality that can compete with any other city. It is good to know that Sitges became a refuge from intolerance and censorship in the Franco era, and has remained a mecca for the gay community.

Sitges Carnival is an amazing spectacle that lasts all week. The parades are a true display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. Wealth of costumes, makeup, feathers, sequins, bold fantasy models, improbable scenarios over mobile platforms theater. Dare to join!

Among the highlights include a Fireworks show (after the election of the king and queen of carnival), a Carnival for children and the Rua de l’Extermini (the parade of destruction), usually filled of DragQueens to the brink of madness. On Ash Wednesday, at one end a bit surreal, a huge statue of a sardine is buried on the beach. The whole event is also known for its security, which is important for lovers of pure fun and pride for the town of Sitges.

The best way to get to Sitges from Barcelona is by train from Passeig de Gracia or Sants Station. During these days there is a continuous special service (information on train schedules and rates of RENFE).

In Barcelona there are several sites for renting and buying costumes. Please do not be shy, and we will love to see the pictures post on AltiroBarcelona Facebook and see who is the original!

Carnival is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with traditional Catholics to mark the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence that lasts for 40 days, sothe Carnival or Carnestoltes party, as it is known in Catalonia, represents a last chance to celebrate and enjoy the pleasures of life. Today, the celebration lasts five days, starting on Thursday (Jueves Ladero) and ending on Ash Wednesday.

Rua held that Saturday, for example in historic districts of Gràcia, Horta and Sants. The Rua are parades of floats and people who, carrying imaginable costumes, dance and play the rhythm of a joyful and contagious music. The tour starts around 20:00 pm and lasts about two hours. It is usually a family event enjoyed by children and adults.

Carnival in Barcelona is relatively quiet, even in bars and nightclubs as Nick Havanna or the Sala Bikini have parties to celebrate that last until late. For the more adventurous, there is the Carnival in Sitges where it is armed a very, very lively party.

There are few towns that can boast a world-famous carnival. In Sitges (28,000 inhabitants), 30km from Barcelona, is built on a great show which brings 300,000 people, full of color and sensuality that can compete with any other city. It is good to know that Sitges became a refuge from intolerance and censorship in the Franco era, and has remained a mecca for the gay community.

Sitges Carnival is an amazing spectacle that lasts all week. The parades are a true display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. Wealth of costumes, makeup, feathers, sequins, bold fantasy models, improbable scenarios over mobile platforms theater. Dare to join!

Among the highlights include a Fireworks show (after the election of the king and queen of carnival), a Carnival for children and the Rua de l’Extermini (the parade of destruction), usually filled of DragQueens to the brink of madness. On Ash Wednesday, at one end a bit surreal, a huge statue of a sardine is buried on the beach. The whole event is also known for its security, which is important for lovers of pure fun and pride for the town of Sitges.

The best way to get to Sitges from Barcelona is by train from Passeig de Gracia or Sants Station. During these days there is a continuous special service (information on train schedules and rates of RENFE).

In Barcelona there are several sites for renting and buying costumes. Please do not be shy, and we will love to see the pictures post onAltiroBarcelona Facebook and see who is the original!

MUTEK, Montreal festival of digital music and media art, and has proven to be one of the most important festivals of its kind worldwide. After organizing events in Europe, U.S., Chile and Mexico, MUTEK celebrates its fourth edition in Barcelona!

Micro_MUTEK.ES 2013 will take place from 6 to 9 February 2013 in Barcelona and will present 23 artists / projects from 9 different nationalities, including 5 premieres from Jon Hopkins (UK), Jeff Mills (U.S.), Monolake A / V Surround (DE), Kuedo & MFO (UK) and Vessel (UK) which reflects the objective of the organization of content and propose original and diverse programming.

This new release will have, as usual, two sides, the daytime and nighttime: day activities will be shared between the Convent of San Agustín and The Station (Estació de França). This space called DIGI_SECTION completes the night of the festival program, encouraging dialogue and exchange, as well as discussions with industry professionals invited … and is free to the general public.

At night, you will have to move to Nitsa (Apolo) and Moog. Popes found techno dub as Monolake or the sound of Detroit of Jeff Mills (presenting a new set of 5 hours), combined with emerging values as Raime and encouragement dark electronic industrial, atmospheres hypnagogic that make Laurel Halo or techno of Vessel combined with projects planned and developed in Barcelona, as the Venezuelan Cardopusher or the performance of the Portuguese Boris Chimp 504.

For all who do not want to miss one of the festival, on the website you can view the schedule and purchase tickets ranging from 8 euros and no more than 20 a session. An opportunity to enjoy electronic music class.

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MUTEK, el festival de Montreal de música digital y media art, ya ha demostrado ser uno de los festivales más importantes del mundo en su género. Después de haber organizado eventos en Europa, EEUU, Chile y México, MUTEK celebra su cuarta edición en Barcelona!

Micro_MUTEK.ES 2013 tendrá lugar del 6 al 9 de febrero de 2013 en Barcelona y presentará 23 artistas/proyectos de 9 nacionalidades diferentes, incluyendo 5 estrenos de la talla de Jon Hopkins (UK), Jeff Mills (US), Monolake A/V Surround (DE), Kuedo & MFO (UK) y Vessel (UK) lo que refleja el objetivo de la organización de proponer contenido y programación original y diverso.

Esta nueva edición tendrá, como es habitual, dos vertientes, la diurna y la nocturna: las actividades de día se repartirán entre el Convento de San Agustín y The Station (en la Estación de Francia). Este espacio llamado DIGI_SECTION completa el programa de noche del festival, estimulando el diálogo e el intercambio, así como los debates con profesionales de la industria invitados… y es gratuito para el público general.

De noche, habrá trasladarse al Nitsa (Apolo) y al Moog. Encontramos popes del techno dub como Monolake o del sonido Detroit de Jeff Mills (presentando un nuevo set de 5 horas), combinados con valores emergentes como Raime y su electrónica oscura de aliento industrial, las atmósferas hipnagógicas que crea Laurel Halo o el techno de Vessel, combinados con proyectos ideados o desarrollados en Barcelona, como el del venezolano Cardopusher o la performance de los portugueses Boris Chimp 504.

Para todos los que no se quieran perder ni uno de los contenidos del festival, en la web podréis ver la programación y comprar las entradas que van desde los 8 euros y no superan los 20 la sesión. Una oportunidad para gozar de la música electrónica de primer nivel.

Carnival is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with traditional Catholics to mark the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence that lasts for 40 days, sothe Carnival or Carnestoltes party, as it is known in Catalonia, represents a last chance to celebrate and enjoy the pleasures of life. Today, the celebration lasts five days, starting on Thursday (Jueves Ladero) and ending on Ash Wednesday.

Rua held that Saturday, for example in historic districts of Gràcia, Horta and Sants. The Rua are parades of floats and people who, carrying imaginable costumes, dance and play the rhythm of a joyful and contagious music. The tour starts around 20:00 pm and lasts about two hours. It is usually a family event enjoyed by children and adults.

Carnival in Barcelona is relatively quiet, even in bars and nightclubs as Nick Havanna or the Sala Bikini have parties to celebrate that last until late. For the more adventurous, there is the Carnival in Sitges where it is armed a very, very lively party.

There are few towns that can boast a world-famous carnival. In Sitges (28,000 inhabitants), 30km from Barcelona, is built on a great show which brings 300,000 people, full of color and sensuality that can compete with any other city. It is good to know that Sitges became a refuge from intolerance and censorship in the Franco era, and has remained a mecca for the gay community.

Sitges Carnival is an amazing spectacle that lasts all week. The parades are a true display of aesthetic and artistic creativity. Wealth of costumes, makeup, feathers, sequins, bold fantasy models, improbable scenarios over mobile platforms theater. Dare to join!

Among the highlights include a Fireworks show (after the election of the king and queen of carnival), a Carnival for children and the Rua de l’Extermini (the parade of destruction), usually filled of DragQueens to the brink of madness. On Ash Wednesday, at one end a bit surreal, a huge statue of a sardine is buried on the beach. The whole event is also known for its security, which is important for lovers of pure fun and pride for the town of Sitges.

The best way to get to Sitges from Barcelona is by train from Passeig de Gracia or Sants Station. During these days there is a continuous special service (information on train schedules and rates of RENFE).

In Barcelona there are several sites for renting and buying costumes, hopefully not be shy. We want to see the pictures post on AltiroBarcelona Facebook and see who is the original!

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El Carnaval se celebra el martes anterior al tradicional miércoles de ceniza con que los católicos marcan el inicio de la Cuaresma, un periodo de ayuno y abstinencia que se prolonga durante 40 días, por lo que el Carnaval o la fiesta de Carnestoltes, como se la conoce en Cataluña, representa una última oportunidad de festejar y disfrutar de los placeres de la vida. En la actualidad la celebración se prolonga cinco días, comenzando con el Jueves Ladero y terminando el Miércoles de Ceniza.

Ese sábado se celebran Rúas, por ejemplo en los cascos históricos de los barrios de Gràcia, Horta y Sants. Las Rúas son desfiles de carrozas y de personas que, portando disfraces de todo lo imaginable, bailan y se divierten al ritmo de una música alegre y contagiosa. El recorrido comienza alrededor de las 20:00 hrs. y dura unas dos horas. Suele ser un evento familiar que disfrutan por igual niños y adultos.

En Barcelona el Carnaval es relativamente tranquilo, aunque en bares y discotecas como el Nick Havanna o la Sala Bikini hacen fiestas para celebrarlo que duran hasta altas horas de la madrugada. Para los más atrevidos, también está el Carnaval de Sitges dónde si que se arma una fiesta muy, pero que muy animada.

Hay pocas ciudades pequeñas que pueden presumir de un carnaval de fama mundial. En Sitges (28.000 habitantes) a 30km de Barcelona se construye un gran espectáculo que reune alrededor de 300.000 personas, lleno de color y sensualidad capaz de competir con cualquier otra ciudad. Para situarse, es bueno saber que Sitges se convirtió en un refugio contra la intolerancia y la censura en la época de Franco, y se ha mantenido como una meca para la comunidad gay.

El Carnaval de Sitges es un sorprendente espectáculo que dura toda la semana. Los desfiles son una verdadera exhibición de creatividad estética y artística. Riqueza de vestuario, maquillaje, plumas, lentejuelas, atrevidos modelos de fantasía, inverosímiles escenarios teatrales encima de plataformas móviles. Atrévete a participar!!

Entre los eventos destacados se incluye un espectáculo de fuegos artificiales (tras la elección del rey y la reina del carnaval), un Carnaval de niños y la Rua de l’Extermini (el desfile del exterminio), generalmente lleno de DragQueens al borde de la locura. El Miércoles de Ceniza, en un final un poco surrealista, una enorme estatua de una sardina se entierra en la playa. Todo el evento también es conocido por su seguridad, algo importante para los amantes de la diversión pura y un orgullo para el pueblo de Sitges.

La mejor manera de llegar a Sitges desde Barcelona es en tren desde Passeig de Gràcia o Sants Estació. Durante estos días hay un servicio especial continuo (información sobre horarios de trenes y tarifas RENFE).

En Barcelona hay varios sitios de alquiler y compra de disfraces, esperamos que no seáis tímidos. En AltiroBarcelona Facebook queremos vuestras fotos, a ver quién es el más original!!