This February is certainly good time to be in Madrid, as the festivities fill this month’s calendar to the brim. If you’re looking for something to do in the city, you won’t find yourself at a loss, as MAP Magazine brings you a list of artistic and cultural events you won’t want to miss!
Salón Internacional de Moda de Madrid (SIMM) [3 – 5 February]
Both well-known and young designers will be showcased during the Salón Internacional de Moda de Madrid (SIMM) this February. All areas of fashion will be represented, from party clothes, to sportswear, to underwear. This is a must attend for fashion professionals and those with an interest in the fashion industry, as it is one of Spain’s most important fashion exhibitions. Metro: Campo de las Naciones. Address: Parque Ferial Juan Carlos 1 (IFEMA). For more information, click here.
Giftrends Madrid [3 – 7 February]
Coinciding with SIMM is Giftrends Madrid, an exhibition featuring more than 1300 companies representing the gift, jewelry, and fashion jewelry sectors. Giftrends Madrid will be comprised of three simultaneous fairs: Intergift, Bisutex, and Iberjoya, giving visitors of Giftrends a look into the latest trends and services from this international market. Metro: Campo de las Naciones. Address: Parque Ferial Juan Carlos 1 (IFEMA). For more information, click here.
A Streetcar Named Desire [Starting 4 February]
From the fourth of February, you can see Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire in Teatro Español. The play, directed by actor and director Mario Gas, will be the third play he directs by Williams, after successes like ‘The Glass Menagerie’ and ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.’ Metro: Sol. Address: C/ Príncipe, 25. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 20:00 p.m., Sunday 18:00 p.m. Cost: 4 – 22 euros. For tickets click here. For more information click here.
Gastrofestival [Until 6 February]
Gastrofestival 2011, a truly cultural and tasty event, is taking place in Madrid until the sixth of February. This event celebrates culinary delights hand-in-hand with prominent restaurants around the city, for tastings, and artistic exhibitions of cuisine to please your palate. For more information, prices, and locations click here.
Caja Madrid Flamenco Festival [2 – 12 February]
You can find some of the best dancers, singers, and guitarists on the flamenco scene at this year’s Caja Madrid Flamenco Festival. From the second to the fifth of February, the performances will honor the late Enrique Morente, followed by more concerts in the following days. Viewers can enjoy concerts such as “El flamenco más joven” featuring the young Kiko Peña, “Suspiro flamenco” featured by Manuela Carrasco, and much more. This festival will surely do justice to both traditional and contemporary styles of flamenco as well as showcase some of the best talents of the flamenco world. Metro: Lavapies, Embajadores, Atocha. For more information click here, here, and here! Cost: Patio performances 3 euros, auditorium performances free, Teatro Circo Price 28 – 35 euros.
Jean-Léon Gérôme [Starting 15 February]
This retrospective exhibition organized by the Musée d’Orsay of Paris, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, showcases 70 pieces by the French realist painter and sculptor Jean-Léon Gérôme. Here, viewers can see Gérôme’s detailed art from his travels, through his work with photography, optical illusions, and polychrome. Head down to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum before the 15th of February to see his artwork. Metro: Banco de España, Antón Martín. Address: Paseo del Prado, 8. Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 19:00 p.m. Cost: 4 – 7 euros. For more information, click here.
Tango Metrópolis [Starting 16 February]
A blend of old Argentina and contemporary dance. The idea behind Tango Metrópolis seems to catch on fast with the public, as it has already captivated numerous audiences across four continents. Creators Pilar Álvarez, Claudio Hoffmann, and Daniel Binelli lead this musical performance of Tango into the realm of nostalgia as they succeed in expressing humor, chaos, and passion like no other. Metro: Canal. Address: C/ Cea Bermúdez, 1. Cost: 30 – 35 euros. For tickets click here. For more information click here.
Hurta Cordel 2011: XV Festival Internacional de Improvisación (International Festival of Improvisation) [16 - 20 February]
During this festival organized by Musicalibre, international artists will gather to reflect upon improvised music during Madrid’s international festival of improvisation. The aim is to relate improvisation, popular, and classical music, while carrying on the teaching and promotion of musical creativeness. Workshops and evening performances by contemporary musicians will also take place during this event. Metro: Lavapiés, Embajadores, Atocha. Address: Ronda Valencia, 2. Cost: 3 euros. For more information click here.
Passion for Renoir [Until 13 February]
Until the 13 of February, you can still go see Passion for Renoir in the Museo del Prado. This collection of 31 works by artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir is the first exhibition in Spain made up solely of his works. If you are into impressionist painters, this exhibition is one you should visit. Metro: Banco de España, Atocha. Address: C/ Ruiz de Alarcón 23. Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 20:00 p.m. Cost: 4 – 8 euros. For more information, click here.
Impressionist Gardens [Until 13 February]
This month, don’t miss the Impressionist Gardens exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which is still open until the 13th of February. To have a look at the vibrant floral paintings by some of the greats like Delacroix, Courbe, Klimt, and Sargent, pass by the museum or by the Fundación Caja Madrid (Pza. de San Martin, 1 Tue-Sun 1000hrs-20:00 p.m.) to see part of the exhibition for free. Metro: Banco de España. Address: Palacio de Villahermosa, 8 Paseo del Prado. Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 19:00 p.m. Cost: 8 euros. For more information, click here.
Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week [18 – 23 February]
Soy Cibeliño! If you’re fashion forward and want to take a peek at the Spanish fashion designs for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons, you’re in luck because Cibeles Fashion Week returns to Madrid at the end of the month. You’ll be able to see the newest trends on two catwalks in the midst of 14,000 square meters of exhibition space. There will be lots to do during this weeklong event, including sampling sessions, music, make-up and beauty product trials, and the chance to buy and try fashion innovations by up-and-coming designers. Metro: Campo de las Naciones. Address: Parque Ferial Juan Carlos 1 (IFEMA). For more information, click here.
30th Edition Madrid International Contemporary Art Fair (ARCO) [16 – 20 February]
The Madrid International Contemporary Art Fair, or ARCO, is one of Madrid’s biggest art shows, so this annual event is one you won’t want to miss. Modern and Contemporary art ranging from photography, sculpture, painting, video, and new media is brought across the world to take part in ARCO at IFEMA, which is celebrating it’s 30th edition this year. Metro: Campo de las Naciones. Address: Parque Ferial Juan Carlos 1 (IFEMA). For more information, click here.
XI Festival Escena Contemporánea 2011 [Until 20 February]
The 11th edition of the Festival Escena Contemporánea is bound to fill Madrid with the vitality of contemporary art. This year’s festival focuses on blurring the barriers between accepted and still-progressing definitions of “dance”, “theatre”, and other artistic media. For more information, prices, and locations click here.
By Anna Soria
