What’s Happening In August

August, the last month of summer before school starts back and vacation is officially over. Don’t start crying just yet about the eventual return of exams and buzzing Blackberries. You have four more weeks to stave off the back-to-school blues so, while in Barcelona enjoy a few of the activities in and around town. Here are my top picks for August:

Festival Jardins de Cap Roig    August 1 – August 17

Now Cap Roig isn’t exactly Barcelona. It’s in fact near the town of Palafrugell on the Costa Brava, which is about a 2 hour drive from Barcelona. However, if by chance you are taking a day-trip or staying overnight at one of the beautiful beachside hostels then this music festival is a sure bet for musical entertainment. For the month of August they have a long list of big time talent performances that include Sinead O’Connor, Julio Iglesias and Macaco to name a few. The best part of it all is the venue, an outdoor auditorium in a botanic garden nestled on cliff overlooking the sea.

For more information on the full schedule of performers, date and times and directions log onto www.festivalcaproig.cat (the website is also available in English).

Cap Roig Botanical Gardens of Caixa Girona
Cap Roig – 17210 Calella de Palafrugell
Prices: Tickets range from 30 euros to 100 euros
To purchase tickets: Call 902 09 50 60

Barcelona Summer Week August 4 – August 8

Back for the second year in a row, the party people that keep Barcelona grooving are hosting 4 days of non-stop fiesta. More than 30 clubs, 100 international DJs and 7 beautiful beaches will set the stage the longest and biggest official party festival that BCN has seen. There will be club parties, beach bashes and fabulous fetes on fancy yachts just to name a few of the 250 events that are planned during the celebration. Organizers are expecting big crowds this year, so be sure to check to the website at www.quakesound.net to plan your party schedule.

Location: Various clubs throughout the city with final celebration at Sant Jordi Concert Club venue in Montjuic
Ticket Prices: 10 euros – 40 euros
To Purchase tickets: go to Ticketmater.es or Codeticket.com

Buskers Festival August 5 – August 8

Anyone that enjoys street performers instead of the over-produced and sometime talent-less singers and musicians that are made famous by marketing teams in music companies you are going to jump for joy. The Buskers Festival is basically the music festival for unsigned yet talented street performers and is the one and only of its kind in Spain. Bringing together an international collection of artists playing a variety of music styles, there will certainly be something for everyone, kids and adults. Forget about paying hefty music festival ticket prices—all the concerts are free of charge. The only financial kick-backs the participants receive are what you’re willing to drop into their hat and the money they make off of selling their own CDs.

For specific location, times and a list of bands performing go to www.buskersfestivalbarcelona.org.

Location: Barceloneta Neighborhood
Prices: Free but a donation is always appreciated by the artists
Time: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 11pm every day of the festival

Milonga Vintage Tango Night August 12

So the tango doesn’t have anything to do with Spain but its still Latin and super sexy so why not give it a try yourself at the upscale Vintage lounge in the Born neighborhood. Supposedly for a year now two Argentine pro dancers, Andrea and Chechu have been hosting these sultry tango evenings for a year now on the third Thursday of the month bringing together newcomers and seasoned tango dancers to revel in a dance with a rich tradition in Argentina and Uruguay.

Location: Vintage
Calle Fusina 7
Time: 10pm
Price: 8 euros (includes a cocktail)

La Festa Major de Gracia August 15 – August 21

One of the biggest and the best neighborhood festivals in Barcelona is La Festa Major de Gracia, which transforms this tranquil residential barrio into a fantastical, fun loving carnival. There are lively parades with giant paper mache figures from Catalan folklore, live band performances and street parties that seem to pop up out of nowhere with an endless supply of food stalls and beverages to keep party goers that come from all over Spain fueled for the week-long fiesta. The most captivating aspect of the festival are the decorated streets in which residents utilize their imagination and a variety of materials to bring an agreed upon theme to life. The designs are always elaborate and range from wacky to surreal to just plain beautiful. This year there is said to be over 600 cultural events for children and adults.

For more information on the schedule of events and locations log onto festamajordegracia.org (the site is only in Catalan).

Location: Gracia Neighborhood
Prices: Free

La Festa Major de Sants August 21 – August 29

Just as Gracia is winding down from their wild week long neighborhood festival the Sants area is gearing up for their popular carnival, which will include live music and traditional Catalan folk performances, parades and of course a lot of fireworks and partying. Not a bad way to wind up summer.

Location: Sants Neighborhood (kick-off ceremonies will be held at Parque de la Espana Industrial: Muntadas 1 – 37)
Cost: Free
Time: to check times and locations of events log onto www.festamajordesants.cat (the page is in Catalan)

La Festa del Gamper – FC Barcelona vs. AC Milan August 25

With the return of August means the return of football. Does it ever end? Not a question that football fans would ever ask and just for you guys there is an awesome match on the calendar at Campo Nou- FC Barcelona will play one of Europe’s strongest teams, AC Milan in an exhibition game to show off the new Barca recruits and celebrate the 45th Edition of the Trofeo Juan Gamper. Get your tickets now, now, now because they are sure to go fast.

Location: Estadio Camp Nou
Calle d’Aristides Maillol
Ticket Prices: 19 euros – 88 euros
To purchase tickets go to: www.fcbarcelona.cat or call 902 1899 00
Time: To be determined at the time of publication (please check fcbarcelona.cat for update)

Autorretrato by Maria Pages August 31

Flamenco and Spain are one in the same and for one special night you’ll be able to enjoy the performance of a lifetime by Maria Pages. Coined as living legend, Pages along with six other dancers will perform Autorretrao, a new show by the talented choreographer and dancer that is said to be a self-portrait of the artist blending her trademark dance style that infuses elements of tragedy, passion and dynamism. Contemporary dance fans, theatre lovers, this is not a show to be missed.

Location: Teatre Poliorama
Rambla del Estudis 115
Time: 9pm
Prices: Tickets start at 19 Euros (to purchase go to www.servicaixa.com)