What´s on in June

Summer in Barcelona is undeniably THE best time of the year and even though you may be content with passing the day away at the shore (no one can blame you for that!) there are also plenty of fun activities to enjoy and many are free to the public. Here is a list of my top June events:

Fortuny – The Magician from Venice June 1 - 27
Fashion fiends this will make you happy. The famous La Pedrera by archictect Antoni Guadi has an exhibition of the work of Mariano Fortuny, who has been cited as one of the most innovative figures of the first half of the 20th century with regards to combining art and fashion.
Obra Social Caixa Cataluyna - Casa Mila – La Pedrera
Paseo de Gracia 92
Time: Monday – Sunday 10am – 8pm
Admission: Free

Boston Ballet June 8 – 13
The Boston Ballets tour of Spain will commence in Barcelona with six performances at the Teatro Coliseum. The ballet company will be perform a special inauguration program of the Balla della Regina by George Balanchine, Tsukiyo by Helen Pickett, ein von viel by Sabrina Mathews and Brake the Eyes by Jorma Elo.
Teatro Coliseum Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalenes 595
Time: 9pm (June 8 – 12) 6:30 (June 13)
Ticket Prices: 28€ - 62€
To purchase tickets go to www.servicaix.com

Musica als Parcs June 10 & 11, 17 & 18
Musica als Parcs which translates into literally Music at the Park is just that, an evening of live classical music and jazz, which is performed in some of the city’s finest green spaces. The classical section is played by the Barcelona’s Municipal band followed by guest jazz musicians.
June 10 – Parc de la Creueta del Coll
June 11 – Parc de Diagonal Mar
June 17 – Parc de la Barceloneta
June 18 – Parc del Guineueta
Time: 8pm Classical Music Session
10pm Jazz Music Session
Admission: Free
For more information: www.bcn.cat/parcsijardins

World Cup June 11 – July 11
Haven’t you heard, the FIFA World Cup starts today and it’s most likely the whole world will be watching, even Americans who don’t count soccer is a highly valued sport. However let it be known the World Cu is the most widely sporting event around the world so it’s best you don’t miss out on the first kick-off. There will be a number of bars and pubs with big screen TVs showing the matches.
For a schedule of matches go to www.fifa.com
A few locations that will show the matches around Barcelona:
Kennedy Irish Sailing Club (Moll de Mestral 26-28, Port Olimpic)
Shoko (Paseo Maritimo de la Barceloneta 36, Port Olimpic)
Suborn (Paseo de Picasso 42, Born)
Margarita Blue (Josep Anselm Clave 6, Barrio Gottico)
New Oven (Gran Via de Cortes Catalanes 674, Eixample)

False Coinage Exhibition June 11 – May 2011
Have you ever wondered how money forgers actually make their money? Or would you know a real coin from a fake one? The history of forging coins dates back to the birth of legal currency and everyone from coin collectors to history buffs and the rest of us that just like spend money would be interested in this exhibit as it calls attention to some of the aspects that have surrounded coin forgery and its prosecution throughout history and in particular in Catalonia.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Cataluyna
Palau Nacional
Parc de Montjuic
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 7pm
Sunday and public holidays: 10am – 2:30pm
Monday: closed
General Admission: 8,50€
For more information: http://www.mnac.cat/

Sonar Kids June 12- 13
In addition to Sonar 2010, the festival will kick off with the second edition of Sonar Kids, a new formula for family fun. Taking place the weekend before mom and dad dive into Sonar 2010 they’ll be able to spend some quality time with the kiddies sharing in their passion for music, art and culture. The program is full of fun concerts geared toward younger audiences as well as activities like a DJ workshop and urban art seminar.
Locations: CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporanea de Barcelona), MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona),
Ticket Prices: 4€ - 20€
For more information: www.sonarkids.com

Sonar 2010 June 17 – 19
An electronic music festival that brings together a range of music events and multimedia art activities held at the CCCB and MACBA during the daylight hours and the Fira Gran Via at night. Now running for 18 years, this festival has become an important annual meeting point for artists, music professionals and fans from all over the globe. Some of this year’s performance will include the likes of The Chemical Brothers, LCD Soundsystem, Pete Tong and Air. If you know these guys, then you should be there.

Locations: CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporanea de Barcelona), MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona), Fira Grand Via 2
Time: Sonar Day - 12pm - 10pm
Sonar Night 9:30pm – 5am
Ticket Prices: 39€ - 165€
For more information: www.sonar.es

Vermouth Jazz June 13, 20
Jazz enthusiasts will rejoice in this year’s summer program bringing together a diverse group of musicians that will perform in two jazz sessions during the month of June. What a better way than to spend a Sunday afternoon listening to classic jazz tunes while sitting outdoors enjoying the sunshine.
L’Auditori
Calle Lepant 150
Time: 12:45pm
Admission: Free
For more information on program go to www.auditori.cat

Barcelona Harley Days June 18 -20
Varooom! The boys are back in Barcelona after a two-year hiatus and they are revving up their engines. The Harley Davidson Riders from all over Europe will convene in Barcelona for their annual H.O.G (Harley’s Owner Group) meeting to talk shop and flaunt the coolest two-wheeled rebel rides. Three days of choppers, concerts and guided cruising routes. Harley owners and enthusiasts all welcome just be sure to don your best leather vest.
Fira Montjuic
Avenida Reina Maria Cristina
Admission: Free
For more information on activities and times log onto www.barcelonaharleydays.com

Pride Barcelona June 18 – 28
Pride Barcelona returns once again this summer, bringing culture, fun and fiestas over the course of 10 days. The festival will play host to free events including parties, film screenings, conferences and art exhibitions all celebrating diversity and tolerance for all to enjoy. The culmination of the 10-day extravaganza will result in the highly anticipated Pride Parade that has promised an unforgettable closing ceremony at the Montjuic Fountain on the 27th.
For more information about events, locations and times log onto www.pridebarcelona.org.

Festivo de Sant Joan June 23
The week leading up to the feast of St. Joan (San Joan), the streets of Barcelona come terrifyingly alive with the nosy popping of fireworks that are tossed at your feet by unsuspecting kids however they are just warming up for the wild night of June 23rd, which is the main event. There are bonfires and fireworks throughout the city, the major spectacle taking place at the beach and not ending to the wee hours of the next morning. Pick up a coca – flat crispy bread topped with sweet and savory toppings, grab a bottle or two of cava and head to the beach and watch the sky light up as revelers beside you party till sunup.
Barcelona Shoreline
Admission: Free

Kiss Concert June 24
Having sold over 80 million albums worldwide, Kiss is one of the most iconic bands of all time and low and behold they are performing in Barcelona as a part of their European ‘’Sonic Boom’’ tour. Its not everyday that the famous glam rock band suits up in their wacky leather outfits so all you Kiss fans and lovers of Gene Simmons better run out and buy some face paint and purchase tickets for the show fast.
Palau Sant Jordi
Paseo Olimpic
Time: 9:30pm
Ticket Prices: 42€ - 48€
To purchase tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com

Eurydice – GREC Festival de Barcelona 2010 June 24 – 27
Festival del Grec is a major cultural festival that takes places in Barcelona every summer brining together a myriad of artists from around the world, encompassing dance, music, and theatre performances. Every year the number of English increases and it just so happens that the British ATC theatre company will be presenting the Eurydice by celebrated American playwright Sara Ruhl. It’s her interpretation of the Orpheus and Eurydice story, a hybrid in which the Greek myth meets Alice in Wonderland.
Teatre Lliure (Sala Fabia Puigserver)
Paseo Santa Madrona 40-46
Time: 8:30pm
Ticket price: 24€
For more information: www.bcn.cat/grec

Aerosmith concert June 27
The bad boys from Boston led by none other than the legendary Steven Tyler are performing one solo concert in Spain on their European tour to present their latest work ‘’Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock’’. Lucky for you they have chosen to rock n’ roll in Barcelona. This particular tour highlights the bands 40th anniversary and will play homage to some of their most popular hits like Walk this Way and Come Together.
Palau Sant Jordi
Paseo Olimpic
Time: 10pm
Ticket Prices: 42€ - 60€
For more information and to purchase tickets go to: www.serviticket.com

The Brandery June 28 – 30

Barcelona’s international trade show geared toward urban and contemporary fashion is back for its third year in a row. For fashion industry professionals as well as journalists, bloggers and cool hunters this is the place to be, to see and to discover what’s the next brand, designer or trend on the horizon.

Fira Montjuic
Avenida Reina Maria Cristina
Time: 11am – 8pm (June 28, 29) 11am – 6pm (June 30)
For more information about visitor admission and exhibitors go to www.the brandery.com