Throughout history in times of crisis, creativity flows more than ever, empowering the minds of artists, bestowing greater imagination and power, giving place to new, dangerous, transcending creations, magic but without leaving reality, capturing without concealing, without veils. On this note, the organizers of the 14th International Showing of Gay and Lesbian Cinema have baptized this year as a FIRE!!. Organized by Casa Lambda, they’ve bet on a markedly varied program of films offering many eclectic proposals: feature-length films, documentaries, classic cinema, and various film cycles (we’re fired up for the documentaries of “East of Eden” ). All of which making indifference impossible for the lovers of edgy films, both in form and content./ David Juli Transl. by Don Vito

I had the choice: either a Best of U2 at the Camp Nou or a Best of Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra at the Poble Espanyol. Hmm… pretentious overrated ageing pop stars whose leader wears ridiculous sunglasses or a bunch of hilarious underestimated young-at-heart gypsy punk musicians whose leader celebrates absurdity in its own right? Melodramatic whining about peace and love or happy thumping songs about… I don’t know… pit bull terriers? ¿Miss Ireland or Gogol Bordello for intellectuals? It was a rhetorical question, of course. For free?/ Kati

This new work of J.M. Calleja could be labeled in many ways, perhaps exactly because it is impossible to give it only one label. Diary, work in progress, study, experimentation, outlines… All of them come together, and all of them are short in their conception, in what they mean. Calleja goes further, and also his nocturnes.. His thoughts (nocturnes), his visions (nocturnal), his experiments (nocturnes), his inspirations (nocturnal) and upto his darkest secrets (nocturnes). Because, I suppose that you will have guessed it already, the title does not allude to the content nor the continent, but the moment in which the art was created./ Noelia Aparicio Transl. b y Mahjabeen Zafar

Nano4814, San and Okuda. You can easily imagine these names painted on a wall, right? They are three young, urban artists. Apart from that, they also share the fact that they all embody Ink and Movement, which has united them in order to travel the world with a common project. Thanks to this project, the three have merged into one, but while reaffirming their “I”, because individual identity has always been one of the foundations of graffiti. There’s plenty of urban art, but a selection like this, with unseen works in different formats from artists of international prestige, is very rare. Its previous journey through New York, Madrid and Paris is a perfect reference for a guaranteed good show. Now we have the chance, at last, to see the works they’ve created especially for IAM./ Marta Bausells Hernanz

Buju Banton is to Dancehall what Bob Marley is to Roots Reggae with only two small differences: Buju is very much alive and relevant today and for reasons that I find astonishing, precious few hipsters in Barcelona even know who the fuck he is. After something like almost 20 years in the business, how can his name not even ring a bell? But that’s okay, we forgive you, and here’s the opportunity to see one of the undisputed leaders of the pack, with all the bombastic, bragadoccio thrills and spills that have been tempered by the spiritual quest that resides in some and flourishes in fewer; his art and his philosophy have arrived with the fullness of time and the maturity of a consolidated artist: Buju has long since found Jah and I strongly suggest that if you know the man, go see him and if you don’t, go see him!/ Hankster

This morning I got up with a desire for a surprise, something new. I felt like having fun, but in moderation. No parties or concerts for me. I opened my mail to check this week’s LeCool and scanned it eagerly for a cultural offering that would make me think, that was original and would amuse me. That’s it! I have it! This looks good: John Osborne’s “Look Back in Anger” revised and adapted under the title of Stökolm. An extrapolation of the critical situation that post-colonial England underwent that led the filmmaker to criticise his country’s system at the time, in the context of our country these days. Hmm! Just what I needed: an intellectual rant. I’m calling right away to reserve my entrance. Shall I make one for you too?/ Angélica Guzmán Transl. by Mahjabeen Zafar

I once dreamt of family festival, which had nothing to do with the multi-national corporations, tents topping 100 degrees and the big names in huge letter. It was with the bands that inspired me, from here and also there. And with a lot of good fun. Where you ask? Right by the beach of course. And with a lighthouse. In a beach town just, let’s say, about a quick half and hour by train from Barcelona. And while I was dreaming, six years ago a group of romantic souls crazy for music made all this reality. Seeing dreams come to life is often no more than an illusion, but this year they’re once again made a fantasy into reality with a line-up of extraordinary artistic talent with the cherry on top in big bold letters called The Divine Comedy. Well done Faraday: dream completed./ Aleix IbarsTransl. by Don Vito

Hands up anyone who remembers that apartment, close to Sant Antoni, where for one weekend you hear only the sound of someone rummaging through costume jewellery that upstages the a la mode artisan style, through articles that look for other stories, books that long for other eyes, indescribable artworks and lamps that shine searching for another ceiling. If your hand is raised, good, the moment has come (how time flies!), and if you are shy or from team-nemo, good, you have three days to lose yourself in the genuine Tenderete de las Artes. I will ring the bell, enter inside this apartment full of surprises and stop on the terrace for tea. Anyone coming to rummage?/ Descalza Transl. by Jess Rainey

As it says on the tin, they are young and talented. For some of them, still studying, it means an unexpected leap into the unknown, with all the euphoria and panic that goes with it. You could argue the typical “what they have of the greats is vague and irrelevant”. But N2 has triumphed again, with a substancial and enjoyable exhibition that reveres sketches in charcoal: insightful, transversal and cleverly suggestive. Masters like Picasso, Miró, Genovés, Mira, López and Plensa go hand in hand with Xavi Muñoz, Sito Mújica, Javi Moreno, Sixeart, Juan Manuel Vila-Escribano and Gabriel Pericás. Figurative, abstract, revisionist, profiled, distorted, purist, and tainted. Just like a good buffet, you can pick whatever dose you feel you need. / Alex Brahim

Hold on tight. Because if you think that fiction that’s created in austral plains is crudely realistic, then you haven’t seen these documentaries (which are much more deeply entrenched in a reality that the crisis has not even touched upon yet… because in his world, things are always in crisis). More than a “A wink to the South”, this is a free journey (without having to spend a fortune to sit in a plane for 11 hours). You can get to know the Afro-Peruvian musician Amador Ballumbrosio, famous for his tap-dancing (for some strange reason, black men only tapdance in the US and in Peru!); the dilemmas of those who speak Quechua in the Andes, forever marginalised by the wide-spread Spanish spoken by the majority; how to survive in an aggressive city like Lima and become a man at the tender age of nine; or you can marvel at the German scientist Maria Reiche, who has studied the Nasca Lines for over 40 years, listening to Bach in the desert./ Francisco Estrada Transl. by Ayesha

I’ve never really liked acronyms. I.M.H.O. I find them a bit O.T.T., and like many of life’s little annoyances, it started in the U.S.A. F.Y.I., what started as a way to create cute, memorable names for various organisations (E.G. N.A.S.A., the C.I.A., N.A.T.O.) has now become ubiquitous for all manner of phrases simply to save our ourselves a few valuable seconds (I.E. everyone just being lazy). Perhaps we should blame Aretha and her demand for R.E.S.P.E.C.T. However, S.C.U.M. might just change my mind. With their unique brand of post-apocalyptic industrial goth these 5 angry young kids look in need of some T.L.C. but have still caused quite a stir on the London scene. Their arrival is definitely not on the Q.T., so get your tickets A.S.A.P. The exact time is T.B.C., but their E.T.A. is sometime after 1 A.M. LOL! P.S. R.S.V.P. not required./ Derek Robertson

Following his work as a creator and independent agitator, Jesús Ramos comes back with new productions, and accompanied and accompaning other creators and disciplines. He will project “Océano”, a new and unpacked piece, where he suggests a trip from the inside to the outside, within metaphors and abstraction. Ramón Marcet will present his “El Mestre i la seva musa”, short and esplendid film, and QA’A, the new revelation in experimental music, will play their “Reflexes”: noisy and psicodelic sessions of their improvisation melodies, accompanied as usual by Jesus’ images, building atmospheres and playful perception games./ Alex Brahim

For some, this guy is a hero. To others, he is a thief. But we all agree he is definitely someone. His sniping of 492,000euros from 39 different financial institutions was to capitalism what 9/11 was to the United States empire. And to carry on with the similarities, Enric Duran also escaped, as did Bin Laden, though in the end he decided to come back, confess and face the music (which meant imprisonment). That’s why I was dumbstruck on Thursday when I read his last blog post: “I’m free again”. And no doubt, he is going to use his freedom to continue fighting against capitalism. In fact, today at 6 he will be doing just that: giving a conference at Can Ricart called Initiatives against the crisis. together with three other guest speakers. To be quite honest, I can’t think of anyone I would prefer to listen to than him. Go with open ears./ Bic Cristal Transl. by Ayesha

When Rosvita and The Joe K. Plan land in Sidecar this Saturday, they would have been touring Europe for a few days already, treading a less trodden path and visiting cities like Bonn, Prague, Strasburg, Lyons, Reims, Aachen, Groningen and Montpellier amongst a long list of other towns. So what does that mean? Well, they would have undoubtedly played a big hand in the organisation of the tour, booking gigs and staying with friends and relatives. So when this is achieved with a style of music that requires a lot of empathy and hard listening, that is quite impressive. The Joe K-Plan and Rosvita experiment without falling trap to the sweet madness of friends like Bèstia Ferida or Les Aus, but with enough aggression to get people pumped and into it. The concert tonight is also a presentation of The Joe K. Plan’s debut album, beautifully named “Rigan Asesino, Olibia Vencerá”./ Eduard Gras Transl. by Ayesha

If you are the kind of person who despises waiting in line (queue) for 3 hours just to stuff your face in Taxidermist, don’t!- Downstairs from the restaurant this Saturday is the inauguration of another one of these Power Room/Boiler Club type of events, this one is called Back to the 60’s Jungle Club, which based on the name alone, should be good for a few laughs but check it out, we’re talking about 60’s rock and roll, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, Spanish pop and all the hits from those wonderful years of insouciance and fun. Three different dj’s alternating the tunes to keep you shaking your money maker in a locale and at an event which will become an instant classic- . Here’s a hint: it’s summertime- get a few beers under your gut, go pick up some foreigners, take them to dance free in Plaça Reial and show them how incredibly hip you are!/ Hankster

Two long months of little more than the beach, friends, evenings in the parks with friends that only come from summer to summer, bike rides folks, ice cream evening with the grand folks and the end of that ancient rule of going to bed early. A nostalgic mix that’s enviably healthy but…it’s just great to be a kid. But with the passing of mere days they’ve now got the DJs and bands playing at their tempo and volume and now they are the protos of a workshop of Contemporary Art with the star Oriol Villanova as a guest artist. Archives, collections, success, failure, wins and losses and all together today as the Factory turns on the idea of Classification and Archives in art of nowadays. There’s no going back so forward we go!/ Descalza Transl. by Don Vito

Javi Delanada has played for years in the metro, in parks, bars where they paid him and, especially, bars where they didn’t. He has showcased his songs throughout Barcelona, London and Madrid. He’s changed flat three times during the recording of his new album, started a independent label (Ovejasydiscos) and convinced his girlfriend, brother and friends to join him. So here he is, finally, with 5 new folk songs with raw guitar and moving sentiments. Introspective, intimate, really sincere. Fun? Not at all, but you’ll definitely get a really special atmosphere, all the vibe and a très très touchant live show./ Laura Bo

Two artists. Both born in Osaka, Japan, and both in 1974. This is where the parallels end. Genta Kosumi has been painting all his life and paints slightly disturbing portraits in dark colours. Sislay only got into art a few years ago, and his works are extensive and detailed decorative drawings that have been produced with infinite patience and can entertain the viewer for hours. Never mind their differences, however: both are exhibiting together at Chandal and FAD from this week onwards (“the former is more Adidas, the latter more Hermès,” is how they define the shows), kicking off with a live painting session at Chandal today. Watch some true Japanese masters at work./ Kati

For those unlucky souls who’ll miss out on the fiercest festival this season Blast Off in Nottingham, there are two incredible groups staying close to home: The Gories and The Oblivians. The Gories have reunited to tour this summer and we get a sneak peek!!! This influential band got its start in Detroit in 1986 and is in the same vain of Dirtbombs, Demolition Dolls Rod, 68 Comeback, etc. However, these guys have NOTHING in common with the sixty-year old set. To prove it to you, The Oblivians are playing alongside for a kick ass show. Garage rock/punk at its finest./ Raquel Gariani Transl. by Teresa Silva

Knowing where to find the limits of right and wrong is something that brings both joy and headaches. It’s impossible to order what the masses should believe in, what they should accept and what they should remain closed to. Rousseau believed in the natural goodness of mankind, and from that theory the Hungarian Kornél Mundruczó has created “Delta”. Pretentious for a few and astonishing for others, this story of two step brothers on the shore of the Danube is an aesthetic achievement. Their minimalist conversations, wonderful photography and a perfect soundtrack (composed by the film’s main actor) are mixed up with no concessions in this Cannes-awarded film./ Eva A. Prats

I know, I know. Monday. July. Summer. It’s hard. Yes. The difficulty of Mondays seems to be proportional to how well you rested on a Sunday. The Day of Rest. So what about Mondays then? What great things can the first day back to work bring? Well, you can catch up on what’s going on. Start new things, start up that engine and Vrooom! Empty your house of furniture, get back to studying after your party weekend, say hello to the week with a smile and say goodbye to your hangover. So how about a bit of top music to go with that grin? Not just any music of course, music so UNMonday, you’ll love it! Good vibrations only, a la Beach Boys. Happy Mondays a la … well, Happy Mondays! Wouldn’t it nice? Music that shines and a night to bring on that summer lovin’ in one of the town’s already legendary nightspots. Monday, Monday!/ Iu Peña Transl. by Ayesha

We are mortal. Even the greatest of the greatest has left us. In front of this unbearable reality, I think that there’s only one solution for the ones who are still here: laugh while we can. And luckily this week is the Semana cómica de Barcelona (it’s not accidental: it’s the 100th anniversary of the Setmana tràgica). Well, I wanted humour and that’s what I got. For seven days we’re going to have a (healthy) overdose of comics prepared to make us laugh our asses off. It’s not easy, but I’m sure they’ll pass the test. They’re all kinds of monologuists, from naughty ones like Xabi Franquesa or Toni Moog, to collaborators of Buenafuente, and also comics from the radio, clowns, magicians, musicians… All of them have the gift of gab and their own styles. Oh, and in addition, all the money will go to a foundation working in El Salvador. What a great way to support a cause./ Marta Bausells Hernanz

When you talk about war photography it’s hard to think of any other name than Rober Capa. The moments he has immortalized form part of the collective memory of humanity and it would be very difficult to understand events like la Guerra Civil Española o el Desembarque de Normandía without them. So, go and see the selection acquired by the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) and you’ll find much more than a photo exhibit, it’s a lesson in global world history. All summer long you can see over 150 images that the photojournalist captured in different conflicts during the 30’s and 40’s. At the same time, the MNAC also has an exhibit dedicated to Gera Taro, who also documents war and sentimental companion of Capa and his work./ Gabriel Trindade Transl. by Claudia Medina

It’s a shame that one of the most pleasant prospects of Barcelona this summer like Els Vespres d’Els Juliols is free. The idea is great, this location is beautiful and the fundamentals, incomparable. What happens is that people only talk about and talk up the concerts that they have to pay for, they’re afraid of going to something free, especially when the only instrumentation will be guitar and vocals. Poor José Juan González. God just doesn’t want his Tuesday date with destiny to be anything more than another example of a lack of education and respect. But I for one hope that his songs will shine like they should in a summer evening in the center of Barcelona. Espaldamaceta are beautiful songs of guitar and voice, and with a nice seat and the fine summer warmth everything will be soooooo nice./ Eduard Gras Transl. by Don Vito

São Paulo and graffiti; a very difficult relationship. The policy to eliminate advertising in public spaces was welcomed with much more enthusiasm than labeling everything as graffiti that tried to classify graffiti as something in between artwork and vandalism, but beyond that famous pichação Paulista, Sau Paolo has given birth some of the greatest graffiti artists of all time, and is actually a mecca for this form of street art. That’s why Miscelänea has organized an exhibit for us to get closer to this form of brasilian urban art, and they came up with the perfect name for the show Unclassifiable. Sampa,which Caetano Veloso sang, when I came here I couldn’t understand anything, and it’s definitely not an easy thing to figure out such a chaotic, diverse, and creative city. So there you go, if you want to know more, check out the walls adorned with more colours than you can find in Brazil./ María Arranz Transl. by Claudia Medina

A typical Brazilian, if we’re talking about smiles here (haven’t you noticed how much the Brazilian ladies love to smile? And how those smiles go from one ear to the other….quite sweet girls they are). Cibelle sometimes seems like the masters of her world like Gal Costa, Rita Lee, Tom Jobim and Dorival Caymipero, and she doesn’t stop there. Having come into possession of some sound producing apparatus, the girl mixes some of the better known Brazilian influences with some much less obvious: Dj Marlboro, Deise Tigrona and a whole wild array of sounds and talent from around the world. She sings well and knows how to play more than a few instruments; she seems like a sweet Russian salad. And of course, as she lives in London, she doesn’t lack that modernity that the Londoners know is crucial to living well. Her live sets are way better that her MySpace clips. The smile is certainly killer in person./ Raquel Gariani Transl. by Don Vito

Is the confetti ready? Attack! Your meteoric metabolism rushes back, the magic, the enthusiasm, and the cosmic joy of Santi Ibarretxe and his Irrepresables Primital giving shape and form to their second record, “Primital Bells”. A meteoric musical for everyone, who will fill your mouth with laughter and your laughter with your mouth, who will serenade you while you do your vacuuming, wait in line at the butchers, or fill balloons with yellow paint. A second offering that will clarify all those good teachings of his first album: funk, soul, pop, forcefully dispersed rock or pop, wisdom, and passion. If you want to relive that feeling of kids experiencing things for the first time, you know where you have to be today./ Luis Morganti Transl. by Claudia Medina

One, two, three. Can you see it? Of course not, it’s dark. No matter, close your eyes and listen closely. Now? Better. Keep going. Four, five, six. White in darkness is brighter, you can really feel the mystery and the contrast opens up the mind. At night I can think better. I understand more. I live better. The silence. At night, Thursday and Friday, I can go see the exhibit “The materialism of time”, seven, eight, nine, while the plaza breathes in the darkness and I wait for the new exhibit “ In the margins of art”. Ten, eleven, twelve. Is the ceiling made of glass? With a little bit of luck you can see the stars. Or the last rays of sunlight. Do you feel it? It’s a special night, walk thirteen paces with your eyes closed and you can feel it with me./ Transl. by Claudia Medina

As you already know, we’re halfway through the summer season of parties and events that goes from the end of May to the beginning of July, a whirl of social events that can destroy even the most indefatigable. Before it was cold, later we go on vacation, so every festival, club or terrace owner has to organize a party bang in this in-between period. And there are few things that draw your attention at this point, but one that does is the boys of Catering Divine and their cocktail event catering. Call, ask, come, and drink! They’re amazing, and you only pay them if you’re the event organizer and want to be one of the coolest kids on the block./ JP Transl. by Mahjabeen Zafar