Art Exhibits, Events and Festivals in Seville

Sevilla is a great place to take in an exhibit, whether you want to see painting, sculpture, architecture, or photography. There's always something to see thanks to the Ayuntamiento and Cajas which sponsor such events. Private studios can be found throughout the center with rotating collections by local artists. The pieces displayed differ in form and quality. Of course you can take in a permanent exhibit by simply walking around Sevilla or hitting one of the many museums. There's always something on display! Sevilla also attracts a great number of events and festivals. Music, food, sports, theatre and dance are just a few festival themes you'll see annually, if not more often. The topics below will change according to what's going on in Sevilla every month or so. Listed below are my favorites - most I've been to see, will be seeing once they start, or have been informed I should see and will never make! So I'll try to give you a little insight into what they're all about.

Cruces de Mayo
Location: Center of Seville
Dates: month of May
Less of an organized event than the famous celebration in Cordoba, much of May in Seville is marked by smaller processions with the younger generation taking part. This is practice of sorts for one day participating in Semana Santa. Some of the very young create their own pasos or floats and take them through the streets. Altars are also erected in some plazas, accompanied by tables, a bar and food for a celebration that anyone can join in on. Photos

Corpus Christi
Location: Plaza San Francisco and city center
Dates: 22 May
Altars are set up around the center streets while storefronts and balconies are decorated the days before, in this celebration of the Eucharist. A large gate, or puerta, is erected in Plaza San Francisco for the processions to pass by a large altar. The day of Corpus Christi there is an early morning "parade" from the Cathedral through Plaza San Francisco. Images of saints followed by La Custodia, a central part of the Catholic communion, make up the procession. Photos

Fiesta de los Perros - Dog Festival!
Location: Parque del Alamillo
Dates: 25 May
Games, exhibits and a contest for Best in Show! Dogs and their owners from the city will be out in full force in the park to have a little fun. There are contests for purebreds as well as mutts to see who wins the big prize. Anyone with a dog, well behaved of course, is welcome to participate or simply show up to mingle and sniff a few butts. Remember, the butt sniffing is strictly limited to the dogs!

Los Toros - Bullfighting
Location: Plaza de Toros de La Maestranza
Dates: 23 Mar - 29 Sep
web: Exploreseville guide to Toros en Seville
A bullfight, or corrida de toros, is something enjoyed or loathed by visitors and Spaniards alike. Think of it what you may bullfighting is a tradition in Sevilla and the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza is perhaps the best venues in all of Spain to watch the event. The season begins on the last day of Semana Santa and marches full steam through Feria. Check the dates in my guide to Toros in Seville (above link) for the entire schedule.

 

Art Exhibits in Seville Exposiciones

Sorolla: Vision of Spain
Location: Museo de Bellas Artes
Dates: 25 April - 29 June
The Regional Ministry of Culture of the Junta de Andalucía and Bancaja, have organized the traveling exhibition "Sorolla. Vision of Spain". This is the first opportunity to view the complete collection of Sorolla's originals outside its home at the Hispanic Society of America. And the exhibition is only visiting a very small number of cities in Spain. The collection consists of fourteen large format paintings, a commission on which the painter worked tirelessly between 1912 and 1919.  The effort caused him to suffer a stroke in 1920, which led to his death three years later, before he could see his masterpiece inaugurated in New York.

Botero, una mirada diferente,
Location: Cajasol Fundación - Sala Villasís
Dates: 25 April - 29 June
The works of Colombian born Fernando Botero, who is perhaps the most recognizable for his cherub like paintings of people, are on display in Fundación Cajasol (formerly Fundación el Monte) in the Sala Villasis. The works are on loan from the National Museum of Colombia, portraying the pain the artist feels regarding circumstances in the Colombian people live.

Iglesia Salvador Restored
Location: Plaza del Salvador
Dates: now
The renovations and excavations in Sevilla's most famous baroque church are finally over, with the exception of a few pieces here and there. The ruins of a mosque and other very important historical items were uncovered below the church. But now, after five years of excellent overall restoration work, the church itself has returned. Not only are the altars and important pieces of art restored, but there is much more light to see the details. The church almost feels like a small cathedral, and certainly rivals many of those in nearby cities.

2007: Imágenes de un Año Sevilla
Location: Casa de la Provincia. Plaza del Triunfo, 1.
Dates: until 1 June
98 photos were selected from over 4000 possibilities to form this exhibit which recalls the past year in the city and province of Seville. From sports and the new tram to the top events and news in 2007, this is a wide range of photos which covers the past year. Photographers include Eduardo Abad, Julio Muñoz, José Manuel Vidal, Raúl Díaz, Jorge Zapata, Jaro Muñoz y Ballesteros. My photo is to the right (there's should be much better!).

Betis vs. Sevilla
Location: Estadio Ruiz de Lopera
Dates: 11 May (21:00)
web: www.realbetisbalompie.es
A big match and not much to be said for a game that speaks for itself. Betis - Sevilla is the city rivalry, and like any rivalry no matter where the teams are in the league table it is always a battle. This year Sevilla finds themselves on top, but not by much as they are struggling to meet last year's success. Betis should be ready to try and knock them down a place or two.

Liga Profesional de Fútbol
Location: Seville
Dates: Aug 2007 - May 2008
The Spanish first division schedule is brutally long, especially when there is no World Cup or European Championships to be played during the summer. This is good news if you are visiting and want to catch a match. While you should pull for Betis, I realize some of you may have a weakness and need to see a match no matter what. The benefit of having two first division teams in Seville means there is a match almost every weekend:
Real Betis Schedule
Sevilla FC Schedule
Betis-Seville Schedule - see the combined home schedule for matches in Seville.

Territorios 2008
XI Festival Internacional de Música de los pueblos
Location: Many sites throughout Seville
Dates: 22 May - 8 June
The eleventh time around and this event, dedicated to music from around the world, is still picking up steam. The venues are throughout the city will feature a wide variety of artists, with headliners such as Gilberto Gil and The Matthew Herbert Big Band. There is something for just about anyone. More information can be found at: territoriossevilla.com,

"Reencuentro" Manolo Franco and Calixto Sánchez
Location: Sala Joaquín Turina. Centro Cultural El Monte
Date: 15 May (21:00)
web: Cajasol Online ticket sales
The Jueves Flamenco series sponsored by Fundación El Monte (now Cajasol), is one of the best ways to see some of the best current flamenco artists. Concerts vary, from traditional dance or guitar to the more innovative, such as jazz and flamenco fusion. But the shows are always excellent, and occur just about every Thursday night except for a few holidays. The program ends in late May.

"Evocación" Rafael Utrera, Carmen Lozano and Paco del Gastor
Location: Sala Joaquín Turina. Centro Cultural El Monte
Date: 22 May (21:00)
web: Cajasol Online ticket sales
The Jueves Flamenco series sponsored by Fundación El Monte (now Cajasol), is winding down in May. T he second to last concert features Rafael Utrera, Carmen Lozano and Paco del Gastor, in what should be a great list of performances. If you have additional time to visit the Botero art exhibit in the same building it is well worth the trip.

"Festival de clausura" José Menese, Pansequito, la Macanita and Angelita Vargas
Location: Sala Joaquín Turina. Centro Cultural El Monte
Date: 29 May (21:00)
web: Cajasol Online ticket sales
The Jueves Flamenco series sponsored by Fundación El Monte (now Cajasol), is one of the best ways to see some of the best current flamenco artists. The series comes to close with a special line up including José Menese, Pansequito, la Macanita and Angelita Vargas. Tickets can be purchased online or directly at the venue, just a few blocks away from La Campana.

Private art galleries are another great way to see some local artists and of course out of the ordinary works. Some are more traditional while others offer more "cutting edge", if you will. The following galleries almost always have something on display:

Galería Álvarez Quintero
Location: c/Álvarez Quintero 48

Galería Álvaro
Location: Plaza de Doña Elvira

Galería Nuevoarte
Location: c/San Vicente, 32

Galería Pepe Cobo
Location: c/Cardenal Cisneros, 5

Galería Haurie
Location: c/Guzman el Bueno, 9

Galería San Vicente
Location: c/San Vicente, 31

Galería Isabel Ignacio
Location: c/Velarde, 9

Galería Rafael Ortiz
Location: c/Marmoles, 12

Galería Full Art
Location: c/Madrid, 4, bajo 1

Galería Margarita Albarrán
Location: c/Meson de Caballeros, 2

More places where you can regularly catch a good show are below but I don't keep up regularly with the schedule of all of them. In many of the bars there's no cover - just pay for your drinks! In some of the smaller concert halls expect anywhere from 6-20€ depending on the show. More recommendations to come soon as I spend a few late nights out looking for the music scene:

Bars

El Cafetal
(Avda Ciudad Jardin, 5)
A little further out and now in their tenth year of carrying live acts.

El Perro Andaluz
(Santa Catalina - c/Bustos Tavera, 11)
Rock, blues, flamenco, country-rock, reggae - they do a little of everything in the recently renovated local. Nice bar frequented by local actors and artists in the heart of Santa Catalina.

El Hobbit
(Close to the Encarnación - c/Regina)
Located a few blocks behind the Plaza de Encarnación you'll find El Hobbit on a street otherwise populated by stores. Thursday's are jazz nights, Saturdays usually folk night. Blues and rock almost every week. Pool tables in the back as well as internet access and of course, a bar!

Cafe Lisboa
(Alfalfa/Santa Catalina - c/Alhondiga)
Another recent renovation upgraded the look a little. Blues, folk and other acts.

La Carboneria
(Santa Cruz - c/Levies)
More flamenco than anything else, but you can find other acts in both the front and back room. This bar is famous and frequented by tourists as well as Spaniards. The front room often houses works by local artists. In the summer the back patio is a cool place to be. In the winter the front room with two fireplaces offers a cozy place to warm up.

Jazz Corner
(Buhaira - c/ Juan Antonio Cavestany)
Jazz as Lisa Simpson would like - the "saxamaphone". But it doesn't stop there, so stop by and check out what they've got going.

La Buena Estrella
(Alameda - c/Trajano , 51)
More jazz in Alameda with weekly jam sessions.

Cafe Naima
(Alameda - c/Conde de Barajas, 2)
Another place in the Alameda to listen to jazz, although I guess not live. While I received reports that there was some live stuff going on, I received a correction that it's only the atmosphere, and never a band, you can find in this bar.

Pub Taifa
(Centro - Plaza Gavidia)
Live jazz and blues on Friday and Saturday nights.

Nu Yor
(Centro - c/Marques de Parada)
On weekends there's live Cuban music, other nights you can enjoy salsa, reggae or flamenco while sipping a mojito at the bar. The crowd gets younger the minute the band starts playing.

Azucar de Cuba
(Centro - Paseo de Colon)
Right before the bridge to Los Remedios it's another great place to take in some live Cuban music, sip on a daiquiri and smoke a cuban cigar. Dinner and lunch is also served - an authentic Cuban dining experience.

Small "Concert" Halls

Sala Fun Club
(Alameda)
Local, regional and larger acts. Hip-hop to metal, funk and alternative.

Weekend
(Centro/Torneo - c/Torneo)
As well a good mix of acts - neighbors have complained for years about the noise, so they put on some loud shows.

Sala Salvation
Heavy to alternative and a little of everything else.

Casas Ocupadas
Alternative music - some punk, some rock.

Sala Metropol
(La Florida)
A bar/discoteca with live shows on Thursdays, often blues and rock with some cover bands.

Larger Venues

Estadio Olimpico
(across the Puente del Alamillo)
Large acts have made their way here, including Mana. A first rate outdoor venue where they hope to one day host the Olympics, if the heat ever dies down.

El Palenque
(La Cartuja)
Closer to the center of Sevilla than the Estadio Olimpico and an indoor place for off weather nights. El Palenque hosts international and national acts frequently.

Teatro Central
(La Cartuja)
A mix of the arts with mainly theatre and music performances. Generally plenty of flamenco and other contemporary music each month.

Teatro Lope de Vega
(Arenal)
Aside from opera, theatre and the symphony you'll find an occasional flamenco performance by some of the best artists in the world. Very convenient to the center.