Los Toros - Bullfighting 
Location: Plaza de Toros de La Maestranza
Dates: 4 April - 12 October
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 (4 April) and marches full steam through Feria. In May there is something every weekend, then the schedule slows down, with sporadic events up until 12 October.
Feria
de la Manzanilla
Location: Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Dates: 31 May - 5 June
This is a little coast town where the Guadalquivir meets the Atlantic
ocean. The festival is the town's Feria, with plenty of manzanilla to
drink, Sevillanas to dance and of course a lot of food, especially
seafood. You'll find all of the activity not far from the beaches on Avenida
Amarilla.
Cines
de Verano 
Locations: Patio de la Diputación; Universidad de Sevilla
Dates: 15 Jul - 19 Sep (generally 22:30 start time)
A
cheap way to enjoy a movie (3€), with recent releases in Patio de la Diputación and
a mix at the University, where the screenings are free until filled up. All in an outdoor setting complete with a bar, popcorn, hot
dogs, sandwiches, tapas, beer and drinks. Cines de verano, what amounts
to an outdoor screening, are a part of summer in Seville. I really love these
and the ability to get up and stretch your legs without missing any of the action.
It's like a drive-in without the cars.
Feria de San Juan de Aznalfarache
Location: San Juan de Aznalfarache
Dates: June 23-27
We should never forget about all the little ferias throughout Andalucia, or
Spain for that matter. While maybe not the most popular of the celebrations
in and around Sevilla the Feria de San Juan de Aznalfarache should be interesting
with concerts, a couple of nights featuring a giant paella. There have been car and motorcycle
rallys as well as a fishing contests on the Guadalquivir in past years. Of course every day
there will be plenty to eat and drink. Top it all off with fireworks on the
last day!
Rebajas - Sales!
Location: Just about everywhere
Dates: July-August
The offical summer sales season gets underway in July, and overstock is
on sale. Stores are clearing inventory for fall and you can't pass a store
without seeing a "Rebajas" sign. This year the economic "crisis" means there should be even bigger discounts, although this may all just be a bit of marketing. Anyway, as summer is a slow season you can take a stroll through the center and find just about anything on sale.
 Joven Murillo
Location: Museo de Bellas Artes
Dates: until May 30
Web: Museum Page
There is still time to catch one of the best exhibits to hit the museum for some time. Some fifty plus works of Sevillian born Murillo are featured, many on loan from different museums. The exhibit focuses on Murillo's early work which is well displayed in the former chapel, now used as a gallery in the Museo de Bellas Artes. There are audio guides which accompany the exhibit for a small fee.
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.
Iglesia del Buen Suceso Restored
Location: Plaza del Buen Suceso
Dates: now
This little baroque church is just a few blocks away from the Plaza Alfalfa and Plaza Cristo de Burgos. With works by Domingo Martinez, impressive red marble columns and similarities to Iglesia Salvador and Iglesia San Luis (two of my favorite churches in Seville), this 18th century church is worth a visit. It is only open in the morning and afternoon during misa (mass).
 Liga Profesional de Fútbol
Location: Seville
Dates: Aug 2009 - May 2010
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 it is a very sad weakness) and
need to see a match no matter what. The benefit of having
two teams in Seville means there is a match
almost every weekend.
 Flamenco Shows in Seville
Location: Various venues
Dates: Every day
web: flamencotickets.com
There are a wide variety of daily flamenco shows in Seville, with locations in different parts of the city center. They range in size from large theatre style (El Palacio Anadaluz) to smaller tablaos (Tablao El Arenal) where a meal is included. Then there are smaller venues with just a drink, from Los Gallos in Santa Cruz to Auditorio Alvarez Quintero and the Flamenco Museum. You can buy tickets in advance through flamencotickets.com.
 AC/DC in Seville
Location: Estadio Olimpico
Dates: 26 June 2010
web: acdc.com
Maybe the only way I can convince some friends to come visit
us! Tickets for AC/DC go on sale 22 April, and while the
stadium is big I would expect it to sell out eventually.
If you will be traveling up north you can also catch them
in Bilbao. Online ticket sales will be through ticketmaster.es.
Guitarra Córdoba Festival 2010
Location: Gran Teatro de Córdoba
Dates: 6 - 25 July
web: guitarracordoba.com
From Flamenco to jazz to rock, this
promises to be a great event just a train ride away in the city of Córdoba.
The Cordoba Guitar Festival always attracts great artists and breathes life
into the city. When you can get there in about 40 minutes on the AVE it
just isn't that far! The bigger artists include: Paco de Lucia, Placebo, Mark Knopfler, Deep Purple, Johnny Winter, and Joe Bonamassa. There are plenty of others in a number of Cordoba's best venues, as well as related activities going on in local theatres and bars.
Noches en los Jardines del Real Alcázar
 Location: Real Alcázar Gardens
Dates: 10 Jul - 27 Aug
web: Actidea.com; Calendar
of concerts
A chance to see music of varying genres, from around the world and over the centuries...well, you get the idea that there is plenty of variety, plus it's in a great
location and at a great price. The setting is the open air gardens in the Alcázar. Tickets
cost just 4 - 5€ and shows
last approximately one hour. The concert series is now 10 years old and one of the most popular things to do in the summer!
 U2
Location: Estadio Olimpico
Dates: 29 September 2010
web: u2.com
Another big name which is sure to draw a crowd. This will be U2's 360° Tour which includes only one other stop in Spain, in San Sebastian. The band typically plays in Spain every 4 - 5 years, so you may want to get your fix now or you'll be waiting a while. Tickets are already on sale through ticketmaster.es.
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.
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.
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.
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.
|
