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.

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!

 

Cines de Verano
Locations: Patio de la Diputación; Universidad de Sevilla
Dates: 4 Jul - 17 Sep (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, with themes cased on actors and directors such as Paul Newman or Steven Soderbergh. 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.

 

Los Toros - Bullfighting
Location: Plaza de Toros de La Maestranza
Dates: 12 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 (12 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.

 

Seville's Metro is up and running!
Date: as of 3 April
After a longer than expected wait (the norm in Seville for prjects like these) the first line of the metro was officially operational just before Semana Santa. In the weeks before they gave away 50,000 bono cards, refillable passes for multiple trips. Sadly it appears the system is not compatible with the bonobus: the cost per trip is higher than the bus. A shame, really! But this will open us up to new areas of Seville to explore easier than before. Soon I will have updates to the Transportation section fo the page with more information.

 

Cabalgata de los Reyes
Location: Center, Nervión, Triana
Dates: 5 January
This exists in many forms on the 5th of December. Much like a Christmas parade back home, the Reyes Magos throw candies to the children as they pass through the streets in a procession. There are many to see, from the larger procession in the center to the cabalgadas organized in many of the neighborhoods such as Nervión and Triana. The streets will be terribly sticky for a few days, so take off your shoes at the door when you get home!

Cabalgata de los Reyes
Location: Center, Nervión, Triana
Dates: 5 January
This exists in many forms on the 5th of December. Much like a Christmas parade back home, the Reyes Magos throw candies to the children as they pass through the streets in a procession. There are many to see, from the larger procession in the center to the cabalgadas organized in many of the neighborhoods such as Nervión and Triana. The streets will be terribly sticky for a few days, so take off your shoes at the door when you get home!

Cabalgata de los Reyes
Location: Center, Nervión, Triana
Dates: 5 January
This exists in many forms on the 5th of December. Much like a Christmas parade back home, the Reyes Magos throw candies to the children as they pass through the streets in a procession. There are many to see, from the larger procession in the center to the cabalgadas organized in many of the neighborhoods such as Nervión and Triana. The streets will be terribly sticky for a few days, so take off your shoes at the door when you get home!

 

El Hilo de la Memoria: 300 Years of Spanish Presence in the U.S.
Location: Archivo de Indias
Dates: Held over (no official end date)
Web: mcu.es
The Exhibit focuses on the importance, duration, reach and influence of the legacy of colonial Spain in the United States. Just a fraction of the original documents held in the archives are on display, mainly focusing on the 300 year period between 1513 and 1822. The Spanish influence was much greater than most have considered. As well, a section of documents is dedicated to the aid that Spain provided to the U.S. as it broke away from England in the War of Independence in 1776.

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 2008 - May 2009
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 first division teams in Seville means there is a match almost every weekend.
Real Betis 2008-9 Schedule
Sevilla FC 2008-9 Schedule
Betis-Seville 2008-9 Schedule - see the combined home schedule for matches in Seville.

Depeche Mode
Location: Estadio Olímipico (Olympic Stadium)
Dates: 12 July 2009
web: ticktackticket.com; depechemodesevilla.com
The sounds of the 80's....ahh to be young again. Although I was never much of a fan, Depeche Mode certainly has a strong following and shouldn't have a problem filling up the stadium on a hot July night in Seville as part of their summer rounds in the "Tour of the Universe". The stadium is outside fo the city center, but with an hour to spare you can walk or take a city bus to get there quicker.

Bruce Springsteen
Location: Estadio Olímipico (Olympic Stadium)
Dates: 28 July 2009
web: ticktackticket.com
From this year's Superbowl to Seville, Spain. Bruce Springsteen is another of the bug name acts to visit Seville in the month of June. Again in the Olympic Stadium, this concert is likely to sell out. Of course expect a mix of the classics with their latest songs. Bring a lot of water with you if you can: July nights in Seville are always terribly hot.

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.