Mixing It Up At Cal Marino

From anchovies to stuffed peppers and cured beef - take your pick at Can Marino.
De achoas a pimientos renellos, y cecina - eligid en Can Marino.

Celler Cal Marino at number 54 c. Margarit is a place where you can sample great wines, vermouths and spirits at varying prices - from as little as €1.60 a litre, so long as you don't mind as a takeaway in a second-hand plastic bottle. These bargain basement brews are available from barrels situated  in the front of this cavernous space. 

Celler Cal Marino, ubicado en c.Margarit, 54 es un lugar por probar vinos, vermuts y licores sobresaliente a precios distintos - desde lo minimo de €1.60 por litre, siempre que no te moleste llevarlo en una botella de plastico. Estas bebidas baratas estan disponsible de los barriles, de delante de esta espacio grande. 


Mixing the traditions of the local bodega serving up cheap plonk to the masses, with more refined wines to drinkers and diners is what Cal Marino is all about. Which is why it came as no surprise when you take a look at the menu of various combination  plates available: in our case piquillo pepper stuffed with foie gras, smoked salmon stuffed with cream cheese, and figs filled with yet more foie, as seen below:

Mezclar las tradiciones de la bodega - con sus vinos barratos por todo el barrio - con vinos y comida más finos por clientes es lo usual en Cal Marino, y por eso la lista de platos combinados no fue una sorpresa. Eligimos uno plato de pimientos piquillos, renellos de foie, rollitos de salmón con queso crema, y higos renellos de más foie (arriba). 

These combined morsals are a new edition to the Cal Marino offering, and are in addition to a great cheese selection (although few if any local offerings), plates of jamón and cecina (pictured, left)- plus a great range of individual tapas, fairly reasonably priced, as you can see from the board, below. 


Estos platos combinados complementan una gama de quesos - aunque pocos de España - platos de jamón y de cecina. También hay un montón de tapas de precios razonables como puedais ver, abajo. 

Celler Can Marino 
c. Magarit 54
Tel: 93 329 45 92
www.facebook.com/
cellercalmarino


Hours
Tues - Thurs: 
11.30- 3.00, 7.00 - 11.00
Weekends & holidays: 
11.30am - 3.00pm
Closed Mondays.


Horarios
Martes - jueves:
11.30 - 15.00, 19.00 - 23.00
Fin de semana y fiestas:
11.30 - 15.00
Cerrado los lunes.

Dead Good Show

Appearing at the XXII Sants Fantasy and Horror Marathon - the Altar Of The Mexican Dead.

The barrio of Sants might not be Poble-sec, but it's pretty close, and unlike Poble-sec, it has a yearly horror and fantasy film festival and competition, which I finally managed to attend this week after years of promising myself I'd do so.

Over 100 shorts were shown at the 22nd Sants Fantasy And Horror Film Marathon,  from Monday to Saturday night, with a raucous audience of well, mainly spotty young men with issues around the opposite sex, as you might expect. As well as the usual stalls of gore-related merchandise and a cheap bar, there was a very interesting series of Mexican altars, commemorating the 100th anniversary of that country's revolution, and as you can see, I took a few photos. You can find out more about the project they are part of here.

The following are some of the best of a very mixed bunch of movies I watched on Wednesday and Saturday nights. 

KORSCHA (Link to trailer)

Dir. Manuel Pérez. Barcelona. 12 min. The perils of cocaine and music boxes when you have  a dead body in the boot of your car.     

                              

IKER JIMENO vs LOS SUPERTARADOS (Link to full movie)

Dir. Ruben Grandos. Sant Llorenç Savall (Barcelona). 12.3 min. A very broad send up of psychic investigators, based on the exploits of Iker Jimenez, self-styled Journalist Of The Unknown. 

AMONA PUTZ

Dir. Telmo Esnal. Donostia (Guipúscoa). 9 min. A wry and very funny commentary on modern parenting from the Basque Country - watch the full movie with English subtitles, below.

LA MADRE (Link to promotional site)

Dir. Alberto Evangelio. Madrid. 6 min. Highly disturbing essay on how things can go very, very wrong when you're a busy mum - and how the media can turn you into a monster.

MACHETAZO (Link to promotional site)
Dir. Iván Ledesma. Madrid. 10 min. Slick, knowing commentary on cool gangster movies, with the protagonists debating the best crime movie ever, whilst engaged in their own nefarious activities. 

GPS (Link to the Making Of video)

Dir. Diego Sanchidrián. Madrid. 8 min. Funny, albeit rather smug treatise on the (potential) effects of modern technology on copping off.

ANOREXIA (Link to full movie)

Dir. K.Prada, J.Prada. Madrid. 3.3 min. A Spanish J-Horror homage. Dodgy acting but pretty creepy, nevertheless. Reputed to feature a member of the [REC] cast. 

THE MESSENGER 
Dir. James J. Wilson. Mallorca. 4.3 min. Another J-Horror-influenced piece (what DID they do for plots before the Internet and mobile phones?) and not bad at all for all that.

LA VERDAD SOBRE EL CASO DE LA MONEDA HIPNOTIZADORA. 

Dir. J. Oskura Nájera. Barcelona. 9 min. Intensely silly movie about horror fan boys, by fan boys and for fan boys. 

Sec Soap Opera Continues

U E Poble Sec - El Culebrón Continua

Altercation at Iberiana. Thanks to the Gimnastica blog for the photo.

Altercado en el campo de Gimnastica Iberiana. Gracias al blog de Gimnastica por la foto.

Just when you thought it was safe to support Unió Esportiva Poble Sec, a double whammy belts you around the head like a penalty mis-kick from  a centre forward trying an ill-judged trick shot.

Justo cuando pensabais fuera justificado a apoyar Unió Esportiva Poble Sec de nuevo, de repente dos cosas os chocan, casi conjuntos.

The first new episode in this long-running saga of footballing folk opened when club president Pedro Venero made the sensible decision to sack coach Rafa Valencia. He chose former El Sec player, and experienced pair of hands, Paco Bonilla, as replacement, in reply to an appalling start to the season of three draws and six defeats.

El primero capitulo de esta saga futbolista de larga duración estreñó cuando el presidente del club, Pedro Venero tomó la decisión sensata a despedir entrenador Rafa Valencia. Elegió Paco Bonilla como sustituto,  un hombre con mucho experiencía y antiguo jugador del Sec, después los tres empates y seis derrotas de esta temporada.

After a disappointing loss, away against Sants on 31st October, Venero was vindicated with our first win of the season: 2 - 1 against  Tortosa at La Satalia, the following week. Then disaster struck. Or rather, half the team did. After having a meal out with the ousted Valencia, nine players announced to el presidente that they would be boycotting the team, effective immediately (Wednesday 10th November).

Después una pérdida decepcionante a Sants en 31 octubre, la accion de Venero se justifca debido a la primera victoria de la temporada: 2 - 1  a Tortosa en La Satalia, la semana seguiente. Entonces el desastre  se produjo. Después de cenar con Valencia, nueve jugadores dijieron al presidente ellos boicotaría el equipo, inmediatamente (el miercoles 10 Noviembre).  

This put the team in the difficult position of only having eleven players to call on in total, and me in the unusual position of being four-square behind Sr. Venero.

Esta acción resulta un equipo de once jugadores, en total. Por la primera vez yo tenía mucho simpatiá por  Sr. Venero.

The second act of this melodrama occurred this Sunday, the 14th November. Depleted in numbers and facing the sharp tongues of Gimnastica Iberiana's voluble fans, not to mention the variable footballing skills of the La Gimnastica themselves (motto: Humility, Hard Work, Sacrifice), El Sec now had to contend with another handicap - their own relatives.

El segundo parte de este melodrama ocurrio el domingo 14 noviembre. Con equipo muy reducido y enfrentando las lenguas mordaces de los fans de Gimnastica Iberiana y, además el equipo (lema: Humilidad, Trabajo, Sacraficio), El Sec tenía otra desventaja - sus proprios parientes.  

After what has been described as by some (but not all) as an unprovoked, off-the-ball attack by Sec player Cata on Gimnastica team member Guti in the 70th minute, a near fight broke out between the teams. This was reportedly joined by Cata's parents, brother and girlfriend.

Después de - según unos (pero no todos) - un agredido de sequista Cata a jugador de Gimnastica, Guti en el minuto 70, algo acerca de una pelea brotó entre los equipos. Según reportajes participaban en el incidente los padres, el herman y la novia de Cata.

The match was abandoned, with a final score of 1-0 to Gimnastica. Some reports mention that the Mossos d'Esquadra were called. What is clear, however, is that the situation was quickly calmed, due to the intervention of Gimnastica fans and Sec players.

El partido fue suspendido con el resultado final de 1 - 0 a favor de Gimnastica. Unos reportajes dicen que se lamó a los Mossos d'Esquadra. Pero lo claro es que la situcación se traqulizo rapidamente, gracia a unos fans de Gimnastica, y jugadores de U E Poble Sec.

But the damage has been done. The incident has been referred to the Catalan footballing authorities, who will also make a decision on the Sec players who are (as far as I'm aware) continuing to boycott their club. As to what will befall us at the next -  home -  match on Sunday 21st November, who can tell.

Las authoridades del futbol Catalan han se informan sobre el incidente, y juzgarán tambien en el caso de los jugadores involcrado en el boicot del equipo de Poble Sec que continuan su protesta, que lo sepa . Lo que pasará el partido proximo, el domingo 21 noviembre, no sé.  

Here's a short report from BTV: 

www.btvnoticies.cat

Bar Só Ló - Rones, arte y hablando en plata

Basta con los banalidades! | Throw triviality in the trash at Bar Só Ló.

Pasamos mucho tiempo en Bar Só Ló, ubicado en c. Margarit, 18 durante el campeonato mundial, mirando los partidos con amigos y tomando unas cervezas. Pero esta lugar, con su ambiente bohemio, muebles de segunda mano y rincones acogedores, es mejor disfrutado como un bar de noche, con un coctel de 6 por la tarde hasta 2 en la madraguda - excepte los lunes y martes, cuando esta cerrado.

Só Ló tiene más que 80 rones
Só Ló has more than 80 rums.

We spent a lot of time at Bar Só Ló - located at 18 c. Margarit - during the world cup, watching matches and drinking beers with friends. But this establishment, with its bo-ho atmosphere, second-hand furniture and cosy corners is best enjoyed as a a night bar, cocktail in hand, from 6 in the evening til 2 in the morning- except Mondays and Tuesday, when the bar closes.

O una copa de ron. El bar tiene la gama más amplia en el barrio - o quizas la ciudad. Podrías disfrutar algo de Nicaragua, Jamaica o Cuba mientras mirando a las cuadras que colgan en las parades del bar, escuchando a la musica (a veces en directo). Hay también sabores de rones caseras, como de especias y varias frutas si quieras.

Or a glass of rum. The at around 80 different types, the bar has the widest range in the barrio or perhaps even the whole city. You could be enjoying something from Nicaragua, Jamaica or Cuba whilst admiring one of the paintings that adorn the walls, listening to the music (which is sometimes live). There are also home-made flavours available, featuring a variety of different fruits and spices.

Lo que no puedes hacer es beber es Coca-Cola. En su lucha contra las banalidades del mundo barista de Barcelona, el dueño sierve Fritz Cola, como alternativa. Cosimo no tiene miedo a hablar fracamente de sus opiniones sobre el barrio de Pueblo Seco, tampoco. Aunque no lo comparto, es muy frescante oír otra punto de vista. Ve el video abajo por más detales...

The thing you won't be able to drink is Coca-Cola. In his constant struggle against the overly predictable in the world of Barcelona's night-life, the proprietor serves Fritz Cola instead. Neither is Cosimo worried to speak frankly about the barrio of Poble-sec. Although I don't share it, it's quite refreshing to hear another point of view. Watch the interview (below) and see for yourself...

Number One c. Blai, One Year Old, & One of The Best

La Tieta - Number 1 c. Blai. One year old. And number one in the area?
La Tieta - primer sitio en c. Blai - ¿y el primer bar en la localidad? 

A sure sign that I have fallen well behind in my postings is that La Tieta, a bar I visit on at least a weekly basis recently celebrated its first birthday - and I still hadn't got around to reviewing it. In fact I still don't have the usual photos of the dishes produced by this fine addition to the burgeoning c. Blai scene, so you'll have to take my word for it - or go to c. Blai 1, and try them yourself.

El primer cumpleaños de La Tieta fue un señal muy claro he ido atrasado con mis postings, porque todavía no había escrito algo sobre este bar, que visito al menos una vez por semana. De echo, ni yo tengo tampoco las fotos usuales de los platos, y por lo tanto tendrás probarles por tu mismo. 

Click to enlarge the wine list.
Haz click por ampliar la carta.

La Tieta is modelled on an old-style local, with a chill cabinet atop a modest bar, a few stalls and a price list written on a mirror. It also has a number of dishes you'd expect from a traditional bar, such as tortilla española (although this is rarely on the menu these days, unfortunately) plus cheeses,  complementary olives, and pan con tomate. 


La Tieta esta basado en el local de toda la vida, con un vitrino de enfriar encima de una barra modesta, unos taburetes y los precios escritos en un espejo. También, tiene unos platos tradicionales como tortilla española - aunque solamente esta disponsible raras veces, por desgracia - y quesos, aceitunas gratis, y pan con tomate.


What's new is a great selection of wines at reasonable prices, more innovative, nouvelle dishes such as artichoke hearts with romesco sauce drizzled with olive oil and scattered with sesame seeds, and mushrooms stuffed with black pudding.

Tiny bar, big recommendation.
Barra chica, muy recomendable.

Lo nuevo es una gama amplia de vinos de precios asequibles, platos más innovadores, como corazones de alcachofas con sala romesco, aceite y semillas de sésamo; y champiñones rellenos con morcilla.

Fusing traditional style with newer offerings and friendly service is what La Tieta does so well - both in the no-smoking interior and its terrace. It is also one of the very few good bars in the area with hours to fill the post-lunch-pre-evening dead zone.

La combinación de cosas nuevas y antiguas, y servicio amable es lo que La Tieta hace tan bien. Además es abierto despues de la hora de la comida, cuando la grande mayoría de bares por allí estan cerrados. 

One word of cation - although prices continue to be very good value, portions may be getting a little smaller as the  recession continues to bite. That said, I throughly recommend La Tieta as an enjoyable, inexpensive tapas and wine bar in the heart of Poble-sec.

Una nota de prudencia - aunque los precios se quedan razonables, es possible que el tamaño de raciones se hace más pequeño como una resulta de la crisis. Sin embargo, La Tieta es muy recomendable como un bar de tapas y vinos asequibles en la corazón de Pueblo Seco.  

Cosecha otoñal

El verano esta acabado, y aunque las diversiónes de esa estación han terminado también, las frutas de tantas dias de sol recientemente se han convertido listas a difrutar. Frutas como la granada (Punica granatum),  aceitunas - in esto caso, arbequinas - y limequats.

Summer's well and truly over - even in Spain, and although the enjoyments of the teason have also come to an end the fruits of so many sunny days have only recently become available. Fruits such as the pomegranate (Punica granatum), olives - in our case the native Catalan variety of arbequina - and limequats.

Aceitunas arbquinas | Arbequina olives

Limequats

  

Por disfrutar las granadas, simplemente corta, saca los granos y evita los huesos.

To enjoy pomegranates just cut them open, remove the pink flesh - and avoid the pips.

Los limequats estan mejor con gin o vodka. Limpia las frutas, seca los exterioriores, perfora cada una y ponles en el liquido durante 6 - 8 semanas como minimo. 

Limequats are best with as the ingredient for limequat gin or vodka. Clean the fruits, dry the outsides, pierce each one with a wooden skewer and put them in the alcohol for a minimum of 6 - 8 weeks. 

El trato se aceitunas antes de comer per reducir el armagor es un asunto de muchos opiniones distinctos. Sra. HD les limpió, secó, perferó y puso ena solución de 10:1 agua y sal, por volumen. Ella cambia el liquido cada dias, y pruebe una aceituna. Esperamos a disfruta los resultados con interés. 
There are a huge number of opinions on how to treat fresh olives to reduce their bitterness before eating. Mrs. HD's method is to clean and dry and pierce each one, then put them all in a 10% brine solution - by volume. The liquid is changed ever 10 days, which is also an opportunity to test them. end We await the results with interest.

Las guindillas son una fuente de sabor y olor en cualquier balcón.


Chillies are a source of both flavour and colour on any balcony.

The Tale Of The Thunder Banger

El Cuanto De Thunder Banger 4

Thunder Banger  4 ready for launch? | ¿Thunder Banger 4 listo por lanzar?

Montjüic isn't short of interesting sights. From the great views of the city, to kind-hearted residents feeding the abandoned cats, from the gorgeous blossoming trees to the cruising bears there's something for everyone - including , it seems petrol heads with a Gerry Anderson fetish.


No hay un escasez de cosas interesante por ver en Montjüic. Vistas inpresionates de la cuidad, vecinos de buna corazón alimentando los gatos abandonados, flores brilliantes y osos haciendo el cruising... hay cosas por todos los gustos. Y incluye motoristas frikis con un fetiche de Gerry Anderson.

Walking back from the Picornell sports centre I saw the amazing sight of Thunder Banger 4 parked near to the Olympic stadium. It had already lost its tail fin, and appeared to be abandoned. Going online I discovered the story of how this customised car had come to be made and why it had travelled to Barcelona in the first place.


Cuando yo estaba caminando desde de la piscina Picornell ví Thunder Banger 4* aparcado a lado de el Estadio Olympic. Ya habia perdido la aleta y parecía ser abandonado. En el red discubrí la historía de esta coche, y porque viajaba a Barcelona. *Literalmente, Chacharro de Trueno, y un juego de palabras sobre Thunder Birds, un serie de ciencia-ficción por Gerry Anderson.


Once I had contacted Keith Huntington, one of its drivers, the reason for its current predicament became clear. Keith told me that once they had completed the Barmy To Barcelona banger rally on 16th July and raising an impressive amount of cash for the CLIC, the UK's leading children's cancer charity they needed to retire TB4 as humanely as possible. "We tried all over Barcelona and Spain to find a charity that would take the car for free," he told me,  "but drew blanks every time....paper work issues, insurance issues etc, etc."


Una vez contacté a Keith Huntington, uno de los motoristas el motivo por la condioción actual de la coche se hizo claro. Keith me dijo que después de un rally a barcelona en la fecha 16 julio y recaudar dinero por CLIC, un ONG contra el cáncer infantil, debaran que jubilar el vehicúlo pronto. Pero tenían un monton de marrones por los seguros y otras cuestiones legales. 

"Eventually literally one hour from being crushed we sold said Thunderbanger to a parking valet at our Hotel for 1 euro on condition that A, If he could find charity to take it great. B, He could strip back to normal car and have to keep. (Or) C, He would take to scrappers for crushing which we had arranged would be free. All paper work is above board so we do hope he has not dumped it..."


Entonces, literalmente una hora antes de dejar TB4 por chatarra, el equipo vendó el vehiculo a el mozo de hotel por un Euro. La ganga dependió  un compromiso de no abandonar la coche...

I for one really hope he hasn't, although in the past week Thunder Banger 4 hasn't blasted off to anywhere, and remained firmly grounded, as well as suffering for ongoing minor vandalism. However, with mystery green lights seen in the skies of Barcelona the last week (according to BTV, Barcelona's premier news source, below), could it be that TB4 isn't the only unusual craft to visit Montjüic this summer? The truth is out there...


Espero que el mozo ha guardado su promesa, aunque durante una semana Thunder Banger no parece a lanzarse a ningun destino, además ha sufrido vandalismo leve. Sin embargo las reportajes de luces misteriosas en el cielo arriba de la zona es posible que TB4 no es el unico nave visitar a Montjüic esta verano. La verdad esta lejos de aqui...

www.btvnoticies.cat

Fiesta Mayor, Música Sobresaliente

DJ Tigre, dueño de La Bodega Saltò, cantante de La Ruge Band
y la cara más tradiciónal de la Fiesta Mayor de Pueblo Seco.
DJ Tigre, owner of the Bodega Saltò, lead singer of La Ruge Band
and the more traditional face of the el Poble-sec Festa Major.

Como dije en el posting previo, esta fiesta major de Pueblo Seco fue la mejor hemos asistado. A pesar de menos escenarios este año había más talente, más variadad y más experimentción, sobre todo en la música. No es solamente la opinión mia. Ni de coña - la peluquera de Sra. H&D la dijo equal, por lo tanto debe se ser verdadero.

As I said in the previous posting, this Festa Major in el Poble-sec was the best we've ever experienced. Despite less stages there was more talent, variety and experimentation - above all in the music. And that not merely my opinion - not by a long way. Mrs. H&D's hairdresser made the same observation, so it must be true. 

La Associación de Swing de Barcelona hace fiesta fuera del Bar "36".

The Barcelona Swing Association parties outside Bar 36, c. Elkano.

Pasabamos la mayoría del fiesta en Espai 36, un tramo de c. Elcano enfrente de Bar 36. Allí veíamos La Associación de Swing de Barcelona bailar, como puedes ver en el video arriba. Mientras disfrutabamos el espectaculo, notamos que el dj ponía un monton de versions de éxitos estilo swing. Entre estas fue Pump Up The Jam tocado por The Lost Fingers. Disfutalo.

We spent most of the festa at Espai 36, a stretch of calle Elcano outside Bar 36. There we saw The Barcelona Swing Association perform, as you can see in the above video. While we were enjoying the show we also noticed that the DJ was playing a lot of swing versions of hit records, including Pump Up The Jam, played by The Lost Fingers. Enjoy.

En los días siguientes Dj The Swing of Ramírez pinchaba más discos lounge, y estabamos para disfrutarles. A la otra estrema de la gama músical, pero solamente unas calles de distancía pudiera encontrar el Luchankos Gang, una pandilla de DJs de rock, más Los Picamoto (izquierda) un grupo de power garage de Valencía. No pude encontrar aglo de Los Picamoto online. En lugar de ellos, Here Are The Sonics!!!

Dj The Swing of Ramírez played a lot more lounge records in the following days, and we were to enjoy them all. Meanwhile, at the other end of the musical spectrum but only a few streets distant you could have found the Luchankos Gang, comprising a group of rock DJs plus Los Picamoto (left), a power garage band from Valencia. I couldn't find anything by them online, so instead, Here Are The Sonics!!!

Masks, Disguises And Make-Believe At The Festa Major

The Festa Major is a time the barri becomes a world unto itself. Even more than usually, El Poble-sec seems completely remote from the rest of the city, the world - and even reality. Beginning on the Saturday 17th July and ending Sunday 25th it combines pleasures, terrors and large measures old and new.

The short video, above shows The Smoking Heads, a performance art piece that took place in c. Blesa, involving actors disguised as skeletal beings, dressed in a way reminescent of depictions of evil capitalists. As the troupe's name suggest, thick black smoke belched from their stovepipe hats while bangers went off and a sinister red light glowed. The symbolism of the iniquities of late industrial capitalism and the coming ecocide was sledgehammer subtle - yet highly effective in creating a  unnerving and disorientating atmosphere amongst the party-goers.

Gigants from l - r: Armand, Rosa and Quimet.

The following day held more traditional diversions - yet they could be just as surreal for those not familiar with Catalan customs. One of my first posts dealt with els gigantes. As a I mentioned then, the couple of Armand, the rich industrialist and cabaret afficionado, and Rosa the vedette represent Poble-sec's glamourous (or seedy, however you see it) past of showgirls and their rich patrons.

Armand always follows Rosa, and always bears two presents: a bunch of flowers and a string of pearls, (pictured, left) which remain hidden. Meanwhile, Quimet - who represents the legendary Quimet i Quimet bar - which according to rumour is Ferran Adrià's favourite - ensures neither of the illicit lovers suffers thirst. Rosa is unique in that she is the only one of her race to have visible legs. She had also changed costume since we'd last seen her, which was even more revealing than usual.

Hello gorgeous! A cap gros leers my way.

Although now most - if not all - barris, villages and towns in Catalonia have their own gigantes, their modern existence in Poble-sec only dates from 1987, when they were very different to now, and a lot heavier. Follow this link to a great interview with Xavier Velasco, originator of the colla, or association,  of gigantes in el Poble-sec in which he speaks enthusiastically (and in Spanish)  about his family's key involvement in this fascinating cultural movement.

The grotesques known as Els Caps Grossos (literally, Big Heads) play second fiddle to the gigants - mainly due to their relative lack of stature and smaller numbers. They are very popular, however, with some of the uglier and more sinister examples creating a frisson of fear in the younger children.

A rose between two thorns.

Joining a parade of such brilliantly realised humanoids does impart a real sense of other-worldliness as they walk among us. Just as alcohol, music, dancing, street decoration and other techniques transform the everyday into the mysterious and wondrous, the gigantes and caps grosses have a major part to play in leading us - pied-piper-like into another realm.

For children of all ages...

Other participants also change their identities with masks, and as in the picture here, face-painting. Others, such as these children are hell-bent on environmental transformations of a not altogether welcome kind. This sort of creative/destructive behaviour is very much part and parcel of the spirit of festa, in the same way that the correfoc is.

Everything's gone green.

In the next post I'll give you an idea of some of the great music we heard at this year's Festa - which has proved to be the best we have yet attended. Fins aviat!

Don Letts Takes On The Spanish World Cup Squad

Don Letts Se Enfrenta La Selección Española

Let's be avin' you - The Don Of Dub.

Don Letts - La Leyenda.

"So you're not watching the football, then?" asked film-maker, DJ, Clash collaborator and ex-member of Big Audio Dynamite Don Letts in response to our hearty greeting. We wouldn't usually be quite so gauche when going to to a gig, but as we were amongst the youngest members of a very sparse audience at the Caixa Forum, we thought he might need a bit of encouragement. 

"Pues - ¿no mirais el fútbol?" pidió director , DJ, collaborador del Clash , y antiguo musico con Big Audio Dynamite  Don Letts, en repuesta de nuestra saludo caluroso. Normalamente, no fueramos tan directos mientras en una concierto. Pero puesto que estuvimos entre los espectadores más jovenes en un auditorio muy pequeño a La Caixa Forum, pensamos Don pusiera haber querer ánimo. 

The football that the one-time dealer for Bob Marley was referring to was the World Cup quarter final match between Spain and Portugal, and the reason for the shockingly bad (and badly shocked) turn-out. After going on stage and putting a dub mix of popular and retro tunes, he confided that he was going to run out of slow numbers: "And I don't think this lot would like some of the bangers I've got!" he continued, gesturing to the blue-rinses populating the back rows. The front rows were empty, except for us dancing like it was 1979. Poor Don. 

El fútbol de que le referió el antiguo camello de Bob Marley, fue La Copa Mondial cuarto partido entre España y Portugal. También fue el motivo por la falta de espectadores. Depués de tomando el escenario y poniendo un dub mix de canciónes buen conocidas, nos confió que fue a agotió de canciónes despacios. "Y creo que esta gente no le gustaría los demás." 

After the excellent set, which took in a lot of classic dub and reggae such as Horace Andy and Dave & Ansell Collins, plus some sly dub versions of more mainstream numbers we took the opportunity to thanks him for his efforts, despite the appalling lack of a crowd that an artist of his stature deserved. As I mentioned earlier, we don't usually pester pop stars, and the following exchange, indicates why:

Boy: Don, do you mind me asking you about Joe Strummer?

Don: Err... no...

Boy: What was he like? Did he like Spain?

Don: Errrrrr....

Después de una actuación sobresaliente que consistió en mucho pistas clasicas de dub y reggae de artistas como Horace Andy i Dave & Ansell Collins, y unas versiones, estilo dub, tomamos la oportunidad por agradacerle por todo. Dio muchas esfuerzas a pesar de condiciones horrorosas - condiciones que no le merece un artista de estatura. Como mencioné antes, usualmente no les molestamos los pop stars, y el dialogo siguiente es un ejemplo del movito por no hacerlo. 

Chico: Don - ¿te molestaría si preguntarte sobre Joe Strummer?

Don: Pues... no...

Chico ¿Cómo estuvo Joe? ¿Le gustó España?

Don: Pues... yo...

In the end I guess you would have to say that Spanish football mania won the day - and even beat Portugal 1-0 - which was a shame - a shame for Spain. Hopefully Don will be back to mix another day - during the cricket.

Al fin y al cabo supongo ganó la mania futbolistas española. De hecho al seleción vencó a Portugal 1-0. Pero con suerte volerá Don para mix de nueveo - quizás durante el cricket.

I've scoured the InterWebs for a decent representation of the set he played, but without success. Instead I'll leave you with him discussing Punk attitude, Bob Marley and his own first involvement in the music scene as a DJ at the Roxy. Be warned: it does get a bit sweary in places.  

He buscado por todos partes con el motivo de mostrar algo de lo que Don Letts tocaba aquela noche, pero no he tenido éxito. En lugar de eso, os dejaré con un clip de él hablando acerca de la atidud Punk, Bob Marley y su propio primera parcipación en el musical ámbito. Cuidado - hay palabrotas.