Every Madrilenian knows how complicated summer is in the capital, the asphalt and the almost 40 º C daily do not invite to go out in the street, except for the Veranos de la Villa, which every year refresh the atmosphere. The 41st edition of the summer cultural program returns to Madrid from July 7 to August 24 with a program that turns the city into a great outdoor festival. More than 60 proposals -many of them free- will fill squares, parks, cultural centers and emblematic spaces such as Conde Duque, Matadero, Parque de la Bombilla, Serrería Belga or Instituto San Isidro. The festival is committed to the diversity of genres, accessibility and participation, with shows for all ages and tastes.
The festival opens on July 7 at the Puente del Rey with a great assembly of La Fura dels Baus: Carmen: 150 years, a contemporary reinterpretation of Bizet’s opera with live music by the Municipal Symphonic Band of Madrid and free access. The final touch will be provided on August 24 by the Celia Vive tribute, with Lucrecia paying tribute to the centenary of Celia Cruz at the Pilar García Peña Auditorium.
Concerts and live music at Veranos de la Villa
Music is the protagonist with international and national artists of the highest level:
- Marcus Miller (July 23, Conde Duque): the legendary jazz, funk and soul bassist.
- Astor Piazzolla Quintet (July 24, Conde Duque): a tribute to contemporary tango.
- Tomatito (July 25, Conde Duque): the great flamenco guitarist, making his Madrid premiere.
- Julieta Venegas + Camila Guevara (July 26, Conde Duque): Latin pop and singer-songwriter.
- Martirio (August 3, Conde Duque): fusion of tango and copla.
- Yeray Cortés (August 5, Conde Duque): flamenco.
- Pasión Vega (August 12, Conde Duque): Pasión Almodóvar, a musical review of the films of the director from La Mancha.
- Stereoparty Subterfuge Records (August 13, Conde Duque): indie night with Los Fresones Rebeldes, Lady Banana, Psilicon Flesh and The Killer Barbies.
- Carlos Rodríguez Ballet Flamenco Company** (16 and 17 August, Conde Duque): world premiere of “Hilo de fuego: De Albores. Suite Flamenca”.
- Bikôkô (17 August, Instituto San Isidro): fusion of African rhythms, electronica and pop.
- Lucrecia (August 2 4, Pilar García Peña Auditorium): tribute to Celia Cruz.
In addition, there will be jam sessions, copla concerts (Fran Doblas, Valderrama), flamenco (Álvaro Sola, La Tania), jazz (Pablo Martín Caminero, Pepe Rivero), participatory music and a classic surprise concert at the end of August.
Open-air cinema and performative cinema
The Parque de la Bombilla hosts the original Cine caliente cycle, where screenings of iconic films are combined with live performances by artists such as Nerea Pérez de las Heras, El Cuerpo del Disco, Casquería Fina, Kika Lorace, La Prohibida, Soy una Pringada, Alba Carrillo, Germán González, Jorge Calvo and Feldene Medicada. Among the titles: Mad Max: Fury Road, Un Chihuahua en Beverly Hills, Perdona bonita, pero Lucas me quería a mí, Sexo en Nueva York and Atracción fatal.
Dance, theater and family shows
The program includes premieres by international and national companies:
- Centro Coreografico Nazionale / Aterballetto (July 17 and 18, Matadero): tribute to Ennio Morricone.
- Opera de Paris Junior Ballet (July 29 and 30, Conde Duque): classical and contemporary repertoire.
- Sara Calero (August 2 and 3, Instituto San Isidro): Spanish dance and flamenco.
- Les Trois Plumes (August 1 and 2, Conde Duque): experimental dance.
- Riva & Repele Dance Company (August 8 and 9, Conde Duque): poetry and movement.
- Teatro Defondo (July 25-27, Instituto San Isidro): “Marta la Piadosa”, a classic by Tirso de Molina.
- La Chivata Teatro (August 7-9, San Isidro Institute): tribute to the washerwomen of Madrid.
- Street activities: circus shows(Tartana), participatory theater(Plaza), performance(Sienta la cabeza) and fire shows(Mobius. Art of Fire).
Sensory experiences, workshops and exhibitions
- En el compás del verano (July 10 – August 10, Serrería Belga): olfactory exhibition and perfume workshops to discover Madrid through the senses.
- Musical workshops with the Municipal Symphonic Band of Madrid, open to music students.
- Olfactory routes and perfume tastings, artistic mediation workshops and educational activities for families.
Tickets can be purchased on the official website, at the Tourist Information Center in the Plaza Mayor and at the ticket offices of each venue. There are discounts for seniors, minors, people with disabilities, the unemployed, art students and free admission for young people with JOBO. Many activities and shows are free of charge.