Scene What's new and happening this month

Familias del Mundo @ Museo Nacional de Antropología
This exhibition of pictures by photojournalist Peter Menzel charts the daily life of different families around the world, focusing on their homes and material possessions. The show includes fascinating images of 30 families from countries such as Bhutan, Iceland, Germany and Ethiopia. Museo Nacional de Antropología, C/Alfonso XII, 68 (Metro: Atocha). Until 12 Sept. Tue-Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 10am–3pm. €3. http://mnantropologia.mcu.es

Clásicos en Verano
Over the summer the Comunidad de Madrid will be putting on a musical feast involving 100 concerts in 63 historical venues—including castles, plazas, monasteries and churches—around the region. The Clásicos en Verano festival is one of the largest of its kind in the world, says director Consuelo Diez, and will feature performances from musicians from Spain and across the globe, including Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cuba, US, UK and Vietnam. Names such as Nan Maro Babakhanian, Iñaki Fresán and Léon Berben, Cecilia Lavilla and Claudio Camisassa, Degani, Zarabanda and Adam Levin (right) will be playing everything from works from the Middle Ages to new pieces especially composed for the festival. Venues include the Castillo de San José de Valderas in Alcorcón, the Patio de Armas del Castillo in Buitrago del Lozoya and the Basilica Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Clásicos en Verano, various venues around the Madrid region. 1 July-15 Aug. Free, except for a small number of venues.
See www.madrid.org/clasicosenverano for full schedule.

El Estragón summer terrace
La Latina’s El Estragón vegetarian restaurant, which promises to surprise non-veggies with its famously tasty dishes, has opened a dining terrace for the summer. Now you can enjoy some of the best meat-free food in Madrid in the tranquil surroundings of Plaza de la Paja. El Estragón Vegetariano, Plaza de la Paja, 10
(Metro: La Latina). Tel: 91 365 89 82. www.elestragonvegetariano.co

Music festival roundup
We covered the biggest music festivals in our May issue, but there is a plethora of other smaller events happening around the country this July. Check out international bands, fresh talent and national treasures in fantastic settings, with prices to suit all pockets. Whether you want to dance to electro on the beach or sing along with your favourite indie band in the shadow of a medieval castle, Spain has a musical jamboree for you.

Faraday The Wedding Present, Jeff Tweedy, Nick Lowe, Mujeres and Pájaro Sunrise. El Molí de Mar, Barcelona, Catalunya. 2-4 July. Tickets: €65 for three days; €25 for one day. www.faraday.tv

Vigo Transforma Orbital, Polock, The Divine Comedy, Love of Lesbian, Fanfarlo. Various venues in Vigo, Galicia. 9-10 July. Tickets: €40 for both days, €25 for one. www.vigotransforma.com

Pulpop Love of Lesbian, Arizona Baby, Maga, and Diecinueve. Plaza de Toros, Roquetas de Mar, Almeria. 10 July. Entrance: Free. www.pulpop.es

Cultura Quente Ocean Colour Scene, The Raveonettes, Tricky, The Sonics, Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, Hola a Todo El Mundo. Carballeira de Caldas, Caldero de Reis, Pontevedra, Galicia. 16-17 July. Free. www.culturaquente.com

Santander Amstel Music Belle and Sebastian, The Dandy Warhols, Vive la Fête, La Habitación Roja andDelorean. Campa del Palacio de la Magdalena,Santander, Cantabria. 23-24 July. Tickets: from €35. www.santandermusic.es

Lowcost Festival Editors, Placebo, Raveonettes, Lori Meyers, Los Planetas, Love of Lesbian, Adam Green, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Boat Beam, Hola a Todo el Mundo. Parque L’Aigüera, Benidorm, Alicante, 23-24 July. Tickets: €45. www.lowcostfestival.es

Extremadura Contempopranea Cruzcampo Los Planetas, La Habitación Roja, Love of Lesbian, Tachenko, Sidonie, Delorean, Klaus & Kinski, Joe Crepusculo, Anni B Sweet, The Punsetes. Paseo de las Laderas del Castillo de Luna, Alburquerque, Badajoz. 22-24 July. Tickets: from €45 for day pass and €70 for three-day pass. www.contempopranea.com

Red Bull X-Fighters @ Las Ventas
Spain’s greatest bullring is the appropriate setting for the tenth anniversary celebration of Red Bull X-Fighters—a freestyle motorbike spectacular and a heaven for petrol-heads everywhere. Riders include Australia’s Robbie Maddison (famous for breaking jumping records for distance and height), American Nate Adams (winner of Red Bull X-Fighters 2009), Norway’s André Villa (championship leader) and Spanish hope Dany Torres. Red Bull X-Fighters, Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, C/Alcalá, 237 (Metro: Ventas). 22-23 July. Tickets: from €33 for one day; from €65 for two-day pass. www.elcorteingles.es

La Tabacalera
Be sure to check out the recently opened National Centre for the Visual Arts on the site of the former tobacco factory in Lavapiés. In July this awesome artistic space will be hosting a “Pecha Kucha Night”, including presentations from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields. There will also be dance from La Flor De Lavapiés and theatre from El Molino Rojo. La Tabacalera, C/Embajadores, 53 (Metro: Embajadores). 10am-midnight daily. Free. http://latabacalera.net

Corona y Arqueología en el Siglo de las Luces @ Palacio Real
July is the last month to see this fascinating exhibition that explores the birth of science in Spain under the Bourbon Kings of the 18th century and includes a study of the archaeology and science of the Enlightenment. You can see 150 pieces belonging to the collections of the Patrimonio Nacional, the Real Academia de la Historia and the Prado museum. Palacio Real, C/Bailén, s/n (Metro: Ópera). Until 31 July. Mon–Sat 9am-6pm; Sun and holidays 9am-3pm. Tickets: unguided tour €8, guided tour €10. www.patrimonionacional.es

Jazz Círculo @ Círculo de Bellas Artes
The Madrid Jazz Circle started in 2007 with the aim of emulating the great jazz clubs in cities like London, Paris and New York. In this tenth edition, you can hear Spanish and international talents such as the Larry Martin Band (pictured right), one of the most respected jazz-blues bands in Spain, not to mention Austrian band The Flow and the VVG Trío. Círculo de Bellas Artes, C/Alcalá, 42 (Metro: Banco de España). 2, 10 and 16 July, 10pm. Tickets: €15, €12 members. www.circulobellasartes.com.

Festival de Verano @ Teatro Auditorio
San Lorenzo de El Escorial
This music and dance fest out in El Escorial includes classical music performances of Schumman, Albeniz, Chopin; operas such as Tosca; and a production of Carmen by Ballet de Teatres de la Generalitat Valenciana. There will also be talks on classical music and composers. On 22, 24, 30 and 31 July you can make a proper night of it and enjoy dinner at the theatre after the opera performance. Teatro Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Parque Felipe II, San Lorenzo. Until 6 Aug. See www.teatroauditorioescorial.es for more info and tickets

Taller la Griega summer workshops
Looking for something for the kids to do this summer? Check out the multidisciplinary workshops put on by Carmen la Griega, an artist who specialises in children’s education. They prompt youngsters to paint, construct, act and create stories using a variety of media and their bodies. The sessions take place in the Palacio de Gaviria—a magnificent 19th-century palace constructed in the Italian Renaissance style where children will be surrounded by frescos by Joaquin de Espalter, Queen Isabel II’s painter. There are three, one-week workshops to choose from, but hurry to sign up as space is limited. Taller la Griega, C/Arenal, 9 (Metro: Sol). Tel: 91 429 61 07; 658 275 597. Price: €135 per week. Mon-Fri 10am-2pm. Various one-week sessions: 5-9 July; 12-16 July; 26-30 July; 2-6 Aug; 9-13 Aug.

Bambudanza dance courses
For adults and kids looking to dance away the heat, Bambudanza offers several summer dance intensives varying from weekend to two-week courses. Styles range from hip-hop to contemporary to Afrobrasileño to Contact Improv, among others, with various instructors and levels available. Bambudanza, C/Doctor Cortezo, 17, third floor (Metro: Tirso de Molina). Tel: 91 389 63 58. For class schedules and prices, visit bambudanza.com.

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