People say these are bad times for the music (in Spanish: “Corren malos tiempos para la música”). So it could be quite hard to find a good pianist… Well, in Toni 2… they have three!!!!!
Toni 2 is not a karaoke; the people that go here to singare actually incredible artists!!

Located in the heart of the city, close to the National Library, between calle Barquillo and Paseo de Recoletos, Toni 2 was originally a different business, but the owner introduced a piano and now it is the reference of the place.

I could say that Toni 2 and just a few other, like Café Gijón and El Espejo, are the only emblematic venues for a different night out in Madrid.

It is a very special place, a symbol of spontaneity because everybody is sitting around the large piano and there are turns for everybody to take the microphone and sing. It is surprising how you can see people from different ages with the same passion.

It’s open from midnight till six in the morning, every day of the year. So here you will listen to traditional Spanish or international songs that you can ask the pianist to play.
A totally different concept for a piano bar. A real discovery!

By Teresa Juan López from SpottedByLocals.com/madrid
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Gràcia Arts Project is a small, lively art gallery situated right at the heart of Barcelona.

The gallery is run by a growing association of over 60 artists, designers, photographers, makers, writers, film-makers and performers.
Though it’s called Gràcia Arts Project, because that’s where its roots lay, the gallery is in Barrio Gótico, immediately adjacent to the Generalitat (Catlunyan government HQ). The association has a good multi-national mix, and includes members originally from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Italy, Netherlands as well as Catalunya and Spain.

The exhibitions change every two weeks. The gallery also hosts music, poetry, film, spoken word and multi-media events every now and then.
It’s a good spot to visit to get a good, up close feel for the range, quality and sensibility of art being produced in the city right now.
I enjoy going along to the exhibition openings and closings – informal cava fueled affairs which spill out into the street – to meet and chat with some very talented, sparky artists.

There’s an air of creative possibility, and the association has exciting plans for a much larger arts center, including performance spaces and studios, to be based in Gracia. The association is very open to ideas and is looking to form creative partnerships with other artist-run projects across Europe.
Check out their website, take a tour of the virtual gallery, and maybe sign up to receive regular e-mail bulletins and invites to openings, closings and surprise events.

By Bill Sinclair from SpottedByLocals.com/barcelona
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