Film festivals, museums under darkness, and jazz: What to do in November

Last month, a new set of restrictions were enforced which saw the reduction of capacities of cultural activities reduced to 50%, but we can at least celebrate the fact that events were and are still allowed to go ahead, although always under the possibility of being suspended. 

With that in mind, for November we’ve selected a range of online activities, exhibitions, film festivals, and concerts to enjoy through November. 

1. In-Edit film festival | Online | October 29 - November 8

In-Edit, one of the world’s biggest music documentary film festivals, will be available for the eyes of the whole planet to view this year, as the cinema spectacle moves 100% online. With a new online platform established to stream films directly to people’s homes, the festival offers a range of different ‘packs’ to choose from, including a National pack, a short films pack, and of course the entire festival catalogue. In total, nearly 50 titles will be available to watch. 

Some highlights screening this year include an extensive work on the life and work of Brian Jones, one of the mythical original frontmen of the Rolling Stones who passed away in 1969, a film about two DJs defying the Islamic regime in Iran, and the remarkable untold story of female pioneers of electronic music.

2. Other film festivals | Online | Various dates

Now into its 27th edition, the Suncine film festival focusses entirely on the environment. As with many others, the festival is taking place entirely online this year. Now more than ever, organisers claim, the festival is hugely important to rethink humanity’s relationship with nature and the planet. A selection of films curated by Suncine hopes to get that message across. 

The Molins de Rei Horror Film Festival is also back for another edition. This year, the festival goes partly online through the platform Filmin, while some enticing in-person packets are also available to purchase for the cinema experience. 

3. Barcelona Jazz Festival | Different venues | Various dates

The vast majority of the Barcelona Jazz Festival programme takes place during November. Once again, some of the biggest names in world jazz come to the Catalan capital to bring their global melodies, rhythms, and talents to the local audience. 

Don’t miss actress and singer Ute Lemper in the Palau de la Musica Catalan on November 6th, American jazz pianist Brad Mehldau in the same venue of the 4th, while Sílvia Pérez Cruz is one of the featured artists this year, playing four times in November and December. 

4. Concerts | Different venues | Various dates

As usual, Catalonia has a great selection of concerts to enjoy. In November, Vilassar de Mar dancehall sensation Bad Gyal takes to the stage in Sant Jordi Club in Barcelona on November 27. 

As part of the Guitar BCN festival, Bely Basarte plays two shows in Barts on November 13.

Pol Granch, the winner of Spanish X Factor, takes to Apolo on November 14. 

In Tarragona, don’t miss legendary Catalan rock group Els Pets at the Auditori Camp de Mart on November 6.

5. Moscow Ballet perform Romeo and Juliet | Girona | November 9

In northern Catalonia, the Moscow Ballet will perform their interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the Girona Auditori. Under the stewardship of Timur Fayziev, Prokofiev’s sweet-toned sounds will play out the tragic story of the star-crossed lovers.

6. Night of the Museums | Across Barcelona | November 14

https://www.barcelona.cat/lanitdelsmuseus/es/

On November 14 in Barcelona you will be able to explore museums under the cover of darkness in La Nit dels Museus (the night of the museums). More than 80 venues will be open to visit in the evening up until the hours of the early morning. Museums such as MACBA, CaixaForum and the National Art Museum of Catalonia are opening their doors for free to all visitors.

The museums and foundations will also hold workshops for all ages during this evening. For example, Montjuïc Castle will have a violin concert accompanied by a photographic projection running throughout the evening. 

7. World Press Photo 2020 | CCCB | November 14 - December 18

The CCCB will be holding the sixteenth edition of the World Press Photo international photojournalism exhibition beginning on November 14. On display will be prize-winning photographs and multimedia works looking at current international affairs.

Apart from the exposition, a program of tailored activities will be available. They have been designed to create debate and discussion around the topics at hand. Moreover, people attending will also be able to take part in a guided tour of the gallery.

8. Fina Miralles exhibition | MACBA | November 5 - April 5 

https://www.macba.cat/en/exhibitions-activities/exhibitions/fina-miralles

MACBA will display Fina Miralles’ works as a journey through some of the pressing issues she described in her art. Little-known internationally, Miralles is described as “one of the most significant Spanish artists active from the seventies to the present day.” MACBA’s exhibition sets out to rectify this and place her firmly in the historiography of art.

As well as the exposition, there will be a publication filled with analysis of her works and accompanying images.