White Night Madrid
Begun in Paris in 2002, the White Nights theme of a night of free art and entertainment has expanded in the past several years to include other European capitals. Tonight was the debut of the event in Madrid. The entire city center bustled with art, theatre, and music that filled the streets and kept the doors of museums open until the wee hours of the morning. The festivities continued throughout the night, ending with a sunrise music performance at the beautiful Buen Retiro Park.
It was a little cold and sprinkling rain here and there, but the vibe outside was WARM when I visited the museums and fountains in the south of the city and HOT when I made my way up to Chueca on my way home. The Prado Museum projected images onto the front facade and a dazzling all-white fireworks display marked the 9:30 p.m. opening ceremony.
The Prado in a New Light
When I arrived to Chueca, there was a DJ playing really good trance-like electronica. The crowd erupted into cheers of glee every time he brought the music to a lull and then picked it back up again. It was so much fun.
Chueca's Fuencarral Street Becomes a Dance Floor
Just a bit farther up Fuencarral, there was a stage for live bands. I arrived right in the middle of this amazing Belgian pop band called Vive La Fete. They must be pretty popular here, because it seemed like everyone was singing along to the lyrics.
Vive Le Fete in Action
As I made my way closer to my metro station, I came upon an outdoor lounge party in front of the newly re-opened Museo Municipal.
Museo Municipal Entrance by Day
It was starting to rain, and I was tired, so in spite of the lure of all night fun, I retreated underground for my ride home. I made it home early - 2 a.m. - and satisfied that I actually enjoyed some of Madrid's first night in white.
Begun in Paris in 2002, the White Nights theme of a night of free art and entertainment has expanded in the past several years to include other European capitals. Tonight was the debut of the event in Madrid. The entire city center bustled with art, theatre, and music that filled the streets and kept the doors of museums open until the wee hours of the morning. The festivities continued throughout the night, ending with a sunrise music performance at the beautiful Buen Retiro Park.
It was a little cold and sprinkling rain here and there, but the vibe outside was WARM when I visited the museums and fountains in the south of the city and HOT when I made my way up to Chueca on my way home. The Prado Museum projected images onto the front facade and a dazzling all-white fireworks display marked the 9:30 p.m. opening ceremony.
When I arrived to Chueca, there was a DJ playing really good trance-like electronica. The crowd erupted into cheers of glee every time he brought the music to a lull and then picked it back up again. It was so much fun.
Just a bit farther up Fuencarral, there was a stage for live bands. I arrived right in the middle of this amazing Belgian pop band called Vive La Fete. They must be pretty popular here, because it seemed like everyone was singing along to the lyrics.
As I made my way closer to my metro station, I came upon an outdoor lounge party in front of the newly re-opened Museo Municipal.
It was starting to rain, and I was tired, so in spite of the lure of all night fun, I retreated underground for my ride home. I made it home early - 2 a.m. - and satisfied that I actually enjoyed some of Madrid's first night in white.
posted by Chromest*r at 2:22 AM
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