Buen finde! It’s a comparatively quiet weekend in Valencia, with no festivals or patron saints to celebrate. But there are always events and activities happening across the city. Here’s a quick round-up of what’s happening around town this weekend.
Food
Cuina Oberta, Valencia’s seasonal gastronomy festival, starts tomorrow, Nov. 5, and runs through Nov. 15. It’s a good way to sample menus at some of the best restaurants in the city, including Michelin-starred venues. Standard menus start from €28 for lunch and €36 for dinner.
If you happen to be near Jardines Viveros this weekend, the Fira de les Comarques promotes Valencia’s regional tourism with free tastings, live events and more.
Music
Tortoise, the influential post-rock band from Chicago, plays Sala Moon on two dates this weekend. More rock options: Rob Leines at Loco Club, and Vapors of Morphine and their “low rock” sound at 16 Toneladas on Nov. 8.
Leo and Leo, the jazz project of Leonor Watling and Leo Sidran, plays La Rambleta on Sunday.
For classical music, the Les Arts zarzuela production of La Verbena de la Paloma plays this week and ends Nov. 8.
Film, Theater and Dance
Mostra Valencia, the Mediterranean Film Festival, opens this week. The program runs from film screenings to masterclasses in scoring, effects, scriptwriting and more. Valencia Plaza also looks at the festival beyond the big screen.
TEM hosts a special contemporary dance production, La Cordero y su Ejército (The Lamb and Its Army), by award-winning choreographer Sol Picó.
Sala Russafa is the stage for Lucia Joyce, a contemporary dance production about the life of James Joyce’s daughter, Lucia.
Migrats Dansa, a dance festival at the Carmen Culture Center, starts this week and runs all month. Here’s Makma’s review.
Art Exhibitions
IVAM opens a new exhibition on Thursday, with a talk by artist Regina de Miguel. She explains how her art verges on science fiction, imagining the exhibits in a futuristic, extraplanetary museum. Here’s Makma’s review. IVAM also hosts a special chamber music opera performance at its Julio González exhibition on Saturday, Nov. 7.
CaixaForum hosts Artefacto, an installation by Anna Irina Russell. Using inflatable materials as sculpture, it explores relationships between people in a collective art creation. It’s free to attend, but a reservation is required. The Rembrandt sketches are still on exhibit here too.
Bellas Artes opens a new exhibition exploring the image of Mary Magdalene in its extensive collection, titled Neither Saint nor Sinner.
CAHH is celebrating its birthday with music concerts, special activities and free entry from Nov. 10 to 15. If you haven’t experienced Valencia’s contemporary art gem, this is a good time to try it.
Sports
If you’ve ever wanted to see a live game of pilota, Valencia’s traditional handball, you’re in luck: Trinquet Pelayo hosts matches every Saturday this month. This hidden gem is also an excellent place to sample esmorzaret, Valencia’s favorite mid-morning meal.
The Valencia Mar Windsurfer Festival is also on this weekend. Weather dependent and there is a chance of rain. So, check before headingout.
Community Calendar
Acting in English’s new workshop, Filmmaking for Teens, starts this Sunday. If you want to try a trial class, you can register here.
Out to enjoy a crisp fall day this weekend? Jon’s Tours has two trips planned: Alcalá del Júcar, and the San José Caves with Vilafamés.
Coming Up
MotoGP – the premier motorcycle races comes to the Ricard Tormo Circuit in Cheste. Nov. 27 to 29
Valencia Marathon – the city’s top running event where elite runners hope to break world records. Dec. 6
