This weekend (Feb. 10-12) Barcelona hosts the first annual LLUM BCN ’12. Over sixty nine of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings will be lit up in celebration of  the Santa Eulàlia festival.

This year the city has jumped on the digital bandwagon by offering a digital photo contest allowing visitors and locals to photograph buildings and artistic lighting shows using the picture sharing platform: INSTAGRAM.

The competion is simple- upload your pictures using Instagram, and tag your photo using the hashtag:  #llumbcn12

A jury will then select the top three images that embodies the spirit of the city. Prizes include: a Brompton Bicycle, A pair of Munich trainers or a dinner for two at the Moritz Factory.

For those of you participating this weekend here at Pulso we want to see what you guys are up to- follow us on instagram at PULSOBCN and share your pictures.

For More Information: www.bcn.cat/santaeulalia

Now in its 15th edition DOCS BARCELONA contributes to an industry sector that is often left in the dark during  times of financial crisis.

On January 31st documentary film lovers can enjoy a week-long festival of documentaries showing at some of the city’s most iconic cultural locations. Thanks to a the generosity of these sponsors , Docs Barcelona continues to showcase the best documentary films  presented to a city whose never-ending thirst for culture is refreshing.

Unique in its format, Docs Barcelona acts as a springboard for lesser known international documentary directors as well as covering  a wealth of topics and points of views. From the periphery to the mainstream you can find all of this years selection here.

Docs Barcelona also serves as a platform for unfinished documentaries by helping unite independent film-makers with financial assistance in order to help these films receive regional and local distribution.  The festival has now become the third largest  financial forum in this aspect of the industry.  Each year the festival gathers more than 300 professionals from 36 countries and provides a forum which helps young directors sharpen their pitches and correctly market their film in order to help them gain the maximum exposure when promoting their work.

For more information  on venues & times:   DOCS BARCELONA.

This Thursday October 20th, The Barcelona Metro kicks off the short film film festival: SUBTRAVELLING. A unique collection of both animated and short films. The vestibule of the metro station turns into a small theater for one week and allows you to catch a glimpse of the most originals award winning shorts, as well as some of the newest talented filmmakers in this genre all for the price of a metro ticket (1.40). So if you are unemployed or have some time to kill between line changes, check out the complete program HERE

Get your culture on at various points of the city, as the Barcelona Poetry Festival kicks of its 27th year. From May 11th  until May 17th.

By promoting the art of language and presenting both new and established poets this festival is a must for anyone looking for a rhyme that does not include the words Barca in a battle call being chanted by 1.5 million futbol fans.

 For more information on the festival click HERE .

Crime in Catalunya , Murder in the Mediterranean, Blackmail in Barcelona, the dark quiet streets of El Raval play host to the 7th annual NOIR Book Festival celebrating the best mystery writers from around the globe.

With various games, readings and films BCNegra is sure to please any fan of the genre looking to meet the authors and make new friends.

 This year the festival evolves with a culinary take on the Noir festival, expanding to local bars and restaurants each creating special drinks or menus and hosting various afterparties.

For more information on readings, events and films check out the BCNegra Schedule HERE or you can go directly to the festivals website at http://www.bcn.cat/cultura/bcnegra/2011/

BCN NEGRA 2011-Runs until Feburary 5 2011.

 Location: Various points of the city.

Picking up where Bread & Butter left off, The Brandery in Barcelona, has become one of the most important furban fashion trade shows, held twice a year in the FIRA BARCELONA. Now in its fourth edition- The brandery has evolved steadily into a more grown up event connecting buyers with new and emerging brands. An event which brings together the industry’s leading professional for three days of fashion shows, panel discussions, and the latest in retail trends.

This year we saw a tighter version of the show,  with more booths and a steady stream of visitors- it was evident in the increase of  buzz between buyers and brand representatives. Catering to fashionistas, trend forecasters and magazine editors, this show is injecting a much need energy into the Fashion industry in Barcelona. Keeping the well-heeled masses up to speed on retail merchandising and technology the Brandery is the starting point for any brand looking to break into the Spanish market.

For this edition the Brandery erected a three storied catwalk in the center of the pavilion and sent models down the runway dressed in Custo Barcelona, Salsa, Phard & Calvin Klien to name a few. I went backstage in order to photograph some of the models before hitting the catwalk. While normal backstage areas tend to be awash with frantic energy, this backstage was more relaxed atmosphere with models hanging out and chatting; reflecting the laid back unpretentious tone of this show as well as the city.

For more information on the Brandery visit www.thebrandery.com

*All images belong to PulsoBcn.com- to use any image please give proper photo credit.

My fascination with 80′s technology has never faded which is why, when I saw the ad for LA PAN ART GALLERY, a gallery here in Barcelona I had to find out more about this artist.

 As a kid I remember the amazing moment when my father explained what a floppy disc could do.  Before flash drives, before iPhones, before wi-fi. Mountains of floppy disks, VHS tapes, Polaroids and cassettes piled up as we were catapulted into the future. It seemed as if as quick as these objects came in to our lives just as quickly the became obsolete. This combination of media played a massive part in how a generation growing up in the 80s & 90s  learned about the world.

As media is rapidly absorbed into the World Wide Web, the physical media formats of the past have been deemed obsolete. Representing a huge shift away from real world objects, into countless intangible data files. Using floppy discs as canvas Nick Gentry, assimilates a world unlike any other where his subjects becomes suspended in time. A world of Post Modern Fab.

La Pan Art Gallery- C/ Marina 68, Barcelona

A must for any movie lover, Cine Urgell – one of the last great movie houses in Barcelona, dims the lights, and raises the curtain to screen a double Feature on Thursday January 13th as part of the PHENOMENA movie series.

Hosted by Nacho Cerda, Phenomena, is the hugely successful Double Feature night which has become a cult phenomenon, bring movie lovers of  every generation under one roof.

From Jaws to Aliens these modern classics are screen to an audience of more tha 1,800 spectators who either, for the love of film or the thrill of nostalgia, line up literally around the block for the chance to see their favorite films on the big screen.

This time around Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom followed by John Carpenter’s “ The Thing” will get the big screen treatment. If you are in Barcelona this is a must for any self respecting hipster on a Thursday night. Bring a date, grab some popcorn and relive the 80′s in the Eixample.

For more information click HERE

  CINE URGELL-                                   C/ Comte d’Urgell, 29
       08011 Barcelona
       933 250 407

For those Vespa lovers zipping across the city from Plaza Tetuan to Plaza Espanya, hit the breaks at TaxiVespa ; a scooter repair shop/ accessory store that will keep your ride tight and looking good.

With the help of famed illustrator team Alexis Rom Estudio :: Atelier Vostok (a personal favorite), TaxiVespa has asked the design duo to pimp up their store and lend their signature touch in providing an excellent backdrop for the stylish store. With bold colors and mod graphics TaxiVespa  leaves the competition in the dust, thanks to their vision and understanding of corporate branding.

TAXIVESPA

C/ Viladomat, 316
08029 Barcelona, Spain
934 396 798