Dance Forms Productions brings "The 55th International Choreographers' Showcase" to Sala Cuarta Pared in Madrid
June 20 and June 21, 2011 - 21:00 hours
Sala Cuarta Pared
Calle Ercilla 17
28005 Madrid, Spain
Admission: 12.00 Euros
Tickets on sale at the door
Program
"Esperanza" (5:40)
In Loving Remembrance of my son Jonathan Jayce Williams Arévalo killed in a fatal accident on November 19, 2010
Premiered at the HB Arnold Fine Arts Center in Panama City Beach, Florida on February 18, 2011
Choreography: Susana B. Williams / Music: Bach: Air on a G String / Costume: Dancewear by Capezio
Performer: Susana B. Williams
Susana B. Williams is co-founder, current director of DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS and the creator of "THE INTERNATIONAL CHOREOGRAPHERS' SHOWCASE" presenting the work of distinguished choreographers at international events. On May 5, 2003 Williams received the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for her work as ambassador of good will and fellowship around the world, as well as for her co ntributions to Kentucky and her special achievements in the art of dance and choreography. Williams was one of a selected group chosen from the United States to serve on the Nijinsky Awards 2002 Experts Commitee.
"Passage" (5:00)
Premiered at Jericho Public Library Theater on March 29, 2009
Choreography: Michelle Durante / Music: Pachelbel / Costumes: Michelle Durante and Carla Reitano
Performers: Michelle Gilligan, Fumi Osogami, Carla Reitano
Michelle Durante (Executive Director, Choreographer, Dancer-Immersion Dance Company) has her BFA in Dance Studies and a concentration in Arts Management from Long Island University, C.W. Post. While in their resident dance company (Post Concert Dance Company), she had the privilege of studying and performing a Suite from Psalm and A Choreographic Offering from the Limón Company. In 2005, Durante was a featured soloist at Joyce Soho in New York City (NYC) in a dance piece called "Dark Nights" choreographed by Kanji Segawa from Ailey II, Mark Morris Dance Group and Battleworks. "Llifeline," choreographed in 2005 and part of Immersion's repertory, was chosen to be performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland with "The 33rd International Choreographers' Showcase" in August 2006. She has been a choreographer for Immersion since 2004 and has been part of all the company's endeavors that include performances, workshops and fundraisers. In addition, Michelle has rehearsed and choreographed for a NYC dance project done by Kelley Donovan and Dancer's and dances with Circle of Dance Repertory Company who performs throughout New York and traveled to Pesaro, Urbino and Fano in Italy in April 2006. She performs in "Ancient Springs" with Tina Croll + Dancers throughout venues in NYC. She is a teacher at The Dance Depot in Queens, New York and is the Operations Manager for Creative Alternatives of New York. Michelle has been honored as a featured member of Cambridge's Who's Who for executive and professional women.
"Tempering" (6:00)
Premiered at Interlochen Center for the Arts in February 2011
Choreography: Gina Patterson / Music: Max Richter / Costume: Tamara Cobus / Lighting: Michael Stewart
Performer: Denisse Eliza
Gina Patterson has performed on the world's stages since she was sixteen, touring Europe with the Pittsburgh Opera. Patterson first danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and has become known as a versatile, consummate performer in both the classical and contemporary repertoire. She has danced with Ballet Austin, Ballet Florida, American Repertory Ensemble, and as a guest artist, performing in the US, Canada, Iceland, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and France. Since 2008, Ms. Patterson has been working as a freelance dance artist, continuing to perform, teach, coach, and choreograph. She is co-founder and artistic director of VOICE Dance Company. Patterson was awarded the Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, the B. Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Choreographer, and has shown five pieces at the Ballet Builder's Showcase in New York. Her work was presented at the Festival Internazionale Abano Danza in Italy and at the Ljubljana Summer Festival in Slovenia. She is a winner of the Hubbard Street 2 National Choreographic Competition and the National Choreographic Initiative in California. Patterson has created original works for Ballet Austin, Richmond Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Florida, Dayton Ballet, BalletMet, DanceWorks Chicago, Ballet Pacifica, Hubbard Street 2, Ballet Austin II, Ballet East, Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, and the University of Iowa, among others. Along with three VOICE projects, this season's new works include Atlanta Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Ballet Met, Nashville Ballet 2, Compañía de Danza Siglo XXI, and Point Park University.
Denisse Eliza began her professional training at 8 years of age with Carlota and Maria Carrera, former dancers at Ballet Nacional De Cuba and American Ballet Theatre. Trained in Vaganova, Cuban and English techniques, Eliza passed Royal Academy of Dancing exams with Honors. Became a member of Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico at thirteen years of age with Lolita San Miguel as Artistic Director, and at eighteen was named Soloist. That same year, Eliza was offered to join the London Studio Centre in England under the direction of Ninette De Valois. She was also offered to become a member of the Atelier Rudra Bejart in Lausanne, Switzerland directed by Maurice Bejart. She joined the latter for a year where she trained with multiple international teachers such as Azari Plisetsky. After her return to Puerto Rico, she joined and premiered in the first contemporary dance company in Puerto Rico, Andanza. Here she had the opportunity to perform and collaborate with international choreographers such as Antonio Gomes from Geneva Ballet and the company DanzaHoy from Venezuela. It was during this time that Eliza choreographed her first work, “Chung”, which debuted at the Havana Festival of Dance in Cuba. In 2002 she became Principal/Guest Artist for Ballet Concierto de PR. Her classical repertoire includes, Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, and Spanish Dance, in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Giselle, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Fille Mal Gardee, Corsario Pas de Deux, Diana & Acteon Pas de Deux, Manuelita in Carmen (Jimmy Gammonet), Carmina Burana (Washington Ballet’s Septime Webre), In the Night (Jerome Robbins), and the three act world premiere of The Phantom of the Opera by Cuba’s renowned choreographer, Alberto Méndez. With this Ballet Eliza traveled to Taiwan twice and performed over 30 times the role of Christine. In 2009, for the company’s 30th anniversary, Eliza performed this role with American Ballet Theatre’s Principal Dancer, José Manuel Carreño in the role of the Phantom. She has also been a guest artist with Voice Dance Company under the direction of choreographer, Gina Patterson. As a choreographer Eliza has choreographed multiple works for Ballet Concierto as well as for other companies. Her latest works include Opus #1 for Balleteatro Nacional and 4xTango winner of the 29th Coreographer’s Festival in Puerto Rico.
"Threshold" 12:00
Premiered at Brighton Dome, UK in March 2011
Choreography: Joss Arnott in collaboration with the dancers / Music: Original score by James M. Keane
Costumes: Susan Kulkarni
Performers: Laurel Dalley Smith, Jessica Hall, Samantha Lewis, Lisa Rowley and Rosanna Wallis
Joss Arnott began dancing at the age of 16 . He trained at London Studio Centre and LABAN, graduating with a First Class Honours in Dance Theatre. During his training he toured works by Rambert Dance Company, Motionhouse and Jasmin Vardimon Company, as well as working with Lois Taylor of Attik Dance on a physical theatre production throughout the grounds of the Eden Project. He performed as a soloist in a reconstruction of Martha Graham's "Diversions of Angels" He also worked with Tom Dale on his production of "Roam" touring nationally, as well as working with Matthias Sperling for his work "1998." He also undertook a placement with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures for the creation of Dorian Gray in 2008. Training at London Studio Centre and enhancing his skills as a commercial dancer enabled him to support music artists including Kelly Rowland, Amy Winehouse, Emma Bunton and P!nk (I'm Not Dead Tour) Wembley Arena. Most recently Joss was a member of Transitions Dance Company 2010, under the Artistic Direction of David Waring. He has worked with choreographers Angela Woodhouse "Endings," Cameron McMillan "Blind Action" and Colin Poole "..No..No..." as well as working with Dance Film artist Lucy Cash touring across the UK and Internationally including Norway, Jordan and Bilbao as well as undertaking an MA in Dance Performance. His debut work [intro>*] was successfully received by audiences in 2009 and he is excited for his company to be recognised in the contemporary dance sector. Already described as an 'artistic talent to watch out for!' (Susanne Allen, londondance). He would like to thank his dancers for their dedication and commitment who are the heart of his work and for the people who surround him with support for which he is extremely grateful.
"Sweet Surrender" (6:00)
Madrid Premiere
Choreography: Joei R. Waldron / Music: Arvo Part / Costume: Joei R. Waldron
Performer: Kristopher D. Ross
Joei R. Waldron's dances have been acclaimed for their "rhythmic fusion of modern, funk and hip-hop" (Luellen Smiley, Del Mar Times) and for being "ambitious and well directed" (Kris Eitland, San Diego Dance Critic). Waldron is the founder and artistic director of Axxiom Dance Collective, which is a San Diego based dance-company. Since 2002, Waldron has grown Axxiom into one of the premiere dance companies in San Diego. Waldron's choreography has been seen at the Arizona Dance Festival, Collaborations VI, Celebrate Dance Festival, Boulevard3 Choreographers Challenge , The Movement, Emerge Contemporary Dance Concert, Young, Gifted and Black Choreographers Showcase, Danceforms' "The 54th International Choreographers' Showcase" in Edinburgh, Scotland and many others. Currently, Waldron is on faculty at Palomar College, directing and choreographing for Axxiom, and sitting on the panel for Emerge VI. Waldron holds a BS degree from Salisbury University and an MA from San Diego State University.
"This Macaroni and Cheese Crayon Tastes Like Wax" (4:02)
Premiered at Washington and Lee University in 2010
Choreography: Jenefer Davies / Music: "I Wanna get married" by Nellie McKay / Costume: Jessica Miller
Performer: Jenefer Davies
Jenefer Davies received an MFA in Dance from The George Washington University in Washington DC and an MALS in performance from Hollins University. She has had works commissioned by West Virginia Wesleyan and Lycoming Colleges, George Washington and Hollins Universities, Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth, Roanoke Symphony, Opera Roanoke, Roanoke Ballet Theatre and Mill Mountain Theatre, among others. Davies’ choreography has been recognized as outstanding work by the American College Dance Festival and was included in their gala performance. Her choreography and performance work has successfully toured throughout the U.S.. Her innovative full-length works have received international press and acclaim and have been featured on National Public Radio, Sports Illustrated and NASCAR Magazine. She has been published in the International Planetarian Magazine and the World Congress on Dance and is currently writing a paper on experiential learning in aerial dance. Jenefer is an Examiner in dance for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and serves on the advisory board of Nu Delta Alpha, the national honor society in dance. Her unique dance works have been quiz questions on NPR’s ‘Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me’ and on TV’s ‘Jeopardy’. Davies is the Assistant Professor of Dance at Washington and Lee University in Lexington VA and Artistic Director of the W&L Repertory Dance Company.
"La Escena" (10:00)
World Premiere
Choreography: Jesús Miranda Santiago / Music: Terry Riley / Costumes: Sylvia Canchani & Roberto López
Performers: Rebeca Canchani, Denisse Eliza, Ana Victoria Fridman, Vesna Lantigua of Eje 21 Dance Company
Jesus Miranda was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He started dancing when he joined the Ballet Island and then the Academy of Zaida Varas where he received a scholarship to study dance. For three consecutive years he was awarded scholarships from the renowned Alvin Ailey School in New York. In 1983, he joined Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico. There he worked as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. In 1988, he won a summer scholarship to study at the prestigious Jacobs Pillow in Massachusetts. In 1987, Miranda began his career as choreographer. His first choreography "Flight" was awarded second place at the Choreographers' Festival sponsored by Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico. The following year he won First Place at the same competition with "Caverna Clara" a work inspired by Puerto Rico' Camuy Caverns. In 1991 he created "El Portal del Yunque" choreography based on the rainforest of Puerto Rico and in 1993 "Rio Cristal" both choreographies received second place at the Ballet Concierto Festival. "Lunfardo" was commissioned by the Pittsburg Ballet. "Umbral" "Aire Mi Fuego" were performed by Gold Medalist Diana Perez at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Miranda received commissions for his works "Cruces," "Glimpse" and "Yuquan Nymphs" from Contemporary Motions and Hope College. As professional dancer, Miranda danced with Elenor Coleman Dance Ensemble, Labyrinth Dance Theater, Petra Bravo Company and Contemporary Motions. He has participated in many festivals as a guest artist which highlights the Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico's Eighteenth Choreographers' Festival in which he danced Moors Pavane by José Limón.
"Sublime Madness" (3:00)
World Premiere
Choreography: Michelle Durante / Music: George Winston / Costumes: Immersion Dance Company
Performers: Michelle Durante and Michelle Gilligan
"Light" (5:00)
World Premiere
Choreography: Ana Luisa Johnson / Music: Martinetes tradicional arranged by Sinouj and El Guadiana
Costume and make-up design: Ana Luisa Johnson / Lighting design: Clayton Spada
Performer: Anna Luisa Johnson
Influenced by photography and nature, choreographer/dancer, Ana Luisa Johnson will premiere her solo "Light". In order to create her style of dance for this choreography she literally had to stop dancing and look carefully at what ballet, flamenco and Butoh did to her mind, body and soul. Then she realized that after having allowed them to enter, live and grow in her, contemporary dance was not ignored but nurtured. Performed by Ana Luisa Johnson, "Light" is elusive and mysterious. It is the force driving all life. It determines how we perceive everything we perceive in our existence.
Ana Luisa Johnson was born in Mexico in 1974, in the City of Matamoros in the State of Tamaulipas. Ana Luisa began choreographing and performing her solo dance works at the age of thirteen, and became a professional dancer at the age of nineteen. She has been a dancer for the Taggart Ballet Theater Company, a soloist for Nouveau Chamber Ballet, and Ballet Turning Circle Company, and has also danced with various Flamenco groups. Her choreographic work "Ghost of El Toro" was published in the book "The Edge of Air" by The Legacy Project. She directed and performed in the video "Ghost of El Toro" presented at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. She did the choreography and performance for "The Sacrifice" video presented at a number of venues around the world, including the California Museum of Photography in Riverside, the Vancouver Film Festival, and the Rooftop Film Festival in New York. In 2008 she had the honor to be a guest artist for the Choi Seung-hee Dance Festival in Hongcheon, South Korea under the artistic direction of Chil Han.
"Released" (5:45)
World Premiere
Choreography: Brittany Gottuso / Music: "Elegie" from the album Once In A Red Moon by Secret Garden
Costumes: Brittany Gottuso
Performer: Brittany Gottuso
Brittany Christian Gottuso was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She began dancing at the age of 8. Her training with Americas Ballet School led her to compete in the American Dance Competition where she received Superiors in both ballet and contemporary. She graduated cum laude at the University of South Florida with her Bachelor of Fine Arts. While in college she received the Henry Parrish Performance Scholarship Award for excellence in performance, the Victoria Catherine Selden Dance Scholarship Award for Choreography and Dance, three talent scholarships and a Summer Scholarship Award. This past year she has danced with the Sarasota Ballet Company and performed in their many productions including Anne Frank, The Rake's Progress, De Warrens Nutcracker and Cezannes Doubt.
"BitterSweet" (12:00)
Premiered at the Jericho Public Library Theater on March 29, 2009
Choreography: Michelle Durante / Music: Chris Benvenga / Costumes: Michelle Durante and Carla Reitano
Performers: Michelle Gilligan, Fumi Osogami, Carla Reitano
This program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship created by the choreographers and companies presenting their work with Danceforms' "The 55th International Choreographers' Showcase"
For more information e-mail us at any time. Our email is danceformspro@aol.com
An Invitation from the Director
Dear Choreographers,
On June 19, 2011 a group of distinguished choreographers will travel to Madrid to be featured in "The 55th International Choreographers' Showcase," a presentation of Dance-Forms Productions for the people of Madrid to be held at Teatro Cuarta Pared in Madrid on June 20 and 21, 2011 at 20:00 hours.
This exciting trip will offer choreographers an excellent opportunity to perform their work, make contact with the press, numerous dance directors, producers, presenters, other artists, (hopefully to negotiate new engagements!) and to earn a share of the revenue from ticket sales of the two performances. A dynamic platform for the promotion and presentation of contemporary dance, "The International Choreographers' Showcase" is a mini market where many presenters get together to select dance works for their programs.
I invite choreographers who are willing to invest in themselves and who are interested in expanding their knowledge of other cultures, as well as promoting their work abroad. I invite choreographers who see this thrilling event as an opportunity to benefit their professional development.
You receive a complete production package, which includes: the theaters, lighting, sound, technical assistance, publicity, pre-show rehearsal arrangements, printed materials, printed programs, and hotel accommodation based on two persons sharing twin bedded rooms with private bath/shower.
To find out how to qualify, and the investment required, call my office at (502) 222-2273. Remember, the space is limited, so please call right away. You may call from Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. Eastern Time.
After we have spoken be prepared to submit your professional resume, 4 full body pictures for publicity, program notes, and a VHS video with samples of the work you will present. Remember, the space is limited, so pick up the phone and contact us now! You may e-mail us at any time. Our e-mail is: danceformspro@aol.com
Dance the World with Dance-Forms Productions! Let's do it now!
Don't wait, if you have further questions, you can check our FAQ page, e-mail us by clicking on danceformspro@aol.com or speak personally with me by calling (502) 222-2273.
I look forward to your participation, and to greeting you in Madrid.
Susana B. Williams
Director
DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS
Welcome to Madrid
Almudena Cathedral
The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.
The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares river. Later it became the subject of a dispute between the Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias.
Puerta del Sol
At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built as an east-west avenue at the start of the century. In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remainings of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical structures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and others.
Royal Palace
The city has a host of ongoing attractions that are well worth a visit. As a major city of the arts and culture, you will also find many world-famous galleries and museums, housing some of the finest collections in the world. Madrid is a lso home to a large number of mainstream and specialist cinemas and the Softguide maintains a comprehensive up-to-date listing of what's on and where. Most foreign films are dubbed into Spanish, but many films are also shown concurrently in their original language with spanish subtitles. The Filmoteca (National Filmboard Repertoire Cinema), a must for movie buffs, shows films at very reduced prices and always in their original language. Madrid is justifiably famous for its vast selection of bars and cafes, as well as for what it has to offer in food, from tapas to a wide variety of restaurants and food shops of various origins and ethnic flavors. There's lots of music and dance of various styles and origins. And of course, there's the famous, or infamous, Madrid nightlife - if you are not content with the regular bar scene, where you can dance all night long.
Torero
Many people won't want to leave Madrid without experiencing the thrill of a bullfight, still a major tourist attraction despite its "non-pc" label .
The Avenue of Art
The Avenue of Art is an itinerary, unique in the entire world, which includes painting, sculpture, architecture and natural beauty, set in one of the most emblematic areas of Madrid; The Paseo del Prado. This is an area which the inhabitants of Madrid hold very dear and which they can easily explore on foot. It includes three of the most important museums of Spain; the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía a National Museum.Only one place in all the world, only the Paseo del Prado, offers, in such a short space, the opportunity to see art works of the quality of The Meninas of Velázquez, Las Majas of Goya, Giovanna Tornabuoni by Ghirlandajo, "Les Vessenots" en Auvers by Van Gogh and the Guernica by Picasso, as well as other masterpieces of world art.
Picasso's Guernica
During the reign of Carlos III (1759-1789), in the middle of the Enlightenment, urban reformation was planned for what at the time was the outskirts of the city; the meadow (Prado) of San Jerónimo. The Salón del Prado, the name given to this large reformation project, covered the river bed which crossed the meadow, transforming this area, thickly covered with trees, into a park with gardens and fountains. Cibeles, Apollo and the Four Seasons and Neptune, constructed by the architect Ventura Rodríguez, are still with us today. Between two palaces on either side, the Museum of Natural History (today the principal building of the Prado), the Botanical Garden, and the Astronomical Observatory were built. All were designed by another one of the King's great architects; Juan de Villanueva. One of the itineraries for the visitor to Madrid is the artistic triangle centered around the Paseo del Prado. It offers the opportunity to enjoy art history and some of the city's finest sights.
El Prado
The Prado National Museum contains the world's best collection of Spanish painting, that is, of recognized geniuses of world art such as El Greco, Velázquez, Goya. Also represented are the great artists of the Siglo de Oro (Golden Century); Ribera, Zurbarán and Murillo. The Prado contains some of the best Flemish paintings, such as works by Van der Weyden and Hieronymous Bosch, as well as Italian art, including the most complete collection of Titian and other painters of the Venice School contained in a single museum. And the collections of German, French and English art, although smaller than the others, contain first-class works.
Since its establishment, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum has provided a perfect complement to the Prado. What is missing in the Prado, is splendidly represented at the Thyssen. This special rel ationship begins with the Italian primitives, of which the Prado offers Fra Angelico's masterpiece, Assumption. The Thyssen, on the other hand, contains a numerous and important collection from this period. The new museum also has excellent samples of the German Renaissance and Duch painting of the 17th century, of which the Prado contains few works, and 19th century American painting, virtually non-existent in Spain. Impressionism, the beginning of modern painting, previously absent from Spanish museums, as well as German expressionism, Russian Constructivism, Geometric Abstraction and Pop Art, are all part of the Thyssen Collection and add a wonderful new section to the Avenue of Art.
The itinerary closes with the masterpiece of our century: Picasso's Guernica, the centerpiece of the 20th century art collection exhibited at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía National Museum. The collection is made up primarily of Spanish painting and sculpture; Picasso, Juan Gris, Miró, Dalí, Chillida and Tapies as well as more recent artists. Without a doubt, this Avenue is unique in all the world.
Spanish Cuisine
The dominant and richly-varied Spanish cuisine combines expansive regional flavours (Andalusain, Basque, Galician, Valencian, Castilian, Riojana) from the mediterranean, the sun-drenched south, the rugged central plateau and the lush green north. Despite its location, Madrid also has much to offer in the realm of seafood; in fact anyone up early will see the truckloads of fresh fish being brought into the city every morning. Given the love of meat, vegetarian restaurants are thin on the ground, but their numbers are increasing. A healthy selection of international styles is available in the city. Tapas, one of Spain's great contributions to world gastronomy has a section of its own. For the most informal setting, tapas or snacks can be had with a drink in most bars and cafes, a good way to sample a large variety of tastes in a short time. There is also a section on Madrid's famous dish, El Cocido, which should not be missed.
Cocido Madrileño
International Cuisine
It's perhaps a little surpising that a city like Madrid, with such a large variety and depth of local and Spanish food, doesn't have a wider choice of international restaurants. There's certainly no shortage of american fast food chains and their spanish imitations, or bargain chinese restaurants but finding good quality, genuine ethnic food can be something of a challenge.
Breakfast
This is usually eaten in a bar and most madrileños have little more than a coffee (there is a description of the various coffees in the food dictionary) and a sweet roll or croissant for breakfast. Freshly squeezed orange juice is also popular and widely available. Probably the most traditional Spanish breakfast is 'churros' or 'porras' with hot chocolate. These are best had early in the morning as they're at their best and crunchiest just after being deep fried. If you're looking for a more substantial breakfast you could try a 'pincho de tortilla' , a sandwich mixto or a mixto con huevo.
Eaten between about 1:30 and 4:00, it is probably more appropriate to refer to this meal as dinner as it is the principal meal of the day for many madrileños. Virtually all restaurants offer a lunch time 'menú' which is invariably much better value than an a la carte selection and can be excellent. A menu is usually a three course meal, with a limited amount of choice for each course, and generally includes (cheap) wine. The first course can be as light as a bowl of soup or a salad, or as hearty as a bowl of lentils with chorizo. The second course will probably be selection between fish and meat or poultry. Desert will often be a choice of fruit or some sort of pudding. The wine included with the price of the meal will almost never be of the finer variety, and it is often mixed with 'casera' or 'gaseosa', a sweet, carbonated drink. You have the option of of paying more for a better bottle. It is not uncommon to follow lunch by a siesta.
Evening Meal
Madrileños eat the evening meal quite late in comparison to other countries - anywhere from 9.00 to 11.00 P.M. is reasonable, particularly in the summer and on weekends. While some people have a full meal at dinner many have only a light meal, which might consist of a few tapas.
Eating well, cheaply
Madrid has a lot to offer for those wishing to eat well without spending a lot of money. There are a few tips to follow. Try and eat 'typical' food. As mentioned before, it's best to fill up at lunch, choosing from the wealth of small restaurants offering the lunch time 'menu'. Seafood in Madrid is much cheaper, and often fresher than in other European countries, in fact, Spain is the second biggest per capita seafood eating country, after Japan. Sit-down meals are usually more expensive at supper than at lunch. Its probably more economical to eat tapas for dinner, which are well accompanied by a glass of wine or a glass of bear. Tapas also offer the visitor a means of trying a large variety of Spanish delights, without spending a fortune.
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