Magic, music, and salsa and photo embroidery workshops all form part of a fun-packed celebration for all ages
On Saturday 31 May, from 11 am to 3 pm, the Barcelona LGBTI Centre will be celebrating its sixth anniversary with a fun-packed programme of free activities for all ages!
All the activities will be taking place on Carrer Comte Borrell, by number 22 (opposite the LGBTI Centre).
In the spirit of party and protest, the LGBTI Centre will be coming out onto the street to share fun with local residents of all genders, ages and backgrounds, and in this way continue to build links between everyone.
The event begins with themagic show “Inòpia”, a show for all ages, inspired by the vaudeville magic shows of the 1800s where illusionists would leave audiences spellbound, using their unique techniques to create awe and wonder. The show will be performed by Gneis Altés, a Catalan illusionist with a poetic, visual style, characterised by his sensitivity and slick stage performance. His magic seeks to thrill and goes beyond technique, creating tender and evocative experiences. “Inòpia” begins at 11:30 am and is about 55 minutes long.
Following this, at 12.30 pm there will be a salsa workshop organised by the LGTBIQA+ sports association Panteres Grogues, and led by Yamira Sánchez, who will beteaching basic steps in this Latin American dance style that has its roots in the Caribbean. Dance is a great way to release your inhibitions and interact with other people. This project also questions the traditional binary roles in the world of dance where traditionally, the man is the leader and the woman is the follower, encouraging everyone to choose the role they prefer, regardless of their gender or orientation. After the workshop, we’ll put some music on for a while so everyone can practise the new steps they’ve learned.
At 2.00 pm it will be the turn of drag queen Estrella Xtravaganza, who will be serving up a DJ set of summer dance floor hits, and bringing her characteristic fun and sense of humour to the celebration.
Throughout the morning, there will be a children’s area run by the association Petita Arcàdia de Can Batlló. There will also be a bar serving snacks and drinks and a mercadillo organised by La Raposa, the vegan bar and feminist bookshop based in Poble Sec.
There will also be a workshop forturning photos into art using different techniques such as embroidery, drawing and collage. The photos used in the workshop will be copies of photos and posters held in the archive of the Casal Lambda Armand de Fluvià Documentation Centre, located on the second floor of the LGBTI Centre. The workshop will be led by Judit Panxeta from La Tinta, a transfeminist, anti-capitalist community arts project based in Poble Sec.
An event rooted in the neighbourhood
First opened on 19 January 2019, the LGBTI Centre has celebrated each of its seven birthdays with a celebration open to all members of the public and closely tied to the neighbourhood of Sant Antoni, which hosts the facility and since the beginning has shown its support and collaboration.
In 2020, the anniversary took the form of a party with concerts on Carrer Comte Borrell, which coincided with the celebration of the neighbourhood’s annual festival , in January.
In 2021, due to the restrictions imposed during the Covid 19 pandemic , the party was moved to the summer, and was held outdoors with capacity control and prevention measures.
In 2022, the LGBTI Centre party reclaimed the date 17 May, the day of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), which marks an important milestone in the history of LGTBIQA+ people. In the morning, activities took place outside the Barcelona LGBTI Centre, and in the afternoon, a series of concerts were held at the Ronda de Sant Antoni.
In 2023, the celebrations branched out with activities held at different times and in different cultural venues in the neighbourhood. In the morning, activities took place on Carrer Comte Borrell, followed in the afternoon by live art shows at the legendary El Molino theatre, an iconic venue for the city’s LGTBIQA+ community. The party was rounded off with an evening of concerts and DJ sets at Paral·lel 62.
Finally, in 2024, to mark the fifth anniversary of the Centre, the morning activities were held at the Centre, after which the Party moved to a big stage in Plaça Catalunya, which became a point for gathering, fun and protest.
For the 2025 celebration, the LGBTI Centre has opted to keep its morning programme on the street, open to people of all ages, and with participative activities outdoors.
