Next week, Barcelona will host the 13th annual Sonar festival, an ambitious series of events, performances, screenings, exhibitions, and conferences that speak to a wide audience and draw an international crowd. As its name might imply, Sonar is best known for merging sound with other contemporary arts, and it particularly highlights new media. Taking place over just three days (15-17 June, this year), the program tends to emphasize performance, time-based media, and other duration-specific projects. That said, a number of installations will occupy venues throughout the city, contributing to Sonar's multiple personalities as a world-class electronic music festival, an inspired film festival, and a major international exhibition platform. Events are separated into day and night forays, which is a perfect way to experience so much stimulation, in this late-night city. - Marisa Olson
