Group of members of Associação Espontânea (Vila Real, Portugal).

Espontânea is a cultural and recreational association. It occupies the 1st and 2nd floors of a 19th-century building (Palacete de São Pedro) in the historical center of Vila Real.

The place includes enough space for a whole range of interests: a bar with a different DJ each time, a fire place... and drinks; a room for all those table-football ("futbolín", "matrecos") fanatics; a quieter room ideal to play chess or cards, choose your own music, discuss the dichotomy of Good and Evil, and save the world; an outdoor patio to smoke, freeze your butt out, make barbecues, and enjoy the Summer breeze; rehearsal rooms for "garage bands"; a big room (salon) for concerts, plays, performances, and workshops; an all-purpose room (exhibits, dance floor); and corridors and stairways to connect all this (luckily for us).

As of June 2009, Espontânea has members from 39 different countries from all continents except Antarctic (according to the association's Charter, penguins cannot be members -- sorry for that!).

Espontânea is run by its own members on a volunteer, pro-bono basis (that is, for free). Yes: that's the catch... :D (read less)

Group of members of Associação Espontânea (Vila Real, Portugal).

Espontânea is a cultural and recreational association. It occupies the 1st and 2nd floors of a 19th-century building (Palacete de São Pedro) in the historical center of Vila Real.

The place includes enough space for a whole range of interests: a bar with a different DJ each time, a fire place... and drinks; a room for all those table-football ("futbolín", "matrecos") fanatics; a quieter room ideal to play chess or cards, choose... (read more)