Cosmic Clay Festival

Cosmic Clay returns for its second edition, bringing underground dance music, clay-pot wine, film and food together in the heart of the Alentejo. This year, the gathering moves inside Vila de Frades’ old theatre, a meeting place for dancers, winemakers, artists, locals and friends arriving from further afield.

The name connects the earth and the sky: the clay talhas used to make the wine, the lunar cycles that inspire its makers, and the night skies above the Alentejo. But the idea behind it is down to earth. Good music, wine shared without ceremony, and people from different worlds coming together. You don’t need to know anything about wine to belong here.

Our first artist announcement is Viénce (Rhythm Express / Blurry Vision). The Berlin-based DJ and producer brings a sound rooted in deep, soulful and jazz-inflected house, with UK garage and broken beat threaded through. As the founder of Amsterdam’s Vreugdevuur parties, where shared dinners lead into dancing, he’s no stranger to bringing people from the table to the dancefloor. More artists to be announced.

Saturday starts at 18:00 with a short screening about Talha Mafia winemakers, Restoring 2000 Years of Wine Making and a chance to meet filmmaker Danny Pitson. Later, the theatre gives way to the dancefloor, with DJs from 20:00 until close.

The gathering falls on the weekend after São Martinho, when the opening of the talhas brings people together to taste the new wine. Come down early, explore the local adegas, eat well and meet the people keeping this tradition alive. Then join us at the theatre.

Make a weekend of it

Saturday is the main event(and afterparty), but there’s an unofficial weekend around it for those staying longer: a Friday pre-party on 13 November, followed by a Sunday banquet lunch on 15 November, with unlimited wine and djs taking us from day into night.

A limited number of weekend tickets are available which includes accomodation and all festivities. For details and enquiries, visit cosmicclay.live or email [email protected].

Getting there

The Clay Express — Lisbon return party bus

Just joining us for Saturday? The party starts on the way down. The Clay Express will take you from Lisbon straight to the theatre and back to Lisbon after the party, with music and complimentary Talha Mafia wine on board. Seats are limited message us to register your interest and let us know how many places you’d need. Return tickets, pick-up details and departure times will be announced soon.