Fimucité 3: Film Music Festival – In Tenerife no-one can hear you scream!

As a nerdy kid I had ‘Great War Movie Themes’ and ‘James Bond Movie Themes’ in my music collection…still have a Bond CD, (the David Arnold compilation), so I was interested to hear about Fimucité 3, a festival celebrating movie soundtracks held annually in Santa Cruz and La Laguna.

This year’s theme is the Alien Movies, but also includes homage to the granddaddy of movie composers, Jerry Goldsmith.

Performances will take place in The Auditorio, TEA and Teatro Leal with a complimentary season of films being screened in the Filmoteca Canaria.

Special guest performers include Oscar winner Jan Kaczmarek, Mark Snow and Clint Mansell. With music covering films from Disney classics to Star Trek, the Omen and the X Files, there’s a right mix of moods from chirpy cheeriness to spine tingling chillers. The festival is rounded of at the Auditorio with a performance of music from the five alien movies and some of Jerry Goldsmith’s finest work.

Dates: 20th to 26th July

For more information about the programme check out their really cool website…but be careful a facehugger doesn’t jump out at you.

Santa Cruz 2010 Carnaval Poster and Theme: “La Historia de la Humanidad”

In some places people moan about Christmas arriving earlier and earlier when Santa Claus starts making an appearance on supermarket shelves. In Tenerife, the sounds of Carnaval seem to be still ringing in the ears when the first signs of madness and mayhem and hedonistic fun (i.e. Carnaval) appear on the horizon again.

Next years’ Carnaval poster has just been unveiled in Santa Cruz. The rather grand sounding theme is ‘The History of Humanity’, but Waldemar Lemanczyk’s winning carnaval poster design illustrates how to interpret the theme with wit and imagination.

An ape in a glitzy bikini wearing Dame Edna glasses. You just know there’s some troubled soul out there who’s going to be turned on by this image…

International Canaries Jazz & Mas Heineken Festival 2009 – Jazzing up the Streets

The hot summer in Tenerife is just about to get a lot cooler. But don’t worry I’m not talking about the weather, July kicks off with the 18th Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz & Mas Heineken.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but Jazz is just about the coolest music going and for me conjures up images of smoky Manhattan clubs and cool dudes making their saxophones ooze sensuality…okay, I’ll calm down and get on with it.

If you’re anywhere near Santa Cruz, La Laguna or Puerto de la Cruz you’re in for a treat as Jazz heroes from New York to Japan and Iceland to the Ivory Coast add an extra sizzle to Tenerife’s sultry summer nights. If you’re not, start arranging your transport now.

Be there, or be square…Daddy-O.

Dates and Tenerife Line Up

3rd July: Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet & René Glez Sexteto, Puerto de la Cruz, Plaza de Europa, 21:00h. (FREE)

4th July: James Taylor Quartet & ST Fusión, Puerto de la Cruz, Plaza de Europa, 21:00h. (FREE)

5th July: Mezzoforte & Diego Barber Quartet, La Laguna, Teatro Leal , 21:00h. (Tickets)

6th July: Christian Mcbride & Inside Straight & Okou, La Laguna, Teatro Leal, 21:00h. (Tickets)

7th July: Fra Fra Sound & Mayra Andrade, La Laguna, Plaza La Concepción, 21:00h. (FREE)

8th July: Chris Potter's Underground & Viktoria Tolstoy, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Casa de la Pólvora, 21:00h. (FREE)

9th July: Steve Lukather and band "Tour Ever Changing Times" & Martín Leiton“Médium”, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Casa de la Pólvora, 21:00h. (FREE)

10th July: Kind of Blue 50 concert, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Auditorio de Tenerife,
21:00h. (Ticket)

11th July: The CTI All Stars, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Auditorio de Tenerife, 21:00h (Ticket)

See www.canariasjazz.com for artists’ details and ticket information

Provincial Motocross Championship in San Miguel

Here’s mud in your eye…well it is if you get too close to the action at the second round of Provincial Motocross Championship in San Miguel.

It looks like an exciting day out; pity the poster and website for the event concentrates more on including its sponsors than mentioning little details like time and address and whether there’s an entrance fee…but maybe I’m just picky that way.

Location: Motocross Circuit in San Miguel de Abona

Date: Sunday 28th June

Time etc: Now just let me consult my crystal ball...

*Update*- the motocross trials begin from 09.00

Tapas in Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz ‘Ruta de la Tapa’ competition

With 300 or so restaurants choosing where to eat in Puerto de la Cruz can be a bit mind boggling. If you fancy a bit of tapas tasting, then the results of the town’s recent ‘Ruta de la Tapa’ competition might help with the decision making.

Winner of the competition was La Casa Gallega on Calle Puerto Viejo, with neighbouring restaurant the stylish La Clave coming second and Los Tulipanes in Calle Cruz Verde in third place.

El Baño de las Cabras – The Bathing of the Goats

For anyone who’s still got any energy left after the Midsummer Eve partying, El Baño de las Cabras is one of the more bizarre little rituals. Goats descend on the harbour in Puerto de la Cruz from early morning for their annual seaside outing and dip in the water. It’s quite a sight and despite the animals’ protestations is said to be good for them. Make sure you’re there early otherwise you’ll miss it.

Fiestas of San Juan – South Tenerife – El Puertito, Costa Adeje

The celebrations might not be on the scale of Puerto de la Cruz and Las Teresitas, but El Puertito in Adeje is a lovely little setting to bring in Midsummer. With grilled sardines, fires and Reggae music it sounds like a really cool scene to celebrate Midsummer.

Location: El Puertito

Date: 23rd June

Time: From 18.00 till Midnight

Fiesta of San Juan in Puerto de la Cruz

It’s party time in Puerto de la Cruz (again). The beach party to celebrate midsummer and the fiesta of San Juan is one of the best shindigs of the year, and that’s saying something. During today, Puerto’s drinking fountains are decorated with flowers and fruit; however it’s tonight when the party really gets going on Playa Jardín.

There are a couple of new activities like turtles being released into the sea at Playa de Punta Brava between 17.30 and 20.30.

The entertainment on the beach gets going from 20.40 with the group Parranda Portuense followed by the lighting of the bonfires and 21.40, the Sky Productions show at 21.50, the group, Magec at 22.15 and a Music and fireworks show at 23.15 and the group Salvapantallas. After that it’s off to the magic waters for a refreshing dunking.

If that wasn’t enough, there are three different groups entertaining the folks at the Punta Brava end of the beach.

Don’t forget to keep a lookout for San Borondón on the horizon…but only if you last till dawn.

Santa Blues Festival 2009 - Music on Tenerife

I know where I’m going to be camped out the weekend after next. I was starting to doubt that the Santa Blues Festival 09 was going to happen, despite knowing that The Deans were due to play, but now the full line up and dates have been announced.

Unlike last year when it took place over the space of three Friday nights, this year’s Santa Blues Festival runs from Thursday to Saturday night, with Ireland's greatest blues band, The Deans headlining Thursday and America’s Michele McCain topping Friday and The Campbell Brothers with their sacred steel guitars finishing the festival off on Saturday.

It should be a good mix of classic blues with some jazz funk and gospel thrown in, but it’s The Deans that I’m really looking forward to seeing.

There’s going to be some cool sounds in the hot city.

Venue: Noria District, Santa Cruz

Time: 21.00

Dates and line up: Thursday 25th June, The Deans and the Vargas Blues Band: Friday 26th June, Laskina & Michele McCain, Saturday 27th June, Santa Blues band and The Campbell Brothers

Entrance: Free

Cabildo One Stop Shop for Foreign Residents

In a move which will be welcomed with relief by thousands of foreign residents, the Tenerife Cabildo now have trained officers in some Citizens Service Bureaux Offices (CSC - Centro de Servicios al Ciudadano) especially to provide support for foreign residents (English and German speaking).

As well as providing information about the different activities offered by the Tenerife Island Government, the new customer service staff will take care of the standard procedures which local residents have to follow to be entitled to the public services.

In the north, the service will be available at the offices in La Orotava in Plaza de la Constitución Wednesdays and Fridays and in Icod de los Vinos (Calle Key Múñoz) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-2pm.

In the south the service is available from Mondays to Fridays from 8am-2pm at the CSC office in the Valdés Centre, Avenida Amsterdam in Los Cristianos.

The Citizens Service Bureau is a Cabildo one-stop service point for the public. It gives citizens access to an improved service because all kinds of Cabildo- related services can be dealt with under one roof.

It will be a welcome move for those who struggle with Spanish bureaucracy

One thing worth noting, the CSC offices are NOT tourist information offices.

Football on Tenerife - World championship Freestyle football at Siam Park

The British footie season feels as though it’s been over for ages (Internationals just aren’t the same), but worry not football fans, there’s a real treat coming your way – and I’m not talking about when ‘face like a slapped backside’ Ronaldo comes to get shown a lesson in football by CD Tenerife next season (okay I admit it, he was a god only a few months ago, but hey...I’m fickle).

The World Championship Freestyle qualifier is taking place at Siam Park this month. This is urban football to take your breath away.

And if you fancy yourself as a budding Ronaldo, or should I say Messi – as he’s the one who proved that he’s really numero uno - you can take part :

It’s 3 minutes – 2 players - 1 ball and a place at the World Finals in South Africa at stake (that’s the freestyle version of course)

Do you have the bottle ? (you better check out the vids here first to see if you measure up).

Venue : Siam Park, Costa Adeje

Date : 26th June

Time : 16.00

Find out more and apply to take part here

Mamma Mia The Musical in Tenerife – Hear I Go Again…

“One more look and I forget everything, w-o-o-o-oh,”

Goddammit I’ve been trying to get THAT tune out of my head ever since my sister sent me the DVD at Christmas and then I hear that Mamma Mia the Musical is coming to Tenerife and it’s a case of ‘Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again…”
And as the production won’t be here until December, I’ve got a whole 6 months to endure it going around my head every time I see a poster.

If you don’t know the story by now, then there’s no point me explaining it again as you clearly don’t have a computer, telly or radio and probably still communicate by silbo.

All you really need to know is that it’s great fun and will bring a smile to your face which will last for days (unless you’re a cynical old git)…oh and did I mention that it’s got some catchy tunes?

Location: Auditorio, Santa Cruz

Dates: 28th, 29th December (20.30), 30th December (18.00 & 21.30), 1st January (20.30) 2nd January (18.00 & 21.30), 3rd (18.00 & 21.30) and 4th January (20.30)

Tickets: €30, €40, €50

Book your place at the wedding of the year here

Anaga Emerge Festival & Fiesta de San Juan – Sport and Fiestas on Tenerife

There’s a right odd mix of activities taking place on Playa de las Teresitas during the Anaga Emerge Festival in the run up to San Juan. Extreme Sport enthusiasts can opt to surf, dive, paraglide, climb and skateboard (on a beach…I don’t think so; must be in the car park) whilst more environmental friendly types can save the world, or at least help it out a bit by cleaning the seabed (hmmm, cleaning or skateboarding? which is going to appeal the most I wonder) and releasing turtles into the sea (I did that once in Sri Lanka – his name was Tarquin…I wonder whatever happened to him?). Like Puerto de la Cruz, a beach party takes place on the eve of San Juan with live rock and reggae on the agenda.

Location: Playa de las Teresitas, Santa Cruz

Dates: 20th to 24th June

Exposaldo – The ‘Everything’s Gotta Go’ Fair

Bargain hunters should be in their element at Exposaldo 09 when 95 businesses using 230 different stands use the fair as an outlet to sell off outgoing stock. On sale at impossible to resist prices will be everything from fashion to Fiats. 49,000 bargain hunters turned up last year so be prepared for a bit of shoulder to shoulder action.

Venue: International Fair and Congress Centre (Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos), Santa Cruz

Dates: 10th to 14th June

Entrance: €3

El Tanque Espacio Cultural – Music on Tenerife

El Tanque, Santa Cruz’ avant-garde cultural centre, is the venue for an eclectic mix of concerts ranging from experimental sounds to electronic punk to jazz over the next couple of months. With 16 concerts due to take place during June and July there should be something to treat the musical taste buds of most folks…well maybe not if you’re still into Barry Manilow.

Location: El Tanque, Santa Cruz

Dates & Artists:
June’s Line-up: Friday 12th, Juan Fierro (Disco House); Saturday 13th, - Tupperwear with Beatriz Lecuona and Oscar Hernández (Electronic Underground); Friday 19th, Samuel Labrador Trío (Jazz Piano); Saturday 20th, Satomi Morimoto (Japanese Romanticism – whatever the hell that is), Friday 26th, Ruin Boys (Electronic Punk), Saturday 27th, St Fusion (Japanese/ Brazilian Jazz Fusion)

Romería de San Isidro in Tacoronte – Fiestas on Tenerife

It’s got to be almost impossible to come to Tenerife in June and not see a traditional fiesta of some sort. Who am I kidding – if you’re in the centre of PDLA, you’re never going to see one. Anywhere else, step outside any day of the week this month and you’re in danger of tripping over someone in traditional costume. Tacoronte’s fiestas of San Isidro have two highlights to look out for, the Baile de Magos (Country Dance) and the Romería. The old part of Tacoronte makes for an absolutely perfect backdrop for the ox drawn carts.

Location: Tacoronte

Dates: Baile de Magos, Friday 26th June at 22.00; Romería, Sunday 28th June from midday

Fiesta de San Antonio de Padua in Granadilla – Fiestas on Tenerife

It’s time to slip on the breeches if you’re a bloke, or scarlet bustier if not, and head to Granadilla de Abono for the Romería de San Antonio de Padua. If you don’t possess either don’t worry, those who do will take pity on you and ply you with free food and drink. How cool is that?

Location: Granadilla de Abona town

Date: 14th June

Eólica 2009 – Music Festivals on Tenerife

Eólica 2009, the “well is it happening, or isn’t it?” festival is a definite ‘is’ and what’s more, buy your ticket early and save €7.

The festival includes more than 30 acts from around the world including Scottish alternative rockers, Teenage Fanclub, Barcelona’s post punkers, Cat People, France’s ‘atmospheric techno’ DJ Oxio and Madrid's, Telephunken DJs.

Add to that a bit of alternative theatre, magic, exhibitions, stands and you’ve got the ingredients for a top festival. And you know what the best thing is? Unlike UK festivals, there’s absolutely no chance that the weather is going to rain on Eólica’s parade.

Location: ITER, Instituto Tecnológico de Energías Renovables, Granadilla

Date: 18th July

Tickets: €18 in advance, €25 on the day (see Eólica 2009 website for more details and bus timetable from Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos)

Angele Etoundi Essamba – Exhibitions in Tenerife

“Photography is for me a need, the need to express and to communicate. As long as the need will exist, I will create.”

Angele Etoundi Essamba

Anyone with a love of photography, whether it’s taking photographs or enjoying others people’s work, should get along to TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes) to have a perusal of the incredible work of the Cameroon born photographer, Angele Etoundi Essamba.

‘Desvelos’, her exhibition as part of the ‘Africa Vive’ initiative, is a collection of portraits designed to ‘unveil’ the dignity and sensitivity of African women inspired by the artist’s travels in Zanzibar – beautiful and evocative.

Location: TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes), Santa Cruz

Dates: Till 12th July

Dance on Tenerife – Ballet, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Ana Laguna

If you’re like me and you’re knowledge of ballet is on a level with your knowledge of how to split the atom, if asked to name one famous male ballet dancer you’d probably come up with Mikhail Baryshnikov.

He’s the Mick Jagger of the dance world and his presence, along with dance partner Ana laguna, at the Auditorio in dance terms is akin to Rod Stewart playing a golf course in Adeje. He might not have the flexibility he once had, but his mastery of his art is still compelling to watch and he’s a legend of ballet; such is his charisma that he even ‘copped off’ with Carrie Bradshaw in 'Sex and the City' and if that doesn’t make you an icon I don’t know what does.

Location: Auditorio de Santa Cruz

Date: 29th June

Time: 21.00

Tickets: €30: Click here to buy online

Ritmos del Mundo – Rhythms of the World – Dance Festival on Tenerife

It’s dance yourself dizzy time at the Lago Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz with the Ritmos del Mundo dance fest. A discography of DJs from around the world are set to turn up the heat on a sultry summer evening in June in the Lago’s super cool surroundings. Palm Trees, cool pools and hot music…am I too old I ask myself?

Venue: Lago Martiánez, Puerto de la Cruz

Date: 20th June

Time: From midday Saturday to 1am Sunday

Platano Rock – Concerts in Tenerife

Summer’s here and so are some great sounds. It might be the month of music, Mary J and mud at Glasto, but Tenerife has some mini-fests of its own.

The fourth Plátano Rock Festival hits Santa Cruz in June. During the month,
A series of contemporary urban art exhibitions, movies and live bands are set to rock the capital’s streets.

Location: Sala de Arte La Recova, Plaza de La Concepción, Santa Cruz

Dates: Exhibitions in Sala de Arte La Recova from 6th to 21st June at 19.00: Concert in Plaza de La Concepción on 12th June featuring The Right Ons, OVNI, Line and DJ Carrie (from 20.00 to midnight).

Entrance: Free