Carnaval on Tenerife – the Donkeys of Güímar

The big event during the town of Güímar’s Carnaval celebrations is ‘Las Burras de Güímar’.
Organised by some of the younger townsfolk, it’s a re-enactment of local folklore based on the belief that witches in the area can transform themselves into donkeys.

The event involves the young witches turning into donkeys, demons being summoned and an epic battle between good and evil which sees the witches, demon and devils locking horns with San Miguel and his band of ass kicking…err angels. It culminates with the witches being burned alongside the ubiquitous sardine, who appears just to be there for the ride. Sounds like a typical Friday night in Güímar then.

If the witches are actually dressed (if that’s the right word) as the picture suggests, I’m definitely putting the date in my diary, but I will be taking a pair of protective goggles; those look as though they could easily have your eye out.

Venue: From Plaza de San Pedro Arriba, Güímar

Date: Night of Friday 27th February

Concerts on Tenerife – A History of the 20th Century through Rock Music

Old and young rockers will be interested in this show which traces the story of rock through the 20th century. More than just a nostalgic trip through the last century, the show uses the music of each decade to illustrate changing styles and historic moments. A sort of sing-a-long history lesson with music from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Pretty much like your average bar in PDLA any night of the week.

Venue: Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz

Dates: 3rd to 6th March

Time: 19.00

Carnaval on Tenerife – Los Cristianos

Looks like a bit of belly dancing practice is in order for the Carnaval in Los Cristianos this year…and from what I’ve seen on the beaches in Los Cristianos, wobbly bellies won’t be much of a problem.

The Carnaval runs from 7th to the 16th March and the Arona council website says that it will post the programme of events at the beginning of 2009…wait a minute, it’s now the 12th February. Still what’s the rush, this is Tenerife after all and it’s not as though Arona gets a lot of tourists who would like to know such things!!!

Main Dates

Your guess is as good as mine at the moment.

UPDATE:

Arona have now posted the agenda for the Carnaval in Los Cristianos. The main dates are:

Opening Parade - Saturday 7th March, 19.00
Election of Carnaval Queen - Friday 13th (definitely unlucky for some) March, 21.00
Coso Apoteósico - Sunday 15th March, 17.00
Burial of the sardine - Monday 16th March, 20.00

See full programme here

Carnaval on Tenerife - La Laguna

I just love La Laguna’s ‘Carnaval’ poster and theme, ‘The Legend of Count Dracula’. The city’s old atmospheric streets are perfect for a bit of cape swirling and its shadowy corners ideal for lurking vampires. I’m willing to bet there’ll also be plenty of neck biting going on as well. The main celebrations take place in the La Verdellada district.



Main Dates

Election of the Carnaval King: Saturday 21st February, 18.00, Plaza Mayor
Election of the Carnaval Queen: Sunday 22nd February, 20.00, Plaza Mayor
Carnaval Parade: Monday 23rd February, 17.00
Festival de Piñata: Friday 27th February
Burial of the Sardine: Saturday 28th February

Carnaval on Tenerife - Los Realejos

Here are some more Carnaval dates for serious Carnaval junkies out there. Los Realejos’ Carnaval should be congratulated for bucking the horror trend and opting for an environmentally aware ‘recycling’theme. I’d add a photo of the poster, but the council website has a ‘this site may harm your computer’ message on Google, so stuff that for a game of soldiers.

Main Dates

Election of Carnaval Queen: Friday 20th February
Grand Parade and dance: Monday 23rd February
Burial of the Sardine: Wednesday 25th February

Carnaval in Tenerife – The best DJs on the planet.

For those whose musical tastes are more dance and trance, the new event at this year’s carnaval in Santa Cruz will require some seriously cool rave wear and glow in the dark T-shirts instead of spotty dog costumes.

Electronic Monday sees international DJs such as America’s Armand Van Helden and Roger Sanchez as well as local hero, Real el Canario pump up the volume in Plaza de la Candelaria in Santa Cruz. Be there, or be…somewhere else.

Date: Monday 23rd February

Concerts on Tenerife - Guitar Heroes

You’ve just about got enough time to escape your virtual world, stop playing your ‘Guitar Hero’ computer game and get up to La Laguna to see some real masters in action at ‘La Guitarra’ the third International Guitar Festival which takes place in various venues around La Laguna, Santa Cruz and La Orotava between 12th February and 1st March 2009.

Admittedly the guitarists involved may not be of the headbanging variety, but if you like good guitar, you’ll love this.

Full list of venues and artists: Click here, or here