Concerts on Tenerife – The Beach Boys

Who needs Whitney when we’ve got the likes of The Beach Boys rolling into Santa Cruz on their surf boards (probably more like zimmer frames these days) in July to fill the capitol’s streets with their easy Californian sounds.

I wonder if they’ll sing ‘I wish they all could be Candelaria girls’.

Date: 7th July 2010

Venue:  Pabellón Insular de Tenerife Santiago Martín, Santa Cruz

Time: 9pm

Tickets: From €25 Buy Tickets Here

Concerts on Tenerife – David Bisbal in Santa Cruz

If you live on Tenerife and haven’t heard of David Bisbal then you clearly never, ever watch Spanish TV as his likeable mug is on at least one of the main channels every day of the week. He’s a sort of Spanish version of Robbie Williams but without the love it or hate it arrogance.
When English language speakers talk about big names playing Tenerife they often overlook the Spanish music scene – David Bisbal with his catchy blend of flamenco poprock is a big name and he’s singing somewhere in Santa Cruz in September.

Date: 25th September 2010

Time: 10pm

Location: Santa Cruz (possibly Parque Marítimo César Manrique)

Tickets: From €23 Buy Tickets Here

Fiestas on Tenerife: Romerías de San Isidro in Valle Guerra, Mercedes, Granadilla de Abona & Arguayo

I’ve got a question for anyone who lives on Tenerife who hasn’t actually seen a traditional romería – how have you managed to avoid them? From May onwards you can hardly go anywhere without tripping over a cart decorated with fruit and flowers pulled by a couple of seriously big bovines.

They’re great fun and will make anyone who believes that Tenerife has been completely engulfed by tourism think again. The real Tenerife is alive, kicking and having a whale of a time. If you don’t believe me head to Valle Guerra on 9th May, Granadilla de Abona on 15th May, Arguayo in the south west on 16th May or Mercedes on 30th May and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Concerts on Tenerife – ‘El Barrio’ Modern Flamenco in Tenerife

On the travel forum Tripadvisor the question ‘where can I see flamenco music on Tenerife?’ often comes up – usually from people who haven’t sussed where the Canary Islands actually are.

Normally the answer given is the exuberant Carmen Mota Ballet in Las Américas, but this month there’s another option as popular Spanish singer/songwriter José Luis Figuereo ‘El Barrio’ brings his particular handclapping, guitar banging and heel stomping brand of 21st century flamenco sounds to Santa Cruz.

Date: 8th May

Time: 10pm

Venue: Parque Marítimo César Manrique, Santa Cruz

Tickets: From €20 Buy Tickets Here

Music on Tenerife – IV Arona Jazz Festival, Los Cristianos

It’s hard to beat a bit of cool jazz sounds on a sultry night so visitors to Los Cristianos are in for a bit of a treat this month.  The Plaza de la Iglesia in the centre of town is the setting for the Arona Jazz Festival which takes place on the 7th and 8th May.

Details: 7th – 9pm, Steve Sherriff and Arona Jazz Quartet; Anna Rodíguez y Eliseo Lloreda; 8th – 9pm, Canaries Jazz Orchestra

Shows on Tenerife: ‘Alma’ – The New Carmen Mota Spectacular in Playa de Las Américas

People who think nightlife in Las Américas consists solely of dated tribute acts and bars full of pissed up young Brits would have their preconceptions turned completely upside down if they turned up at la Pirámide de Arona for the brand new Carmen Mota show ‘Alma’ which opens from the 5th May.

This heady fusion of flamenco, classical and contemporary Spanish dance is a world class spectacle in a Las Vegas type setting which is guaranteed to delight audiences and confound some expectations…and afterwards you can head to a tribute bar just to reassure yourself that Las Américas hasn’t completely lost its cheap and cheerful side.

Tickets: €43 (€30 residents) On Sale Here

Times: 7pm (Mon to Wed), 10pm (Thur), 9.30pm (Frid & Sat)

Thanks to islandmomma for the new times as at 3rd August 2010: " Hi. Those opening times are out of date. Maybe changed for the summer? Now is Mon and Wed 7.30, Tues, Fri and Sat 9.30 and I think Thurs @ 10. info on their site, but just rang them to confirm."

Fiestas on Tenerife – Fiesta de la Cruz – Firework Fiesta, Los Realej

Don’t forget that one of Europe’s longest firework displays takes place on Monday 3rd May in Los Realejos.

When I say longest I mean it – it can last from somewhere between 9pm and 10pm (it depends how long the procession which precedes the display takes) until about 1am. Not that there are fireworks exploding consistently. The historic pyrotechnic battle between two rival streets in the town takes place in stages and there can be quite long gaps between displays.

Don’t forget to take a jacket as Los Realejos’ slopes are still a bit on the cool side at this time of year.