Fiesta and Leisure

Old Boys in Torrevieja:

An interesting exhibition on the harbour front in Torrevieja   has the theme of "Humans"   tracing humanoids who have lived on the Iberian Peninsula. The Caixa Bank's social works department is funding this mobile exposition which runs until 4th September.   The exhibition takes the visitor through several zones leading you through various aspects of man's style of living and development, the earliest houses, utensils, tools, hunting weapons and agricultural progress. Meanwhile back in Atapuerca, Spain's earliest archaeological site and other discovery is that of a woman's skull believed to be 500,000 years old, the 16th to be found on this site.

Look ahead to 2008

2008 will be another exciting year in Spain and once again interruptions will take place because of the expected general Elections in May, in which only Spanish nationals are permitted a vote. Last year it was local elections and the reigning Partido Popular party of Torrevieja was returned with another majority so it can push forward some of the projects envisaged in their election proposals.

Water world:

Beautiful Zaragossa is the city for a World Fair with "Sustainable Water" as the theme. Valencia City is also the centre chosen for the Formula One motor racing which provides another excuse to visit this marvellous city.

Torrevieja continues to be the flagship of the Vega Baja with continuous delights of cultural events in all the arts. The new Municipal Theatre has proven to be a boon to everyone and it is wonderful that the foreign residents are able to perform here to an international audience.

For those living in Albatera 2008 is a special celebration as the church of Santiago (St. James) celebrates the 400th anniversary of the parish and the 275th anniversary of the construction of the church.

CULTURE

Torrevieja has four main venues for shows of all kinds, with another one in the process of being built. The town has several municipal schools training youngsters in all forms of the arts and culture in general and the town hall provides many grants for students to help them become more professional. The result is that there is always something entertaining going on in the town. In addition the nearby towns of Guardamar, Rojales, Orihuela, San Fulgencio and Pilar de la Horadada, all have fine theatres or halls that are used for a wide variety of shows.   Perhaps not "culture" in a strict sense of the word, but there are now umpteen bars and restaurants that offer live entertainment with a growing band of good singers and entertainers.

Bands are always popular, be they marching brass bands, jazz, swing or a full blown concert orchestra. The Torrevieja and surrounding area is now blessed with a fine range of musicians, both professional and amateur, who compose small bands to Big Bands. Among them are some fine soloists on their own instruments that have standing ovations. In addition there are always top musical groups from around the world that are invited to concerts with top line singers and bands. Often there are open-air concerts by groups such as Shakira, REM, that attract audiences of ten to twenty thousand people from all over.

The town hall cultural department has an extensive and far reaching programme of events that is published quarterly and can be viewed on the www.torrevieja.com website along with many other activities.

Choirs may conjure up memories of staid church choir groups singing hymns, which is a mistaken image. Most of the choirs in our area are singing for fun and fun they make it for the audience. Put three or four choirs on the same programme and their repertoire and style will be completely different and often full of well-known songs and music, humour, as well as introducing new songs to the listeners all the time. Torrevieja has several choir festivals throughout the year.

Dancing has become popular in recent years and more so in Torrevieja where there are so many retired people who enjoy taking up dancing, attending dance classes and appearing in some of the many shows of all the musicians, often for raising funds for charities. The OCIO discothèque for pensioners also offers dance classes and many foreigners take advantage of typical Spanish dancing such as Sevillanas or pasadobles.

There are groups of country line dancers with modern pop music, classes for children, and classes in Latin American dancing etc.

The town puts a lot of money into cultural events, including providing grants to music students. Unfortunately many of the students have to go to Madrid, Barcelona or Murcia to complete higher music studies. This need will be soon met when the town's International Superior Musical Conservatory is built, already well underway. This is located near the San Jaime Hospital and it will have a Residence, a 1,500-seat auditorium as well as smaller halls, suitable for Congresses as well as concerts.

This is just one of several projects to provide a better quality of lifestyle for all Torrevieja's citizens. Others are the New Sea & Salt Museum in the historic Eras de la Sal on the port front. Or the healthy Spa, esigned by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, using the salt waters of the lake at the Punta Vibora area of Torretas. The port area and new marina will be terminated in 2008 with another leisure area under the shadow of the harbour wall and a huge underground car park.

Torrevieja Programme August/September

Each quarter the Torrevieja Cultural Office produces a large programme of coming events of the following three months. July has been and gone with the Habaneras competition being the mainline attraction with several subsidiary concerts in the open air and in the cultural centres.

More and more art is being taken into the streets and urbanisations. The First Animated Theatre Campaign starts on 13th August in the Urb. Jardin del Mar. All the shows are free and begin at 22.00. Then a repeat on 14th in the Urb. Molino, C/ Las Hormigas in front of the IES Las Lagunas school. It moves on the 15th (pay note, a national holiday) it Residencial Interplayas, Alto del Sol, calle Corcega. The street theatre is in Urb. Parasol, C/ Alboran (old windmill). The 17th the show is at the Residencial Baños de Europa (plaza Lira parallel to calle Aries and calle Orion. 18th it is at La Mata at the end of calle Emperadores, then the next night it is on show still in La Mata but at the intersection of Ave. Los Suecos and Ave Los Emperadores. The theatre is at Urb Viñamar on 22nd at calle Morera intersecting with calle Cipres. 23rd it wil be at Urb. Villas de Torremata at calle Ulises and calle Penelope intersection. On the 24th August it moves to the Urb Los Leandros. The players have a short break but start again on 27th at the Playa del Acequion next to calle Valencia. The Urb. Rocio del Mar is the background on the 28th. The show moves on to the Urb. Los Altos on 29th before moving on to Los Balcones at the sports/tennis centre on Wednesday 29th. It moves back to the plaza del Emarcadero inLa Mata on 31st August.

Bands Festival:

This is going to be a real treat for those who love to follow brass bands and we will be entertained by bands not only of Spain, but from Holland, Slovakia and the U.K. This is the fourth year of this "City of Torrevieja" has taken place and this year is more international and even more professional. Most of the series of musical events that have become annual standard have seen improvements in the quality of the musicians and Torrevieja is building-strong reputation as a prestigious venue for events and competitions throughout the year.

These particular concerts will take place in the Municipal Theatre for a derisory two euros entrance (for local charities). Please, gentlemen, remember that it is obligatory to be dressed up for entry to the theatre, which means no shorts!

The local Los Salerosos Musical Society is hosting the festival and will play on the 25th August at 22.30.

The "Amsterdam Wind Orchestra" represents Holland and Slovakia has sent the prize-winning 50- strong youth group "Bohinji Wind Band" will perform on 27th and 28th August. The U.K. has two wonderful military based bands - the "Central Band of the Royal Air Force" aim to perform on 26th August. The Portsmouth based "Royal Marines Association Concert Band" will offer three concerts later in the festival.

And there's more...

Still continuing the theme of bringing culture to the streets on 18th August the Union Musical San Miguel de Salinas is in concert for free on the seafront at the Paseo Juan Aparicio, the last one in this series of seaside music concerts. On the same night in the Parque Antonio Soria Fito & Fitipaldis one of Spain's pop groups will perform in concert.

SEPTEMBER

Most of the summer mob has left and the town gets back to a more normal state. On the 8th for the first time, and hopefully not the last, the local English weekly newspaper "Coastrider" is holding a gala presenting prizes to those who have made outstanding contributions in the community. This takes place at 20.00 and costs 5 euros but is followed by a gala night of great and varied entertainment for a further 5 euros.

On the 9th the local community from Asturias celebrate with a variety of small events but centred on the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre. This will include traditional dance and music.

The Latin American community has a lot to offer entertainment-wise and on the 14th the second edition of Festival Latina will be held in the Municipal Theatre, starting at 21.00 and entrance 10 euros for a great night of lively music and a must for dance lovers. Then on the 21st there is another opportunity to enjoy this Latin festival in the Municipal Theatre at 21.00 for 10 euros.

The RASCALS present their popular 2007 Variety Show in the Municipal Theatre on the 15th September and the entrance is only 7 euros, and remember that all this money will help local charities. The RASCALS of La Siesta are well known for their varied talents and are always willing to help out. This particular show is full of colourful costumes, dance routines and songs that everyone knows and at times can even join in.

Music in the streets continues on the 15th September when the Los Salerosos Orchestra plays for free in the Habana plaza in front of the Cuba College.

Every year there is normally a Verbena de Epoca or a celebration where people celebrate the end of summer and dress up in suitable fancy dress of an age gone by. This was held in the open-air theatre the Eras de la Sal, which is closed at present as there is renovation work going on. However, this year it has been decided to use the pensioners' Ocio Centre near Carrefour for this year's occasion. Entrance is free but places limited.

Sunday 23rd at 20.00 in the municipal theatre there is a concert of music from Valencian musical societies which will prove to be a big draw, especially as it is free.

Agustina Esteve is a well-known local dance teacher and her group will dance on 28th in the Municipal Theatre at 21.00, entrance 5 euros in aid of the local Alzheimer's association "Alsheisal". Here is an opportunity to see some of the traditional Spanish dances performed as well as some modern style routines and help a deserving cause at the same time.

Theatre:

Torrevieja has an excellent Municipal Drama School and during September there are several theatrical events. On 20th and 21st the "Fantasia Group of Russia" will be performing at 21.30 in the Municipal Theatre with a ticket costing 15 euros.