Events in May

For those who are out in May or have visitors staying the following was taken from this weeks Coastrider


The May Fair or ‘Feria de Mayo’ opens in Torrevieja this week. This annual fair organised by ‘La Asociación de Amigos de la Feria de Mayo’ is one of the undoubted highlights of the Torrevieja cultural calendar. It is a hugely popular fair which brings together all the colour and excitement from Andalucia in the south of Spain and mixes it together with evocative music, food and companionship. The spectacle of the casetas or little pavilions is something to behold especially in the evening when the sun goes down and the lights of the individual stalls come on. The crowds in their finery, many wearing the traditional dress of Andalucia with the ladies in their ‘rocerías’ emphasise the cultural background of the event. As you enjoy the entertainment with the opportunity to sample some excellent fare from local providers and from further afield in Spain, one could almost be at that much larger and more famous event the Feria in Sevilla. It is a truly accessible festival, unlike many parades which while enjoyable do not allow the spectator to get too close. At the Feria de Mayo you can wander freely just soaking up the atmosphere if that takes your pleasure or sitting down to enjoy a beer or some Fino sherry and tapas. It is a perfect fiesta to take friends and visitors to, offering a truly magical insight into the colour drama, excitement and enjoyment that being in Spain is all about.
Each year there is also a competition in the schools divided into different age groups with prizes for the best, most evocative pictures that sum up the Feria de Mayo. This year, the 17th year of running the competition, prizes were awarded to 12 young artists from schools in the town.
The May Fair starts on Wednesday 30th April at 9.00 pm when the mayor of Torrevieja Pedro Hernández Mateo, will officially open the Fair. There will be music provided by the Union Musical Torrevejense and the Coro y Orquesta Maestro Ricardo Lafuente, so very appropriate as the composer died earlier this year. There will also be fireworks and there is nothing as guaranteed to get a fiesta of to a good start as a sterling pyrotechnic display. There will also be a performance on the main stage by the Academias de Baile de Torrevieja.
On Thursday night, May 1st, as well as being able to enjoy what the casetas have to offer of course there will be a performance by the duo Kiko y Sara starting at 11.00 pm. This young brother and sister from Cadiz have just received their second platinum disc for sales of their latest album ‘Una de dos’. Their music is light pop, very commercial and most people should enjoy tapping along or dancing to their numbers many of which have a flamenco feel to them.
The Feria del Mayo is the first stop on their summer tour this year.
Friday 2nd May brings an evening of Flamenco to the Feria starting at 11.00pm and on Saturday night the 3rd of May there is the Mass Rociera in the Inmaculada at 10.30 am with singing from Coro Nuestra Señora del Rocío de Almonte. In the evening starting at 11.00 pm ‘El Mani’ will be appearing. ‘El Mani’ was born in Gines on the outskirts of Seville and began singing with the Coro Rociero de Gines and was a soloist with the choir at the tender age of 12 years old. His professional career stared in 1988 and he has become a well established and highly respected sevillanas singer and no doubt will be performing a number of songs from his latest album ‘Ami Aire’ which contains a flamenco bulería, a rhumba as well as sevillanas. He is backed by a small group of musicians, almost all of whom have been with him since he stared and whom he counts as his friends. It is hard to think of a more appropriate performer to appear on the Stage at the Feria.
The Feria de Mayo comes to an end on Sunday evening at 10.00pm when the official closing ceremony takes place with music from the Coro de Nuestra Señora de Rocío de Almonte.