La Cancelita Viewpoint

The view of Los Llanos from La Cancelita

La Palma has even more glorious viewpoints then the other Canary Islands. One of my favourites is La Cancelita, where you get two amazing views for the price of one. The good view covers Los Llanos and a good chunk of the surrounding plain. (Los Llanos means 'the plains' but it's not that flat by UK standards.

The view of the Caldera de Taburiente from La Cancelita

And the fantastic view sweeps down across the Caldera de Taburiente. All right, so you get fantastic views of the Caldera from almost anywhere around its rim, and from an awful lot of the Caldera floor, too. But this ones very accessible -- just a short drive from Los Llanos.
Follow the brown signs for the Caldera, and then take Calle Cancelita. You'll need to park when you run out of tarmac, and then walk along the dirt track for about five minutes. Believe me, it's worth it.


La Cancelita viewpoint

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El Time Viewpoint

La Palma has lots of spectacular viewpoints, (mirador in Spanish). Most people's favourite is the at El Time, which is perched on the northern edge of the Angustias ravine, in Tijarafe.

It's easy to find. Coming from Los Llanos, you drive down and down and down, round some pretty steep bends. After you cross the river, almost at sea-level, you drive up and up and up and up and up, until you're seventeen hundred feet up (535 m). There's a small car park on each side of the road.

You get a spectacular view, all the way from El Paso to the coast. Even better, there's a bar right on the edge. Weather permitting, you can admire the view while you sip your coffee and eat cake (rather good cake, too). There's a craft shop beside the bar. And if you're not thirsty, you can admire the view without going into either.

It's particularly spectacular at sunset.

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Fire fiesta on La Palma

Thursday is the feast of St John the Baptist. On La Palma, they have the very sensible custom of holding the party on the night before the public holiday, so that everyone can sleep late the morning after. Since fiestas often go on until the early hours, sleeping in next morning is delicious.

In Catholic countries, people celebrate the feast of St John with bonfires. (Any similarity to pagan midsummer festivals is purely coincidental.) On Wednesday night, there are traditionally lots of small, private bonfires, although many of these are banned this year because the wether's unusually hot and so there's a risk of starting a major forest fire. However, the bigger fires will go ahead. Traditionally these are at: San Andrés y Sauces, San Juan Belmaco (Malpaíses in Mazo)and El Remo (in Fuencaliente), and in Puerta Naos (Los Llanos), the witches will dance round a bonfire on the beach.

On Thursday, there will be special church services in Puntallana (main village), and Belmaco in Malpais, Mazo. And Astrotour will be holding a free star party at San Antonio volcano visitors' centre from 7 pm until midnight, where you'll be able to see the surface of the sun (safely!) find out how to make a sundial, how to find your way using shadows, myths and legends, observation with telescopes and more.

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Markets tomorrow in La Palma

Flea Market, Santa Cruz de la Palma

Santa Cruz Flea Market
Tomorrow the monthly flea market will be held in the port car park at Santa Cruz de la Palma. There’s an amazing variety of stuff on sale. For some reason there are lots of flowers, plants and vegetables, but also various crafts and antiques.



Argual Flea Market, Los Llanos

The flea market in Argual, just outside Los Llanos, takes place every Sunday from about 10 am to about 2 pm. It’s smaller than the monthly market in Santa Cruz, but it’s a much nicer situation. I think it’s been a market square for a very long time. At any rate, it’s surrounded by beautiful old buildings and has trees growing in the middle (which must be really nice on the hottest days).

This market has a slightly different flavour to Santa Cruz. It has a much higher percentage of German Hippies selling New Age things like Tibetan singing bowls.

I only saw two stalls setting plants. One also sold vegetables, and I bought some really good broccoli, plus sage and dill for the garden.

And one man was selling Palmeran cigars. Now I don’t smoke, but I believe Palmeran tobacco has a very good reputation.

Last time I went, my favourite bit was the dreamy live music. The instrument on the left is a digeridoo and the instrument on the right is a hang

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Carnival Programme for the weekend

Saturday 12th March
Santa Cruz de la Palma
All day long, music will be performed in various parts of the town to entertain passersby. Workshops, bouncy castles and festivals for the little ones. Performance by DJ Hanfry Martinez and various DJs from the Academia Red Bull.
10:00-12:00h. children's games in the plaza de la Alameda.
12:00 h. VI Festival Orillas del Son «Fiesta Cubana», with music from Cristina and Carmelina Barveris with samples of traditional Cuban food and drink, in the plaza de la Alameda.
17:00-22:00 h. Fancy dress dance with the Orquesta Ritmo, with a prize for the best costume and an adult piñata in the plaza de la Alameda.
22:00 h. public dance at the carnival stage, with the Orquestas “Salsaludando” and “Arena Caliente”.

Los Llanos

11.00 hrs. Serious percussion and carnival krewes at the Plaza de España and Aledaños

From 13.00 hrs. Public dance and kiosks at the carnival stage

Sunday 13th March
Santa Cruz de la Palma

18:00 h. Children's Festival organised and presented by the group Saltarines Animación Infantil y Espectáculos, with a prize for the best child's costume of Carnival 2011, at the carnival stage, with performances by children's groups.

20:00 h. Big public dance with a performance by the well-known Arturo del Castillo, eat the carnival stage.

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Carnival programme for Wednesday to Friday: Santa Cruz and Los Llanos

Funeral procession for the Sardine, Santa Cruz de la Palma

Wednesday 9th March

The Sardine's funeral This is probably the second biggest event in Carnival. As the name suggests, it's a funeral for a gigantic sardine, and downright Pythonesque too. Wear black and/or drag, and be prepared to wail with fake grief. Wednesday in Santa Cruz, Friday in Los Llanos, Saturday 19th in Los Sauces (a particularly good one)

Santa Cruz de la Palma

18:00h. Reception and Wake for the Sardine, in the Plaza de la Alameda, with music by Orquesta Ritmo and distribution of grilled sardines (There are very tasty, but a little salty. Decide who's driving first.)

21:00 h. The funeral cortege for D.ª Sardina leaves the plaza de la Alameda and heads towards the carnival stage. Once it arrives, the sardine will be cremated amid fireworks at the avenida Marítima. Afterwards, public dance with music by the musical band “Arena Caliente” at the carnival stage.

Los Llanos

11.00 hrs. Children's activities in the Plaza de España

20.00 hrs. Murgas in the Cultural Centre at El Retamar

Thursday 10th March

Santa Cruz de la Palma

18:00 hrs. Parade of carnival krewes and percussion groups from the Avenida El Puente to the Carnival stage. Afterwards, Drag Queen festival, with performances by various dance groups and artists from outside the island.

Los Llanos

11.00 hrs. Children's activities in the Plaza de España

17:00 hrs Children's fancy dress party. Bouncy castles, music, costume competition, have your photo taken with models (I think this means people like Micky Mouse)

Friday 11th March

Santa Cruz de la Palma

From 17:00 hrs. Masked ball in the Plaza de la Alameda with Orquesta Ritmo.

18:00 hrs. Groups of mariachis performing in the streets from Avenida El Puente to the carnival stage on the Avenida Marítima. Afterwards, Festival of Mariachis with performances by Mariachis Michoacán and Mariachis Mencey Azteca, at the carnival stage.

22:00 hrs. Public dance with music by “Los Geniales” and “Arena Caliente” at the carnival stage.

Los Llanos

11.00 hrs. Children's activities in the Plaza de España

13:00 hrs Start of the Sardine's funeral. Wake at El Camino Los Lomos.

19:00 hrs Funeral procession, accompanied by El Galvao leaves for Los Pedregales.

21:30 hrs On arrival, cremation of the sardine.

22:00 hrs public dance, with music by Bolero and Irosan

Cremation of the Sardine, Santa Cruz de la Palma

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Carnival Programme for Monday and Tuesday

Santa Cruz de la Palma: even the statues join in Los Indianos

Monday 7th March

Santa Cruz de la Palma

Los Indianos

For most people, this is the big event. Many poor Palmerans emigrated to Cuba and Venezuela. This fiesta celebrates the ones who came home rich. Everybody dresses in white, some have suitcases full of monopoly money, and it's a giant talc-throwing fight. The local bus company lays on extra buses. You can see the timetable at http://www.transporteslapalma.com/transportes/Mapas/Indianos2011.pdf

10:00 h. Waiting for the return of the emigrants in the plaza de España

10.00-14:00 h. Performance by the Orquesta Ritmo in the Plaza de la Alameda.

From 11:00 h. Groups playing traditional music in various parts of town

12:00 h. Performance of traditional Cuban music by “Cuarto Son”, in the plaza de España and reception for Tomasa the Black Lady, accompanied by the Academy of Musical Instruments from CajaCanarias, and dancing the Conga from the port to the Plaza de España.

13:00 h. Lunch for children from the Sahara in the sports centre at the Avenida Marítima.

15:00-18:00 h. Performance by Tinguaro A.K.A Mensey Live, Canarian artist now living in Barcelona.

16:30 h. Distribution of talc by the Fiestas Department of the Town Hall in the Avenida de Los Indianos (the main road out of town heading south.) Come to think of it, having a town hall department for fiestas sounds like a good idea to me.

17:00 h. Main Carnival Parade for los Indianos from the avenida de Los Indianos to the plaza de la Alameda.

18:00 -01:00 h. Public dance with music by orquesta libertad, in the plaza de la Alameda.

22:00-06:00 h. Public dance de Los Indianos, at the Carnival stage with music from the bands Arena Caliente, Salsaludando and Irosan, "for the delight of locals and visitors who come to this festival which transcends frontiers."

Los Llanos

11.00 hrs. Children's activities in the Plaza de España)

(22.00 hrs. Public dance with the bands Bolero and Los Geniales at the Carnival stage

Tuesday 8th March

Santa Cruz de la Palma

17:00 h. Fancy Dress Ball at the Old People's Day Centre, with music from orquesta Ritmo.

Los Llanos

17.00 hrs. Carnival parade with street musicians, krewes, percussion, floats, etc. from the Avda. Enrique Mederos to the Plaza de España.

Flying talc: Los Indianos, Santa Cruz de la Palma

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Carnival 2011

The poster for Carnival in Santa Cruz de la Palma

Carnival is a big deal in La Palma. By now we're all fed up with the (relatively) cold, wet weather and ready for some fun. Carnival is just what we need: an explosion of colour and music with a dash of lunacy before Lent. I always say people are making sure they have something really juicy to repent, but these days most people just regard it as a darn good excuse for a party.

Friday 4th March
Santa Cruz de la Palma

17:00-22:00h. Wig festival(?), in the Cuadrilátero, with a prize for the best wig.

18:00 h. Inaugural Carnival Parade, with children from schools and nursery schools in Santa Cruz de La Palma, Breña Alta, Breña Baja and Puntallana, from the plaza de la Alameda to the carnival stage. On arrival at the stage, Children's party.

18:30-22:00 h. Music from the band Orquesta Ritmo, in the Plaza de la Alameda.

22:00h. Public dance at the carnival stage, with music from the bands “Salsaludando” and “Arena Caliente”

Los Llanos
20.00 hrs Festival of carnival Krewes and Murgas at the Carnival stage
22.00 hrs Fiesta DJ’s at the Carnival stage
22.00 hrs. The kiosks around the Carnival stage will open.


Saturday 5th March

12:00 h. Opening production and speech for los Indianos accompanied by folk groups and Cuban groups, from the plaza de La Constitución to the plaza de España (where a parody will be performed) and on to the Alameda, where Cardero.com will play as a preliminary to the Ambassadors' parade.

17:00 h. Reception for the Ambassadors (come dressed as any nationality you feel like) from Calle Apurón, past la Molina Artesanía to Bar Sputnik.

18:00 h. The ambassadors gather and parade along the Calle Real, accompanied by music.

22:30 h. Ventetian Fiesta from La Molina Artesanía to Bar Sputnik, Venetian masked ball performed by the municipal dance school, where spectacle, surprise and mystery are guarenteed...

23:00 h. Concwert of music from the 60s and 70s with Retranka Big Band, in the Cuadrilátero (Bodeguita del Medio, La Cuatro, La Herradura y La Esquina).

23:00 h. Public dance at the carnival stage, with music from the bands “Salsaludando” and “Arena Caliente”

Los Llanos
Salsa music and mobile bars all day,
13:00 Music performed by Wamampy, La Caracas, La Libertad, Irosan y DJat the carnival stage

Domingo, 6 de marzo
Santa Cruz de la Palma
12:00 h. Pasacalle (street band) Renacer, performing in various places (Calle Apurón, Town Hall atrium and placeta Borrero).

18:00-22:00 h. Musical performance by Orquesta Rico Son, in the Plaza de la Alameda.

19:00 Gran Batucada, (serious percussion) performed by groups from all over the island, in the main streets of Santa Cruz

22:00 h. Public dance at the carnival stage, with music from “Los Geniales”.


Los Llanos
10.30-13.30 hrs. children's play activities (bouncy csatles, workshops, games etc.) Plaza de España and surrounding area .

Monday 7th will be the big day - Los Indianos. I'll post the programme shortly.

Meanwhile all over the island you can see people in fancy dress. I always enjoy the little kids best.

Chips is what Tiggers like best!

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Los Llanos's Ethnographic museum(MAB) - permenent exhibition

Prehispanic huts

The people who lived on La Palma before the Spanish arrived in 1493 called the island Benahoare, and themselves Benahorita, and they're the subject of the permanent exhibition upstairs at the ethnographic museum in Los Llanos.

The Benahorita lived in caves and wore animal skins, but they weren't stupid. They farmed, and they had quite a bit of technology considering there's no metal ores on the island. Their ceramics are lovely.


Prehispanic ceramics

The exhibition includes recreations of the sort of huts and caves they lived in, the the way they buried their dead. (Caution - there are some real human skeletons. I don't mind but some people might.) Display cases and panels tell you all about their ceramics, and the ingenious things they made out of stone, bones, shells, leather and wood. More display panels cover the ancient Benohora kingdoms, archaeological sites, and the geology of La Palma.

All in all, it's pretty good, and it's free.

The museum opens from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – 8 pm



Cave home

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Los Llanos's Ethnographic Museum, MAB

Exterior of the Ethnographic Museum

This morning I finally got to see the ethnographic museum in Los Llanos. It's been open for four years, so I wasn't exactly jumping the gun.

The building's at the top end of Los Llanos, and the outside is an example of what you can do with concrete when you stop thinking about shoe boxes. I'm sure only smart-mouthed philistines find themselves thinking of gasometers. It's just that I used to take a bus past a gasometer just the same size and shape.

And they're digging up the grounds at the moment. I expect that's temporary.

Statue of the shepherd's leap over the entrance

Entrance is free, and once you get inside, it's really nice. Be sure to look up as you go through the main door - there's a statue of a man doing the traditional Shepherd's Leap.

Downstairs is where they hold the temporary exhibitions. Today there were two of them. One side held a fascinating exhibition on the island's fungi, by Cecilia Hosinsky, which will be there until the 28th of January.


Fungi in chestnut woods

The other side held an exhibition of statues, inspired by the Prehispanic rock carvings and statues of the island. Today was the last day, so I was lucky to catch it.

Statues inspired by Prehispanic art

I'll cover the permanent exhibit in another post soon.

The museum opens from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am - 2 pm and 5 pm - 8 pm. It's officially called the "Museo archeologico benahoarita", or MAB.

By the time you get there, the statue of me doing yoga will have gone.

Statue of me doing yoga

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Where's the Village Gone?

Tourists sometimes go nuts trying to find the village of Breña Baja, or Fuencaliente.

There's a really simple reason why they can't find them. They don't exist. Breña Baja and Fuencaliente are municipalities, and their town halls are in the villages of San Jose and Los Canarios, respectively. It like driving all over the south east of England, looking for the town of Sussex.

The map shows the 14 municipalities (in blue) , with their administrative seats (in pink). Where
there's no name in pink, the municipalities are named after their chief villages, which makes things simpler. Just to keep things interesting, one, San Andrés y Sauces, is named after the two biggest villages. The town hall is in Los Sauces, which is much bigger and on the main road.

That's easy to find.

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La Palma Carnival: Tuesday - Friday

Los Indianos, Santa Cruz de la Palma

Tuesday 16th
Santa Cruz de la Palma
5 pm Fancy dress ball in the senior citizens day centre, with live salsa music

Los Llanos
Cancelled

Wednesday 17th
Santa Cruz de la Palma
11 am Presentation of prizes in the town hall.

Los Llanos
11 am - 1 pm Children's activities, Plaza de España
8 pm Murgas, Plaza de España

Cancajos
8 pm the Octopus's Funeral followed by a dance



Thursday 18th
Los Llanos
7 pm Comparsas (musical groups) at the carnival stage
8 pm Murgas, Plaza de España

Friday 19th
Santa Cruz de la Palma
9 pm The Sardine's funeral. Procession from the Alameda to the carnival stage, followed by the cremation, fireworks and a dance.

Los Llanos
11 am - 1 pm Children's activities, Plaza de España
1 pm The Sardine's funeral starts at El Camino Los Lomos -Los Pedregales. At 7 pm the procession leaves for La Calle Ramón Pol. and should arrive a 9:30 pm. On it's arrival, the sardine will be cremated.
10 pm Live music at the carnival stage

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Los Llanos Carnival Programme for the Weekend

Sorry, I don't know Los Llanos nearly so well, so I can't tell you where to find things. But they're usually quite loud, so I suggest you just follow the noise.

Friday 12th
22:00 Masked dance with live music
22:00 Carnival kiosks

Saturday 13th
10:30 Table Tennis
12:00 "The Great Powder"

Sunday 14th
11:00 Table Tennis

Monday 15th
11:00 Activities for children
22:00 Carnival dance with live music

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Balcon Taburiente Restaurant

The patio at Balcon Taburiente restaurant

There are several restaurants in La Palma with amazing views. If you fancy an amazing view with your dinner, there are several restaurants on La Palma which can oblige. For example, there's Balcon Taburiente restaurant on the edge of Los Llanos, clinging to the edge of the Angustias ravine.

I haven't had more than a coffee there myself, but I've heard good things of the food. Certainly, they're very friendly, even if you turn up with a large dog. As a guide, the most expensive thing on the menu is garlic or onion steak for €13.80, and one of the cheapest main courses is a pork chop for €6.80.

From the centre of Los Llanos, take the road to the Caldera, signposted in brown. When you reach the edge of the cliff, turn left (turning right leads into the Caldera) and you'll find it on your right after maybe 100 yards. There's a not-very-obvious car park opposite.

They open from 11 am to 11 pm, except on Sundays, when they shut an hour earlier, and Tuesdays when they're shut all day.


The balcony at the Balcon Taburiente restaurant

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La Cancelita Viewpoint

The view of Los Llanos from La Cancelita

La Palma has even more glorious viewpoints then the other Canary Islands. One of my favourites is La Cancelita, where you get two amazing views for the price of one. The good view covers Los Llanos and a good chunk of the surrounding plain. (Los Llanos means 'the plains' but it's not that flat by UK standards.

The view of the Caldera de Taburiente from La Cancelita

And the fantastic view sweeps down across the Caldera de Taburiente. All right, so you get fantastic views of the Caldera from almost anywhere around its rim, and from an awful lot of the Caldera floor, too. But this ones very accessible -- just a short drive from Los Llanos.
Follow the brown signs for the Caldera, and then take Calle Cancelita. You'll need to park when you run out of tarmac, and then walk along the dirt track for about five minutes. Believe me, it's worth it.


La Cancelita viewpoint

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World Book Day

April 23rd is world book day. On La Palma, the celebrations go on all week. Both Santa Cruz and Los Llanos have book stalls out in the street. Last year, they had a 10% discount, although most of the books were in Spanish. Since I'm a book-a-holic, I loved it.

This year, they're having events to encourage people to come. Amoung other things, Callou (from the TV series) will be in Santa Cruz signing books all week, as are various adult authors. And the cowboy from Oregon, Leaping Louie will be doing his lasso/whip/comedy routine in Los Llanos (Monday 6pm, Plaza de España) and Santa Cruz (Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Plaza de España). And a group from El Hierro will be performing "a dance spectacular inthe street" called "The Garoé Tree". (The Sacred Garoé is a tree in El Heirro).

A fair few books are going to be "presented" which usually means the author reading part of the book, followed by nibbles and a chance to buy a signed copy. Los Sauces will stage a play, "El", in the Casa de Cultura on Tuesday at 8:30 pm, and Jackie Rios and Sis del Castillo wilol give a concert in Los Llanos on Wednesday at 6:30 int the Plaze de España.

I'm looking forward to this, especially if they have discounts again.

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Weekend Carnival Programme

Santa Cruz de La Palma
Saturday, 28th February

12:00 noon. Cuban music in the plaza de la Alameda.

10 pm Costume night, with music from Salsaludando and Arena Caliente at the carnival stage

Sunday, 1st March

6 pm children´s party with music from Vigord Jazz, and a prize for the best child´s costume of 2009, at the carnival stage.

Los Llanos
Saturday, 28th February

6 pm Carnival Procession in Puerto Naos.
Organized by the Neighbourhood Association Jaraco from Puerto Naos.
Avda. de Puerto Naos

10:00 p.m Public dance at the carnival stage, with music from Ricaband and Bolero

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Canival programme during the week

Santa Cruz de La Palma
Monday, 23rd February LOS INDIANOS - the main event for most people. At one time many Palmerans left the island in search of a better life in the Caribean. Los Indianos celebrates
those who came home again stinking rich. Basically, almost everyone wears white, usually "Gone with the Wind" style dresses for the women, and suits and Panama hats for the men. Some people carry cardboard suitcases, and everybody throws truly amazing quantities of talc at each other. If you dress up and join the parade, the town hall will provide talc. I believe last year they handed out five tones of the stuff and of course most people bought more. The talc is considerably cheaper at the supermarket then at the carnival stalls, and you probably want at least 500g per person. Lots of photos from two years ago here, and a description of last year's event here.

Give it a miss if you have bad asthma, or you're shaky on your feet - the ground gets very slippy. Otherwise make sure you see at least a bit of it. People come from South America for this!

10 am. Waiting. Dignitares wait outside the town hallto greet old friends, neighbours and family who wen to (south) American in search of fortune. Today they come to stir upthe town with Cuban rhythms.

11:00-12:30 am. Cuban music from Los Viejos in la plaza de la Alameda.

11:30 am - 1 00 pm. Tradicional Cuban Music from Pimienta and Ají in the plaza de España. During the performance, the dignitaries will recieve "la Negra Tomasa", a traditional character who represents the returning Palmerans.

And then there's something called "La Batatita, Las Chancleteras y el Manisero," performed by the students of the Municipal Theatre School.

12:30-2:00 pm. Cuban Music from Son Bohemio in la plaza de la Alameda.

13:00-14:30 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Mayeya in la plaza de España.

14:30 pm. I Festival Pimienta y Ají in la plaza de Santo Domingo with traditional Cuban music from various groups.

14:30-16:00 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Orillas del Son in la plaza de España.

16:00-17:00 pm. Yet more traditional Cuban music from Parranda del Gofio in the Plaza de España.

16:30 pm. Official reception for Los Indianos and the talc battle starts.

17:00 pm. The main procession of Los Indianos from Avenida de Los Indianos (the main road leading south out of town) to the plaza de la Alameda.

17:00-18:30 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Son Bohemio in the plaza de la Alameda.

17:30-19:00 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the groups ONG El Cardero Punto Com y Punto on the carnival stage.

18:30-20:00 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Cuarto Son in the plaza de la Alameda.

19:00-20:30 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Mayeya on the carnival stage.

20:00-21:30 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Changó in the plaza de la Alameda.

21:30-23:00 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Orillas del Son in the plaza de la Alameda.

23:00-00:30 pm. Tradicional Cuban from the group Changó in the plaza de la Alameda.

24:00 pm. Public dance with music performed by Salsaludando, Arena Caliente, Geniales and Rica Band on the carnival stage.

00:30-02:00 am. Tradicional Cuban from the group Cuarto Son in the plaza de la Alameda.

Martes, 24 de febrero

17:00 pm. Dance in fancy dress at the Day Centre for Pensioners

19:00 pm. Carnival Festival, with a performances by the La Longuera, Dance School, Ventacayce Cultural Centre, La Palma Dance School, La Encarnación childen's group, Chango Batuka Workshop Calcinas Dance Group and Devorah Velásquez León, at the carnival stage.

Viernes, 27 de febrero

21:00 pm. THE SARDINE'S FUNERAL This is the other crazy night, although the funeral in Santa Cruz seems to be less popular each year, whereas the one in Los Sauces gets more popular (that one's on March 9th this year). Yes, it's a funeral procession for a huge papiere mache sardine, complete with fake priests and moUrners howling with fake grief. It's like being inside a Monty Python sketch. (There's a longer description with photos here)

The funeral procession for Lady Sardine leaves the Plaza de la Alameda at 9p,and heads for the carnival stage. On arrival, the cremation and fireworks (NB the locals stand well back for a good reason!) After that there will be a public dance with music from Salsaludando and Los Geniales at the carnival stage.

Los Llanos de Aridane

MONDAY, February 23
11 a.m. CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP
Plaza de España

4.30 p.m. Parade and children's mask contest
Carnival Scene

10 p.m. Public Dance
with the musical group Libertad and Bolero at the Carnival Stage

TUESDAY, February 24
5 p.m. CARNIVAL COSO
with a carnival groups parades: murgas, comparsas, batucadas, carrozas, etc.
From “La Vera de Argual” to Plaza de España.

WEDNESDAY, Feburary 25
8 p.m. Murgas in La Plaza de España

THURSDAY, February 26
8 p.m. Murgas in La Plaza de España

FRIDAY, February 27
9:30 p.m. The Sardine's Funeral (See the description for Sana Cruz, or a longer description with photos here)

The Burial starts at 1:00 p.m. in El Camino Los Lomos – Los Pedregales, from where the funeral procession leaves at 7:00 p.m. towards La Calle Ramón Pol.
Once the funeral procession arrives, the Sardine will e cremated.

10:00 p.m. VERBENA
With Ricaband and Grupo Libertad orchestras at the Carnival Stage

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Los Llanos Carnival Program for the weekend

FRIDAY, February 20
Festival of Comparsas (Comparsas perform musical dance numbers)
> 8 p.m. Carnival Stage

SATURDAY, February 21
Comparsas performance
> 11.30 a.m. Plaza de España

Big Talcum-Powder throwing party (NB, there's a really good talc-throwing party in Santa Cruz on Monday)
Music and Dancing with La Retranca, Libertad and Salsaludando orchestras
> 1 p.m. Carnival stage

More Music and Dancing
with the orchestras: Bolero, Libertad and Ricaband
> 10 p.m. Carnival Scene

SUNDAY, February 22
THIRD AGE (pensioners') FESTIVAL
With the performance of carnival groups. Then Verbena with Silvia Reyes Group
> 5 p.m. Carnival Stage. Free entrance

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Ruido Fiesta 7

Casiano Melian







Friday night was the fiesta for issue 7 of Fanzine Ruido, held in bar Jon y Jor, inthe same building as the Millenium cinema in Los Llanos

It was a great night out. €3 paid for entrance to the gig, a copy of the magazine, and a free beer. (I was driving, so it was the only alcohol I had all night.)

The bands were Casiano Melian and Eremiot y la Tripulación. They were great!

And finally, they had an impromptu jam session. My husband joined in on the drums, and had a great time.

Eremiot y la Tripulación

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