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Thursday, 17 March 2011

The Sardine's Funerals 2011

Poster for the Sardine's funeral in Puntallana, 2011Poster for the Sardine's funeral in Puntallana

How many funerals can you hold for a sardine? On La Palma, at least five.

Los Llanos and Santa Cruz have already held theirs, but Puntalllana's is on Friday night at 10 pm, and it's got a 1960s theme.


The most famous sardine's funeral on the island is at Los Sauces. This year it will be on Saturday 19th, with batucada (serious percussion) at 8 pm, drag queens at 8:30 pm and the funeral itself at 9:30 pm.

Los Cancajos will hold a carnival parade along the main street on Friday 18th at 5:30 pm and on Saturday 19th at 6 pm there's a children's fiesta in front of the Centro Comercial Cancajos.
Poster for Carnival in Los Cancajos, 2011Poster for Carnival in Los Cancajos, 2011


And finally, Barlovento will cremate their sardine on Saturday the 26th.

The Sardine's funeral in Los Sauces, 2008The Sardine's funeral in Los Sauces

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Friday, 11 March 2011

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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Tuesday, 8 March 2011

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

Funeral procession for the Sardine, Santa Cruz de la PalmaFuneral 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 PalmaCremation of the Sardine, Santa Cruz de la Palma

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Sunday, 6 March 2011

Carnival Programme for Monday and Tuesday

Statues covered in talc at Los Indianos, Santa Cruz de la PalmaSanta 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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Friday, 4 March 2011

Carnival 2011

Fairy-story: the poster for Carnival in Santa Cruz de la PalmaThe 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.

Toddler dressed as Tigger for Carnival in Santa Cruz de la PalmaChips is what Tiggers like best!

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Tuesday, 23 February 2010

An Octupus and a Sardine

Poster for the Octopus's Funeral, Los Cancajos, La Palma Island
The Octopus's funeral has been rescheduled for Friday 26th.

The procession will leave the pharmacy at 8 pm and make its way to the beach, where the octopus will be cremated. There will be fireworks and dancing. Everybody welcome.
This is a new fiesta, so it'll be interesting to see

Meanwhile the sardine's funeral at Los Sauces will take place on Saturday 27th. The percussion music starts at 8 pm and the funeral procession starts at 9:30 pm in the main square by the church. Last time I saw it, it was wonderful.

And I believe that Barlovento will hold their sardine's funeral the weekend after, on March 5th or 6th. Watch this space.

Poster for the Sardine's Funeral, Los Sauces, La PAlma island

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Tuesday, 16 February 2010

La Palma Carnival: Tuesday - Friday

Fiesta de los indianos (powder night) santa cruz de la PalmaLos 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
The Sardine's funeral, santa cruz de la palma

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Friday, 12 February 2010

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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Santa Cruz de la Palma Carnival Programme for the Weekend

Santa Cruz de la Palma Carnival Programme 2010
Santa Cruz de la Palma will be starting Carnival tonight. If you're staying in town, it's a great spectacle, but you should probably buy ear-plugs, as the music will be loud, and most nights it will go on until about 2 am. On Monday there will still be people partying at dawn.

Where things are:
The Alameda Square is at the north end of town, next to the concrete ship.
The main carnival stage is on the sea-front car park - just follow the sound of music.
The Plaza España is just south of where the main street crosses El Puente - the main road perpendicular to the sea-front. Follow the main street until you find the crowd and the music.
The Post Office is at the southern end of the main street, Calle O'Daly. Come out of the port and turn left, or go to the tourist information office and look for the crowd.
The Cuadrilátero is a little difficult to explain. From the port, head along the sea-front for a block, then go one block inland.
The Balconies stage. Go along the sea-front until you see the famous, 17th century balconies
Avenida los Indianos is the main road heading south out of town, to the big roundabout.

Don't Drink and Drive
The legal limit for blood alcohol in Spain is 0.05%, which is lower than the UK. It's about two units of alcohol for most people, but a traditional rum and coke often contains three units. There will be extra buses and plenty of taxis.


Friday 12th
6 pm Kids' Parade from the Alameda square to the main carnival stage, followed by live music at the stage.
10 pm Live music at the main carnival stage


Saturday 13th Ambasadors' Parade
10 am Live music in the Alameda Square
6 pm Official reception and parade from the Post Office to the Alameda Square, with accompanying bands, followed by live music in the Alameda Square.
9 pm Concert by the Oxford Music Band in the Plaza España
11 pm Concert of music from the 60s and 70s in the Cuadrilátero
11 pm Live music at the main carnival stage

Sunday 14th
12 noon Live music in various bits of town
4 pm Football Derby in the stadium at the top of Avenida el Puente
6 pm Basketball match at the Miraflores stadium (out of town.)
7pm Batucada (lots and lots of drums) in the main streets
10 pm Live music at the main carnival stage

Monday 15th LOS INDIANOS
Los Indianos parade, Santa Cruz de la Palma 2007

The big one! This is why some supermarkets are selling 25 kg sacks of talc. See here for an explanation and here and here for photos of other years. The ferry from Tenerife will arrive absolutely packed with foot passengers who've come to party. Don't miss it unless you have lung problems. The local bus company is laying on lots and lots of extra buses.

10 am The waiting. People mill around the Plaza de España, officially waiting for the boat bringing the Indianos - their relatives back from Venezuela and Cuba. Live Cuban music until 12:30 pm

12 noon - 2 pm Local group Vrandan at the Balconies stage

12:30 pm More live Cuban music with a local carnival character, Tomasa the black lady

1:30 pm Dancing procession of the Indianos and Tomasa from the Plaza de España to the main Carnival stage.

2 pm - 1 am Live Cuban music pretty much everywhere.

5 pm THE PROCESSION from Avenida los Indianos to the Alameda Square

1 am - 6 am Live Cuban music at the main Carnival stage.

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Saturday, 28 February 2009

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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