PICK OF THE WEEK: Andorra (Pyrenees)
Main places:
Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, San Julia de Loria, La Massana, Ordino, Encamp, Canillo, Pas de la Casa
PICK OF THE WEEK: 19th –25th February 2018
MUSIC
The 2018 Season at the National Auditorium: Sweet California – Ladie’s Tour Friday, 23rd February at 21.30h at the National Auditorium, Ordino. (Tickets: adults 25€, under 15s 10€) Spain’s most successful Girls’ Band, Sweet California, was formed in Madrid in 2013. Alba Reig Gilabert, Sonia Gómez González and Tamy Nsue were discovered by the record label Warner Music Spain, and currently have sold more than 100,000 albums, and won an MTV EMA for the best Spanish artist. As with most Girls/ Boys bands, their audience is mainly teens and their basic style is pop, with shades of dance, country and rhythm & blues.
Kids United in Concert Saturday, 24th February at 19h at the Prat del Roure, Escaldes-Engordany. (Tickets 10€) Organised by the French Embassy. THE Kids are a media phenomenon and are by far the best known French group for young audiences in Andorra. The five children are part of a group formed during a 2015 Unicef campaign. Do watch the link. It’s had over 66 million views.
Charity Concert: Share What Matters Saturday, 24th February at 21.30 at the Church of Sant Esteve, Andorra la Vella. (5€) with the excellent soprano, Jonaina Salvador, and choirs from Andorra. This concert is in aide of Andorra’s Mans Unides’ 2018 development projects in Senegal, Cameroon, Honduras, Guinea, Conakry and Uganda.
DANCE
An evening of ballroom dancing to the strains of Paris la Nuit.
Saturday, 24th February at 23h at the Prat del Roure, Escaldes-Engordany. (Organised by Balland 7€ but free to members.)
CINEMA
The Shape of Water Monday 19th – Wednesday, 21st February at 19.45h and on Thursday, 22nd February at 20.15h at Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon. The Story: At a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. Just won three BAFTA and Golden Globe awards including Best Director and Best Music.
SPORT
Crèdit Andorrà G Series, the speed championships on ice Saturday, 24th February at the Circuit Andorra ice racing circuit, Pas de la Casa. (No time given…) organised by the Automòbil Club d’Andorra and the Circuit Andorra. Maximum excitement on four wheels! And now there’s a larger, more comfortable space with a terrace with a great view of the racing.
OTHER
2018 Snow Carving Competition. Friday 23rd – Sunday, 25th February from 10h – 14h at Pas de La Casa. (Free. Usually best to go on Saturday afternoon or Sunday when the sculptures have to be finished.) The monumental snow sculpture competition aims to sensitize the public to this form of artistic expression. This year, the contest will revolve around the theme of refugees. Participants must be over 18 years old. Sculpting the work will begin on Friday, 23 February at 10h and will last until Sunday, 25th February at 12 noon. On Sunday, from 12 noon, the jury will evaluate the sculptures for their creativity, as well as the technique and coherence of the proposal. Professional participants can compete for 1,000€, 700€ and 500€ prizes, while students will compete for 500€, 250€ and 100€.. The contest is subject to weather conditions and snow condition
GASTRONOMY
10th Edition of Fogons (kitchen ranges) de la Massana: ‘Lo Mandongo’ Winter Cuisine. Until 25th February, throughout La Massana: 19 of La Massana’s restaurants are taking part in this edition of the popular ‘Lo Mandongo’ when, using ingredients based around pork – traditionally killed and preserved to feed the family during the winter – local chefs search their imaginations to come up with innovative menus. Four of the restaurants are including calçots – a sort of leek. For more information about prices and what each restaurant has to offer, go to your nearest tourist office to pick up a booklet of the Jornades Gastronòmiques.
Culturally yours,
Clare
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Look for about the author of the blog Clare Allcard
See also Andorra travel guide
See also Pyrenees travel guide
See also France travel guide
See also Spain travel guide
