PICK OF THE WEEK: Monday, 30th July – Sunday, 5th August, 2018

PICK OF THE WEEK: Monday, 30th July – Sunday, 5th August, 2018

MUSIC

Tuesday, 31st July at 22h at the Teatre de les Fontetes, La Massana. (Free) A Night of Sax with Guillem Tudó. To mark the 17th University campus of the Catalan language, the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports invites you to an evening of saxophone music ranging from pop to classical jazz.

Wednesday, 1st August at 19:30h in the Plaça Coprínceps, Escaldes-Engordagny. (Free) Musicians of the World with Enma Lewis & The BCN Fireballs. A trip back to the thrilling years of the rock ‘n’ roll of the 50s and 60s in the spirit of Mr Jerry Lee Lewis’, The Killer.

Thursday, 2nd August at 22h in the Plaça dels Arínsols, Encamp. (Free) Encamp in the Key of Light: The Swing Girls with singers Susanne Georgi, Mar Capdevila and Fanny Pérez. Susanna (who represented Andorra in the Eurovision song contest) says the three got together in November. Not that they were intimate, they had followed their respective careers, but one afternoon they sang I Will Follow Him together. They sounded good and those listening to them insisted that they had to sing together more. The Swing Girls project debuted in December at a pub in Soldeu. The repertoire includes melodic hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s and contemporary music by Amy Winehouse and Megan Trainor, among others.

Thursday, 2nd August at 20:30h at the Andorra Park Hotel, Andorra la Vella. (55€ for dinner and concert. Reservations:
Tel. +376 877 779 or [email protected]) Concert series of La Pergola Piano Jazz: Moisés P. Sánchez It’s once again time for the traditional Summer Thursdays that fill the Pergola de l’Andorra Park Hotel with jazz – or jazz piano to be exact.

This year, La Pergola Piano Jazz links poetry and jazz, and showcases Andorran poets who are inspired by jazz. They are the ones in charge of selecting the music that will be heard during dinner before the concert which will start around 22h. Moisés P. Sánchez (piano);  Manel Gibert (poet); & Xavier Cornella (DJ). Moisés P. Sánchez is a restless musician, connoisseur and lover of a great spectrum of styles. He incorporates jazz from symphonic rock with classical and contemporary music, transmitting the idea that everything can coexist. The original sources from whence he draws his music are Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau, while Tigran Hamasyan, Aaron Parks and Craig Taborn are his most recent objects of love. At the beginning he played the songs of his discography directly, but gradually he has turned to totally improvised material, which is why each of his concerts is unique and of an unpredictable nature.

Thursday, 2nd August at 22:30h at the Hard Rock Cafe, Andorra la Vella. Shuffle Express: A concert of blues in various styles (swing, rock, shuffle…) cover versions of classic and contemporary blues artists such as BB King, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Joe Bonamassa, Susan Tedeschi & Jr. Watson, with some compositions by the band themselves. Musicians: Pablo Villar (vocals & guitar); Virginia Yañez (keyboard & vocals), Marc Milian (double bass & sound), Dante Falótico (drums).

Thursday, 2nd August at 21h at the Plaça Coprínceps, Escaldes-Engordany. Nit del món a Lalín (Night of the world in Lalín, city twinned with Escaldes-Engordany) A dream environment, a cultural and monumental magical heritage and the best Cocido you can imagine, are the hallmarks of this peculiar town in the north of Pontevedra, Galicia. The flavours of Lalin also offer other delicacies such as “richada” meat, cured sauce and filloas dessert with honey. The melodies of Faltriqueira will make us travel through the essence of the Atlantic tradition.

Sunday, 5th August at 12h in the church of Sant Cristófol of Anyós, La Massana. (Free. Prior booking required by phone (+376) 844 141.) ONCA Bàsic – Year of European Cultural Heritage: Environmental Improvisation & presentation of a new album with Jordi Claret (ONCA) & Landry Riba. Bass, cello, effects, loops …Put a double bass and a cello together. Let one start and wait for the other to add to the invitation … Add effects, looped phrases and structures, play around with improvisation and let yourself be carried away. An unconventional, fresh adventure that has just been born by these young musicians … “environmental improvisation” are the words that best define this project. They are the ingredients of the offering made by Jordi Claret (electric cello) and Landry Riba (electric double bass). An unconventional, fresh adventure where the audience can listen with an open mind, allowing themselves to be carried away. This is a small format, but more than enough! During the performance, the two musicians will interpret eight pieces.

THEATRE & DANCE

Thursday, 2nd August at 20h in the Plaça de la Rotonda, Andorra la Vella. (Free) Rhythms, Musical Capital – every Tuesday and Thursday during August. Performances in different styles of music and dance to brighten up the August evenings in the commercial area of Av. Meritxell.

CINEMA

Monday, 30th July – Thursday, 2nd August, at 17:30h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. (For over 12s) Mission Impossible: Fallout. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Starring  Tom Cruise,  Henry Cavill,  Ving Rhames. The Story: Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. Arms dealer John Lark and a group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

CHILDREN

Monday, 30th July at 15h in the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa. Summer afternoon at Pas de la Casa. ‘Long Live The Party’ with Ai Carai! An event for everyone with music to dance to for the whole family.

Tuesday, 31st July at 18h in the Prat Gran, Encamp. Summer evenings in Encamp with Dancing for the World. It’s a scene in which dances, games, stories and songs from all around the world are the protagonists. From Andorra we will go to Cuba, Canada, China, Morocco…, and we’ll not only sing and dance but we’ll see how these people from the countries dress, see a totem pole from Africa, a huge lion from China, the big head of the heiress Marieta. A highly entertaining tour of the world!
Wednesday, 1st August starting at 16:30h at the Prat de Colat, La Massana. Guixot of 8. This is their first collection. They try to give life to old things, seen as useless by many people, but a source of inspiration and resources to them. An old bicycle becomes a bird. A bowling alley, a basketball game. A mattress, a new sport … Come and discover the alternate life of things!

Thursday, 2nd August at 15h in the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa. Summer afternoon at Pas de la Casa. Animanassos. This show is half clown show and half entertainment show for it is made up of a clown and a musician. A show that combines the typical lampoons of clowns with the concept of children’s musical entertainment. It is designed for all ages and to be enjoyed by the family. The first part of the show will consist of spoofs, and the second part, dance, animation, choreography with both parts a lot of fun.

Saturday, 4th August at 20h in the Museum Casa Rull, Syspony, La Massana. (4€ per child. For children aged 4 to 12. They must be accompanied by an adult whose entrance is free.) El Conte de l’Ona i la Laia. Un viatge a l’Andorra d’abans. (The Story of Ona and Laia. A journey into Andorra’s past – in Catalan) Ona and Laia are two sisters who, while their parents nap, quietly draw and sing. Without knowing it, everything Ona draws and Laia sings will become reality. And this will start an unexpected adventure: a trip into Andorra’s past. We meet Peter, a boy who will show us old Andorra, explaining some of the customs, legends, traditions and ways of living from the olden days, and who will make the girls value what they have and learn more about their little country.

GRAND ICE SKATING GALA

At the Palau de Gel d’Andorra ice rink, Canillo.

Saturday, 4th August at 19h. Starring: Russian Olympic Champion, Adelina Sotnikova and Canadian International Champion, Elladj Balde with the participation of selected Andorran and Spanish skaters. (Tickets – Advanced bookings: Adults – 12€, Children aged 4 to 12 – 9€, Children under four sitting on someone’s knee, Free. VIP Zone: 20€. Tickets on the same day as the performance: Adults – 18€, Children aged 4 to 12 – 15€, Children under four sitting on someone’s knee, Free. VIP Zone: 28€)

FESTA MAJOR OF SANT JULIÀ DE LÒRIA continued:

Monday, 30th & Tuesday 31st July.
All free unless otherwise stated

MONDAY: 11:30h Sant Germà Mass in the parish church.

12h Traditional parade through the streets of St Julia starting from the Plaça Major accompanied by the band Diga’ls-hi Inquiets.

13:30h the Cerdà dance and Sardana dancing in the Plaça Major with the traditional Catalan Orchestra la Cobla Vents de Riella.

18h Ball de la Dama Blanca (Dance of the White Lady) by the Colla de Gegantes de Sant Julià de Lòria accompanied by the Cobla Vents de Riella. Ballet by the folk dance group Esbart Laurèdia. Dance of Sant Julià’s Giants by the Colla de Gegantes de Sant Julià de Lòria. Dance of the Marratxa by the Esbart Laurèdia with la Cobla Vents de Riella and Sardana dancing in the Plaça Major with the traditional Catalan Orchestra la Cobla Vents de Riella.

20h Children’s spectacular with the clown Xisclet in the Barri Rocacorba. It’s the story of a clown and and an amusing suitcase full of surprises. Although at first it is a disaster, Xisclet achieves his goals thanks to the participation and the complicity of the audience.

20h Opening of the Vintage Fair in the C. Dr Palau & Plaça Sant Roc. An avant-garde craft fair with the lounge bar Area.

21:30h Concert with The Swing Girls in the Plaça Roc. Forming this new, inspired band with its own image and style, The Swing Girls pay tribute to the best songs and hits of the decades from the 50s and 60s right up to the present day: The Andrews Sisters or The Supremes, through Aretha Franklin, and even ‘Lollipop’. In short, music for listening and dancing to.

22:30h Concert with Roba Estesa in the PG. Roba Estesa is a group of Catalan musicians who fuse urban and party music with the instrumentation and melodies of folk. Their words investigate the contradictions in everyday life and ‘Desglac’ is an ode to the experience of liberating oneself. 00h A performance by the drum band Toca-te’l in the PG. Toca-te’l is a group originally formed by young Lauredians (from Sant Julià de Lòria) who animate the fiestas not only of their own parish but of other parishes too. Now the band has members from almost every parish in Andorra and is open to anyone who wants to join.

0:30h Concert with Buhos. With their ska-rock, they are one of the main references for Catalan party music and one of the most popular on social media with 43,000 followers on Facebook. Today they are exploring different musical routes including electronic. As to the lyrics, Buhos, continue to talk of vital experiences such as love and disillusion.

02:15h Concert with Itaca Band in the PG. Itaca Band is a benchmark for festival music and ‘Explosive’ is the name of their latest album. It is a consolidation of its position as one of the great mestizo bands on the scene both in Barcelona and internationally. Forceful, they connect with the public from the first note of each concert. Concerts that become a complete karaoke. As a party and rhythm band and in its lyrics, Itaca Band also calls for social transformation on a broad spectrum of emotional and existential points.

TUESDAY: 11:30h Mass for the deceased of the parish in the Parish Church. 16h Basket Ball 3 x 3 for children and adolescents aged 10 – 14 in the Parc Prat del Senzill. 17h Children’s Entertainment and foam: ‘Els Cuiners’ with the company Sac Teatre in C/ Bonaventura Riera. Dare to sign up for the most lively cooking course. You must bring with you rhythm, the desire to dance and the good humour that cannot be left out. Fun is guaranteed with the menu of our chefs. Pass a pleasant time playing and dancing with the recipes of our cooks which also contain music, dance and songs. 20h Havaneres (sea shanties) and burnt rum by Xarxa in the Plaça Major. Xarxa is a group of Havanera singers from Barcelona. (Havanera is the name of specific, very popular, sea shanties created by Catalan sailors who followed the cargo trade routes from Havana, Cuba to Barcelona.) The group tries to convey the affection for the Havanera genre through local concerts and repertoires that combine new and traditional songs. 23h Grand firework display for the end of the festival by Terra Bogada. A spectacular fireworks display in which you can enjoy a great variety of high quality and innovative effects including volcanoes and comets in in two colours and multicoloured horses tails shooting up to three different levels. 00h Concert with Macaco in the PG. Macaco is without doubt one of the local benchmarks in modern music with one of the most spectacular live shows. Their energy leaves no one indifferent. For this awaited performance in Andorra, Macaco didn’t want to miss the opportunity to present us with some of the features all their new album. 02h Night of Cover Versions with the group The Show Time in the PG. Let the revolution begin. With The Show Time comes a new name, a new image and more power than ever on Barcelona’s cover versions scene! Included in their new disc are some of the greatest hits of the last four decades: Bruno Mars, Cher, Donna Summer, ABBA, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Queen, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Europe, Bon Jovi and AC/DC which convert the live show into a spectacular full of energy, where all is possible.

FESTA MAJOR OF ANDORRA LA VELLA

Friday 3rd – Monday, 6th August
All free unless otherwise stated

FRIDAY:

15h – 21h: The Laberinth, activity for children proposed by the Consell d’Infants d’Andorra la Vella in the PC.

18h – 20h: Children’s Sports, in the PC.

18.45h: Great peal of bells. 19h: Inauguracion of the Festa Major. Reading of the speech by Carles Riba in the Plaça Princep Benlloc.

19h – 23h: Market of the Festa Major: Artesan crafts, music, gastronomy & animation in the HC.

19h: Open Beach Volleyball 3×3. (Inscriptions: from 18h –18.30h at the beach volleyball courts) in PC.

20h: Aquatica, inaugural spectacular by the company Planète Vapeur along the AM.

23h: Dance in the Plaça, with the orchestra, Tercet Sarau, in the PP.

23h: Concerts for the Festa Major: Ovella Xao + Doctor Prats (Fusion/ Rumba/Ska) in the PG.

SATURDAY:

8h – 12.30h & 15h – 19.30h. 1st Open Festa Major ‘catch and release’ fly fishing competition in the Grand Valira River. Information & inscriptions: www.pescadorsandorra.com.

10h – 13h: 6th Festa Major Pàdel Trophy in the Serradells Sports Center. Information & inscriptions: [email protected]. (Pàdel is a stringless racquet sport usually played as doubles and invented in Mexico in 1969. It is most popular in Spain and Latin America but is rapidly spreading throughout Europe. A pàdel court is one third the size of a tennis court and has walls which can be played off as in squash.)

10h – 18 h: 8th Festa Major table tennis tournament in the covered pavilion of the Communal Stadium. Information & inscriptions: [email protected].

11h – 16.30h: 2nd round of the Andorran Skateboard League in the skate park of PC. Information & inscriptions from 10h – 11h: [email protected]

11h – 23h Market of the Festa Major: Artesan crafts, music, gastronomy & animation in the HC. 12h Sardanes with the traditional instruments of the Catalan Orchestra Ciutat de Solsona in the PP.

13h: Ball of the mediaeval Giants of Andorra la Vella & Sant Pol de Mar followed by Mediaeval Dances by the folk dance group the Esbart Dansaire d’Andorra la Vella in the PG.

16h – 21h: Children’s party of games and sports in the PC.

17h: Human Castling Exhibition by the Castellers d’Andorra & the Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia in the PLR. 18h Sardanes with the traditional Catalan Orchestra and instruments of Ciutat de Solsona in the PP.

18.30h: Parade of Giants from Andorra la Vella, Ametlla de Merola, Calella, Castellbell i el Vilar, Lloret de Mar, Pont de Vilara, Sant Julià de Lòria, Sant Pol de Mar & Santa Coloma de Farners leaving from the PLR and ending at the PP.

22.30h: A’Sombra, a spectacular by the Cia. Atirofijo Circ circus in the PP.

24h: Concerts of the Festa Major: ABBA Revival + Los Toreros Muertos (Pop) in the PG.

SUNDAY:

8h – 12.30h & 15h – 19.30h. 1st Open Festa Major ‘catch and release’ fly fishing competition in the Grand Valira River. Information & inscriptions: www.pescadorsandorra.com.

10h – 14h 43rd Chess Marathon of Andorra la Vella in the Plaça Príncep Benlloch.

11h – 23h Market of the Festa Major: Artesan crafts, music, gastronomy & animation in the HC.

12h: Solemn Mass with the accompaniment of the orchestra La Principal de la Bisbal in the church of Sant Esteve.

13h Dance of the Contrapàs of Andorra la Vella, of the Capgrossos (big heads) and the Giants in the PP.

16h Botifarra Campionship (card game) at La Llacuna Cultural Centre.

16h – 21h: Children’s party of games and sports in the PC.

16.30h: Coffee, glass & puro. Afternoon dance with the Orquestra Cocktail Elegant in the PP.

18h: Kamalikades, a spectacle of aerial acrobatics with the clown, Kamalik in the PLR.

18.30h: La Ballarusca, a workshop of traditional dances of the Pyrenees, given by the Esbart Dansaire d’Andorra la Vella in the Placeta Monjó.

19h: Sardanes with the cobla La Principal de la Bisbal in the PP.

22.30h: Visual comedy, a circus show given by la Cia. Gromic in the PP.

23h Grand night dance with La Principal de la Bisbal + DeNoche (cover versions) in the PG.

MONDAY:

11h – 22h Market of the Festa Major: Artesan crafts, music, gastronomy & animation in the HC.

11h Sandcastle competition in the Beach volleyball area in Parc Central.

12h Sardanes with the cobla La Principal de la Bisbal in the PP.

13h: Sidral Brass Band, winner of the Walking Street Music of Andorra competition (SAX FEST 2018) in the Plaça Príncep Benlloc.

14h: Popular Arrossada/paella and Havaneres concert by the group Olla barrejada in the PP.

16h – 20.15: Children’s party of games and sports in the PC.

16.30h: Afternoon dance by the Associació de la Gent Gran d’Andorra la Vella in the PP.

17.30h: Sidral Brass Band along the AM.

19h: Sardanes with the cobla La Principal de la Bisbal in the PP

19h: Sidral Brass Band in the PLR. 20.30h: The course, Els Menairons of the Festa Major for those aged 3 to 16. Inscriptions by Internet at www.topcrono.net or in person from 18h in the PC.

1h: Concert de la Festa Major: Aitana, Ana Guerra, Cepeda, Miriam i Roi. In the marquee in the parking of PC.

22h: Flou Papagayo, Circus show by the Cia. Mumusic Circus in the PP.

23h: Fireworks spectacular by the Pirotècnia Igual.

23.30h: Dj Richy Vuelcom and Sidral Brass Band.

And from 00.30h, and end of the Festa with Lucrecia (Salsa) in the PG.

SPORT

Saturday, 4th August at (no time given) starting from the Plaça de la Germandat, Sant Julià de Lòria and ending in Encamp. La Purito 2018 (named in honour of the very popular cyclist, ‘Purito Rodriguez.) Now, for the fourth time, La Purito will bring cycling fans not only from cities in Spain, France and our own country, but also from the rest of the continent. This is the cycling tour organized by the cyclist Joaquim Rodríguez Oliver – renowned admirer of the mountain ports of the Principality – in collaboration with the Sprint Club in Andorra. As usual, La Purito 2018 will cover the same route as the legendary 11th, Andorra, stage of the Tour of Spain in 2015, considered by many to be the toughest stage in the history of the Spanish Tour. For this edition, in addition to the adult test, La Purito Kids, has been organised for children aged between five and 14. This will be held on a closed circuit on Saturday, 4th August afternoon in Encamp. The inscription period for La Purito 2018 in Andorra has already been opened for the three types of test and will be closed when inscriptions reach 2,000. Go to the web site www.puritorodriguez.com to inscribe.

Saturday 4th & Sunday, 5th August in the village of Arinsal, La Massana. The 17th, 2 Day Arinsal Trial has, once again, been organised by the Motoclub. The route consists of 30 km and with 20 different scoring zones. The tests of the different categories will take place both in the town and in the surrounding area. Registration is now closed with 332 competitors. Go to www.motoclubarinsal.com for more information.

Saturday 4th & Sunday, 5th August at the Prat de la Ribera, av. Del Ravell, La Massana. As every year, the National Petanc Grand Prix of La Massana has arrived. The programme is as follows: SATURDAY: 14:30h 1st contest in triplets for groups followed by the 2nd contest in triplets for groups. 18h Beginning of the doubles competition.

SUNDAY: 10h Contest in doubles by group.

Sunday, 5th August at (no time given) starting and ending at Prat del Call, La Massana. The travessa (mountain crossing) of the parishes of la Massana and Ordino. There are two options: 1) a popular travessa of 15.5 km and 1000m difference in altitude from which you can enjoy great views. 2) a family sports day with different zones where the families have to overcome a series of tests of ability, knowledge of nature, orientation etc. There will also be different workshops teaching skills such as archery and climbing. The score of these zones will prevail over the time taken, so that the time will only serve as a tie breaker. It will be an orientation gymkhana, with questions on nature and Andorra (Massana and Ordino), different skill workshops (archery, clown, …)

OTHER

Thursday, 2nd August from 21h at the Museum of Tobacco, Sant Julià de Lòria. (Prior booking obligatory on tel. (+376) 741 545. Appears to be free CA.)  Summer nights at the museums – guided visits + concert. 21h and 21:30h Guided tours of the Tobacco Museum. 21h – 22:30h Visits to the temporary exhibition Hyperrealism (said to be impressive CA) 22.30h Concert in the Museum’s garden. Pop cover versions for string quartet with Ensemble Ad Libitum. A tour through the pop rock music that will review some of the great achievements of the genre  A programme that aims to show how the string quartet has a great ability to adapt to any genre.

Thursday, 2nd August from 21:30h at Engolasters Lake guard house, Encamp. (Booking of places: +376 739 111 or [email protected] We recommend that you bring a flashlight and a folding chair.) Summer nights at the museums: Night visit to the Engolsters hydroelectric way and observation of the planets. A unique activity to observe the stars of the cosmos through high quality telescopes. You will be able to contemplate the craters, valleys and plateaus of the moon, the delicate atmosphere of Jupiter with the series of satellites that turn around it, the mysterious Saturn rings ..

Friday 3rd and Saturday, 4th August at 21:30h at the Iron mine in Llorts, Ordino. (Tickets and prior booking obligatory on tel. (+376) 878 173.) Summer Nights in the Museums: a night visit to the Llorts iron mine and the Iron Way. Visit the interior of an ancient, 30-meter-long iron mine, walk along the Iron Way with headlamps and discover an outdoor sculpture exhibition. It is recommended to wear a headlamp. Approximate duration two hours and 30 minutes.

Culturally yours,

Clare

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