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
MUSIC
Monday, 5th August at 19.30h in the Plaça Coprínceps, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) World Music: Sant Pau Rhum Band. A formation of Catalan rumba with a Latin touch, which combines themes with cover versions of emblematic songs. A well worked and elegant repertoire which includes walking and dancing!
Tuesday, 6th August at 19.30h in the Plaça Coprínceps, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) World Music: Pas ‘N’ Fals (Do not go wrong). A group of 6 young people from Andorra who love the sort of music that leaves no one indifferent. There’s never a moment in which they do not offer their audience the happiness that Rock’n’Roll music transmits to them!
Tuesday, 6th August at 22h at the Church of Sant Romà de Vila, Encamp. (Free) Encamp in the key of light with Susanna Saz. A mezzosoprano singer, Susanna will offer us a lyrical concert with a repertoire that will remind us of the popular international classics with a clear focus on Catalan music, from a very innovative and personal musical point of view. Saz has been professionally dedicated to music since she was sixteen, and emphasizes her versatility and her technique.
Wednesday, 7th August at 21h in the Plaça Major, Ordino. (Free) 23rd Open Nights: Old School. Old School is an Andorran musical group made up of Daniel Birch (vocals and guitar), Ladis Baró (vocals and solo guitar), Pol Bartolomé (bass and keyboard), Lucas Barreiro (bass guitar and rhythm guitar) and Albert Infante (drums). With almost 6 years of experience and more than 100 concerts, they have become a reference for live music in the country. In their repertoire we find cover versions of the best-known rock-blues songs of the 60s and 70s, which they combine with a slightly funk touch, as well as other, more modern, musical formations. The Rolling Stones, Dire Straits and Pink Floyd are some of the bands that are never forgotten in their concerts, where good atmosphere is the dominant tone and where the public actively participates.
Wednesday, 7th August at 19.30h in the Plaça Coprínceps, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) World Music:cUndercovers. An all stars cover band composed of four, long term musicians with proven trajectories. Hits of rock and pop from The Beatles, Stones, James Brown to the most current such as White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand or The Killers. Undercovers assures a good party.
Wednesday, 7th August at 22h at the Motorcycle Museum, Canillo. (Free but prior booking obligatory: tel 853 444) Summer Nights at the Museums: Els Pali in concert. Els Pali are a quintet of flamenco fusion who offer a repertoire of eighteen songs, which mix flamenco with other styles, such as rumba, funk, reggae and pop.
Thursday, 8th August at 19.30h in the Plaça Coprínceps, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) World Music: Martha Roquett. Roquett is an independent artist with a free and creative spirit, an author, composer and producer. Her style of music, basically pop, is composed of songs that speak of love, lack of love, illusions, and dreams; Her lyrics become poetry and her poetry, songs. A simple, acoustic concert with the voice as the main protagonist, presenting songs from her new album.
Thursday, 8th August at 20h in the Plaça del Quart de la Massana (Free) Summer Evenings: JAMP. This is a duo formed by Amparo Frau and Johny Marchan, with lots of experience, encouraging all kinds of events. They produce cover versions of all styles and of all times. They also make up their own themes. The intention of the group is to touch the heart, either with a tear or by raising a beer.
Thursday, 8th August at 22h in the Church of Santa Eulalia, Encamp. (Free) Encamp in the key of light with the Fourchettes. A cappella music with a good flavour from the domain of technique and, above all, from the emotion of its four members. With a repertoire that pays tribute to the female vocal groups of the 50s and 60s, The Fourchettes claim barbershop, a genre that is traditionally masculine, to interpret from jazz standards to the most modern pop-rock versions.
Friday, 9th August at 21h at El Cabin, Arinsal. (Free) Shuffle Express in concert. Live music evenings come back to El Cabin! Come and enjoy the best atmosphere in Arinsal on a special night of pure blues in different styles (swing, rock, shuffle …). Cover versions of hits by classic and contemporary artists such as BB King, Eric Clapton ,.Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Joe Bonamassa, Jr. Watson and Little Walter, among many others, with compositions from the band. Musicians: Pablo Villar (vocals and guitar); Virginia Yañez (keyboard and vocals); Marc Milian (bass and double bass ); Dante Falótico (battery)
Saturday, 10th August at 20h at the Thyssen Museum, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free but reservations at (+376) 800 800.) A guided tour of the museum followed by a concert in the ONCA Basic series with the Trio Goldberg: Mozart in trio playing Mozart’s Divertimento in E-flat major. At the end of the summer of 1788, and coinciding with the composition of his last three symphonies, Mozart wrote one of the first trios ever written and what would be his only trio for strings, although it finally appeared under the name, Divertimento. The composer wrote it for his colleague Johann Michael Puchberg who had made a loan to Mozart in one of his times of economic crisis. According to Alfred Einstein, musicologist and biographer of Mozart, this was one of the most honorable works of the composer. Musicians: Francesc Planella (violin); Laia Capdevila (viola): Mireia Planas (cello).
THEATRE
Wednesday, 7th August at 20.15h in the Plaça de Les Fontetes, La Massana. (Free) La Massana Nights: The Dreams of Alice, a traveling spectacle with the company, Teatre Nu. The Dreams of Alice is the first street theatre created by the company. It presents Alice’s Wonderland character, who walks through towns and villages. It is an itinerant proposal that seeks to amaze the viewer and turn him into part of the magical world of the protagonist. Our giant puppet has passed by hundreds of people in Catalonia, Spain and Europe and continues to clock up miles full of dreams and fantasy. Alice dreams: dreams that she becomes big and becomes a giant who walks through the streets of villages and towns. While following a rabbit that moves energetically, the girl discovers a world full of fantasy where curious characters guide her: the manipulators of dreams.
NEXT COMES: Set Up’, with the company Los Barlou. Juggling, magic, monocycles and impossible balancing acts performed with humour in abundance and fast-paced action. They have mistaken the time and arrive half an hour late. However, all this does not stop them from showing incompetence and lack of coordination of the highest level. It is a spectacle that some would expect from a circus (a circus within a circus). We will have a good time. Come and see.
FESTIVALS
FESTA MAJOR D’ANDORRA LA VELLA
Continued: Monday 5th August
(Below, the following initials indicate different venues: HC = Historic Centre PP = Plaça del Poble, PG = Plaça Guillemó, PLR = Plaça de la Rotonda, AM = Av. de Meritxell, PC = Parc Central, PPB = Plaça Príncep Benlloch. For a map of the event venues go to
MONDAY: 11h – 22h Market of the Festa Major: Artesan crafts, music, gastronomy & animation in the HC. 11h Sand Castle competition in the Beach Volleyball area of PC. 12h Sardanes with the traditional instruments of the Catalan Orchestra La Cobla Principal de la Bisbal in the PP. 13h Xaranga music from the Balkan Paradise Orchestra in the PPB. 14h Arrossada (paella) for all and a Havaneres concert from the Cavall Bernat group in the PP. 16h – 21h: Children’s party of games and sports in the PC. 16.30h Afternoon dance organised by Associació de Gent Gran (Seniors) d’Andorra la Vella in the PP. 17.30h Balkan Paradise Orchestra parading down Av. Meritxell. 19h Sardanes with the Cobla Principal de la Bisbal in the PP. 19h Xaranga music from the Balkan Paradise Orchestra in the PLR. 19h II Race for Els Menairons (aged 3 – 15 years) Inscriptions at topcrono.net and on the spot from 16h – 18.30h in the PC. 21h The Festa Major Concert with Morat in the Marquee in the Parc Central car park. (Tickets on sale at www.andorralavella.ad). 22h Ni Cap Ni Peus a circus-drama with the Circ Vermut Company in the PP. 23h Fireworks display by Pirotecnia Igual, 23.30h Xaranga music from the Balkan Paradise Orchestra and, from 00.30h End of festival with the cover versions from Hotel Cochambre in the PG
FESTA MAJOR D’ALDOSA, LA MASSANA
Friday, 9th August – Sunday, 11th August
(Most events take place in the village’s central car park)
FRIDAY: 20h Linked firecrackers to start the party followed by a Sausage BBQ (4€) 20.30h Cover versions with the Trio Nit i Dia. 23h L’Aldosa Rock. 03h Disco Rock
SATURDAY: 16h Foam party for the children (Inflatables, Pony rides and much more.) 20.30h Arrossada (paella) for all (6€) and Trio Nit i Dia. 23h Night of the DJs: Marc Montalvo, Armanxu, LOR b2b Xando.
SUNDAY: 13h Solemn Mass, 16h Events for children: Workshops, Inflatables, Pony rides and much more.18h Biggest Ensaïmada (Mallorcan traditional pastry) in the Pyrenees. Evening dance. 22h Fireworks to end the festa.
CINEMA
Monday 5th – Thursday, 8th August at 20h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw. Directed by David Leitch. Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba. The Story: Lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity.
CHILDREN (All children’s activities are in Catalan unless otherwise stated.)
Monday, 5th August at 17h in the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa. (Free) Summer afternoon at Pas de la Casa with Aiguafest (Waterparty) Enjoy a fun park with more than twenty water games and two refreshing inflatables: ladder-buckets, balloon targets, pool with rubber ducks, inflatables and many more!
Tuesday, 6th August at 17h at the Centre d’Art Escaldes-Engordany. (Free for all ages) Draw Emotions! See more information below under EXHIBITIONS.)
Tuesday, 6th August at 17h at Prat Gran, Encamp. (Free) Summer afternoons in Encamp with El Flabiol. A Children’s show with live music, dances, songs, balloons and participation games designed for the whole family.
Thursday, 8th August at 17h at the Prat Gran, Encamp. (Free) Afternoons in Encamp with A Great Day. Would you like to have a great day? Sun or rain, sea or mountain? Songs on the brink of fire or summer rhythms? You will decide where you want to go and what you want to dance.
Saturday, 10th August from 10h – 13h and 16h – 19h at the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa and at the Prat Gran, Encamp, you will find lots of Inflatables where you can have fun with your friends. Free activity.
Saturday, 10th August from 10h – 13h on the Iron Route – Llorts, Ordino. Families Under Way: the Iron Route with a backpack on Saturdays (Price: 10€ per child. For families with children aged from 5 to 12. Includes backpack with materials. Maximum of 15 children per outing and a minimum of 7, accompanied by an adult. Reservations with Ordino Tourism Office: Tel (+376) 878 173 [email protected].) Paint, cut out, draw, look through a magnifying glass and learn about Andorra’s ironwork past A pedagogical and discovery activity. Sign up and have a good time with the youngsters from your home.
EXHIBITIONS
Until Sunday, 15th September at the government gallery ARTALROC, Escaldes-Engordany. Exhibition ‘Animals’. During the summer months there will be a series of sculptures by the Catalan artist Samuel Salcedo in the Artalroc and in the streets of the upper part of Escaldes-Engordany. In total, fifty sculptures, using all the formats and techniques favoured by the artist will be on display for the visitor to get to know the full range of his creation. It is, then, an ambitious sample that presents two concepts already insinuated by the title of the exhibition: the animal and the mirror. We will see the animality of man as we have never faced it before, with all its fragility, vulgarity and ridicule. And we will also see ourselves in the sculptures of Salcedo, as if we were reflected in a mirror.
Wednesday, 7th August at 20h at ARTALROC, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free. More information and reservations tel 828 704 or [email protected]) Tapes and Art at The Roc. With Samuel Salcedo and Samanta Bosque. (I presume this means the sculptor himself will be there. C.A.)
Thursday, 8th August 20.30h & 22h at the Centre d’Art Escaldes-Engordany. (Free but prior booking obligatory on tel. 802 255 or at [email protected] .) Summer Nights at the Museums: Guided tour (in Catalan) of the exhibition African Art. Cradle of Humanity. A journey deep into the enigmatic figures, fetishes and masks produced by multiple African cultures.
Thursday, 8th August at 21h at the National Automobile Museum, Encamp. Summer Nights at the Museums: A visit with an expert to the Automobile Museum (in Catalan). With Lluís Dejuan, president of the Andorran Association of Old Vehicles, we will learn about some of the curiosities found in the collection and the reason for the petrol fleet that exists in the country. We will finish the evening doing a tour in a vintage car.
OTHER
Tuesday, 6th August at 21h at the Church of Sant Romà de Vila d’Encamp. (Free but prior booking obligatory on tel.(+376) 833 551.) Summer Nights at the Museums: A visit to the churches of Santa Maria and Sant Romà de Vila (in Catalan) You will discover details of these places, which often go unnoticed, and all this with live music!
Wednesday, 7th August at different times and locations in the parish of Encamp. (Free) 80th anniversary of broadcasting in Andorra. We celebrate the 80th anniversary of broadcasting in Andorra with a series of events with many of the actors who participated, in one way or another, in the two radio stations (speakers, directors, animators, technicians, etc.). The celebration will begin at 9:30h with a roundtable discussion on the historical importance of Andorran radios, in the hall of La Valireta de Encamp. At 13h, the Exhibition of Photographs of the two historical radios of the country will be inaugurated in the Exhibition hall of the Comú d’Encamp. At 16:30h the Sud Ràdio building will be visited and, at the end of the evening, at 20h there will be a dinner and dance with music from the radio in the Sports and Sociocultural Sports Complex. Encamp.
Wednesday, 7th August at 19h around Santa Coloma. (Prior booking, ticket sales and more information at the Tourist Office of Andorra la Vella, tel. (+376) 750 100) The Saint, the Russian and the Count, a dramatized visit. Dramatic tour of Santa Coloma. Three very representative characters from Santa Coloma will enlighten us, through an unusual visit, showing the singularities of the town on a route that will review the most fascinating moments in the history of Andorra.
Wednesday, 7th August at 20h at the Thyssen Museum, Escaldes-Engordany. (10€ Limited places. It is essential to book beforehand by e-mail or by phone at + 376 800 800.) GastroArt Going into the magic of Impressionism in Plein Air, the new experience proposed by the Carmen Thyssen Andorra Museum in this next edition of GastroArt of “Femina Feminae”. In the evening, to a closed museum, attendees will enjoy an innovative pairing; Outdoor paintings, with great light beauty and movement, that transport the viewer into nature. An explanation given in Catalan by the artistic director and curator of the exhibition, Guillermo Cervera, exclusively and with a pairing of tastings and cocktails, with the participation of Fourteen Restaurant. An artistic tasting with all the senses.
Friday, 9th and Saturday, 10th August at 21.30h on the Iron Route – Llorts, Ordino. (Prior booking obligatory Tel (+376) 878 173.) Night visits to the Iron Mine. Discover the mine and the path of the traginers with torches/head lamps. (Bring your own.) Approximate duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Sunday, 11th August at 21.30h at the Hydroelectric road of Engolasters, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free but prior booking is essential. Tel. (+376) 739 111 or [email protected]). Summer Nights at the Museums: Night visit and observation of a meteor shower on the Engolasters Hydroelectric Path. Do you want to experience a special night? Come and observe with us and the astronomers of the Montsec park, the ‘Tears of Sant Llorenç.
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
