Saturday, November 24, 2007

Tenerife: Something for the weekend 23/11 - 25/11

Between rain, leaking roofs and being ill, this week's rather late update is more a case of what you're missing in Tenerife this weekend, but you'll still be able to enjoy some of these events, weather permitting. Storms (see impressive lightening photo from Santa Cruz), did cause a few floods and powercuts here in Tenerife, but caused more trouble in Gran Canaria. The much needed rains then took the day off on Friday, but are forecast to return over the weekend, with rain, wind and high seas. The "atmospheric instability" (that's posh for unsettled weather) will affect the eastern islands and the north of Tenerife, mainly, accompanied by gusts of wind up to 50 mph. The forecast for Sunday is for moderate to heavy rains and high seas, with waves of up to 4 meters.

San Andrés con una tapa

If you run down to Icod de Los Vinos, you might still be able to grab some of the mouthwatering tapas, organized, though probably not served, by the town hall.

This event, on Saturday, November 24th, follows a pattern that is gaining popularity; where bars in the given location offer a "route of tapas" (we might call it a pub crawl with grub), with portions of a wide variety of morsels costing just €2 (about £1.40). Music in the streets will add the festive touch to the day, which is part of the run up to events for San Andrés (Saint Andrew's Day).

Icod de los Vinos celebra San Andrés saliendo de tapas por las calles

Otherwise, the only traditional fiestas this weekend are those for Santa Cecilia 2007, in Arico, from November 23rd to 25th and Santa Catalina 2007 La Guancha, which run through to December 1st.

Freebird Sailing Charity Day

We certainly hope that those 4 meter waves, will not cause too much upheaval to Freebird Sailing's Charity Day on Sunday, November 25th. Mind you, if the waves affect the 2 p.m. sailing, we don't imagine they will have much impact on the after sailing party. :)

Making a difference, Orobal and Freebird

Agatha Christie Festival

How can we resist the pun or resist telling you that this event is a bit of a mystery?

Officially, the 1st International Agatha Christie Festival, which runs from November 23rd to December 1st, is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Agatha Christie's visit to the Tenerife, in 1927.

We're told that, while disillusioned with her husband's infidelity, Christie and her daughter, Rosalind, stayed at the Sitio Litre in Puerto de la Cruz, as guests of the Smith family.

Whist we don't know which version of the story is true and, we certainly don't blame anyone in Puerto de la Cruz for wanting to make the most out of a celebrity visitor, but secretly, we did read that Christie was less than impressed by the island and left after a week for Gran Canaria.

Seemingly supporting that theory, Christie's "The Companion", is described as a short story about two English ladies who go on a holiday in Tenerife, but only one returns home alive. (It's in Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories (Paperback) (UK Readers.) If you read the story (the complete text is online, in Spanish, as "La señorita de compañía"), you'll find that it takes place in Gran Canaria, not Tenerife.

Anyway, Tenerife is certainly not at any risk of becoming famous for missing the chance to party and, according to the tourist office:

"Fans of the British writer, author of the world famous mystery novels, can enjoy a complete programme of events attended by Christie?s grandson, Mr Mathew Prichard, who will unveil a bust in honour of his grandmother. The Festival will include, among other activities, an exhibition of mementos and other objects belonging to the author; projection of films among which will be a short film covering the writer?s visit to the Canary Islands; theatre, concerts and the presentation of a book on Agatha Christie?s visit and, of course, tea! One of the streets in the municipality is to receive the name of Agatha Christie."

International Agatha Christie Festival | Download Program

Party House 2007

Electro house and old skool at Finca Africa, Valle Guerra with resident DJ's ENY and OSCAR HDEZ. Saturday, November 24th, from 22:00 onwards.

Party House 2007

Opening of Discoteca Fantasy

Tenerife probably needs another disco like I need a hole in the head, but those who want to find all the new places will no doubt disagree. Discoteca Fantasy, to be inaugurated on Saturday, November 24th, can be found in the El Mayorazgo industrial estate near Santa Cruz, next door to Mambo's Latin Lounge.

Inauguración Discoteca Fantasy

El Circo Balagan

The only performances in Europe at the Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, from November 20th to the 25th, inclusive, of this modern circus: an 80 minute show with music, acrobats, trapeze artistes, gymnasts, clowns and dancers from the United States, Russia, the Ukraine, China and Poland.

Circus Comes to Town | Balagan Circus, an unforgettable show

Festival de Cabeza de Perro / Dog's Head Festival

Includes avant-garde music, art, new technology and alternative sports at the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos (International Exhibition Hall) in Santa Cruz and surrounding area. We've absolutely no idea who you might find this year, but the authorities seem dead proud of the fact that The Chemical Brothers played in the festival in 2005. :)

Dog's Head Festival

First 24 Hour Canoeing Marathon in El Médano

The Club Argonautas del Médano has organized the First 24 Hour Canoeing Marathon which will be held on the 24th November. The event starts at 12:00 and the circuit and will be in the bay of El Medáno Beach.

First 24 Hour Canoeing Marathon in El Médano

11th Popular Marathon, Santa Cruz

Athletics return to the city of Santa Cruz in formal dress with the celebration on Sunday 25th November at 10.00 am, of the traditional Popular Marathon El Corte Inglés, which this year hopes to exceed the 2,200 participants of last year.

11th Popular Marathon, Santa Cruz

La Guancha Hill Climb

And, finally, the last event on the Tenerife Rally Calendar for 2007 is the Subida a La Guancha (La Guancha Hill Climb). Experience it yourself in this video from last year's Subida a la Guancha 2006 that attempts to thrash the b*llocks off a BMW 325i. I will say that these roads are always much steeper than they look from the inside the car angle!

More events, exhibitions and what's on, in our calendar.