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Thursday, March 01, 2007
Los Gigantes Carnaval 2007, Tenerife
Oh no, we're not done with carnaval yet. :) If neither Los Cristianos nor Buenavista del Norte was enough raucous partying for you, there's always one in Los Gigantes too, where the orchestras even promise to "entertain us until we drop!"
LosGigantes.com have the details of all their carnaval events, including their gala for the selection of the Carnaval Queen, which is taking place tonight; the Childrens' special afternoon tomorrow; their Main Parade from 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 4th, and their Burial of the Sardine, which takes place on Monday, March 5th.
Los Gigantes Carnaval 2007, Tenerife
Labels: Carnaval
Carnaval in Buenavista del Norte, Tenerife
Carnaval Parade in Buenavista del Norte. More Carnaval photos
And Los Cristianos is not the only place holding it's carnaval this week. While the tiny hamlet of Teno Alto, which comes under the municipality of Buenavista, held it's annual carnaval event, the Baile de la Piñata, last Saturday, February 24th, this week also there are carnaval events going on in the town of Buenavista del Norte itself.
There was a infant carnival festival, yesterday, February 28th, in the town center's municipal cine-theatre and there was a parade of kids in costume tonight.
Slated as this year's novelty is an exhibition of "matar la culebra" that will take place tomorrow night, Friday, March 2nd, in the Plaza de Los Remedios. We're intrigued.
Translated literally, it means "to kill the snake", but we are betting that this "ancestral Canarian tradition with a marked Afro-Cuban origin" has nothing whatsoever to do with slimy reptiles. Trouble is, we can't imagine what it is to do with either! :)
(UPDATE: As we might have suspected, we discover that this was a dance.)
After the snake has been done in (figuratively, at least), also tomorrow, from 8 p.m., are performances by a folklore group from the University of La Laguna, a visiting group from El Golfo on the island of El Hierro and by murga group, Los que son son. The night itself will be finished off with dancing to local orchestra, La Caprichosa.
Prior to these acts, from 5 p.m., the carnaval's main parade takes place in the main streets, in which pupils from all of the schools in the area will be taking part.
But, without doubt, says the press release, one of the most popular events of the carnaval in Buenavista del Norte, is the "Burial of the Sardine", which takes place on Saturday, March 3rd, from 8 p.m. onwards from the Plaza de San Sebastián.
The "unconsoleable" widows and widowers (gotta have equality these days) will gather there to accompany the poor old defunct sardine through every moment that the funeral retinue passes through the main streets of the town until it arrives in the central, Plaza de Los Remedios, where it will be finally cremated. R.I.P.
Mind you, even the dead will probably be kept awake by the party that follows, with dancing to the Orquesta Sabrosa. Marchaymas say you really must not miss it!
El Ayuntamiento de Buenavista del Norte presenta el programa de actos del carnaval
Labels: Carnaval
Carnaval in Los Cristianos, Tenerife
You thought that the Tenerife Carnaval - with all the controversy that surrounded this year's main events - was over, didn't you? Well, while it might be in Santa Cruz, for this year anyway, the party has now moved on to other spots around the island.
Currently, it's the turn of Los Cristianos to host their carnaval, the theme of which is the cinematic and literary genre of emotion, tension and suspense: the thriller.
Los Cristianos Carnaval's ample program of events kicked off last Sunday with the presentation of the candidates for Carnaval Queen, who will be chosen in a gala to be held tonight, March 1, in the fair's enclosure located opposite the Valdés Center.
The old folk have their own dance from 6 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 2nd and, at 8.30 p.m. on the same evening will be the selection of the Junior Carnaval Queen.
On Saturday, March 3rd, at 7 p.m. is a Festival of Comparsas (dance troupes) and from 11 p.m. the dancing in the streets to various local orchestras starts.
The main Carnaval Parade in Los Cristianos is being held on Sunday, March 4th, from 4 p.m. onwards, with the procession starting from Paloma Beach and progressing along Avenida Juan Carlos I to end up at the fairs enclosure.
Finally, the traditional "Burial of the Sardine" is on Monday, March 5th, at 8 p.m., beginning at the Cultural Center and passing through the streets of Amalia Alayón, Barranquillo, Avenida de Suecia, Calle El Espigón de Benchijigua to the Los Cristianos beach. The Widows' Ball starts at 9.30 p.m.
But, if you manage to miss all of that, on Tuesday, March 6th, costumes from the carnaval will go on display in the Cultural Center and the fiestas will be brought to a close on Saturday, March 10th, with another parade of various of the carnaval groups from 5 p.m. and performances by the same groups, from 7 p.m. in the City Center shopping complex, annexed to the hotel La Siesta in Playa de Las Américas.
Carnaval en Los Cristianos
Labels: Carnaval
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
More than 50,000 Indians take La Palma
Carnaval celebrations in Santa Cruz de La Palma are a bit different, with a talcum powder battle that is enacted in the city's streets. Around 50,000, dressed in white clothing, arrived to celebrate and represent the arrival of the "Indians": families and old friends who had sought their fortune in Cuba and returned to the island ostentatiously displaying their new wealth. This unique parody, which was started in the 1960's and has become part of the identity of Carnaval celebrations in La Palma.
More (in Spanish) with photos
Labels: Carnaval
Monday, February 19, 2007
Gran Coso de Carnaval in Icod de los Vinos
Carnaval is not just Santa Cruz in Tenerife - we listed some of the other Carnaval locations and dates here - and even in the relatively small town of Icod de los Vinos, who held their main Carnaval parade last night, some 25,000 people participated in the two-hour procession, according to local police estimates. Each year, Icod Carnaval grows in quality and draws a crowd for all over the island, competing with the best on the island and, yet again this year, beat it's own record for participation.
InfoIcodNoticias have more (in Spanish) and a photo
Labels: Carnaval
Residents to complain about the noise again
Despite the Canary Islands Government's measures to "arm" the fiestas, by unanimously declaring that noise regulations are suspended during these events and, despite the judge lifting the earlier suspension of late night revelries, saying that the the issue had already been settled by a 2006 court ruling, ABC report that the lawyer acting for the 15 residents, Felipe Campos, says that noise levels measured on the first night of the festivities in Santa Cruz measured greater than the "permitted" 55 decibles and, that they intend to denounce the situation again.
El abogado vecinal constata el exceso de decibelios
Labels: Carnaval
Yellow Alert for strong winds in Tenerife
Just a day before the main parade of Carnaval and, again, the weather is threatening to ruffle the feathers of Carnaval goers as a state of yellow alert was declared today in Tenerife.
The predictions for today were for very cloudy skies with a probability of light rain in the western islands and the east of La Palma, temperatures without change, but with the likelihood of winds, variable in strength from breezes on the south coasts to strong gusts reaching 75 kmph in the peaks of La Palma, La Orotava and Vilaflor.
At this end of the island, at least, the winds have dropped considerably since lunch time and the sun has finally poked his head out in a mostly blue sky, but we'll be keeping a very keen eye on this and firmly crossing our fingers that, despite the predictions that this weather front is likely to persist, at least, until Friday, that it will not be enough to upset the Carnaval program as it did last year.
Heaven knows, this year's Carnaval has suffered enough setbacks already.
El INM declara la alerta amarilla en Santa Cruz de Tenerife por fuertes vientos
Alerta amarilla por fuertes vientos en la provincia tinerfeña
Labels: Carnaval, Tenerife Weather, Weather
Belén Esteban crowned Queen of Booing
There are many articles online saying that the Carnaval in Tenerife in 2007 will always be remembered for controversy and, which "crown" Belén Esteban as the "Queen of Booing" at the hapless Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen.
Poor girl, she says, "I feel bad, because they've never booed me before".
Well, there's always a first time for everything! Being "crucified", seems to me, to invite it really, but ... It seems she's been pouting on TV about her ill fortune too. I'm so glad I've missed that, but Colin Davies in Galicia sums it up nicely:
"Needless to say, the goings-on down in Tenerife provided un-missable material for the endless TV gossip shows. The one I was unlucky enough to zap into offered us the inane musings of one of the performers who?d been received badly. Having seen the act in question, it was clear her ego was in inverse proportion to her talents so I was rather nonplussed by her celebrity status. Plus, she was rather ugly and clearly very reconstructed from her [blond] hair down. I later learned she was the ex-girlfriend of a bullfighter. And possessed of a big mouth. In Spain, this explains everything."
Oh and in the edited version of the Gala televised very late on Saturday night by TVE1, probably against the wishes of the Santa Cruz town hall who wanted the damaging parts cut, Esteban's crucifying performance was shown again.
Labels: Carnaval
Tenerife Carnaval 2007 - Are you going?
The big Carnaval parade is tomorrow and, this thread at the Tenerife Forum asks a few questions to see what people are doing for carnaval this year ...
1. What is/has been going on in your village/town/municpality?
2. Are you going to the main event in Santa Cruz?
3. What will you dress up as?
4. Once you've been, what did you get up to?
5. Have you ever been before and what was it like?
Thought you might like to read the responses so far, or even add your own experience to the thread, because there is nothing like a first hand report to really get the feel of Carnaval. I too, haven't been able to go to the big Carnaval in Santa Cruz for a number of years, but I have been many times before and dressed up and it really is exciting.
Tenerife Carnaval 2007 - Are you going?
Labels: Carnaval
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Official Santa Cruz Carnaval 2007 Tune
The official Canción del Carnaval 2007 (Carnaval Song) by D'Noé.
Labels: Carnaval
Diablos Locos Carnaval 2007 Tenerife
Performance by the murga group, Los Diablos Locos (The Crazy Devils), winners of the first prize for interpretation (and bravery) at the 2007 Carnaval in Santa Cruz.
Los Diablos Locos is the second oldest murga group in Tenerife, founded in 1965. They were fronted for many years by the charismatic, Tomás Carvajal Rodríguez, ?Tom Carby?, who left the group shortly before his death in 1994. The current director of Los Diablos Locos is Tomás Francisco Carvajal Morales, whom, I think we can assume with reasonable safety, is his son.
There is also a video of their 2006 performance here and those who understand the words will note that certain political themes remain pretty constant. :)
Labels: Carnaval
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Real Carnaval Starts in Santa Cruz
It may be because it didn't rain, it could be because everyone had seen all the films on at the cinema, perhaps because it was a Friday and people simply had to get out a bit, or that there was nothing on tele ... or maybe because the Gala left everyone wanting to see the Carnaval groups, or that this year we'll make more noise than ever before. It may be that this year folk simply have more desire to party ...
Whatever the reason was, say La Opinión, last night in the central streets of Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, there were thousands and thousands of people out to see the Cabalgata Anunciadora (the first of the Cavalcades that brings the Carnaval to the streets), "More than I've seen for years", said one resident.
The dancing hadn't even started, but in the streets, an animated public applauded every one of the groups that formed a part of the procession. Asked for their opinions, Carnaval goers responded that, "It could be that there are so many people because we want to make it clear that we have a right to the Carnaval and that nobody is going to forbid us from enjoying these days and each and every one of the events."
Diario de Avisos also say that Santa Cruz' streets were filled with people and that the Carnaval Queen and her Maids of Honor received the longest ovations from the public, in recognition of the fact that during the Gala, they had not had the chance to do so. And, they say, there was something different in the looks on people's faces that said this year's Cabalgata was something special; liberating, the real Carnaval.
Reports with photos: Más público que Cabalgata | Un Carnaval de verdad
Labels: Carnaval
Las Palmas 2007 Drag Queen Gala
If Tenerife wasn't happy with it's Carnaval Queen Gala, things look to be an entirely different story in Gran Canaria for their Drag Queen Gala 2007, which took place in Las Palmas last night. The video above, of the winner, Drag Salitre y Monstruos, is courtesy of gaymengc.com, who say:
"The organisers of this year?s Las Palmas Carnaval, said they wanted to make the 10th anniversary Gala something special, and there?s no doubt they achieved their goal."
Las Palmas Drag Queen Gala - Fantastic!
The best from the Spanish press (because these stories have pictures):
Drag Salitre inicia su reinado and Premio a la fealdad rebelde.
Labels: Carnaval
Canary Islands "Arm" Fiestas to allow noise
After all of the fuss over noise objections earlier and, which reached the international media far and wide as it looked as if Carnaval events might be banned from the streets of Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, at night, the Canary Island Parliament took the wise precaution this week, of "armouring" popular and local fiestas and, those declared as being of national and international interest, against future attacks.
The proposal to exempt them was carried unanimously.
During such fiestas, not just in the Tenerife capital, but throughout the Canary Islands, in future, the rules over noise become provisionally suspended.
Canarias «blinda» sus fiestas con una norma que permite los ruidos
(One logical and interesting comment that has been made this week, is that those complaining residents had to have known that the there was a Carnaval in Santa Cruz (it's been going for 200 years or so), before they bought their apartments there.)
Labels: Carnaval
DJ Real at Carnaval Santa Cruz Tenerife 2007
A short promotional video for the famous DJ Real, who will be performing
on various nights of Carnaval in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2007.
DJ Real El Canario is performing in February 19th and 24th, according to this article.
We've already heard that Mexican singer Paulina Rubio is to perform at the Santa Cruz Carnaval on Saturday, February 24th. Cuban "Timba" orchestra, NG La Banda may have had their date changed, as they were previously slated for February 20th, the big day of Carnaval 2007. This later news item has NG La Banda listed for the 19th and Orquesta Vibraciones Venezuela down for the 20th and the 21st.
Tonight is the turn of Venezuelan singer Carlos Baute to perform in the Plaza de España in the Tenerife capital. We missed Puerto Rican singer, Edwin Rivera, who performed last night, but says councillor for Fiestas, Hilario Rodríguez, there are also no less than 37 Canarian Orchestras performing at various stages around the city.
That lot should keep the noise level up! :)
Paulina Rubio y Carlos Baute, en el Carnaval de Tenerife
Labels: Carnaval
Bitterness continues over Carnaval Gala
Whenever Tenerife gets into a bit of a controversy, it certainly never does it by halves! And the plot continues to thicken over the disastrous Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen that took place in Santa Cruz on Wednesday night. Now, it seems that the town hall are asking (maybe begging might be more accurate) Spanish Television to edit out the negative aspects before showing it at national level.
This, actually, seems to me to be a pointless exercise in futility, since those very aspects are the ones that have already been picked out and commented on by national programs and, there are a plethora of clips at Google Video, YouTube and elsewhere online, already doing the rounds of the planet, as people discuss them using words like embarrassing, pathetic or stupid, or the more direct, "pure shit."
That's not forgetting that there are some 100 members of the national and international press and media in the Tenerife capital currently for the Carnaval, who will have seen it first hand and are bound to have reported on it already.
It's also a good job there were 18 candidates, otherwise, if they do edit the program down to just the positive and relevant parts, there wouldn't be much left.
Meanwhile, Rafael Amargo, who directed the fiasco, seems to be the only person who is "satisfied with the work done" and is already defending himself - in a note signed by his representation - saying that he "scrupulously fulfilled the conditions of his contract with the fiesta organizers". He would: the town hall are talking about finding the legal means to not only deduct an "important" amount from his outstanding fees, but also considering suing the dancer for damages.
Elsewhere, the Popular Party candidate for mayor in Santa Cruz says that the whole Carnaval fiasco over the last few days was just a maneuver to draw attention away from the potential problems the current mayor, Miguel Zerolo, has with the law.
For others, the real problem, it has been said - adding yet more gross insult to serious injury - is that we simpletons in Tenerife didn't appreciate the gala's content as we just wouldn't know art when we see it. So, I'll leave you with a little piece of that "art", as performed by "artist" Belén Esteban - who, for overseas viewers who are unaware, has only one previous claim to fame: that she slept with a bullfighter.
What do you think, did we miss something in this "outstanding performance?"
(By the way, this version appears to have been manipulated: in this one you can hear applause and laughter in the background. In the original, all you heard was booing.)
Labels: Carnaval
Friday, February 16, 2007
Video from Carnaval Parade 2006
With the Carnaval 2007 about to take to the streets tonight in Santa Cruz, I thought you might like to have a look this 30 minute program from the Coso Apoteosico (Main Parade) of Carnaval in 2006, recorded by www.elcanalpirata.com.
Because of bad weather last year, the main parade took place on Saturday, March 4th, instead of the traditional Martes de Carnaval (Carnival and Shrove Tuesday). The Pirate Channel interviewed many of the parading Carnaval characters, including Queens, dance troupes, murgas, Mexican Mariachis, Minnie Mouse, Harpo Marx, Montserrat Caballé, Kermit & Miss Piggy, Michael Jackson, Donald Duck, the entire Star Wars Empire and many more ... all of whom speak perfect Spanish. :)
Labels: Carnaval
Photos of Santa Cruz' Carnaval Queen 2007
The Santa Cruz Carnaval's official website have released half a dozen high-res photos (681 x 1024) images of the Reina del Carnaval 2007 (Carnaval Queen 2007), Elisabet García García. Click "ampliar imagen" to see the bigger version of any of the pictures.
You'll find them all on the following page:
Gallery of Images of Carnaval 2007
Labels: Carnaval
Going to Santa Cruz Carnaval this week?
If you are, you might like to know that the public bus company, TITSA, have, as in previous years, laid on extra busses for carnaval goers to get back and forth to Santa Cruz. This is always preferable, not just so you can enjoy a drink, but also because it's near impossible to park (if you can get through the traffic!)
As usual, additional busses include those on the 111 route from Playa de las Americas to Santa Cruz, with services through to 4.30 a.m.
Download the 2007 Carnaval bus schedule here (PDF) Via: PuntoInfo
Labels: Carnaval
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Carnaval Queen Gala Leaves Bitter Taste
Whilst it was probably a fact that, after all the controversy that led up to it, many went to the gala already predisposed to dislike it, I doubt that even Rafael Amargo's worst critics could have expected such an insulting, pathetic and ridiculous bungle.
Or, to put it in the words of one viewer, "Rafael Amargo should be led out at dawn and shot! It was so bad it was funny." Believe it too: I sat through last night's 3 hour, 40 minute spectacle, transfixed, thinking it could never get any worse - but it did.
That it kept getting worse and worse was it's only consistent feature.
Public opinion seems to be unanimous in this evaluation of the event and, even the mayor of Santa Cruz, Miguel Zerolo, who participated in a phone-in program on TV this morning said it was a "fracaso" (failure) and was more like an Operación Triunfo gala than a Carnaval Gala. Obviously, he recognized the wisdom of saying that first, before he was publicly lynched over it. Just as Rafael Amargo himself must have concluded, having, reportedly, left the venue 45 minutes before the gala's end.
Video: How today's news reports also called it a ridiculous spectacle. On the positive side, you do get to see the winning Carnaval Queen briefly, with her costume of electric lights, entitled "Miss Dior". Negative: Belén Esteban in a pink leotard.
The public booed and whistled and the winning murga group, Los Diablos Locos (The Crazy Devils), even refused to participate and walked off the stage during the live event. This was one of the public's favorite parts of the show. (And mine too!)
Video: Los Diablos Locos walk off and the crowd goes wild.
Then the public booed the dance troupe, Los Cariocas, who followed them, because they did participate. Unfairly, I think, as I did notice that they (or someone) had decided to bring the most "buxom" girls on first - obviously in pointed defiance of Amargo's "castings" to weed out the fat ones and the ones who can't dance.
Whilst I won't criticize anyone's individual performance (I've been on stage enough times myself), what was clear was that there were too many acts, they were not of the "international calibre" we expected - neither Rosa, nor Gloria Gaynor, nor an "international artist" materialized - most of them had nothing whatsoever to do with Carnaval either and, the whole show was disjointed with pregnant pauses or murdered in cold blood by the wrong style of music, wrong tempo, at all the wrong times.
I lied. I will criticize the performance of Belén Esteban, the show's all time low point. She didn't so much emulate Madona, as emulate a pole dancer in a sleazy club. She was embarrassing cavorting in a pink leotard and about as sexy as a wet fish.
They managed to have five presenters, sorry six if you add Bibiana Fernández (Bibí Andersen), along with the unannounced Xavi Deltell (who could have done it much better alone), yet, the candidates for the title of Carnaval Queen had to announce themselves, via videos. They say that the sound on those was so bad in the congress center that it left people none the wiser, well, it wasn't much better on TV either.
If they'd started the show with the "Fashionistas" number, which brought together regular Carnaval characters, such as Fidel Castro and Miss Piggy, with the catwalk models to go with the Fashion theme, to the song performed by Claritzel and Sandra Love, put short performances by the various Carnaval groups into the judges' deliberation interlude and dumped the rest, it would have all worked.
At the end of the show, the envelope with the winners was delayed for some time, Bibí practically had to calm an imminent riot from the crowd and the eventual announcement of the winner - Elizabet Garcia representing El Dia - was so overshadowed by all that went before as to look like an afterthought.
Video: The end of the fiasco as Bibi calls for calm.
If anyone did catch this awful spectacle on international TV channels, all I can hope is that they switched over quickly enough so that the images will not have left a lasting impression. If you did see it, this was not representative of Tenerife's Carnaval.
Boos and whistles greet Tenerife's Carnaval Queen Gala
Abucheos en la gala de la Reina de Tenerife
Una gala con sabor amargo
Labels: Carnaval
Monday, February 12, 2007
Tenerife Carnaval: The party is back on
The judge lifted the precautionary suspension and declared that the residents' case was "inadmissible". Rejecting the injunction based on an appeal lodged by a group of residents who said the carnival was too noisy, judge Jaime Guilarte Martin-Calero said that the issue had already been settled by a 2006 court ruling.
The lawyer acting for the residents, Felipe Campos, had to be escorted by several police when leaving the court today. Earlier, Campos had complained of "a possible manipulation of public opinion to generate a hostile climate against his clients."
Personally, I think not: Carnaval's popularity, with the majority, speaks for itself.
There will not, however, be any street parties for Carnaval tonight or tomorrow, Tuesday, because the town hall in Santa Cruz have declared two days of mourning out of respect for the six people who died in Los Silos at the weekend.
Carnaval events will resume on Wednesday night with the big, televised, Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen and, will continue on Friday, when the Cabalgata Anunciadora officially brings the Carnaval entourage out into the streets. Parade starts at 8 p.m. and will be followed by - no doubt, noisy - fireworks.
Just as it did last year and, as I suspected, Carnaval got it's "last minute reprieve". I should have had money on the outcome. Oh well, there's always next year! :)
Tenerife allowed to celebrate carnival after all
Carnival is back on in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!
Labels: Carnaval
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Tenerife in uproar because of just 15 killjoys
The New York Times in the US "ledes" with Please Keep Your Carnival Quiet.
The Guardian in the UK: Court shuts down Tenerife's all-night fiestas
In the Gulf Daily News in Bahrain: 'Noisy' Canaries carnival banned.
Expatica in Spain & Europe: Landmark ruling bans carnival to cut down racket.
Weblogs Inc. Gadling traveller's weblog in the US: Tenerife Just Got Lame.
In The Age, in Australia Fiesta ruled too much of a racket.
These are not all, of course, but a pretty representative sample. My prize though, has to go to the German Press Agency for their thorough and efficient coverage in TheRawStory, Tenerife in uproar over cancellation of carnival, where we learn that "About 15 local residents lodged a complaint". Yes, count them, fifteen!
Labels: Carnaval
Carnaval awaits a resulotion
Spectators for the murga contests this week have been wearing supporting slogans on their T-Shirts, as have some of the murgas themselves, even down to pointed references in the lyrics of their songs, like "Wake your neighbor up".
Apparently, there's a simple solution: if mayor of Santa Cruz, Miguel Zerolo, were to say sorry and promise to move the Carnaval elsewhere in a few years.
El Carnaval espera una resolución, con manifestaciones y recogida de firmas
Labels: Carnaval
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Carnaval injunction even baffles authorities
One ironic twist in the legal tale could be something brought up by the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barberá. In Valencia they celebrate Las Fallas each year, which is a daytime firework display that deliberately makes the most noise possible, but, of course, revelries also go on into the evening and wee small hours.
Ms Barberá was also surprised by the judge's decision to award the injunction, but says it would be based on what is contained in the town hall's own noise-abatement rules. She adds, the town hall in Santa Cruz "cannot fail to use its own weapon."
She also underlines that by-laws they are currently drawing up in Valencia will make specific exception for the Fallas and some other fiestas to avoid a repeat of what's happening now in Santa Cruz. I'm finding it hard to believe that nobody thought to put an exception into the rules before, if this is the case, but it looks to me as if the town hall in Santa Cruz needs to redraft them and kill the killjoys, once and for all.
No, I know, of course it won't be that simple! :-)
Valencia introducirá una ordenanza del ruido durante Fallas para que no ocurra lo mismo que Tenerife
Labels: Carnaval
Is Tenerife's Carnaval really off?
While the local, national and international press is still going wild with Carnaval fever over the injunction that threatens to suspend the carnaval's events in the streets, this article at ABC points out exactly what I said earlier: that it is difficult to see how it can be stopped, no matter what the court says. If Franco's dictatorship couldn't suppress it and, as yesterday's spontaneous and noisy demonstration against the decision proved, then the injunction has about a snowball in hell's chance.
One thing's for certain, with all the coverage it's getting, you can be sure that every person in the world knows about Tenerife's Carnaval now, even if they think it's off!
What does concern me is that the story being carried around the international media reports the calling off as though it were a definitive decision, affecting Carnaval in total - something, which could, if taken literally, cause panic. Hundreds of thousands of people come to Carnaval in Santa Cruz each year and many thousands of those are tourists, who book specially for the event and may now fear disappointment.
First, it still remains to be seen if the injunction sticks after negotiations are resumed in the courts on Monday, but in any case does not affect all of the events.
The injunction only affects late-night carnaval revels: music on the streets, after 10.00 p.m. We are told, "The big galas are unaffected as they take place in the city's exhibition centre, and daytime parades and events can go ahead as normal."
Labels: Carnaval
Friday, February 09, 2007
Revellers protest against Carnaval suspension
This was not the only act of revenge: they've also summoned - via SMS - a botellón (big bring a bottle piss up) in the center of Santa Cruz to protest again tonight!
Los vecinos se manifiestan contra el auto judicial que suspende el Carnaval
Labels: Carnaval
Is Carnaval Prejudicial to health?
The interesting thing about the noise objection is that the 55 decibel limit ordered earlier by the Superior Court of Justice, is actually 30 decibels below the level of the noise of traffic in a city. Have you seen / heard the traffic in Santa Cruz? It seems laughable to award a decision against a once-yearly event in light of that.
So, what does fit the description of an "atmosphere of little noise" that is below the 55 decibel limit? Well, according to a this article at ABC; silence, footsteps, the sound of leaves rustling on the trees, a conversation in low voices and the quiet of a library are the only things that maintain their sound below that limit.
Of course Carnaval is louder than that, but so is the TV and conversation inside people's homes, never mind what's going on outside with the traffic, industry, construction works ... For better, or worse, life is noisy these days.
The effects on health from prolonged exposure to noise and its affect on the ability to get a good night's sleep are not in doubt, but there must surely be many more things in everyday life that are more threatening than a carnival of short duration.
Carnaval, ¿perjudicial para la salud?
Labels: Carnaval
Press buzzing with Carnaval Hysteria
Oh boy and, they're doing it in at least two languages. The earlier story is now being covered by Reuters, both in the international news, UK news and on their blog. ArchipelagoNoticias reiterates the alarm that the injunction is causing.
This article at Canarias7 points out that the suspension is not definitive and says that the town hall is to try to negotiate with the residents through the courts on Monday, in an attempt to reach an agreement. It also reiterates the history of Carnaval arriving with the conquistadores and being prohibited on various occasions; by King Carlos I in 1523 and by King Felipe II, as well as during the time of the Civil War.
That still did not prevent the Carnaval from being declared as a national tourist interest in 1967 and, internationally in 1980. And thereby, I think will hold the key. At the end of the day, Carnaval is popular with more people than it is unpopular. It also puts too much food into too many mouths - the expensive stalls that are erected all around the city center, as well as all the ongoing tourist revenue - to get squashed.
Then there is the matter of how would you stop revellers, if they decided to say "up yours" to the ban? Already today, dozens of Carnaval fans and members of Carnaval groups protested outside the town hall against the injunction and in sarcastic irony, they made their protest by tooting horns, i.e. making noise!
Meanwhile, the president of the Carnaval organizers in Cádiz, says that the judges decision "sounds more like a desire to annoy, than anything else." He also makes the valid point that Carnaval is only once a year and says that for noise to be a nuisance, it would have to be something that happened every day.
Even the so called Ley del botellón - that restricts the consumption of alcohol in the streets - excluded popular fiestas, such as fairs, carnivals or romerias.
One of the most practical suggestions, so far, made by one of carnaval's well-known characters, was that they should have a whip round and pay for those residents who prefer rest to stay in apartments well away on the south of the island.
The case, no doubt, will continue ...
(And you can't help thinking that it's jolly good publicity in the meantime. -)
Labels: Carnaval
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Carnaval in Santa Cruz Streets Cancelled
Anyway, Canarias7 report that the judge of the Contentious Administrative Court Number One (an apt name?) in Santa Cruz, has communicated today to the town hall in Tenerife's capital, an injunction that orders the the prevention of the fiestas and dances in the streets where they had been planned during the Carnaval. This is in response to petitions from a group of residents who complain about the noise.
This injunction has been awarded eight days after the Superior Court of Justice had recognized that the celebration of the fiestas in the center of the city "violated citizens' fundamental right to rest" and had declared that the fiestas could go ahead, but that the noise level must not exceed 55 decibels (the level of a conversation).
Presumably now, the revelries can be moved to somewhere where they won't bother anyone, unless, of course, there is again a last minute reprieve ...
El Juzgado suspende los actos en la calle del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Labels: Carnaval
Dressing up for Carnaval
Gaymengc.com make a couple of points that may not be apparent to those of you just visiting and who don't know the "rules of social etiquette" for Carnaval.
The first is that, although the Carnavals in all the various towns do have a theme, it isn't necessary for you to struggle to find a costume that fits that theme - unless you want to. You can wear whatever costume you like. To street events, you can also "come as you are", if you don't wish to dress up, but why waste the excuse?
The other is that "Drag of all kinds is worn by all kinds of men whether straight, gay or undecided." There are all kinds: some I've seen are "convincing women", but I've seen plenty of others with beer bellies and beards, in nurses outfits with stockings and suspenders or a Spanish flamenco dress, coyly hiding behind fans.
In fact, for the Burial of the Sardine event that - symbolically at least - marks the end of Carnaval, it is almost mandatory for men to dress as "wailing widows".
Whatever your culture (or your mother) taught you about not being caught dead "dressed like that" in the streets doesn't count here. It doesn't even matter if you are going to Carnaval on the public bus. Everyone else is dressed up. Just go for it!
Dressing up for Carnaval
Labels: Carnaval
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Understanding Carnaval: Murga
Yeah, yeah, you turn up in costume, you party ... what's to understand? :-)
However, there are all sorts of different components and participants in Carnaval and the Murga groups are one of them. You may see them - you'll know if you hear them - and wonder what it's about. I liked this description, which is kinda Murga 101:
"Murgas are a key part of Carnaval in Las Palmas and elsewhere in the Canary Islands. They’re choirs who sing along with a sort of kazoo band (the sound is an acquired taste) and their songs are a satirical commentary on the year’s news. They are not known for being politically correct, which is hardly a Carnaval tradition."
Murgas say they don’t use “maricón” in a homophobic way
Labels: Carnaval
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Fiesta in the Courts
Once again, say Diario de Avisos, the future of Carnaval in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, seems to be in the hands of the judges. Yesterday, a sentence was handed down by the Superior Court of Justice in the Canary Islands, partly in favour of a small group of residents in the center of the city who had denounced the excessive noise from the partying. The decision recognized that the noise harms the residents' fundamental right to rest, but, rather than banning the Carnaval from the streets, imposes a limit of 55 decibels on the night time revelries. Something, which the report points out, is pretty impossible to achieve, since that is approximately the level of a conversation. The other option is to move the festivities to non-residential areas.
La fiesta de los jueces
Santa Cruz tendrá que controlar más los ruidos, pero habrá Carnaval en la calle
Labels: Carnaval
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Other Carnaval 2007 Dates in Tenerife
Whilst the Carnaval in Santa Cruz is undoubtedly the biggest and most famous, those who want a taste of the fun with a little less bustle, can head to any one of the many other carnavals held in just about every town and village on the island - even the tiny 100 inhabitant hamlet of Teno Alto gets in on the act.
Carnaval 2007 in La Orotava
In La Orotava, where the theme this year is "Fiestas in Egypt", the Gran Coso (Main Parade), is being held on Tuesday, February 20th. An Old Car Rally starts the day off at 10 a.m. that morning from the Plaza de la Constitución and, at 4 p.m. the carnaval parade begins from Cruz del Teide to Plaza de la Paz (El Calvario). Malibu Band and others are in charge of the knees up from 7 p.m. onwards.
On Thursday, February 22nd, there is also a Drag Queen Festival at 9 p.m. in La Orotava, featuring some of the best drag acts from Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
La Orotava Carnaval 2007 Program | Photos of La Orotava Carnaval 2006
Carnaval in Puerto de La Cruz 2007
The theme in Puerto de la Cruz this year in "Paris in the 20's" and the most important event of this international carnaval is their Gran Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval (Main Parade), which is held on Saturday, February 24th, from 4 p.m. onwards in the streets; Avda. Colón, Plaza de los Reyes Católicos, Calle Obispo Pérez Cáceres, Avda. Generalísimo, Calle Zamora, Calle Santo Domingo, Calle La Marina, Plaza del Charco, Calle San Felipe and Paseo Luis Lavaggi.
More Events in Puerto de la Cruz Carnaval 2007 listed here
Carnaval in Los Gigantes 2007
Tenerife Sun tell us that, "In Los Gigantes the Carnival runs from March 1-5 and the theme for those wishing to get heavily involved is Mexico." More info here
Carnaval in Los Cristianos 2007
Whilst I cannot find details on Los Cristianos carnaval for 2007, yet, this is the biggest in the south and never far from your hotel if you are staying in one of the resorts. One note, LastMinute do issue the warning that event details can change, but I think it very unlikely that the dates of Los Cristianos Carnaval would be, as they list, as being from the 20th to the 24th of February (well, I know they wont).
That week coincides with the dates in Santa Cruz and, Los Cristianos always holds theirs at least a week or two later. One of the reasons that carnaval is spaced out in different towns is so that everyone can attend everything, of course. The other is that fair ground rides and hot dog stalls, etc., cannot be in two places at once. :)
Or, as Tenerife Sun Newspaper says, "Towns and villages all over aim to put on their own displays of street partying as soon as the Santa Cruz Carnival has run out of steam." To be honest, even that is not an entirely accurate analysis: Santa Cruz merely takes a short respite before beginning on organizing the next!
Calendar of Events for February 2007
Labels: Carnaval
Fashioning a Grand Gala for Santa Cruz
EL DÍA publish details of the order of events for the Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen in Santa Cruz. Directed by dancer, Rafael Amargo, the gala takes place at the Fairs and Congress Center in the Tenerife capital on February 14th. The approx. two hour gala and will be televised both locally and around the world.
Singer, D'Noé, will open the gala to the rhythm of hip hop. After D'Noé, there will be appearances from Edith Salazar, continuing with transsexual actress and model, Bibiana Fernández, also known as Bibí Andersen and then, Cuban singer and presenter of children's programs, Lucrecia, who last performed at the Santa Cruz Carnaval that paid homage to the late Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, in 2004.
Hailed as one of the gala's "main dishes", is a performance from the ex of bullfighter, Jesulín de Ubrique, Belén Esteban. Normally more at home nude, on the cover of magazine, Intervieu, Esteban will again be covering a Madonna number.
Belen Esteban singing Madonna's "Hung Up" in the program, Ana Rosa
The gala's introduction will then continue with "triunfitos" (participants from reality-show talent contest, Operación Triunfo), Soraya and Rosa, before a performance from 70's and 80's diva, Gloria Gaynor, who, two days later will be appearing for the second time at the Drag Queen Gala in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
After the presentation of the judges, the 18 candidates for Carnaval Queen 2007, will parade in their huge costumes. While the jury deliberates, there will be a performance by the winning murga group and by an "international artist". No details on who that is yet, as initially Jennifer López was pencilled in, but didn't have space in her diary.
After failed attempts to contract comics, Los Morancos and presenter, Paz Padilla, the director has included the name of Willy García as presentor of the spectacular gala, although, say EL DÍA, García denies having received any offer.
ASÍ SERÁ LA GALA
Labels: Carnaval
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Temptation island
Anna Watson has obviously been to Santa Cruz for the Carnaval - not this year, mind you, because the Carnaval Queen hasn't yet been chosen: that takes place on February 14th - and says, "... I bought an owl mask made of real feathers, which, coupled with a brown winter coat, made me a dead ringer for a giant tawny owl. But in a town where grown men are walking around dressed as girlish goatherds, complete with milk pail, pinny and plaits, a giant owl doesn't stand out too much."
Too true! It's a nice article about the nature of Carnaval and about Santa Cruz.
Temptation island
Labels: Carnaval
Friday, January 26, 2007
Tickets go on sale for Tenerife Carnaval
Tickets go on sale today for the various Carnaval events that take place in the Fairs and Congress Center in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. This is something I've never bothered to attend in person - the big Gala, like many international sporting fixtures, is probably better seen on TV for a good view - but I have always been curious about how much it costs. Entrance to the Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen, to be held on February 14th, is a very reasonable 15 euros (around £10).
El viernes salen a la venta las entradas para los actos del Canaval de Tenerife
Labels: Carnaval
Monday, January 22, 2007
Music for Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Carnaval 2007
Shrove Tuesday, February 20th, the big day of Carnaval 2007 in Santa Cruz, when the Gran Coso (Main Parade) will fill the streets, Avenidas de Anaga and Maritima, in the afternoon, has been reserved, in the evening, for Cuban "Timba" orchestra, NG La Banda. "NG" stands for "nueva generación" (new generation).
Formed by José Luis "El Tosco" Cortés, who had previously written and played for Los Van Van, "NG La Banda amalgamated the innovations of the groups that came before it with many of its own to create a type of music that wasn't Son, Songo or Rumba - nor was it Rock, Jazz or Funk. It had ample amounts of each blended in, but its most potent component was something entirely new - something that was born in the streets and barrios of Havana in the late 1980's. Cortés called it "Timba".
You can judge for yourself from the video above, but NG La Banda is certainly considered one of the best. Reportedly, the organizers had set Los Van Van as their primary objective, however they were already booked to play in Venezuela.
Santa Cruz town hall had also looked at the possibility of contracting other artists, such as Rubén Blades, Gloria Estefan and Don Omar. In the case of the first two, the huge fees they demanded caused the negotiations to be aborted.
Paulina Rubio at Carnaval de Tenerife
Although, there are still a few contr