Free live music and stuff in Las Palmas, December 2025

Before reporting on what we’ve seen in December, let me tell you what we haven’t. That’s right, it was Christmas lights switch-on on 4 December. When we arrived somewhere close to Plaza de Santa Ana, we realised that we can’t get there because of the bloody barriers. It was supposed to be a family-friendly event but from what we could see, all the seats were taken mostly by adults. After circling the place clock- and then counterclockwise, we went home to read some indignant comments in social networks.

And then a great number of outdoorsy activities were cancelled thanks to Storm Emilia. Oh well.

On the other hand, I’ve been to three pretty good Christmas concerts in local churches which I probably wouldn’t attend if we haven’t moved to Isleta.

• 6 December: Concierto de Navidad @ Parroquia de Santa María del Pino, Calle Ruiz de Alda, 7, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria^†
  A concert of La Banda de música Barahona conducted by Zoraida Hernández Almeida. The programme included:
  • Mulan (Matthew Wilder, arr. Johnnie Vinson)
  • Selections from Moana (Lin-Manuel Miranda, arr. Jay Bocook)
  • Arabian Dances (Roland Barrett)
  • Hercules (Alan Menken)
  • Christmas in Mexico (traditional, arr. Michael Story)
  • Ukrainian Bell Carol (Mykola Leontovych, arr. Richard L. Saucedo)
  • Fantasy on a Burgundian Carol (traditional, arr. Michael Story)
  • A Holly Jolly Christmas Medley (arr. Stefan Schwalgin)
• 10 December: Performance colectiva «Rojo Descolonial» @ Casa de Colón, Calle Colón, 1
  This collective performance was the culmination of Rojo descolonial. Doscientos años de grana en Canarias, a project by the Mexican artist Gloria Godínez.

  

• 16 December: «Los Reyes siguen l’estrella. La Natividad en la tradición musical hispánica» @ Casa de Colón
  Las Hespérides feauturing Magdalena Padilla (soprano), David Batista (countertenor) and Carlos Oramas (vihuela). The programme included:

  Luys Milán: Fantasía del Quarto Tono* Tomás Luis de Victoria: O magnum mysterium Tomás Luis de Victoria: Ne timeas Maria Diego Pisador: Dezidle al caballero* Francisco Guerrero: Puer natus est Vincenzo Capirola: Ricercar ottava* Anonymous (from Cancionero de Upsala): Dadme albricias Anonymous (from Cancionero de Upsala): Gózate, Virgen Sagrada Anonymous (from Cancionero de Upsala): No la devemos dormir Francisco Guerrero: La Tierra s’está gozando Francisco Guerrero: Pastor, quien madre virgen Francisco Guerrero: Los Reyes siguen l’estrella Francisco Guerrero: Niño Dios d'amor herido Francisco Guerrero: Vamos al portal Luys de Narváez: Fantasía del quarto tono* Mateo Flecha “El Viejo”: Dindirindin

  

• 18 December: Concierto de Navidad de la Unidad de Música del Mando Aéreo de Canarias @ Plaza de Santa Ana
  The band of the Canary Islands Air Command braved the elements to deliver a delightful Christmas concert. The highlights included themes from Cinema Paradiso and Skyfall, Street Tango, A Night in Tunisia and Nutcracker Swing.

  

• 19 December: Recital Lírico de Navidad @ Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, Calle Benartemi, 46^†
  With Inna Saavedra (soprano), Sun Park (organ), Cristina Gimeno Pérez (oboe) and Néstor Henríquez Domínguez (violin). The programme included:

  Franz Schubert: Ave Maria Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria Johannes Brahms: Wiegenlied Georg Friedrich Händel: Lascia ch’io pianga César Franck: Panis angelicus Franz Schubert: Mille cherubini in coro John Francis Wade: Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) Georg Friedrich Händel: Messiah Vladimir Vavilov: Ave Maria (misattributed to Giulio Caccini) Irving Berlin: White Christmas* Franz Xaver Gruber: Stille Nacht Adolphe Adam: Cantique de Noël Encore: James Lord Pierpont: Jingle Bells*

• 28 December: Concierto de Navidad @ Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Luz, Calle Pérez Muñoz, 4^†
  A concert of La Banda Juvenil de Firgas (postponed from 7 December). The highlights were pasodoble Música y Vinos by Manuel Morales Martínez, a Pixar medley (including the theme from The Incredibles), and Jingle Bell Rock (encore).

And exhibitions:

• 12 November 2025 — 1 March 2026: «El original multiplicado» @ Casa de Colón
  Engravings from the collection of Cabildo de Gran Canaria, including works by Rembrandt, Goya, Picasso, Chillida, Chirino and Lola Massieu.

  

• 4 December 2025 — 6 January 2026: Elia Verona @ Bar Tenesor, Calle Rosarito, 2
  Engravings by Elia Verona in a friendly bar environment.
• 11 December 2025 — 9 January 2026: «Objetópolis: Atlas de invenciones poéticas» @ Centro de Artes Plásticas (CAP), Calle Colón, 8
  Impossible art by Irene León.

  

Happy New Year, everybody.

*	Instrumental.
†	This concert was part of the cycle Sueña la Navidad en tu barrio (District Isleta-Puerto-Guanarteme).

Free live music and stuff in Las Palmas, May 2025

This is what we’ve seen:

• 8 May: «Celebrando Canarias» @ Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  The first of three concerts featuring Germán López (timple) and La Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria conducted by Juan Roda Sapiña. The full programme is available here.

  

• 14 May: Yul Ballesteros Trio «Alma» @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles, Calle Benito Pérez Galdós, 4
  Yul Ballesteros (guitar), Tana Santana (double bass) and Akior García (drums).

  

• 17 May: La Noche Europea de los Museos @ Casa de Colón, Calle Colón, 1
  Gonzalo Macías (guitar) and Ana Gil (vocals, clarinet); Enri Ive (vocals) and Pablo Queu (guitar).
• 23 May: Carlos Alemán & Rayko León @ Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Calle de los Balcones, 9
  With Carlos Eliseo Alemán (flutes), Rayko León (piano), Fofi Lusson (double bass) and Osvaldo Hernández (drums).

  

• 24 May: «Del bolero al son» @ Auditorio José Antonio Ramos, Parque Doramas
  Flamencubeando is a band from Jaén who mix flamenco with son, bolero, tango and other Latin American genres, playing the standards such as Alfonsina y El Mar, Lágrimas negras, Nostalgias, Obsesión, Por una cabeza and, would you believe it, Ay Mi Gran Canaria in their own unique style. Featuring Curro Pérez (voice), Luís Delgado (guitar, bass guitar), Fernándo Delgado (piano) and Luis Delgado Jr. (percussion, flute, melodica).

  

• 31 May: Ernesto Rossger Trio @ Re-Read, Calle Bernardo de la Torre, 33
  One of these events that are not advertised anywhere. We only learned about it because we were visiting this second-hand book shop almost daily. So, on occasion of the eighth anniversary of the Re-Read Las Palmas, we were treated to almost 90 minutes of jazz/blues/funk/bossa nova fusion, plus beer and snacks. With Ernesto Rossger (electric guitar), Carlos Ayala (electric bass), Alejandro Ramos (drums) and a special guest Louis Moreno (vocals).

  

An exhibition of historical photography in interesting location:

• 23 May — 1 June: «Presencia Española en el Sáhara» @ Palacio Militar de San Telmo, Calle Triana, 109
  On occasion, I guess, of the 50^th anniversary of the end of Spanish presence in Western Sahara. Photography by José Luis de Pablos.

And that was it for May.

Free live music and stuff in Las Palmas, March 2025

What we’ve seen in March.

• 8 March: NIA @ Plaza de Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  This year I was trying to avoid big crowds, so the only Carnaval concert I went to was this one. And it was totally worth it.
• 13 March: «El cuerpo del delito: el placer femenino en la cultura» @ Centro de Arte La Regenta, Calle León y Castillo, 427
  Presented by Yolanda Peralta Sierra, doctor in History of Art and lecturer at the Universidad de La Laguna. From Hildegard of Bingen to Carolee Schneemann, Cabello/Carceller, Mari Chordà and Canarian artists Carmela García and Yapci Ramos. A part of the cycle of talks «Envueltos en una llama roja: sexo y erotismo en la cultura audiovisual contemporánea».

  

• 14 March: Sofar concert @ Casa de Colón, Calle Colón, 1
  With Good Franco, Étel Santos and Aristides Moreno. A note to myself: no more happenings featuring Aristides Moreno for me, thank you very much.

• 20 March: «Maestras del piano» @ Casa de Colón
  The concert of the students of Escuela Municipal de Educación Musical de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Works of women composers of 19^th and 20^th centuries such as Anne Crosby, Christine Donkin, Nancy Faber and Clara Schumann.

  

• 22 March: «El grabado, un lenguaje multidimensional» @ Gabinete Literario, Plaza de Cairasco, 1
  A lecture by Ana de la Puente Arrate, the newest member of Real Academia Canaria de Bellas Artes de San Miguel Arcángel.
• 27 March: Pino Quimont Trio @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles, Calle Benito Pérez Galdós, 4
  Pino Quimont (vocals) accompanied by Néstor García (guitar) and Leandro Ojeda (double bass). Standards like Black Coffee, Cuando vuelva a tu lado (What a Difference a Day Makes), I’m Beginning to See the Light, Invitation and, less predictably, All Blues, Los ejes de mi carreta and We Are the Champions.

  

• 29 March: Sofar concert @ Biblioteca Pública del Estado, Calle Muelle de Las Palmas
  Yes, another Sofar concert — with Nayaban Jean, Álvaro Belchí and Meliē.

And exhibitions:

• 30 January — 25 May: «Cuerpo en medio» @ CAAM – San Antonio Abad, Plaza San Antonio Abad
  Works by Macarena Nieves Cáceres.

  

• 31 January — 22 March: «Fumi aurum templum» @ Centro de Arte La Regenta
  Works by Cristina Déniz Sosa.

• 31 January — 22 March: «Zaj, 60 años» @ Centro de Arte La Regenta
  Retrospective of the group zaj, with works of Juan Hidalgo, Walter Marchetti and Esther Ferrer.

  

• 27 February — 22 March: «Vestimenta Tradicional de Gran Canaria durante los siglos XVIII y XIX» @ Museo Castillo de Mata, Calle Domingo Guerra del Río, 147
  42 faithful reproductions of the traditional Canarian garments from the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

  

• 28 February — 28 March: «Cariño Mío» @ Centro de Artes Plásticas (CAP), Calle Colón, 8
  Textile art by Cristina Ortega Viera. Guided tour on 14 March.

  

And that was it for March.

American Pop

a film by Ralph Bakshi

Finally, a Bakshi film that I actually liked. A soundtrack for the (best part of) 20^th century, something for kids of today to watch. Don’t let the title put you off (yes, it makes me cringe too): “pop” here is short for popular music, moving from ragtime to punk with jazz, swing, soul and rock in between. Not pop music. I still don’t get why American artists insist on naming their creations “American something”.

It’s also pretty uneven. The story kind of disintegrates towards the end — as the quality of music goes down. Yet there are some truly beautiful or otherwise funny bits that made my night.

Free live music and stuff in Las Palmas, February 2025

That’s what we’ve seen this month:

• 18 January — 5 March: Nikola Tesla. El genio de la electricidad moderna @ Parque de San Telmo, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  The first exhibition in Spain to bear the official seal of the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade.

  

• 5 February: Intervención arqueológica en el Solar Norte de la Catedral de Canarias, Plaza de Santa Ana
  A guided tour organised by Cabildo de Gran Canaria.

  

• 12 February: Infante/Lemes/Colina Trio @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles, Calle Benito Pérez Galdós, 4
  Javier Colina (double bass, accordion), Javier Infante (guitar) and Alexis Lemes (timple). The programme included material from the trio’s debut album Guiguan.

  

• 15 February: «Agüita fresca: Entre salsa y boleros» @ Auditorio José Antonio Ramos, Parque Doramas
  All-star band featuring Magdalena Padilla (vocals), Yuniel Rascón (guitar, tres), Fofi Lusson (bass) and Totó Noriega (percussion). Still, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. “Between salsa and boleros”, I didn’t hear a single salsa. Sure, Bésame mucho, Guantanamera and Quizás, quizás, quizás are all perennial classics... that were played, covered and re-covered ad nauseam. Look, there are thousands of fantastic and equally catchy Latin songs, why not trying something new. Agüita fresca? I’d say agua estancada.

  

• 11 February — 16 March: «Macaronesia 1975—2025» @ Casa de Colón, Calle Colón, 1
  The last 50 years of Macaronesian history in 146 photos. Organised by FEDAC and Memoria digital de Lanzarote.

  

• 20 February: «Pasión y ritmo» @ Plaza del Pilar Nuevo
  Now, that was one helluva concert! La Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria went big-band mode with standards such as At the Mambo Inn, Hot House and Soul Bossa Nova. Conductor: Juan Roda Sapiña. The line-up and full programme are available here.

  

And that was it for February.

Free live music and stuff in Las Palmas, March 2023

This month began on a cold side...

• 8 March: «Ellas. Mujeres que cantan a mujeres» @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles, Calle Benito Pérez Galdós, 4, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  The trio of Magdalena Padilla (vocals), Andrea Baez (piano, guitar) and Gema Barragán (bass guitar, violin). The highlights included Andante, Andante, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend and Rozalén’s anthem La Puerta Violeta.

  

• 11 March: «Bahía» @ Auditorio José Antonio Ramos, Parque Doramas
  The amazing Cuban cellist, composer and singer Ana Carla Maza presented her new album Bahía. With Marc Ayza (drums), Luis Guerra (Percussion) and Norman Peplow (piano).

• 15 March: Quinteto DViento @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles
  From Baroque music to ragtime, with Marta Bautista (double bass), Carolina Marrero (flute), Gladys Pérez Molina (flute), Paulina Niemczycka (flute) and Abraham Ramos Sanchez (guitar).

  

• 16 March: Maureen Choi @ Teatro Guiniguada, Plaza F. Mesa de León
  A masterclass of jazz violin, organised by Mousikê La Laguna.

• 22 March: Bjazz @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles
  Now as a quartet featuring Samantha de León (double bass), Silvia Jiménez Hernández (trumpet, vocals), Amelia Gutiérrez (drums) and Sun-Young Park (piano).

  

• 25 March: Happy Piano Day in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, various locations (11:30—22:00)
  The fifth edition of Happy Piano Day in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria had about 40 sessions in 10 locations around the city, plus a “mobile point” in a form of city bus (line 17, Auditorio—Teatro). Timur and I went to Parque San Telmo, mostly to see Jose Alberto Medina and Javier Infante. Also, we caught the last bits of performance of Mingo Roque and Luis Moreno; then I stayed after 5 pm to listen to Samuel Labrador.
• 25 March: «Una noche entre boleros» @ Auditorio José Antonio Ramos, Parque Doramas
  Later the same day, I went to Parque Doramas to see this show featuring Mara Pérez, Ángeles Pérez and Dunia Pérez (vocals) and Argelia Quesada (narration), accompanied by Misael Pérez (double bass), Daniel Gil (trumpet), Cristian Hernández (piano), Jorge Soroa (percussion) and Ricardo Yagüe (guitar).

• 27 March: Takeo Takahashi Quartet «Jazz para Hokusai» @ Paraninfo de La Universidad de Las Palmas, Calle Juan de Quesada, 30
  This was the sakuranbo on top of the opening day of the International Week of Japan. The quartet played three compositions inspired by works of Katsushika Hokusai: Sparrows and Wisteria, Ejiri in Suruga Province and Feminine Wave. Featuring Cristóbal Montesdeoca (piano), Tana Santana (double bass), Takeo Takahashi (drums) and Jose Vera Bello (sax, flute).

  

• 29 March: Beatriz Alonso Trio @ Palacete Rodríguez Quegles
  The last concert of the cycle «Marzo con M de mujer», with Beatriz Alonso (vocals), Javier Cerpa (guitar) and Carlos Meneses (double bass).

  

• 31 March: Festival de Artes Marciales & Ceremonia de Té @ Campus del Obelisco, Calle de Pérez del Toro, 1
  Closing the International Week of Japan, there was a demonstration of martial arts: judo (Antonio Pérez), karate (Sergio Sanjuán), jujitsu (Martín Suárez), aikido (Víctor Pulido), shorinji kempo (Paco Brito) and ninjitsu (Ricardo Atik), followed by a tea ceremony (María J. Quintana).

...and now it’s almost a heatwave. I hope it won’t get much hotter in April.

Live music and theatre in Santander, September 2022

This is what I’ve seen in September:

• 7 September: The Silver Lining Serenaders @ Rvbicón, Calle del Sol, 4, Santander
  Trad jazz and swing band from New Orleans. Featuring Ella Inglebret (violin, vocals), Scott Stobbe (guitar, vocals) and Ben Redwine (clarinet). Watch the full concert here.

  

• 13 September: Bywater Call @ El Almacén de Little Bobby, Calle del Sol, 20
  Dave Barnes (guitar), Stephen Dyte (trumpet), John Kervin (keys), Bruce McCarthy (drums), Mike Meusel (bass), Julian Nalli (tenor sax), Meghan Parnell (vocals). The price of tickets bought in advance was €14; at the entrance, €17; and online, €17 plus €1.70 “gastos de gestión”, €18.70 in total — daylight robbery. Luckily, I was able to get the “advance” tickets half an hour before the concert in the bar across the road.

  

• 20 September: Devórate @ Escena Miriñaque, Calle Isaac Peral, 9
  Since its 2019 première, Mari Paula’s creation has matured almost to perfection. That “plasticky” part in the middle is still a bit too long for my taste; otherwise, I enjoyed the show even more than three years ago.

  

• 21 September: Nico Andino Quartet @ Rvbicón
  With Nico Andino (trumpet), Nicolás Alvear (guitar), Jesús Pérez (electric bass) and Daniel Pimenta (drums). Watch the full concert here.

  

• 27 September: Kirie, las voces del alma @ Paraninfo de La Magdalena, Calle de la Familia Real, 8
  A show by Espacio Espiral directed by Cristina Samaniego. I liked the singing but struggled to keep awake during the narration.
• 28 September: Sed @ Escena Miriñaque
  A play by Quásar Teatro, directed and performed by Mónica González Megoya. I found it a bit long for its message.

• 28 September: Carlos Pizarro Trio @ Rvbicón
  Later the same evening: melodic modern jazz trio playing mostly original compositions. Featuring Diego Gutiérrez (drums), Javier Mayor (double bass) and Carlos Pizarro (guitar). Watch the full concert here.

  

• 30 September: Las Migas @ Teatro CASYC, Calle Tantín, 25
  Could there be a better way to finish a rainy day than to see Las Migas? Featuring Alicia Grillo (guitar, vocals), Carolina Fernández ‘La Chispa’ (lead vocals, dance), Laura Pacios (violin, vocals) and Marta Robles (guitar, vocals), plus Oriol Riart (double bass) and Guillem Arnau (drums, percussion). Marta Robles joked that they were dreaming of playing in Santander for the last 18 years (that is, from the moment the band was formed). A mix of old songs and material from their new album, Libres.

  

The summer is truly over now.

Live music and things in Santander, November 2019

November in Santander. Pretty quiet (and rainy, as expected)...

• 3 November: Jazz Jam @ Rvbicón, Calle del Sol 4, Santander
  With the base band featuring Marcelo Véliz (trombone), Rafa Santana (piano), Toño Gutiérrez (double bass) and Yeyo Pilatti (drums).
• 6 November: Ferenc Nemeth Trio @ Rvbicón
  Amazing Ferenc Nemeth (drums) with Greg Tardy (tenor sax) and Tzumo Aprad (keyboards) presented their brand-new collaboration (they never played together before). Unfortunately, the CD is not released yet, otherwise I would have bought it.
  

• 13 November: Max Ionata Trio @ Rvbicón
  Max Ionata (tenor sax) with Jesper Bodilsen (double bass) and Martin Andersen (drums).
  

• 20 November: Rémi Dugué Trio @ Rvbicón
  An evening of manouche jazz with Rémi Dugué (guitar), Dany García (guitar) and Manuel Cavero (double bass).
  

• 22 November: Kolektiv Lapso Cirk @ La estación de tren de Adif, Santander
  David and Tomas of Kolektiv Lapso Cirk presented Ovvio, an entertaining equilibristic show employing simple objects such as wooden planks and deckchairs. It was free of charge and took place at the foyer of the Santander Adif rail station, where additional enertainment was provided by the train departure announcements. The show was a part of the VIII International Circus Festival En la Cuerda Floja.

• 24 November: Maddy Smith, José A. Gallego and Kate Gass @ La Pirula, Calle Peña Herbosa, 21
  A charming programme of English, Irish, French and (sometimes) Spanish folk and folk-y songs.
• 27 November: Asere Quartet @ Rvbicón
  Another international modern jazz collective featuring Fèlix Rossy (trumpet), Leandro Irarragorri (piano), Josep Cordobés (drums) and Calvin Lennig (double bass).
  

It’s almost Christmas time — and only three weeks till I leave these shores.

Theatre and live music in Santander and Las Palmas, September 2019

I spent this September in Santander and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

• 7 September: Devórate @ Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, Calle de Gamazo, Santander
  There is nothing wrong in dancing in the nude. It will do us a lot of good to dance more, to get naked more, and to make love more, and any combination thereof. Personally, I preferred Retrópica to Mari Paula’s brand new creation, Devórate. The opening is almost painfully slow; I’m sure the lovers of Sokurov would appreciate it more than I did. However, there was an absolutely stunning African dance part in the middle; I’d love to see more of that.

• 8 September: Jam session @ Rvbicón, Calle del Sol 4, Santander
  The sixth edition of Raqueros del Jazz, organised and hosted by Rvbicón, kicked off with a jam. Toño Gutiérrez (bass), Rafa Santana (piano), Rodrigo Irizábal (drums), Manuel Cavero (double bass) and others.

• 10 September: Víctor Antón Group @ Rvbicón
  Technically accomplished but rather predictable mainstream jazz collective featuring Víctor Antón (guitar), Roberto Nieva (alto sax), Marcos Salcines (piano), Darío Guibert (double bass) and Mikel Urretagoiena (drums). The original compositions sounded as if I heard all this before. Then they played encore which was simply fantastic. Why not the all of the concert?
• 12 September: Raynald Colom Trio with Eliot Zigmund @ Rvbicón
  Raynald Colom (trumpet), Juan Sebastián (piano), Manel Fortiá (double bass) and jazz legend Eliot Zigmund (drums) playing mostly modern jazz standards and making them sound fresh and their own. (Cf. the previous act.) Unfortunately, I wasn’t in Santander for the second week of Raqueros; then again, nobody could be in two places at once.
• 19 September: Fasur Rodríguez @ Teatro Guiniguada, Plaza F. Mesa de León, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  An event organised by Mousikê La Laguna opens the new season of jazz masterclasses.

• 21 September: Totem @ Meloneras
  The final live event as well as the highlight of the month. Bravo, Cirque du Soleil!

Back to Santander, I’m looking forward to see and hear more.

Free live music and dance in Las Palmas, April 2019

Spring is here for real. A lot of free music outdoors — sometimes there are two or three worthwhile concerts the same day. Which one to choose?

• 11 April: Luis Suárez @ Teatro Guiniguada, Plaza F. Mesa de León, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  Luis Suárez gave an illuminating masterclass of electronic percussion. I wish his drumkit was positioned at the same level that audience though: in spite of me seating in the first row, I could hardly see what he was doing. Luckily, his laptop was projected to the big screen.

• 13 April: Althay Páez @ Parque Doramas
  I first saw Althay Páez almost seven years ago, performing at the Fuerteventura en Música festival. This time, he was accompanied by Jonay González Mesa (guitar), Johnny Olivares (percussion), Jairo Cabrera (brass and woodwind instruments) and Juanka González Trujillo (bass), with guest musician Julio Pereira (cavaquinho) and surprise appearance of Olga Cerpa.

• 15 April: Bach Brunch I @ Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Avda. Príncipe de Asturias
  What, free music in Auditorio? Yes, as a part of the International Bach Festival Canarias there were two free concerts, at 12:30, half an hour each. Timur and I went to see both of them. The first one featured the Canarian pianist Evelia Rodríguez, who performed Bach’s English Suite No. 2 in A minor BWV 807 and Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 55, No. 2 by Chopin. She played an encore too, I just don’t know what it was.
• 17 April: Bach Brunch II @ Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
  Canadian (not Canarian!) violinist Kerson Leong performed Bach’s Partita No. 3 in E major BWV 1006 and Sonata No. 2 “Jacques Thibaud” by Eugene Ysaÿe, plus a mindblowing version of Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tárrega for an encore.
• 21 April: The Josés with Errol Woiski @ Clipper La Puntilla, Calle Caleta
  I saw The Josés almost a year ago and, sloppy repertoire notwithstanding, quite liked how they played. This Easter Sunday, Errol Woiski (vocals and guitar) joined them for some no-nonsense good old blues, so Timur and I also enjoyed what they played.
• 25—26 April: Muestra de escuelas de danza española @ Teatro Guiniguada
  I only attended the first evening of this showcase, on 25 April. It was free but you still need to get a ticket beforehand. I came to the theatre by 5 o’clock and joined the long queue. As far as I could see and hear, it was dominated by mums of young dancers. The lady in front of me told me that “somos seis” (“there’s six of us”). People were leaving the box office waving wads of tickets. Some of them just could not leave — they were coming back to see their friends and relations and instruct them to get more.

  — Coño, chacha, tieneh muchah entradah. ¿Puedeh darme una?
  — Mira niña, todavía no sé si vendrán la abuela y mi cuñada.

  I think I was the only one who asked for just one ticket. The show started at 20:30. Next to me there sat a granny holding an amazingly well-behaved baby. The programme was presented by Javier del Real. There were four schools of dance participating, including the school of the very Javier del Real and school of Elena Sánchez, plus a group of former students of Coca Navarro, and a great variety of dances: not just sevillanas and flamenco, but also classical ballet (bits of  Don Quixote and Carmen Suite) and even one reggaeton number, with couple of really young dancers (I’d say, five- or six-year-olds).

  

• 27 April: Zenet @ Parque Doramas
  Until last Saturday, I was unaware of Toni Zenet (Málaga, 1967). The actor, singer and songwriter turned out to be so popular that, although I came well in advance, the venue (let’s call the seating area next to the stage that) was packed. And the audience knew the lyrics of his songs! Presenting his new album La Guapería, “the Andalusian crooner” was accompanied by Raúl Márquez (violin) and José Taboada (guitar).

• 28 April: AYWA @ Parque Doramas
  Featuring Adil Smaali (lead vocals, ngoni, qraqeb), Damien Fadat (flute, keyboards, vocals), Damien Hilaire (drums, vocals), Guilhem Chapeau Centurion (bass guitar, vocals) and Théophile Vialy (guitar, vocals), AYWA play irresistibly catchy fusion of raï, jazz, rock and reggae with Balkan and Celtic influences.

  

  AYWA caught in the act!

  

  More photos of AYWA @ Shutterstock

• 29 April: Muestra de Danza Contemporánea @ Teatro Guiniguada
  More than 100 dancers from Canarias and beyond took place in this showcase on the International Dance Day. Among them, academies of Natalia Medina, Erre estudios, Carmen Cabrera, La Groove (Fuerteventura), Escuela municipal de danza de Candelaria (Tenerife), and NT estudios de danza. A bit of a mixed bag: some inventive examples of modern dance, including break dance, contemporary ballet, musical theatre, or even cabaret, interspersed with rather insipid Zumba-like routines set to reggaeton or hip-hop with explicit lyrics — sometimes I really wish the choreographers in this country knew English better.

Free live music in Las Palmas, January 2019

This January I spent precisely €0.00 on entrance tickets, and extracted quite a value from my modest investment.

• 17 January: Javier Sánchez @ Teatro Guiniguada, Plaza F. Mesa de León, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  From 5 to 7 pm, Javi Sánchez gave a free masterclass of jazz guitar organised by Mousikê La Laguna. Without knowing much what to expect from it, I brought guitar with me (as did a few other attendees). It turned out that we have different ideas what a “masterclass” should be. OK, we had a master and we had a class. To me, it was a two-hour lecture, with a lot of examples played, on jazz guitar rhythm, harmony and improvisation, with practically zero interaction and, obviously, no students strumming their axes (so one could be better off watching this kind of class on YouTube). Saying that, I really enjoyed Javi’s playing. I have to admit that guitar scales never sounded as fascinating before.



• 20 January: Marinah @ Parque Doramas
  Unbelievably, the very first concert I attended this year was that of Marinah performing in broad daylight (from 12 to 14 and yes, it was sunny for a change) as a part of the Música en el Parque series. (In December, it was Dobet Gnahoré!) Featuring Marina Abad (lead vocal), Regis Molina (sax and flute), Miguel “Muchacho” Serviole (flamenco guitar), Jose “Montaña” (percussion), Diego Coppinger (electric bass) and Justin Miranda (drums).

  

  Marinah

  

  More photos of Marinah @ Shutterstock

• 26 January: Gran Canaria Big Band @ Parque Doramas
  The Gran Canaria Big Band opened the 2019 Musicando season with the show Esencia latina, featuring the voices of Beatriz Alonso Hernández, Rebeca Mora and Virginia Guantanamera. Argentine, Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican standards and even one song in Valenciano!

  

• 27 January: Marta dell’Anno and Andrea Marchesino @ Clipper La Puntilla, Calle Caleta
  The duo of Marta dell’Anno (vocal, viola) and Andrea Marchesino (guitar) played the first Isleta Sunset concert of 2019, their versatile repertoire ranging from traditional Italian songs to gypsy swing.
• 31 January: Roland Satterwhite and North Sea String Quartet @ Paraninfo de La Universidad de Las Palmas, Calle Juan de Quesada, 30
  Roland Satterwhite is an American singer-songwriter-violist-violinist living in Berlin; NSSQ is Rotterdam-based ensemble consisting of Karin van Kooten (violin), Pablo Rodríguez (violin), Yanna Pelser (viola) and Thomas van Geelen (cello). I first heard about Roland+NSSQ just after Marta dell’Anno and Andrea Marchesino on Sunday (see above): they were about to jam at Fabrica La Isleta the very same night. I did not go there. Instead, Timur and I went to see them at the Auditorium of the ULPGC (the same venue where I saw Ariadna Castellanos Trio almost five years ago). It was magical. I’ve never heard or seen this kind of string quartet before. The variety of techniques they use and styles they play is mind-blowing, and yet they have their own (and beautiful) distinctive sound. Roland Satterwhite is all right singer but it is his particular way of bluesy pizzicato viola playing that impressed me the most.
  There was a group of kids with violins and/or bows sitting in the auditorium who turned out to be the members of Barrios Orquestados. In the end of the concert, they all came on stage and played: first Billie Jean on their own, then C Jam Blues and Take Five with NSSQ, and finally, one more song, Autobiography with Roland and NSSQ. Apparently, the guests were practising these songs with children from 4 pm. What a wonderful way to end the month.

Live music in Santander and beyond, June—July 2018

It’s summer, and I’m back to Santander!

• 13 June: Edu Andérez Trio @ Rvbicón, Calle del Sol 4, Santander
  Edu Andérez (guitars), Antonio Romero (bass guitar) and Luis Escalada de Cabo (drums) play music of, or influenced by, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Ralph Towner, David Cullen, Alex de Grassi and Terje Rypdal.
  

• 20 June: The Boogies & The Bugas @ Rvbicón
  A sextet formed in 2017 in Santander featuring Oriana Carreña (vocal), Tatiana Ramírez (vocal), Patu Campos (vocal), Rafael Santana (piano), Toño Gutiérrez (double bass) and Rodri Irizábal (drums). They play a charming mix of boogie woogie and swing, with repertoire ranging from I Got Rhythm to I Will Survive.
  

• San Juan Night, 23 to 24 June: Freedonia @ Leioa (Lejona), Basque Country
  This is the third time I see Freedonia and they just get better and better.
  

• 7 July: Corcoré Trio @ Bluemoon, Savieja 9, Loredo, Cantabria
  My first time ever in Bluemoon Loredo and no disappointment. Felipe Borja ‘Popín’ (piano), Antonio Romero (bass) and Rubén Pérez (percussion) treated us to some fine flamenco jazz fusion.
  

• 18 July: Juan Sebastián Trio @ Rvbicón
  Juan Sebastián returns to Rvbicón (last time I saw him here last September) accompanied by Rubén Carlés (bass) and Dani Dominguez (drums). The trio plays the themes from the forthcoming album — I am looking forward to it!
  

• 22 July: Música para un espacio de Renzo Piano @ Centro Botín
  The sitting area was “by invitation only” (I’ve never learned how to procure those invitations for free events at Centro Botín), but I and other free music lovers found place on the stairs and balconies of the building designed by the very Renzo Piano.
  
  Ensemble del Encuentro Música y Academia, directed by Fabián Panisello, opened the concert with Schönberg’s Kammersymphonie. It was followed by Domaines for solo clarinet by Pierre Boulez, performed by Ferran Arbona. Ensemble del Encuentro returned to play Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs for mezzo-soprano (Beatriz Oleaga) and seven instruments. I enjoyed this last part the most; the audience, apparently, too. Oleaga and the band played the Azerbaijan Love Song as an encore.