Silves Castle will once again host a series of summer concerts
– July 6, 2023
Sunset Secrets, a series of sunset events taking place every Thursdayuntil the end of July, is back at Silves Castle.
The initiative started on June 29 with a concert by the Algarve Jazz Orchestra and Luis Miguel’s Time Wheel Trio and continues on Thursday (July 6) with Ana Sofia Marques of the Fado Singers of Portugal.
There will also be performances by the traditional Portuguese and world music groupTrio da Terra onJuly 13, the blues and rock group The Mirandason July 20, and Carvoeiro’s beloved percussionist Beto Kalulu on July 27.
With a focus on Silves’ famous oranges and wines, each event will promote local products and gastronomy.
These sessions will also include massages, dance performances, and fireworks between 6.30pm and 11pm.
Tickets cost €5 for the general public and can be purchased on the BOL platform and at usual locations such as FNAC, Worten, El Corte Inglês, CTT Correios, Pousadas da Juventude and Quiosques Serveasy.
Silves residents can enjoy a special price of €2 by purchasing their tickets on-site (upon presentation of proof of residency). Admission is free for children up to 12 years old.
Article originally published by Michael Bruxo on Portugal Resident.
The New Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort features 491 Rooms, five outdoor pools, one indoor pool and more
– July 6, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo
The all-inclusive five-star hotel formerly known as Pestana Blue Alvor has reopened under the Tivoli brand as the Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort.
The resort is located in the tourist hotspot of Alvor in Portimão, just a short walk from the beach.
Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort Pluma Junior Club Kids Pool
In a statement to the press, the resort is described as “boasting modern facilities and entertainment for all ages” and “offering an unforgettable family experience”.
“The all-inclusive concept goes beyond the services provided within the resort, including access to some of the finest local restaurants and theme parks,” Tivoli says.
Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort Wellness Centre Interior Pool
“Guests can indulge in the essence of dolce far niente[the sweetness of doing nothing] in this expansive resort, spanning 112,000 square metres with 491 rooms.
Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort Guest Room Premium Family Two Bedroom
It features 56 Premium Family rooms with two separate bedrooms and four Premium Suites, all thoughtfully designed to ensure a comfortable family stay,” it says, adding that “some room types have been recently renovated, incorporating new décor details to create a welcoming atmosphere in a contemporary classic style that characterises the brand.”
The resort also has five outdoor pools (one exclusive for adults, three for families, and one for children) as well as an indoor pool, the Pluma Júnior Kids Club, four restaurants, two bars, and a Wellness Centre.
Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort Pool View
Also on offer is a “an entertainment programmefor older guests and the opportunity to explore the destination through a gastronomic offering outside the hotel, featuring a selection of partner restaurants“, whilst golf enthusiasts “will also find several nearby courses to enjoy“.
The summer season brings the anticipated 8th edition of the “Coolest Market in the South”
– July 4, 2023
Portimão marks the beginning of summer with the riverside “Lota Cool Market” event, taking place between July 5-9 from 6pm to 1am, focusing on environmental awareness under the “Blue Fever” theme.
This year’s Lota Cool Market will be “bigger and more dynamic” with the addition of the “Young Cool Vibe” zone in Jardim Visconde Bivar, a space dedicated to young artisans who give small workshops on their art late in the afternoon.
There will be artisan and local producers’ stalls set up in the usual catering area as well as food trucks and small vehicles in the square in front of the old fish market, preparing a wide range of street food, including hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, empanadas, and sweet and savoury crepes. To accompany these delicious flavours, drinks include renowned Alentejo Black Pig gin, ginja cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups, Granny’s Flavor Algarve liqueurs and the region’s best wines.
Artisans and new design brands will inspire visitors to reuse and recycle materials, with crafts including crochet and macramé, clothing, botanical jewellery, and natural cosmetics.
There will also be live concertsevery night with the Choque Frontal ao Vivo event, a “Happy Van”, which is a VW minivan Photobus, set up to capture the event’s greatest memories, as well as henna paintings and inflatables for children.
This year’s edition of the Black & White Night was “the best ever”, and “without a doubt, a huge success, thanks to everyone” according to the organisers.
With a well-established place in the Algarve’s summer season programme, the Carvoeiro Black & White Night, organised by Lagoa Council and IBéRICA Eventos & Espectáculos, brought visitors from Portugal and abroad, with most of them honouring the party’s theme by dressing in black and white clothing.
According to Lagoa’s council, “restaurants and hotels registered a record number of bookings, some of which were made one year in advance, in order to attend one of the biggest events the country has to offer”.
With several stages set up along the town’s main streets (Rua dos Pescadores, Rua do Barranco, Estrada do Farol), as well as along the main beach square, Carvoeiro was packed with people.
Lagoa Council praised the “lowest number of incidents” registered and the significant role played by security forces (GNR and private security) despite the record attendance.
The 10th anniversary of Black & White Night promises even more fun next year.
Another successful ‘Lagoa Wine Show’ brought together 20 winemakers from Portugal and the Algarve
– June 19, 2023
This year’s Lagoa Wine Show, held between June 7 and 10, attracted thousands of wine lovers to Lagoa and was hailed as another success by Lagoa’s council.
A total of 6,000 wine tastings were held over the weekend, with 20 winemakers from Portugal and the Algarve.
In addition to show cooking and live music, the event also included ‘Fado à Janela‘ performances, which featured Fado singers performing from balconies.
“Despite the forecasts of bad weather for the first two days of the event, the Lagoa Wine Show attracted – aside from the usual Portuguese and foreign residents of Lagoa – thousands of visitors who are already on holiday in our region and got to know some of the best examples of winemaking from the country’s different region,” the council said in a statement to the press.
Several chefs also took part in the event, such as Nuno Martins (executive chef at Numa Restaurant in Portimão), Ricardo Luz (sous-chef at Al-Sud in Odiáxere), and chef Ricardo Sousa (chef at Golden Club Cabanas).
“The Lagoa Wine Show is one of the most emblematic wine shows in the south of Portugal, in which the most distinguished winemakers from several wine regions take part, with a special focus on Algarve wines,” said the council.
Lagoa mayor Luís Encarnação also celebrated the event’s success, attributing it to the “huge commitment of council workers” and the winemakers who “believed in us”.
This article was originally written by Michael Bruxo for the Portugal Resident.
Artist BJ Boulter’s colourful artworks feature the enchanted sandy beach island of Zanzibar
– June 16, 2023
BJ Boulter will present her ‘Colours of Zanzibar’ exhibition at the restored Casa da Cultura in Silves, opening on Saturday, June 17 at the Casa da Cultura Luso-Árabe e Mediterrânica in Silves, at 4pm.
Her artworks are figurative, reflecting her journeys to Zanzibar in the early nineties, reflecting that the island is being affected by the recent influx of tourism, depriving local communities of access to marine and coastal resources, since they are now the centre of tourist activity.
About the artist
BJ Boulter grew up in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanganyika, on the Indian Ocean. She attended Saint Martin’s School of Art and Lucie Clayton School of Design in London. Arriving in Portugal to join her family recently arrived from Tanzania over 60 years ago, she settled in Algarve, making it her home, her base from which to explore other countries.
Her lifelong career as a production designer for films began in Hong Kong and has taken her around the world, always behind the camera. BJ Boulter has recently also produced a movie about the Algarve called “The Right Juice – An Algarve Story“.
Drawing and painting were an integral part of her work in set design. “I love creating a scene to tell a story.” This is a process which she currently indulges in full-time.
Nowadays, her sketchbook is always with her, ready to capture the scene, from which she draws inspiration to portray a story on canvas.
The Casa da Cultura is located at Largo da República (the western end of Silves next to the High School).
This summer exhibition will be open on weekdays from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and is free.
Artist’s statement
As BJ Boulter writes: “Zanzibar. The very name evokes enchantment. Her palm-fringed pearlescent sandy beaches are washed by a pale, transparent, azure sea. This Spice Island enriches our palate with exotic flavours and fragrances and is enhanced by her colourful people.
“On returning in 1990 after many years, I worked on a short film. I began to wander through the narrow streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar’s only city. I marvelled at gigantic, lavishly carved doors opening into luminous courtyards. There were tiny shops, darkly full of ancient wares. Baskets full of spices were displayed in the market hall. Bustling fishermen delivered the day’s catch to the harbour master, and bicycles and mopeds paraded by, piled high with goods.
“Hiring a little bike, I tootled through spice groves, banana plantations, and palm-thatched villages and schools. I paused at silvery beaches to watch boatbuilders working. The excitement of enterprise was palpable, craftsmen ready to chat and tell their stories in musical, lilting, Spice Island Swahili. The people of Zanzibar are imprinted in my memory, with their enthusiasm to be involved in the film, and with their delight when their craftsmanship was admired and appreciated.
“My memories bring the voices of Zanzibar to this exhibition. Collected in my studio is a cache of colourful kangas with Swahili proverbs. My challenge is to tell their stories. Zanzibar was a joyous experience, and as an artist, I try to capture the texture and colours of these gorgeous fabrics.”
As summer officially begins in the Algarve, it’s almost time for the party that marks the occasion in Carvoeiro
– June 14, 2023
The Black and White Night in Carvoeiro is set to take place this Saturday (June 17), and will attract thousands of party-goers.
As always, Carvoeiro streets will be packed with people coming to enjoy live performances, entertainment, and DJ sets.
A unique feature of the event is that visitors are encouraged to dress in black and white, in keeping with Carvoeiro’s decorated streets.
Carvoeiro’s main streets will have several stages set up, namely Rua dos Pescadores, Rua do Barranco and Estrada do Farol, as well as at the main beach square, allowing visitors to see different performances.
This year’s musical programme features Bossa Novasinger Lídia Brandão, who will perform on stage 1 (Rua dos Pescadores) between 8.40pm and 9.20pm and 10.10pm and 10.50pm; chillout music act 2Sounds Project, which is set to take to stage 2 (Rua do Barranco) between 8.50pm and 9.30pm and 10.30pm and 11.10pm; Fado singer Tatiana Pinto, with two performances on stage 2 taking place from 9.40pm to 10.20pm and 11.20pm to midnight; and Ricardo Sousa Band, who will bring their covers of classic hits to stage 5 (Estrada do Farol) between 10.10pm and 11.30pm.
As for DJ performances, DJ Bruno Zarra will be leading the Sunset Experience at the local beach from 9pm to 11.50pm, while the duo of DJ Mark Guedes and saxophonist Mário Dias will be performing some of the best dance hits from the 1970s and 80s on stage 4 from 10.30pm to 2.30am.
Back at Carvoeiro beach, DJ Deelight will keep the party going alongside singerNicole Silver from midnight to 1.30am, when DJ Overule and MC Landu Bi will take over and keep the party going until 3am.
The entertainment programme also features a Silent Party on stage 6,near the local church, from 9.30pm to 1.30am, and the screening of a “Black and White Movie – City Lights” at 10pm on stage 3.
There will also be a Kids Corner on Rua dos Pescadores which will be open from 9pm to midnight.
More than 30,000 people attended the last edition, which was a major success. The first edition of the Carvoeiro Black & White party was in 2014 with the goal of supporting the local economy and bringing a new attraction to the picturesque seaside town.
There will also be a free bus linking Carvoeiro to parking areas near Fatacil, Apolónia, Aldi, Intermarché and Gramital (car park near Aldi) between 6pm and 4am.
This article was originally written by Alexandra Stilwell for the Portugal Resident.
Celebrating the beginning of the summer season, Lagoa will bring together Fado music with delicious food and wine
– June 1, 2023
The Lagoa Wine Show is back from June 7 to 10 with live music performances, entertainment, wine tastings and great local gastronomy with show-cooking demonstrations during which renowned Portuguese chefs will prepare tasty dishes using local ingredients.
As the Algarve gradually gains notoriety as a wine-producing region, the event offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate the region’s distinctions in national and international wine competitions.
The event will take place in the heart of Lagoa, at the Rua Coronel Figueiredo, turning the town once again into the wine capital of the Algarve region.
The Lagoa Wine Show will feature local musicians as well as some of the biggest names in Portuguese contemporary music:
Handicrafts, local foods, demonstrations, workshops, and musical performances to celebrate the local traditions
– May 26, 2023
Located on the Algarve hills, the idyllic town of Monchique is hosting the second edition of the local food festival “Vamos à Vila” this Saturday, May 27, from 11am to 11pm, and Sunday, May 28, from 11am to 9.30pm.
“Vamos à Vila” will feature handicrafts, local foods, demonstrations, workshops, and musical performances. According to the Municipality of Monchique, the festival was created as “a celebration of local traditions”.
The town will be divided into seven “villages” during the weekend festivities: Chorões, Largo, Crianças, Misericórdia, Igreja, Marcado and Gallery.
Numerous activities will be held in each of the “villages”, located in the main neighbourhoods of the old town of Monchique, including exhibitions, traditional games, knitting and crochet workshops, live performances, and music for everyone to enjoy.
Over 100 exhibitors coming from the Algarve and Alentejo regions will have their local produce featured in the various restaurants and taverns across town.
Visitors will be able to purchase local sausages, peanuts from Aljezur, and Alentejo cheeses, as well Medronho firewater and the rich cuisine of Monchique, among many other products and souvenirs.
There will be live entertainment on the streets of Monchique during the weekend event, and one of the highlights of the programme will be a performance by Portuguese Fado singer Camané on Sunday, May 28, at 6pm on the Largo da Igreja.
Admission is free, and there will be a free parking area available at the town’s entrance. From here, a complimentary little train will transport visitors into town.
