Portimão’s International Racetrack welcomed this year’s second stage of the MotoGP World Championship, which took place between Friday (March 22) and Sunday (March 24)
– March 25, 2024 | Photo Lukasz Swiderek
Organisers of the event reported an audience attendance of more than 200,000 for the Algarvian “roller coaster”.
Jorge Martín (#89) started from the third position, quickly took the lead and did not let the competition have any more chances, winning the race followed by Enea Bastianini (#23, Italy) who came in with a distance of 0.882 seconds.
This weekend’s race saw a turn of events, as Francesco Bagnaia, two-time World Champion who won the Portuguese GP last year and also finished first in this season’s first race in Qatar GP on March 10-12, collided with Marc Marquez with only a few laps left, described by MotoGP itself as “one of the most dramatic incidents for some time”.
Pedro Acosta (#31, Spain) third took the place with 5.362 seconds and Brad Binder (#33, South Africa) fourth, with 11.123 seconds.
Miguel Oliveira, the Portuguese rider, finished in the Top-10 position, in ninth place and 23.929 seconds.
With 60 points, Jorge Martín (Spain) leads the season’s MotoGP standings, followed by Brad Binder (South Africa) with 42 points, Enea Bastianini (Italy) with 39 points, and Francesco Bagnaia (Italy) fourth with 37 points.
Portimão Museum is hosting an exhibition with findings from research carried out over the last few decades, showing finding proofs that the region has been occupied since prehistoric times
– March 25, 2024 | Photos Portimão Museum
The inauguration of the exhibition “Stories That the River Brings Us” aims to show the general public the result of scientific research carried out over the last few decades.
The research has brought together various fragments of the city’s past, revealing many stories about the Arade River.
“Through objects and illustrations of environments, the visitor is taken through the stories of naval activities in a port open to the world”, with stories of “defence and protection of the port”, as well as of the daily riverside life.
Portimão’s Arade River has been an access point to the interior of the Algarve since ancient times due to the excellent natural harbour conditions of its estuary, which led Portimão to grow in close connection with the river, forming part of an extensive network of commercial and cultural exchanges.
Because of its excellent natural harbour conditions, Portimão was possibly called ‘Portus Hanibalis’, ‘Portus Magnus’, or ‘Cilpis’.
Since the Arade River has been silted progressively for some time, navigation has been restricted, requiring extensive dredging to remove considerable amounts of sediment from the riverbed, leading to the discovery of countless traces of the past, indicating that this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
These “testimonies from other eras” were collected by members of the Ipsiis Project Association, who have been working with the Portimão Museum carrying out an innovative research project since 2014, entitled “DETDA – Prospecting” with metal detectors in the dredged deposits of the Arade River and the Alvor estuary, with the museum also highlighting the significant involvement and participation of the public in this process.
The exhibition is open to the public as follows:
Until July 31st and from September 1st: on Tuesdays (from 2.30pm to 6pm) and from Wednesdays to Sundays (from 10am to 6pm)
During August: Tuesdays (7:30pm-11pm), Wednesdays to Saturdays (1pm-11pm), and Sundays (3pm-11pm).
The exhibition runs until November 3, 2024, and entry is free.
Portimão’s Zona Ribeirinha will welcome Lota Cool Market between July 24-28
– March 22, 2024 | Photos Lota Cool Market
This year’s event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Portimão’s city status, taking place near the old fish market known as ‘Lota’ from 6pm to 1am, this year under the motto ‘eCOOLegacy’.
The organising association Teia D’Impulsos says the event will aim to show “where we (Portimão) have come from and where we are going”.
“On the horizon is a cooler, more inclusive and sustainable city,” the association says.
With food trucks and stalls selling local handicrafts and regional treats, the market is close to the old ‘Lota’ and promises a lot to look forward to, including live music from local artists every night.
As part of the Cool Young Vibe initiative, young artists will be able to exhibit and sell their works for free, in exchange for giving a workshop on their craft.
Teia D’Impulsos is already accepting registrations from exhibitors looking to secure their spot at the event, open until June 15.
São Marcos da Serra celebrates the event’s 26th edition
– March 21, 2024
In celebration of the coming Easter, São Marcos da Serra, in Silves Municipality, is hosting the Feira do Folar, a traditional celebration of the famous ‘folar’ cakes in all their shapes and flavours, scented with cinnamon and anise, decorated with whole eggs and made from dough leavened with baker’s yeast – a staple for this season..
The celebration brings together various traditional producers of the ‘folar’, as well as other local producers of typical products of the region, which range from sweets, licours, the Algarve’s ‘medronho’ (firewater) and other specialities.
Silves’ São Marcos da Serra, situated in the northern area of the Algarve region, is a parish known for its mountainous characteristics, the production of bread and the typical ‘folar’ – the most traditional Easter cake in Portugal.
Feira do Folar’s programme will include concerts, religious celebrations, choral groups, folk groups, dance performances and street entertainment for the whole family, promoting the Algarve’s inland areas, particularly its popular culture, gastronomy, and handicrafts, as well as the knowledge of local people.
The event passes through five Algarve municipalities: Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão, Silves, and Vila do Bispo
– March 15, 2024
Photo: CAAL
This year’s edition of Rallye Casinos do Algarve marks a significant milestone as the rally will be held in five Algarve municipalities, a feat not seen since 1996.
Marking the second race of the 2024 Portugal Rally Championship, the headquarters will be once again at the Hotel Algarve Casino in Praia da Rocha, Portimão.
A free practice and qualifying session will take place in Lagoa on March 15 to determine the starting order.
As the rally moves into the western Algarve, two new special stages will be held in Lagos and Barão de S. João in the afternoon. Following that, it will travel to Vila do Bispo, and end with a “super stage” in Lagos at night.
On Saturday, March 16, the rally shifts to Silves, featuring three qualifying stages. An intermediate stop is made at Lagoa’s service park (FATACIL), followed by a regrouping in Silves. The highlight is the 24 km Power Stage, which is expected to determine the champions.
Spectators will be able to watch the action from eight viewing areas, including a “city stage” in Portimão for the final podium ceremony set against the backdrop of the Hotel Algarve Casino.
Fans can stay updated on the latest news from Rallye Casinos do Algarve by following CAAL’s social media channels, official website, and through the Sportity app (password: RCA).
The long-awaited night will feature Portugal’s most celebrated restaurants and chefs, including many from the Algarve
– February 23, 2024
Photo Bruno Filipe Pires/Open Media Group
The Michelin Guide galas have been held in Spanish cities since 2009, with the exception of 2018 when Lisbon hosted the event, and this year will mark the first time ever the event will take place in the Algarve.
The Portuguese-only Michelin gala will take place on February 27, 2024 at NAU Salgados Palace & Congress Centre in Guia, Albufeira.
Algarve chef João Oliveira, who has one Michelin star for his work at Vista in Praia da Rocha, Portimão, and two-Michelin-starred chef Dieter Koschina, from Vila Joya Restaurant in Albufeira, will be coordinating the team, which also features Hans Neuner (Ocean, Porches), José Lopes (Bon Bon, Carvoeiro), Libório Buonocore (Gusto by Heinz Beck, Quinta do Lago), Louis Anjos (Al Sud, Lagos), and Luís Brito (A Ver Tavira).
Photo Bruno Filipe Pires/Open Media Group
The Gala will be streamed live online and hosted by famous Portuguese TV presenters Catarina Furtado and Fernando Alvim, and around 500 people are expected to attend.
On Saturday, January 27, a special event will take place at Loulé’s municipal market as part of the Michelin-related festivities that began a month before the gala. Hosted by Luís Brito, the event will see the chef “creating a dish worthy of a Michelin star” using only the products available at the market.
Under the title “Algarve, the Taste of South Europe”, a promotional campaign was launched centred on three “fundamental elements influencing Algarvian gastronomy: mountains, sea, and estuaries”.
“For us, this is another very important moment that highlights gastronomy in our tourism promotion, not only on a regional but also national and international level,” said André Gomes, president of the Algarve Tourism Board (RTA).
Photo Bruno Filipe Pires/Open Media Group
Gomes also hailed the opportunity to showcase “the quality of our local products but also our infrastructures that make the Algarve a tourist destination of excellence”.
Hosting an event of this magnitude has given the Algarve a boost of “confidence and enthusiasm”, Gomes added, stressing that “it will be a privilege” to host the gala as well as all the culinary experts who will attend it. “We will welcome everyone with our hospitality,” he added.
Portugal received 45 Michelin stars in the Spanish and Portuguese edition of the 2023 Michelin Guide, with all the new Michelin-starred restaurants being located in Lisbon (Encanto, Kabuki Lisboa and Kanazawa) and Porto (Euskalduna Studio and Le Monument).
In the Algarve, Ocean (Porches) and Vila Joya (Albufeira) maintained their two-star status, while Vistas (Vila Nova de Cacela), Vista (Portimão), Bon Bon (Carvoeiro), Gusto by Heinz Beck (Almancil), Al Sud Palmares (Lagos) and A Ver Tavira (Tavira) held onto their one star.
Article originally published by Bruno Filipe Pires on Portugal Resident.
Vila Vita’s Ocean restaurant will welcome Catalan twins Sérgio and Javier Torres for a ‘Five Michelin-starred experience’ on February 28
– February 23, 2024 | Text Alexandra Stilwell
Chef Hans Neuner, Ocean Restaurant, Vila Vita, Algarve
Hans Neuner, chef at the two Michelin-starred Ocean restaurant, invites Catalan twins Sérgio and Javier Torres for an authentic gastronomic feast.
Just one day after celebrating Portugal’s first Michelin Gala in the Algarve, chef Hans Neuner welcomes chefs from the 3-starred restaurant ‘Cocina Hermanos Torres’ from Barcelona for what is set to be one of this season’s most exciting gastronomic collaborations.
The special menu will consist of four snacks and eight dishes, combining the characteristic flavours of each project, bringing influences, ingredients, recipes, and the knowledge of award-winning cooks from the two neighbouring countries to the table.
For this collaboration, Neuner selected some of his favourite dishes from the menus he created over the last two years, which were inspired by the trips he took with his team to discover Portugal’s gastronomic roots.
In 2022, his menu’s theme was the Indian Route, reflecting a journey that began in Portugal, passed through Africa, and culminated in Goa, on the coast of India, while last year, the menu focused on Memories of Brazil.
Dinner costs €275 (+€175 with wine pairing). Reservations can be made at www.restauranteocean.com or +351 282 310 184.
The OAD 2023 Top Restaurants awarded them 43rd place, and Javier and Sérgio Torres occupy 20th place in The Best Chef Awards 2023. They also entered the prestigious La Liste as the first entry, with a shared No. 6.
Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre will welcome “one of the greatest Portuguese pianists of our time”
– February 16, 2024
Portuguese piano soloist António Rosado will perform this March 9 at 7pm at Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre.
“One of the greatest Portuguese pianists of our time”, António Rosado, will perform a programme that is “extraordinary in its richness and diversity”.
With his extensive piano repertoire, António Rosado has gained national and international recognition for his talent and taste for variety.
The French magazine Diapason described him as an “interpreter who masters what he does. It’s as much about emotion and poetry as it is about colour and good taste”.
Having studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Lisbon, he moved to Paris at just 16 years old to study under Aldo Ciccolini at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse, and attended the Perfection Courses in Italy’s Siena and Biella.
Rosado has performed numerous times with national and international orchestras and his discography includes outstanding works from the solo piano and chamber music repertoire.
He has been honoured by the Maurice Ravel International Music Academy, the Perosi International Academy, the Vianna da Motta International Music Competition and the Alfredo Casella International Prize.
António Rosado holds the prestigious rank of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a distinction awarded by the French government in 2007.
This March, Rosado’s programme will feature Maurice Ravel’s “Valses nobles et sentimentales”, Isaac Albéniz’s “Iberia: El Albaicin”, Enrique Granados’s “Goyescas: La Maja y el Ruiseñor El Pelele”, and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Variations On A Theme Of Chopin op.22 Corelli op.42”
Ticket for the Festival range from €15 to €20 and can be purchased online via www.tempo.bol.pt or at TEMPO’s ticket office between Tuesday and Saturday from 1pm to 6pm or on the nights of the concerts. Students and people over 65 can benefit from a 25% discount upon presentation of proof.
The latest update to the participants list confirms that Volta do Algarve will have “a peloton with over 20 riders from the top 100 in the world, but also 16 reigning champions, including World, Olympic, National, and Continental champions, both in road cycling and other disciplines of the sport”.
Route
The competition will start in Portimão, with the team presentations and the start of the 200.8km race to Lagos, where a sprint finish is expected.
The second stage begins in Lagoa and ends in Fóia, with 171.9km. The final phase of the stage will be exciting, with cyclists passing through Pomba’s steep climb and a bonus sprint just after Monchique and on the climb to the finish line.
The third stage will cover 192.2km, from Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira, in a one-day tour to the eastern extreme of Sotavento and the Guadiana landscape.
This year’s 50th edition has a “big surprise” on day four, with an “unprecedented 22km time trial” from Albufeira Marina to City Hall.
The race will end with the “always anticipated stage finish” at the top of Malhão. This time it will be 165.8km, with the starting point being in Faro.
14/02/2024 – 1st Stage: Portimão – Lagos, 200.8km
15/02/2024 – 2nd Stage: Lagoa – Alto da Fóia, 171.9km
16/02/2024 – 3rd Stage: Vila Real de Santo António – Tavira, 192.2km
18/02/2024 – 5th Stage: Faro – Alto do Malhão, 165.8km
Participating Teams
WorldTeams: Alpecin-Deceuninck (Belgium), Arkea-B&B Hotels (France), Astana Qazaqstan Team (Kazakhstan), BORA-hansgrohe (Germany), EF Education-EasyPost (USA), Groupama-FDJ (France), INEOS Grenadiers (UK), Intermarché-Wanty (Belgium), Lidl-Trek (USA), Soudal Quick-Step (Belgium), Team dsm-firmenich PostNL (Netherlands), Team Visma | Lease a Bike (Netherlands), and UAE Team Emirates (United Arab Emirates).
ProTeams: Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain), Tudor Pro Cycling (Switzerland), and Uno-X Pro Cycling Team (Norway).
The 8th edition of the Silves Orange Festival will bring dozens of exhibitors, a National Cocktail Competition, dance performances as well as performances by famous Portuguese singers Gisela João and Carolina Deslandes
– February 6, 2024
Silves Orange Festival ‘Mostra da Laranja de Silves’, Photo Silves Municipality
Another edition of the yearly Silves Orange Festival (Mostra Silves Capital da Laranja) will take place between February 16 and 18 at FISSUL (at Silves’ Municipal park near the riverside).
The yearly festival aims to highlight the citriculture that takes place in the municipality of Silves, its producers and the issues that are of interest to improving the sector.
Silves Orange Festival will welcome famous artists Gisela João on February 16, Carolina Deslandes on February 17, and Luís Simenta and humourist Serafim on February 18 to the main stage. Local artists will also perform before the main shows, on February 16, with Helena Silva and André Guerreiro, on February 18.
The 8th edition of the ‘Mostra Silves Capital da Laranja’ will start at 10am on February 16, with its official inauguration set for 10.30am.
The event will bring together dozens of exhibitors linked to citrus growing, wines, agriculture, regional products, handicrafts and gastronomy, as well as various regional organisations.
As part of this year’s novelty, the festival will hold the National Cocktail Competition “Classic & Flairbartending” National Final. This competition will determine the national champions who will represent Portugal at the 2024 World Cocktail Championships.
Silves Orange Festival – Mostra da Laranja de Silves – Photo by Barlavento, Rosa Palma
This year’s Orange Festival will also feature other highlights, such as show-cooking events, a Valentine’s march, the performance of various traditional music and dance groups and more.
As part of the event, the Orange Flavour Weekend will once again be held in the participating restaurants in Silves. Restaurants partaking in the event will feature a menu with the queen of the orchard: the Silves orange, which, due to its unique characteristics, will enhance the gastronomic offering, accompanied by a good Silves wine and delicious citrus desserts.
Valentine’s march
The Valentine’s march will let visitors choose from two routes tailored to different physical abilities.
The first is an urban route of 4.9 kilometres with a low degree of difficulty, and the second is an urban and mountain route of 11.4 kilometres with a medium difficulty degree. Both routes end near the FISSUL building.
A registration form is available online or participants can contact the Sports Department (located in the Silves Municipal Swimming Pool) by calling +351 282 440 270, or emailing desporto@cm-silves.pt.
Participants can also reserve their seats on the Municipality buses made available for the event. These can also be done on the day itself, at the venue, up to half an hour before the start of the activity.
3rd Algarve Breast Cancer Congress under the theme “Women and Integrative Health”
– January 26, 2024 | Text Alexandra Stilwell
The Algarve Breast Cancer Congress will take place this February 16 at the Vila Galé Hotel in Lagos, both in person and online via Zoom.
The event is a unique opportunity for all cancer patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to come together and share their experiences and knowledge.
The initiative will address breast cancer from a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach, “promoting empowerment and knowledge to everyone who is faced with this diagnosis from one moment to the next”, says the organisation. “We believe informing and educating the population is a fundamental premise for the recovery of patients with breast cancer”.
A variety of topics related to breast cancer will be discussed at the 3rd Algarve Breast Cancer Congress – Women and Integrative Health, including the importance of nutrition, exercise, and emotional well-being as well as the latest advances in conventional therapies, complementary and integrative therapies.
The speakers will also share recent research and innovative discoveries on breast cancer, as in previous editions, and discuss how the integrative approach can benefit women at different stages of the disease.
Since the 1st edition, the Organising Committee is solely made up of physiotherapists: Tânia Camilo, CEO of Tecnifisio – Specialised Physiotherapy and well-being, Jacqueline Tavares, coordinator of the oncology area of Tecnifisio – Specialised Physiotherapy and well-being, and Conceição Andrade, physiotherapist in the area of oncology at Saúde Estrutural Lisboa and collaborator at the Champalimaud Foundation.
The Scientific Committee is made up of Professor Ana Paula Fontes, a training consultant at the Hospital Particular do Algarve and professor at the University of Algarve, Doctor David Pinto, a breast surgeon at the Champalimaud Foundation, Doctor Gabriela Valadas, director of the Breast Centre of the Algarve University Hospital Centre and Dr Catarina Ribeiro, oncologist and founder of the AIM Cancer Centre.
This event will allow cancer patients, caregivers, and health professionals to share their knowledge and experiences, improving the quality of life for women who are fighting breast cancer.
There are different registration tiers with varying fees, and the Congress is open to patients, their families, caregivers, health professionals, and anybody interested in integrative health and breast cancer. Register here to learn more about the speakers and schedule of the 3rd Algarve Breast Cancer Congress.
A portion of the (mandatory) registration fees will be donated to the Algarve Oncological Association following the event’s solidary nature.
The Trinidadian-born rapper and singer has been confirmed as a headliner for this year’s edition of the summer festival
– January 24, 2024 | Text Michael Bruxo
Photo by Afro Nation
Nicki Minaj has been confirmed by Afro Nation for another edition of the festival in Praia da Rocha, Portimão, taking place between June 26 and 28.
Known as the “Queen of Rap”, Nicki Minaj is a chart-topping rapper and singer who has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Her concert in the Algarve will be the first time that the 41-year-old artist will perform in Portugal.
The line-up also includes Nigerian rapper Rema and singer Asake, French rapper Ninho and British rapper J Hus, as well as the recently announced Dadju&Tayc, Musa Keys, Lisandro Cuxi, Ch’cco, Yumbs and Tman Xpress.
It has not yet been confirmed when each artist will perform.
The festival’s “priority tickets” will go on sale tomorrow (January 25), with those interested already able to register on the event’s website.
“You will be emailed with your priority access ticket link one hour before the Priority-Sale opens. Once open, you will have 3 hours to secure your ticket before they become available to everyone else,” organisers say.
Afro Nation has become a staple summer festival in the Algarve, drawing thousands of people from all over the world to Portimão.
The highly successful series of events which combine wine tasting with live jazz music will continue this year
– January 22, 2024
Jazz nas Adegas, Feel Good Band at Quinta da Malaca, by Silves Municipality
The 7th edition of ‘Jazz nas Adegas’ invites the public to discover the often-overlooked and top-quality wines of the Algarve, with the João Melro Quartet playing this January 26 and 27 at Quinta do Barradas in Silves.
Each session features a unique atmosphere, created specifically to provide the audience with an unforgettable experience.
During the event, three tastings of wine from the host producer will be served, accompanied by tapas made with regional products.
The jazz quartet, led by Faro drummer João Melro, stands out for its incredible improvisation abilities, transporting listeners to a world of instant musical creativity inspired by the rich traditions of New Orleans.
The quartet, also comprised of Kush Lescrooge on tenor saxophone, José Vieira on guitar and Luis Henrique on double bass, will portray the vibrant and eclectic spirit of this unique style, interpreting and reinventing the classics and offering listeners an authentic and exciting experience.
Tickets for each session cost €20 and will be available for sale online through BOL or at FNAC, Worten, El Corte Inglés, CTT Correios, Pousadas da Juventude, and Serveasy Kiosques.
For more information, contact Quinta do Barradas at +351 282443308/961657357 or info@obarradas.com.
From 6pm onwards on both days, there will be a wide range of performances, exhibitions and workshops taking place, all of which showcase the work of talented artists who have taken up residence at LAC.
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in the former prison of Lagos at Largo do Convento de Nossa Senhora da Glória, LAC is a cultural association that organises artistic residencies, events and workshops. It is part of RPAC, the Portuguese Network of Contemporary Art, and is funded by the Ministry of Culture/DGArtes, the Municipality of Lagos, and CRESC Algarve 2020.
6pm – LAC Open Day 2024 / Opening of the group exhibition PRALAC: A. Pedro Correia, Anne S. Luisenbach, Ester Andrés, MadFildz, Nuno Murta, Paula Gonçalves, Patrícia Leal, Raymond Dumas, Ricardo Cruzes, Ricardo Lopes, RoMP, Rui Vargas, Sofia Fortunato, Xana
7pm – 8pm – Conference and talks with residency artists. Moderated by Sónia Felicidade
7.30pm – 8pm – D. Roberto Theatre “The Barber”, by Mãozorra
7.30pm – 8.30pm – Drawing Workshop with Mara Taquelim
8pm – 10pm – DJ set by JC Music (guest) – Pátio Figueira
8.30pm – 9pm – Performance “Yesterday is not today”, by Patrícia Leal, Beatriz MBCC and Marga Munguambe
8.30pm – 9pm – D. Roberto Theatre “A Tourada”, by Mãozorra – Espaço Teatro
9.15pm – 9.45pm – Show “Outros Mundos”, by TEL – Experimental Theatre of Lagos
Concerts:
9.30pm – M-PeX
10.30pm – STACCATO LIMÃO
11.30pm – THE PSYCHLES
1am – PLASTICINE
2am – DJ Set by Mónica Mendes (M) (guest)
13 January, 2024 – Saturday
6pm – Opening of the PRALAC group exhibition
6pm – 7pm – Drawing Workshop with Mara Taquelim
6.30pm – 8pm – Rock n’ Bingo, with Lollirockers DJ’s (guests)
7.30pm – 8pm – Theatre D. Roberto “The Barber”, by Mãozorra
8pm – 10pm – DJ set by JC Music (guest)
8.30pm – 9pm – Performance “Yesterday is not today”, by Patrícia Leal, Beatriz MBCC and Marga Munguambe
8.30pm – 9pm – D. Roberto Theatre “A Tourada”, by Mãozorra
9.15pm – 9.45pm – Show “Outros Mundos”, by TEL – Experimental Theatre of Lagos
This year’s Christmas parade in Portimão has been a success and many more events are to follow until the end of the holiday season
– December 7, 2023 | Text & Photos Beatriz Maio
Photo by Beatriz Maio
Over 100 people took part in a Christmas parade to mark the start of the festive season in Portimão on Friday (December 1).
Led by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the parade also featured a wide range of colourful Christmas characters brought to life by actors, dancers and musicians.
Photo by Beatriz Maio
The parade started at the old fish market building (Lota), where the town’s ‘Toy Factory’ is located, and continued towards the Manuel Teixeira Gomes square, where Santa’s House was inaugurated.
The parade then proceeded towards Alameda, where a 200sqm ice rink is set up, along with the Christmas Stage where live music performances are held and the immersive LED Planetarium, the big novelty of the town’s Christmas entertainment this year.
Photo by Beatriz Maio
Filipa Goulart, an Azorean who lived in Portimão for 20 years, takes part as a dancer every year in Portimão’s festive entertainment, which she describes as “something wonderful that gives everyone the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas, through lighting, decorations and entertainment, all for free”.
“Children love seeing the arrival of Santa Claus, and parents too,” the dancer said, praising the local council for putting together an entertainment programme that “offers diversity with parades, shows, and activities that lead to many smiles”.
Photo by Beatriz Maio
There are several activities included in this year’s festive programme, entitled ‘Portimão – Um Sonho de Natal’ (Portimão – A Christmas Dream), for both children and adults. Running until January 6, the programme features more than 50 shows and 30 spots around the borough which have been decorated with Christmas lights, including the local shopping streets, Largo da Mó, Alameda, the 1º de Dezembro garden, and Manuel Teixeira Gomes square.
Some of the highlights of the programme include the Christmas Market, which takes place at the 1º de Dezembro garden, featuring 10 stands selling local handicraft and other regional products, as well as a Christmas train which runs along the town’s central streets and a life-size nativity scene at Largo da Mó.
‘Christmas Joy’, Silves’ annual Christmas event, returns this year to Al-Mutamid Square with a wide range of festive entertainment
– December 6, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo
Opening today (December 6) and running until January 7, the event will feature a ramp leading to a ball pit, a carousel, a Christmas train, mechanical animals, a Christmas market, Christmas-themed sets where visitors can take photographs, and a wide range of live performances from music to theatre.
The event will be open every day from 2pm to 8pm, except on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when it will close earlier at 6pm.
Silves’ Christmas celebrations would not be complete without an appearance by Santa Claus, who will be visiting Armação de Pêra’s fortress on December 9 at 3pm and the Al-Mutamid square in Silves on December 16 at 4pm.
“Silves invites all children and families to experience the joy of Christmas, sharing unique moments and unforgettable experiences in this space marked by entertainment, colour, good humour, magic, and Christmas spirit,” it adds.
The festival will be held at Praia da Rocha, Portimão between June 26 and 28, with tickets already on sale
– December 4, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo
Nigerian rapper Rema and singer Asake, French rapper Ninho and British rapper J Hus have been confirmed as the headliners of the 2024 edition of Afro Nation.
The festival will be held at Praia da Rocha, Portimão between June 26 and 28, with tickets already on sale.
Described as the “world’s biggest Afrobeats festival”, Afro Nation has become a staple summer festival in the Algarve, attracting thousands of people from all over the world to Portimão.
Last year, the festival attracted over 40,000 revellers from 140 countries, organisers said. The first edition was held in 2019, with the event being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, Lagoa will celebrate its “biggest Christmas ever”, with an ice rink, carousels, Christmas fairs across the Municipality, musical shows, walks, nativity scenes, street parties and lots of children’s entertainment
– November 27, 2023 | Text Alexandra Stilwell | Photo JackF, Getty Images
Starting this November 30, Christmas-themed activities and entertainment will be held across the Municipality to entertain and delight “kids” of all ages.
The Municipality of Lagoa is preparing “the biggest Christmas ever” with a vast programme for children and adults, including an ice rink, carousels, Christmas fairs across the Municipality, musical shows, walks, nativity scenes, streetparties and lots of children’s entertainment.
Lagoa will host its Christmas celebrations between November 30 and December 30 on the Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium square, the Christmas epicentre of the Municipality.
The square will feature an ice rink, carousels, Santa’s grotto, shows for children and seniors, and musical shows for everyone. The activities will be open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 2pm and 7pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 7pm.
On Fridays, there will be shows at 3.30pm for the senior community. On Saturdays, at 6pm, musical performances and on Sundays, at 3.30pm, children’s entertainment. Entry is free, as is using the carousels and ice rink.
Next weekend, Ferragudo will host Artenataon the Largo Rainha D. Leonor. The oldest Christmas fair in the Municipality will feature various crafts, delicious delicacies, seasonal food, and plenty of entertainment.
On December 7, 8, 9 and 10, the city of Lagoa will host the Lagoa Christmas Fair on the Largo do Auditorio Municipal Carlos do Carmo, with more than 20 exhibitors, a parade of more than 600 Fathers Christmases and lots of children’s entertainment.
On the 8, 9 and 10, Christmas will also arrive in Porches with a Christmas Fair in the town’s urban centre with over15 exhibitors selling the best regional products, the opportunity to participate in a “Reindeer Walk”, beautiful Christmas lights and lots of entertainment.
The following weekend (15, 16 and 17), a Christmas Fair will take place in Carvoeiro, next to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação, and in Estômbar, in the municipal garden. On the 21, 22 and 23, it will be Parchal‘s turn to hold a Christmas Fair.
The city of Lagoa will also host a unique and highly successful event, the “Living Statues”. The show will take place on December 15, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm, and on the 16th, between 10am and 1pm, on the Rua 25 de Abril.
The Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium will also host a Christmas concert by the Algarve Jazz Orchestra on December 16 at 7pm, and the Municipal Library of Lagoa will host various Christmas-themed performances, namely plays, such as “Luminous Elves” on December 9 between 10.30am and 11.30am.
Sons d’Aquém Mar Music Festival returns for its 4th edition
– November 17, 2023
The 4th Sons d’Aquém Mar is a “captivating event featuring concerts that celebrate the richness of music and culture”, promising to transport the audience into a world of musical and historical experiences.
The concerts will take place on November 24 and 25, and December 1, 8 and 16, in various venues in the Lagoa municipality.
Programme:
November 24 | S. José Convent | 7pm – historical re-enactment dating back to 1773. Actors and musicians will create characters and scenes that date back to the end of the 18th century, taking the audience on an immersive journey through time. Entrance is free, and limited to available seats. For reservations: eventos@artis21.pt
November 25 | Quinta da Palmeirinha | 4.30pm – Joana Bagulho, harpsichord concert featuring works transcribed from the music of Carlos Paredes, interwoven with works from the 18th century. Before the concert, a short film by Patricia Leal and Beatriz Cardoso will be presented, addressing environmental issues and water scarcity in the Algarve. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
December 1 | Lagoa Mother Church | 7pm – The Orquestra Barroca D’Aquém Mar orchestrawill present a Christmas concert featuring works by Bach, Telemann and Buxtehude, under the direction of Sigiswald Kuijken. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
December 8 | Porches Church | 7pm – Listeners will journey through the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods with music written for wind instruments, in ”A History of Wind”. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
December 16 | Estômbar Church | 7pm – Group B’rbicacho (featuring viola da gamba, adufe, guitar and vocals) will perform “De Maria em Maria”, a look at Marian devotion in traditional and popular music. It aims to spread the Portuguese musical heritage around the world and tell the tales hidden in this repertoire. Tickets cost €5 per person and can be purchased via artisxxi.bol.pt. Entrance is free for children under 16.
A new edition of Lagoa’s Christmas Living Statues has been announced, bringing performers who can remain stationary for several hours.
The event will bring 16 living statues to Lagoa on December 15 (Friday) from 2.30pm to 5.30pm and December 16 (Saturday) from 10am to 1pm.
A wide range of characters will be interpreted by the performers in Rua 25 de Abril and Largo 5 de Outubro, from scenes from the nativity to historical figures.
As part of the municipality’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the living statue of King Dom José I, who officially established Lagoa as a “vila” (village), will be a highlight this year.
During the event, visitors will vote for their favourite living state, and a jury will select the top performer.
“This pioneering event in the south of Portugal aims to promote and dignify artistic creation in this unique performative art form with the best artists at the national level, whilst simultaneously bringing life to the centre of Lagoa and boosting local commerce during the Christmas season,” says Lagoa Municipal Council in a statement to the press.
Article originally published by Michael Bruxo on Portugal Resident.
Lagoa’s Carlos do Carmo auditorium will celebrate Beto Kalulu’s life and career with “new arrangements and never-before-heard songs”
– November 13, 2023 | Photo Inês Lopes
A special concert will be held at Carlos do Carmo auditorium on December 9 (Saturday), to celebrate the life and career of Beto Kalulu, a famous local musician.
Beto has a long history in the Algarve’s music scene, having become one of the best known musicians in the Western Algarve, not only due to his talent behind a drum or percussion set but also his infectious upbeat personality.
With over 45 years of live performances under his belt in the region, the Portuguese-Angolan musician has prepared a “revitalised repertoire” for this special concert which will include “new arrangements and never-before-heard songs”. The show will also feature a musical chronology of his career.
“Accompanied by excellent musicians and distinguished international guests, dancers and multimedia resources, the concert will provide an emotional and engaging experience”, the event’s press release says, adding that a “narrator will guide the audience”, sharing interesting facts and providing introductions.
An exhibition by Filipa Brito will also be set up at the auditorium, featuring posters, photographs, videos, personal objects, and musical instruments that played a “fundamental role in his journey”.
Tickets cost €8 per person and can be purchased online, at the CTT, FNAC and Worten ticket offices or at the usual outlets in Lagoa, which include the auditorium, the São José convent’s cultural centre, and the Balcão Único.
The event will bring quality choral music to Ferragudo and contribute to the local Support Centre for the Elderly and to Fábrica da Igreja
– November 10, 2023 | Photo Getty Images Signature
The 3rd Charity Christmas Choral Concert, organised by Ideias do Levante Cultural Association and Ferragudo’s parish council, will bring the true Christmas spirit to Ferragudo’s Igreja Matriz Church this November 26 (Sunday) at 5pm.
In support of those in need, entries to the show will be made through a donation to Ferragudo’s Support Centre for the Elderly, and Ferragudo’s Fábrica da Igreja.
Both choral groups have been contributing to the local cultural scene, with events such as Portimão Choir Meeting and Lagoa Choral Week.
The Ideias do Levante Choir was founded in 1996 as part of the Ideias do Levante Association and is currently directed by Maria Saramago. The choir has performed in various parts of the Iberian Peninsula and organises various events throughout the year, including the Lagoa Choral Week. Every Wednesday, it rehearses in CEFLA, in Lagoa, from 8pm to 10pm.
The Adágio choral group was founded in Portimão in September 1989 and currently has around 30 members under the artistic direction of António Alves Alferes Pereira. Its main objective has always been to promote quality choral music, through a very varied repertoire. The group has been organising the Portimão Choir Meeting, in collaboration with the City Council, since 1994.
The concert is recommended for people aged six and over and is limited to the existing capacity.
On the day of the concert, donations – cash or essential goods – can be delivered to the church.
For more information, contact Ideias do Levante on 282 380 053, from Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
Article originally published on Portugal Resident.
Portugal Tech Week brings a day of exciting tech talks about web development, cloud, generative AI, community, and business
– November 9, 2023
The event features a series of talks taking place between November 12 and 22 in different cities in Portugal – Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Braga, Guimarães, Fundão, Aveiro, Funchal, Leiria, Coimbra, Lagos – and online.
Technology enthusiasts will have the opportunity to network with industry experts at the Devfest Lagos 2023, which will feature the latest news about Google tools, tech trends, and new insights on how to start a new project.
The event “stands out as the most decentralised technology event in the country, promoting innovation and collaboration”, according to the organisers.
“Portugal Tech Week brings together the Portuguese technology community and promotes growth and innovation in the sector. With a wide variety of initiatives and events, the Portugal Tech Week is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and technology enthusiasts to connect, learn and collaborate,” they add.
Devfest Lagos 2023 will take place on November 18th, between 9am and 5pm at the Lagos Town Hall, Praça do Município.
Tickets cost 15€, including a welcome kit, 2 coffee breaks and a lunch box.
The International Contemporary Circus EmRaizArt promises to delight kids and adults alike this October
– September 20, 2023
Following the success of previous editions, the 3rd edition of the EmRaizArt Circus will be held for four days for school groups (free) and for the general public on the weekend of October 14 and 15.
EmRaizArt Festival takes place in the idyllic cork oak forest of Cotifo, Quinta Velha, Lagos, bringing contemporary circus and street art to the countryside. The programme includes three national and international shows, two concerts, four interactive workshops for school audiences, and a clown workshop for adults, with the artistic direction of Berna Huidobro.
A must-see cultural event, EmRaizArt once again combines contemporary circus with the beauty of an indigenous forest in the Algarve, emphasising sustainable development and the arts’ impact on the future.
EmRaizArt Weekend Programme – General Public
Saturday, October 14 | 2pm – 6pm:
→ Performances “The world upside down” by Trini-ty (Chile) “Shhh!” by A Tope! (Argentina) “Almaradentro” Co-production Teatro Experimental de Lagos and Vaya (Portugal)
→ Musical intervention Batucada Matta from Barão de São João (Portugal) Sunday, October 15 | | 2pm – 6pm:
→ Performances “The world upside down” by Trini-ty (Chile) “Shhh!” by A Tope! (Argentina) “Almaradentro” Co-production Teatro Experimental de Lagos and Vaya (Portugal)
→ Musical intervention Samba do Quintal (Portugal)
Location: Quinta Velha – Cotifo, Lagos
Ticket prices: Adults – €10 Children – €5
Tickets available at bol.pt, Fnac and Worten stores and CTT (post offices).
The 13th edition of the Lagos Book Fair takes place until September 30
– September 19, 2023
The 13th edition of the Lagos Book Fair (Mostra de Livros) takes place until September 30 at the newly renovated Armazém Regimental in Praça do Infante.
A distinguished line-up of foreign authors will be present for visitors to meet on two separate evenings. Their diverse backgrounds offer readers a varied range of experiences and imaginative flights. A short presentation will be given by each author, followed by a book signing.
Entrance is free.
Friday September 22 at 7pm
• Barry Harris (As I Rhymember It!) • John Reid (The Revenge) • Lisa Selvidge (The Magic Campervan) • Peter Giacomini (The Cardboard Suitcase) • Lena Strang (Touching Lives and Crossing Cultures)
Wednesday September 27 at 7pm
• Alyson Sheldrake (Algarve Dreams and Kat the Dog), her bestseller. • Emma Kirkham (Hormone Hell to Hormone Harmony) • Peter (PJ Squadron and Exploring the World through Colouring) • Stephen Powell (Walking Europe’s Edge, Reflection on Portugal) • Ann McGarry (Power of W)
176 establishments across the Algarve will participate in the event until October 15
– September 14, 2023
Rota do Petisco (Tapas Route), one of the most popular gastronomic eventsin the Algarve, is back.
To participate in this exciting event, participants must purchase the event’s passport – which costs €1.50 and also serves as a guide –, and explore the 176 participating establishments‘ tapas across the region, from Aljezur, Vila do Bispo, Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Lagoa, Silves, Albufeira, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira.
Participants receive access to the full route course using the passport, which offers different menus and options, such as the Petisco Menu (tapas and a drink) for €4 and the Dessert Menu (dessert and a drink) for €2.50.
“The more tapas participants try, the more stamps they collect and the more chances they get to win prizes,” says Teia D’Impulsos, the association that organisers the event.
There are also other routes to explore, such as the World Route, which offers typical dishes from other countries such as Cape Verde, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Turkey, India, Thailand, China, or Japan.
This year’s edition also includes a Vegetarian Option, with 15 establishments serving vegetarian dishes.
The passport can be purchased at the following establishments: Espaço Raiz, Portimão; Parish Council of Odeceixe; Parish Council of Vila do Bispo; Cultural Centre of Vila do Bispo; Lagos City Hall; Parish Council of Alvor; Tourist Information Office Portimão; Municipal Council of Monchique; Silves Archaeological Museum; Albufeira City Hall; Gama Lobo’s Palace, Loulé; Tavira City Hall.
For more information about the event, visit Rota do Petisco‘s website.
The Food Festival will feature an impressive lineup of 24 top chefs, each revealing their culinary secrets with show-cooking experiences
– September 14, 2023
Taking place this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at Alameda Praça da República, the Arrebita food festival will invite 24 renowned chefs to prepare a variety of delicious dishes for €6.50 each.
“There is no love like the first, and how we missed Portimão, the city that gave birth to a gastronomy festival that is changing Portugal,” according to the organisers.
“In its fourth edition, Arrebita Portimão boasts a cast of 24 top chefs for two days of high-level gastronomy. Alongside acclaimed chefsfrom all over the country, we have the determination of new talent. Once again, we rely on the presence of local producers who will bring and showcase regional products.”
On September 16, the list of renowned chefs includes Gil Fernandes from Michelin-starred restaurant Fortaleza do Guincho in Cascais, Diogo Martins from Zest in Albufeira, Nuno Martins from Numa in Portimão, João Sá from Sála in Lisbon, Ruben Santos from Casa do Gadanha in Estremoz, Hugo Guerra from Lobo Mau in Charneca da Caparica, and João Correia from Altis Avenida in Lisbon.
Chef José Lopes from Carvoeiro’s Michelin-starred Bon Bon restaurant, Luis Brito from A Ver Tavira, Rui Rebelo from Terraço Editorial, Alana Mostachio and Habner Gomes from Matte will be the chefs on Sunday, September 17, with the full list of chefs to be announced soon.
Admission to the event will be free, and it will begin each day at 6pm until 11pm.
The special event will feature a double round of the European Le Mans Series: the 4 Hours of Algarve and the 4 Hours of Portimão
– September 7, 2023
The special event will feature a double round of the European Le Mans Series, which will be the last two races of the 2023 season: the 4 Hours of Algarve on October 20, and the 4 Hours of Portimão on October 22.
Both four-hour races will take place within less than 48 hours from each other, promising a true spectacle for motorsports fans in the Algarve. The official programme also includes three international series, the Le Mans Cup, the Ligier European Series, as well as the World Final of the Radical World Series.
The ELMS is described by organisers as “the perfect proving ground for any competitor wishing to take on the challenge of the next stage on the endurance ladder, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the pinnacle of the sport, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
The municipality will host emblematic guitar performances next to monuments and cultural spaces, as well as outdoor concerts in Carvoeiro’s Main Square and Estômbar’s natural park
– August 31, 2023
It’s almost time for Lagoa’s International Guitar Festival, which will be held between September 9 and October 1 at a variety of venues in the municipality.
In addition to ensuring a quality artistic offer, from both national and international artists, the event promises to include a little bit of everything.
The public will have the opportunity to choose what performance suits them best each weekend, as the event will be presented along with emblematic venues, monuments, and infrastructures of Lagoa.
The Lagoa International Guitar Festival will host a total of eight different performances, all starting at 5.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
September 9, 5.30pm – 40 Fingers at Carvoeiro Beach Square (free entry)
40 Fingers is a well-known Italian guitar quartet “well-established on Italy’s music scene through their many individual projects”. The group will present original pieces and covers performed with a “fingerpicking technique and skillfully arranged for four guitars”.
September 10, 5.30pm – Sergio Fabian Lavia & Dilene Ferraz and Quartetto SE.GO.VI.O at Quinta dos Vales, Estômbar (€10)
Guitarist Sergio Fabian Lavia & singer Dilene Ferraz’s music “reflects the cultural richness of Argentina and Brazil, forming a set of experiences shaped by traditional sounds merged with more experimental aspects”. In 2011, the duo received the ”Premium Music Awards” for their significant work as composers and performers of Brazilian and Argentine music.
The SE.GO.VI.O quartet, distinguished by “their great international concert experience, as soloists, chamber musicians and orchestras”, and for their “commitment to teaching” in Italian state schools, will perform a “repertoire with emphasis on the expressive possibilities of each instrument: the timbre impact that comes from the encounter of the plucked strings with the bellows instrument and the wind instruments is the ideal terrain to give life to the biting dance sounds”.
September 16, 5.30pm – Diogo Carlos and Furia-Deiana Duo at Convento de S. José Cultural Centre (€10)
Diogo Carlos, an awarded Portuguese guitarist from London’s Royal Academy of Music, has ample experience playing solo, in duos, trios, quartets and with various ensembles, having performed at the London Guitar Festival, Cadogan Hall and many other emblematic stages.
The FURIA – DEIANA DUO is described as a “versatile and fascinating formation that combines the passionate sound of Fabio Furia’s bandoneon with the virtuosity of Alessandro Deiana’s guitar”.
September 17, 5.30pm – Marko Topchii and Ensemble Copain’s Cabana at Sítio das Fontes Municipal Park, Estômbar (€10)
Marko Topchii, a world-renowned classical guitarist of Ukrainian origin, achieved international recognition through his participation in prestigious guitar competitions across the globe. Marko has secured an impressive total of 55 first prizes in various renowned classical guitar contests. His list of accolades includes triumphs at esteemed events such as the Tokyo International Guitar Competition, Francisco Tarrega (Spain), Michele Pittaluga (Alessandria), two Andres Segovia competitions (Spain), JoAnn Falletta (Buffalo, NY), Maurizio Biasini (San Francisco, CA), and numerous others.
Copains’ Cabana is a musical ensemble “bringing together voices, mandolins, guitar, cuatro, double bass and percussion, around Latin American music”. All members have already had opportunities to perform in concerts in France and abroad, and now they are back together for the pleasure of interpreting this repertoire that is both rhythmic and gentle.
September 23, 5.30pm – Quitó de Sousa Antunes and Luciano & Giusy Pompilio Duo at Estômbar Parish Church (free entry)
Portugal’s revered guitarist, Quitó de Sousa Antunes studied music in Paris under Betho Davezac and has won the first prize of the City of Paris, as well as a gold medal at the National Conservatory of Meudon. He has been ”invited countless times to take part in concerts and festivals both in France, Europe, Morocco, and Quebec”.
Luciano Pompilio, also an esteemed guitarist, took 15 first prizes at guitar competitions, reaching the final rounds in over 25 guitar competitions, and has toured Europe, Asia and America. He is also the Artistic Director of the ”Città di Manfredonia” International Guitar Festival and Season Chamber Music ”In Concerto” in San Giovanni Rotondo.
GIUSY POMPILIO is a “young and passionate Opera Singer and student with strong academic background and multiple participation in public events and concerts. Currently studying to obtain a Bachelor of Music in Opera Singing”.
September 24, 5.30pm – Early Guitar Duo and Invisible Strings at Lagoa Parish Church (free entry)
The EARLY GUITAR DUO is a collaborative venture between Romolo Calandruccio and Antonio Aprile, dedicated exclusively to the study and performance of a 19th-century guitar repertoire on original instruments. These performances are based on in-depth research of the period’s performance practices and of the authors, through original sources.
In the recent years, the Early Guitar Duo has performed in the several Music Conservatories: Ottorino Respighi in Latina, Tchaikosky in Nocera Terinese, and at the Mauro Giuliani Birthplace Museum in Bisceglie.
The project Invisible Strings, created by two internationally renowned musicians – thereminist Thorwald Jørgensen and guitarists Josip Dragnić – has been presented in countries like Germany, Luxembourg, Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy. Theremin is the only instrument that is played without physical contact, producing sound on the basis of electromagnetic waves, using two antennas. It was invented in 1919 but it is still rarely played on the concert stages, so every concert with theremin is a real attraction. The project brings some of the most famous pieces by the great composers like De Falla, Ravel, Villa Lobos, and Piazzolla arranged for theremin and guitar, but also contemporary music pieces originally written for this duo.
These two instruments form together a beautiful and interesting combination of the harmonies played by the guitar on six strings and the melodic line played by theremin.
September 30, 5.30pm – Vladislav Bláha & Tanja Drobysh and Luís Coelho “STRING TALES” at Carlos do Carmo Auditorium (€10)
The Vladislav Bláha and Tanja Drobysh duo presents a repertoire that is both vibrant and diverse, incorporating elements from classical, folk, and jazz genres. Additionally, they present adaptations of folk music from South Moravia (Czech Republic), including modified compositions by the English composer John W. Duarte, as well as traditional melodies from Belarus.
Guitarist Luís Coelho has performed on several national and international stages, collaborating with several fadistas (Fado singers) and with contemporary music and dance projects.
October 1, 5.30pm – Noble at Carlos do Carmo Auditorium (€10)
Noble (Pedro Fidalgo) is one of the most prominent artists in Portugal, having reached “monumental success” with his radio hit “Honey”, which acted as a generic for the soap opera “Amar Depois de Amar”, as well as “Beautiful”, the opening track of the most recent album “Secrets”, a new stage in the artist’s career who aspired to show his gratitude for all those who always supported him during his journey to the top of the national sales charts.
For more information about the event, visit the event website or follow on Facebook.
Since its opening in 1985, the venue has been a major presence on the jazz scene in the region, welcoming famous national and international artists
– August 18, 2023
Manoel’s Jazz Club has an outdoor terrace and a rooftop boasting seaviews Photo: MICHAEL BRUXO/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
Manoel’s Jazz Club, the iconic jazz venue which local musician Manuel Guerreiro opened in Monte Carvoeiro in 1985, officially reopened earlier this summer under the management of French couple Sabrina and Thomas Bourhis.
The special occasion was celebrated with a performance by Carvoeiro’s famous percussionist and singer Beto Kalulu alongside his band featuring Joaquim Brandão (bass), Tomé Rocha (drums) and Marcos Vita (keyboard), as well as a special appearance by Enzo d’Aversa (piano).
Beto Kalulu and pianist Enzo d’Aversa (left) – Photo: INÊS LOPES/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
The jazz club is located below Manoel’s Restaurant and Bar, which is open every day from 5pm onwards, serving dinners and cocktails inside the restaurant, at its outdoor terrace and on its rooftop with a view of the sea.
Sabrina and Thomas are well aware of the deep-seated history of the venue, which for decades welcomed nationally and internationally famous jazz musicians, which is why they have decided to maintain its name and a similar theme.
Founder, the late Manuel Guerreiro Photo: MICHAEL BRUXO/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
Their goal is to offer live music every night at 10pm and welcome a wide range of musicians from several genres, not exclusively jazz.
But how did the couple end up taking over one of the Algarve’s best-known jazz venues?
“We have been holidaying in the Algarve for several years and had been planning to move out of France, even before the pandemic,” said Sabrina and Thomas, adding that they visited several towns in the region until their travels led them to Monte Carvoeiro, on the western hill of Carvoeiro.
The couple have around 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, having run a beach bar back in France, and decided to bite the bullet and start a new life in Portugal by reviving the iconic venue.
New owners Thomas and Sabrina Bourhis, with Carvoeiro’s famous percussionist and singer Beto Kalulu Photo: MICHAEL BRUXO/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
“Manuel was a true friend”
Beto Kalulu has been playing an important role in Sabrina and Thomas’ new adventure, helping the couple grasp the history of the venue and also acting as a link to the local community of musicians.
He was a very close friend of Manuel Guerreiro, the talented saxophonist who played a pivotal role in the Algarve’s jazz scene by opening Caldeirão, his first jazz club, in Ferragudo in 1975.
“I opened Caldeirão for my friends; I didn’t do it for commercial purposes,” Manuel Guerreiro is quoted as saying in a pamphlet promoting an exhibitionhonouring him at Portimão Museum, which can be visited until September 3.
Monte Carvoeiro Photo: MICHAEL BRUXO/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
Caldeirão stayed open until 1985, when Manuel Guerreiro was invited by Monte Carvoeiro developer Klaus Müller to open a new jazz club at the resort.
Manoel’s Jazz Club became the place to play for jazz musicians, with jam sessions galore and a long list of acclaimed musicians from all over the globe performing at the venue.
Manuel Guerreiro, who passed away in 2005, also played a key role in helping musicians from ‘Aldeia de Almansor’, a multicultural community of artists who lived in makeshift homes at an abandoned half-built hotel site, until they had to abandon the area when construction resumed (to build the Almansor hotel; now Tivoli Carvoeiro).
“Manuel was very important for the local musicians in Carvoeiro. He was the one who booked concerts for us, and many times would give up his cut of the performance fee in order to help us,” Beto Kalulu told us.
It was this very “mentality of collaboration” that was later replicated at Manoel’s Jazz Club, with musicians often turning up to perform simply for the fun of it.
Article originally published by Michael Bruxo on Portugal Resident.
Silves Medieval Fair returns this August 10 offering visitors unforgettable and mystical experiences
– July 28, 2023 | Photos Silves Municipality
Between August 10 and 20, Silves’ Medieval Fair returns for its 18th edition. Over the course of 11 days, the city once known as Xilb (Silves) is transformed into a Moorish-style city.
A central theme of the fair is “The Mosque, Symbol and Power” which highlights the history of its mosque, built and consecrated as a place of worship and symbol of the Islamicization of a territory that became one of the biggest political and cultural centers of Gharb al-Andalus.
There will be a prayer recitation, and a welcome from the Vizier, and the call to prayer will echofrom the tall minaret through Al-Muezzin.
There will be contagious celebrations accompanied by the sounds of music and the movement of vibrant dances reminiscent of the East.
In the Medieval Fair, the mystical atmosphere beginseach dayat 6pm with the Medieval Parade, in which participants dress in period costumes and parade through Medina and Arrabaldes.
At 8pm and 10.30pm at Al-Mut’amid Square, the rebel Yahyâ Ibn Bakr Ibn Zadlaf faces off against the Umayyad army during the War Games.
And at 10.30pm, Oriental Nights, dazzling music, dance, and fire displays will take place at Silves Castle.
More than a hundred exhibitors, including artisans, confectioners, mystics, and merchants, will be present, offering gastronomy, shows, and historical entertainment.
Volunteers wishing to take part in the fair can do so by registering on the Municipality’s websiteuntil July 31.
Registration is open to people over 16, “with availability, motivation, team spirit and responsibility, who wish to collaborate in different areas, supporting entertainment and shows, participating in parades, among others”, says the Municipality, inviting all those wanting to be part of history to sign-up.
The Lagoa Jazz Fest’2023 takes place in Estômbar’s Sítio das Fontes Municipal Park, between July 21-23
– July 18, 2023
From July 21 to 23, jazz nights are back to Lagoa, with the Lagoa Jazz Fest, now in its 18th edition, taking place at the Sítio das Fontes Park in Estômbar.
This year’s special guests include Camille Bertault, recognised by Vanity Fair as the ”new voice of jazz” and by Le Figaro as a “daring talent”. She comes to Lagoa alongside names such as Polly Gibbons, who will perform with the Algarve Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Alves.
Resuming Lagoa Jazz Fest’s commitment to the diversity of aesthetics and instrumentations, more or less conventional in jazz, this year’s programme features two unavoidable names of the accordion, João Barradas and Vincent Peirani, and Suite Nordeste, a trio of Brazilian musicians admittedly inspired by the mixture of styles and influences between Brazilian popular music, classical music and jazz.
As always, the Lagoa Jazz Fest’2023 presents high quality projects, with the best performers in harp, koto, harmonica, cimbalom, bandoneon, vibraphone, among others.
Between solos, duos, trios, quartets and quintets, as well as big bands, this festival has it all.
Since 2003, more than 250 musicians from countries such as Portugal, Spain, the United States of America, France, Italy, Austria, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, Colombia and India have played on the stage of the Lagoa Jazz Fest.
Tickets cost €12 and can be purchased online at Bol, or at the ticket offices of the municipality of Lagoa, at Convento de S. José, Lagoa’s Carlos do Carmo Auditorium, Balcão Único or the usual places, such as CTT, Fnac and Worten.
Visitors with a Cultural Passport, Lagoa Social Card or Rota do Petisco 2022 Passport have a 20% discount.
The event venue opens at 7pm and closes at 1am, with performances in the lounge area starting at 8.30pm and on the main stage at 10pm.
In addition to the performance areas, there will also be a catering area and an exhibitions area.
Programme for the Lagoa Jazz Fest’23:
July 21
Main Stage: Algarve Jazz Orchestra with special guest Polly Gibbons;
Main Stage: ”De Acordeão para Acordeão” with Vincent Peirani and João Barradas, Suite Nordeste Trio with João Ventura (piano, keyboard and vocals), Júnior Maceió (alto, soprano and baritone saxophones, transverse flute and digital aerophone) and Rogério Pitomba (drums, percussion);
Lounge area: Allyson Garrido (vocals) and Fernando de Castro Neves (guitar).
July 23
Main Stage: Camille Bertault 5teto with Camille Bertault (vocals), Fady Farah (piano), Julien Alour (trumpet), Christophe Minck (bass and moog) and Minino Garay (drums and percussion);
Lounge area: Genoveva Faísca (vocals) and Carlos Santos (keyboards).
Additional information:
Lagoa Town Hall informs that it initially announced that singer Jane Monheit would be the guest artist performing with the Algarve Jazz Orchestra. However, due to a one-off health issue, Jane Monheit’s appearance had to be cancelled. The singer will be replaced by Polly Gibbons.
Tickets already purchased for July 21 will remain valid but you can request a refund.
The event will consist of three days of sun, sand, and lots of music
– July 11, 2023
Club Nau Beach Lounge is hosting the 12th Beach Fest at Ferragudo’s Praia Grande beach this July 14-16, starting at 4pm.
The event will feature several concerts of different musical genres, DJs and lots of entertainment to dance the night away.
The party kicks off on Friday, July 19, to the rhythms of Rock band Ray & Ventura, followed by the versatile and dynamic band, The Munchies, and later by DJ Justt.
On Saturday, the party starts with Woodstick, followed by the remarkable vocals of Nicole Silver, and concludes with DJ G-Rod.
Sunday will feature the lively D-String band, followed by the vibrant Daddy Jack Band, as well as DJ Rhythm.
Featuring musicians from the Algarve or with connections to the Algarve, Club Nau’s Beach Fest is a true celebration of summer by the beach. Attendance is free.
The festival celebrates a different culture every year with a unique theme. This year’s theme revolves around ‘Ibero-American Cultures and Rituals‘.
The event brings together around 60 artisans exhibiting their works throughout the town, and several musical and dance performances are expected.
Among the confirmed acts are Son de Cuba (Cuba), Mariachi Mezcal (Mexico), Lídia Brandão, Grupo Muzenza, Batucada Som Brasil (Brazil), Viento Nuevo (Ecuador), La Porteña Tango (Argentina), and musician José Luís Pastor.
Over 40 candlelit symbols will be displayed in seven areas, highlighting Ibero-American mythology, traditions, gastronomy, and religion.
According to organizers, the symbols will be placed at theentrances and throughout the market, creating a “visually stunning spectacle.”
Visitors will also be able to visit São José convent’s exhibition room, featuring a photography exhibition entitled ‘(En)cantos do Brasil’, as well as an altar representing Mexico’s ‘Dia de Muertos’ dedicated to Frida Khalo.
Meanwhile, the convent’s cloisters will become a ‘Carioca’ bar offering Brazilian cuisine. Outside the bar area, there will be picanha (Brazil’s popular cut of meat) on the grill and other culinary specialities.
The market area opens at 7pm and stays open until 12.30am, while the candles illuminating the symbols are lit at 8.30pm. Admission is free.
“Mercado de Culturas à Luz das Velas is an event of rare beauty that has attracted thousands of visitors in previous editions. I am convinced that this year will be the best edition ever, and I invite everyone to visit Lagoa during these days,” said Lagoa mayor Luís Encarnação.
This year’s edition of the market, which has become one of Lagoa’s biggest summer events, is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors.
A variety of Portuguese brands and craft beers will be served at Praça Al-Mutamid
– July 7, 2023
Taking place between July 12 and 16, the event will feature food trucks, handicraft stalls and live entertainment including performances by Tatiana Pinto, 5EX Band, Emanuel Martins & Tânia, Ally Winehouse (Amy Winehouse tribute), Naomi & The Raposeira Dub Collective, Xico Barata and several DJs.
July 12 | Tatiana Pinto (Fado) and 5EX Band (Rock, Pop, and Latin musiccovers)
July 13 | 5EX Band and Emanuel Martins & Tânia (Dance Music)
July 14 | 5EX Band and Ally Winehouse – Tribute to Amy Winehouse.
July 15 | 5EX Band and Naomi & The Raposeira Dub Collective (Reggae and Ska)
July 16 | 5EX Band and Xico Barata (African Music)
“The Beer Fest promises to be the perfect moment to enjoy a refreshing beer, attend a concert, dance to the sounds of DJs Miguel Cabrita, Carlos Rocha, Daloura, Bartilotti Alfarroba, and Sérgio Costa, and also indulge in street food and do some shopping at the craft market,” according to the organisers.
Silves Beer Fest will start at 6pm until 1am and will be free to visit.
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 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.
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.
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.
The inaugural concert of the 23rd Lagoa Choir Week opened to a full house, featuring the Pennsylvania State University Men’s Glee Club
– May 18, 2023
The event was held at the Carlos do Carmo auditorium on Sunday, May 14th, with spectators highlighting the “beautiful work” that was performed by the American choir, which included students of the university and members of the Penn State Glee Club.
The performers were directed by Christopher Kiver whilst the soloist was Jennifer Trost, a mezzo soprano, accompanied by Rachel Flicker on the piano.
The Choir Week, that is taking place until Saturday May 20, will also present three choirs on the last day of the festival, with theGrupo Coral Ossónoba (Faro), Coral Almira (Alcácer do Sal) and Coral Ideias do Levante, all set to perform at the Santo António church in Mexilhoeira da Carregação at 5pm.
The concert is free to attend but tickets must be booked in advance online.
The Lagoa Choir Week is organised by Ideias do Levante, a local association dedicated to promoting culture in the borough.
This year’s edition brings together solo piano, jazz piano, four-hand piano and orchestra
– May 4, 2023
Starting this May 7th, the 4th edition of the Lagoa Piano Festival comes to four different Lagoa boroughs.
The festival, organised by Artis XXI – Associação de Educação Artística de Lagoa, will take place each Sunday at 6.30pm throughout this month.
This year’s theme will be about reflecting on the piano in its various dimensions, with different musical interpretations, ranging from solo piano, jazz piano, four-hand piano, and piano concertos with orchestra.
Programme for the 4th Lagoa Piano Festival:
I Concert – Entrelaçamentos (Interlacings) | May 7 at 6.30pm | Lagoa’s Main Church
Piano Recital by Ingrid Sotolarova and José Pedro Ribeiro
II Concert – Encontros não imediatos (Non Immediate Encounters) | May 14 at 6.30pm | Hotel Carvoeiro Plaza
Piano Jazz by Paula Sousa and Beatriz Nunes
III Concert – Piano Recital by Diana Botelho Vieira | May 21 at 6.30pm | ADR – Quinta de S. Pedro | Mexilhoeira da Carregação
Piano Recital by Diana Botelho Vieira
IV Concert – ARTIS XXI Orchestra | May 28 at 6.30pm | Sala Carlos Paredes | ACD Ferragudo
May 5th will begin with Hoop and Ball qualifications starting at 10.30am, followed by lunch, and the Opening Ceremony for the Group Qualifications from 6.20pm to 8pm.
On Saturday, the Clubs and Ribbons qualifications will take place between 10.30am and 6pm, followed by lunch, and later by the Awards Ceremony starting at 6.05pm and ending at 8pm.
The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup’s Individual Finals Award Ceremonies will begin at 3pm on the final day at Portimão Arena, ending with the Gala and closing ceremony from 7.35pm-8pm.
Children under 3 years old can enter the venue, waiving the need to present a ticket if they stay on your lap. If they occupy a seat, they must pick up a ticket (baby prams are not permitted in the venue).)
Dutch-Born Algarve Artist Meinke Flesseman has started a new project in an old building which is being completely renovated
– April 10, 2023
The idea to purchase the building and open her own gallery came to Meinke from the desire to create her own artistic space. “I fell in love with this place,” Meinke said. “It was big, and spooky, and had all the space that I wanted. My imagination ran wild.”
The gallery opened in December last, but the two-storey building is being renovated to act as “five spaces in one, which are still connected but nonetheless separable”. The gallery occupies just one of the building’s spaces.
Whilst the artist initially planned to take over the building with two other people, she eventually decided to move forward on her own. Renovation work began in October 2021 and has proven to be quite the endeavour.
“It has everything one could wish for, it’s true, but it’s also a lot of spare metres to fix up, and that was the naïve part. But it’s going well, and it’s exciting,” said Meinke, likening the construction process to painting.
“It’s all about building something up, and then using your imagination, changing it…,” she explained.
Right next door to Meinke’s gallery is the Sphinx Gallery, which is located in a building previously owned by Meinke.
“It is wonderful because we complement each other. I think this is already generating some out-of-the-box energy in Portimão, which has not really been seen as a place to come to see art,” the artist said.
“The same happened in Olhão. Fifteen years ago, people would ask why anyone would want to live in Olhão. And now many people want to live there. Artists attract other artists and help create reasons for other people to come there and invest,” said Meinke, adding that Portimão has the potential to continue to grow as an attractive destination for artists as well as investors.
“Portimão has a lot of qualities. It is still one of the most affordable towns in the Algarve to live in, and it offers a lot of quality, being so close to the sea and boasting such easy access. There are also a lot of beautiful buildings just waiting to be renovated,” she added.
The opening of the gallery is the culmination of an art-filled life for Meinke, who was born in Amsterdam but grew up in the Algarve “surrounded by animals, nature and simplicity”.
These sources of inspiration are evident in a lot of her work, as animals (particularly goats), are often represented in her paintings.
“They bring me good memories and good feelings, so they are a recurring element in my work. It perhaps represents a longing for simplicity and well-being, which I associate them with. They all look similar, but they have their own personalities, cheekiness, independence and ways of being,” she said.
Meinke describes herself as an artist who is particularly drawn to nature and a sense of purity. “Hence the greenery, farm animals, beach scenes and the general simplicity of everyday life that I’m able to observe,” she says.
Whilst Meinke always had a knack for using her hands to create things and express herself creatively, she only started studying art in her late 20s. “I lived in different countries and under different circumstances, but it ended up being a good thing because I only studied art later when I really knew for sure what I wanted to do with my life,” the 56-year-old artist said.
After growing up in the Algarve, Meinke moved back to the Netherlands before travelling to Italy to study jewellery-making. Several years later, she enrolled in Fine Arts School – in Moscow – with the Volkovs, and continued her Art studies, graduating from Ruud Wacker’s Academy, in Amsterdam. She moved back to Portugal with her daughter and then-husband around 25 years ago, having spent time living in Lagoa, Olhão and now Portimão.
‘Meinke Flesseman Gallery’ is located at number 126 on Rua Infante Dom Henrique – the long street which connects the old bridge between Portimão and Lagoa to the Gil Eanes square. All works currently exhibited at the gallery were created by Meinke, with almost all being available for sale.
Although it’s still early days, with other parts of the building still under renovation, Meinke is planning to also host exhibitions by other artists or collectives of artists. For now, the gallery is open only by appointment, although the plan is to eventually have the doors open to the public.
Bringing together the love for music and wine, Jazz nas Adegas is a one-of-a-kind event organised by the Municipality of Silves in partnership with participating Silves Wine Producers, the Silves Sul School Group, and the Algarve’s Barmen Association.
Visitors will have the opportunity to listen to some original jazz compositions by the Nuno Carpinteiro Quartet as they taste some of the wine producer’s latest vintages.
Nuno Carpinteiro was born in Mascarenhas, Mirandela, in the North of Portugal. He started studying the organ when he was eight, and discovered the accordion at age ten. In 2019 he released his first album, “A Montanha”, in which the accordion, acoustic and electric guitar come together in a musical journey through themes of a traditional nature. The album premiered with the theme that gives it its name, “A Montanha”, on Pico Mountain, in the Azores Islands.
“His creations are rooted in his memories and strong relationship with nature. The simplicity, silence and complex harmony he finds on walks through the countryside are reflected in his compositions,” says a press release issued by the Municipality.
His Quartet is made up of Diogo Sousa on the drums, João Novais playing the double bass, Sérgio Mendes on the piano and electric guitar, and himself on the accordion.
The 6th Edition of Jazz nas Adegas includes three more sessions, scheduled between April and May:
Date: April 28 & 29 (9pm) Winery: Barranco Longo Band: Las Guitarras Locas
Date: May 12 (9pm) & 13 (5pm) Winery: Paxá Wines Band: Analog Music Project
Date: May 26 (9pm) & 27 (5pm) Winery: Convento do Paraíso Band: Manouche Station
Tickets
Tickets cost €20 (including, in addition to the concert, wine and tapas tasting, a voucher to visit Silves Castle and the Municipal Museum of Archeology, and a bottle of wine).
Tickets can be purchased either on the BOL platform (April 14 and April 15) or at one of the following locations: FNAC, Worten, El Corte Inglés, CTT Post Offices. The event is for adults aged 18 and over.
For more information, contact the Silves City Council tourism department (+351 282 440 800 | turismo@cm-silves.pt).
Carvoeiro’s main square to showcase local handicrafts, sweets, and regional products
– April 4, 2023
The annual Easter Fair returns to Lagoa and Carvoeiro with festivities taking place between April 7 and 9 in Carvoeiro’s main square.
The event is promoting and encouraging the consumption of local and regional products, so visitors can find everything from food to beverages to traditional and regional non-food items.
Barbara Thomas, a Swiss painter who has lived in Monchique for several years, will be exhibiting her works of art at the Porca Preta Gallery, in Monchique, this April.
Her love for Portugal is reflected in her various works. Nature, Fantasy and the people of the Alentejo are the source of her inspiration and title of some of her paintings.
The inauguration will take place this April 2, at 3pm, and the exhibition will be open between April 3 and May 14, from Friday to Tuesday between 5pm and 8pm.
The MotoGP season opening will take place at the Algarve International Racetrack
– March 23, 2023
MotoGP Nº 88, Miguel Oliveira
Portimão’s Racetrack is gearing up to host the first race of the 2023 MotoGPseason on Portuguese soil, promising a spectacular event starting this Friday, March 24.
The much-anticipated MotoGP season will have 21 stages, scheduled to take place throughout the year. Fans can look forward to a jam-packed programme of activities for all motorsport enthusiasts, from motorcycles to Formula 1.
With top riders and teams set to battle on the track, this year’s MotoGP promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable spectacle for all who attend.
Here is the full programme for the March 24-26 Portuguese Grand Prix weekend:
Friday, March 24
9am – 9h35am – Moto3 – Practice 1
9h50am – 10h30am – Moto2 – Practice 1
10h45am – 11h30am – MotoGP – Practice 1
11h45 am – 12h10pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Practice 1
1h15pm – 1h50pm – Moto3 – Practice 2
2h05pm – 2h45pm – Moto2 – Practice 2
3pm – 4pm – MotoGP – Practice 2
4h15pm – 4h40pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Practice 2
5h50pm – 6h10pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Qualifying
Saturday, March 25
8h40am – 9h10am – Moto3 – Practice 3
9h25am – 9h55am – Moto2 – Practice 3
10h10am – 10h40am – MotoGP – Free Practice
10h50am – 11h05am – MotoGP – Qualifying 1
11h15am – 11h30am – MotoGP – Qualifying 2
11h35am – 12pm – MotoGP VIP Village Pit Lane Walk
11h45 – 12pm – Formula 1 BMW Williams demonstration
12h15pm – 12h30pm – Stunt Show
12h50pm – 1h05pm – Moto3 – Qualifying 1
1h15pm – 1h30pm – Moto3 – Qualifying 2
1h45pm – 2pm – Moto2 – Qualifying 1
2h10pm – 2h25pm – Moto2 – Qualifying 2
3pm – MotoGP – MotoGP Sprint
4h10pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Race 1
4h30pm – MotoGP Sprint Press Conference
Sunday, March 26
8h50am – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Race 2
9h45am – 9h55am – MotoGP – Warm Up
10am – 10h30am – MotoGP – Rider Fan Show / MotoGP VIP Village Pit Lane Walk
11am – Moto3 – Race (19 laps)
12h15pm – Moto2 – Race (21 laps)
1h10pm – 1h20pm – Formula 1 BMW Williams demonstration
The race dates changed to spring for the first time ever
– March 7, 2023
The Rallye Casinos do Algarve will be held in the spring for the first time ever, between March 30 and April 1. With its headquarters at the Hotel Algarve Casino in Praia da Rocha and assistance car park located at Lagoa’s fair and exhibition park (FATACIL), this year, 60 cars will race on dirt tracks across the municipality of Silves.
Returning to its original format after 28 years, the course will follow part of the old sections of Águas Frias and the world rally track.
The competition starts on Friday, March 30, with the shakedown/qualifying stage in Lagoa and the redesigned Lagos night super special.
On Saturday, in S. Bartolomeu de Messines and S. Marcos da Serra, competitors will take part in 8 special classification tests, with a pitstop in the assistance car park in Lagoa around lunchtime.
The race ends with the city stage in Portimão, with the podium ceremony taking place once again in front of the Hotel Algarve Casino on Praia da Rocha’s main avenue.
The Rallye Casinos do Algarve 2023 is organized by the Clube Automóvel do Algarve, backed by the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation, and is sponsored by Solverde Casinos and Hotels, the municipalities of Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Silves and Medronhito do Caldeirão.
Portimão’s Museum welcomes the third International Painting Symposium between March 6 and 11th
– March 6, 2023
The Museum of Portimão welcomes the third edition of the International Painting Symposium, taking place between March 6 and 11 at the auditorium hall, between 9.30am and 6pm.
This year’s edition invites the exploration of the theme “Freedom and Woman”, welcoming four internationally recognised artists from different cultures and religions to create paintings under topics related to refugees, gender violence and sustainability. Aseel Azizieh, from Jordan, Rasha Deeb, from Syria, Toña Gomez, from Spain, and Kinga Subika, from Poland.
Over the course of this six-day event, “an artistic, abstract, and modern exploration of the given themes will be conducted in an open atelier format”. According to the organisers, “this will allow for conversation between the artists and the public, who are encouraged to participate and make the most of the symposium.”
Monchique City Council reveals its annual events calendar with innovative concepts
– March 3, 2023
The new 2023 Programme focuses on preserving the council’s heritage, supporting local products and offering rural experiences
On May 27 and 28, “Vamos à vila” (Let’s go to town) will be the town’s first event. The initiative is a new concept, which will incorporate the famous Feira dos Enchidos (Sausage Fair), typically held in March.
The municipality has decided to switch up the fair’s format to keep things fresh and give it an updated look and feel. The new format focuses on the unique qualities of local products and on creating a more authentic experience in the rural setting.
Feira dos Enchidos (Sausages Fair) Monchique, Algarve
“Vamos à vila” is also an opportunity for everyone to share their knowledge and the flavours of the hills, with Monchique’s heritage identity being the main highlight.
This ”Exhibition of flavours and knowledge – Traditional sausages and local products” is now the first major event on the annual calendar, followed by the ”Nights at the Mirante” in August, the ”Walking Festival” and the ”Monchique Christmas” in December.
For the city council, these events have ”the premise of highlighting what sets Monchique apart. They provide a varied offer, with local products, knowledge, particularities of the municipality, nature tourism, pedestrian routes and the landscape as the basis of this offer”.
With the municipality’s program there will be an ongoing cultural agenda that goes beyond just the significant dates, promoting other initiatives and providing a range of activities for everyone to enjoy, such as the featuring exhibitions that will take place at the Galeria de Santo António until the end of the year. This shows “the commitment to boost a cultural venue of excellence that was underused”.
The city council has also announced plans to focus on providing cultural opportunities to children and young people, who will be a priority in the new programme.
Enjoy a glass of wine to the sound of a harp and flute
– February 8, 2023
This Friday, February 10, at 7pm enjoy an intimistic concert at the Morgado do Quintão wine estate in Lagoa.
The gentlness of Ravel’s songs, and the different nuances of Britten’s music, among other musical treasures, will be performed by Portuguese musicians Luísa Vaz Pinto (Mezzo-soprano), Rute Gomes (flute) and Inês Cavalheiro (harp).
Programme:
Ballade du coeur qui a tant battu de Louis Sauter
8 Folk songs de Benjamin Britten
The Salley Garden de John Corigliano
Entr’acte de J. Ibert
La lettre du jardinier de Marcel Tournier
5 Melodias gregas de Maurice Ravel
The Gipsy and the Bird de Julius Benedict
The concert is part of the “Ciclo de Canto” (Singing Cycle) cultural programme by the ARTIS XXI organisation which hosts concerts across all of the Algarve region and aims to acquire a portative organ.
Entrance to the event is free, however, a contribution to the ARTIS XXI will be asked in order to attend the event. Seats are also limited.
For more information about the event, visit ARTIS XXI’s Facebook and Instagram or contact +351 965 202 529.
February brings back the annual Arab music festival Al-Mutamid
– February 6, 2023
February marks the return of the Al-Mutamid Music Festival, which will bring traditional Arab music to several towns in the Algarve and further north.
This year’s festival will feature performances by “different groups specialised in the sounds of Al-Andalus, but also the music and dances of the Middle East, Maghreb and Eastern Mediterranean”.
The performances will be held in Lagoa and Silves which were once part of the territory “formerly known as Al-Andalus during the time of Al-Mutamid”.
Carlos do Carmo auditorium
Lagoa will host a performance by the Sufi Soul Ensemble – which comprises performers from Tunisia, Morocco and Syria – at the Carlos do Carmo auditorium on February 25. Tickets can be purchased here (www.bol.pt) or at Fnac, Worten, Ctt, El Corte Inglés.
Mascarenhas Gregório Theatre in Silves
Monia Abdelali from Tunisia will perform at the Mascarenhas Gregório Theatre in Silves on March 11. Tickets can be purchased here (www.bol.pt) or at Fnac, Worten, Ctt, El Corte Inglés.
The event is described as a tribute to King Al-Mutamid, the son and successor to the King of Seville, Al Mutadid. Born as Muhammad Ibn Abbad in Beja in 1040, Al-Mutamid was named governor of Silves when he was just 12 years old, having ascended in 1069 to the throne of Seville, “the strongest kingdom among those that were created in Al-Andalus after the fall of the Cordoba caliphate”. In 1088, he was dethroned by the Almoravids and fled to Agmat, south of Marrakech, where he would die in 1095. His grave, which remains preserved until today, has become a “symbol of the most beautiful times of Al-Andalus,” organisers Ibérica Eventos say.
The event will bring together over 150 national and international artists from painters and digital artists to mixed-media creatives, photographers and more
– January 17, 2023
Storks nesting at Odiáxere, by Malcolm Hyde
The first Art Expo Algarve, an art exhibition which will bring together over 150 national and international artists together under the same roof, will be held for the first time between February 10 and 12 at the Portimão Arena.
The event is organised by a group of gallery ownersand curators to address the lack of a large-scale art exhibition in the south of Portugal.
As organiser John Ganhão told the Resident, Art Expo Algarve will feature established and emerging artists, galleries and artist collectives, who will be exhibiting and selling high-quality artworks directly to the public. The idea to organise the event was inspired by John Ganhão’s travels around the world with his wife and artist, Viktoria Ganhão.
Blue Abstraction III, by Viktoria Ganhão
“We’ve been travelling around the world for 15 years, exhibiting at fairs and exhibitions abroad. I fell in love, not only with her art, but the works of many other artists around the world. But we noticed that there was also potential to organise our own event in the Algarve,” he said.
“We will be having artists from all over the world taking part. The event attracted a lot of interest, as there is no event like this one in the Algarve,” John told us.
The list of artists spans a wide range of areas, such as painters, digital artists, mixed media artists, photographers,sculptors and ceramic and glass artists.
Indeed, one of the goals of the event is to give art lovers in the Algarve, as well as the region’s visitors, a chance to enjoy spectacular artworks made by a wide range of artists.
Sam, by Eleonora Islamova
“There are many artists and some galleries (in the Algarve), but there wasn’t an event that brought them all together for a few days in one space,” said Ganhão.
This is precisely why organisers made sure to secure a large enough venue to accommodate such a large number of artists.
“We have a partnership with Portimão Council, which allowed us to use the Portimão Arena. These kinds of events take up a lot of space and there aren’t many spaces with the conditions to host these events,” he said.
Portimão Arena also boasts plenty of parking and is located near the northern entrance of the town, making it easily accessible for people travelling from outside of the town.
The first edition of the event was due to be held in 2022 but was delayed until this year due to the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, which halted the travel plans of many of the participating artists at the time.
Art Expo Algarve will be free to visit and opening hours will be between 11am and 9pm on Friday and Saturday and 11am and 8pm on Sunday. The fair is wheelchair-friendly.
More information on the event, such as the full list of participating artists, can be found online at www.artexpoalgarve.com
The event will start at 10pm on December 31 with a performance by 5EX Band until midnight, followed by a 10-minute firework show.
DJ Alexandre Ramos will then keep people dancing into the early hours of the morning.
Portimão
Portimão has unveiled a three-day programme which will include three concerts at the town’s riverfront, all starting at 10pm.
Portuguese rapper Piruka will be the first to take the stage on Thursday, December 29, followed by Angolan singer-songwriter Matias Damásio on Friday, December 30.
Entertainment on New Year’s Eve will be provided by DJ Noise Tribe as well as Mercury Falls, a Queens tribute band which will be performing all of the beloved hits by the legendary British rock band.
There will also be fireworks to delight crowds along the Portimão and Alvor riverfrontsand at Praia da Rochanear the marina.
The concerts are free to attend and are being funded by the organisers of the Rolling Loud, Afro Nation e Secret Project festivals as part of a partnership with Portimão Council which allowed them to hold the events on the beach at Praia da Rocha.
Portimão’s ‘Christmas Dream’ will be running until January 6 with “all kinds of Christmas activities and events”
– December 19, 2022
Christmas is being celebrated in Portimão with a festive programme entitled ‘Sonho de Natal’ (Christmas Dream), which is running until January 6 and will see all kinds of Christmas activities and events taking place throughout the municipality.
The biggest change compared to previous years is the new ‘Santa Claus Factory’, which is taking place at the renovated ‘Lota’ building and will feature a long list of festive entertainment.
Christmas lights have also been installed at 40 locations around the borough but will only be turned on between 6pm and midnight due to the government’s recommendations in light of the ongoing energy crisis.
Workshops
Visitors will be able to take part in a series of workshops where they can learn how to make Christmas cookies or wrap presents, or enjoy one of the many Christmas stories which will be told.
Admission is free, but visitors must sign up for any events they want to take part in.
Ice Rink
Other highlights include the town’s life-sized nativity scene, which can be visited at Largo da Mó on the town’s Rua das Lojas shopping street and can be visited 24 hours a day, and the town’s ice rink which is located in Praça da República (more commonly known as Alameda) and will be open between 2pm and 7pm on weekdays and between 11am and 7pm at weekends – excluding Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (11am to 4pm) and Christmas Day (closed).
Shows
19 Dec
7pm – ILLUSIONISM – Illusionist Salguery
Awarded several international prizes in Spain, France and Japan, Salguery will present a memorable show full of fantasy.
7.30pm – DANCE – Ritmo Studio presents “Dance Show”
20 Dec
7pm – MUSIC – Stars of Portugal, The Voice Portugal
Several participants of “The Voice” Portugal, will form a quartet and present us with national and international hits.
7.30pm – Academy “Dança Mais” presents “Dança Comigo”
21 Dec
7pm – PERFORMANCE – ZÉLELÉ, The Clown
With a background at the well-known Chapitô Artschool in Lisbon, “Zélelé” promises to wander through the children’s world with his circus performances, a show highly recommended for kids and adults alike.
7.30pm – MUSIC – “Glória ou Morte Portimonense” presents “O Seu Grupo De Cantares”
22 Dec
7pm – THEATRE – “Uma Paródia De Natal” (“A Christmas Parody”) with Violin, Percussion and Cachamorada
Carla Domingos and Jorge Soares will give life to the puppets, also known as puppets of the cachamorrada. This Christmas parody is accompanied by João Feliz on violin and Tiago Feliz on percussion.
7.30pm – MUSIC – Cantata de Natal “Shine to the World”
For the Christmas spirit, enjoy a Christmas-themed concert performed by a group comprised of a saxophone, trumpet, violin and bass.
23 Dec
7pm – ILLUSIONISM – Paulo Cabrita Show
Illusionism Show with classic magic numbers for the whole family.
7.30pm – MUSIC – Senior University (Universidade Sénior) presents “Cante Alentejano”
Christmas Market
A Christmas market will be taking place every day at Jardim 1º de Dezembro in front of the TEMPO theatre, open from 5pm to 8pmon weekdays and 3pm and 8pm on weekends.
Santa’s House
Santa’s House will also be open to visits at Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes every day from 10am to 7pm, except for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when it will close earlier at 4pm.
Clube dos Veículos Clássicos do Barlavento invites everyone “for a fun-filled charity swim”
– December 19, 2022
Two charity swims are again taking place in Armação de Pêra this festive season, promising a fun-filled day and the opportunity to raise money for local families in need.
Join other brave swimmers on Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year’s Day, (January 1). Meet on the beach in front of the Holiday Inn Algarve Hotel at 11am.
The Clube dos Veículos Clássicos do Barlavento, which took over the initiative’s organisation from the Holiday Inn Algarve, say: “Join us for a fun-filled charity swim, have a dip in the ocean and help to raise money for local families in need. Bring your swimwear and a towel and go in for a swim – or just a paddle – as long as a part of you gets wet!
“Then recover in the Holiday Inn Hotel bar afterwards and enjoy a Hot Bomba on Christmas Day or a Hot Chocolate on New Year’s Day.”
On Christmas Day, organisers suggest participants wear a Santa suit, while on New Year’s Day you won’t even have to change to leave the house – just turn up in your pajamas!
Adults and children are all welcome to take part on the understanding that they do so at their own risk.
Bring a donation and help raise money to help families in need in the area. Funds will be passed to the Junta de Freguesia de Armação de Pêra. All types of donations offered, monetary or material, will be accepted.
Venturing on the Tapas Route or listening to international musicians is among the suggestions for the coming autumn in the Algarve
– September 7, 2022
Although the whirlwind of activity typical of this season in the Algarve is slowing down, there is still plenty to see and do in the area. Inside Carvoeiro offers some suggestions here.
Rota do Petisco with around 220 restaurants to explore across the region and three themed routes
Algarve gastronomic event Rota do Petisco is back to bring tapas-sized dishes, at accessible prices, to around 220 restaurants across the region. The event, which is being held between September 14 and October 16, celebrates the tradition of eating ‘petiscos’, small portions which give you an opportunity to try several different dishes for the price of a normal-sized dish. Rota do Petisco has grown year after year, being initially held only in Portimão but expanding to most of the Algarve’s municipalities.
Lagoa Hotel
This year, the event will take place in 11 boroughs: Aljezur, Vila do Bispo, Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Lagoa, Silves, Albufeira, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira.
Each establishment can either serve a ‘petisco’ (savoury dish) or a ‘doce regional’ (regional sweet), as well as a vegetarian option to attract even more visitors. Savoury dishes cost €3.50 whilst sweets cost €2.50 (each option includes a drink).
Within the event, there are three themed routes: ‘Rota dos Chefes’ (Chefs Route), ‘Rota do Mundo’ (World Route), and the new ‘Rota da Memória’ (Memory Route), which will challenge restaurants and eateries to recreate traditional dishes from the past.
Tradições (Monchique)
9th Lagoa International Guitar Festival welcomes national and international musicians across diferent locations to promote the local heritage
Between September 10 and October 1, Lagoa will once again set the stage for a programme filled with musical languages, interpreted by national and international musicians, in concerts that start at 6pm.
Aside from the musical spectacle, the festival aims to promote local heritage, showcasing public sites, monuments and infrastructures of the city.
“The event offers the opportunity to promote the municipality’s heritage. Therefore, the concerts take place in different areas, providing knowledge and contact with some of our most emblematic places,” said the Council. Local wineries Quinta dos Vales and Arvad and the Municipal Park Sítio das Fontes de Estômbar are amongst the venues selected for this year’s edition.
Tickets for each of the concerts cost 10 euros (20% off with cultural passport, Lagoa Social card or Rota do Petisco Passport 2021/22, available at the Lagoa municipality ticket offices) and are already on sale online and at CTT, FNAC, Worten, Auditório Carlos do Carmo, Centro Cultural Convento de S. José and the Balcão Único da Câmara Municipal de Lagoa.
Kasia Wrona and Fernando Lobo look beyond divisions in Silves
The Centro de Estudos Luso-Árabes de Silves (CELAS) is hosting an exhibition of paintings by Kasia Wrona and Fernando Lobo entitled Além da Divisãoat the Casa da Cultura Luso-Árabe e Mediterrânica, Largo da República, Silves, until the end of September. According to organisers, “although technically different, the two artists complement each other in the way they interpret the world and in their spiritual experiences”.
Polish-born Kasia Wrona graduated from the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts and has exhibited work in several countries and been awarded several prizes. Her work, whether in drawing, painting, graphic design or installations, reveals Arabic influences in its colours and themes, often referring to the work of the architect and artist Victor Borges as a source of inspiration. Since 2011 she is the co-founder of the Marina de Lagos Art Academy, where she teaches drawing.
Fernando Lobo was born in Faro but lived most of his life in Holland, where he acquired knowledge and experience in the graphic arts. He is an artist with an essentially abstract tendency, who has been spreading his creativity both in drawing and in the graphic arts, having his work exhibited in several European countries.
Algarve Classic Festival, the biggest classic car event in the Iberian Peninsula
A staple for car lovers and motorheads, the biggest classic car event in the Iberian Peninsula will return to the International Algarve Racetrack, from October 28 to 30.
The festival will host Classic Championships, which will attract the best cars and drivers of the speciality to AIA. “This is a unique event that celebrates all the success and elegance of historic cars. It is the perfect weekend for those who are in love with classic cars,” said organisers.
Aside from the action on the track, the soul of the festival is also well present in the paddock. This is because the public has access to the teams’ garages and can share their own passion for classics with the owners or drivers. They are usually extremely friendly and they soon start sharing stories about the achievements of their racing cars when they represented the pinnacle of motorsports.
Adding to the party, the classic car park is usually the stage for the most beautiful road cars, whose owners can sign up through their respective clubs to be able to drive two laps around the track.
Vila Vita Parc has teamed up with artist Tom Leamon to present a curated collection of exclusive paintings inspired by the design and atmosphere of Bela Vita Bar & Brasserie
– September 7, 2022
In the context of the resort’s 30th anniversary, this challenge to the English painter is in line with Vila Vita’s philosophy of being a platform for artists and promising projects in the Algarve or in the country.
The collection Chamber of Secrets consists of 20 individual paintings, which together function as a whole and pay tribute to Modernism and Avant-Garde artists such as Picasso, Miró and Kandinsky, with a strong symbolism and subtle references to our physical universe and the human condition. “This series aims to engage the viewer and invite them to dive into the depths of each painting, to discover a world of playful symbolism,” says the artist.
The creations of Tom Leamon, established in the Algarve for over six years, are an expression of freedom in a heavily conditioned world, exploring the symbolism of his surroundings in a series of mark-making techniques.
Part of the Art in the Parc events included in the 30th anniversary calendar, Chamber of Secrets can be enjoyed by diners at Bela Vita Bar & Brasserie until the end of the year.
The long-awaited return of Lagoa’s FATACIL begins this Friday 19th with daily concerts by some of the biggest names in Portuguese music, as well as Equestrian daily shows, entertainment and much more!
– August 19, 2022
The municipality of Lagoa is ready for the return of the Handicraft, Tourism, Agriculture, Commerce and Industry Fair (FATACIL) and has once again invested heavily in the equestrian sector “to attract visitors to the fair”, with organisers promising the “best edition ever”.
Economy minister António Costa Silva will attend the event’s opening ceremony on Friday at 7pm and make a speech at the fairground’s main entrance.
The last edition of FATACIL held in 2019 – the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic – was hailed by the local council at the time as the best ever in its 40-year history, having attracted over 195,000 people, a 10% increase compared to 2018.
FATACIL, which has established itself as “an internationally-renowned equestrian fair”, will present an extensive programme with a headlining act from Spain with equestrian showman Paco Martos. There will be a daily performance by Polish act La Pattat Stunt Show, as well as displays with several national champions, an Olympic duo, and many more.
Daily concerts by the biggest names in Portuguese music and the Gipsy Kings
FATACIL is renowned for its concerts with some of the biggest names in Portuguese music, and this year is no different: Expensive Soul, João Pedro Pais, Quim Barreiros, Bárbara Bandeira, Resistência, Tony Carreira, and Gipsy Kings from Spain, are the headliners that will take the main stage.
Entertainment in the restaurant area will include DJ sets, fado moments, folkloric groups and popular music, and lots of typical Portuguese food, such as bifanas.
The long list of entertainment is accompanied by dozens of stalls, showcasing businesses from a wide range of sectors as well as craftspeople, who sometimes perform their craft live for visitors to see up close. There will also be plenty of traditional food and drinks to enjoy.
Main stage
August 19 – Expensive Soul
August 20 – Gipsy Kings by Diego Baliardo
August 21 – João Pedro Pais
August 22 – PROFJAM
August 23 – Quim Barreiros
August 24 – Plutónio
August 25 – Bárbara Bandeira
August 26 – Resistência
August 27 – Fernando Daniel
August 28 – Tony Carreira
Lagoa Stage (Restaurant area)
August 19
6pm-7pm– Sunset DJ Alexandre Ramos Feat Luís Raposo (sax)
7pm-10pm – Folkloric Ranch from Calvário and Faro
August 20
6pm-7pm – Sunset DJ Alexandre Ramos Feat Luís Raposo (sax)
7pm-10pm – Brasa Doirada
August 21
7pm-10pm – Xico Barata
August 22
7pm-10pm – 5EX Band
August 23
7pm-10pm – 1001 noites of accordion with accordionist Luís Mira
August 24
7pm-10pm – Beto Kalulu Band
August 25
7pm-10pm – Fado with Pedro Viola & Adriana Marques
August 26
6pm-7pm – Sunset DJ Alexandre Ramos Feat Luís Raposo (sax)
19h00-22h00 – US2
August 27
6pm-7pm – Sunset DJ Alexandre Ramos Feat Luís Raposo (sax)
7pm-10pm – Ricardo Sousa
August 28
7pm-10pm – Sounds of Gadanha and Group Cantares Fonte Nova de Estômbar
Equestrian Programme:
August 20 (Saturday) | 21:20 – Equestrian opening show
August 21 (Sunday) | 18:00 – Working Equitation – Teaching trial
August 22 (Monday)
18:00 – Ease of Handling trial
21:30 – Speed trial
August 23 (Tuesday) | 21:00 – Inauguration of the Fernando Oliveira arena, by Bruno Cavalinhos
August 24 (Wednesday) | 21:30 – Cavalgarve Equestrian Show, with Paco Martos (Spain) and Portuguese riders
August 25 (Thursday) | 21:30 – Iberian Night with Spanish Doma Vaquera champion, RafaelArcos, Portuguese champion of working equestrianism, Miguel da Fonseca and Portuguese Dressage champion, Manuel Veiga
August 26 (Friday) | 21:00 – Masterclass with the Olympic duo João Torrão and Coralie Baldrey
August 26 (Saturday):
18:00 – Portuguese Riding Event
21:30 – Cavalgarve Show
August 28 (Sunday) | 21:30 – Cavalgarve Show
Tickets are already on sale with daily tickets costing 4€, daily family tickets 14€, and the 10-day pass 25€. Children up to 12 years of age (inclusive) do not pay entry upon presentation of the Citizen Card.
Tickets can be purchased at Fnac and Worten, online on BOL, at the Centro Cultural Convento de São José, the Balcão Único (in Lagoa) and at the entrance of the fair.
The long-awaited Medieval Fair returns with over 100 exhibitors from all over the world, Medieval tournaments and taverns, and entertainment for the whole family
– August 8, 2022
Due to take place between August 10 and 20, the event will allow visitors to experience “A Day In History” – in other words, what life was like when Silves and the Algarve were ruled by the Moors.
The town will be decorated to look (almost) like it did in the Middle Ages while over 100 exhibitorsfrom all over the world will set up shop along its streets.
There will be the usual Medieval tournaments at the Al-Mut’amid square (sessions at 8pm and 10.30pm) and shows (‘Oriental Nights’ at the Silves Castle starting at 10.30pm), live music performances, street entertainment, Medieval taverns serving food and drinks, a play area for children (Xilb dos Pequenos) and a Berbers camp with blacksmiths, carpenters, potters and vendors selling all sorts of exotic products.
For those looking to immerse themselves completely, there will be two areas where visitors can dress up for the event.
“These will be 11 days that you will not want to miss in a unique environment,” the local council says.
Tickets:
1 Day: 2€per person (free for children below 1,30cm)
Group of 5 people: 8€
Medieval Tournaments only (Games of War): 5€ per person
Medieval Tournaments (Games of War) + Fair entry: 6€ per person
Medieval outfits: 3€per person (adults), 2€ per person (children)
‘Oriental Nights’ shows: 5€per person
‘Oriental Nights’ shows + Fair entry: 6€ per person
Enjoy the Summer sunsets at the top of Silves Castle with live music, great food, dance performances and even fire shows
– July 12, 2022
Sunset Secrets returns to Silves for yet another Summer edition. A series of sunset events will be held every Thursday at Silves Castle until August 4.
These sunset parties take place between 6.30pm (admission is allowed until 9.30pm) and 11pm and feature everything from live music to “relaxing massages”, dance performances and even live fire shows.
Local food and wine are also promoted at the event, with Silves’ wines and oranges taking centre stage.
Musical Programme
Five sessions are planned this year, with a different musical guest each evening – Quinteto Ana Alves (July 14), Silk Road (July 21), Terra Sul – Vítor Bacalhau & Ricardo Martins (July 28) and Electric Eye (August 4).
Tickets cost €5 per show and can be purchased online at Bol Silves,Fnac, Worten, El Corte Inglés, CTT Correios, Pousadas da Juventude or Serveasy kiosks. They can also be purchased at the castle on the day of the event.
For local residents, the cost is €2 if they purchase their ticket on the day of the event and show proof of residence. Admission is free for children aged 12 and under.
Organisers also note that the event will be filmed and photographed for marketing purposes.
Internationally acclaimed Lagoa Jazz Fest returns to Estômbar this July
– July 1, 2022
The intimistic Lagoa Jazz Festival returns once again to Estômbar for a set of jazz performances in a unique place, Sítio das Fontes, in Estômbar (part of Lagoa’s borough).
For the past 16 editions, the Lagoa Jazz Festival has had positive critics from the press and national and international artists.
The festival will feature a lounge space, street food and an art exhibition by the artist Margarida Freire “Legends on Canvas”.
Doors will open at 7pm and the main concerts will start at 10pm.
Lagoa Jazz Fest’22 Lineup
July 1
VEIN Trio (CHE)
with Michael Arbenz (piano), Thomas Lähns (double bass), Florian Arbenz (drums)
Desidério Lázaro’s Fourtet (PT)
with Desidério Lázaro (saxophones), Mário Delgado (electric guitar), Cícero Lee (electric bass), Carlos Miguel (drums)
July 2
Motion Trio (POL) with Janusz Wojtarowicz (accordion), Pawel Baranek (accordion), Marcin Galazyn (accordion)
July 3
Jose Luis Kaele Trio (SPA) with Jose Luis Kaele (piano), Cesar Diez (double bass), Diego Martin (drums)
Antonio Lizana Quintet (SPA) with António Lizana (saxophones and voice), Daniel Garcia Diego (acoustic piano/keyboards and back vocals), Jesús Caparrós (electric bass), Shayan Fathi (drums/percussions), Mawi de Cádiz (dance and back vocals)
The lounge area will showcase the following performances:
July 1 – “Road 31” Ana Rodrigues (voice) and Pablo Banazol (guitar and voice)
July 2 – Tércio Nanook (guitar/voice and percussion)
July 3 – Carlos Santos (piano) e Matt Lester (saxophone/clarinet)
Additional information
How to get to the Festival? Once in Estômbar (Lagoa’s borough), follow the GPS to the location of Fontes de Estômbar (Google Maps).
Praia da Rocha beach in Portimão will take centre stage this weekend with the coming American Festival ‘Secret Project’, featuring some of the most renowned dance-music artists in the world
– June 15, 2022
The Algarve is entering summer in full swing, promising a set of different events for everyone. While Carvoeiro will be hosting the Black and White Summer Party, Portimão is preparing for its own beach party – the Secret Project -, an American festival featuring some of the most renowned dance-music artists in the world, which will be held for the first time in Praia da Rocha beach between Friday and Sunday (June 17-19).
The event will feature “heavy-hitters and globally renowned DJs from the dance music world” such as the techno titans Adam Beyer, Charlotte de Witte, Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin and Maceo Plex, alongside a wealth of drum and bass superstars: Chase & Status, Andy C, Shy FX, Sub Focus, and Dillinja to name just a few.
The artists will be performing on the sands of Praia da Rocha across three stages, from 4pm until late every day.
Tickets are still available and range from €69.50 for a single-day pass to €189 for a three-day pass and €229 for a three-day VIP pass and can be purchased onlinehere.
Follow Secret Project‘s Instagram for up-to-date information about the event.
Carvoeiro Black and White Summer Party returns for another memorable night in the Algarve
– June 15, 2022
The Carvoeiro Black and White Night party is returning this Saturday (June 18) from 8.30pm and 3am after being cancelled for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Known as the event that marks the start of the Algarve’s summer agenda, the party is expected to attract over 30,000 people to the small town’s streets.
Live music, DJ sets and street entertainment are aplenty during the event, which begins at 8.30pm and runs late into the night.
Visitors are highly encouraged to dress in black and white in line with the town’s streets which are also stylishly decorated.
To avoid large bottlenecks and parking issues near the small town, Lagoa Council is calling on revellers to use the free bus linking Carvoeiro to parking areas near Fatacil, Apolónia, Aldi, Intermarché and Gramital (car park near Aldi) between 6pm and 4am.
“After the great success of the Lagoa Wine Show, which took place last weekend, we are truly committed to making this edition of Carvoeiro Black & White the best ever,” said Lagoa Mayor Luís Encarnação.
“We expect large crowds and are working arduously so that everyone has fun with the arrival of summer 2022,” he added.
Vila Vita Parc Resort is hosting two events dedicated to Portuguese music and Algarve gastronomy
– June 9, 2022
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa will be hosting two memorable events as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations. This June 12 (Sunday), the spotlight is on Portuguese music with the performance of well-known Portuguese singer Bárbara Tinoco, and, on June 13, gastronomy takes centre stage with some of the most important chefs in the Algarve highlighting the best of what the region has to offer.
Art in the Parc, with renowned Portuguese singer Bárbara Tinoco – June 12, 7pm
Singer Bárbara Tinoco, one of Portugal’s most influential artists, will be performing an “intimate and authentic musical experience” in the resort’s Piazzeta, after a delicious traditional Portuguese dinner at the Adega Restaurant.
This concert sets the tone for the next series of Art in the Parc concerts featuring nationally renowned artists, which will take place during the summer months at Vila Vita.
The dinner and concert cost €85 per person (drinks not included) and starts at 7pm. Advance bookings are recommended as seats are limited (+351 282 310 100 or fb@vilavitaparc.com)
Gastronomic Event “Passionate about the Algarve” – June 13, 7pm
In a tribute to the Algarve region, Vila Vita Parc gathered some of the Algarve’s top chefs for an evening that will put local gastronomy at the forefront. Chefs João Marreiros (Loki), João Oliveira (Vista), Louis Anjos (Al–Sud), Luís Brito (A Ver Tavira), Noélia Jerónimo (Noélia & Jerónimo) and Rui Silvestre (Vistas) will combine their culinary repertoire in a series of delicious dishes for a unique dinner, which also features local wine producers: João Clara, Morgado do Quintão and Paxá.
The dinner will be held at the Adega restaurant from 7pm. Cost is €190 per person. For advance bookings, contact +351 282 310 100 or fb@vilavitaparc.com.
Lagoa Wine Show returns after a two-year break to bring four memorable nights of wine tastings, gastronomic shows and concerts to the Algarve region
– June 9, 2022
After a two year break, Lagoa Wine Show, “one of the most popular wine shows in the south of Portugal”, will return once again, between June 9 and 12, to celebrate the town’s winemaking history and showcase the high-quality wines currently produced in the Algarve.
As organisers say, the event is returning for four nights of “good wine, Algarve gastronomy and the best music”.
The event, free to attend, will take place in the “heart of Lagoa” at Rua Coronel Figueiredo, between 7pm and midnight, and will feature wine tastings, gastronomic events and a daily cooking show featuring a different chef using regional products to prepare mouth-watering dishes.
The Lagoa Wine Show attracts winemakers from all over Portugal, but places special focus on the wines produced in the Algarve.
“The Algarve region is in a phase of increasing notoriety in the wine world, garnering the attention of national and international critics and experts, and earning recognition through several accolades received in wine contests in Portugal and abroad,” says the local council.
The municipalities of Lagoa, Albufeira, Lagos and Silves have even launched a joint bid to be named European City of Wine in 2023. The bid, entitled ‘Algarve Golden Terroir’, will be promoted at the Lagoa Wine Show.
But the event is not just about wine as a line-up of talented musicians are due to perform, including Fado singers Sara Correia (June 9), Luís Trigacheiro (June 10), and Ana Moura (June 12), as well as Flamenco group Sangre Ibérico (June 11).
The wine show will also feature the return of ‘Fado à Janela’, an initiative which sees singers and musicians walking along the town’s streets, stopping to perform at restaurants and even at people’s balconies.
“The 2022 edition of the Lagoa Wine Show is truly special for the people of Lagoa,” says Lagoa Mayor Luís Encarnação.
“This is the first anchor event we organise after a two-year break, thus expectations are high,” added the mayor, inviting everyone to visit “this great show promoting the best wines of the region”.
First session of Lagoa Wine Experiences 2022 will happen this weekend
– May 27, 2022
Lagoa Wine Experiences, an event held for the first time in 2021 which opened the doors of local wine estates to wine lovers, is returning this year with its first session taking place on Saturday, May 28, between 10.30am and 6pm.
Tickets cost €45 per person and include the wine tasting experiences, lunch and transport. They can be purchased online at www.ticketline.sapo.pt or at Lagoa’s usual outlets (Carlos do Carmo auditorium, São José convent and Balcão Único).
Says the local council, which organises the event, the 2022 edition has been improved and includes “more winemakers, more sessions, and many novelties”.
Last year, the council said that public interest in the event was “massive with demand strongly outweighing availability”. A total of 223 people took part in the six sessions, which were held at Quinta dos Santos, Única – Adega Cooperativa do Algarve, Morgado do Quintão, Quinta da Palmeirinha, Dona Niza Wines, Arvad Wines, Monte de Salicos and Quinta dos Vales.
The competition precedes the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup due to happen on May 27, 28 and 29 at the Portimão Arena
– May 24, 2022
The 29th edition of the Portimão International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournamentstarted this Tuesday at the Portimão Arena, preceding the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup, which will take place this weekend, May 27 to 29, and offers the opportunity for younger gymnasts to compete in the same arena as the sport’s elite.
Today’s competition features 70 junior and 31 senior gymnasts, representing 19 countries, including Israel, Bulgaria, the USA, Romania, Germany and Hungary.
Tomorrow, May 25, the day will begin with the clubs and ribbons show by the senior gymnasts, followed by the protocol ceremonies. The Finals will start later, with organisers expecting “a tight competition with high levels of difficulty and beauty”.
The awards ceremony will mark the end of the 29th edition of the Portimão International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament.
As for the gymnasts, the presence of the Hungarian gymnastFanni Pigniczki is eagerly awaited, as she was present at the Tokyo Olympics. Olympic champion Linoy Ashram will also be present, not competing herself but as the coach of the Israeli team.
As for the Portuguese delegation, we have gymnasts Lara Silva, Elisabete Seletcaia, Beatriz Veraeghe, Madalena Lages, Matilde Castro and Sofia Amorim at the senior level, and Carolina Freitas, Maria LeonorBaptista, Oleksandra Huzak, Sofia Banakh, Anamar Couto, Joana Ferreira, Mafalda Santos, Bruna Tavares and Carlota Araújo in the junior level, with the vast majority taking their first steps in the top international competitions.
The Lagos event is expected to attract strong interest with three well-established local businesses having joined forces with the organisers and event partners.
Drª Maria Alice Pestana, representing Luzdoc and Medilagos, will be speaking on healthcare issues for foreign residents, adding another dimension to the event.
The property side of this event will be in the hands of one of Lagos’ leading names in real estate and tourism, Casas do Barlavento, with CEO and founder Luís Ledo giving a presentation on the local property market.
Helping to promote the event at a local level is Lagos-based community magazine Tomorrow Algarve.
Visitors to the seminar events can expect to come away with a wealth of useful information on all aspects of living in the Algarve. Between them, the panel of speakers has vast hands-on knowledge covering all aspects of Algarve life and, at the end of the presentations, an informal Q&A session is held, after which guests can enjoy tasting some local wines and meeting representatives from the various companies.
Two identical seminar sessions are held at 11am and 3pm and attendanceis free of charge requiring pre-registrationonline.
What you can expect to learn from the next seminar session:
Practical information about living in the Algarve
How Portuguese taxation can effect you as a foreign resident
Information about residency (especially for UK and other non-EU nationals)
How the Non Habitual Residency tax scheme works
Legal aspects about buying a property
Healthcare advice
Information on the property market
The above are just a few of the subjects to be covered. FollowLiving in the Algarve on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest news and future events.
First LITA event, Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel, April 14th 2022
Lagoa Swimrun will take place throughout the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
– May 3, 2022
On May 8, Swimrun Portugal is returning to the Algarve for its second year, this time in Lagoa, kickstarting the sports season.
The global phenomenon of Swimrun already counts more than 700 races in various European countries, with more than 8,000 “finishers”. The sport started in Sweden in 2006 with the “Otillo” race (meaning Island to Island), which started off as a bet between friends who embraced the challenge of racing between the islands of Stockholm’s archipelago, swimming between them in a total distance of 75km, including 10km in open waters.
Portugal soon caught up with the new sport along with other countries around the world, and in June 2017 hosted the “Arrábida Swimrun” – the first Swimrun competition in Portugal, where more than 200 athletesparticipated.
Lagoa Swimrun will have a standard distance of around 27km, starting at the Ermida da Senhora da Rocha, and a Sprint distance of around 12km, starting in Carvoeiro. Both will end in Ferragudo.
The following formats are available for anyone interested in participating:
– Team participation (duos), which accounts for the Swimrun National Circuit qualifications
– Individual participation.
The Sprint distance is solely for individual participation.
For those interested in participating, visit Swimrun Portugal‘s website.
Algarve is preparing for an exciting weekend at the Algarve International Racetrack
– April 19, 2022
Portimão will host the awaited MotoGP race this April 22 and 24, at the Algarve International Racetrack, and fans will have the opportunity to welcome the Portuguese MotoGP star Miguel Oliveira this Wednesday at the pre-event. The event, part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Championship, dates back to its first race in 1987.
Miguel Oliveira
According to MotoGP, Tissot and Dorna Sports announced “Tissot as the title sponsor for the 2022 Grand Prix of Portugal” as the event will be officially named the Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal” (Tissot Grand Prix of Portugal).
Meanwhile, the KTM Factory Racing announced on Instagram that Miguel Oliveira will give fans the opportunity to join a special pre-event and convoy ahead of the Portuguese GP next Wednesday, April 20, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. According to the announcement, Oliveira will welcome the public on stage at the Zona Ribeirinha in Portimão (near the river), and afterwards, he will lead the group of fans on their motorbikes with his RC16 to the Algarve International Racetrack.
Expect a weekend full of emotions for this memorable event of the MotoGP race at the Algarve International Racetrack which has a capacity of 100,000 spectators.
Visitors interested to know more about residency, taxation, property, living and moving to the Algarve, can book their free seats byvisiting: www.livinginthealgarve.pt
The event is planned primarily to attract visitors who may be considering either moving here or buying a home with the goal of living here, along with local foreign residents who may wish to learn more about various aspects of living in the region.
There will be two identical seminar sessions held at 11am and 3pm, with some seats still available for the afternoon session.
“This is a project that has been on the back-burner for us during the Covid pandemic,” said Open Media’s CEO Bruce Hawker. “We had all five venues booked for our 2020 events and had to cancel everything at the last minute when Covid hit. But we are thrilled to finally be ready to stage our first event and, together with our event partners, we look forward to helping many foreign nationals learn more about living here.”
The annual Folar Fair will showcase the sweet and delicious folar cake, local food & drinks and also performances by choir groups, dances, exhibitions, concerts and more
– April 12, 2022
The small town São Marcos da Serra, in Silves, will host the annual event ‘Folar Fair’ (Feira do Folar) in honour of the sweet and delicious Easter cake, for which the town is so famous, which is made of cinnamon and fennel and decorated with a boiled egg.
The Folar Fair (Feira do Folar) will take place at São Marcos da Serra, between April 15 and 17 and will also feature a variety of different takes on the traditional recipe as well as local sweets and liqueurs such as the iconic ‘Medronho’.
The goal is to “promote the borough’s inland and popular culture, namely the parish of São Marcos da Serra”.
Also planned are concerts, religious celebrations, performances by choir groups, dances, traditional games, an exhibition focusing on the Algarvensis Geopark – which brings together Loulé, Silves and Albufeira – and a variety of street entertainment.
The fair begins at 11am and runs until 8pm on April 16 and 17 and 8.30pm on April 18. Admission is free.
Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre features an Easter Concerto by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra this April 16
– April 11, 2022
This April 16, enjoy an Easter Concert by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfónica do Algarve), taking place at the Portimão’s TEMPO theatre at 7pm. The Algarve Symphonic Orchestra is a recent project, whose debut concert took place in October 2021.
The concert’s programme will be focusing on various themes and composers, featuring compositions from the French Bizet to the German Mendelssohn, through the Mexican Arturo Márquez and the Argentine Alberto Ginastera, presenting a rich and eclectic program directed by Maestro Armando Mota featuring the violinist soloist João Pedro Cunha.
Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased here (https://tempo.bol.pt).
The events are planned primarily to attract visitors to the Algarve who may be considering either moving here or buying a home with a view to living here, along with local foreign residents who may wish to learn more about various aspects of living in the region.
Expert speakers will be on hand at this first event, such as Gavin Scott, senior partner of Blevins Franks in Portugal, who will be talking about tax issues affecting expats living here with a focus on the NHR (non-habitual residence scheme).
Shelley Wren and Gavin Scott
From the Sovereign Group, head of business development for Portugal, Shelley Wren will be talking about residency for Brits and other non-EU nationals, providing expert advice on options such as the D7 and the Golden Visa.
Pedro Rosado and Michael Reeve
The event will also include a presentation from prominent Algarve lawyer Prof. Dr. Pedro Rosado of Rosado Advogados who will talk about the legal aspects surrounding property ownership, and from Michael Reeve, CEO of AFPOP, the association of foreign property owners in Portugal.
The seminar will be hosted and moderated by Open Media’s CEO Bruce Hawker who himself has lived in the Algarve for over 40 years
Open Media’s CEO Bruce Hawker
There will be two identical seminar sessions held at 11am and 3pm with plenty of time before and after each session for guests to meet the speakers and members of their teams.
This first event will be followed by more Living in the Algarve seminars to be held at different venues soon to be announced along the Algarve, with five events planned per year.
“This is a project that has been on the back-burner for us during the Covid pandemic,” said Bruce Hawker. “We had all five venues booked for our 2020 events and had to cancel everything at the last minute when Covid hit. But we are thrilled to finally be ready to stage our first event and, together with our event partners, we look forward to helping many foreign nationals learn more about living here.”
Admittance is free of charge, but visitors need to register and book seminar seats by visiting www.livinginthealgarve.pt
The International Dance Festival happens this Saturday, March 26 at the Portimão Arena
– March 25, 2022
Academia Dança Mais will once again hold the Portimão International Dance Festival in partnership with Portugal Dance Academy and this year, included in the March Jovem programme.
This event will bring to the city of Portimão dancers, teachers and juries from north to south of the country, with the presence of several international names in all these spheres.
The event, which up until now has been exclusively for Ballroom Dancing, will now feature competitions in other styles, including Urban, Contemporary, Modern Dance and others.
The qualifications will be up until 2.00 pm and the Finals until 8.00 pm.
The venue will also provide with social gathering places, cafeteria service and several options of snacks and hot dishes.
Tickets start at €5 and can be purchased at Academia Dança Mais, Museu de Portimão and Portimão Arena.
The Algarve has been selected to host the first-ever World Trailer Awards at the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura hotel on February 26
– February 24, 2022
“This will be a big international event where some of the biggest names in the industry will be joining us and putting the Algarve on moviemakers’ map,” says Spy Manor Productions, which will host the event.
Spy Manor adds that organisers have managed to secure some “very big names in the industry as judges and media partners, so it’s going to get a lot of international coverage”.
Spy Manor Productions creates Luxury Houses inspired by Hollywood blockbusters
Sky Base One
“The event will be streamed and will promote the Algarve as a hot location for the industry. As with everything we do, our goal is to put the Algarve on the map as a versatile, accessible, and welcoming filming location,” the production company says.
The World Trailer Awards were launched as an international edition of The Golden Trailers award show and aim to “honour outstanding marketing excellence in 32 categories across cinema, television, gaming, podcasting & radio, streaming and social media” in seven global regions: Africa, Asia, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East & North Africa and North America.
“With the dramatic increase in global connectivity and game-changing technologies, creators and storytellers, inventors and entrepreneurs are redefining content creation and audiences at staggering speeds,” organisers say.
“The work of the entertainment marketers to discover and deliver audiences has never been more challenging or important than it is today. World markets, new entertainment properties, and platforms all require compelling marketing strategies and creativity for success and with them a new forum for worldwide professional recognition,” they add.
In other words, the goal was to create “a new global competition offering unique opportunities for marketers and creatives to have their work seen by a global professional audience”.
Organisers stress that the structure and submission process ensures a leveled playing field and equal opportunity for all. Marketing professionals from around the world will review and score the submissions, ensuring that each entry is competing fairly for recognition as outstanding in their region and then in the World Trailer Awards finals.
Announcing winners
Winners for the inaugural World Trailer Awards 2022 will be announced on February 26 at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura followed by a virtual broadcast on February 27 on Deadline.com
‘Light of the Senses’, a photography exhibition by Ralph Torgardh, will be unveiled on February 24, at 4pm, at the Manuela Vale Gallery of Lagoa’s Mestre Fernando Rodrigues Art School where it will remain on display until April 21.
“Light is very important when photographing, if not the most important (aspect),” says the Swedish photographer, who retired eight years ago and has been living in Portugal with his wife Agneta for six years.
“When you catch the right light, it gives you a feeling, touches your senses. In this exhibition, I’ve chosen to show you the theme in black and white, with the special light. The pictures are relatively dark, perhaps you are not sure what you see, but with the light in the picture, it might open your senses. You decide what you see. It is the ‘light of the senses’,” Torgardh adds.
The exhibition features everything from photos of Lisbon, London, and birdlife, as well as the photographer’s first foray into macro photography.
Ralph Torgardh will also be presenting landscape photography – which he describes as being among his biggest interests – from the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
“I’m very grateful to Escola de Artes for letting me have this exhibition,” says Torgardh, adding that this will be his third exhibition at the school.
“I hope my photos will attract you, giving you a feeling of what I felt photographing them,” he adds.
The exhibition will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm and 2.30pm and 5pm, from Monday to Friday. Admission is free.
This February 18-20, enjoy the famous Orange Festival in Silves
– February 10, 2022
Silves is gearing up to host its annual orange festival ‘Mostra Silves – Capital da Laranja’ which aims to promote the delicious taste and juiciness of its locally-grown oranges.
Taking place between February 18 and 20, the festival will start at 10am every day, at Silve’s Park, near the river. The event will bring together local farmers and producers of orange-based products who will showcase all the different ways that the oranges can be used for mouthwatering creations, from a simple glass of juice to sweets and liqueurs. The event will also feature live music, with a performance by iconic Portuguese artist Jorge Palma on February 19, and the entrance is free.
The festival will have stands selling not only locally produced goods connected to the citrus production, but also local vine, regional products, local sweets, handicrafts, food stands, and also stands featuring local initiatives.
The full programme (in Portuguese) can be seen here.
For more information, contact capitaldalaranja@cm-silves.pt or +351 282 440 800
Team Brit, a competitive motor racing team consisting of disabled drivers, is travelling to the Algarve for a winter testing event for its new McLaren 570S GT4 race car for the British GT Championship
– February 10, 2022
The team will be in the Algarve for a week, but the tests will be held at the Algarve International Racetrack in Portimão between Thursday, February 10 and Saturday,February 12.
The car will be driven by Aaron Morgan and Bobby Trundley in the British GT Championship this year.
“Successfully completing the championship puts our team just one step away from being eligible to apply for 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is our goal to become the first ever all-disabled team to race in the iconic event,” the team says.
Aaron Morgan is a paraplegic who broke his back in a motocross accident when he was 15. He uses the team’s “world-leading hand controls which enable him to compete against able-bodied drivers”.
Bobby Trundley was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of four and has “excelled in racing since the age of 10 when he discovered that karting had a hugely positive impact on the way he manages the conditions”.
He now calls his autism his “superpower” and is the highest-ranked autistic racing driver in the world.
Bobby and Aaron will be the only two drivers at testing, supported by Team Brit’s crew under the leadership of Engineering Director Al Locke.
“Preparation is key to a successful championship campaign, so we test as much as possible before the start of the season to get the driver and crew up to speed with the handling and setup of the car,” Al Locke told the Resident.
Portimão is the perfect place to replicate weather conditions for April’s British GT Championship race
“Ideally, we’d be testing on the tracks we’ll be racing at, in the weather conditions in which we’ll be racing. In the UK, this is not possible in the lead up to the start of the season due to the weather. Portimão in February is a good likeness to the inclement weather in the UK around the start of the season in April, so it provides us with a good opportunity to replicate the track temperature, air temperature, humidity, etc. that we’ll experience when we get to the first race event,” he added.
Locke also had many good things to say about the region’s international racetrack, which he described as a “phenomenal complex”.
“It’s a modern, fast circuit with excellent pit facilities. The circuit is easily accessible from Faro airport, and is close to the sea and the city attractions of Portimão, so it works well for accommodation and hospitality too.”
Visit www.teambrit.co.uk to learn more about the team and how it aims to inspire people with disabilities, PTSD and mental health issues, by demonstrating what can be achieved through motorsport.
Lagos and Lagoa welcome Shadow Puppet rendition of “The Epic of Gilgamesh”, one of the oldest written stories on the planet
– February 10, 2022
A shadow puppetry rendition of ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, one of the oldest written stories on the planet, will take place in Lagos (February 18-19) at the local cultural centre’s auditorium and in Lagoa (February 20-21) at the Carlos do Carmo auditorium, starting at 4pm.
The show is being brought to life by Questão Repetida and Artis XXI and will use the art of shadow play to bring the story to life.
Say organisers, “the show will follow the misadventures of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian hero who could defeat any enemy in battle and even lift mountains.
“Legend has it that Gilgamesh was part god, part human. When Gilgamesh, due to his loneliness, starts to mistreat the Uruk people, the gods decide to intervene by sending him a challenge: Enkidu, the wild man. Enkidu and Gilgamesh fight, but as neither of them can defeat the other, something surprising happens. And this is where the adventures begin,” they add.
The show is described as an “original idea” by Ana Falé who is also the artistic director and narrator, while Elsa Santos Mathei oversees the music direction. The puppeteer is Jorge Soares and the music will be performed live by Ensemble Armilar. Algarve composer João Pacheco also helped with the writing of the musical pieces.
Tickets cost €6 and can be purchased at www.ticketline.sapo.pt. Admission is freefor under-18. The first show in Lagos (February 18) and last show in Lagoa (February 21) will be open exclusively to schools.
Vila Vita Parc will celebrate it’s 30th anniversary with 30 weeks and 30 events, from gastronomy to art and wellness
– February 4, 2022
Vila Vita Parc Resort in Porches will celebrate its 30thanniversary this year throughout “30weeks filled with 30 exceptional events” spanning the worlds of art, culture,gastronomy, wellness and lifestyle.
According to the resort, this anniversary represents an “important milestone for the brand” following 30 years of “precious moments, memories and experiences in the art of hospitality.”
“Since 1992, when VILA VITA first opened its doors, the resort has blossomed into a world leading destination that is now a magnet for globetrotters and gourmet lovers from around the world; travellers who are looking for exceptional, authentic cuisine, vibrant interiors, local community experiences to really explore the region, and to simply enjoy Portuguese hospitality at its most welcoming,” says the five-star resort.
The 30th anniversary festivities will take place between April and November and will celebrate the hotel’s “continuing innovation and creative vision, qualities that have seen VILA VITA Parc transform over the past three decades into a highly respected, leading voice on the global luxury travel stage.”
Foodies will have a lot to look forward to, as Vila Vita is planning a series of themed fine-dining dinners and events called ‘Reach for the Stars’, which will bring together a “unique constellation” of Michelin stars and renowned chefs from Portugal and all over the world.
There will be three editions of the event – Portugal, World and Asia
The Portuguese edition will feature leading Portuguese chefs with two Michelin stars who will be “cooking up a storm” at Ocean Restaurant with chef Hans Neuner.
Hans Neuner
The World edition promises to delight “discerning gourmands” as 10 renowned chefs from around the world with three Michelin stars will team up with top wine producers at Vila Vita Parc’s Clubhouse for a “memorable evening of sumptuous cuisine, an eclectic ambiance and world-class wines.”
For Asian food lovers, the Asia edition will see four international chefs specialising in Asian cuisine taking over the kitchen at the resort’s Mizu Teppanyakirestaurant on four different dates.
But these will not be the only gastronomic events taking place. ‘La Bela France’ will bring three renowned French chefs to the resort to create a “fabulous feast” at the Bela Vista restaurant on three different evenings.
Lastly, some of the Algarve’s best chefs will be “combining their culinary repertoire into a series of delightful dishes for dinner” at Adega. ‘Passionate About Algarve’ will also bring reputed wine producers from the region together with the chefs alongside live entertainment.
V Club
It’s not all about food though. The resort is also planning to launch the Vila Vita Social Club, a series of events focusing on “bars and mixology” taking place over the course of the 30 weeks. V Club, the hotel’s new nightclub, is also due to launch on July 7, and the start of summer will be celebrated with a ‘Summer Pink Pool Party’ where “everything will be pink head to toe, including the pool water, drinks and décor”.
Another highlight promises to be the ‘Art in the Parc’ initiative – a series of events taking place in the hotel’s gardens featuring concerts (Fado, Classical and Jazz),art exhibitions and local arts and crafts displays.
As Vila Vita Parc is also known for being a “leading spa and wellness resort”, it will also host a number of “visiting practitioners, motivational guest speakers, and a tennis academy with former world-famous players.”
The resort promises to offer further details, including the finalised programme and dates, in due course.
The Algarve Wind Orchestra and Singer Sofia Escobar will perform in Lagoa’s Auditorium this Saturday at 7pm
– February 2, 2022
Sofia Escobar – a Portuguese actress and singer who has become a starring member of West End musicals in London – will perform alongside the Algarve Wind Orchestra (Orquestrade Sopros do Algarve) at Lagoa’s Carlos do Carmo auditorium on Saturday, February 5 at 7pm.
The orchestra will be led by maestro João Rocha and will interpret Jorge Salgueiro’s second Symphony ‘Mare Nostrum’.
The symphony is inspired by the Portuguese Discoveries and follows the “Portuguese symphonic tradition that started with the symphonies of Luís de Freitas Branco and continued with Joly Braga Santos which features a narrative with four tempos: Vocatorius, Sirenis, De Profundis, and Adventus.”
Tickets cost €10 and can be purchased online at www.ticketline.sapo.pt or at Fnac, Worten and the ticket offices at the auditorium and Lagoa’s Balcão Único. A 20% discount is available for holders of Lagoa’s cultural passport, social card and the Rota do Petisco 2021 passport.
One of the main cycling events of the season, “Volta ao Algarve” returns February 16 for its 48th edition
– January 19, 2021
Organisers have announced that the Volta ao Algarve, one of the region’s biggest sporting events, will return for its 48th edition next month with an almost completely new route.
The first stage will begin in Portimão on February 16, where the teams will be presented to the public and where cyclists will begin what they hope will be a successful competition. A nearly 200km stage awaits them, ending in Lagos.
Second Stage: Albufeira to Monchique
Albufeira will host the start of the second stage, a 182.4 kilometre journey which will see cyclists testing their limits to reach the highest peak in the Algarve – Fóia in Monchique.
But to get to Fóia, cyclists will have to compete along a different route. Instead of approaching the peak from Pomba, they will have to overcome the challenge of reaching Picota first.
Third Stage: Almodôvar to Faro
The third stage is the longest, challenging cyclists with a 209.1 kilometreroute starting in Almodôvar in the Alentejo and ending in Faro.
Fourth Stage: Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira
But what is being described as the “biggest novelty” for this year’s edition is the time trial, which will be the longest in recent years (32.2kms). The time trial will take place between Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira and will mark the return of the Volta ao Algarve to VRSA, which hasn’t hosted a stage since 2009.
Fifth Stage: Lagoa to Loulé
The fifth and final stage of the competition will take cyclists on a 173km ride from Lagoa to Malhão in Loulé.
Last year, the Volta ao Algarve was won by the region’s very own João Rodrigues.
Two entrepreneurial brothers are elevating the local seafood scene with a brand New Gastrobar based in their former family home
– December 3, 2021
Portimão will become an authentic Christmas Village, with the recreation of several attraction areas inspired by the festive season, crossing the Christmas universe with fantasy moments for the whole family, between December 1 and January 6.
Under the motto “Portimão, a Christmas Dream” (“Portimão, Um Sonho de Natal”), 37 days of pure magic will be provided, with unique experiences in several emblematic places in the city centre, in which the Christmas spirit will especially touch the imagination of the little ones, with emphasis on the Santa’s House, the Ice Rink, the full-size Nativity Scene, the Christmas Train or the colourful and joyful parades, among many other suggestions.
Ice rink, Christmas train, swings and more
Taking over public spaces, and in addition to the usual large Nativity Scene that will once again occupy Largo da Mó, a 200m2 ice rink will work in a tent installed in Praça da República, which can be used every afternoon, after 2pm and until 7pm, opening on weekends between 11am and 7pm, always with free access.
Plenty of daily entertainment will take place in the same tent, with musical moments, illusionism sessions and theatrical scrimmages, which will normally start at 7pm, with special mention for the shows for the school community during the week of December 13-17, starting at 10.30am.
Meanwhile, boys and girls will be able to visit the Santa’s House (Casa do Pai Natal) in Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes, from 11am to 7pm, where they can also write a letter with their Christmas wishes, which they should place in a special mailbox.
A photographer will be available at the site to capture these magical moments for free, and the photos will be available for picking up soon after at TEMPO – Teatro Municipal de Portimão (Municipal Theater of Portimão).
Next door, the Francisco Bivar garden will become home to the Baloiços do Beijo (Kiss Swing) and the Baloiço do Abraço (Hugs Swing), while at the top of the access stairs to Jardim 1º de Dezembro, in front of the Municipal Theatre of Portimão, there will be a giant bench and three attractions where the families can capture sweet photos.
Finally, the Christmas Train will be the ideal means of transportation to discover all the existing entertainment areas in a fun way and will make several daily trips between Praça da República and Manuel Teixeira Gomes, also with free access.
Santa Claus themed parades
Throughout this period, thematic parades will be a constant on the main streets of Portimão, as will happen on December 4 (Circus “Circo Fantástico”), 8 (Alice in Wonderland), 11 (Clowns Parade), 18 (Ice Princess) and December 24 (Christmas Dream), with lots of live music and characters alluding to children’s imaginary and to the circus universe.
Likewise, Santa Claus and his elves will be constantly present on the main streets of Portimão, with daily parades between 10am and 12.30pm and from 3pm to 5pm.
Between December 1-23, there will be a Christmas Market in Jardim 1º de Dezembro, made up of wooden huts for small craft, new design and gourmet products, all honouring the festive season.
This space will be open from Monday to Friday between 5pm and 8pm, while on weekends and holidays it can be visited from 3pm to 8pm.
To help with the festive atmosphere, on December 8 and 20, CMTV (a major Portuguese news on channel 8) will broadcast the popular programme “Manhã CM” (CM Morning) live from the tent located in Praça da República, between 9am and 11am, with a presentation by Duarte Siopa and Ágata Rodrigues.
In both broadcasts, the country will discover Portimão’s Christmas Dream, as well as other points of interest, with the presence of several of the municipality’s best known names, with everyone invited to watch the broadcasts live.
All activities in “Portimão, Um Sonho de Natal” are free to enter and will respect the safety regulations in place, namely the use of masks, social distancing and hand sanitation.
The detailed schedule of these 37 days full of magical motifs for children and adults can be found here.
“Alice in Wonderland” and “Panda and the Caricas on the Island”
In addition, there will be two large shows aimed at children and with paid admission, the first of which, scheduled for December 11, City Day, will be the musical “Panda and the Caricas on the Island”, which will take place in Portimão Arena, with performances at 11am and 3pm.
Finally, the theatrical show “Alice in Wonderland”, aimed at people over 3 years old, is scheduled for 4pm on December 18 at TEMPO.
You can purchase tickets for both shows at bol.pt.
After a “sold-out first session” last month, the Lagoa Wine Experiences wine tasting tour is returning on Saturday (September 11) between 10.30am and 6pm.
Participants will yet again meet at Lagoa’s municipal pools before being taken to Dona Niza Wines in Carvoeiro, a “very recent project by a local who has an enormous passion for the land and wine” where a wine tasting event will be held.
A welcome drink and lunch will be served at Quinta dos Santos in Estômbar, a wine estate with “contemporary facilities which are integrated in perfect harmony with their surroundings.”
Monte dos Salicos will be the final stop of the tour in the afternoon, allowing guests to enjoy a wine tasting experience “very close to Carvoeiro”.
Tickets cost €40 per person and include lunch, transportation, wine tastings and any other activities on the day. They can be purchased online at www.ticketline.sapo.pt.
Under the artistic direction of Lagoa magician Paulo Cabrita, the event will be held over two days (September 3 and 4) and feature famous Portuguese, Spanish and Argentinian magicians who will perform several shows in the borough
As part of Lagoa’s “A Cultura Sai À Rua” (Culture Out in the Street) initiative, the Lagoa Magic Fest 2021 will see artists Arkadio & Solange Kardinaly (Spain), José de Lemos (Portugal), Salguery (Portugal), Mr Daba (Argentina), Manuel Barata (Portugal) and Lagoa magician Paulo Cabrita entertain people passing by on the street with magic tricks and illusions during “popup events” on September 3.
A Gala Night will be held on September 4 at the Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium at 8.30pm.
The free “popup events” start at 11am in Porches (church square), Estômbar (garden) and Parchal (Rua do Município/Largo da Che Lagoense). From 6pm, the magic will move to Carvoeiro (beach square), Lagoa (Jardim 5 de Outubro) and Ferragudo (Largo Rainha D. Leonor). Shows follow all DGS health authority recommendations.
Tickets to the Gala Night cost €8 per person and can be purchased at Ticketline, Worten, Fnac, Auditório Carlos do Carmos (282 380 452), Convento de S. José in Lagoa (282 380 434) and the local Balcão Único (282 380 400).
For the second year straight, Portimão’s Sardine Festival will not be held due to the pandemic. However, the town will still pay homage to its favourite fish by organising five concerts with popular Portuguese artists between August 4 and 8 at the town’s riverside.
The town’s riverside is popular for its restaurants serving grilled sardines (Photo: INÊS LOPES/OPEN MEDIA GROUP)
“As the pandemic still doesn’t allow the full return of the Sardine Festival, Portimão Council is organising these concerts for the whole family, where all sanitary measures will be followed,” the local authority says in a communiqué to the press.
The ‘Sardinhas em Concerto’ programme will see five well-known Portuguese bands and singers take to the stage, starting with Resistência on August 4, followed by Toy (August 5), João Pedro Pais (6), Gisela João (August 7) and Miguel Araújo (August 8).
Doors will open at 8pm with concerts starting at 9pm. The outdoor venue will be fenced off and include designated seats. Eating and drinking will not be allowed due to current recommendations from the board of cultural activities (IGAC) and the national health board (DGS).
Tickets have a “symbolic price” of €1 and can be purchased from Friday (July 30) at the TEMPO theatre, Portimão Museum or online at www.bol.pt. Attendees must be aged 6+.
Portimão’s Sardine Festival is one of the Algarve’s largest summer events, attracting thousands of locals and visitors every summer. In 2019, the event is said to have attracted a record 100,000 people. The event shines the spotlight on sardines, the town’s “jewel of the sea”.
Local restaurants take part and serve sardines the ‘typical’ way – grilled, with salad and potatoes, or on a slice of bread.
Says the council, these concerts aim to keep the town and its population connected to the sardine tradition while boosting local business, particularly restaurants.
Taking place until August 22, the event will feature a series of night-time performances and see the town’s streets decorated to look like they did in the Middle Ages, for a new, “more restrained” version of the town’s hugely popular medieval fair.
Over 30 local restaurants have also joined the event and will be including a “medieval dish” on their menu, which can be a snack, a dessert or a full meal.
There will be entertainment every night, with four concerts planned for the four opening days: Al-Folk and Arakisati (July 30); Arabian (July 31); Alhambra and Emad Selim (August 1) and Albaluna (August 2). Tickets cost €3 per person.
The town’s famous medieval tournaments will also be returning between August 3 and 12 with one tournament being held each day, while Silves Castle will host the “Nights of Al-Andalus” with the Wayam Ensemble between August 13 and 22. Tickets cost €5 per person.
All shows begin at 9pm and tickets can be purchased online (https://cmsilves.bol.pt), at the usual retail outlets (FNAC, Worten, CTT, El Corte Inglés and Pousadas de Juventude) or at the venue on the day of the event, from 7pm and subject to ticket availability.
According to the local council, the event will follow all DGS (national health board) recommendations and aims to “support and boost the local economy during a particularly difficult moment for local commerce, restaurants and hotels.”
The Algarve’s stunning Amendoeira Golf Resort is to host the European Golf Associations (EGA) European Championship for Golfers with Disability on 21-24 August for the first time.
The championship, which is in its 18th year, is approved by the EGA and run by the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA). It will see 80 players descend on Amendoeira’s sun-kissed O’Connor Jnr Course, ready to compete in a range of events, including male, female and wheelchair-bound competitions.
“We are thrilled that the 2021 European Championship for Golfers with Disability will take place at Amendoeira Golf Resort. Our players have previously enjoyed a range of superb golf courses in Lisbon, as well as here in the Algarve, and are looking forward to the challenge of the O’Connor Jnr Course, with its stunning surroundings, as well as to the chance to reconnect and enjoy some social banter,” said Tony Bennet, President of EDGA, HEAD of Disability and Inclusion for International Golf Federation.
The O’Connor Jnr Course was designed by iconic Irish golfer Christy O’Connor Jnr. Situated in a fertile valley in the Silves area of the Central Algarve, the course has been skilfully landscaped and planted with mature palm trees, which intersperse its multiple water features. Focus and accuracy are essential for this challenging course, which is one of three at Amendoeira (alongside the 18-hole Faldo course and Portugal’s only illuminated nine-hole course).
The European Championship for Golfers with Disability alternates between individual and team championships each year. 2021 will see the individual championship take place, after it was postponed from 2020, like so many major sporting events. The 80 players, along with their staff, caddies, guides and other members of their retinue will all be based at Amendoeira, which is owned and operated by Kronos Homes, for the duration of the competition.
Amendoeira offers rental accommodation ranging from contemporary apartments to villas with private pools. In addition to its golfing facilities, the resort is also home to six tennis courts, three football fields, a sports club, a kids’ club and a well-respected golf academy. For those looking to stay a little longer, two-bedroom apartments are available to purchase, priced from €285,000, while three-bedroom duplex apartments are available from €360,000. Villa with private pools cost from €575,000 for a three-bedroom home and from €1.25 million for a superior four-bedroom villa with pool.
“We look forward to welcoming all those involved in the European Championship for Golfers with Disability to Amendoeira Golf Resort and invite them to enjoy our wide range of facilities, from the new clubhouse, the restaurant and the sports bar to the practice course and the impressive fairways and subtly contoured greens of the O’Connor Jnr Course. We are proud to support this esteemed event,” said Alda Filipe, Sales & Marketing Director of Kronos Homes.
The Promenade Concert Cycle continues on June 13, with the concert Histórias D’Encantar, at 4.30pm at the Carlos do Carmo Auditorium, in Lagoa.
The OCS Algarve orchestra will be joined by maestro Élio Leal and Rui Baeta as presenter and interpreter. Together they will perform works by Johann Strauss, Carl Nielsen, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Gioacchino Rossini.
Starting at 4.30pm, with limited seating as per the guidelines of the health authorities, tickets are €6 for adults and €3 for children under 12 (age limit for attending the show is +3). There is also a family ticket (2 adults + 1 child) for €12. Click here to purchase.
You can also buy tickets for the concert “From the Screen to the Stage” that will close the Promenade Concert Cycle on July 4 here.
Portimão’s Algarve International Racetrack has been officially confirmed as the venue for the F1 Heineken Grand Prix Portugal between October 23 and 25
The confirmation has been widely celebrated as the kind of good news the region has been desperately waiting to hear.
Portimão Mayor Isilda Gomes said at a press conference to officially announce the long-awaited return of Formula 1 racing to Portugal after a 24-year absence that the event could be a life-saver for the regional economy. Estimates about how much money the event will generate have varied. At least €30 million seems to be the ‘worst-case scenario’, although some believe revenue could top €100 million.
Spectator numbers are still being decided, but at least 5,000 people are expected to be in the stands, with the possibility of the number increasing to 50,000 (around half of the racetrack’s capacity). Tickets are already available on the racetrack’s website.
What’s certain is that the announcement has brought a ray of hope to a region that has been bombarded by the negative effects of the pandemic. Indeed, local leaders are stressing that Portimão (and the Algarve) would not have been chosen as the venue for such a huge sports event if it weren’t a safe destination. They believe the event will actually play a huge role in convincing foreigners to come here.
“We are expecting this month of October to compare to the month of July in 2019,” Isilda Gomes told reporters. “We are a tourism destination of excellence, which is why we have to show the world our potential. The Formula 1 race will give us unparalleled international exposure. I am certain we will host a great race in Portimão because the Algarve has known how to control the pandemic. That is why we are here today receiving this medal of honour, which is restoring self-esteem to the Portuguese and especially the people of the Algarve during these terrible times,” she said.
But the dream doesn’t end in 2020. The mayor wants Portimão to become a regular venue for F1 racing. “We will work to keep this dream going and have this become an impactful event for those who visit us,” she said. The mayor also praised the role of the racetrack’s CEO Paulo Pinheiro, who she said worked tirelessly to bring this major event to the Algarve, and stressed that the region’s racetrack is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
Meantime, the racetrack’s CEO said that the goal of bringing an F1 race to the Algarve was a “life-long dream” which has come true. “The racetrack was built with the goal of hosting an F1 race, which happened during the most unthinkable year,” said Paulo Pinheiro. He also stressed how the racetrack was able to impose its own conditions. “We chose the date, the conditions we wanted, everything. It would have been easier to host a race with no spectators on a date that wouldn’t be ideal. But that wasn’t our goal. We felt we needed to use our arguments that Portugal is in a better sanitary situation than most of Europe, that we have a better racetrack than others, that the Algarve has unmatchable conditions,” Pinheiro said.
Meanwhile, the Algarve’s tourism boss has celebrated the news as a “well-deserved prize for the region”.
“We are clearly satisfied and proud of this decision. Bringing an international event of this size to the Algarve was something we have wanted for a long time,” João Fernandes, president of the Algarve tourism board (RTA) and tourism association (ATA), said this week. “This is, without a doubt, a very positive sign of confidence for the region.”
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa celebrated the long-awaited return of Formula 1 racing to Portugal and stressed the “international attention” that the event will generate for the country and the region. He also commented on how the decision to bring an F1 race here proves that the Algarve is considered safe enough to host such a huge event. “Nobody makes a decision like this lightly,” he said.
A series of outdoor events entitled “A Cultura Sai à Rua” (Culture Out in the Street) has been launched by Lagoa council and will last until September 5, “following all health authority (DGS) recommendations”.
On July 23, there will be jazz music by Mistura Fina at Fontes de Estombar; on July 24, Mónica Pereira and Fad’nu will perform a dance and music show outside Lagoa’s main church; and on July 28, Carlos Guilherme (tenor) will celebrate his 40-year singing career at the Carvoeiro amphitheatre.
All performances start at 9pm. Tickets cost from €2 and can be bought from Ticketline or at the door.
The Sagres Birdwatching Festival, described as “Portugal’s largest nature event”, is returning to the Western Algarve between October 2 and 5.
It has become an unmissable event for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike, who every year travel to Sagres to participate in the many birdwatching activities, boat trips and hikes.
This year, the event will feature online activities for the first time, allowing people from all over the world to take part in virtual workshops or lectures.
Due to the pandemic, organisers guarantee that all activities will be “adapted” in order to ensure social distancing.
The western yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava), a small bird that visits Sagres in the summer and autumn, has been chosen as the event’s mascot for this year.
The event’s full programme will be revealed on July 28. For more information, visit www.birdwatchingsagres.com.
Almost a month since A Bola sports newspaper broke the story that Portimão’s Algarve International Autodrome (AIA) would be hosting the first Formula One races in decades, the news has been ‘confirmed’, says the paper, with the 26th Portuguese Grand Prix set for October 4.
An official announcement “will be made very soon”.
Say reports, Portugal ‘won through’ after races were cancelled in Montreal, Canada, due to the pandemic.
The last time Portugal hosted Formula 1 was in 1996, in Estoril.
The AIA has been gunning for this opportunity for years. It will be a ‘dream come true’, the autodrome’s CEO Paulo Pinheiro has said.
The 2020 season started in Austria last weekend. The Portuguese races promise to be the 11th in a long line of fixtures due to close in Abu Dhabi in December, writes Rádio Renasença.
What it will mean in terms of ‘visitor attraction’ remains to be seen – but after the catastrophic start to the summer season, this looks like being very welcome news.
The nationally acclaimed Fatacil Fair will take place between August 16 and 25 in its purpose-built venue in Lagoa, where people come from all over Portugal to enjoy an evening walking around the market stalls where local brands show and sell their products.
There’s a big section dedicated to animals with live farm animals on display and beautiful horse shows every night. And then, there’s the music. Every evening a live band takes to the stage and performs a concert to entertain the visiting guests until around midnight. To celebrate the fair’s 40th anniversary, this year’s guests are some of Portugal’s most popular acts, with Xutos e Pontapés opening on the 16th, followed by Calema, Wet Bed Gang, João Pedro Pais, Matias Damásio, Quim Barreiros, Blaya, Jorge Palma, Mariza and closing with Richie Campbell. Open daily from 6pm to 1am with daily tickets costing €3.50 and under 12s free of charge, pop in and get a taste of Portugal.
Liquid gold is probably the most important thing at Oktoberfest, but there’s much more to it than that.
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, they live for Carnival, in Munich, Germany, for the Oktoberfest. When one is over, it’s time to look forward to the next. But what exactly is the Oktoberfest?
The Oktoberfest tradition started in 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities, which were held over five days in the fields in front of the city gates, since known as the Theresienwiese gardens, in honour of the Princess. The main event of the original Oktoberfest was a horse race. The event was so successful that they decided to hold the horse race the following year and then every year after that, before the celebration eventually evolved into the massive festival we know today, with 568,000 visitors in 2015. But if you live in the Algarve you don’t need to travel to Munich to enjoy the genuine Oktoberfest-feeling.
Since 2012, Vila Vita Biergarten, in Porches, has been holding its own annual Oktoberfest celebrations. This year they will be held between September 29 and October 5. The authentic Munich-style beer garden is located just off the EN 125, off the Porches roundabout, and features staff in Dirndls and Lederhosen, the traditional Bavarian costumes, as well as vivid murals portraying scenes from Bavarian life. Open all year, the restaurant will be particularly lively during Oktoberfest, with music every evening provided by the famous Münchner Gaudiblosn band, special menus with German delicacies throughout the week, and of course plenty of Erdinger beer, made by one of Germany’s most celebrated breweries.
Highlights on the menu prepared by executive chef Manfred Kickmaier include traditional Bavarian appetisers and sausages, authentic and delicious side dishes and the bestseller, crispy knuckle of pork (Schweinehaxe). The meat melts with every bite, while the crispy touch makes your mouth water. A dish to die for!
Start with a Brezel, the traditional German bread, in the shape of a loose knot, salted on the outside, together with Bavarian Obatzda, a cheese spread, the rich and exquisite flavour of which results from the perfect combination of three kinds of cheese. Try the Spätzle, one of the Biergarten’s specialities. This is made with dough, cooked in boiling water, before being sautéed with lots of onion, garlic and two types of cheese. Finally, it’s topped off with a crispy touch of pan-fried onions. When it comes to sausages, take your pick from Weißwurst, Currywurst, Thüringer, Nürnberger, Wiener or Merguez. Boasting an array of authentic flavours and a variety of herbs and spices, these sausages are prepared with the best organic pork and beef from Vila Vita Parc’s on-site butcher’s. The butcher’s works to the “Farm to Table” concept: the meat comes from Vila Vita Parc’s Herdade dos Grous estate, near Beja in the Alentejo and is prepared into delicious cold cuts and sausages at the on-site butcher’s. This way, Vila Vita Parc can control the quality of its meat from its origins, right up to the final product. The estate rears regional and local breeds, in the open, feeding them on the best pasture. This is reflected in the high-quality meat joined by side dishes such as potato salad, Sauerkraut, red cabbage, bread dumplings, sautéed potatoes or herb Spätzle, to make a perfect meal. You’ll be spoiled for choice! And of course, to end the meal in the best possible way, homemade Apple Strudel, served with whipped cream.
Ensuring the theme of the festival, Erdinger beer, in its Kristall, Weiß or Dunkel versions. The latter is even used at Vila Vita Parc Biergarten as an ingredient in its delicious freshly-baked bread, and to make ice cream and sauces.
Joining fine Bavarian beer, there is another, new drink, currently enjoying huge success at Vila Vita Parc, which will also be available at the Biergarten during the Oktoberfest – sangria made with beer and apple juice.
With its relaxed atmosphere and children’s play area in the gardens, the festival is a great treat for the whole family. During the Oktoberfest, the Vila Vita Biergarten will be open from 1pm to 10pm, with the band playing from 7pm onwards.
