Social Scene Costa del Sol 14 – 20 March 2024 Issue 2019

Spotlight

Music Talent Show

Marbella Town Hall and Hard Rock Hotel Marbella have organised a competition to find the best musical talent in Andalucia.

Echoes of the 60s

Michael Carrington

A SPECTACULAR show featuring music from early rock to Woodstock, ‘when music changed the world’, will be taking place on Saturday March 30 at Divot, Banus Executive Golf in Marbella with doors open at 7pm and a 60s show from 9pm.

Enjoy a set menu extravaganza for €85 per person which includes a half bottle of wine each and a welcome glass of cava on arrival.

Chef de Cuisine and Maître d’ for the last 12 years.

David Hart

THE town hall and Hard Rock Hotel Marbella have launched a project called ‘Spotlight Music Talent Show’, a contest that aims to find the best musical talent in Andalucia.

The councillor for Youth, Alejandro González, explained that the initiative, which is aimed at people aged between 16 and 35, will have two auditions on April 5 and 6, a semi-final on April 20 and a final on April 27, to

be held at the hotel itself.

The winner, among other prizes, will perform weekly at the hotel during this season.

The runner-up will be able to perform once a month and the winner of the third place will do so once this year.

The jury will be made up of a member of the hotel, a member of the council and a music expert and the inscriptions, which are already open, can be made through the Youth website. The di-

rector of Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, Ignacio Gómez, thanked the town hall for its support in this project, which, “seeks to discover, encourage and promote the talent of young people in Andalucia,” he said, adding, “we are placing Marbella in the cultural spotlight.”

Urbanización Nueva Andalucia, s/n, Nueva Andalucia, 29660 Marbella, Málaga 951 552 050 hardrock.com/marbella

Divot is a new concept in Marbella, a Gastro Grill restaurant which not only offers the best selection of meats on the market, but also a wide variety of fish and pasta dishes for diners looking for a gastronomic experience.

Created by Martins Vanags and Ben Mahdaoui, between them they have more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, working hand in hand as

At the beginning of 2020, they took over the Divot Restaurant with their own vision of international cuisine, providing with passion the best food and service to their customers. For more information on this event and to book your table call Banús Executive Golf, Cam. del Ángel, s/n, Nueva Andalucía, 29660 Marbella, 951 56 61 72 - 628 594 010 or info@divot.es.

Photo: Divot

Misake a new high quality Asian Fusion restaurant opens in Mijas

IF you love Japanese food, especially all forms of sushi then the newly opened Misake Restaurant in Mijas is an absolute must to visit.

A large number of people arrived at the restaurant for its exceptional opening event which took place on Saturday March 9 with a formal ceremony whereby a red ribbon was cut and guests were welcomed personally by the owners and their staff.

There has been an incredible eye to detail when designing this modern and vibrant restaurant and it offers stylish dining both inside and out.

As you enter this elegant new eatery you can’t help but be impressed with the sense of style and size of the restaurant with its impressive bar set to one side and two quite distinct seating areas which you know will be comfortable just by looking at them.

There is also a private room with modern decoration available for parties of up to 18 people, but wherever you sit, you can be sure that not only will it be comfortable but there will be plenty of space between the tables.

When the weather becomes warmer, then there is a very large terrace that guests can also take advantage of.

The ambience is Japanese and the entire restaurant exudes a calm and peaceful mood which can only enhance

the pleasure of the dining experience.

If you don’t completely understand the difference between sushi, maki, nigiris, sashimi and the other delicately flavoured options on offer, don’t worry as the experienced and knowlegable staff will be happy to explain what is on offer in this modern Asian Fusion style restaurant.

On the opening night, it was clear that everyone from kitchen staff to front of house were well trained with food being prepared from the tastiest ingredients and served with style, ensuring that the hot food was hot and the cold food was at exactly the right temperature.

Food isn’t just about taste but is a combination of senses with the addition of sight, smell, hearing and touch and many of the dishes were served on exquisite plates clearly specially commissioned by the restaurant and there were genuine food artists at work with the addition of dry ice to make the meal even more enchanting.

The mayor of Mijas took the opportunity to visit Misake and to welcome this latest restaurant to the many high quality homes of gastronomy currently open in in the municipality.

spectacular firework show and two dragons performed their traditional dance to the delight of those who were there.

Looking forward Misake is going to be a major contender for top Mijas restaurant and with the charming and popular Ms Sonia involved, guests can be assured of a warm welcome.

In addition to the fine food, guests were entertained with live music, a

One of the partners in this venture, Mr En Lei Zhou, for whom this is a second restaurant experience, told Euro Weekly News that “what makes this restaurant unique is the top quality of the ingredients and the international environment, and the decoration.”

www.misakesushi.es

If you care to make a booking at Misake, Ctra de Mijas, Urb. Las Yucas, Nº 1 by calling 682 373 937 or 951 512 726 before March 31, you can take advantage of their opening offer of a discount of 30 per cent on normal prices and in due course they will be offering a take away option.

The restaurant is open seven days a week 1pm to 4.30pm and 7pm to 11.30pm. Free parking is available for all clientele and patrons of the restaurant.

Sponsored by

Kevin Fraser Park

AS Easter Sunday approaches, Oak Firehouse & Cocktail, Marbella’s hidden dining gem, is excited to invite you for an indulgent Easter Sunday Lunch experience on Sunday March 31.

Egg-ceptional lunch

Herb Roasted

Leg of Lamb Roasted

Nestled against the iconic La Concha, Oak Firehouse & Cocktail offers an enchanting setting, blending rustic-contemporary charm with the beauty of natural surroundings.

A stone’s throw away from La Sala Puerto Banus, this exceptional steakhouse has become a favourite for those seeking top-notch grilled meats, a premium wine selection, and a captivating cocktail list.

This egg-ceptional Easter Sunday Lunch priced at just €45 per person, is served from 1pm to 6pm and guarantees a culinary sensation featuring exquisite choices to make your Easter celebration truly special.

Begin your journey with delightful starters like Wild Game Pâté Duo, Classic Prawn and Avocado Cocktail, and Smoked Salmon Rosette. For the main course, indulge in the exceptional Roast Sirloin of Beef, expertly carved at your table for a touch of theatre.

Alternatively, savour the

Easter

Leg of Lamb or the Slow Roasted Chicken

Coquelet. Each main course is accompanied by traditional trimmings, including duck fat roast potatoes and roasted seasonal roots, ensuring a traditional Easter Sunday feast.

Book your table to enjoy a luxury Easter Sunday Lunch in Marbella at Oak Firehouse & Cocktail via email at reservations@oakmarbella. com or alternatively call 951 319 411

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ART FOR SOUL

KATERYNA experienced a life changing experience when she left her art studio in Kiev and followed a path which led her to Marbella, Kateryna is committed to making art accessible for all, reminding people that creativity is inside of everyone.

Becoming a mother, Kateryna realised how essential it is to nurture children’s creativity. She has now relocated her studio to Marbella, working with Celeste and Olga, who deliver creative weekly classes for children.

During the holidays, they hold intensive camps and this Easter, will focus on the traditional Ukranian custom of painting eggs and making celebratory crafts to embroider the festive season. The love and care for the children and the power of creativity is visible in the space, which provides a safe and inclusive environment for all kids. Encouraging the parents to connect with their children, the women have curated special workshops, in which adults

and children spend quality time together, by leaving all mobile devices, and committing to being present in the moment. The project has blossomed into a sanctuary, where children can freely explore their creative potential, bolstering their confidence and resilience in the process.

To brighten your child’s day with a unique experience, Kateryna’s Gallery Studio is the place which makes a life-long positive impact on your lives, with the help of devoted teachers.

Holiday camp sessions are priced at €50 per day, with a 10 per cent siblings discount or the entire camp booking. The Studio awaits you at:

Avenida Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, 44, Nueva Andalucía, 29660 Marbella, Málaga, Spain 647 979 080

Donkey day out

THE donkeys of Donkey Dreamland are going to the beach! On Saturday March 16, the charity gets the opportunity to take the donkeys to the beach in Mijas. It is only once a year that they are allowed to do this and you can join them on this unique experience. They will be taking the donkeys for a long walk to the beach, along the shore, all the way up to the end of La Cala de Mijas stopping at ‘Peña el Caballo’ a little country style cortijo where a delicious Spanish lunch will be served and the donkeys too will have their

lunch there. Tickets are €60 for adults and €25 for children, but there are only 20 places available.

Please send a WhatsApp to 640 111 651 for more information and you can also book online at the following link: bookwhen. com/donkeydreamland/e/ ev-sf9k-20240316100000

Enjoy this unique and wonderful event with with the donkeys.

Saint George’s ‘Knight’

Kevin Fraser Park

SIMPLY THRIVING are organising a St George’s ‘Knight’ on the Tuesday April 23 at Monaghans in Torreblanca with entertainment from Fuengirola’s very own own Saint George.

You’ll need to start practising your singing as ‘The Lambeth Walk’, ‘Britannia rules the waves’ and ‘I love London Town’ are all going to feature in this patriotic evening.

The price is €25 per person for a welcome glass of cava on arrival and a three-course meal of some of the UK’s favourite and most popular dishes, including: Cheese and Pickle, Fish and Chips and Apple Crumble and Custard among others. A half bottle of wine per person is included in the price. So get the flags out and celebrate England’s Saint George, everyone is welcome and it all starts at 7pm.

Get your skates on

Kevin Fraser Park BENALMADENA will host an international ice skating show at the Palacio de Deportes.

The event will take place on Saturday March 16 from 12.30pm and will feature skaters from 12 countries in a high-level competition organised by Endless Summer Adult Skate Camp.

Councillor for sports, Alejandro Carretero, said that this will be, “a great show, an exciting international ice skating competition, with the participation of skaters from England, Turkey, Chile, Argentina, Germany, Belgium, Portugal,

Spain, Colombia and the United States.

The renowned elite coach and Olympic commentator Susana Palés, ISU technical specialist for Spain, will be present at the competition to assess and highlight the level of skill of the participants in their jumps, pirouettes and choreographic steps in this mix of competition and show.

Endless Summer Adult Skate Camp, organiser of this sporting event, said that it will be an unforgettable experience for those attending, inviting residents and visitors to Benalmadena to enjoy it live.

Sponsored by

Kevin Fraser Park

MARBELLA Town Hall, through the Delegation of Foreign Residents, is helping with the celebrations that the Bulgarian and Irish communities are organising over the weekend of March 16 and 17. There will be two celebrations, both between midday and 11pm, at the Fontanilla roundabout in Marbella. On Saturday March 16, the event ‘Bulgaria sings and dances’ will take place, an initiative in which those attending will be able to enjoy typical dishes and traditional music

ADAM DANIEL BOSZE stops time and invites you to come and watch his magic show to witness miracles and escape from reality. The theme of the show will be ‘Time’ which the audience will encounter in a different and entertaining way, unlike ever before. Adam an experienced professional magician, has been delighting audiences across Gibraltar, United Kingdom, Spain, and Hungary for over 12 years.

Now in Fuengirola, you can see Adam’s new show at the Cafe Teatro by Ocean

discover the culture and folklore of this nation. The Andaluz Choir will perform at 2pm, there will be Celtic dancers at 5.30pm and popular Costa de Sol rock band, ‘New Tricks’ will perform at 7pm.

Drive on Friday April 5 at 8pm. With a wealth of skills and experience, he guarantees that his show will be highly enjoyable for both children and adults. Come along and bring your family or friends, and immerse yourselves in the entertaining magic that you will talk about for years to come.

Purchase your tickets now at: tickettailor. com.

Culture, food and music Magic Show

Saint Patrick

ON the Costa del Sol expats enjoy huge celebrations on the saint of their country’s special day.

Next Sunday is March 17 and we will celebrate St Patrick of Ireland. St Patrick was the son of a Roman officer and deacon, studied to become a priest and for 20 years travelled throughout Ireland baptising believers and building churches and monasteries.

In Fuengirola on the port on Sunday it will be jam packed with expats and holidaymakers, all celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Even

We are a family-run business using quality products, and we love our job.

Open from Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only. Kitchen open from 1 8.30 to 23.30, last ord ers 23:00.

Ever y night with live music.

Phone: 952 888 077

Phone: 670 604 392

though many might not be Irish, they will be seen with tears in their eyes at Alexandra Avery’s rendering of the song Danny Boy and When Irish eyes are smiling.

And on April 23 we celebrate St George, the patron saint of England though he never actually visited England. Little is known of the history of St George but he became popular due to the strength of his faith.

For more details ring Val on 951 313 257 or go to Simply Thriving Group on Facebook.

EASTER’S COMING! A Swedish

Easter

IN Sweden, Easter used to kick off with Shrovetide, a three-day festivity filled with carnivals and games.

People would playfully hit each other with birch twigs and go tobogganing.

Before observing a 40-day fast, it was customary to eat seven hearty meals on Shrove Tuesday.

On Easter Saturday, the mood shifted to joy as people began eating eggs again. Sometimes, eggs were painted in different colours and given as presents. In the 1800s, paper eggs filled with sweets became popular.

In western Sweden, bonfires were lit, shotguns fired, and people shouted to scare off witches, a tradition that continues today.

Decorating birch twigs with coloured feathers, dating back to the 1880s,

became common.

Legend had it that witches flew off to Mount Blåkulla to meet the Devil on Maundy Thursday.

Nowadays, children dress up as Easter witches and go door-to-door exchanging paintings for sweets.

After consuming sweets, children search for Easter eggs hidden in treasure hunts with clues and riddles.

A traditional Easter lunch typically includes pickled herring, gravlax, and Jansson’s Temptation (a dish with potatoes, onions, and pickled anchovies baked in cream), often accompanied by eggs.

The table is set like a traditional smorgasbord, decorated with birch twigs adorned with feathers.

Hallelujah Saturday

HALLELUJAH Saturday, celebrated on the eve of Easter Sunday, holds special significance in Brazil, where it’s considered a public holiday as part of the Easter festivities.

Hallelujah Saturday is lighting the Paschal Candle, symbolising the “light of Christ” that dispels darkness.

In Christianity, Hallelujah Saturday falls between Good Friday, marking Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, commemorating his resurrection.

It symbolises the joy of Jesus’ resurrection, with celebrations starting on Saturday night at the Easter Vigil.

Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, recalls Jesus’ final days, including his Last Supper, crucifixion on Good Friday, and resurrection on Easter Sunday.

In Brazil, Holy Saturday also sees the Malhação de Judas, a festival representing the death of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Dolls resembling disliked personalities are made and “tortured” by hanging or burning, symbolising popular revenge against betrayal.

Easter Roast

During Lent, Christians refrain from saying “hallelujah” and decorating churches with flowers, but on Hallelujah Saturday, they can joyfully say it again.

CELEBRATE the joy of Easter at Olivia’s La Cala, nestled in the heart of La Cala de Mijas where you are invited to enjoy their special Easter Sunday Roast for €50 per person, which includes the soulstirring live music from Ivanildo Kembel, famed for his performances on The Voice of Holland.

This event promises to be more than just a meal; it is a symphony of exquisite flavours and musical artistry at one of Costa del Sol’s most enchanting locales.

The Easter Vigil, organised by Catholic churches worldwide, involves a solemn Mass followed by hours of prayer until just before sunrise on Easter Sunday.

Another tradition on

In addition to the special menu, guests will be entertained with festive activities such as an Easter egg hunt, face painting for the kids, and a visit from the Easter Bunny, ensuring fun for the entire family.

Don’t miss out on making wonderful memories on Easter Sunday, March 31, starting from 12.30pm until 8pm. Book your table for this exclusive dining experience via email at reservations@oliviaslacala. com or by phone 608 784 367.

Photo: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se.

Christy’s Irish Gastropub - Guaranteed quality

ADVERTISING FEATURE

LOCATED five minutes from the main street of Fuengirola, Christy’s Irish Gastropub offers a variety of dishes at affordable prices.

The venue’s special menu features fantastic three-course meals for €22.95, including chicken liver pate, entrecote steak and chocolate brownie dessert of the highest quality.

To find out what was special about the establishment, a team from Euro Weekly News visited Christy’s Irish Gastropub and was impressed by the wide variety of menu options, including vegetarian meals.

The team members especially appreciated the spicy and tender prawns and the vegetable samosas starter for their flavourful kick.

The main courses also offer a great deal of Irish classics, including braised beef, Guinness pie and the half pounder Irish angus burger.

Bursting with flavour, the high-quality meat produce has the authentic taste of Ireland. Boasting high quality ingredients, multiple choice menus and excellent presentation, the chefs at Christy’s have lifted the term gastro-

pub to a new level. Perfect for enjoying a beer and watching a sports game with friends, Christy’s Irish Pub is rich in choices of beverages. Embracing the Irish traditions, the venue is hosting events to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

On March 15, visitors are welcomed to grab a drink and watch the Cheltenham racing, followed by the rugby match the next day, getting together to watch Ireland facing Scotland in the final round of the six nations. The weekend will conclude on March 17, with the FA Cup Quarter Finals where Manchester United will battle Liverpool and Mayo will take on Derry in the division 1 Gaelic Football league.

Throughout the weekend the venue is offering €5 pints of Guinness and Irish Coffee as well as €2 shots of baby Guinness.

Christy’s Irish Gastropub encourages the visitors to share the native festivity by wearing their best Irish outfits. All customers wearing the traditional Irish colours across St Patrick’s weekend will be granted a free shot.

Located at Calle Olleria, 20 Fuengirola.

Christy’s Irish Gastropub is open from 1pm to 1am every day of the week.

JAPANESE FUSION

Sponsored by

Michael Carrington WHO hasn’t listened to ‘Sultans of swing’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Brothers in arms’, ‘Tunnel of love’ or ‘Money for nothing’ by dIRE sTRAITS? ‘The great songs of dIRE sTRAITS’ is the new musical show by Óscar Rosende and his band gREAT sTRAITS, in which he pays tribute to the successful musical career of dIRE sTRAITS at the Felipe VI Auditorium Theatre of Estepona on Saturday March 16 at 9pm.

gREAT sTRAITS

An authentic sonic journey with which to enjoy once again live the magic of all the greatest hits composed by Mark Knopfler, with nine excellent musicians including Óscar Rosende, a Galician guitarist who even confused Knopfler himself and his band. In the words of Guy Fletcher (keyboard player of dIRE sTRAITS): “I was listening to him and I have to say that I thought it was one of our recordings.” After more than 260 concerts in Germany, Luxembourg, France, Portugal and Spain playing Mark Knopfler with his previous project (he was the creator, founder and leader of ‘Brothers in Band’ until 2019), Óscar Rosende presents his new band,

gREAT sTRAITS to perform the wonderful musical work of dIRE sTRAITS. ‘The great songs of dIRE sTRAITS’ is the biggest tribute production to the British band in Europe, with a careful staging and an unmistakable sound quality: the most authentic recreation of the universe of the greatest hits of the mythical dIRE sTRAITS.

Known by the media as ‘the Galician Mark Knopfler’ and acclaimed by dIRE sTRAITS fans internationally as one of the best interpreters of the Scottish guitarist, Óscar Rosende has been able to internalise Mark Knopfler’s essence and technique like no other, as well as his voice and his stage presence. Seeing and hearing Rosende on stage is a thrilling journey into the brilliant era of Mark Knopfler and the band ‘dIRE sTRAITS’.

For more information or tickets see the website: tafestepona.com.

Photo: Facebook / gREAT sTRAITS

Estepona turns green

ON Saturday March 16 Estepona celebrates St Patrick’s Day, a gathering in which the Irish population of the town will be able to enjoy their day for which several events have been planned and which will have the collaboration of Irish restaurants and bars in the town.

A concert of Celtic music by the group ‘Band O’ Leros’ is scheduled to take place from 4.30pm in the Plaza Antonia Guerrero. At 5pm a parade will start with the traditional Irish pipers ‘Sur Pipes Band’, who will visit the Irish pubs participating in the event: Banagher Irish, in Calle Adolfo Suárez; Fergusson’s, in Avenida España; and Healy’s Irish and O’Donoghue’s, in the port area. Also participating will be

of El Pilar.

To add a little green magic to this event, a passport can be collected from each participating pub, which will be stamped and can be exchanged on Sunday March 17 to enjoy the league match of CD Estepona against VelezMalaga. During the match, the Irish supporters club ‘Estepona Guiri Reds’, who cheer on the Estepona team every week, will be present and vocal.

In order to exchange your passport for a ticket, those interested must present themselves at 11.30am at tower B of the Muñoz Pérez football ground.

Another must is of course, to wear a green shirt!

Dramatised visit

David Hart

THE English Cemetery of Malaga has organised night-time dramatised visits to learn about its history. On Fridays March 15 and 22 there will be two nightly shows at 7pm and 9pm at a cost of €15.

Before the English Cemetery was created in 1831, the death of a non-Roman Catholic in Spain was problematic, as no provision was made for their burial. All cemeteries were consecrated according to the rites of the Catholic faith.

In Malaga, non-Catholics could only be buried at night, on the beach and in an upright position, and left at the mercy of the waves and of prowling dogs.

When William Mark, who had been a witness to night-time burials on the beach, became British Consul in 1824, he determined to find a site where Protestants could be given a decent burial. In 1829 the Malaga authorities finally granted him a plot of land outside the city, on the road to Almeria, and here he founded the first protestant cemetery in mainland Spain.

Now, through a dramatised nocturnal visit, you can explore this holy ground and discover its secrets,

from the shooting of Robert Boyd to the shipwreck of the German frigate Gneisenau, along with other fascinating stories, such as that of Mary Ann and her famous tomb of the stone angel. It’s a fascinating look into the history and culture of Malaga, revealing the complexities of its past through the stories buried in the English Cemetery, now brought to life in this unique night-time tour experience.

Photo: Facebook / English Cemetery