Social Scene Costa del Sol 6 – 12 March 2025 Issue 2070
Divine sounds Divine sounds
THE Malaga Symphony Or chestra is playing a con cert of sacred music in the Auditorio Felipe VI in aid of ASDIES, the Association of the Disabled of Estepona, on Saturday, March 8.
The concert will feature the intervention of Julia Merino, mezzo-soprano, and Ma nuel Ruíz, countertenor. Conducting the orchestra will be Juan Manuel Parra. The programme, consisting of pieces by composers such as Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, Pergolesi, and Handel, will be performed without intermissions.
tiérrez Lapuente, and is one of the oldest orchestras in Spain, and its main objectives are to promote classical music and support new and upcoming artists.
The orchestra has played thousands of concerts throughout its history, with the participation of renowned soloists such as José Cubiles, Alfredo Kraus, Montserrat Caballé, Dwayne Croft, and Andrea Bocelli.
The Malaga Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1945 by maestro Pedro Gu-
Echo of the Divine (or, ‘Eco de lo Divino’), is on at Auditorio Felipe VI at 8pm on Saturday, March 8. Tickets for this charity event are €10 (+ fees) and are available at the Auditorium box office from one hour before the concert.
Fuengirola marks International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day
FUENGIROLA is gearing up for a packed schedule of events in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8. The town’s local government has planned more than 20 activities aimed at raising awareness, encouraging discussion, and recognising the achievements of women in various fields.
A full programme of activities:
The main part of the celebrations falls on Friday March 7, featuring three key events:
12pm: The official reading of the Institutional Manifesto, followed by a roundtable discussion on work-life balance and shared responsibilities (Salon Real).
6pm: The ‘Fuengirola por Ellas’ Gala, an event honouring outstanding
women, held at the Palacio de la Paz.
For the second year running, the town hall’s Department of Families, Equality, and Social Welfare is spearheading the initiative ‘Fuengirola por Ellas’. Councillor Cristina Bornao emphasised the importance of this campaign, stating that it aims not only to highlight the ongoing challenges women face but also to celebrate their achieve-
ments and inspire future generations.
The programme is a collaborative effort, with the departments of Sports, Culture, and Education all playing a role in broadening the impact of the initiative. As Bornao explained, this cross-sector approach strengthens Fuengirola’s commitment to equality of opportunity, embedding it into all areas of local governance.
Promoting classical music.
Credit: MSO
Fuengirola marks International Women’s Day with more than 20 events.
Credit: Ayuntamiento
de Fuengirola
Rob Sas Band at Wolfmen
POWERHOUSE of local rock, The Rob Sas Band is back, this time at a proper biker joint, Wolfmen MC in Alhaurin el Grande on Saturday, March 15.
Ready to blow the roof off one more time at this real bikers lodge, The Rob Sas Band returns to Alhaurin el Grande with a setlist of the best in classic rock numbers from ACDC to Zeppelin and ZZ Top to Sabbath!
The multitalented Sas, rock guitarist and singer, is no doubt the most experienced on the Costa del Sol scene. He has played with a plethora of greats including Steve Priest and Mick Tucker of The Sweet, and ‘Hud’ Hudson of the Strawbs.
The accomplished Rob Sas repertoire is not only
Esther Bakker Speakeasy
BORN in the Netherlands, Esther Bakker is a musical nomad who has travelled the world performing various renditions of timeless rock, pop, and jazz tunes. Esther, who is currently based in Torremolinos, astounds everyone with her rich vocals and strong voice. On Sunday, March 9, at 9pm, Esther Bakker’s amazing voice will make a triumphant, cool, soulful, and jazzy comeback to Billie’s Piano Bar and Speakeasy.
limited to the
explosive riffs of heavy rock. He has also worked with the Soul Survivors and backed Clem Curtis of The Foundations and with Jamaican soul singer Jimmy James and The Vagabonds.
The Rob Sas Band, composed of local well-known local musicians
David Gil (vocals), Rodrigo López (bass) and Dr. Bastion (drums), are all seasoned musicians on the Costa del Sol.
The Stratocaster-wielding Sas returns to Wolfmen MC in Calle Cuesta de Marzo, Alhaurin el Grande on Saturday, March 15 at 2.15pm.
Esther’s dynamic performance of gorgeous classic rock, pop, and jazz favourites is sure to make everyone’s throats tighten and their skin tingle. Her amazing rendition of Natalie Imbruglia’s timeless hit, ‘Torn,’ is one song that will undoubtedly be on her set list. This song has a particular place in Billie’s history because
one of the owners can’t help but dance, shall we say, ‘interpretively’ to it.
There will be some great vibes at Billie’s Piano Bar and Speakeasy, Torremolinos, where maybe there will be, just maybe, a surprise performance that’s not on the schedule.
Billie’s Piano Bar and Speakeasy can be found at Calle Casablanca 22, Torremolinos.
Fuengirola Gnomes
FUN night of Celtic, blues, folk for everyone on Thursday March 6 at Moochers Fuengirola Bar and Grill when The Stolen Gnomes take to the stage once more.
The band have been around the block a lot, formed in 2010, and then reformed multiple times since playing a lively folk selection mixed in with Soul, Blues, Pop all given that Celtic twist. You may have seen their smaller twin band, the more compact Whisky Piskys (a trio). Well, this is the big brother, five/six piece.
The Stolen Gnomes have played countless gigs and festivals over the years and have even shared the same stage as true greats like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Finbar Fury. They have also played on stage with Nathan Carter, and provided the backing for two principle Irish step dancers from Michael Flately’s Lord of the Dance.
Playing lively Irish-themed tunes and songs, Soul, Blues and pop, The Stolen Gnomes can be seen this Thursday March 6 at Moochers on Calle de la Cruz 15, Fuengirola at 8pm.
Rob Sas, the most experienced rocker there is in Malaga.
Credit: TRSB
Making new Surreal world
AGE CONCERN Marbella
- San Pedro lunches are always held at carefully selected restaurants.
Age Concern look for quality food, attentive service and ‘value for money’ pricing. The atmosphere also has to be welcoming for their special guests. As with other lunches this one was underpinned with ‘Fun and Friendship’.
Recently they gathered at Trattoria Babb and were welcomed with a lovely glass of Prosecco. Suitably refreshed and relaxed, guests sat down for a very enjoyable two-course lunch. After the first course, guests were invited to puzzle their way through a challenging quiz. You could almost hear those ‘little grey cells’ working overtime.
The main course was equally delicious and lunch finally concluded with the Raffle Draw.
Thanks to their generous guests, the raffle raised an impressive €385.
As requested, Age Concern Marbella - San Pedro will let us all know details of their next lunch as soon as they have the details.
Age Concern MarbellaSan Pedro have said thet they would like to send out a big thanks to Lynda Woodin, who organised everything, and to Trato-
rria Babb for being such wonderful hosts.
To find out more about Age Concern MarbellaSan Pedro events, there are several ways to contact them.
They have a helpline open from 10am to 6pm every weekday on 689 355 198, or by email at info@ ageconcernmarbella.com. The restaurant can be found at Avenido Burgos, 22 San Pedro de Alcantara.
ARTWORKS of world-famous Surrealist Pop artist Mark Ryden are on show at the Fuengirola museum in the exhibition ‘Surrealism Pop & Lowbrow Art’ from Friday March 14.
The exhibition includes more than 200 pieces and presents works by six other artists of the Lowbrow movement, in addition to Ryden: Todd Schorr, Marion Peck, Robert Williams, RK Sloane, Frank Kozic, and EMEK.
It can be visited for free from Tuesday to Friday, from 7pm to 9pm, and on weekends, also in the morning, from 10am to 2pm. Antonella Motinaro, the curator of the exhibition, explains that many of these artists from the Lowbrow movement ‘are mainly self-taught and work in graphic design, especially designing album covers, although they encompass quite a few
other areas. Surrealism is very present in their works as well as pop art’.
Mark Ryden, probably the most famous among them, is an American artist who began a career as a commercial artist designing album covers for artists such as Michael Jackson and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
His work is characterised by a peculiar mixture of elements, from references to classic painters such as Ingres and David to elements of pop culture, combining the childish with the disturbing. His recurring themes include meat, trees, bees, rabbits, the figure of Abraham Lincoln, and girls with a disturbing look.
Fuengirola Museum is in Plaza de España 1. Entry is free. The exhibition opens Friday, March 14 and runs until May 10.
Commitments del Sol
Adam Woodward MIDNIGHT HOUR, the hardest-working band on the Costa del Sol, returns to the Salón Varietés with their tribute to the southern Soul sounds of the Commitments.
Their show, The Sound of The Commitments, is inspired by the much-loved 1991 musical drama film and book, The Commitments. Midnight Hour performs the very same soundtrack to the already cult movie theme. Just like in the film, the band’s performance features classic songs and music from Soul legends like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding.
The musical 10-piece known for their irritable tunes like Mustang Sally, Chain of Fools, and Mr Pitiful has gained so much momentum over the last year that this gig looks like it is going to be a concert that rapidly sells out. The band’s past performances along the Costa del Sol have received massive acclaim from everyone, not least for how impressively they capture the feeling and sound of the original Commitments and their incredible musical skill and energy. It will be a high-energy night full of entertainment, singing along, and dancing with a fantastic setlist of the best in Southern Soul tunes.
Midnight Hour play Salón Varietés Theatre on Friday, March 7 and Saturday 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets are selling fast, so best book as early as possible from the website at salonverietestheatre.com. Tickets cost €10.
Beach walk language exchange
LOOKING for a chance to stretch your legs, soak up Marbella’s stunning coastline, and brush up on your Spanish or English? Then grab your walking shoes - because on Saturday, March 8, a unique Language Exchange and Health Group Walk is hitting the sands.
Forget stuffy classrooms and awkward online exchanges - this is language learning with a view. Attendees will enjoy a leisurely seaside stroll, mingling with fellow linguaphiles and chatty expats keen to swap stories (and verb tenses).
Whether you’re here to polish your Spanish, help others perfect their Queen’s Engli-
sh, or simply enjoy a good natter while the waves crash beside you, this social walk promises to be a breath of fresh air - literally.
Organisers are keeping things casual and fun, so there’s no pressure - just great conversation, a chan-
Indie icons Sexy
SPANISH Indie rock royalty Sexy Sadie are back - but blink and you might miss them. The legendary Mallorcan band, a defining force in Spain’s indie scene of the 90s, are making a long-awaited return to the stage for a single, unmissable performance on Saturday March 8 at the Puerto de Benalmadena.
Dubbed Sexy Sadie’s Day, this one-off mini-festival will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lost & Found, the album that cemented their place in indie history. But that’s not all - the gig also serves as the launch party for Found in Malaga-Sexy Sadie/Lost & Found 20th Anniversary, a tribute album where 12 bands from Malaga pay homage to the group with their
own spin on Sexy Sadie classics.
ce to make new friends, and an excuse to get moving. All you need is comfy shoes, a bottle of water, and a positive attitude (and maybe a few useful phrases up your sleeve).
When? Saturday, March 8.
Where? Marbella Beach-
front - Ona Princesa Playa Paseo Marítimo 29602 Marbella.
Who it’s for: Anyone keen to chat, walk, and meet like-minded people. What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and good vibes.
The event is run by SIEIS - Costa Del Sol & Marbella, a group dedicated to well-being and positive energy. For more info, check them out on Instagram (@ sieis_pranic_healing) or visit www.marbellaprani chealing.es.
So, if you fancy a coastal conversation and a bit of fresh air, why not walk the talk this Saturday?
After the warmup acts have set the stage, it’s time for the moment everyone has been waiting for. Sexy Sadie, the band that shaped a generation, will take to the stage for a one-night-only performance. It’s their first live show in years, and the only one planned in Andalucia - a rare chance to witness a slice of indie history unfold before your eyes.
With an atmosphere set to be electric and a crowd packed with fans old and new, this promises to be the
indie event of the year. Nostalgic, celebratory, and completely unique, Sexy Sadie’s Day is the comeback gig no indie lover can afford to miss. So, mark your calendars for March 8, because this is one trip down memory lane that will be loud, live, and legendary.
Indie icons Sexy Sadie return for one-night-only gig in Benalmadena.
Credit: De Beninho - Wikipedia.
Bowie vs Queen
FANTASTIC weekend at Louie Louie Estepona with a weekend of singalong favourites from the 70s and 80s as both Queen and David Bowie resonate in the Costa del Sol’s most Rock’n’Roll venue one more time.
On Friday, March 7, ‘I’m An Alligator’, a tribute to David Bowie, takes to the overly high stage at Louie Louie for an evening of Ch Ch Ch Changes without selling the world. By the time the band goes on stage, it should be a Moonage Daydream for All The Young Dudes and time for everyone to scream Let’s Dance. Entry costs €18 at the door, and the band goes on at 11pm on Friday, March 7.
Then, on Saturday, March 8, the singalong continues with favourites ‘Queen of Magic’ coming to rock you, paying tribute to the finest band the UK ever produced out of the 70s and 80s. Don’t stop them now, because they are just looking for somebody to love, and you know what Louie Louie is like - we don’t want another one to bite the dust. Entry costs just €11 on the door.
Now why we didn’t persuade Ricky, the boss of Louie Louie to put the both acts on together, is beyond me. We should have put him more ‘under pressure’.
Louie Louie can be found just outside Estepona harbour.
Sport, culture, and
education at the forefront
BEYOND the main events for International Women’s Day in Fuengirola, the celebrations will feature a range of activities, including talks, workshops, cultural performances, and sporting events.
One of the standout events is the ‘Communication, Equality, and Sport’ panel, scheduled for March 6 at 12pm in the Palacio de la Paz. This discussion will bring together notable local fi-
gures in women’s sport, including:
Lourdes Tebas, a local handball player.
Silvia Arderius, an international handball player for the Spanish national team.
Alba Lopez, a sports psychologist.
The initiative also includes special events tailored for schoolchildren, senior citizens, and the general public, ensuring that all segments of the
community can take part in the celebrations.
While International Women’s Day serves as a focal point, the town’s approach to gender equality extends beyond a single day of recognition.
The ‘Fuengirola por Ellas’ initiative is designed to keep these conversations alive year-round, ensuring that the pursuit of equality of opportunity is a constant priority.
Bowie & Queen revived at Louie Louie.
Zimmer, Coldplay and candlelight Beach mindfulness
SPRING is coming, and there are moments that give us joy and sound to our favourite music and that fill us full of emotion.
Candlelight, with their renowned series of candlelit concerts, is returning to Anantara Villa Padierna Palace once again with a musically varied list of concerts of live music. On Saturday, March 8, the Candlelight classical musicians are giving two concerts, one after the other, both charged with emotions.
First off, at 7pm, in the luscious surroundings of the spectacular Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, a tribute to the movie score composer, Hans Zimmer, with a selection of stirring soundtrack pieces from productions such as The Lion King, Interstellar, Dunkirk, and The Dark Knight, among others.
Later, at 9pm, they will launch into their second concert of the evening with a tribute to the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, two massively successful groups that Candlelight will honour in an evening of poprock in its most classical format. A string quartet, thousands of candles, and tunes such as Fix You, Radioactive, and The Scientist.
Candlelight is a unique
musical experience that has already surprised tens of thousands of spectators in cities like London, Paris or New York.
Tickets for the Tribute to Hans Zimmer are €29.50 each, while the Tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons are €33 and are available in advance from secretmedianetwork.com.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace is in Villa Padierna Golf Resort, Carr. de Cadiz, Marbella.
YOGA and mindful eating workshop, getting body and mind back into shape. On Saturday, March 15 at from 10am to 12.30pm.
Sofia Runne and Henna Rannikko are running the workshop at Playa Carvajal, El Kalifato Chiringuito, from 10am to 12.30pm.
The wellness workshop focuses on increasing awareness and living fully in the present. The session includes a yoga practice, relaxation through meditation, followed by a nourishing breakfast and a talk on mindful eating. During the talk, participants will learn how to be consciously present in their daily meals.
Mindful eating involves focusing on your food, appreciating it, enjoying the experience, and fulfilling the body’s physiological needs and still fully enjoying eating.
Sofia Runne, a certified yoga instructor and the founder of Soulfiyoga (@soulfiayo ga), is offering yoga and wellness services on the Costa del Sol, focusing on holistic well-being and mental balance.
Working with Sofia is Henna Rannikko, a licensed nutrition therapist and the founder of Ravitsemusklinikka (@ravitsemus klinikka) Nutrition Clinic.
Together, Henna and Sofia offer unique wellness experiences that combine yoga, nutrition, and mindfulness in Costa del Sol, and they organise wellness workshops each month together.
The yoga session is suitable for all levels, and participants can choose from three breakfast options, which also include coffee or tea. The price is €39 per person, and registrations can be made by WhatsApp to Sofia on +358 407 696 755, or Henna on +358 408 442 263.
Upon registration, you will receive further instructions and location details.
Peruvian Flair at Coya Club SPOIL MUM:
SITUATED within the exclusive Puente Romano Beach Resort, Coya Club in Marbella is something that stands out as a sensory drop of luxury, seamlessly blending high-end Peruvian cuisine with a pulsating nightlife vibe.
On a visit in summer 2024, we were swept away by the intoxicating energy and impeccable spread. The openair courtyard, surrounded by lush foliage and Inca-inspired decor with an Art-Decor tone, set a heavenly scene beneath starry skies. The menu is a masterful fusion of Peruvian tradition
with Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish influences. Standouts included the Chilean seabass gyozas and the wagyu brisket empanadas. Being Peruvian in style, ceviche features strongly on the menu. Highly recommendable were the zesty yellowfin tuna ceviche and the wagyu tataki, traditional Peruvian dishes, treated with a sprinkle of the exquisite to remind you where you are. That said, prices were not ridiculous, despite being sited in Puente Romano, but they did remind one of being in the most exclusive and luxurious spots in the Golden
Mile.
Food paired well with a passionflower-infused Pisco Sour as the dinner vibe converted into a more night club vibe. Service was flawless, with warm friendly staff.
Coya Club is due to reopen on March 13 with, no doubt, a fresh new exceptional dining experience to woo the Puente Romano crowd. Well worth a visit for an exceptional night out, especially with exceptional company.
Coya club is located in Av. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 222
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at La Sala Puerto Banus
LA SALA PUERTO BANUS is inviting you to a super special Mother’s Day bash on Sunday, March 30.
We’re celebrating mums with our famous Sunday Roast, a two-course lunch packed with all the trimmings, including tender roast beef, succulent roast chicken, and roast pork with crispy crackling, all paired with a glass of Champagne, creating the perfect culinary celebration at just €42 per person.
The afternoon wouldn’t be complete without sensational live music from Marbella’s top performers Gary B Poole, Wall Street Band and Diva Fever, and we’ve got face painting and games to keep the whole family entertained.
To make the afternoon even more special, each Mum will receive a surprise gift from us, making Mother’s Day a day to remember at La Sala Puerto Banus!
Reserve your table for a Mother’s Day filled with love, laughter, and exquisite dining at La Sala Puerto Banus today at: reservations@LaSa laBanus. com or call 952 814 145.
Chorizo – An Icon Of Spanish Cuisine
Ballet comes to Alhaurin
CHORIZO holds a special place in Spanish cuisine shaped by a strong cultural tradition that dates back to the 16th century, when paprika was introduced to Spain. It began to be used extensively to give chorizo its distinctive colouring and flavour.
The chorizo was shaped historically by the many gastronomic traditions, festivals, and cultural and even religious traditions founded in many rural villages in Spain. Unlike cattle that were bred outside of the villages, pigs were left to roam in denser urban environments and villages and were slaughtered by the families of the villages.
How it’s made - Minced pork meat, and pork fat is generously seasoned with paprika and garlic, and stuffed into the natural pork intestine. Other spices such as pepper, cumin, bay leaf, thyme, onion, and oregano may also be added. It’s dried and cured for around 50 days, with some types smoked using oak wood. The sausages are tied and exposed to air in the natural environment with good ventilation. Chorizo fresco is raw and does not under-
pork fat, paprika, crushed red pepper, and garlic and must be cooked before eating.
the family from the Ba-
Semi-cured (semicurado) - This is a fresh sausage that has been fermented and in some cases, the meat is smoked, but not dried out completely.
CONTINUING to grow as an outstanding location for cultural experiences, the Antonio Gala theatre in Alhaurin el Grande is to host two ballets for all the family from the Ballet Premiera of Ukraine: Snow White and Romeo and Juliet.
The fermentation process adds acidity and prolongs the shelf life of the chorizo.
Cured (curado) - This type of chorizo is what is most commonly served as thinly sliced pieces, usually as tapas. The meat is cured, or fermented and dried until hard and has a long shelf life. It also comes in many varieties by region of origin and here are some of the most common:
go this process. Types of chorizo - There are three main distinct varieties of chorizo found in Spain: Soft (chorizo fresco)This fresh, raw sausage is made from pork meat,
Chorizo Ibérico - Made from Ibérico pork, often cured and eaten sliced.
Chorizo Riojano - A smoky, paprika-rich chorizo from La Rioja..
Chorizo de Pamplona - Finely ground and has a uniform texture, resembling salami.
Chorizo de Cantimpalos - A protected designation chorizo from Segovia.
Chorizo de Leon - Characteristic horseshoe-shaped sausage typically dark red with a strong spicy flavour.
Chorizo Extramadura - A soft textured sausage that uses around 50 per cent baked potato, 10 per cent lean Iberian pork meat, and 40 per cent fatty meat.
Cooking - Chorizo can be found in numerous recipes such as chicken and chorizo , fabada Asturiana and chorizo al vino (chorizo braised in red wine).
Of course, dried and semi-cured chorizo is perhaps best known served as a tapas or snack.
So there you go, a quick insight (although only the start!) into one of Spain’s most iconic products, enjoy !!!
This will be the ballet company’s first trip to Spain, and they begin their tour in Andalucia, specifically Alhaurin el Grande. The group counts on 33 dancers and has already given over 600 performances around the world with their colourful costumes, spectacular decoration, and beautiful choreographies.
over 600 performances
On Friday, March 21, the Ballet Premiera of Ukraine presents their interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, and on Saturday, March 22, Snow White, giving an ideal excuse to introduce the young ones to the world of classical ballet, while
at the same time presenting an opportunity for parents and children to spend an evening together and enjoy the same entertainment.
There is also a charitable aspect to this, their first performance of a tour of Spain, in that funds raised will go to three Alhaurin-based charities: Alhmer, a local Alzheimer’s support organisation dedicated to offer help to both Alzheimer’s sufferers and their families; Un Sí Por La Vida, who help and inform sufferers of cancer; and Aprodal, a charity for those with disabilities. Tickets are already on sale for the concerts at a price of €24.90 from gi glon.com.
Gibraltar cave comedy
THREE of Britain’s best loved comedians will perform at Gibraltar’s St Michael’s Cave in April, May and June. Fans happy to take the trip down will get to see the panel show regulars bring hilarity off the screen and onto the stage at the unique venue’s natural auditorium in a limestone cave. Audiences have the chance to see Russell Howard ‘put the world to rights in his own uniquely hilarious way’ at three shows, two on April 11, at 7pm and 10pm, and another on April 12 at 7pm.
Tickets cost £40.
Next to take the cave will be Sarah Millican who will be telling audiences how she went from being a quiet child to a loud and famous stand-up comedian du-
ring her Late Bloomer show. At the time of writing 96 per cent of the £40 tickets for her 8pm shows on May 9 and 10 have been sold. Last but not least is Ramesh Ranganathan who will be ‘examining the human condition’ and asking, ‘are people inherently good?’ during his brand new show Hustle, which will ‘provide no real answers’ but will include ‘swearing and adult content’. Tickets cost £41 for his 7.30pm performances on June 11 and 12. All shows will be performed at St Michael’s Cave.
Tickets are available at www.buytic kets.gi, prices include a shuttle bus service from Midtown Coach and Car Park on Reclamation Road to the venue.
Credit: Ballet Premiera of Ukraine
Romeo & Juliet and Snow White.
The unique venue St Michael’s Cave in Gibraltar will host the three comedians.
Credit: Flickr: Mike McBey
Swiss Jazz master Author John Julius Reels
SIMON SPIESS Quartet has reformed and play the Clarence Jazz Club on Saturday, March 8. While the members of the quartet have not played together with this formation for a long time, they have a strong musical bond with each other. This closeness gives their sound an organic solidity that lasts and moves until the last note.
Malcolm Braff shines on the piano with an expressive touch, sometimes bluesier, and inspires with his percussive and pulsating way of caressing and breaking the melody. The solos of saxophonist Simon Spiess shine with unfathomable sensitivity and creative power.
Bänz Oester impresses with his clearly emphasised bass lines and his melodic and lyrical solos, which fit perfectly into the sound structure of the band and yet stand out for their uniqueness.
Dühsler subtly underlines the vibrant and cheerful rhythms with brushes and light pulses on the cymbals, providing the necessary structure.
Spiess’s warm, soulful saxophone and innovative sound design create a mesmerising mix of jazz, electronica, and global textures. Known for dynamic performances, the Quartet grooves hard and paints vivid soundscapes,
making every unique.
Seeing a Simon Spiessled band live is to witness a Swiss jazz giant that’s both accessible and avant guard.
The Simon Spiess Quartet plays Clarence Jazz Club in Torremolinos on Saturday, March 8, at 10pm. Tickets are available from the Clarence website at clarencejazzclub.com and cost between €20 and €25.
AS part of the ‘Stories about Benahavis’ series of talks, John Julius Reels presents ‘The Foreign vs The Familiar’.
Native New Yorker, John Julius Reel, has lived for over 15 years in Sevilla with his Sevillian wife and two bilingual / bicultural sons. In his talk, he will focus on how, when, and where the foreign and the familiar can blur, merge into each other, and even swap places in the course of an international experience.
Using snippets from
home life, street life, daily habits, holidays, food, religion, language, history, sexual politics, and civic pride - and will also ask for participation from the audience.
“John Julius Reel gets as close as anybody can to the heart of the matter: he’s actually married to a sevillana, which gives him a highly privileged view of what it is to be Spanish.” - Chris Stewart, author of the Driving Over Lemons series.
John’s presentation will take place at 5.30pm on March 25 in the Benahavis
While drummer Samuel
Credit: SS
Simon Spiess Trio.
John Julius Reels.
Credit: JJR
March is Women’s Month
Photo credit: Benalmadena town hall
JESICA TRUJILLO:
Benalmadena’s Equality councillor invited young and old to enjoy Women’s Day events.
MARCH 8 might be Women’s Day worldwide but in Benalmadena, March is Women’s Month.
Under the ‘Together, Diverse and Unstoppable’ heading, Equality councillor Jesica invited young and old to enjoy all the planned events.
March 6: The town hall’s formal Women’s Day celebration with official recognition for prominent Benalmadena women held at the Casa de Cultura at 11am.
Screening of the film Shayda at 8pm, again at the Casa de Cultura.
March 7: Second Benalmadena Equality Gala organised by the town hall and the MDM with awards for the women who have stood out for their defence of equality on a national, regional, provincial and local level at 6.30pm.
March 13: Screening of the film Gondola
at the Casa de Cultura at 8pm
March 14: The Amigos de La Historia (Friends of History) group organise an informal debate focusing on The Woman in Pre-history at 5.30pm at the Casa de Cultura. There is no entry fee, but it is necessary to book beforehand.
Pepa Luna Casanova presents her book Gloria en el Infierno (Glory in Hell), with a talk afterwards at 6pm at the Arroyo de la Miel public library.
March 21: Talk on Mujeres Artistas (Women Artists) at the Museo Precolombino at 6pm. No entry fee although it is necessary to book beforehand.
March 22: Storytelling at the Arroyo de la Miel public library.
March 28: Children’s Workshop at the Museum Precolombiano with booking necessary beforehand.
From Mondays to Sundays:
–
Malaga’s Eco maze
LABYRINTHUS PARK has opened in Humilladero, Malaga, bringing Spain’s largest outdoor maze, spanning over 7,400 square metres.
The hi-tech ecological park used the latest eco-tech from Spanish company Bioo with innovations that are changing the face of the tourism sector.
Designed by celebrated landscaper Adrian Fisher and inspired by designs from the Alhambra, this first-of-its-kind Biootech labyrinth is a mix of nature and technology. It is suitable for visitors of all ages who can explore routes lasting between 30 minutes to two hours.
First unveiled at FITUR tourism fair, the park boasts sustainable tourism with Bioo technology, in that plants act as Bioological switches, responding to human touch to trigger immersive environments, while Bioo Panels - advanced Biooreactors - capture energy from soil to light the heart of the maze and generate irrigation. The self-sufficient system creates a seemingly magical, ecofriendly system.
Fisher’s design offers a variety of levels of difficulty, merging art, science, and nature. The Bioo Switches ensure plants remain unharmed, and so, championing sustainability. It’s a big step toward a more eco-conscious tourism, showing that the new Biootechnology can actually protect nature.
Credit: LP
Labyrinthus park in Malaga.
Promoted by businessman Rafael Mesa, Labyrinthus Park aims to boost Humilladero’s economy and put Malaga at the cuttingedge of green destinations. Beyond just fun, it offers educational activities to improve environmental awareness, redefining ecotourism and adding another reason to many for holidaying in the region.
The park can be found in Parque de Santillan, Mollina, 29520.
Adintre Carnival
JOYCE GYIMAH of the Adintre association, set up to provide support to those who most need it, is holding a carnival celebration on Saturday, March 8, where everyone will be dressed up in fancy dress.
The all-day event at the Peña Los 7 Días at the Fuengirola fairgrounds will have food, drink, and plenty of live music.
With the amazingly generous coming together of the Costa del Sol community, Joyce and Adintre managed to raise the money needed for new showers and an employee to manage them and keep them open for the homeless all year round. Now her target is to pay for a muchneeded psychologist for the Adintre centre in Fuengirola.
Joyce Gyimah explained that, “with this charity event we intend to raise funds to be able to get a psychologist who allows us to serve the users of our association.
“Today any of us can find ourselves in a situation of need with the cost of living, and we have many people to attend to.
Entry to the carnival event is €15 and includes drinks, live music, raffles, auctions and paella.
The event begins at 12pm and goes on all day long until 11pm at the Peña Los 7 Días in Recinto Feral Permanente, 11, Fuengirola.
The €15 can be paid via Bizum to 639 259 162, or via transfer to the Adintre account ES 36 2103 0135 7200 3001 6203.
“That’s why I invite everyone to collaborate with us through this party.”
Adintre fundraising event at Fuengirola carnival.
SOCIALSCENE II euroweeklynews.com
Art of Gigi López MamaQuilla fundraiser, Coya
CASA DE LAS TEJERINAS in Estepona is hosting an exhibition by contemporary UK artist Gigi López until March 12.
The exhibition is open Tuesdays to Friday from 9am to 8pm, and the same on Saturdays with a break between 2pm and 4pm. The show consists of 23 images painted with acrylic on canvas.
Gigi López (Angela López Sarney) was born in the UK. Her creative passion is rooted in her rich Spanish heritage, which led her in 2023 to move to live and work in Malaga. Her sharp-witted observations of the world during her extensive travels have awakened a deep desire to foster meaningful connections with others. The abstract works are visual odysseys through enchanting worlds, woven from her memories and personal explorations.
from surrealist triumphs to pieces of social commentary and realism, each giving a hat-tip the struggles and injustices faced by marginalised voices. She defends the constant need to amplify these narratives, advocating for issues such as racial equity, gender equality, mental well-being and much more. With an open invitation, Gigi immerses herself in a look through
her artistic lens, skilfully applying acrylics, collage, mixed media, wax, templates, textures and photographs to develop her unique perspective of the world.
The exhibition is free to enter and lasts until March 12 at the The Casa de Las Tejerinas, Plaza de las Flores, Estepona.
COYA restaurant and nightclub in Puente Romano is to host a ‘Night of Giving’ as they launch MamaQuilla, a global initiative dedicated to empowering women and children worldwide.
Inspired by the Andean moon goddess, a revered symbol of protection and femininity, MamaQuilla reflects the very essence of Coya - rooted in Peru, where the brand draws its inspiration, vibrant spirit, and cultural heritage.
Seamlessly blending immersive dining with purposeful giving, the initiative will raise funds for vital causes through annual events across Coya’s global locations.
To mark International Women’s Day, Coya Marbella will proudly launch MamaQuilla, celebrating the strengths and contributions of women worldwide in partnership with the association Despertar sin Violencia.
Guests will enjoy COYA’s signature Peruvian à la carte menu, cocktails, and entertainment from Coya Music DJs.
A good portion of the proceeds will directly support Despertar sin Violencia. ‘Despertar Sin Violencia’ is a non-profit association that seeks to eradicate gender and domestic violence in a time when more and more cases are being reported.
Their primary objective is to achieve changes in Spanish law on domestic violence through a variety of actions and to raise awareness on the issue to help victims to embark upon a new stage as free people, without fear, and with a new life.
Bookings are now open for the event at Coya in Puente Romano on Saturday, March 8, from 9pm onwards. Coya is in Puente Romano, Marbella. Call 682 112 233 to book.
MamaQuilla at Coya, Puente Romano.
Gigi’s creations range
Credit: Gigi López
From the Dons & Doñas series.
Credit: Puente Romano
Best bar in Fuengirola
Adam Woodward
CHRISTY’S Irish Gastropub, Fuengirola’s only luxury sports lounge, has just been given a full five points on TripAdvisor, making it, according to the review site, the best bar in Fuengirola!
Congratulations to all the crew down at Christy’s for making the difference and raising the bar. They had sat at the number two position for the last 18 months, but they have now sealed it! Out of the 109 bars that have a TripAdvisor profile in Fuengirola, they came top of the lot.
But what is their secret? How do they do it?
Could it be their reliability? Open 11am through to 1am seven days a week? There’s no closing for holidays, except for one staff party in December. It might be because they hire experienced professionals and make sure they look after them well. There’s a low staff turnover, so you will always see a familiar smiling face when you pop in for a pint.
Maybe it’s their amazing ice-cold beer bucket offers, or that they boast the best pint of Guinness in Fuengirola. Perhaps success is down to their fantastic food 12 hours a day, starting with breakfast 11am to 2pm - full Irish, small Irish, or a handy breakfast wrap.
There are lunch and dinner meals to fit all bellies too, from light snacks to the colossal Tomahawk challenge (five free pints of Gui-
ADVERTISING FEATURE
tes!). Great food, all day long, and without the siesta.
How in just a few short years, Christy’s has become the top bar, the number one, in a town with as many bars as Fuengirola is a mystery.
Could it be their dedication to sports? Premiership and Scottish football, rugby, golf, and it wouldn’t be Irish without GAA and horse racing, now, would it? Could it be that it’s the cleanest and tidiest Irish bar this reporter has ever seen (I’ve known a lot)?
One factor sure to have influenced voters on TripAdvisor is the fact they actually care about their customers. Guests from a nearby hotel complain their rooms come without a kettle. So, Christy’s have decided to loan them kettles absolutely free. All they have to do is leave a small deposit. What other bar in Fuengirola cares that much?
It could be one of those factors, but it’s probably all of them. Christy’s is more than a pub. It’s a family. From the customers to the staff to those on holiday - everyone makes a point of coming back.
OPEN 11.00 - 01.00 7 DAYS A WEEK
DELICIOUS GASTROPUB FOOD SERVED ALL DAY
AMAZING OFFERS
ness for anyone who can finish it in under 45 minu-
ness for anyone in under 45 minu-
Find Christy’s on Calle Olleria 20, Fuengirola, to see why
Well done on that TripAdvisor rating, Christy’s Irish Gastropub. It’s a prize well deserved.
they are the best in town.
soul food Hamburger soul food
GOURMET hamburgers have surged in popularity across Spain, evolving from fast-food staples to culinary stars. The trend, reflects a shift toward high-quality ingredients and creative recipes. Then, Bully Bunz in Marbella popped up, going seriously old school and stripping back the paraphernalia to bring back love to the humble hamburger. Behind it all, Andrew Foldi and Joe Canales.
EWN: Whose idea was it?
Andrew: Working in Manuka as a consultant, I got chatting with Joe about this idea. So we started looking for places that has the vibe. And we found this.
EWN: You make your own bread?
Andrew: I have a hard head, and I wanted to do everything. I’d rather have a small menu and make it all from scratch than
have a huge menu and buy everything in.
EWN: How many buns did you make today?
Andrew: We did 220 today. Traditional Martin’s potato-flour burger buns. It holds up well. It doesn’t squish and fall apart.
EWN: What about the barbecued beef?
Andrew: People have been back a few times already for the same thing, so we don’t want them to get bored. It’s a barbecue burger. Andrea [his wife] said it the other day. ‘Your daddy’s backyard barbecue burger’. It’s nostalgic.
A Bully Bunz burger is uncomplicated and full of natural goodness - one you don’t need cutlery for. It’s a real burger. In the four days they had been open,‘It went from 100 burgers to 150, to 200…’ Calle Vicente Blasco Ibánez 9, Marbella
SOCIALSCENE II
Piano Man is back!
AFTER three years on tour and travelling the world, Paul Maxwel is back in the Costa del Sol with some exciting news for March.
Paul has decided to take a break from touring and get back to enjoying his hometown - Marbella. He’s returning to his roots for an exciting new challenge at the rebirth of the iconic piano bar, Marvellous. On Thursday, March 6, Paul will be launching Marvellous Live in collaboration with the Sala Group and some special guest stars. The venue in Puerto Banús goes back a long way with Paul, back to the early 2000s, in fact.
Expo Tattoo
Ian Radford, chairman of Sala Group, reflected on the nostalgia and excitement surrounding the event, saying, “Paul and I first met in 2000 at the Marvellous bar in Puerto Banus. Those were truly
some of the best days, and it’s incredibly exciting to revive that energy and magic for both old and new faces. Marvellous Live promises to bring the same iconic spirit to every night and deliver the ultimate live music nightlife experience.”
Some of the most talented local and international artists are lined up to lead audiences on a captivating musical journey through the 70s, 80s, and
90s, featuring an electric mix of Disco, Soul, Motown, and Rock. “We will create an ever-evolving lineup of world-class entertainment full of fun,” says Paul.
There will also be a big exclusive official opening party on March 22, but that one will be invite-only.
Marvellous live launches on Thursday, March 6 at 11pm at La Sala, Puerto Banus.
lacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in Estepona
tists in the same room. As well, he highlighted that there will be artists performing tattoos so complex that they will create them over the entire three days the event lasts.
tional tattoo artists from ce, Brazil, Venezuela, the Czech Republic, and Ro-
THE 10th ExpoTattoo is happening from Friday, March 7, to Sunday, March 9, at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in Estepona and will bring together 120 national and international tattoo artists from countries as diverse as Colombia, the UK, France, Brazil, Venezuela, the Czech Republic, and Romania.
According to the councillor for Youth, Julia Simón, the tattoo event is one of the three biggest exhibitions of tattoos in the country.
The event this year will be raising funds for the Association of Children’s Oncology Volunteers of the Maternity Hospital of Malaga (AVOI). The event organiser has said that the layout will be different this year and more open so visitors will be able to see a greater number of ar-
On all three days, the event will open at 12pm. All tattoos done during the day will participate in a contest in more than 12 di-
there will be live music on Friday and Saturday from 7pm, along with the competition of the best tattoo of each day. As well as the live tattooing, expect DJs, bands, and live graffiti painting.
The entry ticket for each day will be €5, with the total of the money raised given to the AVOI charity.
Paul Maxwel performing his Piano Man set.
Tattooist at work at ExpoTattoo.
Ireland’s most successful artist
HEAD CHEF, songwriter, politician, TV presenter, and actor, Kevin Sharkey, or just Sharkey as he’s known, taught himself to paint and started selling his works at 30. He has had galleries dedicated to selling his art in Dublin, Barcelona, Ibiza, Portugal and now central
Sharkey, Ireland’s most successful contemporary artist, has sold more than 10,000 of his works, some to the likes of Courtney Love, Whitney Houston, Matt Lucas and Michael Portillo. He has just opened his gallery in Calle Marín García, in central MalaEuro Weekly decided to pay him a visit.
How’s the new gallery going? First day, and I’ve just sold a painting for €7,500 to a guy from
Wyoming.
EWN: There are trains of Irishness and African in the paintings.
Sharkey: I suppose there is. The African side is the bold colours and maybe the ones that look like figures. I was adopted by a white family as a child and thrown into Dublin culture. I won 37 medals for Irish dancing. Perhaps people were just surprised to see a black kid doing a jig.
EWN: Will you go back into politics?
Sharkey: No. The closer I got to power, the more I could see that politics changes nothing. If politics did anything, they would ban it. I stood for the Irish presidency, but after selling more than 10,000 paintings, I decided to dedicate my time to me, my dogs, and my magpie.
BenalBollywood
ALL dance is an art, a means of communication, a way of doing a physical activity, and sharing. This particular activity also seeks to learn and connect with another culture, that of India.
Professor Anita Tolaram performs a series of dances and choreographies adapted for all ages in Bollywood. Fine and coarse psychomotricity is worked on and will help to learn to coordinate the different movements of the body in a Bollywood style.
The dynamic of the course is to learn fun choreographies and, at the end of the course, perform a Bo-
Anita classes.Bollywood’s
llywood exhibition with all the Bollystudents. Also at the end of the course, attendees receive a certificate from dance instructor Adars Sawalani Tolaram, AKA Anita. All you need to bring is comfortable and colourful clothing (Hindu style), a mat, a towel, and a bottle of water.
also organises
Adarsh Tolaram, Anita, is a dance teacher, choreographer, and founder of the Bollywoodmania Malaga Cultural Association. Through dance she transmits the culture of her country and events and shows and has taught this course in a variety of schools, fitness centres, and cultural spaces in Malaga and internationally. Bollywood classes are held at the Edificio Innova, Arroyo de la Miel every Saturday from 5pm to 6.30pm. To sign up for classes email: bo llywoodmania@hotmail. com, or call Anita on 609 100 484.
