Category: festival

IV Noches en el Palacio de la Buhaira

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Theatre, music and dance under the light of the moon…

With over 30 shows through the summer until September, the fourth edition of Nights at the Buhaira Palace begin on June 21st with a concert featuring the winners of the municipal competition “Flamenco Joven”.

An easy walk from the centre of town, the Buhaira Palace is located on Eduarto Dato Avenue just a few minutes from the San Bernardo bridge (aka Puente de Bomberos). Built in 1171 by the caliph Abu Ya Qub Yusuf, the Buhaira Palace and its incredible gardens is still one of Sevilla’s “hidden gems”.

Normal ticket price is 12€ with reduced prices of 10€ for students and pensioners, and 8€ for groups of 15 or more.

Tickets can be purchased by telephone (902 021 952) Monday to Friday from 10.00 – 14.00 and at the theatre box office from 19.30 – 22.00 on the day of the show.

Palacio de la Buhaira
Corner Avdas Eduardo Dato & La Buhaira
21st June – 2nd September 2012
Shows start at 10.00 pm
Price: 12 euros

Programme PDF

Córdoba Feria 2012

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[youtube=”http://youtu.be/PATKgtofgxs”]

[watch full screen if possible]

Some pics from my first visit to the Feria de Córdoba. Another fair, like the one in Jerez, that is totally different to the Feria de Sevilla and which, in my opinion, is much better. The casetas are larger (with air con) and are open to the public. Depending on what you fancy you can opt for traditional flamenco music (sevillanas), flamenco rock, salsa, disco… the casetas ranged from fairly rough & ready tents to solid structures decorated like country homes with servers dressed in maid’s outfits. You can get some great looking food, watch the crowds or join in, or stroll the streets and enjoy the parade of horses and carriages in the afternoon.

It really felt like being at a country fair – I even went on the ferris wheel! Too bad we were just there for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I found myself wishing that I could stay to see the fairground lit up at night but duty called and we had tickets booked on the 19.30 train (which we almost missed, arriving at the station with about two minutes to spare).

Note: at 2.44 is the horse of the day – a gorgeous beast, my photo doesn’t do him justice.

Travel tip: the Sevilla – Córdoba Avant (19.10€ one way)  is much better value than the Ave (33.20€) and takes the same amount of time (45 minutes). And if you return on the same day you get a 20% discount.

Bienal de Flamenco 2012

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The Bienal de Flamenco has (finally!) announced their 2012 programme.

The Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla has been going strong since 1980. It is an internationally renowned music festival that features the some of the finest flamenco performers in the world and takes place in all types of venues throughout town, from small local peñas to the magnificent Maestranza Theatre. The theme of the 2012 edition will be “De Cuerpo y Alma” (From Body and Soul). Tickets go on sale (on line) June 1st.

It’s been a long while since I’ve attended this fabulous event. Last time was eight years ago (!!) when I saw the incomparable Paco de Lucía. Think it’s time to go again…

Bienal de Flamenco 2012
3rd – 30th September

Bienal de Flamenco Website
Bienal 2012 Programme

Feria del Caballo 2012

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Yes I know, it’s traitorous, disloyal, blah-blah-blah to say this, but the Feria del Caballo in Jerez beats the heckity out of the more famous and much larger Feria de Abril in Sevilla. It just does.

First of all because most of the casetas are open to the public. You know, like a fair ought to be. And instead of being in a massive parking lot like here it’s inside a pretty park with palm trees and flowers. Then there are the horses! Without a doubt the most spectacular in all of Spain.

I’m hoping to spend an afternoon there this week. If you’re interested in going there’s an easy train connection from either San Bernardo or Santa Justa stations, just over an hour for about 20 euros return. Though if you want to see the fairground lit up at night you’ll have to stay over as the last train leaves at 20.48 and accommodation may be scarce. But it’s a great day trip!

Feria del Caballo
Jerez de la Frontera
May 7th – 13th 2012