Algarve Events -

what to enjoy during your stay

Read all about upcoming Algarve events during the next few weeks.  I try to update this page whenever I learn about something new that looks interesting, so don't forget to visit often - if only to discover what you're missing!

Now you've no excuse for not planning what to do when you're not lolling around on those gorgeous beaches, whenever your Algarve vacation takes place.

Choose from: 

festivals 4 fairs 4 sports 4 entertainments
music 4 shows 4 art exhibitions 4 markets

As you may know if you have read my Algarve Culture page, there's plenty going on in Algarve, no matter what time of year you may visit. It took me ages to discover that there was another Algarve, beyond where the beaches ended - but now you don't have the same excuse. Here's what you could be enjoying during the rest of this month...

(Often, at the beginning of the month, there's not much information available. But do check back to see my regular updates as the information comes in!)

Algarve Events - Festivals

This month sees the start of one of the Algarve's Biggies' - an event that has no rivals in my opinion. Yes, from 22nd of May it is time for...

Fiesa 2008

The biggest, most varied and impressive festival of sand sculptures in the world, it's claimed. With more than 35,000 tonnes of sand and international sand artists from all over the world, it's always a wonder to behold.

The theme of this year's FIESA is, quite simply, Hollywood. Plenty of scope there for some fantastic and outrageous sculptures, I'm sure!

In addition to the sand sculptures, there's music, films, workshops for percussion and Capoeira, as well as dance and theatre. Often, the sand artists give exhibitions of how they do their stuff.

It takes place at Pêra, and you can find out more by telephoning: 

96 945 92 59 or 96 945 92 61

Portimão Festival of Jazz

Entitled 'Maio, Lindo Maio' (May, beautiful May), this runs from the 8th to the 11th of the month.

Artists include André Mota, Marta Hugon and Carlos Barreto (Portugal), David Binney (USA) and Didier Lockwood (France). You can visit the Disco Day on the 11th and see "Jazz Song".

It's all taking place at the riverfront area from 1500 to 1900 on the 25th and from 1100 to 1900 on the other days.

Tel. for details: 282 470 700

Festival of Seafood Gastronomy

Hosted in beautiful Tavira (and immediate environs), this runs from 10th to 25th May. It's an annual event, so should be well organised.

This time around, there are 16 restaurants involved, namely:

Tavira:
Bica,  Brisa do Rio,  Galeão, Salinas (Hotel Vila Galé Albacora), Marés,  Riamar,  A Ver Tavira,  Rive Gauche, Abstracto, Mouraria.
Cabanas:
Pedro, Cabanas Brasserie,  Páteo da Ria (Aparthotel Cabanas Park)
Santa Luzia:
Casa do Abade, Vincent, Casa ao Lado.

Customers stand a chance to win a weekend 'Near the Sea' at one of the participating hotels: 

Quinta do Morgado (Tavira), Hotel Eurotel (Tavira), 
Pousada do Convento da Graça (Tavira), Hotel Porta Nova (Tavira), Apartamentos Turísticos Pedras d’ El Rei (Santa Luzia), 
Aparthotel Golden Club (Cabanas), Cabanas Park (Cabanas), 
Casa Viana Guesthouse (Cabanas), 
Aldeamento Turístico Pedras da Rainha (Cabanas), 
Vila Galé Hotels (in one of their hotels in Portugal).

Algarve Events - Fairs

Summer Fair at Tavira

In aid of Loulé's Canil São Francisco animal rescue centre. Lots of hand-made foods, bric-a-brac stalls, greetings cards and clothing. Saturday 10th May, 10.00 to 13.00, near the riverside market. Have a browse and contribute to a good cause at the same time!

Tel. 281 324 795 for details or to donate items.

International Algarve Fair

The weekend of the 10th/11th sees this year's event once again at Lagoa's Fatacil showground. Opening hours are 10.00 to 20.00 and entrance is 3 euros per head, but children under 12 years of age go in free.

There'll be a show of new motors in the pavilion, an Arts and Crafts marquee, a selection of garden designs that will be judged by a presenter from BBC's Groundforce programme, and many, many individual stands.

The latter will include representatives and displays from many Algarve businesses that offer such diverse services as fashion, home design and decoration, medical and alternative therapies, pool services...

As usual, there'll be plenty to keep visitors amused, with street performers, jugglers, puppeteers, stilt-walkers and other stuff to lend a carnival atmosphere. 

In the relaxation section of the park, the stage will host the usual eclectic mix of music styles that can be enjoyed during most of the day from the seating areas at the cafés and restaurants that offer rest and refreshments. 

We usually retreat there to escape the frequent 'pan-pipes' performances by the Ecuadorian group on the lawn. Since they're back again, others must enjoy what they do, so we just grit our teeth and get on with it!

Amusingly, the newspaper ads for this event have, since last year, included a photograph (see right) of Nev and me! If memory serves, I was telling him where to meet up again, as he can get lost inside even a well-defined area...

Algarve Events - Sports and Stuff

Rally of Vila do Bispo

On 17 and 18th of May, the Car Club of Portugal is proud to present this rally.

European Bodyboarding Circuit - Open and Women's Events

Organised by the Portuguese Surfing Federation, these events take place on the 16th, 17th and 18th of May at Vila do Bispo.

Algarve Events - Entertainments

None found yet!

Algarve Events - Music

23rd Algarve Academic Week

Don't let the title fool you; this also entails a good selection of musical events. Those billed are:

ARCM Jam Session

The Association of Musicians in Faro have a regular session wherein 'musos' are invited to turn up with their instruments and join in an improvisation (Jam session). 

It happens every Thursday, from 2200 to 0200 (I'm guessing some folk don't have day jobs!) and entry is free. There's a bar, and you can sample some delicious regional snacks (so I'm told - I haven't managed to attend yet). 

The location is down by the Faro railway station, in Rua da Moagem. It's accessed via Rua Gomes Freire, which is one-way traffic from the R. Infante Dom Henrique, so check this maplet for how to access it...

Tel. 961398634

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Jazz Club concert at the S. Brás de Alportel Museum. This month's offering takes place on the 18th from 1700 to 1900 (5 pm to 7 pm) and features Be & Bop - Manuela Lopes and Zé Eduardo, who use voice and double bass respectively! An eclectic mix of Portuguese words put to the music of the great Bebop standards, it should be another one-off for the Museu.

The concert is arranged on behalf of the Friends of the Museum, and tickets are 5 euros for members, 7 euros for non-members. Great value if you're keen on live jazz. And, if you take along an instrument, you can join in the jam session at the end! Here's how to get there...

This month, there's also another jazz concert at the Museum, on Saturday 31st May at 20:30. It features the Good Vibes vibraphone quartet, and tickets are 14 euros in advance or 15 euros on the night (Friends of the Museum pay 10 euros or 12 euros respectively.

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Friday night Jam Session weekly at the Lounge Bar, Boliqueime. Join in if you wish! (tel. 281 369 004 for details).

Algarve Events - Shows

Casino Shows

'Cotton Club' is showing at Vilamoura Casino, at 10 pm. It's the story of that eternal love triangle, this time set in a New York speakeasy. It's about timeless passions interspersed with passionate music. Sound good? Why not check it out? 
(tel. 289 310 000 for details).

'La Femme' is the new spectacular (set in 'a mysterious cavern') at 10.30 pm nightly at Hotel Algarve Casino, Praia da Rocha.  
La Femme is all about celebrating 'The Woman' in all her facets, so that's okay by me! (tel. 282 402 000 for details). 

'Dream' is, unsurprisingly, a show about 'fantasies'. Catch it at the Monte Gordo Casino (Tel. 281 530 800 for details).

The tariff offered at Monte Gordo allows you to see the show with either a complimentary drink for about 10 euros, a fixed menu meal for some 22 euros or à al carte for around 27 euros. The shows are usually followed by live dance music.  (Note that prices are a little higher at the Vilamoura and Portimão venues, so do check first).

Algarve Events - Art Exhibitions

Espirito do Lugar (Spirit of the Place) is an exhibition of works by various artists, hosted at the art gallery of the Holy Spirit Convent in Loule. 

Open 09:30 to 17:30 - except Saturday (10:00 to 14:00) and Sunday (closed).

Metamorfose is an exhibition at the Art Gallery, Praça do Mar in Quarteira until 11th May. 
Miniatures by Justino Brito and texts by Teresa Taveira tell the story of the evolution of architecture in Portugal, considering influences such as Oriental, Arabic, Roman and even the primitive homes that preceded those. (Usually open during daylight hours).

An exhibition by Paula Rego can be seen at Faro's Municipal Museum from 5th April to 31st May. Tel. 289 897 400

David Haines is a popular Algarve-based artist who seems to have plenty of exhibitions going on at any one time. Currently, you can catch his (rather striking) work at:

Patricia’s Restaurant and Gallery, Montes de Cima, north of Penina, and the Magna Carta Bookshop, Quinta da Praia, Alvor

Lua Azul Gallery, São Brás de Alportel;

George Timber showroom, on the EN125 road between Ferreiras and Patã de Cima (near Albufeira).

And Nev's favourite Algarve artist, Clive Cook, has an exhibition that's open every day at the Private Gallery, Figueira, Vila do Bispo. There are watercolours and oil paintings to admire (and covet). Tel: 282 695 446

Algarve Events - Markets

There are regular markets held all over the Algarve, so if you want to sample the flavour of local wheeling and dealing during your stay, why not go along and join in the colourful (and, when you pass one of the snack/drinks areas, often odour-ful) fun?

The Algarve markets tend to be held on the same days every month, public holidays permitting, so here's where I've put my comprehensive listing so you can find  one that's near you, wherever you're staying...

Algarve Markets - find out more!

(Organisers and venue owners can contact me ahead of time for inclusion on this page. Just use the form on my Algarve Best page to let me know).

Watch this page for next month's events! 

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Let Everyone Know:

If you have an event or other entertainment about which you'd like to advise Algarve Beach Life's readers, then let me know in good time and I'll try to include it here.

For Lovers of Algarve Beach Life
 

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