Nov, San Javier, Fiestas Patronales, 24thNovember-12th December, Programme in English

Fiestas Patronal of San Javier

24 November 2009 to December 12, 2009

 

Nearly everything here is happening in the Parque Almansa and the Plaza de Espana.

The first weekend the barracas are up, which is scrummy tapas and  lots of noise. then the   marquee goes up and its plenty of beer and some really excellent musical performances. They're all free, so are worth giving a try if you've not been to a local fiesta like this before.

The format is generally pretty much the same, the whole family, from 87years  to 6 months go, meet friends, have a beer and enjoy the music, which is usually pretty good and all the groups mentioned here are excellent.

The 4^th-8^th there's a Mediaeval market, two good sized parades, firework display,  aeromodelling exhibition and a craft market.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
21:30 pm. Traditional proclamation in which members of the local community are honoured for their contribution to agriculture and fishing. The Pirate is declared at the Santiago de la Ribera Regatta Club, the Farmer at the salon de Actos of the Town Hall. Following this, the penas parade to the Parque Almansa where the barracas have been set up for the festival, For anyone who doesn't know what barracas are, they're food. Normally tapas is sold at excellent prices and it's a great place to just try a whole load of new tapas. If you don't know what any of it is, just pick a few bits at random, make sure you order pan, bread, and one portion of each and give it a try, the prices are generally pretty low. The main thing to watch out for is that if there are two of you that you order one portion of each and not a portion for 2 people. It can get expensive if you do that and then don't like what turns up.

If you feel adventurous, try papirotes for afters, they're fried lemon leaves and are delicious, although very sweet and sugary. Just don't make the mistake we did first time and start munching the leaves as well, the trick is to suck the mix OFF the leaf. We provided great entertainment for all the Spanish on the surrounding tables, but they were very nice and we soon ended up being passed all sorts of morsels to sample so it turned into a real fun adventure!

Once the barracas have been inaugurated, the evening continues with a dance hosted by the Orquesta Budu who will keep the music coming until the early hours

 

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 

 Housewifes and Kids Day

Various events to entertain the most important members of the family, organised by themselves ! ( !!!)
11:00 h. Grand party for children from 6 to 10 years (workshops shirts, masks, globoflexia, bracelets, makeup, necklaces, Wii Zone tent and bags of sweets). All free.
15.30 XXIX Carrera Ciclista "Villa de San Javier. Departure from Plaza de Espana

Cycling race, organized by the Cycling Club , Mar Menor.

22:00 h. Dance with the Orquesta Mundial, In the fiesta marquee in the Parque Almansa. They're a very good group, when we saw them it was more like a full scale musical extravaganza, although there may be budgetary constraints.....who performed at several excellent fiestas during the summer This is very much a night for the ladies, with a raffle for a shawl and chocolate offered to all as the evening grows late

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29
11:30 am Craft market. In the Plaza de Espana and Parque Almansa.
22:00 h. Fiesta in la Fiesta Marquee, with Mobile Disco.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1
19:00 h. Passacaglia with dixiland Nova Band. A pasa calle is literally a roaming around the streets, so a band will be playing music on a general route
22:00 h. Cabaret Night. Parque Almansa A variety show of all type of acts, with performances by Malena Gracia, Charly, Ballet Cabaret and more.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2
19:30 h. Offering of flowers to St. Francis Xavier, performed by the penas. In the Parish Church.
22:00 h. Dancing with the "Orchestra Show Band." In the Parque Almansa. Again, this is a very good group who we've seen at summer fiestas and played an excellent range of music.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 Feast of St. Francis Xavier

8:00 h. Pasacalles, La banda de Musica de Jalon. The music band wander around the streets waking everyone up.

 

11:00 h. Mass in honor of St. Francis Xavier.
12:30 Concert by the Band of Music of the General Air Academy, with the participation of the choir of  Bjørnå Stella Maris. In the Plaza de Espana.

16:30 An act called Spanish Café, featuring "Los Duendes y su cuerpo de baile."in the Parque Almansa.

19:30 h. Procession. Whilst this is happening there will be a big fireworks display in the Polideportivo Sports Ground.
22:00 h. Dancing with the Orquesta Show Band, Parque Almansa.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4
19:00 h. Inauguration of the Medieval Market There are a variety of activities taking place whilst this is on, with falconry displays, childrens puppet shows and story telling, games for the children.

The market will be open from the 4^th - 8^th December in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

22.00 Opening of the Festival marquee in the Parque Almansa
23:00 h. Concert given by  Los Parrandboleros. Admission free.

This is an enormous group. If thy come in their entirety there are about 20 people on stage. Its like a cross between Mexican, latin and a bad western, but unmistakeably Spanish.

Have a listen and judge for yourself, CLICK HERE

Once the concert is over,the mobile disco kicks in until the early hours.

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
22:00 h. Opening of the Festival Marquee in the Parque Almansa.
23:30 Concert for young people with  Mojinos Escozios. This is a paid entry as this is quite a popular band, but they'll probably be a bit heavy for many.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 Day of the Peñas (Clubs )
10:30 h. II National Canoeing Regatta in Santiago de la Ribera.

12:00 h. IV Horse and Carriage Parade "San Javier, 09" through the streets of San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera.
22:30 h. Dance with the band "Energy". Parque Almansa.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7
16:00 h. Grand parade of floats. This finishes at the Parque Almansa with a mobile disco and music show, by "DJ Octopus"

 

 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8
20:00 h. Talent show  Parque Almansa.
22:00 h. Mobile Disco.

 
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11
22:00 h. Macroconcerts "Music @ s de aqui" with Damned Plan Barzul, Sealen, Direccion Sur, Malavergüenza, Nudos, El Callejón del Mico and Los Ultimos

There are some really good, local Spanish bands playing here. Some of it will be a bit heavy, but if you like young, contemporary Spanish pop and rock music, this is for you.

 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
11:30 am Radio-controlled model airplane exhibition. ( Venue to be confirmed.)

22:00 h. Festival of Spanish music.III Festival de la Copla.

Copla can be a little harsh on the ex-pat ear, being a cross between flamenco and the scratchy old records of the 1920's that great granny used to play is the best description we can give. It can be really lovely, some of the ballads have a really nice feel, but it can be discordant and grating, depending on the piece. If you're an adventurous soul give it a try, sometimes these concerts can be really surprising and when they're free it doesn't matter, sit at the back and slink out. But you might love it, you never know!

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