Benissa's Fira i Porrat

Here we bring you the program of Benissa’s  ”Fira Sant Antoni i Porrat 2012″ Fair , where you can find a lot of different events for the whole family.

Friday 13

19.00 h.: “Vine Pruning Workshop”, by Jaume X. Soler.

Venue: University building Assembly Hall.

Organized by: Department of the Environment.

20.00 h.:  Opening of the painting exhibition: “Vistes d’Espanya i altres / Vistes of Spain and others” by Rosana Picornell and Maria Buckingham.

Venue: University building Exhibition Hall

20.00 h.: Lecture “Introduction to Aiurveda”

Venue: Casal d’Associacions.

Organized by: Department of Consumer Affairs.

Tuesday 17

17.00 h.: Bilingual Poetry Workshop: A monthly workshop for Those Interested in reading and writing contemporary poetry in’ Spanish and English.

Venue: University building

20.00 h. Opera in Cinema.Title: “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini.

Venue: University building Assembly Hall.

Friday 20

18.30 h. Official Opening of the Exhibition.

During the days the Fair will run,  the following events (until 26 January), will be amusing everyone:

- Wine-Tunnel. Wine and tapas tasting in the Placeta Vella and Fco Sendra Street. Organizers: Puríssima Xiqueta Fiesta Committee.

- Craft fair at Purissima St.

- Market-exhibition of new vehicles, equipment and motorcycles at Nou and Sant Pere streets, Paseo Dolores Piera and  Jaume I Square.

- Exhibition: “Crafts Workshop: Retrieving old traditions” at Pais Valencia Avenue 97, (Pasaje Taller d’Ivars).

- Exhibition of “Kribi Heral” I finalist of the Salvador Soria Painting Contest 2011. Workshop Showroom d’Ivars. Venue:Taller d’Ivars exhibition hall . Open until 12 February.

Cala Calalga

Today we propose this nice, low impact excursion to enjoy the great views of Calpe coastline while working out. This is one of the two routes are in Calpe coast that connect adjacent coves, like the Calalga-Voramar route, which -as the name suggests- runs from Calalga cove of Calpe to Les Bassetes Yacht Club in Benissa.

The seaside path is in very good conditions for a comfortable walking, so you only need regular sneakers to walk the 2.5 km from one cove to the other. A walking round trip takes about 1 hour, but if you go quietly enjoying the sea views and taking pictures, it might take a little longer.

The route begins at the confluence of Rosa de Los Vientos Ave. and Infanta Cristina promenade. At this point there is an information sign indicating the route by a parking lot, so there is no way to getting lost. The route starts up at the Calaga Cove parallel street (path PR), towards Mallorquí cove and then Les Basset Yacht Club, where you can buy refreshments before starting your way back to Calalga cove.

If you are fit enough, you can keep the path all the way along the coast of Benissa (Les Bassetes, Fustera Beach, Pintes Cove and Llobella Cove).

Live music at Xirinbala

July is a great month to discover and enjoy Benissa, a town in Spain’s Costa Blanca north. This place filled with history has a beautiful historic city centre, a breathtaking coast and an unparalleled calendar of cultural activities in July 2011.

-          La Mar de Cine —we would call it “an ocean of films” in English: Season of outdoor film screenings at Fustera beach every Thursday at 22:00 h. Free admission. These will be the screened films in July (all of them with audio in Spanish): You will meet a tall dark stranger (14^th July), 3 metros sobre el cielo (21^st July) and Tangled (28th July).

-          III Tapas Crawl Benissa, from 8^th to 31^st July, Monday through Friday. On Fridays, the Sifasol music band will play. Tapa + drink: €2. These are the participating bars and resturants: bar Restaurante Tapas Vizcaino, Restaurante Casa Eusebio, bar Trinquet, Pizzería L’Orenga, Cervecería Restaurante Bon Gust, bar La Xarradeta, Fusión bar, bar Los Faroles, bar Restaurante El Rebost, bar La Picaeta, Cafetería Pastelería Plaça 5 Dolç i Salat, El Nou Chaplin, bar Cafetería L’Esplai, Café Tropic, Heladería La Jijonenca.

-          Xirimbala kiosk’s summer nights at Baladrar cove. It is located on the Moraira-Calp road. This is one of the most typical, authentic and special corners on the coast. It is perfect to enjoy a good breakfast by the sea, listen to live music on Mondays night, have an Argentinian BBQ on Thursdays night, broiled sardines on Fridays night, tapas menus, full moon parties, etc. Chek out their website here.

-          Bloc and street parties in Benissa: There is a party almost every weekend:

• Partida Pedramala, 15^th to 17^th July.
• Party at Benimarco, at partida San Jaime, from 23^rd to 29^th July.
• Party at Santa Ana, on Tuesady 26^th July.
• Party at Lleus from 29th to 31st July.

This is a great month to discover Benissa, a very special town in Costa Blanca north with a popular kitchen, a coast with dream coves and a cosmopolitan and medieval historic city centre, all this mixed with a comprehensive calendar of cultural, leisurely and food events and activities.

Today, we bring a video of the off-road exhibition that took place in this fiesta.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0v7Ex3cHs

Philatelic and Numismatic Association of Benissa

The calendar of events in Benissa –province of Alicante- covers a wide range of musical activities, exhibitions, workshops, etc. during February 2011:

SIFASOL Modern Music School Jam Session conducted by Professor Pep. Event organised by Sifasol Music Society.
Date: 3^rd February. Time: 21:30 h. Venue: Sociedad Cultural, ground floor.

Exhibition of Paintings by Francisco Javier Torres Ribelles. Oil, acrylic and mixed techniques paintings.
Date: from 4^th February. Times: Monday to Friday, from 10:00 h. to 13:00 h and from 17:00 h to 20:00 h. Venue: Exhibition Hall of the Universitat de la Marina building.

Stamp collector Market. Sale and exchange of stamp organised by the Philatelic and Numismatic Association of Benissa.
Date: 6^th February. Time: 10:00 h. Venue: Casal Joven.

Exhibition of paintings by Pepi Sevilla Ruano organized by the Culture Council.
Date:  4^th February. Time: 20:00 h. Venue: Cultural Centre Exhibition Hall.

Workshop on Emotions, Feelings and Passions by Juan Vicente Capó and organized by The Benissa Association against anorexia and bulimia; supported by the Health Dept.
Date: 12^th February. Time: 16:00 h to 19:00 h. Venue: University building.

Benissa’s “XXIII Fira i Porrat” Cattle fair

Last Saturday 15^th January, the traditional fair Fira i Porrat de Benissa was officially inaugurated. It will host a pilota valenciana tournament, among other activities.

One of those activities is the 23^rd Cattle Fair, to open next 29^th January.
The Cattle Fair used to be the main attraction –and magnificent final event-of the old Fira i Porrat. The cattle fair will last just 2 days (29^th and 30^th January) and will be installed in Palmera street and D. Joaquín Piera y Dª Mariana Torres roundabout.

Attendees can buy, sell, trade and exchange any kind of farm animals and cattle. This is also a great opportunity to take a closer look into the animal farm life and experience the real Spanish rural life.  

If you are not exactly a cattle aficionado, take a detour to the Medieval Market that will take place on the same days. There will be medieval music, handcrafts, shows, parades, chariots and horse stunt exhibitions.

Rotary Club Benissa-Teulada

This year, as the previous ones, Ensemble 7 Claves –a group of music professors from the Region of Valencia- and the Rotary Club Benissa-Teulada will organise a cycle of charity concerts.

These musical meetings usually take place in Espai La Senieta, in Moraira (Alicante province). The last concert of the first cycle was held in December 2010 and the second cycle will take place from January 16th and for the next 3 months, with one concert monthly:

Sunday, 16^th January: Cinema music. Strings and flute concert playing the most popular film scores. Starting time: 19:00 h.

Sunday, 6^th February: Great violin melodies. Played with two violins and piano accompaniment. Concert starts at 19:00 h.

Sunday, 6^th March: The golden age of French music. Piano and flute concert. Starting time: 19:00 h.

The tickets can be purchased in Benissa, in Costa Blanca Nachrichten newspaper and Óptica Giner; Teulada, in Forma Mobles and in Moraira in Xaloc.

You can also request them by the Rotary Club information phone, calling at +34 609 682 391 and +34 609 656 409.

This concert series is, like most Rotary Club activities, a charity event that aims to raise funds that will later finance social projects in less fortunate communities locally and abroad.

The admission fee in all cases is is €10.

Pilota Valenciana match

Every year, Benissa celebrates the Fira i Porrat de Sant Antoni traditional fair, which is one of the most important ones in the region. It encompasses music shows, street markets, interactive activities with animals, theatre, leisurely activities and sports.

This is the calendar of Pilota Valenciana Matches in the Fira i Porrat fair. They all will take place in Benissa’s “trinquet”, located in the Hort de Bordes street:

Saturday, 15th January:

10:30 h: Town schools league.
16:30 h: Singles amateur championship.

Sunday 16th:

11:30 h: “Llargues” in Reverendo Padre Melchor street.
16:30 h: Fair matches. 1^st: Amateur. 2^nd: Professionals.

Saturday 22nd:

9.00 h: Town School. Benissa vs. Vergel vs. Pego B.
10:30 h: Town schools league.
16:30 h: Singles amateur championship.

Sunday 23rd:

11:30 h: Fair matches. Bancaja circuit: 2^nd stage.

Saturday 29th:

10:30 h: FIra i Porrat de Sant Antoni 2011 match. Murla vs. Benissa town schools.
16:30 h: Singles amateur championship.

Sunday 30th:

16:30 h: Fair matches. 1st: Raspall: Murla vs. Benissa. 2^nd professional.

Organised and sponsored by the FUTUR Pilota Club in collaboration with the Sports Department.

Nativity Scenes, a Spanish tradition

From Sunday November 28^th to Tuesday January 4^th, residents from Benissa will enjoy the beautiful and traditional Christmas nativity scene exhibition.

The design, making and exhibition of nativity scenes are traditions of catholic roots, but shared by all residents of Benissa who enjoy artistic creation regardless of what their religion is.

This exhibition is organized by the Association of Friends of Nativity Scenes of La Marina with the support of the Culture Department of the City of Benissa. The venue provided for the presentation of this exhibition will be at the Centre d’Art “Taller d’Ivars” (21 Pare Andrés Ivars. Phone number: 965 731  313).

Tourist Info Benissa (1 Pais Valencia avenue) will take part in the participation and promotion of this exhibition. It will be open to everyone by 13:00 h.

Horse riding: A natural and healthy hobby

There is a hidden spot on the North Costa Blanca many horse lovers will love: the Benissa Riding Club, an alternative to the typical leisure options of the region.

The Benissa Riding Club offers beginner courses, routes and countryside rides to the Oltá Rock in Calpe, __ Lleus, Llíber, Jalón, Gata, Parcent, classes for kids 5 and older, lessons about a wide selection of horse-themed areas (nutrition, care, equipment, handling, etc.), raid competitions, classic breaking contests, sale of colts and pure Spanish breed horses, breaking and training of horses, horse transport service, breeding (mating service), etc.

This club is a regional pioneer on horse therapy, for kids, youngsters and adults, be them healthy or with physical or mental disabilities. This therapy is proven to be a great motivator, an excellent help to conventional medicine and improves people’s frame of mind.

For additional information, please visit the Benissa Riding Club in 2 Senijola path (partida de Senijola 2), Benissa. You can also call 965 731 832.

Trip to Alicante Archaeological Museum

The Department of Culture of the City of Benissa, has planned and funded for next Sunday, September 26th a  visit to the  Alicante Archaeological Museum (MARQ), to celebrate the exhibition showing at the moment, entitled “The Enigma of the mummy. Funeral rites in ancient Egypt. “

This exhibition  examines the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, especially those related to death, the processes of mummification and funerary goods. It consists of more than 260 pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts Besançon, the Louvre Museum and  the National Library of France, among others.

There are 60 places available to tour the museum which will be divided into  two groups of 30 people with a guide. The journey there will be made by train.

Guided Walks and Trails in Benissa

During September and October 2010 they will be organising various interesting walking trails and  guided tours in Benissa that feature urban history, photography and local heritage.

These routes are ideal for sharing with the kids and the beginners in walking because it is considered of minimum difficulty and there are very few steep slopes and if there are they tend to be short in distance. These walks tend to be half day trips.

The routes are scheduled for Saturday September the 11th , October the  2nd and October the 23rd .

The meeting point for this walking route is from the Tourist Office on Avenida  Pais Valencia in  Benissa  by the Bar Frau at 16:00 and costs € 5 which includes monitor-guide, technical material, photos, activity and insurance.

The company that organizes the activity is Tururac, an active tourism company in Alicante. They recommend that all participants wear long comfortable trousers or similar, water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, sports shoes,  and a camera to immortalize the wonderful views of Benissa (Alicante).

"Xirimbala" Beach Bars in Benissa

If  you are on the North of the Costa Blanca this Summer, specifically Javea, Moraira, Benissa, or Calpe then you might be interested in going to a great place, that due to it´s unusual location, not everyone has discovered. La Cala Baladrar of Benissa ( on the Moraira-Calpe coast  road )   hides an amazing beach bar called the Xirimbala where they even hold performances of live music, with special menus,  full moon parties and much more. On Monday they organize live music, on Thursday Argentinian  barbecue, Friday is  grilled sardines

night and  on Saturdays and Sundays tapas menu. The best thing about this beach bar is it´s fantastic location right on the waterfront, and the prices are very reasonable especially considering it´s wonderful views. On the nights with live music or special menus it is advisable to reserve especially if you are a large group. The phone number is 607 916 430.

Another of the beach bars that can be found on the coast of Benissa is  located in Playa La Fustera. This is less of an evening venue and more of a snack bar for people using the beach . Just near by  they will be  hosting live music with DJ´s at the La Fustera Beach Restaurant, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 hours to 02:00 hours, I have not been but the place is perfect to enjoy a evening by the sea.

Abseiling Option for Active Holidays

We have discovered a very interesting Summer option to keep you occupied if you enjoy nature. The municipality of Benissa and the Vall del Pop have created a programme for active holidays with exciting  options during the month of July there scheduled a multi-adventure activities: abseiling down ravines.

The chosen location is Castell de Castells: “The Calvo pas“, the activity combines climbing and caving techniques, follows the course of a river at  with steep slopes some of which have to be abseiled down  etc. .., the company conducting the activity is Tururac and their telephone number if you require more information is 630 992 488.

For more information about  all the activities you can visit the tourist office in Benissa or the Vall del Pop and pick up a brochure. Here we have included their  links and information about  other scheduled activities such as snorkeling  along the coast of  Benissa´s beaches, Catamaran rides , Kayaking and other interesting activities for  this summer.

Fiestas in Benissa for this Summer 2010

During the months of these Summer  holidays in the town of Benissa you will find a great number of leisure activities and festivals to take part in. Some of which  are celebrated in parts of town and on the beaches and coves.

- Here are some of the dates of interesting events taking place in Benissa for the month of July:

- From the 9th  to the 11th of July the Barrio de San Antonio festival: with street party on Friday, “Sobaquillo” dinner on Saturday the 10th  and then the performance of the orchestra Colors. Sunday the  11th  at 10:30 the traditional procession of San Antonio, mass and giant paella for all.

From the 16th to the 18th of July:  Local Festivals of Pedramala

- From the 16th to the 18th of July  Pedramala Local Festival:Friday the dinner of the brotherhood and a musical performance. On Saturday the  XXVI Championship of Brisk  at 18:00 and a grand ball at 21:00. On Sunday  Mass at 11:00 am, and evening dinner followed by a dancing party.

From the 23rd to the 29th of  July :  Benimarco The San Jaime Fiestas

- From the 23rd to the 29th of  July Local Fiestas of Benimarco ( San Jaime): On Friday the 23rd  game of hand ball at 19:30 to be followed by a dinner and the performance of a popular  Cabaret group. On Saturday a large festival and performance of the orchestra Ebony. The day of San Jaime they will be celebrating a  Sunday Mass at 11:00 am. Later a rooster  race at  13:30 and a  humorous parade 18:30 h. The grand ball with the music of the orchestra Jamaica at 23:30. The paella contest will be held on Monday at noon and in the evening there will be a street party.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 19:00 bull running in the streets.

July the 26th Fiestas of the Santa Ana Area:

- July 26th Fiestas in Santa Ana,  the yearly  pilgrimage to the hermitage and picnic at 18:00 hours. At 20:00  dance with orchestra.

The Moors and Christians Festival in Benissa

The Moors and Christians Festival is coming to Benissa this week . They will be celebrating this magical colourful “Fiesta”  from the 24th to the 28th of June. Here is some useful information about what is lined up for the Moors and Christians of 2010.

Programme Fiestas Moors y Christians 2010 Benissa:

- Thursday, June 24th : 22:00 All the ranks (“Filaes”) meet up at the Castle and celebrate the  Dinner of the Brotherhood ( La Cena de la Hermandad).

- Friday 25th June: at 23:00  presentation ceremony of the Banderines, Abanderados, Ambassadors and Captains followed by the Proclamation of the Fiesta.
- Saturday June 26th: at 19:30  the offering Mass in honor of St. Peter the Apostle .

At 23:30 the Siege of the Moors from the Convent to the Square,  later the capture of the castle by the Moors.

- Sunday June 27th : Grand Parade of all of Benissa “Filaes”, this year the Moorish Captains   belong to the “Filá” ( Rank)  “Taifes Esclaus” and the Christian Captains are in the “Corsaria” rank.

- Monday, June 28th : 12:00 the siege ,recapturing and conquest of the Castle by the Christians. At 20: 00 humorous parade put on by the different “Filaes”.

Benissa Fiestas

Benissa Fiestas

During the month of April the towns of Teulada and Benissa are the protagonists of the Costa Blanca with the celebrations of their patron saints. In Benissa this year the festivities in honour of the Puríssima Xiqueta 2010 are to be held from 23rd of April until the 2nd of May.

Here we include information about  the most important events of  the Benissa festivities programme  2010:

– Friday, April the 23rd: Coronation Day, the coronation is at 22:30 on the  Paseo Dolores     Piera .

-Saturday, April the 24th: Day of the Offering, the offering will take place at 19:30 hours, to be followed by the fireworks display of  Melendi Caballer at 01:00 hours.

- Sunday, April the 25th: Puríssima  Xiqueta Day, Mass to be held at 11.30. At 14:00 the “Mascletá” presented by Caballer pyrotechnics. At 19:00 solemn procession, and then Fireworks display  by Pyrotechnics Caballer and the Ying Yang Orchestra at  00:30.

- Monday, April the 26th: Day of the “Riberer”, large  mascletá at 14:00. To be followed by a parade of floats at 18:30, and  Fireworks at 00:30. At 02.30 the orchestra,” La Tribu” will be performing.

- Tuesday, April the  27th: The “Singles Day” ( Día de los Solteros)  with the “Mascletá” at 14:00. At 18: 00 the “Funny Parade” and the Night for the Youngsters..

- Wednesday, 28th  to Friday 30 April: “Bous al Carrer”. The Bull running with loose bulls in the street  every day from 19:00 and 23:30.

- Saturday,May the  1st  “Día de la Añada, comidada y de la hermandad” (Day of the agricultural season, food and fellowship) at 14:00. Bull running at 19:00 and 23:30.

Here you have all the information to enjoy the festivities  of Benissa 2010 from April the  23rd to May the 2nd.