FAIRS IN LLUC AND ESPORLES / REAL MALLORCA FOOTBALL - 4/5 October

The autumn fair season is getting into full swing, and the inland villages and towns are the places to go to see Mallorca at its more authentic. This coming weekend, there is the mountain fair in Lluc. The fair is based around the monastery, and the village is one of the most important religious centres on the island. In Esporles the sweet fair is maybe not for those with a waistline fixation, but is certainly worth the trip to experience a typical inland village.

Saturday, 4 October: Lluc Mountain Fair.
Sunday, 5 October: Esporles Sweet Fair.

Excursions to both are available through No Frills Excursions. See details below.

The La Liga football season is also now in full swing. Having registered the first win of the season, Real Mallorca are at home to Gijon this weekend.

Sunday, 5 October: Real Mallorca v. Sporting Gijon. Kick-off: 17:00.

The game is also on the No Frills list of events.

Prices:
Lluc: 20 euros adults, 10 euros children.
Esporles: 20 euros adults, 10 euros children.
Both fairs: 36 euros adults, 18 euros children.

Real Mallorca v. Gijon: 50 euros adults, 23 euros children.

The prices for each excursions include transport, guide and transport insurance.

No Frills contact - (0034) 971 897 066
http://www.nofrills-excursions.com

Bookings for No Frills can be made at their office in Puerto Alcúdia on the above number or at numerous other sales points including most hotels. Online booking is now available.

DON JAUME EL CONQUISTADOR - POLLENSA

Were it not for the fact that this in Catalan, it sounds like great entertainment. Still maybe even if you don't know the lingo...

Friday, 26 September: The "Juglares del Reino de Mallorca" (minstrels - or players - of the kingdom of Mallorca) will perform the musical reading and drama of the comic history "Don Jaume el Conquistador". Dating back to the 1860s, this work was performed in 1978 in Barcelona, about which it was said that it was: "dirty, erotic, scatological, rude, irreverent, obscene, stupid, vulgar, offensive and scandalous". Sounds fantastic. Don Jaume, by the way, is King Jaume I, the great liberator of Mallorca.
Place: Cloister of Saint Domingo, Pollensa. Time: 21:00.

* Information here in translation from an entry in the very fine http://www.culturapollensa.com.

CIRCUITO DEL JAMÓN / HAM CIRCUIT - ALCUDIA

This entails the sampling of Iberian ham at a number of participating restaurants in the old town and port of Alcúdia. From what I understand, the ham is free, but it would be rather nice were you to buy a beer or two or indeed some other food. The third year of the event, it is organised by the Alcúdia market. Eating gets under way at each venue at 20:00.

Friday, 26 September: Cerveceria Gambrinus, Puerto Alcúdia.
Friday, 3 October: Malanga, Puerto Alcúdia.
Thursday, 9 October: Bon Pas, Mal Pas.
Friday, 10 October: Trobada, Alcúdia.
Thursday, 16 October: S'Esclat, Alcúdia.
Friday, 17 October: Panxa Rotja, Puerto Alcúdia.
Thursday, 23 October: Auditorium Alcúdia.
Friday, 24 October: Rally 24, Puerto Alcúdia.
Friday, 31 October: Sa Teulada, Puerto Alcúdia.

REAL MALLORCA v. NUMANCIA - LA LIGA, 25 September

Real Mallorca's second home La Liga fixture is against Numancia. No Frills is running a trip. Here are the details:

Thursday, 25 September, Kick-off at 20:00.

Prices: 50 euros, children 23 euros. The prices include transport, guide and transport insurance.

No Frills contact - (0034) 971 897 066
www.nofrills-excursions.com

Bookings for No Frills can be made at their office in Puerto Alcúdia on the above number or at numerous other sales points including most hotels. Online booking is not available at present.

BINISSALEM VERMAR 2008 / BINISSALEM GRAPE HARVEST FIESTA & FAIR 2008 (Selected events)

This has been going since 12 September, but now starts to build up. The Binissalem Vermar celebrates the status that the town of Binissalem has in the Mallorcan grape-growing and wine industry, some of the island's most important bodegas being found there. While grapes and wine are the themes, this is also a fiesta that features much of what one finds at other fiestas, such as fire-runs and of course the almost obligatory night party. The following lists just a few events that may be of interest. Binissalem, for those who may not know, is just south of Inca.

Saturday, 20 September:
12:00: The great grape battle. Basically, a whole bunch of people get down and dirty in a gigantic grape bath. Accompaniment from local bag-pipe players.

14:00: Lunch and party. Price: 5 euros. Place: Plaça de l'Església. Performances by Quin Vici, Val 9 and DJ Foguer.

20:30: Binissalem Techno DJs and Friends. Price: 8 euros. Place: Sports centre.

21:00: Concert with groups Fruto de la Manga and La Vereda at the Bar de Cas Cabrit.

Sunday, 21 September:
18:00: The fifth grape-treading competition. Place: Plaça de l'Església.

Wednesday, 24 September:
21:30: Show of inter-cultural cuisine. Place: Passeig des Born.

Friday, 26 September:
01:30 (Saturday morning): Fire-runs with the demons of Binissalem. Place: Plaça de l'Església.

Saturday. 27 September:
22:30: Grand party with performances by Qrquestra 8 Vents, Vetusta Morla and Vés-hi Tu.

Sunday: 28 September (THE MAIN DAY OF THE VERMAR FAIR):
From 10:00.

10:15: Giants and bag-pipe players accompany local worthies. Place: Town hall.

10:30: Solemn mass.

11:30: Grape competition / Dance by the Binissalem giants with bag-pipe accompaniment.

17:00: Indiana, a visual voyage of the history of traditional Mallorca dress from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Music from Sarau Alcudienc.

19:00: Popular dance with groups Sarau Alcudienc and S'Estol des Gerricó. Place: Plaça de l'Església.

EXCURSION TO THE VERMAR
There will be an excursion to the Vermar on the main day of the fair (Sunday, 28 September), courtesy of No Frills Excursions. The price for this, to include return transport, guide and insurance, is 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for children.

No Frills contact - (0034) 971 897 066
www.nofrills-excursions.com

Bookings for No Frills can be made at their office in Puerto Alcúdia on the above number or at numerous other sales points including most hotels. Online booking is not available at present.

ALCUDIA FAIR 2008 / FIRA D'ALCUDIA 2008

This is a full listing of all events, exhibitions etc. for the Alcúdia Fair in 2008. The fair is a mix of traditional fiesta with certain similarities with fiestas, such as the Giants, folk dance and the night party, and of trade and county fair. It is one of the highlights of the year in Alcúdia. The stands and exhibitions etc. are mainly all to be found in and around the centre of the old town in the market square area and in streets off. The only exceptions are a couple of sports events, as noted below.

FIRA D’ALCUDIA 2008 / ALCUDIA FAIR 2008

Wednesday, 1 October:
20:00: Presentation of the book by Margalida Socias about potatoes from Sa Pobla - yes, seriously, that's how the title translates. Place: terrace of Biblioteca Can Torro, C/. Serra.

Thursday, 2 October- Sunday, 5 October:
The first Balearic Islands' open wheelchair tennis tournament. Place: Hotel Eden Lago, Puerto Alcúdia.

Friday, 3 October:
18:00: Procession through the town with the bag-pipes and giants of Alcúdia. Leaves from the town hall, C/. Major.

19:00: Opening ceremony. Place: Passeig de la Mare de Déu de la Victoria / Link-up with Alcúdia Radio to broadcast the opening.

19:30: Garden of Santa Maria, realised by MAN. Place: Bastió de Santa Maria.

19:30: Opening of painting exhibition. Place: Biblioteca Can Torro. Also the opening of an exhibition of fans and hats. Place: the basement of the Biblioteca.

20:00: Opening of the second show of Alcúdia plants. Places: terraces of Biblioteca Can Torro and of Can Fondo.

20:30: Opening of an exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Luis Maraver. Place: Can Fondo. (This exhibition runs until 18 November.)

20:30: Demonstration of home cooking. Place: Bastió de Santa Maria, entry 4 euros. Programme: 1 euro. Proceeds to works at La Victoria. Sponsored by Sa Nostra with collaboration from Gelats la Menorquina, Pepsi, Pinturas 2000 and Bar Can Fuat.

22:00 Concert by the Alcúdia Municipal Band. Place: Plaça de Carles V.

Saturday, 4 October:
10:00: All the following stands and exhibitions will open.

Consell (council) de Mallorca:
Department of the Environment and Nature -
Industrial historical heritage
Dry stone walls
Walks of Mallorca
Environmental education
Waste management
Place: Passeig Pere Ventayol.

Department of the Economy and Tourism (island directorate of economic promotion):
Produce and products of Mallorca
Place: Passeig Pere Ventayol.

Department of the Interior (island directorate for emergencies):
Exhibition of photographs and fire-station activities.
Place: Avinguda Princeps d'Espanya.

Balearic stands and Mallorcan wines.
Place: Passeig Pere Ventayol.

Farm machinery.
Place: Avinguda Princeps d'Espanya.

Craft work.
Place: Porta des Moll school.

Balearic Government stands:
Vehicles of IBANAT (Institut Balear de Natura)
Council for mobility
Council for climate change and protection of species
Place: Passeig Pere Ventayol.

10:00-13:00: Special programme broadcast by Alcúdia Radio.

11:00-13:30: Brass band in the streets of Alcúdia.

12:00: Men's basketball. Place: Sports centre, Horse Roundabout, Puerto Alcúdia.

12:00-14:00: Exhibition of cocktails with olive oil (certified denomination of origin) base.

14:00: The animals' zone. Bulls, Mallorcan horses, indigenous species. (From the zoological centre in Santa Eugènia).

16:30: Traditional children’s party and the giants. Leaves from the town hall.

17:00-21:00: "Tuned" and custom cars (boys toys for boy racers!). Place: C/. Pollentia.

18:30: Judo and ju-jitsu. Organised by the Northern Mallorca Judo Club.

18:30-20:00: Show Cooking. Organised by Juanjo from Restaurant Genestar. Place: Passeig Pere Ventayol. Sponsored by Grupo Electral.

20:00: Conference and audio-visual presentation. "Puja (ascent) of Mont Blanc". Organised by Joan Cordero and Germans Salom. Place: Casa de Cultura.

20:00: Jazz concert and parade. Leaves: from front of the Town Hall.

23:00: Alcúdia Night Fever. The group Dinamo and the DJs Sebas with Tolo and Pereta. Place: Plaça de Carles V.

Sunday, 5 October:
09:00: The animals' zone. As Saturday plus exotic animals, dogs and exhibition of livestock breeding. Place: finca of Avinguda dels Princeps d’Espanya.

09:00: General opening of stands in and around the market square area.

09:00-13:00: Horse-carriage racing competition. Place: Finca de l'avinguda dels Princeps d'Espanya.

10:00: The dignitaries of Alcúdia Town Hall visit the fair accompanied by the Mallorcan bag-pipe players.

10:00-18:00: "Tuned" and custom cars. Place: C/. Pollentia.

10:00: Presentation and demonstration of indoor trial bikes. Place: Avinguda dels Princeps d'Espanya.

10:00-18:00: Loop presentation of the audio-visual about Mont Blanc (see previous - Saturday at 20:00). Place: Casa de Cultura.

10:00: Balearic Government council of agriculture. "A better agrarian service".

10:00-13:00: Special programme broadcast by Alcúdia Radio.

10:00-13:00: Presentation of dog agility and obedience by Stefan Gürtler. Sponsored by Royal Canin and Alcúdia Magatzem. Place: Finca de l'avinguda dels Princeps d'Espanya.

11:00-13:30: Brass band in the streets of Alcúdia.

11:00-13:00: Show Cooking (as Saturday at 18:30-20:00). Place: Passeig de la Victoria.

16:30-19:00: Horse-carriage racing competition. Place: Finca de l'avinguda dels Princeps d'Espanya

17:00: Street procession and Mallorcan music. Leaves from the town hall.

18:00-21:00: Special programme broadcast by Alcúdia Radio.

18:30: Traditional Mallorcan dancing and music - “Ball de Bot” with the groups Sarau Alcudienc, Música Nostra. Place: Plaça de Carles V.

19:00: Basketball tournament. Place: Sports centre, Horse Roundabout, Puerto Alcúdia.

Additional exhibitions and opening times:
Biblioteca Can Torro:
Friday and Saturday: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00. Sunday closes 20:00.

Casal de Can Fondo:
Saturday: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00. Sunday closes 20:00.

Painting exhibition by Pep Manresa "Passages". Place: Radio Balear, C/. Major.

Painting exhibition by Annett Bischoff "Life Is A Game". Place: Mira art gallery, C/. Cristofol Colom.

Embroidery exhibition. Place: Casa de Cultura. Friday, 20:00-22:00; Saturday, 10:00-22:00; Sunday, 09:00-22:00.

Craft exhibition. Place: Porta des Moll school. Saturday, 10:00-13:30 and 15:30-22:00; Sunday, 09:00-21:00.

There will also be an exhibition and sale of plants along the Camí de Ronda.

Sponsors for the Alcúdia Fair:
Alcúdia Magatzem
Inversions Rossi
Bar Can Fuat
Bar Es Canyar
Fonda Llabres
Ferreteria Comas
Viva Hotels
Sa Nostra Bank
Banca March

CARMINA BURANA - POLLENSA / BALL DE BOT - PUERTO ALCUDIA

Firstly, a reminder that tomorrow will see a performance of Carmina Burana in Pollensa. Its performance in Palma has caused considerable interest, and now it is in the north. Here are the details once again:

Friday, 12 September:
22:00: Carmina Burana by Carl Orff; the cantata based on the mediaeval poems. Place: Saint Domingo Cloister, Pollensa. Price: 25.00. Tickets available from tourist offices in Pollensa and Puerto Pollensa.

Also, there will be a "ball de bot" in Alcúdia:

Friday, 12 September: Traditional Mallorcan folk dance. Takes place on the Paseo Marítimo in Puerto Alcúdia. Time: 20:00.

REAL MALLORCA v. OSASUNA - LA LIGA, 14 September

The Real Mallorca La Liga home fixtures kick off for the season with No Frills. Here is your chance to see Real under new British ownership. Or maybe they won't be, as negotiations are dragging on and getting rather messy. No matter, the football will be the same.

Sunday, 14 September, Kick-off at 17:00.

Prices: 50 euros, children 25 euros. The prices include transport, guide and transport insurance.

No Frills contact - (0034) 971 897 066
www.nofrills-excursions.com

Bookings for No Frills can be made at their office in Puerto Alcúdia on the above number or at numerous other sales points including most hotels. Online booking is not available at present.

FERIA DEL MAR 2008 PUERTO POLLENSA

Further to the note under "Pollensa Events Into September", a bit more info regarding the Feria del Mar (sea fair if you like, but more like fisherman's fair in reality).

Saturday, 13 September - Sunday, 14 September: Place. The old wharf (muelle viejo), Puerto Pollensa. Starts at 17:00 on the Saturday. Crafts, food, boats, photography, fishing, workshops, exhibitions and music.

BALEARMAN 2008 / SANTA ANNA 2008 - ALCUDIA

Sunday, 7 September:

The annual Balearman triathlon in Alcúdia. 2800 metres swim, 80 kilometre cycling and 20 kilometre run.

Santa Anna: this is the fiesta for Mare de Déu de Santa Anna, linked to the oratory of Santa Anna in Alcúdia. The main element of this fiesta is the horse, with races and exhibitions. All takes place on the finca by the cemetery going out of Alcúdia old town.

CIRCUS PUERTO ALCUDIA 5-22 SEPTEMBER

The "Circo Williams" is back for its usual September stint in Puerto Alcúdia. You'll find it by the Magic Roundabout. From 5-22 September. Times: 20:00, Saturdays 18:30 and 20:45. Wednesdays closed.

TRAVESSA-XTREME OPEN-WATER SWIM

Saturday, 6 September: The annual open-water swim across Pollensa bay from Formentor beach to the beach at the cove of San Pedro in Mal Pas, Alcúdia. The swim is described as being "average difficulty". Dive-off, or however one describes it, at 09:00.

Note that this is not to a free-to-all event. There is a fee of 13 euros and booking has to be made in advance. So there are only a couple of days left as the closing date is 4 September. Phone/fax: 971 897 103; email: acifre@alcudia.net. More information: http://www.alcudiaesports.com

Saturday, 20 September: Another swim. Not entirely sure what the difference is, except the price which is one euro less. Closing date for booking is 16 September. Same information as above. See the website for bank details to effect a transfer.