Summer nights of musical delights

Whether it be Folk on a balmy evening at a quaint village square, Classical in a fully fledged concert hall complete with air-conditioning, or Rock at Palmas Bullring, the range of live music on offer in Mallorca during the summer months is certainly spectacular in terms of its diversity and location.

For a taste of the real Mallorca, stay local. The Andratx festivals of San Pedro, the patron saint of fishermen, should not be missed. The intense planning and organisation by the local town hall pays off with colourful folk dancers accompanied by traditional Mallorcan music, open air cinema, concerts, wonderful Summer nights of musical delights street parties and fireworks forming part of a daytime and evening programme of events, running for nearly an entire month from approximately mid June to almost mid July every year . On 29th June, the actual day of San Pedro, the local fishermen gather in the Port of Andratx to lead a procession around the bay, dedicated to their patron saint. The programme of events will be displayed in the town hall a few weeks prior to the event.

These festivals lead naturally into those of the “Virgen del Carmen”, held on the 16th July, in which the statue of the Virgin is taken from the church to the Port in a fabulously colourful procession, with villagers lining the decorated streets. The statue is then placed on a beautifully adorned boat and leads a maritime flotilla. The day closes with fireworks at sunset, live music and dancing until the early hours. The festival lasts for three or four days, always incorporating the weekend closest to the day of the festival. Visitors are always warmly welcomed by the local people to participate in all festivities

The longstanding Chopin Festival is held each year in August at Monastery of Valldemossa, where the composer and pianist used to live with George Sand during his time on the island. It is organised by a non-profit making association, Summer nights - Joe Cockerwhose purpose is to spread knowledge of the musical and literal works of these two creative artists. The programme of events consists mainly of the works of Chopin but offers works by other composers too. The Festival which take place in the cloister, features performances by renowned musicians, as well as celebrating young new talent which usually take place every Sunday of the month. The festival also incorporates exhibitions, installations and performances by a selection of radical artists in an attempt to update the legacy of the controversial Chopin and Sand.

CHOPIN FESTIVAL 2008

DATES: 3, 10, 17 and 24 August

RESERVATIONS STARTING 12 JULY

In the summer months, the bulls make way for music legends such as Joe Cocker, Mike Oldfield, Bryan Adams and Sting as the Palma Bullring becomes the perfect host to many a rock concert. Being smaller than most concert arenas, a better view of the stage is virtually guaranteed and, well, you get to dance under a star-studded sky on a warm evening too…

Palma Bullring 971 751639