Jazz at de la Torre
The four evenings of jazz at the El Porton amphitheatre this year offer perhaps some of the most interesting and varied concerts to date.
On July 10, the John Scofield Street Piety Band bring their mix of post-bop funk-edged jazz and R’nB. John has recorded with such greats as Miles Davis and is considered alongside Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell as one of the ‘big three’ jazz guitarists of this genre.
The 17th brings us the Victor Bailey Group. Bass guitarist Victor Bailey from Philadelphia, famous for his brand of jazz-pop fusion, has previously toured with Weather Report, Sonny Rollins, David Gilmour, Madonna and Sting. There are no promises that any of these will be popping in, however.
The following Saturday will see the guitarist Steve Oliver displaying virtuoso smooth jazz, both mellow and energetic, and for a finale on the 31st, the Granada Big Band promises to make El Porton swing.
 All concerts are scheduled to commence at 22:30 and will cost 10€ per evening, unless you choose to buy all four at 30€. Advance tickets are available at the Casa de Cultura, near the Ayuntamiento, or at any El Corte Ingles outlet.
Flamenco in Canillas
If flamenco is your ‘thing,’ why not make a weekend visit to the pretty AxarquÃa village of Canillas de Albaida, where a spectacular flamenco festival is held this month. AndalucÃa was the geographical birthplace of flamenco, the cradle probably being CadÃz, Jerez de la Frontera and Triana in Seville where the first flamenco schools were created. It is thought that the gypsies who settled in AndalucÃa came from India and Pakistan. The influences of these two cultures, along with Jewish and Arabic contributions, have helped to shape flamenco, now considered to be the embodiment of Spanish folk music, the present form of which is only thought to have been around for about 200 years.
 The village is just four kilometres from Cómpeta, on the slopes of the Sierra de Tejeda and Almijara mountains. From Málaga, take the N-340 road until you come to the crossroads at Algarrobo-Costa. Here you take the C-115 inland towards the village, which lies 21 kilometres from the coast.
Canillas, which features on the Costa del Sol ‘white villages’ route, has a magnificent maze of streets, twisting and winding at different levels. Calle Estación is the main thoroughfare, with numerous steep narrow alleys running off it on either side. El Callejón de Araceli is one of those which attracts most attention as it is barely possible to squeeze through between the houses on either side. All the streets lead to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento e Iglesia, the traditional village square.
 From here, it is possible to see the shrine to Santa Ana, which dates from the 16th century. According to legend, there is an undiscovered tunnel under the shrine, allegedly leading to the riverbed and used by the Moors to fetch water.
San Juan night
Andalucia abounds with quaint customs and one such takes place at numerous towns and villages on the night of June 23/24 – San Juan night.
This tradition coincides with the summer solstice – and in fact, dates back to pagan times – but has now been ‘Christianised’ and attached to a saint’s day. The unique Andalucian twist bemuses spectators on the beaches each year, but it is, of course, really just another excuse for a giant party.
Generally, the best advice is to head for the coast on this date to join in the festivities of this night. There are barbecues on the beach, with sardines on long spits, and huge tableaux depicting family scenes with demons and devils included are built. These are set alight at midnight and when the flames have died down, people run through the smouldering embers and into the sea; an act believed to wash your sins and troubles away. This is usually followed by a huge firework display after which there is music in the streets.
 One village which really takes San Juan night to heart is Manilva where, throughout the preceding week, a giant statue is built and erected on the beach at Sabanillas. Each year it has a different theme. This really is a work of art and it seems almost criminal when, around midnight, the whole thing is set alight. There is also a firework display on the beach in Sabinillas, live music and dancing until the early hours of the morning.
 And next month, Manilva also plays host to the international festival on July 10/11.
Now in its eighth year, this festival is seen as an opportunity for the different nationalities which make up Manilva’s multi-ethnic community to showcase their culture, arts and gastronomy. Organised by the town’s foreigners department, the event takes place on the
Paseo Maritimo in Sabinillas. For more information, or if any more individuals or groups wish to participate, call in at the department’s offices in the Usos Multiples building in Sabinillas, or ring 952 893 838, Beli on 663 936 500 or Chris on 663 969 636.
Rock on Rinkona
Rinkona Rock is an annual rock festival which started in 1995 in the small village of Villanueva Algaidas, in the north-east corner of Málaga province near the border with Cordoba, with the aim of bringing together nationally-known musicians and locally-based talent. This year’s event will be on July 17, on the village feria ground and beginning at 9.30pm. Entrance is free, and there is a market and camping area nearby for visitors.
This year’s acts include Paul Collins, Ken Steedman and Tubular Greens, Tokyo Sex Destruction, The Unfinished Sympathy and Megatones.
To get there, take the Las Pedrizas road going north from the city of Malaga. The turning to Villanueva de Algaidas follows a winding country road that will take you right into the heart of the village, along the main street. Another great source of pride for the village is the fact that an internationally renowned sculptor, Berrocal, who now lives in Verona in Italy, was born here. The Friends of Berrocal Foundation is currently in charge of looking after the works by the artist that are on show in the village.
Malaga’s got talent
Malaga’s City Council, along with the Federación Malagueña de Peñas, organises a festival at Parque del Oeste traditionally referred to as Certamen de Malagueñas de Fiesta ‘Memorial José MarÃa Alonso’. This is a contest to encourage people to sing and dance Malagan folk music. A competition is held among those who compose and then perform their compositions, either as solo performances or in a group or choir performance, and takes place on June 19 and 20.
Cuevas Bajas Â
This charming village, just north of Antequera, holds its patron saint fiesta in honour of San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) on June 24 and 25, coinciding with the Semana Cultural (Cultural Week). On these dates, it is customary to spend the day among the poplars on the River Genil, where a grand paella party is organized.
 The area has a historical background in the Paleolithic age (40,000 BC), according to evidence in the Cave of Belda, which indicates the existence of a population of primitive hunters. During the Middle Ages, Cuevas Bajas and Cuevas Altas were named, consisting of two medieval villages. One of the village specialities is a drink called ‘resoli.’ This is made from sweet anis and coffee beans, with the addition of some fragrant herbs.
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San Antonio in Archidona In the north of Málaga province, about 50 kilometres from Málaga City (and 20 kilometres from Antequera), is the welcoming village of Archidona, which dates from prehistoric times. One of the town’s most important festivals is the San Antonio feria from June 13 to 15, which attracts visitors from a wide area.
 This charming rural community is at the meeting point of east and west Andalucia and, with the advent of the excellent road systems now in place, it is easily accessible and yet still picturesque and tranquil.
 Although Archidona has grown from a tiny village into a small town, many of today’s inhabitants still remember the days when they played marbles and hopscotch in the narrow streets. In the area known as ‘Los Caños de las Monjas’, older residents reminisce about gathering together in the hope of finding work in the olive groves, being paid at the rate of 15 pesetas a day. Woman took their washing to ‘Los Caños’- the public wash place. In those days, if a widow or widower remarried, the young people of the village would stand outside the house of the newlyweds and make a dreadful din, often resulting in the groom chasing them down the road, firing rifle shots in the air to scare them off.
Nowadays, visitors to the town can use the council-funded ‘microbus’ service, which provides cheap public transport around the town and to the outlying districts of Huertas del RÃo and Estación de la Romera. Favourite beauty spots and picnic areas are in the area of the Grande, Chica and Hoz de Arroyo MartÃn lakes, and amongst the many places of historic interest to visit are the Virgen de Gracia Sanctuary, which is built on the ruins of a Moorish mosque, and the San Antonio Hermitage dating back to the 18th century.
Marbella festival of art
This is the first festival of its kind in Marbella which will be held in Parque de la Alameda from June 19 to 21, bringing a plethora of artistes from the world of music, art and dance featuring concerts, choirs, poetry reading, art, short films and much more.
There are also lots of activities for children including painting, crafts, clowns and games.
Check the website www.festivaldeartemarbella.com for all the details
Antequera sings the blues Â
This is not so much a great day out as lots of great nights out in a superb festival of blues. All kinds of concerts are held in patios and squares during July, culminating in a wonderful two nights of blues in the Plaza de Santa Maria. There are also fascinating talks about the blues with group performances. Don´t miss this brilliant month of music. Come and enjoy the blues in the library patio with storks peering down, or dance to the music in San Francisco Square, then climb the hill for the amazing finale. Dates have not been announced yet but it usually starts at the beginning of July. Check www.cambaya.com/festival for details closer to the time or pick up a leaflet from the Tourist Office
Cherry feast in Alfarnate
If you missed seeing the cherry blossom in May, then June is the time to visit this pretty town when it holds its annual cherry festival on the penultimate Saturday of this month. Naturally, you will find lots of cherries to buy very cheaply, together with stalls selling other local products. There will be food and drink on offer so why not try ´catana´ -- a special kind of porra with beans -- el morrete, which is a dish of potatoes and mushrooms, and el zoque, gazpacho made from cherries. In the evening, you can listen to flamenco shows or orchestral performances and dance the night away.
Nerja Caves music and dance
Although this unusual and brilliant festival is not held until mid July, you need to book your tickets early. The caves are transformed into auditoria where orchestras play, ballerinas dance and you can swing to the sound of gospel groups. For information, closer to the date, and to buy tickets, check www.cuevadenerja.es for an unforgettable experience.
Museum of arts and popular customs
You don´t really need the excuse of a museum to visit Tolox, set as it is near Coin in gorgeous countryside. However, it is interesting to learn about how people lived and what kinds of things they did, so take a look in the museum. Climb the stepped streets and pause on terraces to admire the views. Visit the church of San Miguel or take a walk by the river. They are holding a culture week from June 20 to 27.
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