I’ve visited the International Sand Sculpture FIESA, at Pera, several times, but never in the evening. This Summer I arrived just as the sun was starting to fade. At first I wandered, nodding and smiling in recognition, and admiring the craftsmanship. Choosing favourites. Gradually the sand sculptures took on colour. Just a spotlight or two at first.
The Beatles
And Queen
With Lennon
Time to sit in the cafe with Laurel and Hardy, and wait
For the colours to deepen
Enhancing the drama
With a smile or two
And a frown!
Don’t knock the d-j!
Or the world’s greatest rock band
I imagine you’ve guessed that the theme this year is Music. FIESA started in 2003 and runs from late March till October each year, so if you happen to be in the area, you just have time! Full details are on the link.
Hope I’ve kept you entertained for a little while. Have a great weekend and don’t forget to join me on Monday for a walk. Better just pop in on Cate first, with your Six word Saturday.
As I was meandering around the cobbled streets of Tavira, I spotted, several times, a leaflet in a shop window. Always interested in a new venture, I went to find out more. ” Fado com História” is situated in the heart of the old quarter, just beside the Misericordia Church and below the castle walls. What I found delighted me. If you’ve never experienced Fado, or think that it might not be for you, I can recommend you to this introduction.
Fado originated in Lisbon, and the show begins with a video featuring some of Portugal’s most famous Fado singers, so that you get a feel for the sound. Most prominent among these was Amalia Rodrigues(1920-1999). She said that “Fado has to be felt. Fado isn’t sung, but just happens. You feel it, you don’t understand it, nor can it be explained.” Such passion did she arouse that, when she died, Portugal held 3 days of national mourning.
A wonderful live performance
Nowadays Fado can be heard throughout Portugal, usually in an atmospheric bar or restaurant. “Fado com História” is a small venue, featuring a trio of live artists. They include Virgilio Lanca, who plays guitar and makes most of the explanations in a soft voice. He describes fado as “a song that gives you goosebumps”. Miguel Drago plays Portuguese guitar, which has 12 metallic strings in groups of 2. You could hear a pin drop as the two begin a guitarrada, demonstrating the ebb and flow of their art.
They are joined by a fadista, Teresa Viola, a lovely young woman with a beautiful voice. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and leans into the performance. Accompanied by the guitarists she sings 4 or 5 fados, explaining the stories behind them. The backdrop is a wall-sized photograph of a 1942 performance at Cafe Luso, in Lisbon, featuring the great Amalia.
The passion of the performers for their project is clearly evident, and at the end of the show they are happy to talk about it. They are working in conjunction with the Fado Museum in Lisbon but have found a different way to present fado, and the live performances are key.
The museum is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Sundays, and a new show begins each hour. Details are at http://www.fadocomhistoria.wix.com/fado . I can only suggest that if you have the opportunity at any time you should go along. You will be warmly welcomed. This video is in Portuguese but is quite easy to follow.
The Tavira Academy of Music have been running “Music in the Churches” for 5 years now. It’s a wonderful opportunity and also a huge pleasure to lend support to the community, for just 2 euros. Last Saturday we were treated to a superb performance of Mozart, Chopin and some of his own work by pianist Luis Conceicao. (wearing an overcoat and woolly muffler, bless him- it was a little “fresh” in the church)
I would love to be there for this weeks classical guitar performance by Rui Mourinho- alas I’m back in England, but with some lovely memories. If you’re nearby he’s at Sao Sebastiao Church 6-7pm this evening. The venues vary week to week.
Why not join in with this Six Word Saturday challenge? The details are all on http://www.showmyface.com
restlessjo 
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