MARCH AND ONWARDS...

THISISKITES - The International Kite Festival at Malvarrosa 14 and 15 April

Fun for all the family at this great weekend festival of kite flying. Includes fantastic exhibition Kite-flying from Carratala and Ximo, Megateam flying, , huge kites and multiple kites, a baptism of flying for kids, and a competition for the children on the 14th between 5 and 6pm

THISISEASTER - SEMANA SANTA

Easter is Semana Santa in Spain and is celebrated all over the country and the Valencian Community. The best known celebrations outside of Seville take place over the next week in the seaside and port area of Valencia and in the historic centre of Sagunto.

Semana Santa Marinera

A 'Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional'

www.semanasantamarinera.org

Celebrated from 29 March to 08 April, Semana Santa Marinera takes place in the Valencian borough of Poblats Maritims, which is made up of the districts of Grau, Cabanyal and Canyamelar, among others, on the coast of this city.

La Semana Santa Marinera de Valencia is named for the city's intimate relationship with the sea. Since time immemorial fishermen and sailors of this seaside part of the city have publicly celebrated their faith in the Passion, Death and the Resurrection of the Lord.

The Processions are well worth seeing, both solemn and profoundly moving, they are undertaken by the local people dressed in the traditional penitent's costume of long robes and pointed hats that cover the faces of the wearer. The sight of them can be a little alarming to the first time visitor who may have seen pictures of the Klu Klux Klan, but these costumes date much further back in history and have no significance in racism or violence.

It is not all solemnity, customarily, during the night of Glory (early Saturday to Sunday Resurrection), people throw water and old crockery from balconies in an the act known as Break the Pots, which is said to symbolise renewal.

Semana Santa Valencia

Celebrated from 01-08 April around the Church of San Juan del Hospital in the historic centre of Valencia.

La Pasión en vivo Sagunto

www.passiopersagunt.blogspot.com.es/

Saturday 31 March Begins at 20:30 h.

The Passion of Jesus Christ played live by about 70 players in Sagunto, accompanied by a drum and bugle band "Ciutat de Sagunto. It begins at Plaza Mayor, and through several streets of the old town to Calvary where it ends.

Semana Santa Sagunto

A 'Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional'

From now until 07 April, Solemn processions and religious acts in and around the historic centre

THISISFOOD - Mantis shrimp, the star of the show in Vinaròs

In this beautiful city of Viñaros in Castellón, the IV Mantis shrimp Gastronomic Days take place from 28 March until 1st April. A delicious culinary festival where you can enjoy a wide selection of this, little known but very tasty delicacy, Mantis Shrimp, dishes in the restaurants of this lovely town.

THISISMOTORRACING - FIA World Touring Car Championship WTCC

It's a great weekend for Motor enthusiasts 31March-01 April. Sponsored by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in Spain the FIA World Touring Car Championship WTCC is at the Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo Circuit.

Entry to the World Touring Car races are free but fans who to want a paddock view, up close, will need to purchase paddock passes at 10€ or VIP passes for 150€for the weekend. VIP pass holders have the chance to win a circuit of the course with one on the drivers. After its premiere at the Monza circuit earlier this year, the WTCC moves Cheste under the command of French Yvan Muller Chevrolet. On Sunday, 1st April,Chevrolet, Seat, Ford and BMW's best race drivers will race two intense races.

And that's not all! Youngster Isaac Tutumlu (BMW) and Pepe Oriola (Seat) give a local touch to the weekend. And Spaniard Javi Villa could join the list of Spaniards fighting to get the trophy for best private driver.

OCTOBEROCTOBER/NOVEMBER

FOOD - TAPAS DE ESPAÑA, RIO TURIA 21 OCTOBER - 01 NOVEMBER

A 'feria de la Gastronomia' for all - everything from tapas and drinks, to Halloween parties, mini mascletas, children's fun park, live music and theatre, brought to you by the Las Fallas Special Federation - entrance is free!

NEW RUNNING CLUB IN VALENCIA

Running alone can be boring, this group is designed for anyone who wants to do some sport with native and international people in Valencia.

They meet every tuesday and thursday at 7:30pm beside the stairs of El Palau de la Musica in the Río Túria! http://www.facebook.com/valenciarunning
 

VALENCIA OPEN 500 - 29 October- 06 November Àgora, City of Arts & Sciences.
The third Valencia Open 500 is almost upon us! Some of the finest tennis players in the world will be gracing the spectacular Ágora building in a tournament part of the ATP circuit. So everybody will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the best of tennis in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias de Valencia.
Open daily from 11, 12, or 13.00 depending on day. ticket prices: season ticket €385 adult and €133 child. Daily prices from 14€ to 60€ depending on the day. There are Gold tickets available from 120-300€ depending on day which include a premium seat and a ticket for the restaurant.Matches on Court one are free but you need an entry ticket to Àgora to attend. There is a wheelchair tournament too.
The tournament is in the final stretch of the ATP calendar,extra motivation for players who are looking for a good result for the ATP World Tour Finals. It's a fantastic chance to see great tennis at pretty reasonable prices from the following players:-
Ferrer, David (ESP) (5) Soderling, Robin (SWE) (6) Monfils, Gael (FRA) (8) Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) (10) Simon, Gilles (FRA) (11) Almagro, Nicolás (ESP) (12) Del Potro, Juan Martín (ARG) (13) Isner, John (USA) (18) Dolgopolov, Alexandr (UKR) (20) Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) (22) Chela, Juan Ignacio (ARG) (23) Cilic, Marin (CRO) (26) López, Feliciano (ESP) (28) Raonic, Milos (CAN) (30) Granollers, Marcel (ESP) (31) Anderson, Kevin (RSA) (33) García-López, Guillermo (ESP) (35) Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) Fognini, Fabio (ITA) (39) Bogomolov Jr., Alex (USA) (40) Gulbis, Ernst (LAT) (48) Montañés, Albert (ESP) (53) Nalbandian, David (ARG) (63) Ferrero, Juan Carlos (ESP) (85) Querrey, Sam (USA) (116)
There will be a total of 12 sessions, three of them in the evening. On Thursday and Friday the evening sessions will start at 20.00 and two matches will be played, one singles and one doubles. On Saturday the evening session will start at 18.00 and one singles match, one doubles and one wheelchair match will be played.

Entrance to the FUNPARK is once again free this year.

FESTIVAL URBANO VALENCIA

A new music festival hits town on the 29th October and continues throughout the month of November in different locations.

SHINING CRANE Sala Loco Club Saturday 29 October Presentation Party

JORGE DREXLER Monday 7 November Teatro Olympia

LOS CORONAS + ARIZONA BABY + Chema Rey Dj,s Friday 11 November Sala Wah Wah RUSSIAN RED Saturday 12 November Palau de la Música

LOS CORONAS + ARIZONA BABY Saturday 12 November Sala Wah Wah

PONY BRAVO Friday 18 November Sala Loco Club

JACK OBLIVIAN + HARLAN T. BOBO + THE LIMES Saturday 19 November Sala Loco Club ::

ZAHARA Friday 25 November Sala Wah Wah

JAVIER KRAHE Saturday 26 November Sala Wah Wah.

JUAN PERRO Tuesday 29 November Teatro Olympia

RESTAURANT RIFF HAILS IN THE AUTUMN WITH A FESTIVAL OF TAPAS

MENÚ EXPRESS

SNACKS

Chips con especias, olivas secas - Spiced Crisps, Olives

Rosquilletas de semillas - seeded breadsticks

Pan de aceite de oliva virgen y romero - Olive oil and rosemary bread

FESTIVAL DE TAPAS

6 interesting and amusing tapas served with a Riesling Kabinett 2010 ecological from Heiner Sauer (Palatinado, Germany)

Pagre con acelgas y pimiento de Sechuan (Sea-bream with chard and Szechuan pepper) served with a Pinot Blanc 2009 ecological from Heiner Sauer (Palatinado, Germany)

Arroz meloso de vino tinto con setas del bosque (Red wine wet rice with woodland mushrooms) served with a Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) 2009 ecological from Heiner Sauer (Palatinado, Germany)

Tres quesos de Euskadi (Three Euskadi cheeses, a supplement of 15 €)with Cider Wildlinge auf Löss (4) 09 from Andreas Schneider (Frankfurt-Germany)(a supplement of 6€)

Chocolate Guanajá (Valrhona) and anís estrella with Pedro Ximenez San Emilio D.O. Jerez

The Menú is 30€ (IVA incluido) and there's a 'No Surprise price' of 50€ includes 4 Glasses of Wine, Water, coffee or tea & IVA )

Restaurante RiFF · Conde Altea 18 · Tel. 96 333 5353

FOOD - AUSTRALIAN BRUNCH - AT APETITE 30 October 13.00
Autumn is here and to celebrate the new season Apetite Restaurant in Ruzafa are offering Sunday Brunch, Aussie style!!.Think real crispy english smoked bacon, decadent and delightful eggs benedict, fluffy pancakes & real toast all washed down with a fine glass of cava for good measure. Scheduled apparently as a once a month event, so gather up all your mates & celebrate the simplest things in life at appetite.

MOTO GP GRAN PREMIO GENERALI DE LA COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA 2011 04-06 NOVEMBER

at the Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo Circuit are on sale.

Grandstand seats from 45€ - 115€ and 190€ for a box seat

VIP lounge is 600 for the three days

CEV BUCKLER 2011: 12th and 13th NOVEMBER

After the MotoGP Grand Prix the best Spanish motorcycling comes back to the Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo Circuit with the CEV Buckler on November 12th and 13th, 2011.

FREE ENTRY for this event.

XXXII FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS 08 OCTOBER 2011
A real "firework duel" between the companies Bergantino and Turís is predicted for Saturday night 08October, at the Diputación de Valencia's XXXII International Fireworks Festival
"It will be a show to remember," said provincial deputy Cristóbal Grau after confirming that the fireworks occupy about 4,500 square meters.
Although the County Council has dispensed with this year's social events that accompany the festival to reduce organizational costs by 120,000 euros, "this first-class fireworks show is comparable even to the Nit del Foc in Fallas" Grau said today at a press conference.
A Valencia and an Italian
Turis Pyrotechnics will be a "very Valencian" castillo and the Italian, display by by Romualdo Parente, "will be very Italian, extremely high in the sky."
There will be 5,000 kilos of gunpowder which will give a display of around 43 minutes. 21 minutes uninterrupted performance by Turis Pyrotechnics, during which they will shoot 2696 kilos of powder into the sky and 22 minutes in the fireworks show of Italian society, Romualdo Parente to trigger the other 2752 kilos of raw material.
Special transport services
Special extra metro services are being put on to facilitate the high expected attendance to the festival, extra trains will run in the evening and services continues into the early hours for the return after the show.

VALENCIA DAY WEEKEND BULLFIGHTS
VALENCIA DAY Bullfights at the Plaza de Toros on Saturday and Sunday 08 and 09 October at 6pm

MACROFESTIVAL AT PLAZA DE TOROS
Las Animas, sponsored by Carlsberg Brewery, Has organized a macro-music festival in the Plaza de Toros de Valencia from 11 to 14 October with live bands and and international DJs.

The lineup is impressive with internationally reknowned bands and DJs the likes of Bob Sinclar, Wally Lopez, Carlos Jean and Juanjo Martin aims to show the latest trends of the music world's best right now. There will be Paella and bear.

The Fest opens Tuesday 11, 18.00 hours with DJs Dorian, Carlos Jean and Luis Lopez. Joining them, emerging Valencian groups will take the stage.

On Wednesday 12 will be the turn DJ Juanjo Martin. Joining them on stage will be four junior college DJs: Mike Marin (Catholic University student from Valencia), Salva Burch (student of the Universidad Europea de Madrid), Javi Martinez Beto Selfa (students of the Universidad Cardenal Herrera - CEU-) and Kaspar & Hauser (also students of the CEU). The session will start at 13h. and open to the distribution of food and drink for all attendees.

Thursday 13 it will be the turn of the group Sidecars and DJ Luis Lopez.

It all ends Friday 14 October, with international DJ Bob Sinclar - 21 albums in tow and worldwide hits like "Love Generation" Sinclair is one of Europe's most acclaimed DJs. Appearing on the line up ith him, DJ Wally Lopez and Luis Lopez DJs and Victor Perez.

Friday's session is the culmination of a week of music, entertainment, party and entertainment in the Plaza de Toros to mark the start of the academic year attracts thousands of students from all universities to the city of Valencia.

The advance ticket prices for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are 8, 9 and 10 euros per person including a liter of beer and food among other advantages. Advance tickets for the event on Friday 14 are from 10 euros. All information found www.grupolasanimas.com.(not easy to find though! Ed)

JULIO IGLESIAS
14 August live in Gandia
Plaza del Puerto, Avinguda de la Pau at 23:00
tickets from 40€! HERE

****TOM JONES,
16 August live in Gandia
Plaza del Puerto, Avinguda de la Pau at 23:00
tickets from 25€! HERE

Arenal Sound, Burriana
04-07 August
Music on the beach of Burriana with a huge line up of bands and DJs.
Scissor Sisters, Hurts, <<Rinôçérôse>>, Vetusta Morla, The Charlatans, The Third Twin, Tiga, Love of Lesbian, Orbital, Calvin Harris, Paul Thomson (Franz Ferdinand) DJ Set, Mystery Jets DJ Set, The Zombie Kids, Vive la Fête, Russian Red, Delorean, Dorian, EME DJ, Supersubmarina, El Guincho, Canteca de Macao, La Pulquería, La Pegatina, The Suicide Of Western Culture, Layabouts, Triángulo de Amor Bizarro, We Are Standard, La habitación Roja, Polock, Doctor Pitangú, Pol 3.14, Miss Caffeina, Tulsa, Varry Brava, Lurbe Und Hosen (Kostrok), The Leadings.The Albionauts, Cyan, The Noises, Dinero, Cloverace, 45 Grados, Proyecto Solaz, El Tío la Careta, Catorce Días, El Mundo de Wayne, Full, Twin DJ’s, ELYELLA DJS, La Rana Mariana, Santo Machango, Sergio Gallegos, Villa Gombao Inc, Plastic Frostik Machine, Última Experiencia

Rototom Sunsplash-European Reggae Festival 2011
Benicassim
Thursday 18 to Saturday 27 August
Line up is as follows - Shaggy, Toots & The Maytals Gyptian Ziggy Marley Jimmy Cliff Stephen Marley Inner Circle Capleton Mr. Vegas Maxi Priest Richie Spice Horace Andy Luciano Ken Boothe Ky-mani Marley Ojos de Brujo Bunny Wailer Lutan Fyah Queen Ifrica Tony Rebel Linton Kwesi Johnson Fidel Nadal Rita Marley Sud Sound System Michael Prophet Burro Banton Brigadier Jerry Africa Unite Rico Rodriguez DUB INC Roberto Sánchez Jah Sun Iriepathie Jahfe United Flavour Lion D Ras Tewelde Microguagua Arawak Onechot The Upsttemians Perfect Giddimani Rockers Roots Rod Anton Jah Fabio Dactah Chando Dub à La Pub Jamafrica Crew Arkaya Music Band Fidoguido The Ligerians The Diatones Soul Sindikate Ali Campbell's Ub40 Jhonny Clarke Livity Songs Boom Boom Vibration. MO

Electrobeach Festival Benidorm 2011
Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 August
Luciano, Steve Lawler, Marc Houle, Nic Fanciulli, Kevin Saunderson, Marco Bailey, Ben Sims, Technasia, Maetrik, Matthias Tanzmann, Audiofly, Frivolous, John Acquaviva, Cristian Varela, Davide Squillace and more.

LA TOMATINA
31 August 2011
This year it is on 31 August and we'll be there with our popular coach tour. We're taking bookings now - but hurry tickets are selling fast- More here