Hey y'all! It looks like country music might be here to stay! 'Cálida Country' Country Music Club opened its doors in La Molata, Cañadas de Alhama, last September and has now settled into regularly providing the area with its own, dedicated, 'country flavoured' night spot. Meeting twice monthly, at 8.00pm on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, (changing to first and third FRIDAYs from & including April 4th) the club gives 'country music' aficionados somewhere to go where they can feel 'at home' and continue listening to their own specialised choice of music. Having said that, country music comes in all sorts of styles and tempos - as does the way in which people like to dance to it - and this is why the first Tuesday of each month is given to providing, amongst other things, a vast library of all styles of music from traditional C&W, Cajun, Latin country, and Hillbilly to the more modern Garth Brooks/Rodney Crowell flavour. The DJ's always try to encourage and fulfil requests from the floor for them to play specific tracks.
In addition, the venue boasts a large dance floor and the organisers try to promote all styles of dancing - couples/partner, jive, line, schottische, whatever? (They have also asked me to point out that they are not a 'line dancing' club and that line dancing is just one of the styles that they might normally see!). Another plus is that, on the odd occasion during the entertainment, the organisers might choose to include their teaching of a partner dance or a line dance but that this is to be treated as a fun option and not a serious lesson for the more dedicated 'line dancers' amongst you.
Also occurring during 'First Tuesday' (Friday) nights are popular 'Country Karaoke' sessions. Ever fancied yourself as a budding 'Dolly' or 'Hank'? Some very promising voices have emerged since the club started and I'm led to believe that we might even see a karaoke competition in the not too distant future?
Third Tuesday (Friday) nights normally means listening and/or dancing to 'live' country music! The club endeavours to lay on 'live' artistes or groups from around the area - and sometimes a little further afield - their programme for the next few months is...
Tuesday 18 Mar Farewell Performance of Cactus Jack
Friday 18 Apr Classic Country with Christine
Friday 16 May Back by popular demand Phil Brady
Friday 29 June Return of the Fabulous Mary 'B'
I think it would also be wrong of me not to mention the managers of the centre in which the club is held. Antonio and Cheryl always offer a warm welcome to club visitors and run a very friendly efficient bar service at Spanish prices. They can also 'rustle up' good food, offering anything from tapas - through menu del dia - to a limited 'a la carte'. The 'fish'n'chips' are excellent and I can thoroughly recommend testing their other culinary expertise!
If 'country' is your style this is a 'night out' not to be missed. The organisers tell me that they are trying to recapture the atmosphere of the UK CM clubs of the 80's and 90's - including the 'dressing up, western mode' (even if it's just a Stetson) and a number of regular attenders do, indeed, comply - we even had a full blown Native American last week. If, however, 'dressing up' is not what you want to do, that, too, is not a problem - shorts and flip-flops are just as welcome!
There is a small entrance fee of €5.00 per couple or €3.00 for singles but it's good value for money. It is also worth mentioning that the club is not a commercial venture and that all net monies raised is to be donated, via the Lions Club of Mazarrón Bahía, to the Community Ambulance Appeal. (C.A.F.E)
Maybe see you down there one night?
'bye y'al