April shines bright with the colour and ceremony of Easter celebrations. Look out for event programmes in your neighbourhood as the month begins. Stay informed online at www.costacalidachronicle.com and the blog and the relevant Tourist Office websites.
BULLAS
www.bullas.es
T: 968 652 244 Market Tuesday
Wine heritage info: The Casa-Museo Don Pepe Marsilla has authentic interiors. Guided tours (in English) for only 2 persons (5€ pp) or there is an audio guide system in English. The Museo del Vino has a shop with bodega prices. To visit either/info, tel 968 657 211, the Tourist Office or email
casamuseodonpepe@bullas.es
CALASPARRA
www.turismocalasparra.es
T: 968 745 325 Market Friday
Support the Royal British Legion established in Calasparra. Murcia.secretary.rbl@gmail.com
CARAVACA
www.turismocaravaca.org
T: 968 702 424 Market Monday
Easter Sunday 21st – 1½hr Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the historical quarter from the front of the Castle and winds down through the medieval town to finish at Plaza del Templete. A highly visual tour with English leaflets and info boards to help you. 11am.
CEHEGÍN
www.turismocehegin.es
T: 968 723 550 Market Wednesday
Easter celebrations with processions:
The Friday of Pain (12th April), Palm Sunday (14th April)
Easter week:
Good Friday morning and night (19th April) and The Resurrection Sunday (21st April)
Good Friday at noon there is a special performance called ‘Los Pasodobles Del Casino’. Different musical bands in the morning procession play a pasodoble in the street outside the Casino in la Calle Mayor in the Old Town.
Sunday 21st – No monthly Car Boot Sale because of Easter.
Sunday 28th – Guided Tour (in Spanish) to the archaeological site of Begastri, 3km outside town and then to the school of wine in the town. 11am from the onsite museum – 2€. Prior booking essential At Tourist Office. A pre-tour info video has English subtitles and the guide speaks some English.
Sunday 28th – The monthly Artisan Market is cancelled because of elections.
Archaeological See of Begastri Tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 10.10am/11.15am/12.20pm 2€ pp. The tour begins with a video presentation, then a guided tour to see the remains of the Iberian culture before the IV century BC.
The Eco Park ‘Coto de las Maravillas’ has family activities which includes zip lines, archery, nature walks and many other organised outdoor activities. They can also host any type of event. Campsite, BBQ area and kiosk-bar offering a great menu – reservations available.
Open weekends 10am-5pm; weekdays prior booking.
For info/bookings tel 968 069 202 Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Email info@conexioncultura.es
www.cotodelasmaravillas.com
JUMILLA
www.jumilla.org
T: 968 780 237 Market Tuesday
At the forefront of Easter celebrations (Semana Santa), Jumilla also boasts a significant religious sculpture, the Cristo Amarrado a la Columna.
Friday 12th at 7.30pm the Tamborada de la Burrica drumming begins after Mass followed by processions and various events through to the conclusion on Sunday 21st.
Saturday 13th – English language guided tour of the Santa Ana monastery at 10am. Free entrance – donations asked for – meet at the atrium. A Spanish language tour at midday. More info from the Tourist Office – can combine with a bodega visit.
Saturday 27th – 1½hr Free English Language Guided Tour of the Old Town and Ethnological Museum. 10.30am from Teatro Vico.
Sunday 28th – 2.10€ Spanish/English Language Tour of the restored castle. 10.15am from Tourist Office. A Spanish language only tour also at 11.30am. Book via the Tourist Office (English language leaflets available). Own transport needed.
Wine and Yoga alert!
Every Thursday to 11th April, Lina Lopez Lorca runs yoga sessions at Bodegas San Isidro – numbers are limited so reserve your place on 968 780 700 or email enoturismo@bsi.com
Check out the Archaeological Museum (tel 968 757 379) and the Ethnography and Natural Sciences Museum (968 780 740) which offer various workshops for all the family at various times.
Wine buffs can contact a choice of 15 bodegas affiliated to the Ruta del Vino for guided visits for small groups or individuals and to buy produce. Liaise with bodegas as most will attempt to coordinate groups and provide a relevant language-guide; or enquire through Tourist Office.
MORATALLA
www.ayuntamientomoratalla.net
T: 968 730 208 Market Saturday
Tours to the Rock Art of Moratalla are available encapsulating prehistoric to medieval styles and worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status. There are several routes and modes of transport – details on www.turismomoratalla.com, email info@turismomoratalla.com or tel 696 807 037
Check at Tourist Office for times of Easter parades etc including the Tamboristas.
MULA
www.mula.es
T: 968 661 501 Market Saturday
Saturday 27th – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the El Milano prehistoric site located 15km outside the town centre; own transport required. Site info on www.abrigodelmilano.es 10.30am start – Tourist Office will advise on meeting point.
Check out the El Cigarralejo Museum and the Casa Pinatada which have several new exhibitions – info at Tourist Office.
MURCIA
www.turismodemurcia.es
T: 968 358 749
Saturdays 6th & 20th – 2hr Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the historic centre – maps and some leaflets in English from Tourist Office. A great way to orientate for future visits. Reservations at Tourist Office. 10.30am.
Discover the contemporary arts centre Centro Parraga in the city centre.
Tel 968 351 410
Email info@centroparraga.com.
Friday 12th – Manuel Rodriguez, renowned dancer, performs ‘Body on Paper’, a work based on his research residence in Japan. 9pm 8€ (4€ students/unemployed/over 65’s).
Thursday 25th – Arturo Mendez Exhibition (until 26th May)
Images which ‘animalize’ humanity analyse concepts related to identity and human nature. Free entry Mon-Fri 9am-8pm.
The Sala Veronicas and the Palacio Almudi host some 300 works for art lovers including seven Goya paintings (until 28th April)
Open Mon-Sat 10am-2pm & 5pm-9pm
Sun and public hols 11am-2pm.
Closed 19th/23rd/27th April.
Free entry.
Tel: 650 533 678/968 358 600/968 221 668
Art Exhibition @ The Museo de Bellas Artes (MUBAM)
42 paintings mainly by Murcia artist Jose Antonio Molina Sanchez and Barjola, Hernandez Mompo and Mignoni. Focuses on the neo-figurative movement of the 60’s and 70’s.
Open Tues-Fri 10am-2pm & 5pm-8pm
Sat 11am-2pm & 5pm-8pm; Sun & public hols 11am-2pm
Free Monthly Organ Recitals in selected cathedrals and churches to June 2019 start at 8.30pm. Contact Tourist Office for details.
The Auditorio Victor Villegas hosts the following. More info/booking is available between 9am and 2pm at the box office or tel 968 343 080:
Tuesday 2nd – Carlos Rivera, Mexican star of the stage musical Lion King, performs tracks from his latest album ‘Guerra’. 9.30pm; 25€-55€
Friday 5th – Pianist Josu de Solaun & OSRM perform works by Liszt and Shostakovich. 8pm; 8€/11€/13€
Saturday 6th – Rock Group, Funambulista, from Molina de Segura, fronted by singer Diego Cantero, presents two hours of audio-visual pop/rock music to promote their latest album ‘Dual’. 9.30pm; 20€/28€
Sunday 7th – Lunchtime Classical Music, Jazz, Tapas & Drink is on the menu, comprising the Mayerbeer Duo and Traffic Jam. Midday start; 15€
Sunday 7th – Better Souls entertains with a mix of soul, gospel and jazz, directed by Pablo de Torres. 7pm; 20€
Monday 8th – Charity Fundraiser – music students of the piano, harpsichord, recorder, accordion and organ at the Conservatorio de Musica to support children with rare diseases in Murcia Region. 7pm; 6€
Wednesday 10th – Charity Fundraiser – Conservatorio students again perform for the same charity: this time featuring a band, choir and symphony orchestra, guitar and harp group. 7pm; 8€
Friday 12th – The Mahler Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado, perform works by Manuel de Falla and Stravinsky and features singer Marina Heredia. 8pm; 70€-99€
Saturday 13th – Stand-Up Comedy in the shape of Jose Mota, Florentino Fernandez and Santiago Segura present ‘Dos Tontos y Yo’. Two shows: 7pm or 10pm; 25€-35€
Sunday 14th – Choral Concert by the Singerhood Choir and Coro Fecorem. 7pm; 10€-25€
Friday & Saturday 19th & 20th – The musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (in Spanish) features a cast of over 50 and members of the Carmen Romero Dance Company. For AECC Cancer Charity. 7pm; 25€
Friday 26th – The Compania Murciana de Danza perform La Zapatera Prodigiosa. 8pm; 15€/20€/25€
Sunday 28th – Lunchtime Music performed by bands from Torre Pacheco and Molina de Segura. Midday; 3€
YECLA
www.turismo.yecla.es
T: 968 754 104 Market Wednesday
Saturday 27th – The start of the fiestas of San Isidro which run to 20th May, held to honour the patron saint of agriculture. A full programme to be published this month – check at Tourist Office.