Time marches on with a spring in its step, so put a spring into yours and leap into action with your diary. Stay informed online with the Chronicle website www.costacalidachronicle.com and blog and the relevant Tourist Office websites.
BULLAS
www.bullas.es
T: 968 652 244 Market Tues
Sunday 1st March & Sunday 5th April – Artisan Market
Visit Casa-Museo Don Pepe Marsilla. Guided tours (in English) for only 2 persons (5€ pp) or there is an audio guide system in English. Museo del Vino has a shop with bodega prices. To visit either/info, tel 968 657 211, Tourist Office, or email casamuseodonpepe@bullas.es
CALASPARRA
T: 968 745 325 Market Fri
Support the Royal British Legion established in Calasparra.
Murcia.secretary.rbl@gmail.com
3km of the canyon path through the Almadenes Canyon has been closed by the Department of Water, Agriculture, Stockbreeding, Fish and Environment, until July 15th to protect nesting and breeding of birds in danger of extinction including the Partridge Eagle.
Sunday 8th March – Artisan Market @ The Sanctuary Esperanza
CARAVACA
T: 968 702 424 Market Mon
Saturday 7th March – 47km Cross Country Race
Tel 647 525 539/605 391 713
Email: adenow@hotmail.com
Sunday 15th March – Artisan Market
Espadrilles Museum
This museum gem explores Caravaca’s history of skilled craftsmanship and remarkable engineering. See an amazing collection of miniatures portray these skills, including Caravaca’s manufacture/export of espadrilles. Located at Calle Puentecilla No 3, Bajo.
Tel 968 795 620 for opening times.
The Carlos Blanco Fadol Museum of Ethnic Instruments in Barranda is signposted and easy access for mobility issues. 5% of his 4,000-piece collection rotates in the space available. 3€ (reduced 2€/child 1€). Check opening times with Tourist Office.
CEHEGÍN
T: 968 723 550 Market Wed
Saturday 28th March – Free Spanish Language Tour takes in the wine-making heritage of this interesting town. 11.30am from Plaza del Alpargetero and visit Bodegas Carreno to explore the wine-making process and then to the School of Wine including wine sampling. Reserve a place at Tourist Office – limited availability.
Sunday 29th March – Last Artisan Market this season ‘El Mesoncico’ in the historic Plaza del Castillo offering traditional and local produce and crafts, free entertainment, and workshops. Open 10am-3pm.
Archaeological See of Begastri open Saturdays & Sundays for tours 10am-2pm. A video presentation is followed by a guided tour to see the remains of the Iberian culture before the IV century BC. 2€ pp.
Eco Park ‘Coto de las Maravillas’ for family activities including zip lines, archery, nature walks and many other organised outdoor activities. They can host any type of event. Campsite, BBQ area and kiosk-bar offering a great menu and you can book.
Open weekends 10am-5pm; weekdays prior booking.
Tel 968 069 202 Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Email info@conexioncultura.es
JUMILLA
T: 968 780 237 Market Tues
Sunday 8th March – Free Guided Tour of old quarter (in Spanish) and time later to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnographic Museum or perhaps a local bodega. 11am from Teatro Vico – approx. 90mins.
Saturday 14th & 21st March – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the Iberian settlement at Coimbra del Barranco Ancho set approx. 5km out of town in the Sierra de Santa Ana (need own transport). 11am at the indoor swimming pool car park on Avenida de la Libertad. The tour follows on with a visit to the Archaeological Museum.
Sunday 22nd March – 7km walk in the scenic area around the Franciscan Convent of Santa Ana, starting with a brief visit to the Convent Chapel and Museum. Free tour (in Spanish) 10am from the Convent Atrium; Monastery donations are welcomed. The tourist office can arrange tours with English-speaking guides.
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March – English and Spanish Language Tours to the restored 15th Century Castle. 2.10€ for bus service from town and castle entry. English tour 11am/Spanish tour 12pm from Tourist Office from where you book.
Lovers of art should visit the Saorin Painting Museum, a small museum of works by the local artist, Jesus Lozano Saorin and others from the area. Includes sculptures and canvasses.
Reserve Guided Visit on 660 959 631.
The Convent of Santa Ana del Monte in the mountains south of Jumilla is worth a visit for the history and stunning views over town and landscape. Follow the RM-714 south-west and signposted – 5km from town centre. Check with Tourist Office for opening times.
Check out the Archaeological Museum (tel 968 757 379) and the Ethnography & Natural Sciences Museum (tel 968 780 740) which also 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
T: 968 730 208 Market Sat
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, info@turismomoratalla.com, or tel 696 807 037
MULA
T: 968 661 501 Market Sat
Sunday 8th March – Artisan Market
El Cigarralejo Museum and Casa Pinatada with relatively new exhibitions may have escaped your attention to-date – info from Tourist Office.
MURCIA
T: 968 358 749
The Auditorio Victor Villegas hosts the following:
Sunday lunchtime Family Concerts are back! Performed by the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra – book early as very popular.
More info/booking 9am-2pm at box office
Tel 968 343 080
Sunday 1st March – A tribute show to the movie Frozen and others: 75 minutes of music and songs. 5pm; 12€.
Wednesday 4th March – Celebrating 250 years since Beethoven’s birth, Alba Ventura, acclaimed piano soloist, plays selected Beethoven sonatas and other composer scores. 8pm; 10€.
Friday 6th March – The blues band, Travellin’ Brothers, hits the stage. Formed in the Basque region and with European and Nashville experience over 15 years. 9.30pm; 12€ in advance or 15€ otd.
Saturday 7th March – The Antonio Marquez Dance Company bring Ravel’s Bolero and Medea to you and more. 8pm; 15€-25€
Tuesday 10th March – The electric violinist specialist, Kristina Sukler, joins the OSRM for a performance which includes Adams’ concerto for electric violin, ‘The Dharma at Big Sur’. 8pm; 12€-20€.
Friday 13th March – Violin soloist, Michael Barenboim and the Turin Radio Orchestra, conducted by James Conlon, perform works by Mahler and Mozart. 8pm; 25€-35€.
Sunday 15th March – The Hechizo Teatro Company entertain for the family concert season with a production called ‘Music, camera, action!’ A pre-concert info-chat at 11.15am aimed at youngsters is followed by a 12pm start; 10€.
Monday 16th March – Don Giovanni opera by Mozart is performed by The Agencia Opera 2001. 8pm; 35€.
Thursday 19th March – World-acclaimed virtuoso pianist, Boris Berezovsky and the Russian State Symphony Orchestra perform concertos by Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky. 8pm; 25€-35€.
Friday 20th March – Tenor, Jose Manuel Zapata, combines with the OSRM to present a fusion of musical styles, such as opera with flamenco and tango. 9.30pm; 18€-25€.
Saturday 21st March – Amaia Romero Arbizu represented Spain at Eurovision 2018 and brings her ‘No Pasa Nada’ tour to this stage. 9.30pm; 25€-45€.
Sunday 22nd March – Ensemble Le Muse pay homage to Ennio Morricone who has enhanced films over the last fifty years with memorable soundtracks, not least the Sergio Leone ‘Spaghetti Westerns’. This show has travelled the world and is accompanied by projection of images and sequences from films. Tapas, snacks and drinks available post-show and a chat with the performers. 12pm; 15€.
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March – ‘Michael’s Legacy’ created by the Jackson Dance Company is endorsed by the Michael Jackson fan club in Spain as the best tribute show. A troupe of eleven dancers perform the big hits suitable for all ages. Two shows on Saturday: 6pm & 9.30pm; Sunday: 5pm. 18€-28€.
YECLA
T: 968 754 104 Market Wed