The Canary Guide Weekend Tips 8-10 June 2018

Mid-June approaches and an action packed weeekend is ahead for Gran Canaria. Multiple music events are happening around the island, a potato fair up in the mountains,  an island wide food drive, an outlet fair and of course the start of the patron saint´s festivities to celebrate the founding of an Atlantic capital.

8-9 June, Gran Canaria, Spain
Operation Kilo

Operation Kilo, the primary food drive in solidarity with those most in need around the island will be prominent in shopping centres and supermarkets this coming Friday and Saturday around Gran Canaria.

The Campaign focuses on collecting as many basic foods as possible from multiple supermarkets over just two days. The food is donated by any citizens who care to help. The collection is made thanks to the help of a large team of volunteers  (still more needed!!) and the collaboration of the various supermarkets. Once the food has been collected, it is sent to the main Las Palmas Food Bank warehouse, from where it is distributed to people in need through several charities.

In the province of Las Palmas the food drive is in Alcampo, Eroski, El Corte Inglés, DinoSol Foundation, Makro, Spar and Lidl

More than 800,000 people in the Canaries live below the poverty line (that is a number close to the total population of this island alone). Representing 35% of the population of these Islands, which places the archipelago as the community with the second highest incidence of poverty. This data is reflected in the Survey of Living Conditions of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), which also shows that 64.1% of all households in the islands suffer “much difficulty” reaching the end of each month.

In particular look out for the volunteers and collection boxes this Friday and Saturday and the entrances to major super markets in your area.

8-10 June, Las Palmas 
Rockin’DooWop Gran Canaria Festival

The 2nd Summer Edition of the Rockin’ DooWop Gran Canaria Festival.

3 days, 12 concerts, a vintage market, food trucks, activities for children, burlesque shows, exhibitions, an Hawaiian party, from 8th to 10th of June in Santa Catalina Park in Las Palmas

Performers over the weekend:
On Friday : 19:10 Tihua Cats 20:25 Juanan ( Doo wop), 20:45 Dixie Boys, 22:00 Don Diego Trio, 23:15 The Class of 58’s. On Saturday 18:00 Chester Dinamita & the fabulous two, 19:15 Old Steam, 20:30 Indians, 21:45 Rockin Piano Sam, 23:00 Burlesque show, 23:15 Tennessee. On Sunday: 14:30 Sunset Cats, 15:45 Burlesque show, 17:00 Johnny Falstaff.
Vintage market : Friday 17:00-22:00, Saturday 11:00-22:00 and on Sunday, 11:00-18:30
Food Truck zone : Friday 17:00-01:00, Saturday 11:00-01:00 and on Sunday, 11:00-18:30
Childrens workshops in Miller Building .Friday 18:00-19:00, Saturday 12:00-13:00 & 17:00-18:00, Sunday 12:00-13:00.
Dance workshops Friday 17:30-18:30 and on Saturday 11:30-12:30 & 16:00-17:00

Other activities include the Hawaiana party on Saturday 13:30-15:30, a Fashion catwalk 17:00. And on Sunday the saucy “pin up & dance with me” competition 11:30-13:45

8-10 June, INFECAR, Las Palmas
Fisaldo – Feria de los Saldos y las Oportunidades

The 19th Big Outlet Fair at INFECAR in Las Palmas. More than 60 exhibitors of Textiles, Footwear, Accessories, Furniture, Decorations, Used Vehicles, Sports, and much more besides.

Opening hours : Friday 10:30-20:30, On Saturday 10:30-20:30 and on Sunday  10:30-17:00.

Entry fee €1.50 and free for children under 12 yrs, as well as for pensioners, accredited pensioners and retirees, unemployed and persons with disabilities.

8-10 June, Pueblo de Mogán
Patron Saint festivities San Antonio El Chico

Patronal festivities continue all the way until 13 June in the Pueblo de Mogán. See our detailed article here.

On Friday, a Song Festival at 21:00 at Parque Nicolás Quesada, opposite the town hall, with local arts schools and a guest artist Karen Méndez, followed by a DJ party at Plaza Sarmiento y Coto.

On Saturday at 18:00 Lowering of the Branch (Bajada de la rama) with the Gran Canaria and Agaete bands. A celebration with a pre-christian essence. Departure will be from the Avda. De la Constitución. In the evening at 22:00 traditional dancing with Mariachi Alma Ranchera and Pepe Benavente at Nicolás Quesada Park.

On Sunday from 12:00 The Water Festival MOGÁN H2o. At 19:00 Inflatables, foosball, slides,  inflatable donuts ramps and water tubes, a pool with boats.
*all ages, do not forget your swimsuit.
Where : Calles San José and Juan Martín

8-10 June, Las Palmas 
the 540th Anniversary of the foundation of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Friday 8 June.  Pregón, proclamation and the opening gala at 21:30 at Plaza de Santa Ana. Opening speech by gallerist Saro León and a tribute concert to José Antonio Ramos. The Posdata concert: We love you. Celebrating JAR, a tribute to the legacy of the timplista José Antonio Ramos

Saturday 9 June  17:00 – 23:00  TRIANA – VEGUETA. Estameña Festival (Canta el barranco) Just one day after the celebration of the proclamation, Canarian music will be the main focus for the Festival Estameña, a musical tour on foot through Triana and Vegueta in which the group Los Gofiones will host four other groups from around the Archipelago: Los Sabandeños (Tenerife), and the folkloric groups Tabajoste (Fuerteventura), Tajarde (La Palma) and Acatife (Lanzarote). From 17:00 the Bajada de San Nicolás, the procession route will converge at 18:00 on Calle Triana (next to the sculpture by Martín Chirino) and will begin with the performance of the Majorero group.
At 19:15, it will be at the back of the Pérez Galdós Theater, where the La Palma group will perform and, at 20:30  the Alameda de Colón will be the stage for those from Lanzarote.
In the plaza de Santo Domingo, in Vegueta, the Sabandeños will perform at 21:45 pm and, finally, a great final party will gather in the Plaza de Santa Ana, at 23:00, all the participating groups: Gofiones, Los Sabandeños, Tabajoste, Tajarde and Acatife.
17:00 Bajada de San Nicolás, descending of San Nicolás – Entry to Castillo de Mata – Calle Triana
18:00 Calle Triana (escultura de Martín Chirino) – A.F. Tabajoste (Fuerteventura)
19:15  Plaza del tenor Stagno – A.F. Tajarde (La Palma)
20:30 Alameda de Colón. A.F. Acatife (Lanzarote)
21:45 Plaza de Santo Domingo – Los Sabandeños (Tenerife)
23:00 Plaza de Santa Ana. Los Gofiones, Los Sabandeños, A.F. Tabajoste, A.F. Tajarde y A.F. Acatife.

Sunday 10 June, Los Poliguanches music group at 11:30 at Parque Doramas  ( Anfi theatre )
12:00 Folkmusic group Chemida at Plaza del Pilar Nuevo.

8-9 June, Gáldar
Festival La Guancha

The Department of Culture and Festivities of the City Council of Gáldar invites the public to enjoy the Music Festival de La Guancha on the stage of Mr. Leacock’s Plaza in El Agujero.  The Festival, through music, wants to value the extraordinary archaeological heritage of this royal city, an ancient prehispanic captial of the island kingdoms.

The Festival includes a Handicraft Fair as well as food and drinks service. The Festival repeats every year in its place of origin, El Agujero, where it has been consolidated as an exponent of the music made in the Canary Islands and bringing the rich heritage of this municipality “valued as one of the the most important archaeological sites on the island.”

On Friday the big party of “polvos Holi”, the colour festival at 19:00. Performances from El Vega at 19:00, Son de aquí y allá at 21:00 and Salvapantallas at 22:30.

On Saturday,  La Guancha rap battle at 18:00, Arkano at 20:00,  Fran Baraja & Las Blues band at 21:00 and Las K-Marias at 22:30

Also on Saturday, a new edition of the surf and bodyboard championship “Yuyo Pro“. The famous wave of La Guancha hosts this championship in which the local riders together with the guests will once again demonstrate the highest level of the athletes who surf one of the best waves in all Spanish territory, every day. In total 37 participants in the bodyboard categories and 18 in the surfing will enjoy throughout the day one of the most anticipated bodyboard competitions and galdense surfing on Saturday from 09:00-18:00

Saturday 9 June, Tejeda
III Fiesta de la papa

The Potato Fair in Tejeda this Saturday at Plaza Nuestra Señora del Socorro celebrates the food of empires that first visited these islands before arriving on the mainland.
During the morning there will be agricultural and artisanal market, exhibition of agricultural machinery, exhibition of different potato varieties.

At 14:00, in La Vaguada, popular Sancocho. Music with the Gran Canaria band and inflatables for the little ones.

In the square of Ntra. Señora del Socorro, at 12:00 “pelar papas” the 7th potato peeling competition. At 13:00 live music with Yeray Rodríguez. At 15:00, more music with H-Tamarindos group.

“Did you know that potatoes  was brought to the Canary Islands by the Spaniards in the 16th century from the Peruvian Andies and from there it spread throughout the rest of the European continent.”

Saturday 9, Maspalomas
Music meets Tourism

The first edition of this new free outdoor music event “Music meets tourism” in the southern park of Maspalomas, Parque Sur and in the Anfiteatro, starting from 18:00 to 00:00. With music of Jorge Gonzalez, Neopinto. Luis Munozof, Valentin RusGarcia and Ultimallave.

A mouthwatering fair happens this Sunday in Moya as part of their festivities of Saint Anthony of Padua program.

The Sweet Fair of Moya from 10:00-15:00.

The Day includes among others activities for children 11:00-15:00 inflatable castles, Disney world characters, balloon modelling and face painting at the fountain of Plaza de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.

From 11:00 to 1200. Delivery of desserts by the participants in the Sweet Moya confectionery contest at Plaza Tomás Morales. Music performance at 12:30 at Árbol Redondo.

At 13.15 the award ceremony for the Moya confectionery contest at the church of Our Lady of Candelaria.

From 13:30 to 15:00. Concert on the porch of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria church.

Other events:
Sunday 10 June, Las Canteras beach, Las Palmas : Championship of Gran Canaria of Beach Tennis Doubles. Absolute qualifier for the Championship of the Canary Islands from 9:00–18:00