27 Monday Apr 2020
Yesterday my friend Julie sent me a pic of the Feria poster from the year she was born, so of course then I had to go and look up mine. How cool are these? Every year since I don’t know when there has been an annual competition for local artists to create the official Fiestas de Primavera posters. I especially like the one on the right. Olé!
25 Saturday Apr 2020
Posted in coronavirus, fiestas, flamenco, sevilla
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Right, so obviously Sevilla’s Feria de Abril has been cancelled this year. At first it was postponed until the end of September, when I think the city council thought they could do a combo thing with the Feria de San Miguel. But now… nada. In fact ALL festivals, fiestas, etc, are clearly going to be cancelled for the rest of the year, and most likely well into next year.
But tonight is the noche del pescaíto (night of the fried fish) which traditionally is the first evening of Feria before it officially opens, and everyone in their little private casetas do a pre-opening thing for their select friends, make a whack of fried fish and everyone is well and properly full of fish and rebujito by the time the alumbrado – the lighting up of the fair ground – happens, and when the rest of the public is allowed in.
09 Thursday May 2019
I thought after my day out to Feria on Monday that was going to be IT for me this year, but I somehow ended up back there yesterday. Bit of a wander round, took some photos, and then home again. But that’s really IT now. Until next year.
08 Wednesday May 2019
I was invited to a reception at the City Hall caseta on Monday afternoon, so off I went. Along with about 8 million other people. That tent was PACKED. We stayed for a drink and a snack but then had to get out of there. Between the crush of people and the heat it was just too much.
After that we stopped in at another municipal caseta (almost all the casetas at this fair are private) and somehow scored a table (!) close to the front of the stage (!!) and it was wonderful. Anyone can get up and dance Sevillanas on the stage and to everyone’s delight this fabulous gentleman – the one in the cap with the castanets – was up there every chance he could get.
Bear in mind that Sevillanas are usually danced with a man and woman, as the steps are different for each. But this guy didn’t care if his dance partner was male or female, and in this case, even two guys at once. They were all having a great time, as you can see. Made my day! 🙂
04 Saturday May 2019
Posted in sevilla
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Sometimes my life is a hard one. Take yesterday. I had to get out early (well, ish) to attend the Michelin press conference, which was followed by an impromptu visit to the Alcázar Palaces and Gardens (well, since I was already there). And then it was time for a cold beer and a snack at La Barra de Inchausti.
At this point I was ready to go home, but I had also been invited to check out Sevilla’s only “floating caseta” run by Pepe & Eva @elcuadernodepigafetta. Luckily, when I tried to bow out, I was told that they weren’t going to take no for an answer and would see me at the boat at 2 pm sharp. Aye aye captain!
[click on image to enlarge]
As you can see, it was lovely. Along with our hosts, we were a small group including myself, Juan @juanduqueoliva, Txema @U_Explorers and Silvia @nomentiendas, and the event was organised by José Miguel @ProbandoGastro. We sat on the upper deck and enjoyed a small feast of jamón, caña de lomo and cheeses, with plenty of chilled manzanilla on hand, served by “Solear Chica” Celia. The partial shade from the paper lanterns and the light breeze off the river made for perfect conditions.
The Puerto de Indias is available for private events, up to 12 people. Pepe and Eva live part time on the boat, which is equipped below deck with a master bedroom, bathroom with shower, kitchen, livingroom and smaller second bedroom with bunkbeds for their children. The clever use of space puts IKEA to shame.
Thanks so much, Eva & Pepe, for an amazing experience!
