Coming 21 June is the annual San Carlos Music Festival, organised by Ai Carai, in the charming surroundings of the village of the same name in the north of the island. Now in its third year, the free outdoor event is back to fill the streets with music, colour and energetic fun. The festival is timed to coincide with World Music Day to celebrate the universal language of music and bring it out onto the streets for all to enjoy.
The event kicks off at midday with a football tournament, followed by a singing recital in San Carlos church from the church's choir. Then the official start of the festival at 3pm will be celebrated by a batucada performance, a type of Brazilian samba, which will tour the entire village.
The whole event takes place over one big entertainment-filled day, there will be live music across San Carlos with performances on five different stages, featuring 150 artists from all over the world. As well as the music, there will be a range of activities throughout the day, with live performances, storytelling and visual shows.
Artisan food producers will be displaying their wares giving you the option to sample the local Ibiza produce; people are still being signed up and if you want to take part in this, the deadline is today, Monday 15 June. Children will be well catered for too, with a range of activities, including a workshop dedicated to making musical instruments out of recycled materials. Plus there will be people on stilts, jugglers and clowns to provide colour and add to the theatre of the atmosphere.
The music performances cover a wide variety of genres from local bands: everything from different types of rock from Fletxa, the Brand New Hippies and The Frigolos; reggae from Jahbless and David Aki Jahora; jazz styles from the likes of Tukdam and the Muriel Grossman Quartet as well as a wide variety of more unusual music types, like beach funk and thematic fusion. There will also be a dance performance from Bollywood Ibiza as well as flamenco acts.
The purpose of the event is to promote musical creativity on the island and showcase the work of groups and individuals. Originally created in France in 1982, the event has spread to 120 countries and is now celebrated in well over 700 cities worldwide. The Ibiza event brings the inimitable Bohemian and hippy vibe that emanates from this part of the island in this ode to music of all varieties.
It promises to be a great day out for all ages: all you need do is turn up and join in the party atmosphere and join us on the streets.
Please click here for more information on the events website and facebook.
WORDS | Julian Heathcote
