Contents
The Carnaval de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2017‘s not the only carnival on the island. A more overlooked version of this Italian import takes place in Gáldar. Find out all in our three-part preview of the Carnaval de Gáldar below.
Just like the capital version, Gáldar’s carnival is organized on thematic lines. So, where Carnaval de Gáldar 2016 was dedicated to Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days, 2017’s pays tribute to Mother Africa. And so we can look forward to the Carnaval Africano de Gáldar 2017 where tribal masks will be very much the fashion to follow.
The carnaval centres on Gáldar’s perfect square, Plaza de Santiago. But the event is very much rooted in the municipal capital’s streets, just like the more famous Notting Hill Carnival. The Teatro Consistorial de Gáldar‘s another 2017 Gáldar Carnival venue.
2017’s carnival in Gáldar lasts from Friday 17th February to Friday 3rd March. It all starts with a parade on the first Friday snaking its way around the streets of Gáldar from 8:30pm. Look out for the likes of brass ensemble Vitamina Band and clowns with catchy, cutting choruses: Murga Los Pedreros.
Further carnaval dates for your diaries include Saturday 18th February’s Drag Queen Gala presented by supermodel-glamorous Deborah Ombres from 9:00pm. Deborah Ombres is the artistic name of Valladolid’s Javier Díaz Blanco and is a play on words as in Devorahombres. Yes, this is one maneater.
The following Saturday, as in the 25th February, is the Carnaval de Gáldar 2017’s family day. Kids will enjoy the bouncy castles and workshops. Listen out for musical performances from, amongst others, Los Salvapantallas who cover tracks from the sounds of Mr GCL’s musical youth such as The Bangles, the Latin sounds of Carácter Latino, and rock gods: Los Lola.
The carnival concludes with the traditional full stop of the Entierro de la Sardina. This mock send-off of a deceased sardine proceeds from the Polideportivo Municipal Juan Vega Mateos at 9:00pm. The seriously funky Orquesta Furia Joven keep things suitably light.