Eighth Ritmos Handmade Festival Set for Puerto de la Cruz Nov 13-16
The eighth Ritmos Handmade international percussion festival will take place in Puerto de la Cruz from November 13 to 16, offering concerts, masterclasses, and workshops by artists including Miguel Ángel Expósito, Eva Català, and Christos Rafalides, alongside a book launch.
The eighth Ritmos Handmade, an international percussion festival, will take place in Puerto de la Cruz from November 13 to 16. The event will be held at the Costa Martiánez Tourist Complex.
The festival was recently announced by Desiré Díaz, the Culture Councillor for Puerto de la Cruz; Miguel Ángel Expósito, the artist opening the festival on November 13th; and Yudi Acosta and Juan Javier Rodríguez, the festival directors.
Juan Javier Rodríguez highlighted the high quality of the participating artists. He noted that the festival continues to be a platform for new projects, works, and publications. This year, for example, Argentine percussionist Marcelo Gueblón will launch his book, The DragOn Drums Book.
Over four days, Ritmos Handmade will bring together artists, teachers, students, and the public for a program of concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and performances.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, November 13th, with a day dedicated to classical and contemporary percussion. Percussionist, conductor, and teacher Miguel Ángel Expósito will lead a masterclass at 4:30 PM, focusing on band conducting from a percussionist's perspective. Later that evening, at 8:30 PM, he will conduct a concert alongside the Nivaria Philharmonic Society of Arafo and students from the Puerto de la Cruz Municipal School of Music.
On Friday, drummer, percussionist, and composer Eva Català, a rising star in contemporary jazz and world music, will give a masterclass at 4:30 PM on using improvisation as a creative language. The day will end at 8:30 PM with her concert, featuring Pablo González (piano and accordion), Carlos Costa (double bass and percussion), and Fran Rodríguez (saxophone).
Saturday features Greek vibraphonist Christos Rafalides, a well-known figure in the New York jazz scene. At 4:30 PM, he'll offer an introduction to playing the vibraphone in contemporary jazz. His 8:30 PM concert, with Luis Fernández (piano and melodica), Agustín Buenafuente (double bass and electric bass), and Roberto Amor (drums), will showcase music that blends rhythm, melody, and improvisation. Earlier that day, at 11:30 AM, Marcelo Gueblón will present his book.
The festival concludes on Sunday, November 16th. Musician and teacher Fede Beuster will lead a hands-on popular percussion workshop at 11:30 AM. Then, at 1:00 PM, the Canarian group Bloko will perform the closing show on Martiánez beach.