Ritmos Handmade International Percussion Festival Returns to Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz is once again the heart of avant-garde percussion in the Canary Islands. The ninth annual Ritmos Handmade International Percussion Festival is currently underway at the Lago Martiánez complex, running through this Sunday. More than just a series of concerts, the festival blends education with creative performance to build a unique cultural experience.

This year’s program focuses on mixing genres and expanding the academic repertoire. A highlight of the opening day this Thursday is the world premiere of Marimband, a piece by Agustín Ramos written specifically for marimba and band. The opening session also features Miguel Ángel Expósito, who will lead a discussion on conducting techniques from a percussionist’s viewpoint, followed by a joint performance by the Nivaria Philharmonic Society of Arafo and students from the Puerto de la Cruz Municipal School of Music.

Using the Sala de la Isla and Sala Andrómeda as its main venues, the festival balances technical workshops with live performances. Following the opening, the schedule shifts to explore different musical styles: Friday focuses on contemporary percussion with Carlota Cáceres, while Saturday turns to jazz, featuring Marc Miralta alongside local musicians Diego Jiménez, Samuel Labrador, Agustín Buenafuente, and Sergio Díaz.

The festival concludes on Sunday with a celebration of Afro-Caribbean rhythms. This intergenerational session features Roberto Quintero and Alex Miguel, joined by Alexander Ramos, Álvaro Flores, Wilmer Rodríguez, and Virginia Guantanamera.

All sessions are free to attend, subject to venue capacity, reflecting the festival’s goal of making sound experimentation accessible to everyone. For the full schedule and more information on related activities, visit the official festival website.