Christmas Carols football and choirs

The first cultural event this week is a concert from Cantabile Singers on Tuesday December 13 at 20.00

Christmas is less than two weeks away and although it’s more likely that we will have weather for a day on the beach in the sunshine than a White Christmas, over the past few years’ more and more British culture has been spreading into Christmas life in this little corner of the world we now call home. The tradition of Carol Singling is foremost this week with not one but Three major Carol services and another half a dozen smaller local events. This week also offers up a few other sporting and cultural items that might also be of interest.

The first cultural event this week is a concert from Cantabile Singers on Tuesday December 13 at 20.00 in the Palacio de la Música. Entrance is free but seating is limited in the Music Palace so please either pick up tickets from the Municipal Box Office or be at the door of the Theatre early, to avoid disappointment.

On Wednesday there are two very different events, the first of these being at the Torrevieja Christian Fellowship (TCF) Church, who are hosting the united English-speaking Churches’ Carol Service. A packed house was evident last year and with the return of the Torrevieja Crescendo International Choir and “Just Brass” Band, mice pies in the interval and many other Christmas things happening, it’s going to be fun and entertaining night, plus the only indoor carol service, so you will not have to worry about the weather. The singing starts at 19.00.

At 20.00, about a mile away from the TCF the the Vicente Garcia Stadium there is a very different activity but one which also gives those inclined, the opportunity to sing out loud, no matter if they can hold a note or not; FC Torrevieja football! After Torrys magnificent victory at League leaders Catarroja, which put them at sixth in the league, they are playing at home to Ribarroja, from Valencia. This is the last home game before the Seasonal Break, so wrap up well, take your blanket, flask of hot coffee or hot toddy and head on down to the Vicente Garcia and support your local football team.

It’s the turn of Benijofar on Thursday evening, who have their Carol Service in the town square. It’s an early start of 17.00 for the many festivities, which will include market stalls, an appearance by the Supremes prior to their Saturday night concert at the Orihuela Costa Resort, Torrevieja’s Pipes and Drums, in their kilts, even in this cold weather plus other entertainment, and at 18.00, the Carol Service.

The original and biggest Carol Service takes place on Friday, December 16, in front of the Inmaculada Church, where a massed choir and local musicians will be joined by thousands of people, mainly Internationals, to really start to get into the Christmas Spirit. Following the Carols in the Square, at about 19.00, the International Mass will be held inside the Church.

The main event on Saturday is undoubtedly The Sound of the Supremes and Ray Lewis from the Drifters on one bill, at the Orihuela Costa Resort. After the Motown group The Supremes disbanded in 1977, former Supreme Mary Wilson hired Kaaren Ragland as a back-up singer for a European tour in 1978. That same year Ray Lewis joined the Drifters as lead singer and along with his own backing members, his version of the Drifters will be on stage promising a great night of sixties and seventies hit music on Saturday.

Eva Benito