The Casa do Povo Philharmonic Band will give a fitting musical salute to the start of the fair which will be opened by Lagoa’s Mayor, Francisco Martins.
The Casa do Povo from Alcantarilha, Pêra and Armação de Pêra is an institution with its headquarters in Alcantarilha, dedicated to community, social, sports and cultural events. At the social level they have a social store that has helped many families, while on the sports level, they have recently started a mountain biking group and they have a football pitch which has over the years hosted gatherings of athletes and senior gymnasts.
The cultural side of the Casa do Povo includes singing groups, fado, theatre, traditional music group ‘Little Bridge’, guitar lessons, children’s dance classes and the staging of popular marches. The most recent cultural historical event was the royal visit of King Sebastian of Alcantarilha featuring the Philharmonic Band with around 30 members led by Maestro Rogério.
Entertainment and shows take place all day, both days.
For the first time at the International Algarve Fair, Karaoke will be held on both nights, from 7pm, so if singing to a crowd on a rather large stage is your thing, then the Fair is the place to be!
Another first is the brilliant young Fado group who will be performing on Saturday between 1pm and 1.30pm.
Fado singer Luana Velásques (9), Portuguese guitar player Francisco Mariano (16) and Fado guitar player Mário Pacheco (15) will be bringing the traditionally melancholic harmonies of Fado to the centre stage.
Despite her tender age Luana is already an experienced singer and performs regularly at venues and competitions in and around Portimão. Musicians Mário and Francisco are both classically-trained guitar players and have a deep understanding of the traditional Portuguese music.
Later that evening another band – Feedback Algarve – made up of young musicians Gabriel and Ricardo, will take to the stage to entertain the crowds with their covers of popular and classic rock songs, among other genres. An entertaining duo of South African, Portuguese and Italian descent, they offer renditions of music from The Backstreet Boys and Bruno Mars to BB King and even Michael Jackson.
They say, “We like to play the songs people know and love. Perform them as faithfully as we can and give the party or event special care. It’s a very in the moment kind of thing because every crowd and every situation needs a different tune “
Currently working in the Algarve, they feature regularly all along the coast and can be found at Facebook.com/feedback.algarve. For bookings call 961947545.
Throughout both days a string of entertaining children’s shows will be put on, including dance shows by Ellens Dance girls, Stars Dance School, Portimão Dance Studio, Loulé Acrobatic group, Move-ment dance school and Heidi Sharples Silva Externato Ti-Te; and for those in search of a new outfit, a number of fashion shows will also be put on.
And especially for the younger visitors, the fabulous Circo Pequeno will be bringing their own brand of magical and colourful entertainment to the Fair all weekend long.
To see the full line-up and times, see: www.algarvefair.com.
The International Algarve Fair takes place on the weekend of 6 & 7 June, open from 11am to 7pm. Entry costs €3.50, under-12s free.