The Culture Vulture

It was 20 years ago yesterday, Boxing Day, that a massive tsunami devasted communities along the surrounding coasts of the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries.

The countries whose coastal areas were affected included India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and Thailand. The wave even reached the east coast of Africa.

The tsunami and its aftermath were responsible for immense destruction and loss of life on the rim of the Indian Ocean.

Factfile

On 26 December 2004, at 07:58:53 local time, a major earthquake, measuring a massive 9.2–9.3 on the Richter scale, struck with an epicentre off the west coast of Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

The undersea earthquake was caused by a rupture along the fault between the Burma plate and the Indian plate.

The direct results of this huge tsunami with waves up to 30 m (100 ft) high, caused major disruptions to living conditions and commerce in coastal provinces of surrounding countries.

It is the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, and the worst tsunami disaster in history.

It is also the worst natural disaster in the history of Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Asia, the most powerful earthquake in the 21st century, and at least the third most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the world since modern seismography began in 1900. 

It had the longest fault rupture ever observed, between 1,200 km and 1,300 km and had the longest duration of faulting ever observed, at least ten minutes. It caused the planet to vibrate as much as 10 mm (0.4 in), and also remotely triggered earthquakes as far away as Alaska. 

Its epicentre was between Simeulue and mainland Sumatra. The plight of the affected people and countries prompted a worldwide humanitarian response, with donations totalling more than US$14 billion.

20 years on

The recovery of these communities has been amazing. Obviously, the shock and grief experienced two decades ago is still ever present in the hearts and minds of survivors and the bereaved.

On this 20^th anniversary the media has “gone to town”, interviewing survivors, including locals and foreigners who were there on holiday, and illustrating how they have processed what happened and how they have coped with the loss of loved ones. Many have involved themselves in charity work and continue to support the communities affected.

“The Impossible” (feature film)

Eight years after the tragedy a remarkable film was released by Warner Bros. The English language-Spanish collaboration “Lo Imposible” was directed by Juan Antonio García Bayona and written by Sergio Gutiérrez Sánchez two Spanish film-makers in their 40s.

The film featured international actors, including Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Geraldine Chaplin, Marta Etura, Sönke Möhring, Douglas Johansson and Emilio Riccardi.

The film was well-received by critics and received numerous nominations and awards, including Oscars, Golden Globes and from the Screen Actors Guild.

   Naomi Watts [Aventura y Naturaleza]       [Photo: 20Minutos]                                   The cast at an Award Ceremony [El Diario]

You can watch the entire film in English here: The impossible full movie 1080 Blueray print

© The Culture Vulture/The History Man

Links:

The Impossible (2012 film) - Wikipedia

The impossible full movie 1080 Blueray print

Photos:

20Minutos, Aventura y Naturaleza, BBC News, El Diario, Muy Interesante, Wikipedia, WordPress

Acknowledgements:

Wikipedia, www.bing.com, www.britannica.com, www.premiososcar.net

Tags:

14 countries, 20 years on, 21st century, 227,898 people, Alaska, Boxing Day, Douglas Johansson, earthquake, east coast of Africa, Emilio Riccardi, Ewan McGregor, Geraldine Chaplin, India, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Juan Antonio García Bayona, “Lo Imposible”, Maldives, Marta Etura, Naomi Watts, Pakistan, Richter scale, seismography, Sergio Gutiérrez Sánchez, Simeulue, Sönke Möhring, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Thailand, The Culture Vulture, The History Man, "The Impossible", third most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the world, Tom Holland, tsunami, Wikipedia

And many others …..

Lots of people are born on 25 December, just like any other day of the year.

Yet there seems to be a particular interest in those who were born on Christmas Day, ie yesterday.

Here is a selection of famous people who were born on the same date as Jesus Christ:

1899  HUMPHREY BOGART

American actor (Casablanca - "Here's looking at you, kid"), born in New York City (d. 1975)

1901 ALICE, ENGLISH PRINCESS

Also Duchess of Gloucester, aunt of Elizabeth II, born in London, England (d.2004)

1908 QUENTIN CRISP

English author (eg “The Naked Civil Servant”)

1918   ANWAR SADAT

3rd President of Egypt (1970-81, Nobel 1978), born in Monufia, Egypt (d. 1981)

      Anwar Sadat [Wikipedia]                     Noel Gordon [Daily Mail]                       Stuart Hall [The Guardian]

1936 ISMAIL MERCHANT

Film producer (with Merchant Ivory - Remains of the Day), born in Mumbai, India

1944 KENNY EVERETT

[Maurice James Christopher Cole], British DJ and TV personality (Kenny Everett Show), born in Seaforth, Lancashire, England (d. 1995)

1944 JAIRZINHO

1954 ANNIE LENNOX 

Scottish vocalist  (Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams"; solo - "Why"), born in Aberdeen, Scotland

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (Official Video)

1957 SHANE MACGOWAN

British-Irish punk rock musician (Pogues - "Fairytale of New York", "Red Roses For Me"), born in Pembury, Kent, England (d. 2023)

The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (Official Video)

    Annie Lennox [Wikipedia]                            Shane MacGowan [Onda Cero]

1971 DIDO 53 YEARS OLD

[Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong] English pop singer (No Angel; Eminem's "Stan"), born in London, England

Dido - Here With Me

Dido [The Guardian]

1975 MARCUS TRESCOTHICK

English cricket batsman (76 Tests, 14 x 100s, HS 219; 123 ODIs; Somerset CCC), born in Keynsham, England

1984 ALASTAIR COOK

English cricket batsman and captain (161 Tests, 33 x 100s, HS 294, 175 catches; Essex CCC), born in Gloucester, England

    Marcus Trescothick [Facebook]         Alastair Cook [The Guardian]

© The Culture Vulture 

Links:

Dido - Here With Me

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (Official Video)

The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (Official Video)

Photos:

BBC, Daily Mail, Facebook, Onda Cero, The Guardian, Wikipedia

Tags:

25 December, 3rd President of Egypt, Aberdeen, ALICE, ANNIE LENNOX, ANWAR SADAT, Ashton-under-Lyne, Brazil, Brazilian soccer winger, “Boys from Brazil”, BBC, British DJ, British-Irish punk rock, Casablanca, Christmas Day, convicted sex offender, "Crossroads", Daily Mail, DIDO, Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley, Armstrong Duchess of Gloucester, Dave Stewart, Egypt, Elizabeth II, Eminem, ENGLISH PRINCESS, Eurythmics, Facebook, "Fairytale of New York", HUMPHREY BOGART, "It's a Knock-out", JAIRZINHO, Jesus Christ, KENNY EVERETT, Lancashire, LEW GRADE, London, Maurice James Christopher Cole, Monufia, "No Angel", NOELE GORDON, Onda Cero, Pogues, QUENTIN CRISP, "Red Roses For Me", Rio de Janeiro, Scotland, Seaforth, SHANE MACGOWAN, "Stan", STUART HALL, "Sweet Dreams", The Guardian, “The Naked Civil Servant”, "Why", Wikipedia 

áéíóúü

Today, 20 December 2024, is the last Friday before Christmas, the day when the official Radio One Christmas single is announced. The result is based on sales figures up to 11.59 pm on Thursday night. Nowadays, “sales” includes downloads.

On Sunday, 22 December 2024, the last Sunday before Christmas the numbers will be drawn for Spain’s National Christmas Lottery, known as “El Gordo” (The Fat One”). Boy and girl choristers draw the balls and sing the numbers. The whole lot being televised by La 1 (Channel One).

The Radio 1 Christmas No 1 2024

One of the favourites to win for a second year running is “Last Christmas” by Wham!

First released in 1984, 40 years ago, the single by George Michael and Andrew Ridgely was pipped to the post back then by the first ever Band Aid charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, an initiative led by ex-Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof.

A remake of the Band Aid song is in the running again this year, but Wham! are the Bookies’ favourites, having released brand-new vinyl and CD versions of their iconic track, plus an hour-long film "WHAM! Last Christmas Unwrapped", which aired on BBC Two last week.

George is no longer with us, having died on Christmas Day 2016, aged 53, of a heart condition.

El Gordo – “The Fat One”

Starting on Sunday morning and lasting for several hours, the balls will be drawn by singing treble choirboys and girls. The whole thing will be televised live on TVE1, commonly known as La 1.

Whilst I can’t imagine anyone watching the whole programme, the Spanish, who are avid purchasers of lottery tickets, will tune in and out to see whether they have struck lucky.

I never buy a Christmas Lottery ticket. I think the price of a décimo, a tenth of one number, is exorbitant at 20 euros plus 3 euros commission to the vendor.

In the UK, I seem to recall one number for the National Lottery costs just 2 pounds sterling.

Endpiece

So, by the end of this weekend we’ll know who has the Christmas No. 1 and who has won lots of money in the “The Fat One”.

Two days later it’s Christmas Eve (La Nochebuena) and then Christmas Day (El Día de Navidad). In Spain Boxing Day is a normal working day.

On 28 December it's Día de los Inocentes, the Spanish equivalent of April Fool's Day.

On 31 December it's New Year's Eve (La Nochevieja).

Stop Press:

I’m watching live coverage of the countdown to this year’s Christmas No. 1. Some of the favourites have gone. Mariah Carey at No. 3 and Tom Grennan at No.4.

We’re now down to the last two: Wham! and Gracie Abrams.

Can Wham! become the first act to top the charts with the same hit two years in a row?

Yes, they can - they’ve done it!

Amazing!

New link:

Wham's Last Christmas is the Christmas number one for a second consecutive year

© The Culture Vulture

Links:

Advent - in Spain

April Fool! - Secret Serrania de Ronda

Christmas "de Rodríguez" - Rita’s alternative Christmas Dinner

Fish for Christmas and no gifts? - Secret Serrania de Ronda

“Last Christmas” or “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – 40 years on

Understanding the Spanish Christmas Calendar

Photos and Images:

Antena 3

BBC

Clash magazine

El Diario

Freepik

Official Charts

TVE1

Tags:

20 December 2024, 22 December 2024, Andrew Ridgely, Antena 3, avid purchasers of lottery tickets, Band Aid, Bob Geldof, Bookies’ favourites, Boomtown Rat, Boxing Day, BBC, BBC Two, charity single, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Lottery, Christmas No. 1, Christmas single, Clash magazine, Culture Vulture, décimo, Día de Navidad, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, downloads, “El Gordo”, Freepik, George Michael, Gracie Abrams, La 1, “Last Christmas”, last Sunday before Christmas, Mariah Carey, Nochebuena, Official Charts, Radio One, Secret Serrania de Ronda, TVE1, “The Fat One”, Tom Grennan, Wham!, "WHAM! Last Christmas Unwrapped"

The 82-year-old former “Beatle”, Sir Paul McCartney, played an exhilarating live concert in Manchester last weekend.

McCartney and his band are on the concluding leg of their 8-country world tour 2024, which included two concerts in Madrid earlier in December.

The “Got Back” tour 2024

The “Got Back” concert lasts a mammoth two hours forty minutes during which the octogenarian takes us on a “Magical Mystery Tour” of his back catalogue, from the early days of The Quarrymen, through The Silver Beetles, The Beatles, Wings and as a solo artiste.

Writing in The Guardian, that paper’s music critic Dave Simpson described their concert at Co-op Live in Manchester last Saturday as “extraordinarily sublime and humblingly beautiful”.

The Times of London awarded the concert *****.

On the SKY News Press Review broadcaster and commentator Duncan Barkes described Macca as a “legend”.

TeleMadrid wrote on its website:

“Paul McCartney pone fin a su gira Got Back en el Wizink Center. El ex-Beatle vuelve a Madrid ocho años después de su último concierto en el estadio Vicente Calderón.

“Con dos fechas únicas en España, las entradas se agotaron en apenas dos horas este verano.”

The Spokesman-Review and The Dallas Morning News noted the absence of the Beatles song "Back in the U.S.S.R.", a usual staple of McCartney's live concerts, from the setlist. This in protest at the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

His own website, www.paulmccartney.com, informed us that the 2024 tour would include 15 shows, in 8 countries.

“The Got Back tour has stormed through Latin America over the course of 7 weeks, starting in Montevideo, Uruguay on 1st October and ending at Corona Capital festival in Mexico City on 17th November. ….. Paul and the band will make a triumphant return to Europe in December, with shows in Paris, Madrid, Manchester and London!”

Asked whether they had a post-show routine to come down from the energy of a performance, Paul replied:

“Oh yeah definitely. Most of the time we get on the bus immediately, and before we change back into our ‘day clothes’ I have a margarita to drink, which is always very welcome! And I have a cheese and pickle sandwich with ….. Branston pickle.”

UK Tour Dates

14/15 December 2024            Co-op Live Arena        Manchester

18/19 December 2024            The O2 Arena              London

Sir Paul McCartney

Arguably the most talented of The Fab Four, James Paul McCartney has been composing and making music for nearly seven decades!

With hindsight it has become clear that the left-handed self-taught bass guitarist was the major driving force behind the Liverpool band.

If you listen to the compilation album of their number ones, “One”, where their chart-toppers appear in chronological order, it is fascinating to note the initial pre-dominance of John Lennon turning into the Paul McCartney Show, as Lennon became distracted by other things, not least Yoko Ono.

George Harrison and Ringo Starr also came more into their own later on.

Earlier, after they had given up touring and moved into the recording studio, Paul was the one behind "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Magical Mystery Tour".

The End was nigh …..

As The Beatles lurched towards breaking up, Paul was the one behind their ground-breaking live performance on the roof of the Apple Corps Offices in Savile Row in 1969.

And it was Paul who got the others to agree to recording their final album “Let it Be”. Despite the animosity between members of the band at that time, it’s a remarkably good piece of work.

McCartney took most of the blame for the break-up of The Beatles back then, although he has since been vindicated.

What happened next …..?

John Lennon went off to New York with Yoko Ono, following their famous wedding in Gibraltar.

He made music in The Big Apple with The Plastic Ono Band and as a solo artiste. Some of his most thoughtful songs emerged from that time, eg “Imagine” and "Jealous Guy".

Then in 1980 he was assassinated by one of his fans, Mark Chapman. John Winston Ono Lennon was just 40 years old.

***

Ringo Starr also went to the USA and following divorce from Maureen and a couple of short relationships with other women, he married Bond-girl Barbara Bach in 1980. She had appeared in “The Spy Who Loved Me” alongside Roger Moore.

Ringo still lives in California with Barbara Bach and continues to make music and tour with his All Starr Band. And he is 84 years old! Barbara is a mere youngster at 78!

More talented than many thought, Ringo was a good actor – check out the three Beatles movies, A Hard Day’s Night, Help and Magical Mystery Tour.

He also did voiceovers for Thomas the Tank Engine and The Magic Roundabout.

Despite John Lennon’s famous put-down in an interview, Ringo Starr is regarded as one of the best rock drummers of all time.

***

George Harrison remained in the UK with his wife, model Pattie Boyd, and made some of the best music of his life. “Something” and "My Sweet Lord" are good examples.

Boyd left him for his best mate Eric Clapton who had lusted after her for years. “Layla” by Derek and the Dominoes, was apparently about Pattie Boyd.

Harrison later married Olivia Trinidad Arias from Los Angeles, California, USA  .

George, known as "The Quiet Beatle", died in 2001 at the age of 58 from lung cancer and a brain tumour. But, what a musical legacy he left behind! 

Olivia Harrison is one of the six directors of Apple Corps, the Beatles publishers.

George also diversified and set up HandMade Films, which brought us a host of great films, including “Life of Brian” by Monty Python and "Mona Lisa", starring Bob Hoskins.

***

Paul McCartney had married US photographer Linda Eastman during the “death throes” of The Beatles.

The couple moved to the Scottish island of Mull, where they adopted a healthy agricultural lifestyle.

But showman that he was, Paul soon set up a new band, Wings, together with former Moody Blues lead singer Denny Laine and wife Linda.

They toured British universities, charging 50p for an impromptu concert, in order to build up a head of steam. My girlfriend, later my first wife Jeryl, went to one of these, when Wings turned up at Salford University. (I was abroad at the time).

Wings enjoyed remarkable success from 1971 to 1981 and their albums “Band on the Run” (1973) and "Venus and Mars" (1975) are classics.

After Linda died of breast cancer in 1998 aged 56, Paul had a couple of disastrous relationships before settling down and marrying New York businesswoman Nancy Shevell in 2011. They are still together.

A great philanthropist, Paul bought his former grammar school, The Liverpool Institute, which had closed, and created LIPA, a “fame school”, in order to train people in music and performance arts.

LIPA has turned out a large number of professionals, including my son, Tom Whitelock, who did a singing diploma there, as well as using the state-of-the-art facilities to develop his keyboard, double bass, and saxophone skills.

    Tom Whitelock as Kinks' bass player Pete Quaife in the West End run of "Sunny Afternoon"

Endpiece

Paul McCartney was always my favourite Beatle. His talent, drive and longevity are amazing!

© The Culture Vulture

Acknowledgements:

El Pais

Facebook

The Guardian

The Times

Wikipedia

www.paulmccartney.com

Photos:

Amazon

Branston

Britannica

El Club Del Rock

El Popular

La Sexta

Mondo Sonoro

New Musical Express

Official London Theatre

Uppers

West End 

Wikipedia

WIZink Centre

Links:

GET BACK TAKE 1 | THE BEATLES ROOFTOP CONCERT

PAUL MCCARTNEY Got Back Tour; Seattle 2022

Tags:

O2 Arena, amazon.es, "Back in the U.S.S.R.", Bob Hoskins, Branston, Britannica, Co-op Live, Dave Simpson, double bass, Duncan Barkes, El Club Del Rock, El Pais, El Popular, Facebook, keyboard, La Sexta, “Life of Brian”, LIPA, London, Macca, Madrid, “Magical Mystery Tour”, Manchester, "Mona Lisa", Mondo Sonoro, Monty Python, NME, New Musical Express, Official London Theatre, Olivia Trinidad Arias, Paris, Pattie Boyd, saxophone, SKY News Press Review, singing diploma, state-of-the-art facilities, TeleMadrid, The Beatles, The Culture Vulture, The Dallas Morning News,  the “Got Back” tour, The Guardian, The Quarrymen, The Silver Beetles, The Spokesman-Review, The Times, Tom Whitelock, Uppers, West End, Wikipedia, Wings, WIZink Centre, www.paulmccartney.com

It’s 40 years since “Wham!” released their Christmas single “Last Christmas”.

At about the same time Bob Geldof (now “Sir” Bob) set up the first charity single in aid of the starving in Africa, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, which featured most of the top pop and rock stars of the time. The group name was "Band Aid".

What happened next?

Which single got to Number One in the official UK Charts?

The favourite was “Wham!’s” George Michael masterpiece. Fellow member of the duo Andrew Ridgely had nothing to do with the song. “Yog”, as the Greek-born Londoner was known, wrote it, sang it and played all of the instruments. “Last Christmas” was a nailed-on Christmas No. 1!

Then what happened? Apparently, Michael flew straight from Switzerland where they had been filming the video to accompany their song, to the studios in London where the stars assembled by Geldof were about to record “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

You guessed it. The Christmas No. 1 in 1984 was the charity single, by the group cleverly named "Band Aid".

Wham!’s” effort languished for weeks at number 2 and never made number 1. Had George Michael been complicit in his own “downfall”?

After "Wham!"

Apparently he didn’t care. In a BBC documentary about Wham! he comes across as a really nice guy. Everybody loved him. He had lots of really close mates.

When he came out as gay, it didn’t affect his popularity. Even when he was arrested for committing a lewd act with another man in a public toilet, his popularity didn’t diminish.

That he died so young was a tragedy, but his legacy lives on.

I found his acoustic rendering of The Police hit "Roxanne" astonishing. Indeed, his solo album "Songs From the Last Century" is remarkable.

RIP – George Michael

Born in London of Greek parents his real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou. He sold more than 100 million albums during a career lasting almost four decades.

He died on Christmas Day 2016, aged 53, of a heart condition.

Endword

“Last Christmas”, arguably one of the best Christmas songs ever, finally reached number 1 in 2023!

© The Culture Vulture

Acknowledgements:

Billboard

BBC Mundo

El Mundo

EFE

Facebook

New York Times

Wikipedia

Links:

George Michael - Roxanne (Audio) - YouTube

George Michael - Songs From The Last Century (Full Album Remastered)

Tags:

Andrew Ridgely, "Band Aid", Bob Geldof, BBC documentary about Wham!, BBC Mundo, Christmas No. 1, Culture Vulture, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, EFE, George Michael, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, “Last Christmas”, lewd act with another man, "Roxanne", "Songs from the Last Century", The Police, Wikipedia, “Yog”

It was cold yesterday evening, so I went into my TV room and fiddled with my remote control. For the first time ever, I looked at what SKY Movies had to offer. Blimey! "The Untouchables" was on.

"The Untouchables"

The film had already started. I joined the film as Eliot Ness and his team of Untouchables were waiting to ambush a booze convoy at the USA /Canada border.

I’ve seen this film a number of times and always loved it – the performances of Robert De Niro as Capone, Kevin Costner as Ness and Andy Garcia as his police sidekick I always found outstanding.

This time, however, I saw the film in a different light. De Niro was brilliant, of course, but Costner was not as impressive as I remembered. Sean Connery, as the Irish beat cop with a Scottish accent, was also a revelation. I’d always thought on previous viewings of the film, that he’d hammed it up. Not so!

He was an important catalyst.

Billy Drago, the actor who played Frank Nitty, was also off the scale of evil. Drago died in 1999 aged 73, younger than I am now! Blimey!

The scene on the stairs at New York Central Station was as tense and brutally exciting as ever and the courtroom scenes were also tight and just right.

After the film ended, I went to the loo. When I got back to the TV, another film was just starting, a thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

"Nightcrawler"

I’d only ever seen Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) with the late Heath Ledger. I liked his performance, but in this film, he was at  a completely different level - a revelation!

He played a hustler and very well too. He made this viewer, at least, warm to his character, even though he turned out to be totally unscrupulous.

The only other actor in the film whom I knew was Rene Russo, from her appearance in the remake of “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1999) opposite Pierce Brosnan.

From my recollection she was a beauty in that film and certainly matched Faye Dunaway in the original version with Steve McQueen (1968).

She was older here but still gorgeous. I fully understand why the character played by Gyllenhall, Louis Blum, fancied her!

Cos I did too!

I enjoyed the film immensely. And it must have been good, because I stayed awake. Normally after dinner and a few beers I drop off. Not this time.

© The Culture Vulture

Tags:

Al Capone, Andy Garcia, Billy Drago, “Brokeback Mountain”, Eliot Ness, Faye Dunaway, Frank Nitty, Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kevin Costner, Louis Blum, New York Central Station, "Nightcrawler", Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery, Steve McQueen, “The Thomas Crown Affair”, "The Untouchables"

This post has been updated and improved and moved to:

"PUNTOS DE VISTA" here:

Advent - in Spain

¡Felices Fiestas!

This internationally famous string quartet played a concert in Ronda last Friday night. The group has been going strong for 16 years and has developed a varied repertoire. On this occasion they performed the Rosenberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Cuarteto Granada [Photo: CG website]

The Concert

The Fundación Unicaja invited the string quartet to play in Ronda as part of their Autumn series of concerts. Entrance was free. Amazing. Unsurprisingly the place was full.

We managed to get a couple of seats quite near the front. I like to see the “whites of their eyes”.

When the concert was over Rita remarked that it had been too loud, and thought we would have been better sitting at the back.

    Cuarteto Granada is introduced to the audience [Photo: PW]

The performance, for me, as a non-expert, was brilliant. The two lead violinists Mario Navas and Emilia Ferríz, were outstanding; the viola player,  Manuel Moreno, too; and the cellist, Jeremías Sanz, stole the show, as far as I was concerned.

    Live photos of the quartet performing in Ronda [PW]

I like Bach, but I was not familiar with this piece.

The concert lasted well over an hour, and I was flagging towards the end, but, hey, it was high quality music for free.

   Curtain call in Ronda [Photo: PW]

Photos from the quartet's website

Dinner after the show

Because it was Friday night and it was dry it proved difficult to find somewhere to eat. Eventually we got a table outside at Toro Tapas on Calle La Bola.

    [Photos courtesy of TripAdvisor]

We ate well, a selection of tapas to share. I enjoyed it, but Rita was cold. Doh!

© The Culture Vulture

Photos:

Cuarteto Granada

Paul Whitelock

Trip Advisor

Acknowledgements:

Diario Sur

Europa Press

MSN

Vanessa Melgar

Links:

cuartetogranada.com | Página oficial del Cuarteto Granada

Cuarteto Granada actuará en el Centro Cultural Fundación Unicaja de Ronda | Diario Sur

Teaser Golberg Variations - Cuarteto Granada - video

Unicaja.- Cuarteto Granada abre la programación del décimo aniversario de Fundación Unicaja en Ronda

Tags:

Autumn series of concerts, Bach, Calle La Bola, Casco antiguo, Cuarteto Granada, Culture Vulture, Diario Sur, Emilia Ferríz, El Toro, Europa Press, Fundacion Unicaja, Jeremías Sanz, Johann Sebastian Bach, Manuel Moreno, Mario Navas, MSN, Paul Whitelock, Ronda, Rosenberg Variations, string quartet, Vanessa Melgar

By The Culture Vulture in Ronda

Ronda (Malaga) is the centre of attention at the moment. The inauguration of a new “installation” by the famous French designer and architect Philippe Starck in a prominent position overlooking the valley has created interest regionally, nationally and internationally.

Philippe Starck [Photo: El Pais]

Background

Philippe Starck was commissioned by the organic olive oil farm LA Organic to create a memorable “sculpture” on their premises just outside Ronda.

The striking building has references to bullfighting, olive oil production, Pablo Picasso and much more. The structure houses an exhibition of art, an olive oil press, a cata (tasting) and a restaurant.

LA Almazara in Ronda [Photo: Areall]

Grand opening

The LA Almazara was inaugurated last week by dignitaries from across the region, including Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalucia regional government, the mayoress of Ronda, Maria de la Paz Fernandez, as well as the artist, Philippe Starck himself.

The opening [Photo: Diario Ronda]

Media coverage

There have been articles in both Spanish, English, French and German at international, national and regional level about this important addition to the Ronda scene, in ABC, costadel-online.es, efe.com, El Pais, El Periodico, europapress.com, Forbes magazine, idealista.com, okdiario.com, La Vanguardia, Cadena SER, Telecinco, tiempo.com, travelandtelling.com, charryTV, Diario Sur, Diario Ronda, Ronda Semanal, starck.fr, Malaga Hoy, Vanity Fair, VivaSevilla, as well as designboom.com, MSN, SUR in English and The Olive Press (pending).

It is regarded as something of a coup for the City of the Tajo to obtain an original piece of work from such a prestigious artist as Philippe Starck.

© The Culture Vulture

Contact information:

almazaralaorganic.com

LA Organic Experience

Carretera A-367 km 39, LA Organic, 29400, Ronda (Málaga) · 05 km

650 88 72 47

Guided tour including tasting 20€

Links:

Abre al público la espectacular almazara diseñada por Phillippe Starck en Ronda | Gastronomía: recetas, restaurantes y bebidas | EL PAÍS

Así es la almazara vanguardista de Philippe Starck que abre sus puertas en Ronda

Cuando Philippe Starck se enamoró de Ronda | Vanity Fair

El arquitecto francés Philippe Starck estrena una almazara vanguardista en Ronda

El diseñador y arquitecto Philippe Starck estrena una almazara vanguardista en Ronda (Málaga) para la compañía LA Organic

Inauguran la almazara ecológica diseñada por Phillippe Starck | Diario Ronda

La Almazara creada por Philippe Starck en Ronda abre al público

La Almazara de Philippe Starck: un proyecto de 22 millones en Ronda

LA Almazara, la primera almazara de autor del mundo, diseñada por Philippe Starck, abre en Ronda (Málaga)

LA Almazara, la primera almazara de autor del mundo, diseñada por Philippe Starck, abre en Ronda (Málaga) - Forbes España

LA Almazara, Ronda

La espectacular almazara picassiana diseñada por Phillippe Starck en Ronda

La primera almazara de autor del mundo, del arquitecto Philippe Starck, está en Ronda (Málaga) | Sociedad | Cadena SER

Philippe Starck, apasionado de España y del aceite, estrena su vanguardista almazara | Ronda Semanal. Noticias de Ronda

phillipe starck curates radical, minimalist 'LA almazara' in andalusia

Philippe Starck estrena su vanguardista almazara

Philippe Starck inaugurará LA Almazara el próximo 18 de octubre

Philippe Starck in Ronda LA Organic

Philippe Starck's organic olive oil mill experience in Ronda is now a reality | Sur in English

Philippe Starck Ronda - Erlebnis für die Sinne

Philippe Starck y su obra en la Serranía de Ronda: LA Almazara

The French architect Philippe Starck opens a avant-garde oil mill in Ronda (Málaga)

Tags:

ABC, bullfighting, Cadena SER, charryTV, City of the Tajo, costadel-online.es, Culture Vulture, designboom.com, Diario Sur, Diario Ronda, efe.com, El Pais, El Periodico, europapress.com, Forbes magazine, French architect, idealista.com, Juanma Moreno, LA Almazara, LA Organic, La Vanguardia, Malaga Hoy, Maria de la Paz Fernandez, MSN, okdiario.com, olive oil, Pablo Picasso, Philippe Starck, Ronda, Ronda Semanal, Serrania de Ronda, starck.fr, SUR in English, Telecinco, The Olive Press, tiempo.com, travelandtelling.com, Vanity Fair, VivaSevilla

How many museums are there in Málaga City?

Five? Six?

Amazingly there are 13!

They range from two dedicated to Málaga’s most famous son, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, to a sub-branch of the Carmen Thyssen Art Gallery in Madrid; from the Pompidou Centre to various municipal museums; from a Glass Museum to Vintage Cars; from a Museum of Russian Art to another dedicated to Video Games.

Something for everyone and much more.

Photo: Museo Casa Natal Picasso

My Málaga Museum Visits to Date

I’m ashamed to say that the missus and I have only been to the two Picasso galleries, the Pompidou Centre and the Carmen Thyssen, although the queue for the latter was too long, so we gave up.

Museo Picasso Málaga

The Picasso Museum in Malaga opened in 2003. I’ve only been once. I like Picasso’s work a lot. I studied A-Level art and he was an important influence.

But, I have to say I was disappointed with the Museum. Not much of his famous stuff was in evidence.

I much prefer …..

….. Museo Casa Natal Picasso

This was Picasso’s birth house which is now a small museum. Located in Plaza de la Merced, it’s a delightful place, with a mix of art and memorabilia.

I’ve been several times.

Last year, with the Costa Press Club, of which I am a long-standing member, Rita and I also attended a private showing of “La Imagen de Picasso” at another house a few steps from the Casa Natal.

The exhibition was about the Press and media coverage of this somewhat controversial figure.

Centre Pompidou

This offshoot of the famous Paris gallery opened in 2015 in the re-furbished Port of Málaga was quite interesting and entrance was half/price for senior citizens. There is no permanent exhibition here, but temporary ones for a short season.

My "to-do list" for 2025

Of the Málaga museums I’ve not been to, the Museo Carmen Thyssen is definitely on the list, together with the Colección del Museo Ruso.

Away from the World of Art, I fancy the Museo del Vidrio y del Cristal and the Museo del Automóvil y la Moda.

    Photos of the Glass Museum and the Car Museum [Turismo de Malaga]

I’ll give the OXO Museo del Videojuego a miss, I think. Video games are not really my thing!

©  The Culture Vulture

Link::

Bing Vídeos

Acknowledgements:

Diario Sur

Quién es Quién en Málaga 2024

Photos:

Facebook

La Razón

Museo Casa Natal Picasso

Museos de Málaga

Pompidou Centre

Tags:

Carmen Thyssen Art Gallery, Centre Pompidou, Colección del Museo Ruso, Costa Press Club, Culture Vulture, Facebook, Glass Museum, “La Imagen de Picasso”, La Razón, Madrid, municipal museum, Museo Carmen Thyssen, Museo Casa Natal Picasso, Museo del Automóvil y la Moda, Museo del Vidrio y del Cristal, Museo Picasso Málaga, Museos de Malaga, Museum of Russian Art, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Pompidou Centre, Port of Málaga, Video Games, Vintage Cars