The fifth session of live music at the Hotel Don Benito near Ronda, since it re-opened as the Hotel Don Manuel, was a great success.
The music was sublime, the mood vibrant and there was food for those who wanted a moonlit dinner in the warm open air.
[© Central de Reservas]
Boleros Duros
The duo, Boleros Duros, presented its version of bolero, the flamenco genre, using acoustic guitar, cajon and harmonic voices.
They were a perfect accompaniment to dinner and general chit-chat amongst the 60-odd people present.
A mixture of vecinos (locals) and foreigners (residents and tourists) had turned up - I spotted British, Irish, Belgian, German, Portuguese and Italian amongst the audience - and the duo went down very well with all of them.
The bolero is a dance and it was good to see the andaluces upholding their strong family traditions with grannies, mums and daughters/grand-daughters going through their paces together on the dance floor.
[© Facebook]
International flavour
At our table were three couples, including me and Rita. All residents locally it was interesting to note that each pair had moved to the Serrania de Ronda for quite different reasons.
The Irish/Scottish pairing, resident for eight years had sought a relaxed, warm and clean air environment after working for many years in the polluted middle-east.
The Belgian/Spanish couple, here for just seven months, had been seeking a relaxed, rural home for them, their autistic son and the paternal grandad.
Finally, us, an Anglo-Welsh/German couple, who met in Ronda and were both seeking a less stressful and healthier alternative to their respective northern European homelands.
Conclusion
We think it's great what Gloria and David are doing at the Don Manuel, turning the hotel into the go-to venue for live music in Ronda. Hopefully, locals and outsiders will continue to support them.
With their engaging and friendly staff and competitive prices, these events make for a great evening out.
[© Ayuntamiento de Ronda]
© The Culture Vulture MMXXVI
Pictures:
Ayuntamiento de Ronda, Central de Reservas, Facebook
Thanks:
Tags:
Ayuntamiento de Ronda, Boleros Duros, cajon, Central de Reservas, flamenco, Paul Whitelock, The Culture Vulture, vecino,