John Cale, Chicks on Speed, Jay Jay Johanson, Ladytron at Observatori Valencia, May 11 and 12

Observatori is the Festival the International of Artistic Investigation here in Valencia, and is now considered the best of its kind in Spain, from its inception in 2000 it has always invited artists in music, installation, performance, robotics, video art, design, photograph or net art who are pushing the boundaries of their chosen field, it all makes for a festival full of diversity and surprises. The Theme this year is 'feelings' - quoting directly from their press release - 'Feelings, leitmotiv of Observatori 2007, invites to us to reflect on our capacity to feel, and on how the feelings they cause in us different psychic states that determine the way with which we communicate with the rest of the world.'

The main stage at the Science Museum Príncipe Felipe at the City of Arts and Sciences has a brilliant line up on both the 11th and 12th of May.
Friday 11
19:00 Dorian Pias - ES
20:30 Jay Jay Johanson Virgin - SUE
22:00 John Cale EMI –USA
23:30 Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu Sähkö - FIN
01:00 Vive la fête Surprise - BE
Saturday 12
19:00 Neon Flash - ES
20:30 Ms John Soda Morr Music - DE
22:00 Chicks On Speed Chicks On Speed - DE
23:30 Ladytron Ryko - UK

There are also performances Sala Gallera (just off the Ayntamiento in C/aluders, 7) and Sala Hot ( a tem minute walk from the science museum)

More on the whole shebang at http://observatori.com

He's Practicing. In the hope that by the time he's old enough there will be some wind!

Joshua on his boat. photo©2007Mike Adams

Every cloud has a silver lining! But still no wind!!

Another day here in Valencia with no wind and no sailing in the Louis Vuitton Round Robins. For a moment this morning it looked like there would be some, but then by race time, it was gone.

These delays have been welcomed by the Italian Team +39 Challenge, who broke their mast in the fleet races of the Louis Vuitton Act 13. This extra time has given them a chance to repair the mast, which came out of the oven yesterday after lamination. Repairs were carried out by the shore team of +39 Challenge, coordinating two groups of five on twelve-hour shifts.

Goran Marström (64 years old, silver medal in Tornado class in the 1980 Olympics), the mast builder, arrived from Sweden for a last check; “The shore team have done an excellent job. After repairs the mast is almost brand new, only 7 kilos heavier. With the boats weighing 24 tons its higher centre of gravity is not perceptible in the slightest.”

If the team decide to use the new mast for sailing on friday, you might just see the crew testing it on a night sail tonight.

Day three without a breath of wind! And still no racing!

A perfect day for a balloon ride....photo©2007Mike Adams

Yep, a third day without wind here in Valencia for the Louis Vuitton races at Port America's Cup. So what do you do if you can't watch the racing, try our selection of hand-picked suggestions by clicking the headline above.
A perfect day for a balloon ride....

Another day without a race at America's cup

Waiting at the Louis Vuitton Cup: German sailor Jan Schoepe is posting the weather condition under his feet. Photo: Heinrich Hecht / United Internet Team Germany


The Picture says it all!
No racing today in Valencia.
Tomorrow's forecast looks hopeful - Beautiful 21º with variable clouds. Winds from the E at 16 km/h.
Let's hope they're right!

There's more than just boats at the America's Cup

If you are undecided about visiting the America's Cup here in Valencia because you don't know the first thing about boats, then think again. There is so much to do! The Port America's cup is a lovely place to spend a day.
People watch! Spot the sailors by looking out for the crow's feet around the eyes, years of looking u at the sails!
Eat and Drink! There are 22 bars and restaurants serving well priced food and drink
Take a Water Taxi! The queues are long at some times of the day but you can g across the harbor on a free water bus.
Take a Mini Train! - again free and a nice little ride from one side of the harbor to the other.
Ride in a Balloon! - a ten minute tethered ride to 150 euros metres to admire the view is only 6 euros - 9 euros when the regattas are on
Shop! There are the official America's Cup stores selling merchandise and each of the team houses have shops of their own. We particularly like the America's Cup Towels with the Mariscal Designed Logos.
Watch a Light Show! Every sailing night there is a spectacular megawatt light show on the Velas y Vents building

And just along from the Port is the wonderful Malvarrosa beach, miles of clean sand perfect for catching the rays. Yes the sun is finally back.

And if that just isn't enough, there is the beautiful city of Valencia to explore!

Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Chloe Sevigny In Valencia

Ashton Kutcher 18th man on Luna Rossa

Chloe Sevigny Arrives at the Prada Party

Demi arrives with Ashton at the Prada Party at the Mercado Central in Valencia

Helen Clark, New Zealand Premiere as 18th man on the Emirates New Zealand Boat in Port America's Cup

David Bustemante and friends wait for the wind at America's Cup

Well, the rumour that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were among the guests expected at the Prada bash at the Mercado Central proved to be just that, but among the mostly European stars that did turn up were Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Chloe Sevigny. Non Hollywood was Helen Clark, the New Zealand Prime Minister

It was a rainy night (again) in Valencia but the stars arrived in their droves for this private party at the beautiful Mercado Central with onlookers kept at a distance in the hope of seeing someone. The building was a mass of red lights and there was chill-out music. Limo after limo came up the street and discharged its precious cargo onto the steps in front of the building.

Among the Spanish stars who were there were Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, wearing a typical Agatha Ruiz de la Prada outfit, who left on foot, looking none too happy, shortly after the arrival of Demi and Ashton.

Those that did stay, danced and ate until the early hours. The Stallholders had been reportedly paid 350 euros each to stay open throughout the event.

Next day both Ashton Kutcher and Helen Clark were 18th men on the Prada and Emirates New Zealand boats.

David Bustemante and his wife sat around with friends on one of the Hospitality boats waiting, in vain as it turns out, for the racing to begin. No wind stopped play but hopefully today there will be enough wind to start the round robin Luis Vuitton Matches.

Music for the America's Cup

Joe Cocker

Jeff Mills

Joaquin Sabina

Tomasito

The Supremes

The specially erected stage at Port America's Cup will be host to a galaxy of stars from this Saturday night 14th April.
To christen the stage there is a free concert by Efecto Mariposa. This will take place after a spectacular on the water starting at 21.30 involving Large floats, lights and fireworks. So, what with the kite festival all day, you could have a very long and happy day on the beach! The weather forecast is pretty bad, so let's hope they're all wrong.
Other concerts during the America's Cup announced so far are Il Divo on the 28th April, A night of Flamenco with Kiko Veneno, Deliqtientes, Muchachito Bombo Inferno and Tomasito on 5th May, Lucie Silvas on 18May. Jeff Mills on 26 May, Paco de Lucia on 8th June, Joe Cocker, 15th June, Dulce Pontes on 16th June, The Temptations and the Supremes on 30 June, Joan anuel Serrat and Joaquin Sabina on 03 July - get your tickets now!

Maoris, Moors and Christians

There's a surprise happening in Valencia on Saturday 14th of April. It is New Zealand Day in Valencia and to celebrate, Maori Dancers and singers are going to perform in the Ayuntamiento from 1pm alongside a group of Moors andd Christians. You will have the chance to hear the world famous Maori singer Hinewehi Mohi, whose album 'Oceania' has been a worldwide bestseller.
The dancers will then form a parade to the Museo Benlliure in Calle Blanquerias to open the Art of New Zealand exhibition.
Not to be missed.

The Louis Vuitton Act 13. Alinghi are the Victors

Prizegiving Alinghi: Brad Butterworth, skipper, receives the trophy from Christine Belanger, Louis Vuitton Cup Director.
ACM 2007/Photo: Carlo Borlengh

The weather gods smiled on Valencia yesterday afternoon. The rain stopped, the clouds parted and the sun appeared, bringing with it a gentle, if variable breeze.

Race 6 got under way after 75 minutes when the wind settled to a steady 7 knots. Desafío Español (the name means Spanish Challenge), steered by Karol Jablonski of Poland rounded the windward mark ahead of Alinghi, with Ed Baird of USA steering. They were followed by Emirates Team NZ steered by Ben Ainslie of Britain and these three boats held their positions to the finish.

Race 7 started at 17.30, a time when most sailors are thinking of heading for port with the prospect of a hot shower and a few beers – but hey, this is professional yacht racing and there are still places to be gained (or lost) on the leader board! Once again, Alinghi start at the back of the fleet – they really have nothing to lose at this stage and this is the last opportunity they will have to pit themselves against the real opposition until the Cup match itself in June. By the windward mark, they had climbed to 4th, with BMW Oracle leading Desafío Español and Luna Rossa. Desafío Español suffered two penalties in quick succession and the resulting turns they had to accomplish pushed them down the fleet. Alinghi sailed a faultless race to claim their 4th victory of the series. BMW Oracle was second, followed by Mascalzone Latino in third.

The final scores for the series:

1 Alinghi 78
2 Emirates Team NZ 64
3 Mascalzone Latino 63
4 Luna Rossa 60
5 BMW Oracle 57
6 Desafío Español 55
7 Shosholoza 43
8 Victory Challenge 35
9 Areva 31
10 United Internet Ger 29
11 +39 17
12 China Challenge 15

Alinghi have truly stamped their authority upon fleet but now they have to go and play on their own for the next two months! The rest of the fleet will be busy analysing their results and competing vigorously with one another in a series of ‘to the death’ contests to find the challenger capable of taking on Alinghi for the America’s Cup.
Moke O'Neill

Finally, Some Real Racing

Yesterday, the unthinkable happened; BMW Oracle, one of the top teams suffered an embarrassing loss of both spinnaker and foresail during Race 5 and dropped from joint second in the series to fifth.

Race 4 was sailed in almost perfect conditions with sunshine and blue skies, despite thunder clouds building over the Sierra de la Calderona. Cup holder Alinghi, steered by Ed Baird took an early lead and won comfortably from two Italian boats, Mascalzone Latino steered by Flavio Favini and Luna Rossa steered by Australian James Spithill

Race 5 started in a steady 12 knot breeze. It looked as if Alinghi made a deliberate attempt to start down the fleet – maybe to give the crew more experience of close-quarters racing? Even so, she pulled back from 9th to round the windward mark in third, behind Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ. During the final run, any one of three or four boats could have one but Emirates Team NZ, helmed by Britain’s Ben Ainslie took the gun, followed by Luna Rossa and Alinghi.

After 5 races, the leader board looks like this:

Alinghi 55
Emirates Team NZ 47
Luna Rossa 46
Mascalzone Latino 45
BMW Oracle 39
Desafío España 37

Two more races are scheduled for today but, with persistent rain and light winds forecast, it is likely that only one race may be possible. If so, the battle would seem to be for second place with just one or two points separating Emirates Team New Zealand from Italian teams Luna Rossa and Mascalzone Latino.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Three days of Kite flying on Valencia's Malvarrosa beach 13,14,15 April at the 10th Festival Internacional De Cometas. International teams from nine countries will be competing and displaying their extraordinary kites. It's a lovely day out for all the Family!

Alinghi leads after 3 races

Following Tuesday’s light airs opening race in the Louis Vuitton Act 13 series, Wednesday got off to a cracking start with a brisk 15 knot breeze. America’s Cup holder Alinghi, steered by American Ed Baird won, with Desafío España steered by Karol Jablonski of Poland 2nd and Emirates Team NZ , helmed by Britain’s Ben Ainslie in 3rd. The third race of the series started just minutes after the last boat (China Team) had finished. In 14 knots of wind, Mascalzone led for much of the first leg, slipping to third as Alinghi and BMW Oracle came through.

Confusion at the windward mark led to the dismasting of +39 following an incident with United Internet Team Germany and Areva, the French yacht. Alinghi wins again, followed by Luna Rossa, steered by Australian James Spithill. Desafío España was 3rd, despite being over the line at the start and having to go back. Desafío is clearly a boat to watch out for in this series.

After three races, the leader board looks like this:

Alinghi 33
BMW Oracle 27
Emirates Team NZ 27
Desafío España 26
Luna Rossa 25
Mascalzone 25

Five teams with just two points between them – This is shaping up to be a great series. Thursday looks like bringing rain and more light winds, so there could be further upsets before Saturday’s final race!
Mike O'Neill

Looking under the skirts

Alinghi's 2 declared boats with their skirts off.

Well….today we finally got to see what all the America’s Cup teams were being so coy about – they finally dropped the ‘skirts’ surrounding their closely-guarded hulls to reveal……a range of variously shaped ‘appendages’ intended to give their yachts the edge over the competition. Having seen all the fins and bulbs, and listened to the opinions of the many designers here in Valencia today for the unveiling, I have to admit to being no wiser as to who will prove to have the fastest yacht.
read more info by blicking the headline.

Taking off the skirts!

Luna Rossa's Skirt - ©Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

This Sunday, as if there wasn't enough to do with the Nit en Vela (see a previous entry) Mike Oldfield (see a bit further back) Beginning with, guess what, a firework display(!) at 9 am, The Teams of America's Cup unveil all their boats.
The day before, each of the teams will have declared up to two boats each to race in the Louis Vuitton Regattas and the America's Cup.
Sunday, each team will unveil their jealously guarded secrets - the hull. It is all happening for the press from 9am - but is open to the public from 1130am - when all the team houses will be open to the public. the day ends with a light show from Endesa
More on this and the schedule for the day can be seen by clicking the linked headline to this article.

Glitz, Glamour and Bling at the Mercado Central

The beautiful Mercado Central - photo ©workman

THE place to be, if you are lucky enough to be one of the 1,500 Very Important Invited Guests, on 15 April will be the Mercado Central in Valencia.
This beautiful market, which will have completed its Major restoration just in time for the event, will be the scene of a truly glitzy evening hosted by Italy's high class fashion label Prada. 'Leaked' attendees include Angelina Jollie, Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone and a host of stars. All to celebrate the Louis Vuitton Regattas.
Prada are said to have paid each stallholder in the Market 350 euros each to stay open and serve delicacies to the guests. Banqueting tables will be laid out in the central aisles and there will be entertainment. (Fireworks as well, no doubt, as this is Valencia!)
So get down there, with your rubbernecks!
And see the Glitz, Glamour and Bling at the Mercado Central!!!

And so, the sailing begins in earnest, The Louis Vuitton Regattas

Alinghi the current holder of the America's Cup

The Louis Vuitton Regattas take place in Valencia from the 3rd to the 07th of April, It will be the only opportunity to see Alinghi and all the 11 Challengers Race together. From then on in it is the Louis Vuitton Round Robins, which take place from the 16th April through to the 07th June, when the teams will be knocked out until there is only one challenger left to battle it out on the waves for the Prestigious America's Cup. This huge international event takes place in Europe for the first time in over one hundred years. The full timetable can be found by clicking on the headline

Nit en Vela

Nit en Vela takes place on saturday night 31 March 2007
If you click the headline you can get the timetable and map of this exciting event

White Night in Valencia, Only it's called NIT EN VELA

Paradox Company


New York's Luma


Les Passagers


France's Compromises Express


Valencia celebrates the America's Cup on the night of the 31st of March with eight hours of uninterupted music, dance, theatre, spectacle and performance along two routes in the centre of the city. Nit en Vela is Valencia's answer to the White Nights that have been happening in European cities in the past couple of years, it promises to be a wonderful evening - much more by clicking on the headline.

Vive Valencia, the company formed by the Generalitat and the City council of Valencia to celebrate and promote the XXXII edition of the America's Cup, has organized a 'White Night', or Nit en Vela as they are calling it, on the night of 31 of March. Eight uninterrupted hours of spectacles and cultural activities as “a playful-festive support” the America's Cup.

Fallas Facts and Figures

THE OFRENDA IN LA PLAZA DE LE VIRGEN


A FALLA


THE BIGGEST FALLA AT NOU CAMPANAR

THE PAELLA PAN FOR 500


Now that the festival of Fallas is truly over you might like a few facts and figures.
103,647 Falleras took part in the ofrenda this year, walking through the city to offer their flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados in the Plaza de la Virgen.
Because of the high winds of up 80Km on Monday night - the Crema took longer than usual with the last ones burning at around 4am. Some, Carcaxiente and Naquera were not burnt at all, and the cremas for these two places are, Carcaxiente, tonight and Naquera on Saturday.
Nou Campanar, the biggest Falla this year and the overall winner cooked a Paella for 500 people on monday. That's 50kilos of rice and 7 litres of Olive oil and 200 kilos of wood to cook it on! An estimated 120 million people are said to have watched the Crema at Nou Campanar, thanks to BBC World, CNN, and other satellite tv channels.
It Hurts! The Red Cross looked after 115 people in the streets during Fallas for injuries from fireworks. The looked after a total of 940.
Confiscated - the police confiscated a total of 1,273 dangerous rockets from people in the streets
Churros - 80 kilos of churros were confiscated from street stalls considered to be not up to standard.
Rubbish from Fallas - this year the city had to clear up 9,610 tons, 1,470 tons more than last year.
Vandalism was down this year. Wastebins and Rubbish Containers are the favourite targets and this year 1,093 wastebins (53 less than 2006) and 104 Rubbish containers (31 less than 2006) were damaged and will have to be replaced. Total cost to the city 79,054 Euros. The whole cleaning bill will cost 295,000 euros, an increase of 24% over last year. This all sounds a lot until you think that during the festival over 2 million people visited the city and Fallas has generated 60 Million Euros.
Roll on Fallas 2008!

America's Cup. The Trophy arrives in Valencia

Photo ©ACM2007/photo:Stefano Gattini

The America's Cup trophy finally arrived in Valencia yesterday, after a trip from Geneva through Paris.

11 challengers begin battling for the Louis Vuitton Cup in April and the winner will have earned the right to fight Alinghi for the America's Cup beginning June 23rd.

The Gigli Tower

For the past week or so some very agile men from the Italian town of Nola have been very busy with lots of planed down trunks of wood, building an extremely high and very spindly looking tower in the Plaza Manises (just around the corner from the Plaza de la Virgen) . It was finally finished yesterday morning and since then it has been a hive of activity with a lunch party and then, last night a large and noisy Verbena taking place until the early hours of the morning.
I managed to find out from some friendly Italians that this tower is built during a festival in Nola each year and is a little like the Virgen in the main square, Gigli is Lilly in English and, like the wooden Virgin in the ofrenda, floral tributes are bought to the tower. It will be interesting to see if any of the Ofrenda flowers make their way to Gigli.

America's Cup. United Internet Team in Training 2

The United Internet Team's boats make a turn

America's Cup. Desafio 2007 boat being lifted into place

On our way to the United Internet Team Germany's 'house' we had to wait whilst a crane lifted the Spanish Challenger's Boat on to their key - Over the top of their 'house'

America's Cup. United Internet Team in Training

Thisisvalencia.com spent a very pleasant day in the company of the United Internet Team Germany on Tuesday. We were given a tour of the German 'house', met members of the team and were then taken out on a launch to watch the team training in both their boats, GER89 and GER72. More on all this later, but we thought we'd share some of the photos with you first. A little later, we'll be posting some footage of the boats in action.

Get your Fallas On!

This Fallas, if you fancy something a bit different to your usual Verbenas and festive Falleros, then the Groovelives group has it all thought out especially for you. Piccadilly, Latex, 47 and Chill Out all have extraspesh activities for the week starting tonight with an appearance from Nacho Vidal, Spain's most notorious Porn Actor at Piccadilly. Tomorrow, Thursday, the new addition to the Groovelives group, 47 Pub (what was La Guerra on C/Quart nº47) will hold a preparty with free tickets to the Populent Festi at Latex - get down there from 2am where Nito Niko, Rajoy Division, Unai Nº6, Bacalao era veteran Nacho Canut will take to the booths plus a special session from Madel and mine and Lolita's favourites, Gaydjteam.
If you're peckish during the day, Chill Out* on the Calle Baja will once again be the official Groovelives "Casal" (see our newsletter!) and Chocolate and Paella as well as their usual energy milkshakes, cocktails and more will be on offer all Fallas. After Fallas, 47 will stay closed until it is completely ready to open with its new multispace status for cinema, vjs, djs, art and more. Stay tuned to thisisvalencia.com for more news.
Anita Darling

Mike Oldfield and Tears for Fears in Valencia 30March

Mike Oldfield, Tears For Fears, Ana Toroja, Chico & The Gypsies, Tony Henry , John Miles , Rosa Cedron, Robert Groslot , IL Novecento, Fine Fluer all appear at the Velodrome in Valencia as part of the Spanish tour of Night of the Proms. It's a mixture of classical and pop music with a full orchestra and the atmosphere is said to be like that of the last night of the proms at the Royal Albert Hall, more info from www.notp.com

More mascletas daily!

Those of you who, like us, adore the 2pm ritual of the fireworks and the accompanying extreme noise of the daily Mascletas in Valencia, are in for a treat - click on the headline to be taken to our Fallas Firwork page where we have each day's performance very soon after the live event. You can watch them all there, from day one to the end of the festival, updated daily. The bar to the right of each film shows the decibels. We recommend the Mascletà from the 07th March as being the best so far!
And if you want to know more about fallas, there is more and more on the site each day as it approaches.

The First of March - Fallas First Official Mascleta

It's a beautiful hot day here in Valencia and today was the first fully official Mascletà. And what a Mascletà! The rest of the nineteen will have a lot to live up to -and before any one coments to say there are only 18 more - don't forget the Mascleta on the beach at Malvarrosa this coming Sunday!

Let us know if you want us to keep posting the good ones!