Coming week there will be Jazz concerts by the famous group ‘Rafael Arreciado Quartet’; first on March 16^th (Tuesday), in the District of Las Chapas at 19.00 h, and then in the Foundation Hall District Banus Nueva Andalucía, at the same time, on the very next day Wednesday 17^th.

The guitarist and composer Rafael Arreciado, is well known in Marbella for his teaching work in Art and Culture, where he teaches guitar and Modern Harmony for over 20 years. Born in Sevilla 1959, Rafael is a self-taught guitarist who began playing guitar at the age of 12.

It was only in 1984 through the International Seminar organized by Jazz Musicians Workshop in Barcelona, that he opted to have formal education on modern guitar pedagogy. Presently, accompanying other soloist, he is now working with various jazz formations like Rafel Arreciado quartet, Rafael Arreciado Trio, and Alejandra Toledano Trio.

On this occasion, he presents us with a jazz quartet accompanied by Lepinat Oliver on piano, Markus Schneider on bass and Javi Marin Jr. on drums. This is an hour long concert and performances are primarily based on original compositions and some jazz standards.

For more information about the artist Rafael Arreciado and his upcoming shows, you may visit the website: www.myspace.com/rafaelarreciado .

The information has been circulated by the Town Hall through the municipal delegation of Culture and Higher Education.

March 16^th, 19:00 at Tenencia de Alcaldia – Las Chapas (Marbella)
March 17^th, 19:00 at Nueva Andalucia (Marbella)

* Image Courtesy: myspace

Marbella Town Hall has announced to organize a screening of the documentary film entitled “La mirada de Ouka Leele” (The look of Ouka Leele), the 2010 finalist for the Goya Awards in the category Mejor Película Documental (Best Documentary). The director of the movie Rafael Gordon will attend this special screening scheduled for March 11th (Thursday) in the hall of the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings.

The film portrays the life and work of Spanish painter and photographer Barbara Allende (the real name of artist Ouka Leele), born in June 1957 in Madrid. The artist herself once said that photography is “visual poetry, a way of talking without using words”. And in the same sense, the film discusses how to develop the creativity of a genius, passion and struggle in the mind, painting and photography.

Barbara’s artistic career coincides with the beginning of a cultural revolution in Spain that went beyond music with experimentation in all kinds of art forms. The creation of a 240 square meters mural from start to finish in the village of Ceuti Murcia is the best work to unify memories and sketches of 40 years long work of this artist. In the words of Gordon Raphael, “Undoubtedly, this is the work of a genius, a remarkable woman but that word is not used.”

Black and white photographs, coloured paintings and serigraphs are some of her signature style works. However, when she started to create something new in the early years of her career she began taking black and white photographs and then painted water colours on them, which is still one of the vital characteristics of her work.

Time has elapsed since those beginning but this short documentary is an attempt to put light on the real life and work of this artist by featuring family photo albums and the making of the huge mural for the city of Murcia.

The soundtrack is provided by Eva Gancedo, the long time associate of Raphael Gordon, while the photography is done by July Madurga who has masterfully managed to reflect the universe and colours so personal to Ouka Leele throughout his work.

Director, Gordon Raphael, a product of the School of Dramatic Art, began his illustrious career as an actor in “The Shoe Prodigiosa”, directed by Alfredo Manas. In 1968 he founded ‘Productions Rafael Gordon’ and under this banner he produces, writes and directs his own short films and feature films in 35mm over almost four decades. He has produced and directed several award winning short films, and this one too comes to the same bracket.

Venue: Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings
Date & Time: Thursday, March 11th, at 22.00hrs
Admission: Free of charge
Direction: Located in Marbella’s historic city centre

In tribute to the women athletes in Marbella, the delegate of Municipal de Igualdad, Mariana Alvarez and the Sports Councillor, Angel Mora, on Wednesday (March 03) inaugurated, a photo exhibition “Women and Sport”, which will be on display until March 17 from 9 am to 14 pm at the Exhibition Hall of the Historic Centre (Street Salinas, 4).

Several administrative members of the City Council, accompanied by few athletes expressed their contentment for drawing a good amount of public response when they received over 500 snapshots of which a selection of photographs are on display.

Angel Mora said that some sample photographs will be featured in this exhibition while other will be kept for future exhibition. “The initiative is a tribute to women athletes, both professionals and amateurs to females in any discipline,” he added.

The municipality has great female athletes in many modalities such as gymnastics, athletics, golf, tennis, paddle tennis, climbing, football and swimming. And such effort from the municipal body will certainly give recognition to young women players who are daily in sport either in schools, or who want to contribute more in professional sports.

Exhibition “Women and Sport” is also a great tribute to women when the world is going to celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8^th of March.

It is to be mentioned here that the Mayoress of Marbella Angela Muñoz has already announced the hosting of the women’s tennis tournament “Andalusia Tennis Experience” for the second consecutive year here in Marbella. This is an international tournament and hence will bring the best women tennis players in the world, including Serena Williams. It is scheduled to be held between the 3rd and 11th of April.

Whether it’s any sports event or an exhibition, the sole objective is to encourage and support promotion of women in sport at all levels. And being one of the high-profile cities of Spain, the effort of Marbella Town Hall is indeed laudable.

Coming Sunday (February 28) about 300 runners will participate in the Ascent to Nagueles in its 7^th edition. Jointly organised by the municipal delegation of Sports and the City Athletic Club of Marbella (El Club Atletismo Ciudad de Marbella) this coincides with the Feast Day of Andalusia and hence expected to attract even a larger crowd.

Held every year, competitors in this event walk about seven kilometres, mostly downhill and face a very tough final with the participation of people from different age group. The competition is scheduled to start from the Marbella fairgrounds (Avenida Jose Manuel Vallés) at 10.30 am with participation senior youth and veteran citizen.

After 500 metres, about 11.40 pm, children will travel a distance of just one kilometre away and then cadets join for a distance of 1,500 metres at around 11.50. However, all have to reach the same goal – at the popular Nagueles Auditorium. The participation of many athletes is the major attraction of the event.

The City Council in a statement has said that taking account the number of participation in the previous edition and a favourable weather forecast, the deadline of registration has been extended till Sunday as so far more and more people have expressed their interest.

Over the years this has emerged as one of the most emblematic events of the city, and hence the delegation of Sports tries its best to unite people while promoting sports activities, health and the brand name Marbella.

The delegation of Sports will also present trophies to the top three in each category and medals from the 4th to 6th. Also, there are awards such as sports equipment for the first ten runners in the total classification, both male and female. All participants will be presented with a commemorative gift and at the end of the test everyone can enjoy the traditional sausage.

To register in advance, participants can e-mail their application at: atletismomarbella@hotmail.com or by calling the telephone (952 86 41 61).

The names of winners for the “Marbella Crea 2010” Youth Photography Exhibition, held at the Convention Centre, have been announced by the Mayoress of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz. Four of top contestants received cash prizes and certificates.

A final meeting of eminent juries determined the first prize for “Crossing the reality” of Ana Maria Claus, worth 350 euros; Caesar Smith, author of “Westernization, was the second prize winner (250 euros); and the third was awarded to Daniel Vallejo (150 euros), creator of “Laughter in China Town”.

In addition, the Photography Prize distinguished (La fotografía distinguida) (300 euros) was presented to Isabel Ortega, author of “Swing”, chosen as the image that best represents the values of youth.

The event was attended by the Mayoress Ángeles Muñoz, who highlighted “the quality of work and the great success of participation in an initiative that shows the enormous artistic ability” of the youth of the municipality.

In this regard, he noted that the intent of this initiative organized by the Department of Youth, which this year celebrates its second edition, is “to disseminate, encourage and promote the various artistic disciplines among young people.”

The municipal delegate of Youth, Felix Romero, and Area director, Diego Lopez also participated in the presentation ceremony.

The photography competition had received works from 200 participants from which a total of 50 have reached the final, the finalists also received a gift and attended the awards ceremony.

‘Marbella Crea 2010′ is aimed at young people between 15 and 35 who can participate in 31 disciplines across 10 samples that will be held throughout the year in Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara. It is to promote young talent by providing training facilities and a common platform to showcase their works.

The samples are: Sample Young Photography, Literature; Gastronomic Culture (March 3 to April 6) Art (March 24 to April 26), Fashion (from 7 April to 6 May); Marbepop Music (June 14 to July 14) Cast (from 18 August to 17 September); Comics (September 8 to October 6) Performing Arts (from 23 September to 22 October) and Video work (from 18 October to 12 November).