SIDETRACKS & DETOURS 31 1 2026: YAIZA FESTIVAL FARE A HUGE SUCCESS

reviews

FANTASTIC FESTIVAL FARE MADE IT A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME

says Norman Warwick

Oscar Noda Gonzalez, Acalde de Yaiza, (Mayor) opened the Yaiza Festival Fare by saying

My message is one of profound gratitude to the people of Yaiza for everyuthing tht you have done to build a municipality that stands as a true example of well-being, respect and harmonious existence. In these times when intolerance seems determined to creep into our daily lives, I feel an immense pride in belonging to a community that remains fully committed to human values, to our traditions and to a deep sense of pride and belonging in our town.

Given that the Yaiza Municipal Programme was, like rest of Lanzarote, taking quite a battering in the eye of a storm that was seeking its way across the ocean to cause mischief in Britain, and given that Presidents Trump and Putin were at the time seemingly talking themselves into another world war, the level of joy and reassurance delivered by a full list of concerts offered throughout the holiday period was notabler and crystal clear.

The storm caused some minor problems in postponements and re-schedules, but the stoic and good natured people of Yaiza took it all in their stride. I would like to think that in our little office in the South East corner of Playa Blanca we also took a pragmatic but cheerful attitude to ensure we managed to review as many events as possible, only to learn that a couple of postponed events would now take place right at the very end of the Fare.

Yesterday we published a comprehensive publication carrying News, interviews with Duo Opus 22 who had given a remarkable and evocative concert in the darkness of the Femes mountains, and followed that up with their very eloquent evaluation of their career to date as well as a sharing their hopes and expectations of where thier talents might lead them. We also included a review of a quite previews of a quite remarkable sea-front concert by Lulu Mora that led me to download their handful of songs that the two women already have on Spotify.We also what is going to be a wonderful 42nd International Classical Music Festival, delivering eight concerts to Lanzarote and to the seven other islands. The concerts and the musicianship will be dream-like but the logistics of gatting so many musicians and their instruments around the Canaries might be the stuff of nightmares.

Now we bring you this bonus edition just to reassure you that the words of Oscar Noda Gonzalaz were proven true, as children and parents and grandparents iommersded themselves in fun and laught and music and dance.

Nevertheless, Friday the Casa de la Cultura in Yaiza hosted a special concert. The School of Folklore joined forces with the Janubio parranda, both under the direction of maestro Clotildo Martín. The performance united several generations of singers and instrumentalists in a purely Christmas recital.

For an hour, the audience was treated to iconic seasonal songs while witnessing the promising development of Yaiza’s own musical talent pool. Children and young people from the Escuela de Folklore sang and played alongside women and men well versed in Canarian folklore, offering reassuring proof of the tradition’s vibrant future.

Saturday saw the powerful sounds of gospel fill the same venue. The MLOU gospel choir used the genre’s harmonious and uplifting vocals to give expression to the faith, hope, and good wishes inherent in the Christmas and New Year period.

The weekend was brought to a close on Sunday with an ode to an ancient Canarian tradition. The historic village of Femés hosted a Christmas Rancho Gathering in its church, featuring the Easter ranchos of Tías and Yaiza. The event, which connected the Yaiza programme with the Cabildo’s Navidad Isleña initiative, allowed the audience to enjoy traditional carols accompanied by voices, tambourines, and string instruments.

These guest choirs play a vital role in cultivating the tradition, ensuring there is no hint of its disappearance. and are somehow emblematic of the Mayor´s recognmition of the qualities of his community.

Jazz Preview

SPECIAL DATES FOR VALENTINES

shared with you by our favourite jazz artist, KARLA HARRIS

Valentine’s Day plans?Come out for “Love in the Key of Swing,” a concert for couples, families and music lovers alike at the fabulous Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.  I’m looking forward to joining forces with Atlanta star Joe Gransden and his signature trumpet style, smooth vocals and stellar 16-piece Big Band! Plus our special guest, multi-instrumentalist Marla Feeney. A night of romantic standards in a show packed with unforgettable music, laughter and all things Love.

Also coming up — “Satchmo & Silk,” a Sunday evening at Charlotte’s award-winning live-music club, Middle C, where Joe and I will be paying tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong and Nancy Wilson.  Satchmo’s  jubilant swing meets Wilson’s soulful storytelling in this rich, cross-generational celebration of two of jazz’s brightest stars.  From “What a Wonderful World” to “Guess Who I Saw Today,” two distinct legacies blend in one loving tribute.

And coming this Spring … Please visit my website for more details

April 30, International Jazz Day concert, South Jackson PAC – Tullahoma, TN

May 9, Mother’s Day Concert, Dowd Center Theatre – Monroe, NC

May 10, Mother’s Day Concert, Averitt Center for the Arts — Statesboro, GA

Dear NSSQ family,

As we freshly plunged into the new year, we are very excited to share some appealing news. We hope you will have an inspiring year ahead of you!

Looking ahead: ZONAR

We are stoked to announce ZONAR (2026), our newest project and upcoming album. With this project, we push our sound further by immersing the acoustic string quartet in the sonic worlds of electronic music. Through unconventional techniques, prepared strings and collective composition, the music explores textures of EDM, ambient, and experimental genres – entirely without electronics – creating an immersive contemporary experience that engages both body and imagination

The first public presentation of ZONAR will take place as a pre-première on 30 January 2026 at the String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam. The first official full length album release concert, including an innovative stage design by Roelof Pothuis, will première on 01 March 2026 at Amare, Den Haag. We would love to see you there! Check our website agenda for all the ZONAR tour dates, with more dates to follow.The development of ZONAR is generously supported by Het Kersjes Fonds, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Het Cultuurfonds and Sena Muziekproductiefonds.

New collaborationWe are excited to share that we are now working with German agency Agentur Wolkenstein for international bookings and representation. We can’t wait to further bring our projects across multiple countries! Happy Seal Records With ZONAR, we also launch Happy Seal Records, our own label dedicated to improvised string music. The label emerges from a need for artistic independence, a shared creative space, and a flexible platform to support collective creation and future releases rooted in improvisation. More to come over the coming year! Academy of Improvising Strings – Junior Editie Led by Thomas and Pablo, we’re celebrating a special milestone: the fifth anniversary of the Academy of Improvising Strings – Junior Editie. Join us for this immersive experience from 23–25 May 2026 at our new location nestled in nature: Paasheuvelgroep Lipke Zijlstra, Austerlitz. This academy is open to string players aged 9–18 and is designed to spark creativity. Participants will develop their improvisation skills across diverse genres, including pop, rock, and jazz. No prior improvisation experience is necessary. More information here. Warm regards, North Sea String Quartet

news, prev iews, interviews and reviews

SIDETRACKS & DETOUR

will publish a bonus edition tomorrow Sunday 1st February at 7.00 am

featuring

an exclusive interview with the promising guitat and violin classical musicians

DUO OPUS 22

and a review of a live concert by the superb

LULU MORA

and

news, previews and reviews of eight concerts played on Lanzarote

THE 42nd CANARY ISLAND INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

by

SONGWRITERS & INVISIBLE ANGELS chapter 2

created by

Peter Pearson and Norman Warwick

featuring

BILL MORRISEY AND GARY HALL

and a free suggested playlist

Sunday 5th April 2026