The programme of the commemorations of the World Tourism Day in Madeira includes the presentation of flowers and small gifts to tourists landing at Madeira Airport and in the streets of Funchal, free entry into museums and gardens, a concert of ancient music at the Palace of São Lourenço, performances by folkloric groups and philharmonic bands as well as a series of activities linked to Nature, such as a canyoning circuit, abseiling, sliding, Tyrolese or double bridge, archery, donkey rides, observation of cetaceans and a boat trip to the Ilhas Desertas. Tourists wishing to participate in these activities should acquire an access card at the Tourist Information Counter, Av. Arriaga, 18, Funchal, from 22nd September onwards

The month of August on Madeira is known for its traditional festivities, amongst which the main religious feast “Festa de Nossa Senhora do Monte” is a highlight. You may choose the lush green freshness of the Laurissilva Forest, on Madeira, or the warm golden hues of the magnificent sandy beach on Porto Santo. The warm weather and the sea also provide ideal conditions for practicing water sports.
Camachense Art Festival From 8th to 12th August, the typical parish of Camacha will hold the 20th edition of the Art Festival called “Art Camacha 2008”, a festival which is entirely devoted to local traOrganised by the Casa do Povo of Camacha, this year’s edition will include the special participation of the Portuguese “Xaile” and the Folk Dancing Group of Puerto de la Cruz of Venezuela as well as the usual folk dancing groups of the parish, amongst others. In addition to the musical entertainment, there will also be an exhibition of plastic arts by artists born in Camacha.
Porto Santo Megadance The “Porto Santo Megadance 2008” event, organised by Creatives RAM will be held at Penedo do Sono, and will bring internationally, nationally and regionally known DJs to the Golden Island. The choice at an international level fell on Laidback Luke, Dirty South, Mark Knight, Peace Division and the Hoxton Whores, while the national choice was Sexy Sound System, Overule, Pedro Tabuada, Jiggy, Lady M and Luís Leite. At a regional level, the electronic music has been given to Marco Camacho, Sil, Ricardo Gouveia, Pedro Afonseca, Filipe Quintal, Nélio Fabrício, Carl Ruas and Sérgio Soares. The Creatives RAM will also count on the performance of the singer Jaba, who sings “Rise Up”. From 8th to 19th August, Penedo do Sono will also provide entertainment in three bars (Dokaki, Yatch Club and Keops).

Monte Festival - From 14 to 15 August
This is considered the main religious folk festival in the region and it is also commemorated wherever in the world Madeiran immigrants are to be found.
The Church “Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Monte”, (Our Lady of the Mount), patron saint of Madeira, is also very popular with pilgrims who come here to pray or fulfil vows by the tomb of Emperor Karl I of Austria. Karl I died in 192at Quinta do Monte, now called Quinta Jardins do Imperador or Quinta of thEmperor’s Gardens.
It is a lively celebration lasting two days and transforms the romantic, picturesque parish of Monte into one of the busiest places in Madeira, full of traditional food and drink stalls and plenty of music.

Commemoration of 500 years of Funchal – City Day The City Hall of Funchal and Funchal 500 Anos E.E.M., have scheduled for the following 21st of the month – City Day, the festivities commemorating 500 years since D. Manuel I elevated the town of Funchal to the category of city. A programme has been created for this event with initiatives from a historical parade to a display by “Asas de Portugal” (an acrobatic team of the Portuguese Air Force), parades of the military, militarised and security forces, naval and air parades, music and a relay race which will involve 500 people and unite all the municipalities of the Region around its capital. The objective of these activities will be to involve the entire population of Funchal, as well as all its visitors. For more information on the programme, consult: www.funchal500anos.com

XVII Round Madeira by Canoe Organised by Centro Treino Mar, the XVII Round Madeira by Canoe will be held this year from 26 to 31 August. This event, integrated in an international race of the Portuguese Canoeing Federation and International Canoeing Federation, is already known for its high degree of difficulty as well as the natural beauty offered by the coast to its competitors. The race covers 141km distributed along nine laps, all supported by the organisation. thst
For more information, consult: www.madeiraemcanoa.com

Assistance to persons with diminished mobility Since the last 26th July, ANAM – Aeroportos da Madeira has provided a Service of Assistance to Disabled Persons and to Persons of Diminished Mobility called MyWay. This service basically involves accompanying the person to his/her place on the airplane where the Airport’s responsibility ends and consists in providing personal assistance and assistance for the check-in of baggage, at the security points, border and on boarding. This service is assured with duly trained and qualified personnel who are committed to complying with all the service quality levels recommended by ECAC.

International Astronomy Year launched in Madeira On the last 1st July – day of the Region and Communities of Madeira – the programme of the 2009 International Astronomy Year was officially launched on the Internet. This programme already includes 104 events and 12 initiatives, and it is probable that many more will be included up to the end of this year. For more information, consult: www.um

Madeira Wine Festival
Recalling the social and economic importance of Madeira wine, the Madeira Wine Festival is held in September during the grape harvest, going back to the population’s old customs since the island was first settled.

In Câmara de Lobos the festival begins with the live grape harvest. The picking of the grapes, the pickers’ parade, treading the grapes and the whole ritual oftypical Madeira folk celebration are enjoyed by all. In the centre of Funchal there are light, sound and folk shows connected to traditional wine-making.
2008 Madeira Ultra Trail On 20th September, the Island of Madeira will hold yet another ultra-long trial in the Non-Stop format called 2008 Madeira Island Ultra Trail, the objective of which is to walk across the Island of Madeira in the maximum time of 24 hours. This event, organised by the Mountain Club of Funchal in partnership with Confraria Trotamontes will be composed of two walks, one of about 100 km and another of approximately 55 km. The organisation combined a series of specific characteristics of the island, from the beauty of its landscape, to its local gastronomy and hospitality for the purpose of showing the participants its excellent environment for hiking through the mountains. For more information, see: www.madeiraultratrail.com

2008 “Xôpana Jazz” Organised by Hotel Choupana Hills Resort & Spa, the second edition of “Xôpana Jazz” will be held from 4th to 6th September. The first night of the event will present the Trioangular and David Binney quintet with Mark Turner, while the second night is reserved for the performances of the Julian Argüelles Quartet with André Fernandes and the trio formed by Steve Swallow, Ohad Talmor and Adam Nussbaum. For the closure of the “Xôpana Jazz” 2008 edition, the entertainment of the last day will be assured by Maria João and Mário Laginha, together with Julian Argüelles, followed by Enrico Rava, on the trumpet.

XV Canaries International Regatta - Madeira/ 500 years of the city of Funchal ANM and the Empresa Municipal 500 anos Funchal in partnership with the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canárias have organised the XV Canaries International Regatta – Madeira/ 500 years of the city of Funchal. This regatta will leave Porto de Las Palmas on the next 2 September for the city of Funchal on a journey of 290 nautical miles, and takes part in the commemoration of the 500 years of the city of Funchal as well as in the festivities of the 100 years of Real Club Náutico de Gran Canária. nd
VIP World promotes ‘Quintas da Madeira’ The VIP World, one of the largest national tourist operators and world leader on the market for the sale of holiday packages on the Portuguese market for Madeira, has presented a new travel catalogue devoted to the “Quintas da Madeira”, a product covering 15 country houses in the Autonomous Region. The catalogue which is being launched presents a carefully chosen selection aimed at the medium-high segment. “Live the difference, visiting gardens perpetuated in time, savouring gastronomic delicacies accompanied by a fine wine and, above all, enjoying a relaxing and very peaceful atmosphere, is what this catalogue of choices aims to present”, as note the promoters of the new brochure. The operator emphasises its initiative as “an important step to develop one of the reference products of the destination Madeira – The Country Houses” referring to this product niche as “a very high quality offer”, with the “contemporary touch allied to the historical richness of these stately houses giving rise to a product of excellence based on its differentiation”.

Golf operators meet in Madeira From 31st May to 4th June of next year, the annual convention of one of the most prestigious world golf organisations, the IAGTO, will be held in Madeira. ‘IAGTO – International Association of Golf Tour Operators’, was created in 1997, for the purpose of getting together, at a world level, the main actors of the golf tourism market. Madeira is the only Portuguese region where IAGTO has proposed creating its own centre, a result of the specific characteristics of the Region, as a golf destination. Over 50 golf tourism operators are expected to come, as well as journalists, IAGTO members and other opinion leaders, in a total of approximately 100 guests, all of enormous influence in this tourist segment. Participation in the annual conventions of IAGTO is subject to an invitation issued by the region hosting the event.
source - Madeira Tourism

ANGELINA
ANGELINA - Vocals
JOÃO MAURÍLIO - Piano
ARTUR FREITAS – Saxophone, Flute
PEDRO PINTO – Double Bass
JORGE MONIZ - Drums

Angelina Vieira Santos was born in Funchal, in a family with musical roots and she listened to Jazz since a very young age, influenced by her father and brothers, also musicians. At age 18 she left her home town to discover Porto – the city that watched her fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor. She is one of the brand new talents in Portuguese Jazz scene and her work has been receiving both excellent critic from Portuguese specialist and wide broadcasting by the national media.
“Jazz Feelings” (2005), Angelina first recording, has the collaboration of excellent musicians: Cícero Lee (bass), João Maurílio (piano), Jorge Lee (drums) e Artur “Jumbo” Freitas (saxophone and flute)
When she steps on stage, Angelina releases herself to her passion and immediately reaches the audience with her enthusiasm and her unique interpretation of some classics from the golden age of Jazz.

DIDIER LOCKWOOD NEW GENERATION
DIDIER LOCKWOOD - Violin
THOMAS ENHCO - Piano and Violin
DAVID ENHCO - Trumpet
ZACHARIE ABRAHAM – Double Bass
NICOLAS CHARLIER - Drums

Didier Lockwood, both as a composer and an improvisator, has distinguished himself on the international jazz scene with is own very personal and unique sound.
Born in Calais, France, his father, a violinist, transmitted his own passion for the instrument to his son. Towards the end of his classical studies at the Academy of Music, he discovered the freedom of improvisation. At the age of 17, he moved on to the progressive rock scene with the mythical group Magma. Then at 21 he turned to jazz where he was discovered by Stephane Grapelli, with whom he made several tours.
His many awards include awards from SACEM, The Victoire de la Musique, The Charles Cross Prize, among many others and he was also honoured with the title of Officer of Arts and Letters.
Inspired by a wide range of sounds, Lockwood remains true to jazz, incorporating in it the millions of multi ethnic musical colours he compiles while exploring new environments and sounds.

PHIL WOODS & FRIENDS

PHIL WOODS - Saxophone
BEN ARONOV - Piano
JESPER LUNDGAARD - Bass
JESSE DAVIS - Saxophone
DOUGLAS SIDES - Drums

Philip Wells Woods was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on November the 2nd, 1931.
He devoted himself to the saxophone when he was only 12, studying with Harvey LaRose, in Springfield.
In the 50’s Phil Woods began leading his own bands and recording for Prestige. In March 1968, he roamed to Europe and, in Paris, formed the European Rhythm Machine with whom he explored the world until he decide it was time to go back home, in 1973. After a brief stay in Los Angeles, Phil Woods settled in New York and with the “Phil Woods Quartet” (later to become Quintet) he established a reputation as one of the greater saxophonist of our days. He won 4 Grammys.
In the present decade Woods has been concentrating, on top of his regular quintet work, on leading a Big Band project, featuring his own compositions and arrangements and on the “Bird with wings… and more!” project.
Phil Woods is one of the all time great jazzmen.

J.J. MILTEAU Sextet

JEAN-JACQUES MILTEAU – Harmonica
MICHAEL ROBINSON – Vocals
RON SMITH – Vocals
MANU GALVIN – Guitar
GILLES MICHEL – Bass
ERIC LAFONT – Drums

European harmonica virtuoso J.J. Milteau is a matchless player, and his breathtaking technique fills with envy his peers who admire his impeccable taste and praise his seemless playing.
Always attentive to the world around him, J.J. is a gifted storyteller whose music echoes impressions and dreams brought home from his travels.
Born in 1950 in a Parisian working-class family, Milteau spent the “rocking sixties” roaming across the planet, armed with the tiny harmonica and sailed through the seventies sprinkling warm blue notes on dozens of recordings by the cream of French singers (Charles Aznavour, Eddy Mitchell, Yves Montand, Barbara…) before launching a series of personal explorations on record and on the stage.
Relentlessly inquisitive, the European harp master has much more to offer than sheer technique. Behind his instrumental know-how, J.J. has both feeling and spirit.

ROSA PASSOS

ROSA PASSOS – Vocals, Guitar (acoustic)
FÁBIO TORRES – Piano
PAULO PAULELLI – Acoustic Bass
CELSO de ALMEIDA – Drums

Rosa Passos grew up surrounded by music in the city of Salvador, in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Inspired by João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim - the godfathers of bossa nova - she switched from piano to guitar and began writing her own material as a teenager. Passos’s songs (written with her long-time lyricist Fernando de Oliveira) appeared on her first recording in 1979.
Especially since her American debut in 1996 (at the invitation of Oscar Castro Neves) with a sensational performance in a “Jazz at the Bowl” concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Rosa Passos has developed an ever-growing international following.
More than a singer, Passos is a prolific songwriter and a superb rhythm guitarist and she has done what so many vocalists have attempted, but failed to do: she reinvented Bossa Nova.

CHUCHO VALDÉS Quintet

CHUCHO VALDÉS – Piano
MAYRA CARIDADE VALDÉS – Vocals
LÁZARO RIVERO ALARCÓN – Double Bass
YAROLDI ABREU – Percussion
JUAN CARLOS CASTRO ROJAS – Drums

Born in October 1941, in Quvican, Cuba, this pianist, organist and composer is considered one of the best pianists in the world and the most important musician of our days, concerning Cuban Jazz. He started playing piano at age 3, guided by his father, the also famous composer and pianist Bebo Valdés.
Chucho was also part of the “Ikarere” project, founded in 1973, mentoring this group, the first of it’s nationality to win a Grammy. The group steered a meaningful revolution in Cuban Jazz by rescuing elements from the very roots of their traditional music.
Nowadays, Chucho Valdés remains an innovator and is still playing throughout the world; also still remains his fundamental role in the development of Cuban music and Latin-American Jazz.

On their last visit and a promise of taking a passenger flight, they were unlucky again, in that in February the week they were here, it rained and the winds were too strong to fly. However, they did manage to take a couple of lessons from Tom high up on the plateaux of Paul de Serra, on a small strip of flat grass where he instructed them both on how to get the glider off the ground and into the air without leaving the ground themselves. That in itself was enough to keep the kids happy that visit, but made them more eager to try it for real when they arrived earlier this month!

For the first four days we were all confined to the house as the relenting winds and rain whipped and lashed its way across the island. The seas were high and rough and as a result floods and weather damage was inflicted on much of the island. Nearing the end of the week, on a nice and bright Saturday morning the weather had cleared and the worst was over, and with a quick call to Hartmut Peters from ‘Aerogene Madeira’ we hopped in the car and made our way to the take-off in Arco da Calheta.

The site where the local pilots take off, was buzzing with activity, all converging on the strip desperate to get into the air and get their regular adrenaline fix having been grounded for over a week. The sky was a blaze of colour with around eight pilots surfing the good thermals gaining heights of around 800 metres above sea level. It was too much for Tom to sit and wait with us whilst we waited for Hartmut to land with his passenger and so Tom was off, getting his adrenaline fix along with everyone else, whilst trepidation was knotting my stomach at the thought of my two babies being flown over the mountainous landscape at high altitude with only a strip of material keeping them up there!

First to take the plunge was my 16 year old son and as quickly as he had climbed into the harness and Hartmut had attached it to himself, the wind was right and off they ran, over toward the edge of the cliff with their feet leaving the ground a few feet from the rim. Elliot and Hartmut disappeared off into the distance and headed toward the area of Loretto. Natalie, my 14 year old daughter excitedly snapped away with her camera, looking forward to the thrill of it being her turn next. Elliot’s landing was gentle and graceful; returning to the same spot that he was launched from and Natalie eagerly climbed into the harness and promptly took off with Hartmut for her flight. This time Hartmut took a different route as the conditions had changed and he could not maintain the heights that he managed with Elliot. Tom was chaperone in the sky and flew with them as they gently meandered their way down and across to a second landing site in Madelena do Mar along the beach.

As is customary after an afternoon of flying, all the pilots converge on Maria’s bar for a few beers to wind down and throw a few jokes. The gliders are packed away and the sun comes down for the evening. Everyone is exhausted but euphoric from an adrenaline pumped flight.

*My sincere thanks to Hartmut Peters for giving my children an experience of a lifetime and one they won’t forget. To book a tandem flight with Hartmut, tel 964133907

For accomodation for pilots please visit www.paragliding-madeira.com

madeira

Dr. Sofia Vasconcelos of SPAD (Sociedade Protectora dos Animais Domesticos) has two possible answers. She explains: “In Madeira, dog owners sometimes want to make their animals extra ‘fierce’ so that they will be better guard dogs. Also, people, who lead busy working lives, often leave their dogs chained up at home all day until they return from their jobs at night. Dogs are social animals and so they need love, attention and exercise in addition to food. It is a very bad idea to try to make them more aggressive so that they will frighten intruders away. Dogs are territorial animals and they will soon raise the alarm by barking at strangers; their very presence makes them good guardians of the home”.

Sofia tells the story of the so-called “killer dog” (pictured above) as an example of the disastrous results which can follow from the bad treatment of normal animals.

“Two women living in the Sao Martin area of Funchal kept three dogs in a small house where each dog had its own room. The women were terrified when one of the dogs became aggressive towards them and then killed one of the other animals. The women were afraid to leave the house so they telephoned SPAD for help. When our staff arrived, the women were at first afraid to open the door to let them in. One of our clinic assistants, Bruno Correia, eventually entered and was able to catch the problem dog without any trouble. The dog was aggressive only to its owners and not to our staff”, Sofia said.

The dog, which was taken to SPAD, shook with fear whenever anyone approached him. Despite patient efforts by SPAD staff, he was too traumatised by past ill-treatment to regain his trust in people and, sadly, he had to be put to sleep.

Lucas, aged seven, is a “gentle giant” now but earlier in his life, he was also branded a troublesome dog. He had been in the care of SPAD since 2006 when he was brought in with his mother by owners, who did not want them. He was adopted but his woman owner soon returned him to SPAD, saying that he was “very energetic and had run away after a cat”. He came back very thin and was diagnosed as having skin cancer. Lucas had a change of fortune when he was sponsored by the Vice President of SPAD, Doctora Michelle Quintal, who paid for his medical treatment and frequently visited him to give him attention and walks. Lucas recovered his health and was found a new owner in Germany (she previously adopted a Saint Bernard, so she is used to big dogs). Lucas needed an extra-large crate in which to travel to Germany and to make the journey easier for him, Dra. Quintal gave him one of her T-shirts to lie on. He was met off the plane by Barbara Linkis, the German grandmother, who has found a new home for him – just as she has found adoptive owners in Germany for more than 800 other SPAD dogs over the last 12 years.

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