Last weekend, July 13th and 14th, Largo de São João, in Palmela, was a meeting point for hundreds of people who did not miss the last days of Festival Internacional de Saxofones de Palmela (FISP) (Palmela International Saxophone Festival). The passion for the saxophone gave birth to the Festival, which marked the rhythm of the small town with several free shows from July 8th onwards. Next Friday, on July 19th, Palmela Wine Jazz will guarantee the good sounds in the Castle of Palmela.
Masterclasses, workshops, concerts and conferences were the proposals of FISP, with a programme that made this festival’s essentially artistic and pedagogical aspects clear. Every two years, the saxophone is presented as a source of inspiration and creation, gathering international artists and young musicians of the county and its surroundings around music.
In addition to names like Kenneth Tse (USA), Vincent David, Michel Supera and Nicholas Prost (France), Rob Buckland, Andy Scott, Julian Arguelles and the Apollo Quartet (United Kingdom), Isabella Fabbri and Archille Succi Henk Van Twillert (Holland), there is also the big show "Pássaros” (Birds), a creation of Teatro O Bando, attended by dozens of young saxophonists of the county.
Next weekend, July 19th-21st, jazz will once again be a host in Palmela, with the 6th edition of Palmela Wine Jazz. Relaxing late afternoons, accompanied by music and excellent wines are the suggestions of this long awaited Festival that features the performance of Maria João, on July 20th, at 10.30 pm, in Igreja de Santa Maria.
But there is much more to listen to and taste: Isabel Rato Quinteto, LooSense, Body & Soul, Sexteto Palmela Six Jazz, Ruben Garção Duo, Quarteto Desidério Lázaro and Quarteto Edgar Caramelo are all in this year's poster, along with fifteen local wineries that will guarantee regional wine tasting and sale.
With the month of July vibrating with music, Palmela is entitled to its application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the creative field of music, available at www.palmelaemusica.pt.
It is worth mentioning that Palmela International Jazz Festival and Palmela Wine Jazz are two initiatives included in the activity plan of “Palmela é Música”, which presents a calendar that is rich in cultural proposals and a result of the collaboration and symbiosis established between the Town Hall of Palmela, local associations and personalities of the world of music that make Palmela a great land of musicians.
And on your route through this land of music and wines, take some time to visit one of the local restaurants. This is because, until July 28th, Palmela’s Fruit inspires several menus and provides "flavoured experiences" as part of another edition of the Gastronomic Weekends.
