Some still think the Costa del Sol’s offer is limited to 'espetos' (skewerd sardines) and sunburnt skin under a scorching sun. Those people clearly weren’t in Mijas Pueblo on Saturday 12th of July, where the only heat that mattered came from the soulful rhythm of the Mississippi. The Miguel González Berral Municipal Auditorium hosted Blues Night, an event with a threefold purpose: celebrating 40 years on stage of the legendary Granada Blues Band, showcasing other artists like C.T. Powell & Bluedays and Mama Paula Blues Band, and serving as the perfect excuse to support a good cause.
Admission was free, with a twist of generosity: attendees were encouraged to donate food for the local food bank. The councillor for Tourism, Francisco Jerez (Vox), expressed his satisfaction with the collection effort, estimating that “around 300 kilos of food were gathered for Cáritas”, which, he said, “helps culture to grow and be seen in a different light".
Beyond philanthropy, the strategy led by the Tourism Department is clear: “We don’t want people to come to Mijas just to stroll around during the day”, admitted Jerez. The idea is that a free concert acts as bait to encourage visitors to stay for dinner and, in the process, discover that the town has “incredibly beautiful spots by night, just as it does by day”. The councillor plans to continue with this formula, announcing that concerts are already scheduled for the 9th and 30th of August, although the line-up has yet to be confirmed.
A very happy birthday
Musically, the stars of the show, the Granada Blues Band, made their debut on the Mijas stage eager to impress. One of their musicians, Agustín Sánchez, noted that, in addition to songs from their previous album and some covers, they performed “a few tracks from the upcoming record, which we’ll start recording in September and which mostly consists of original compositions by our band".
- El concejal de Turismo junto a miembros de una de las bandas que actuó
- | M.C.
And the public? They responded. Despite the scorching terral wind that felt like it could strip the flesh from your bones, people answered the call of culture. María Calvo found “the blend of beautiful music with a charitable cause very moving”, But it was Patricia Corredor who struck at the heart of the tourism debate: “I’m really grateful for events like this that break the stereotype of the Costa del Sol as just a place for sun and beach tourism. Initiatives like this show that culture matters, and a lot”, she concluded.
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