Hello!
Welcome to slightly different newsletter number nine. Why is it different? You ask.
Well, the reason is this, there is so much happening this month that if we were to follow the format of the previous issues, you would be scrolling right for a week! So, this one is different because you'll need to click the links to read the full story online. We are preparing a printable pdf of the info and it will be ready tomorrow 05 July.

So what's on?

The wonderful Feria de Julio - concerts, fiestas, dances, fireworks, processions and the amazing Battle of the Flowers (date for your diary 22July Paseo Alameda)

Jazz at the Palau - Wynton Marsalis headlines some great concerts in this excellent Jazz Festival.

Jazz in Peñiscola - Al Jarreau and George Benson headline this Fest

Cullera has a German-style Beer Festival from today until the 8th-250 types of beer on offer - mit music!

FIB - Benicassim's answer to Glastonbury (without the mud, the only time you need to get wet is if you go to their beautiful beach!) huge names in the pop and rock world. Our own Anita and Lolita will be there.
 

So read on by scrolling right,

There are over 650 different fiestas held in The Community of Valencia each year. There are so many that Bancaixa produced a lavishly illustrated series of four coffee table books to mark the seasons with an extra book just for Fallas. Each book is a tome weighing a good couple of kilos. The majority of the bigger fiestas (with the notable exception of Fallas, in March each year, which is the mother of all fiestas) are held in the summer. These fiestas can range from a few days and nights up to three weeks.They are a fantastic excuse for the people of the towns, villages and, yes, even cities, to get together in the streets in the cool of the nights and eat, drink, party, parade and generally have a good time. Always accompanied by fantastic firework displays, it is amazing how the smallest of villages can surprise with the size of these displays. During the next couple of months it can be hard sometimes not to believe you are in a war-zone!

Valencia is no exception, Feria de Julio is upon us, punctuated each Saturday night throughout the month with a Castillo (a firework display on a truly grand scale), this year there is a change of venue for three of them. They are on the beach at Malvarrosa. An obvious attempt to keep people visiting the Port area now that the America's Cup is over.

What else can you expect during the Feria? The main event is the Battle of the Flowers on the Alameda which takes place on the 22nd. After a parade of beautiful floats has been around the area once, it returns and the crowd and the Falleras on the floats commence battle with Marigolds - until the sreet is literally gold from crushed petals. This is followed by a Mascleta of Colours at around 8pm.

There are wonderful concerts, big names in Viveros and other outdoor concerts, dances and performances at other parks in the city.

Finally, there are the bullfghts in the Plaza de Toros. If you want to see one - book early, they are extremely popular in Valencia.

Now you need to click here for the full timetable of the Feria de Julio.

JAZZ AT THE PALAU
Valencia is mad for Jazz - each year the Palau de la Música holds a great Jazz Festival. This year is number eleven and is as good a line-up as ever. Eight great concerts by giants of Jazz - The final concert in the series is The Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchesra with Wynton Marsalis. Late notice, I know, but 05 July there is a concert in the gardens in front of the Palau by The Afro Carribean Jazz Allstars with Betty Lavette and Eddie Palmeiri - Amy Winehouse is said to have been greatly influenced by Betty, it should be a great evening.
The full timetable with videos of most of the acts appearing to give you a taster of what to expect is here

JAZZ IN PEÑISCOLA
Peñiscola, about an hour and a half's drive north of Valencia is a lovely seaside town, dominated by a castle. It is where the film El Cid, starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren was shot and hollywood 'did up' the castle for the film. It is well worth a visit anyway, but the Peñiscola Jazz festival, now in its fourth year, starts tomorrow, and is another great excuse to visit, particularly if you are a fan of the legendary Al Jarrea and George Benson. They are just one of the acts appearing at this JazzFest -The full timetable with videos of most of the acts appearing to give you a taster of what to expect is here

STOP PRESS - BURJAZZOT
Just in this afternoon, news of yet another Jazz festival - Burjassot's 1st Festival of Jazz - 16-22July - the line-up includes Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis .
The full timetable with videos of most of the acts appearing to give you a taster of what to expect will be here tomorrow...

The Music Fest at Benicassim!
Having just heard Paul Weller on the radio who, when asked what the worst experience he'd ever had in his life, answer 'playing Glastonbury - it occurred to me that really he should try playing FIB.

Benicassim is quiet and sleepy seaside town close to Castellon, with a huge, lovely seafront and long sandy beach. For four days each year it plays host to one of the biggest pop festivals in Spain. It now commands some of the best international acts in the world and this year is no exception, with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Iggy and the Stooges, The Hives, Muse, Antony & the Johnsons, The B52's, The Human League, Rufus Wainwright and even Devo!

FIB is constantly being compared to Glastonbury (without the torrential rain and that mud!) but it is actually quite different as it takes place right on the edge of the town and the party atmosphere can be felt all over Benicassim and particularly on the beaches - It is worth a visit even if you don't actually go to the festival itself. Great people watching!

It all starts on Thursday 19th with FIBSTART starring Iggy and the Stooges (I wonder if he'll invite half the audience on the stage as he just did at Glastonbury). It officially ends in the early hours of the 23rd although, in previous years there has been a free closing beach party on the monday night. No mention so far this year - but we'll keep you posted.

Anita Darling and Lolita Devine will be there reporting daily on the events and giving us all the gossip, photos and, hopefully a few podcast interviews provided all the equipment works!

Much more now and in the future days here

Weller's answer to the best experience he'd ever had in his life? His answer getting on the bus out of Glastonbury!

CULLERA BEER FESTIVAL
A German style Beear Festival takes place from now until the 8th of July on the beach in Cullera, over 250 beers to try and there's music too - more here
AMERICAS CUP
Can't have a newsletter without some mention of the America's Cup! Congratulations to Alinghi who, in one of the most exciting races of the Cup's history beat Emirates Team New Zealand to win the coveted 'Auld Mug' Full reports and all the news on where next, (will it be Valencia again? )Here!
ECLECTIC FESTIVAL
We know it is comng, we know where it will take place (the City of Arts and Sciences) what we don't yet know is when or who is appearing -If it is like previous years the details for this great festival will be released the week before it starts, we'll keep you posted here MORE
THERE ARE NEW COLUMNS ON THISISVALENCIA
Anita Darling, Barbara O'Neill on being a woman in Valencia, Mike O'Neill on the Racing at America's Cup, Gooru on the best books, tv and dvd... all updated monthly and well worth reading.
WE ARE CURRENTLY UPDATING OUR LISTINGS
So if you think we should add something let us know, and anyway we love to hear your feedback.... info@thisisvalencia

NEWS
If you have something you want to share with the whole world, email it to us here. If you have suggestions for future issues or the main website - email us here
ADVERTISE WITH US
Want to spread the word about your product or service - advertise on this newsletter and/or thisisvalencia.com - excellent rates - email for more information here
BLOG
Have you seen the blog recently? It's full of little snippets and interesting facts and photographs - well worth a look.

And now, without further ado, the Newsletter, we do hope you enjoy it - if you do, tell your friends or better still, sign them up to the mailing list here. (signup@thisisvalencia.com)

this newsletter and all the previous issues are available as a print friendly pdf file on the opening page of thisisvalencia.com - look for the download buttons on the right of the page.

If you came here by clicking from thisisvalencia.com and like this newsletter enough to want to receive it regularly click here (signup1@thisisvalencia.com)to sign up

Don't be afraid to email us (newsletter@thisisvalencia.com) and give us your thoughts on anything you read and anything you think we, and therefore others, should know about.
www.thisisvalencia.com
www.thisisvalencia.blogspot.com
www.thisisfib2007.blogspot.com

Valencia in July it's all in this issue of thisisvalencia Newsletter Number 9.

ps. there's a whole lot more to come, in fact it may only be a week before the next one, so watch your mailboxes..

thisisvalencia.com
everything you need to know about valencia -bars - restaurants- sightseeing -museums and galleries -
city of arts and sciences -america's cup