Music is the heartbeat of Tenerife and the summer of dance is striding into September with the Ritmos Del Mundo concert at Siam Park on Saturday 10 September.  Fedde Le Grand from Holland is a top DJ and producer and will be headlining the feast of music.

Very much in demand, Fedde will fly in from performing the previous night at the O2 Arena in Berlin, part of a hectic year that has included residencies at Space in Ibiza, and Ministry Of Sound in London, and a total of 40 different venues. Fedde grabbed a well earned break to tell TenerifeMagazine.com what makes him spin.

TM – What music influenced you growing up?

Fedde – I was influenced by a lot of different music, from pop like Michael Jackson, who I love, to funk bands like Parliament, George Clinton is a huge hero of mine. I also listened to a lot of hip-hop – I started out playing hip-hop but gradually started to move into house music the more I started record shopping.

TM – How do you choose songs to re-mix. (Missing, the 1994 hit from Everything But The Girl, is the latest to get a DJ Fedde update).

Fedde – Most of the remixes I make start off just because I love the original track but want to make an edit of it that fits into my set. They’re always for personal use first, then people start to ask me to release them, and if we can get everything cleared then we’ll go ahead.

TM – Your tour dates look tough going. How do you relax and keep fit and charged up.

Fedde – It can be really hard, especially when it’s the summer season because you end up playing almost all of the days in the week, you have to travel from gig to gig, country to country, there’s not a lot of time to relax. I try to chill out as much as possible on flights, watch films when I can, just zone out to get some quiet time before it all starts again. If I have time at home to relax then I’ll either hang out with friends and family, just cooking, playing video games, that kind of thing, or I’ll head to the gym – I’m a massive fitness fanatic, it’s a great way to unwind and keep in shape at the same time.

TM – What’s the strangest place you have performed?

Fedde – In a hot air balloon about 1 km above ground, no word of a lie! I’m not sure if there’s anywhere else I could play that would top that really – maybe only something like playing in a submarine?

TM – Do you have a dream venue you want to play one day?

Fedde – I would love to play at Madison Square Gardens or Wembley Stadium or the Bird’s Nest, Beijing,  those locations are insane! Yeah, if I could headline those, that would have to be one hell of a show!

TM – Any plans to celebrate your birthday? (Fedde is 34 on 7 September).

Fedde – Hopefully I’ll get to celebrate it like I did last year – I was in Las Vegas and they brought me out a cake, we had drinks, I had some really good friends on tour with me so it was really cool. Except this time I’m not in Vegas with really good friends, I’m home with really good friends

TM – Does the private plane make a big difference to touring.

Fedde – It really does, if I’m being honest. It’s still a massive luxury and I wouldn’t use it if I didn’t need it but this summer season is so hectic and busy for me that just logistically it makes a lot of sense. If I had to rely on normal planes I’d be cutting it so fine at the airport to get from one place to another, so to book a plane for the whole summer was way more economical. I’m also making sure that I’m offsetting my carbon footprint – we worked it out online and I was totally shocked, I have to plant a small forest to compensate but it’s definitely worth it.

TM – If all your musical equipment and stage gear was in a fire what one thing would you save?

Fedde – My manager. Everything is digital these days so it’s all replaceable. If I had any vinyl with me then I’d definitely go back to save that as there are some cuts that are so hard to find.

TM – Any advice to performers hoping to make it in the music industry?

Fedde – I get asked this a lot and the main thing I say to people is that they have to be prepared to work. And work hard. Of course you have to have talent in the first place, but unless you’re prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up, to play at any gigs you get handed when you start out, do parties for free, anything to get out there and get noticed, then I’d say don’t bother and just do it in your bedroom for fun. It’s long hours, lots of traveling, you’re away from home for most of the year – but when you’re behind the decks and in front of a crowd of people going nuts to your track selection, it’s beyond worth it, it’s an amazing feeling, a real rush. It just takes time and dedication to get here.

TM – In three words what can the people of Tenerife expect from you at the show?

Fedde – So Much Love

Ritmos Del Mundo promises to be special, it runs from 3pm to midnight and also performing are DJ Real El Canario, Glowintedark, Steve Foster, Bassjackers, DJ Leon, and Dj Dario. Tickets are on sale from www.farraworld.com and range from 25 euros to the VIP tickets with free bar at 100 euros. Free buses will be ferrying people to and from the concert from key points in the south. Enjoy.

Title: Ritmos Del Mundo Concert
Location: Siam Park Amphitheatre
Link out: Click here
Description: Dance music high above the water theme park at the purpose built amphitheatre. Runs from 3 pm until Midnight with a full bill of acts, headline star is Dutch DJ Fedde Le Grand. Also appearing are DJ Real El Canario, Glowintedark, Steve Foster, bassjackers, DJ Leon, and Dj Dario. Tickets range from a basic 26 euros to 102 euros from www.farraworld.com
Start Time: 15.00
Date: 2011-09-10

Title: Pablo Alboran
Location: Magma Arts & Congress, Playa de Las Americas
Link out: Click here
Description: Malaga’s 22 year old rising singing star brings his first major tour to Tenerife. Tickets are 20 euros in advance, 25 euros on the night, or 35 euros for the VIP zone. Book online at www.ticketmaster.es or book in person, box office open Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, Show day 9am until start.Tel 902109974

Start Time: 22.00
Date: 2011-08-07

Restaurants by the sea on Tenerife are nearly as numerous as the grains of sand on the playas they overlook. Restaurants by the sea that have a stylish pizazz about them and offer a sophisticated setting for a long leisurely lunch, or romantic sunset dinner are as rare as a rainy day in July.

Apart from occupying an envious position with views that sweep from both Troya beaches to the south west coast and La Gomera on the horizon, La Terrazza del Mare in Costa Adeje possesses the sort of chic good looks that demand your company for a cooling, pre-dinner cocktail whilst enjoying the warmth of the sun’s final rays of the day.

The first thing that struck me about La Terrazza del Mare was the choice of unique corners in which to eat and chill out with friends. Canvas teepees are a fun place for a soiree with mates whilst Balinese-style raised cabins create a wonderfully intimate dining space and tables for two with prime views overlooking the beach fit many people’s idea of what the setting for a romantic meal should look like. Leafy plants, tumbling floral displays and sunflower bright flowers in smoked glass add the finishing touches to La Terrazza del Mare’s tasteful good looks.

We’ve established the décor looks the part, but does the food at La Terrazza del Mare live up to the dressing? There was only one way to find out.

The Main attraction, The Menu at La Terrazza del Mare

The Mediterranean menu appealed right away; the Mediterranean style of utilising fresh ingredients to create dishes that aren’t too heavy in their delivery are ideal for hot climates in my view. Additionally a menu that features pastas, pizzas, fish and meat choices has something to appeal to most culinary tastes.

After a lot of humming and hawing we opted for a mixed starter of Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes and basil; Andalusian prawns with sweet chilli and alioli dips; Andalusian  squid and Catalunian tomato bread with cured ham. The prawns were succulent and coated in a beautifully crisp, light tempura batter and the squid, also coated in a light batter was nicely tender. I’d become a big fan of the Catalunian bread (pan tumaca) having just been presented with it at nearly every meal in Costa Brava recently so was intrigued to taste Terrazza del Mare’s version of making it more like toasted garlic bread with a tomato and olive oil topping. It was a variation that worked well for me, especially combined with a cured ham topping.

For main course we went along with the recommendations from manager, Pepe; grilled sea bass and as pizzas are one of the restaurant’s specialities, pizza parmigiani accompanied by a bottle of Tajinaste – an appropriately light, fruity red wine from Tacoronte.

The presentation of the sea bass, two fillets sandwiching a layer of al dente asparagus, carrots and cucumber, was as immaculate as the Terrazza’s décor and the fish was crispy skinned with moist, flaky flesh. The pizza parmigiani was equally attractive with a thin, crispy base, lots of parmesan shavings and flavours that were unlocked by a drizzle of spicy olive oil that delivered a taste-bud wakening kick.

A generous slice of tiramisu, that was thankfully lovely and light, and an equally generous slice (their version of  ‘a small piece please’) of tangy lemon meringue pie finished off what was an enjoyable meal in relaxing and extremely ambient surroundings.

La Terrazza del Mare Summary
It doesn’t take a fashionista to see that La Terrazza del Mare prides itself on appearance. Apart from the fact it adds good looks to the area, I like the restaurant’s approach to making eating a more interesting experience with the likes of hosting cocktail competitions, introducing brunch menus and the great sounding chill house Sunday which involves enjoying cocktails and paella as the sun goes down. At La Terraza del Mare they’re attempting to inject innovation into dining and that should be applauded.

Tenerife magazine’s five star rating for La Terraza del Mare
Décor – 4 stars. La Terrazza del Mare looks the part of an upmarket, stylish restaurant with superb views. As inviting a venue for cocktails as it is for dining.
Menu – 4 stars. A relatively select Mediterranean menu that shows some imagination and has choices to suit many tastes.
Food – 3.5 stars. The presentation of the food was as tasteful as the surroundings and there was no faulting its freshness or how it was cooked, but overall the flavours in the main courses were pleasing rather than sensational.
Service – 4 stars. Very professional and attentive service and the advice from Pepe, the manager, was extremely helpful.
Where, when and how
Paseo Marítimo behind Playa Troya, Costa Adeje; +34 922 79 64 28; open 11am to 2am daily, last food order – 11.30pm, last cockatil order – 1.30am; www.laterrazzadelmare.com
Prices
Prices vary as the restaurant also serves snacks and breakfast. The cost of a meal at La Terrazza del Mare is about average for the area, which makes it quite good value considering its individualistic style. Starters begin from €5.50, main courses from €7.50. There is a great value 3 course lunch option for €9.90.

It’s two weeks before an Easter that falls a long way into what is shaping up to be a hot spring, and Tenerife Magazine is heading to the Hotel Jardín Tropical to find out what keeps 40% of guests returning year after year and what one lucky winner of our competition can expect.

Strolling past the elegant palm trees and soft, white turrets that guard the entrance to the Hotel Jardín Tropical, I pass beneath the straw thatched roof and leave the glare of sunlight to enter the portal to a dream world. Combining the principles of Feng Shui with shades of North African, Moorish and Colonial design, the architect Melvin Villaroel has created a space filled with hidden, tranquil corners where light, air and nature combine in perfect harmony.

Velvety white corridors weave below mirrored ceilings to shady courtyards at the foot of tiered minarets and bougainvillea draped terraces. Falling in gentle tiers from the hotel’s reception, brick paved terraces embedded with turquoise and ruby ceramic tiles lead past carved pine settees and over wooden foot bridges to water cascades and a sapphire pool that meanders around scented garden jungles.

The check-in welcome is accompanied by a chilled glass of cava while Joaquín explains the Alice in Wonderland principle of a ground floor which is in fact on the fifth floor and points me towards my room. Minus the aid of a White Rabbit, I follow the warren of corridors, my eyes wide at the eclectic beauty of my surroundings, until I arrive at room 457.

Don’t you just love it when you walk into your hotel room and the first thing that comes out of your mouth is “Wow”? A corridor of fitted wardrobes with wooden latticed doors leads to a cavernous room where crimson, colour washed walls lend a rich warmth to the beautifully cool interior. Centre stage, a bed the size of a small land mass is draped in the same rich, flower print drapes that cover the windows. French impressionist paintings join forces with the  period furniture to give the room a classic, timeless elegance. I open the curtains and step onto the intimate balcony which peeks out through Kentia palm fronds at the giant strelitzias and towering palm trees that lend the gardens and pools the environment so richly deserving of the name Jardín Tropical.

I relax into one of the cane chairs, savouring the short time I have before my dinner reservation at the hotel’s award winning restaurant of Las Rocas. Birds are chatting noisily as they make last minute preparations for their sundown bed time, the last of the day’s sunbathers are heading back to their rooms while other couples are already dressed for the evening, strolling hand in hand towards a sunset cocktail at the Beach Club before dinner.
Three words are foremost in my mind – symmetry, serenity, serendipity.

The Essentials
Location: One of the first hotels to be built in Tenerife’s newest resort of Costa Adeje, the Hotel Jardín Tropical has seen many bigger and more flashy hotels springing up all around it  while this tropical paradise has quietly taken root and flourished. Sited on a picturesque headland of Costa Adeje with Playa Bobo a few minutes stroll  to the south and Puerto Colón to the west.

Rooms: Completely refurbished in 2010 and featuring LCD satellite TV, mini bar and safe, rooms are beautifully designed and appointed to maximise the quality of light, coupling the hotel’s trademark white with rich turquoise soft furnishings. Suites raise the floor space quota from generous to oodles and the decor to individually styled. The walk-in shower was powerful enough to double as an aqua massage and the bath was big enough to lie full length in. 26 interconnecting family rooms offer microwave, baby alarm and Playstation – essential ingredients of a family holiday.

Service: From the moment I arrived at reception, I was made to feel welcome by multi-lingual, professional staff. Service in the buffet restaurant and the bars was exceptionally good while at restaurant Las Rocas, the delightful Julio fussed over my every whim with a warm smile, professionalism and buckets of personality.

Food: Hotel Jardín Tropical has a deserved reputation for excellence in dining. The El Patio restaurant is reputed to serve the best steak tartare in Tenerife from its heavenly garden setting, while the romantic headland setting of Las Rocas is the venue for excellent gourmet cuisine. Breakfast in the Las Mimosas restaurant was a sumptuous choice of fresh fruit, continental and cooked dishes, all prepared and presented with aplomb in the stylish dining room and garden patio.

Entertainment: I followed the sound of laughter and applause to the bar lounge where families were being entertained by contemporary clowns, acrobats and breakdancers until it was time for the youngest of drooping eyelids to be carried to their beds. Night people will find themselves within sandal strolling distance of the iconic Faro Chill Art at Puerto Colón.

Overall: A  fabulously stylish and chic four star hotel with five star design and aspirations where the good things in life – consummate service, fine dining, luxurious comfort and impeccable taste – are placed at the top of the agenda. Perfect for couples, honeymooners, families and anyone with an eye for quality and selectivity. As official host to players at the upcoming Tenerife Ladies Match Play Golf competition, it’s also the perfect year-round base for Tenerife golfers.

Hotel Jardín Tropical; 4 Star; Calle Gran Bretagña, Costa Adeje; (0034) 902 25 02 51; email: hotel@jardin-tropical.com

If someone was to ask me to list ideal ingredients for a hopelessly romantic setting for a restaurant I’d reply ‘somewhere intimate that served sexily seductive cuisine on a terrace overlooking the ocean where sunsets turned the skies velvet and the soundtrack was provided by the waves crashing passionately against rocks’.
Or, in other words, Las Rocas on Costa Adeje’s coastline. When compiling lists of romantic places to dine on Tenerife, the Hotel Jardín Tropical’s delightful thatched roof restaurant jutting out over the Atlantic is almost always the first place to spring to mind.

Its location, between Puerto Colón and San Eugenio, means that it is perfectly positioned for a romance soaked gastronomic liaison for the millions of holidaymakers who visit Tenerife’s main southern tourist resorts every year.
Everybody who strolls past Las Rocas can clearly see that it’s a special venue in the looks department, but what about the cuisine? Does it also arouse sighs of delicious pleasure? Tenerife Magazine arranged a sunset assignation to find out.

The Main attraction, the Menu at Las Rocas
Deciding on what to order from the selection of sumptuous sounding goodies on the menu wasn’t helped by the fact that the sunset was putting on a distracting ‘hey, look at how gorgeous I am’ display over La Gomera on the horizon.

Around us were a mix of couples and groups of friends (Las Rocas isn’t solely a gastronomic venue for romantic dinners for two) enjoying the experience of watching mother nature do her show-stopping routine. It was a coolish March evening and although Las Rocas’ interior dining area is stylishly inviting we, like most other diners, opted to eat al fresco on the restaurant’s wonderful terrace overlooking the sea.

After much humming and hawing we finally ordered chicken brochettes marinated in a satay and pineapple sauce and octopus with paprika potatoes followed by Cherne (grouper) in a Bilbao sauce served with papas arrugadas (Canarian wrinkled potatoes) and sirloin of Aberdeen Angus served with dauphinoise potatoes, green beans and a pumpkin tart.
We took  the head waiter, Julio’s advice when it came to choosing the wine; Ribero del Duero – a full bodied crianza from Burgos.

The starters got us off to a promising…well, start. The chicken brochettes were smoky and the nuttiness of the satay combined with pineapple created complimentary sweet & savoury flavours. The octopus was satisfyingly crispy in parts and as tender as octopus can be in others. Its white flesh had a flavour and texture that tasted like pork of the sea. Octopus and potatoes are a surprisingly winning combination and spicing them up with paprika upped the yum factor a few notches.

The main courses had a lot to live up to, but they were up for the job. Cherne is usually pleasantly tasting but it doesn’t always have much of a personality. The roasted garlic and olive oil dressing at Las Rocas brought it completely out of its shell, unlocking a vibrantly tasting side to this popular local fish.
The Aberdeen Angus sirloin was exactly as ordered; dark and succulent on the outside and pink inside. It melted beneath the path of my knife and was as tasty a steak as I’ve had for a long time. When introduced to one of the four varieties of mustards that came with it, new flavours were unleashed and the meat and the mustards proved to be exciting and adventurous dance partners in my mouth. With the Aberdeen Angus as an adversary, the wine really came into its own, teasing even more flavours from the beef as though it were a matador taunting a bull.

By this point we were too fat and happy for dessert, but research is research so a slice of huge strawberry cheesecake, topped with lashings of cream and swirls of chocolate sauce and a portion of quesadilla (Canarian variation of cheesecake) finished off the meal and nearly us with it.

Once those were despatched it was a case of sitting back in our chairs to relax, sigh and enjoy the vistas and the rest of the wine as deep tangerine streaks on the horizon gave way to intense midnight blues.

The Sunset Summary
So what’s the overall verdict? Does Las Rocas live up to its promise of a romantic place to dine? The cuisine is top quality and beautifully presented in a stunner of a location. It really does feel like a special place to dine. Eat here and it’s pretty much assured that it’ll be a case of love on the rocks.

Tenerife magazine’s five star rating for Las Rocas
Décor – 5 stars. Las Rocas looks exquisite and the scenery provides a perfect, sparkling finishing touch.
Menu – 4 stars. One of those menus where you want to try everything…unless you happen to be vegetarian.
Food – 4 stars. Looks beautiful, tastes divine. Desserts Didn’t quite live up to the starters and main, but then I’m not a pudding person.
Service – 4 stars. Professional and friendly with no stuffiness. Made us feel completely relaxed.
Where, when and how
Hotel Jardín Tropical, C/Gran Bretaña, near Playa Bobo, Costa Adeje; +34 902 25 02 51; open 10am to 11pm daily.
Prices
Considering its location, fabulous good looks and excellent cuisine, Las Rocas isn’t as expensive as you might expect. Main courses average €18.

Rockets tore through the sky, church bells peeled and pigeons erupted from their baskets. It was a wake up call for horses, sheep, goats and foals not to mention the thousands of locals and tourists that had converged on La Caleta in Costa Adeje to honour San Sebastian. Up to that point the Tenerife morning and early afternoon had been relaxed and reflective, the horses and foals were racked up in their shady makeshift paddock, their toughest decision being which side of their head and neck to offer up for stroking and pampering by their adoring public.

The goats and sheep had their own fan club gathered around their pens, young hands reaching over to offer them little morsels as cameras clicked steadily. Between the sea of stalls selling food and souvenirs thirsty visitors formed small islands around tables as the beer and wine started to flow. The dedicated worshippers were crammed into the church and in good voice as the sermon and hymns were broadcast outward from the bell towers via the speakers. Even deep in prayer they could hardly fail to catch the aroma of paella, meats and spices on the stalls that hugged all sides of the church, there were outside pews for everyone and they would still be there after jumping up for a little dance.

Preparations had begun for the parade. Some horses trotted along the road to get their legs working while riders posed for family photos and swigged a few late beers. The horses back in the paddock were getting a little restless and raking the ground with their hooves. Some riders were more adventurous than others riding side saddle or even taking a standing bow on horseback and young family members hitched a pre parade ride with their parents. Once the church bells were ringing saddles were slung into position and all the horses and carts filed onto the road and set off towards the beach,

Every vantage point possible was taken as holiday makers hung out of windows and balconies in the luxury hotels. The horses were frisky and playful trotting and posing for the crowds that lined the route. The keener followers kept pace with the parade leaders nimbly avoiding the newly deposited obstacles in their path. As the slip road turned into sand the horses gathered pace and raced down to the shore and through the sea that was lapping strongly on the shingle beach. A massive crowd had gathered and pressed in on all sides but with police allowing plenty of free room for the horses they were able to splash happily through the waves. Cart wheels made their own way through the churning water and smaller foals skipped along the edges not sure quite what to make of all the fuss.

The climax of the early afternoon fun came when the statue of San Sebastian carried shoulder high cut a swathe through the packed beach top to be blessed at the waters edge. As the horses and riders shook off the last drops and headed back to their paddock the crowds began to melt away, many of them picking their way slowly down from their grandstand perches. The boats just off the shore carried on their way and the music and dancing started afresh back at the plaza by the church.

Title: Louisiana Gospel Choir
Location: Magma Arts & Congress Centre
Link out: Click here
Description: Harmonious singing from America. Starts at 9 pm on Friday 10 December at Magma Arts & Congress, next to Las Americas bus station. Tickets are all 21 euros each, call 902109974 or call at the box office-upstairs, or via the website www.magmatenerife.es
Date: 2010-12-10

A biochemist by day and an international fashion designer by night, as the premise for a Hollywood movie it sounds a bit far fetched but for Margot Ines Ferreira Rosales (above with model) it’s a way of life. The 34 year old Uruguayan beat 156 rivals from 17 countries to become Young International Designer of Atlantic Fashion at the Magma Arts and Congress Centre in Tenerife last night.
The bright and beautiful people of film and fashion were drawn like moths to a radiant flame to see the final 11 designers battle it out on the catwalk in Costa Adeje. It was red carpet stuff as Spanish movie star Rossy de Palma and Malaga design guru David Delfin mingled with other top movers and shakers from the clothes industry. I had a wash for the occasion and even squeezed into some proper trousers but those with natural style and confidence were able to carry off anything. David Delfin looked like he had just come off the football terrace and even Adeje mayor Fraga pitched up in jeans.

The finer points of fashion may be lost on me but the leggy hostess girls, poured into tight black numbers, certainly caught my eye. After plenty of posing and air kissing we filed into the main hall which was split with seating on either side of a fluorescent white catwalk. The lights dimmed and the throbbing music kicked in as multi coloured spotlights picked out the models’ entrance between two large video screens. The presentation was excellent, no compere analysing and interrupting the flow, just 4 models for each designer strutting their stuff after the basic details of the designers were flashed on the big screens.

The costumes ranged from the bright vibrant yellows and blues of the opening PHI collection from Lanzarote’s Zuka Farias Gola to the wilder barrier breaking Mexican style explosions of Karla Gabriela Guevera Ponce. The child like joy of pony tails, ribbons and bows from Argentina’s Cintia Vanesa Sosa and Maria Fernanda Arnaldi was a favourite of mine, helped by the skipping enthusiasm of the models. Serge Bakalyna of Russia made quite an impact too with his Breath Taker collection. The female models had a brief rest as Andre Brasil Paiva presented his The Other Side with serious broody men in bold cut away suits.

There could be only one winner and Margot got the nod with her Los Velos de la  Memoria (Veils of the Memory) , featuring hats and veils set at a jaunty angle to set off stylish and daring dresses (see 2 pics above). It was a tense reverse roll call as the big moment approached but team Margot exploded with joy as their names were announced. A cheque for 4,000 euros was presented, a small token that will be dwarfed by the kudos, acclaim and of course work that comes as a result of this honour. Margot will have plenty to enthuse about over the beakers and Bunsen burners when she gets back to her Montevideo laboratory,
Check out more photos at this Flickr set.

Title: The Nutcracker – Moscow Ballet
Location: Magma Arts & Congress Centre, Costa Adeje
Link out: Click here
Description: The Moscow Ballet bring their version of The Nutcracker to the south of Tenerife. Magma is between the bus station and Siam Park in Playa de Las Americas. show starts at 7pm on 6 December and tickets are 35 euros or 20 euros for block bookings. Call at the box office (upstairs) or call 902109974, or use website www.magmatenerife.es
Date: 2010-12-06
STOP PRESS – second performance added at 9.45 pm.