Mine host BigM and the cheerleaders

Australia makes a long-awaited return to the Fuengirola fairground as the popular Feria Internacional de los Pueblos opens on Saturday 28 April (continuing until Tuesday 1 May).

This fun-filled melting pot of 30 countries’ culture and cuisine, now in its 18th year, attracts between 500,000 and one million visitors over the four days. Australia is one of four new countries (not present last year) with a caseta in 2012 – together with Finland, Romania, France and Italy.

Rev Richard John

As always, one of the most popular venues (apart from the Brazilian!) will be the US caseta run by Costa del Disco, featuring live music (blues, C&W, rock and traditional American pop), cheerleader displays, line dancing performances and a repeat of the Superbowl, and Madonna’s half-time show, on a giant screen.

Sideshows and competitions have been organised for the younger revellers while their parents enjoy classic American food and drinks, and the caseta will also be adorned with traditional memorabilia and some “Hogs” outside, thanks to the presence of the Fuengirola Harley Davidson Club.

Two hundred guests invited by C. De Salamanca general manager Gabriel Ruíz and product manager Carlos López and Ferrari’s southern European sales manager Tito Arias were able to admire the world’s first mid-rear-engined berlinetta equipped with a retractable hard-top.

Powered by Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8, which was nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the Year for its engineering excellence, the 458 Spider was built entirely in aluminium. Its hard-top solution offers various advantages over the traditional folding soft-top, including a 25-kilogram reduction in weight and a deployment time of just 14 seconds. The small space needed to house the roof also enabled the designers to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats.

FRIENDS AND GUESTS will be able to enjoy lavish celebrations on 29 July when fashion accessories brand leader Carmen Steffens officially inaugurates its Marbella boutique.

Singers Mario Vaquerizo and Marta Sánchez will be present to help get people in a “magical” festive mood, and model Ariadne Artiles will be joined by brand creator Mario Spaniol, designer Monalisa Spaniol and Carmen Steffens representatives from Uruguay, Paraguay, Holland and Paris, as well as Marbella manager Carmen Domínguez.

One of Brazil’s most successful international brands, Carmen Steffens (founded in Franca in 1993 and named after Mario Spaniol’s mother) has over the years created a high-tech and hand-crafted collection of 3,600 shoe models and 1,400 handbags.

The Marbella boutique is located in Avda. Ramón y Cajal, where clients can find the latest collections as well as the Raphael Steffens line for men and CS Teen. Drawing on a “coquette” style from the 1950s and rustic chic from the 1970s, with a touch of surrealism, the spirit of the 2012 collection is described as “exuberant, maximalist and very sumptuous” – featuring a variety of materials, colours and textures.

FOUR HUNDRED guests enjoyed the lavish celebrations as luxury menswear brand officially inaugurated its new boutique in Puerto Banús. Celebrities attending the launch included Philippe Junot, Hubertus von Hohenlohe, Gunilla von Bismarck and Carmen Lomana.

Hosts Silvio Galimberti, managing director of Ermenegildo Zegna for Spain and Portugal, and Eduardo Nieto, manager of the new boutique, also welcomed Marbella mayoress Ángeles Muñoz to the opening cocktail party.

MARC GENE joined local authorities and 200 guests for the official inauguration of the new Ferrari and Maserati showroom at C. de Salamanca. The first Spaniard to win the Le Mans 24 Hours race (with Alexander Wurz and David Brabham behind the wheel of a Peugeot 908 HDI FAP.5 in 2009), Gene arrived at Marbella’s premier luxury car dealership in the new FF.

The Sabadell-born driver made his Formula One debut for MInardi in the 1999 Australian Grand Prix, and went on to gain a best career place of fifth in the 2003 Italian Grand Prix, before becoming Ferrari’s test driver in 2005. An economics graduate who speaks five languages, he also commentates on Formula for Spain’s La Sexta and Sky Sports in Italy.

Also on show at a special exhibition launched in conjunction with the inauguration was the F2003-GA driven by Michael Schumacher when he won the 2003 world championship, as well as historical photos showcasing special relationships over the years between Maserati and international celebrities.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by C. de Salamanca manager José Carlos de Salamanca, Marbella mayoress Ángeles Muñoz, deputy mayor for San Pedro Alcántara Miguel Troyano, fellow town hall councillors José Eduardo Díaz and Antonio Espada, and C. De Salamanca president Cristina Toda.

Technically speaking…

The FF comes with the first GDI V12 engine to be coupled with the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox. The V12 unleashes 660 CV at 8,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 683 Nm at 6,000 rpm, with 500 Nm already available at just 1,000 rpm. It covers 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 335 km/h.

Efficiency has been significantly boosted with fuel consumption of 15.4 litres per 100 kilometres, and CO2 emissions at 360 g/km, a 25 per cent reduction compared to the previous V12s, thanks in part to the HELE (High Emotions-Low Emissions) System – which incorporates Stop&Start technology.

The price of the FF ranges from €295,000 to €425,000. Four models currently being manufactured for C. de Salamanca have already been sold. Extending over 1,000 square metres, the new installations feature an innovative touch screen enabling clients to configure the car they want, with a direct connection to the manufacturer.

A NEW SEASON begins at Hydros Boutique Hotel – part of Benalmádena’s Holiday World complex – with all five senses on the menu at both its spa and May y Tierra restaurant.

Open to both hotel guests and the general public, Mar y Sierra offers a “completely renewed” menu blending traditional Málaga recipes with a fusion of cuisines from around the world, as well as special thematic events organised by head chef Daniel García, who has worked with three-star Michelin chef Martin Berasategui.

Also in line with its aim of offering “the art of creating sensations”, the hotel is continuing to organise its popular “Full Moon Nights” this year, plus Mediterranean Nights” on Saturdays –combining evening spa with fine dining.

Guests from along the coast were able to enjoy the Hydros experience first-hand at a special inauguration party.

New-style boutique spa hotel

STALWARTS and long-time supporters of the Coast’s theatre scene joined local authorities from Fuengirola Town Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SALVA with a special celebratory party at the Salon Varietes.

The Salon was built in 1925 and operated as a theatre until 1956, when it was turned into a cinema. A group of expatriates negotiated a long-term lease on the building and re-converted it back into a theatre, offering a wide choice of productions… musicals, drama, reviews and farce.

This unique cultural centre for foreign residents and visitors re-opened its doors on 14 June 1985, with Bernard Stanley Bilk, better known as Acker Bilk, and his Paramount Jazz band on the bill.

Members of the Salon’s board, SALVA, work tirelessly to maintain the theatre programme. Some supporters have been involved in professional theatre themselves, and are happy to tread the boards as “amateurs” in the Salon’s productions.

THE COSTA DEL SOL’S famed beach clubbing season is already hotting up, with revellers getting into the mood at Nikki Beach’s first “Amazing Sunday” at the start of May. This chilled-out afternoon began with the hip crowd enjoying laidback house music, cocktails and champagne before the volume was turned up with live entertainment from saxophonists, dancers and drummers.

The next hot date on the calendar at the popular beach club is the “Grand Opening White

Party” on Thursday 27 May, a cool reservation or invitation-only extravaganza with a strict white dress code.

The “Grand Opening Weekend” continues on Friday 28 May, starting at 2pm with the Hawaiian Party and continuing with “a dose of 100 per cent pure London club culture” with Sintillate from 10pm. This will be followed by a Moroccan Charm party on Saturday 29 May at 2pm, with couscous and snake charmers; and the grand finale for hard-core partygoers, another Amazing Sunday event on 30 May.

Looking further ahead, there will be a Latin Party on Thursday 17 June, with international DJs spinning sexy Latin rhythms; and the Buenavista Social Club Party on Saturday 10 July – a tribute to “all things Cuban”, with live music performances from salsa acts and dancing by sultry Latina girls.

Of course, Nikki Beach is not only about chilled-out afternoons and elegant partying. The beach club is also known for its chic cuisine featuring signature dishes inspired by the Nikki Beach experience around the world… in St Tropez, St Barths, Miami, Koh Samui and New York.

For this season, executive chef David Farber has created a new menu including such sushi sensations as the Picasso Roll with lobster, crab, asparagus and mango; and the Chix and Beets Roll with teriyaki chicken and red beets.

New at the “Raw Bar” is a sashimi of white tuna with watermelon, rocket and mint salad, together with fresh fish and seafood ceviche. Other creative dishes on the menu are duck breast marinated in Cointreau, fresh grilled Atlantic salmon on a bed of sweet corn tortillas, spicy avocado and tomato salsa and tika marinated shrimp wraps; while the classic Nikki selection includes Kobe-beef sliders.

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THE COOL Marbella crowd will be out in force again this year for one of the hottest dates of the summer season: the Buddha Beach Summer Party.

Held this year on Friday 11 June, the party will once again feature live music, DJs and some “fabulous surprise acts”. The event is strictly invitation-only, with a gold or white dress code; while a limited number of VIP tickets is also available.

For the rest of summer, Buddha Beach will be presenting live performances by a variety of top artists…

On 17 July: Eighties chart toppers Imagination, known for their hits Just an Illusion, Bodytalk and Flashback and featuring flamboyant lead singer Leee John.

On 31 July: Soul group The Drifters, performing classic songs such as Under the Boardwalk and Saturday Night at the Movies.

From 6 to 8 August: A more relaxed feel with the music of the Gipsy Kings, featuring Manolo and Lito from Marseille.

Finally, on 21 August: Gwen Dickey, the voice of ‘70s soul sensation Rose Royce’s biggest hits including Car Wash, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore and Wishing on a Star.

Meanwhile, the everyday catering in their al fresco restaurant includes fresh seafood platters, Thai fusion cuisine and sushi, as well as light bites and other international favourites.

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THE WISH LIST Fund raised €11,990 from its inaugural gala in Marbella. Held at La Meridiana, the cocktail dinner attracted donations from the German Lions Club, Children for Peace, Charity and Pleasure and SG Hambros Bank (Gibraltar) Limited, as well as photographers Johnny and Juan Carlos. Villa Padierna donated an undisclosed amount to the Ciudad de los Niños children’s home directly.

The Wish List Fund is a group of international, multi-cultural mothers from the Marbella area, who are helping the home (in Málaga) on a voluntary basis. Their main objective is to raise awareness that the home is relying on local support, as subsidies from the Junta de Andalucía (regional government) are only covering the costs of staffing and food.

Contact wishlistfund@yahoo.es for more information.