LANZAROTE CARNIVALS 2024

Sur Caliente celebrates its 25th anniversary: "Despite everything, we continue day by day for the Carnival with enthusiasm"

A career dedicated to "the entire public, because without them we would not be here," explained choreographer Yonay Alonso, about the feeling that all the members have

Eider Pascual

Journalist

January 20 2024 (07:52 WET)
Updated in January 20 2024 (07:52 WET)
Comparsa Sur Caliente from Lanzarote in 2000
Comparsa Sur Caliente from Lanzarote in 2000

The Lanzarotean troupe Sur Caliente has celebrated its 25th anniversary this 2024. The group, which was founded in 1999, 25 years ago, also celebrates its anniversary coinciding with the carnival tradition in the Canary Islands. Originally from Puerto del Carmen and created by neighbors and friends of the municipality, it arrives full of novelties and surprises for this coming February. It is one of the most recognized troupes on the island and the second in the province of Las Palmas with the most years in activity.

Puerto del Carmen, as it could not be in another location, will be the place of presentation of the group next month. On Sunday, January 28 and on the occasion of its anniversary, Sur Caliente will be in the Plaza del Varadero in a presentation event, with recognitions, surprises and invited artists. "It will be a special event in which we will have the performance of the Canarian humorist Matías Alonso, and other novelties," its choreographer Yonay Alonso told La Voz.

But its official launch will begin on February 4 during the presentation at the Tías Carnival. "We will present ourselves together with all the groups and we will do a show," he explains. After that, the route through the different municipalities of Lanzarote begins. "Then we start the performances in hotels and the Carnival parades." A troupe that also moves to other islands, such as Fuerteventura, to which they will return shortly after.

One of the best-known troupes in Lanzarote, which includes about 60 participants between the dance and music corps, all residents of the volcanic island. New members have joined the group this year. "We still have participants from several years ago, but the vast majority are new girls this year," Alonso detailed. A 25-year career through which many members have passed in the different parts of the troupe and many have been the "various designers and choreographers and stages through which they have passed, until reaching today," he added. Despite "all the stones that have been put in our way", they "continue day by day for the Carnival with enthusiasm", he declared.

In addition, it should be noted that they continue with the legacy left by the mentors of the group: its first president Marta Robaina, the choreographer Isidro Castellano and the designer Oswaldo Machín, among others who have made it possible to continue enjoying Sur Caliente.

Carnival is coming

In addition, there are only a few weeks left until the Carnival begins in Lanzarote. The Sur Caliente troupe is warming up to receive it. He anticipates that what is coming will be completely unique. “It will be a unique and special show, the best prepared of these 25 years.” A presentation that will commemorate the 25th anniversary, in which the public will be the main protagonist. “Dedicated to all those people who have been with us, to the public, because without them we would not be here,” Alonso highlighted. The complete staging and all the work carried out will mean “a thank you to the spectators,” he adds.

With a choreography with Latin and samba rhythms, batucada and a very special design, is what they have been preparing for almost a year. "We have been rehearsing since the month of May", Yonay Alonso revealed to the newspaper, a member for 11 years. "We have created the choreography from the illusion and with all our desire," he reveals.

The 27 dancers directed by Alonso arrive with great enthusiasm for the next Carnival. The choreographer highlights that, without the illusion of the new additions, they could not continue. "The important thing is the illusion that we are maintaining and the one that the new members who join us transmit to us."

From his role as director of the choreographies, he is clear that "trying to make everyone happy" is the best recipe for everything to go well and make the participants disconnect from the problems in the rehearsals". One of the anecdotes he remembers from the many rehearsals of this year are the foot fractures and falls. "We have had everything, but we hope to arrive safe and sound for the Carnival”, he said jokingly.

The rehearsals have been part of their day to day at the beginning of the month of May and now that the last two weeks are coming, they repeat the routine to leave everything ready. "The dancers already have the choreography learned as if it were the Our Father, only the last details remain to be given," he points out.

Worked choreography and priority to design

Getting involved with the design is his biggest goal until February. "We are going to spend many nights and hours in the premises, and it is time to give more priority to the design," the choreographer specified. He anticipates what will leave all Lanzarote residents with their mouths open. "The staging is going to be the most surprising thing we are going to have.”

Regarding the design they will wear this year, he assures that “we have never released a design like this in 25 years”. A bet that will be highly worthwhile and for which “we have invested a lot, the public deserves to see something unique”, he tells the newspaper. “We hope they enjoy it and continue to receive us with their applause as every year,” they have set as their purpose.

"The staging is going to be the most surprising thing we are going to have.”

Given the importance of the Carnival festival in the Archipelago, the group recognizes that these are dates to have a great time. “Carnival is enjoyment and joy, forgetting about problems and leaving them aside”. Dates that require a lot of involvement and giving 100%. “We have high expectations and with our nerves on edge,” Alonso explained about the feeling that all the members have. What they most want is “that people like it and that people are satisfied.”

The Carnival of last year had just ended, and they were already working on the one of 2024. "We immediately began to prepare what can be enjoyed soon," he said. The most decisive weeks are still missing. “Two very overwhelming weeks, there is a lot of work to do,” he recalls.

“Carnival is enjoyment and joy, forgetting about problems and leaving them aside”

Pedro Vizcaíno, the current president and designer, is in charge of designing the costumes, the last phase in which they are actively working. “Pedro designs one, but then you have to make and decorate the others,” Yonay pointed out. In addition, Vizcaíno is pending the "good functioning in the premises, and that we are comfortable", adds the young man. In addition, he does not forget the director of the batucada, Borja Hernández, who is also a fundamental part in the direction of the troupe.

Everyone involved in the design until the end. "As with the choreography, we have been designing since May," he assured. He makes clear what it means for the group. "I recognize that it is a lot of work for the result of only one week.”

The choreographer makes a positive assessment of this very sacrificial work towards the Carnival. “It's hard, you take things home, but it's rewarding”, he concludes.

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