Although the Playa Blanca Carnival will take place from March 12 to 15, the municipality of Yaiza has already lit the fuse for the southern festivities with the superb explosion of fantasy from four creative music and dance groups that offered the public gathered this Saturday in the Uga tent all their skill, built in silence over several months of work: Ballet Dance Pop, Comparsa Los Timanfeiros, and the batucadas Los Yaiseros and Ritmos del Sur, are responsible for the south of Lanzarote being infused with carnival spirit
One only had to notice the curiosity among the audience that filled the Uga tent, to capacity, as had not been seen in several years, and their reaction from beginning to end of the show. The public, bursting with joy, enjoyed the gala and appreciated the creative effort of the groups, the costume designs, choreography, music, and above all, their outpouring of energy displayed on stage for an achieved goal, the enjoyment of the people. And this is just the beginning, because many Carnival surprises are coming, as hinted by the mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, and the Councilor for Festivities, Daniel Medina, interviewed by presenter Paola Delgado
Dance Pop kicked off the gala with a performance prepared exclusively to pay tribute to ‘The Gods of Olympus,’ an allegory for the Playa Blanca Carnival 2026. Their gods and goddesses, guided by choreographer Ruymán Medina, dazzled the audience with their dance performance, versatile and exquisite in its coordination, musical and scenic ambiance, and costumes created by designer Manuel Camejo. Dance Pop is a benchmark group in Lanzarote, and their 29-year career is no accident.
The age-old Japanese culture also knocked on the door of the southern Carnival. **The Warriors of the Rising Sun** disembarked in Uga, no less than 22 warriors, male and female, from the batucada Los Yaiseros, musically directed by Willy Morales. Their fantastic inspiration has the support of Manuel Camejo in design to shape the mix of rhythm, passion, and joy. Willy had words of thanks for the president of the batucada, Javi Jiménez, also praising the performance of all his fellow musicians.
And then it was time for Los Timanfeiros, a troupe founded in '94, which is part of Yaiza's festive and cultural history. Carnival 2026 marks their first five years since their reappearance, as they were away from the stages and the streets for a while, but their journey over the last five years confirms that this is a group that missed Carnival. Dance, art, and stage presence characterize their dance troupe and batucada, who enter and exit the stage intertwining surprising episodes of their creative proposal.
Los Timanfeiros have 50 members, the choreographic direction is by Jony Gutiérrez, and their batucada is led by Dani García. This year's design was created by Isidro Castellano, and the enthusiasm and drive of their president, Luis Martín, are also commendable.
The batucada Ritmos del Sur had the honor of closing the night of this first taste of Carnival in the municipality of Yaiza. Adventurous and daring Scandinavian navigators dropped anchor in Uga to share their fantasy ‘Vikings of Valhalla’, a warrior-like proposal that in its music and design reflects the characteristic spirit and identity of this group led by Néstor Rodríguez. Ritmos del Sur, presided over by Acoidán Betancort, continues to grow with the beat of the drum, good vibes, and the commitment of its 32 members.
The Yaiza City Council publicly highlights the tireless and creative work of the carnival groups, the effort made by the women and men who are part of them, as well as their families, and all the people with no visible face on stage who contribute to rounding off a show that delights and amazes.
