After three weeks in which the carnivals have traveled through the neighborhoods and centers of the municipality, it is the turn of the Costa Mogán Carnival 2024, which will begin tomorrow, February 22, in style with the celebration of the Drag Gala. Mogollons, workshops, the People's Gala, the Family Carnival and the Day Carnival, the Parade and novelties such as the carnival and solidarity walk Kilómetros from Arguineguín until Sunday the 25th.
The stage of the Moganero 'Carnivals of the World', located in the Plaza Negra in Arguineguín, is prepared to be premiered by the spectacular platforms of the 9 drags that participate this Thursday in a gala that promises a lot of fun, sass, satire and extravangance to the highest level because more is more, and better. This was stated this morning from this location by the Councilor for Culture and Celebrations, Mencey Santana, and the artistic director of the event, Nauzet Afonso.
“It is the most anticipated part of our Carnival,” said Santana, who, however, “hopes that all the events have a high participation, that people get involved and have a good time but calmly.” Afonso, for his part, stressed that the Drag Gala “will have all the ingredients that make the public move their hips and have the best time.”
The stage, designed by Alberto Rabaina of Universo GC, has taken shape in the absence of the last details, as he himself explained. “We have been working on the set for about three months,” he notes. As it could be otherwise, it is inspired by famous carnivals in the world such as Brazil, Venice, Nice and New Orleans, so elements typical of these enclaves predominate, resulting in a decoration at the level of what a festival of this kind caliber they deserve.
We will be able to see it in all its splendor when the Draga Gala starts at 21:00 p.m., which will be hosted by the popular presenter Roberto Herrera and in addition to having the performances of the contestants, the public will be able to enjoy Neo Pinto, who has provided voice in several occasions at the Canary Islands Carnival; Sharonne, winner of the second season of the television program Drag Race Spain; and Soraya Naoyin, singer and songwriter.
Prior to this event, at 18:00 p.m., the Costa Mogán Carnival will officially start with a family carnival gymkhana and the 'Carnival in Equality' – craft workshops and games – in the tent in Plaza Pérez Galdós.
Already on the afternoon of Friday the 23rd, specifically at 17:00 p.m., a carnival tortilla workshop will take place at the 'La Chirina' Arguineguín Youth Center and at night the talent from Mogan will be exhibited at the so-called Gala del Pueblo with Oscar Navarro, local radio television presenter. The ACEDANCE dance academy, the Ana Vega Ballet, the Municipal Sports Schools, the Mogán Occupational Center and the World Entertainment School (WES) dance academy will not miss this event, which begins at 21:00 p.m. Next, there will be a lot of carnival with the Tribute to Ricky Martin and DJ Promaster.
The Parade will be on Saturday, February 24, starting at 19:00 p.m. As usual, there will be batucadas, troupes, carnival groups and, of course, all the mascaritas who wish to join. Councilor Santana has reported that, due to the improvement and partial pedestrianization works on Miguel Marrero Rodríguez Street, the route varies compared to previous years. This year it will begin on Mencey Avenue, continue along Francisco Navarro Navarro, Guanarteme and Jucomar streets, culminating in Damasco Street, passing the IES Arguineguín. At the end, the party will continue in the Plaza Negra with the mogollón starring Furia Joven, DJ Sammyto and Orquesta Banda Larga.
The last day of the Costa Mogán Carnival 2024 will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Plaza de Las Marañuelas with the 'Family Carnival' that includes activities such as a costume catwalk, children's entertainment, workshops, face painting, photocall, tortillas and chocolate. There will also be a costume contest with a prize.
Around 12:30 p.m. the carnival and solidarity walk 'Your Carnival with Kilometers of Solidarity' will depart from this location. The event, organized by the Kilómetros
The parade will end in the Plaza Negra, where the Carnival will then begin
by Day 'La Bajeta' to the sound of Ritmo Bakano, Los Salvapantallas and Armonía Show. It will be at 19:00 p.m., with the sun setting, when the Sardina wake begins with the Charanga La Aldea and the entire carnival family in the Plaza Negra. Next, the funeral procession will leave for Las Marañuelas beach with the participation of Los Nietos de Sary Mánchez escorting the Sardine, which will be burned, ending the 2024 Costa Mogán Carnival.
