The quality of the artistic proposal, the character of its repertoire and the extraordinary environmental setting - which has as a backdrop the natural park of the Dunes, the Atlantic Ocean and the Maspalomas lighthouse while the evening sun sets - make this concert, in which Olga and Mestisay are integrated into the modern architectural space proposed by the Mirador, have a warm response from the public.
This is a diverse audience of ages and nationalities, as there are many foreign residents and tourists who come to this annual event. In 2017, the popular island performer and her group began this annual concert on the afternoon of January 1, at 18:30 p.m., in the unique setting of Playa del Inglés. The success of the attendance and atmosphere of the first edition, which exceeded all expectations, has made it a classic of the Christmas cultural programs in Gran Canaria.
This year, the Canarian combo and its popular singer wanted to include in the programme of songs that they have not included in their live performances for a long time; among them, some songs that Manuel González composed for albums two and three decades ago such as “El Santo” or “Se va a salir”. They will also recover titles from their album Atlántico Radio such as the beautiful ballad “Por un día” or Spanish versions of songs that they recorded with musicians from Cape Verde such as “Lus”.
There will also be room to perform compositions by other authors that have been part of the group's recordings and shows; among them, Cecilia's "Ramito de violetas" will be performed, included in their production Canciones del Sur. They will also make room in the programme to revisit, this time with a band, fados translated into Spanish by Olga and Mestisay for their production Estación Lisboa. These songs will be joined by some of their most popular hits such as Agüita or Morena Rosa; thus making a total of more than twenty titles that will close with a version of Maspalomas y tú by Néstor Álamo.
The band will be made up of nine musicians, almost all of them regulars in the Mestisay line-up. Guitarists Pancho Delgado and Manuel González and Hirahi Afonso on the timple will be joined by percussionists Antonio Montesdeoca, Rayco Gil and Totó Noriega, bassist Jaime del Pino, Juan Carlos León “Mosco” on the winds and woodwinds, backing vocalist Isa Padrón and pianist Augusto Báez. The artistic direction of the event is signed by Manuel González.
With this performance, Olga and Mestisay close a year that has been full of artistic commitments; they began it with a tour of various European countries and have closed it with live performances and an important promotional effort over five weeks in the press, radio and television in Colombia and Mexico.
The event, which this year was announced with an original poster created by designer Jorge Leal, was organised and produced by the Department of Culture of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Council, with the co-sponsorship of the Department of Culture of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria and with the collaboration of the Gabinete Literario and Riu Hotels.
