Leljet Lapsi Notte Gozitana will be providing entertaining events organised by the private sector for the enjoyment of different audiences.
At 8.30pm on Friday, 18 May, popular Italian singer Bobby Solo and his band will give a live concert during an evening of song, food and drink at the citadel in Victoria in aid of the Arka Foundation. This concert will be preceded by one by Maltese singer Vittorio Gauci, who is being brought over specifically for the event from abroad. Tickets for this double concert cost Lm7.50.
On the same evening, the citadel’s fortifications will host a wide variety of local wines at the Delicata Wine Festival, admittance to which is free. Those over 16 years of age wishing to sample the wines on offer may buy a commemorative wine glass for Lm3.75. Local singers and artistes will add colour to the wine festival, which starts at 7.30pm.
On Saturday, 19 May, the three British tenors Tenori, of international acclaim, accompanied on the piano by Mro John Galea, will sing solo and ensemble popular pieces, including Funiculi Funicula, Tonight, Maria, Che gelida manina from La Boheme, Granada, Caruso, and O sole mio at the Aurora Opera House at 7pm. Tickets are priced at Lm5.50, Lm7.50 and Lm9.50.
Seats for these events are limited and those wishing to attend are encouraged to book and buy tickets in advance from Exotique, Agenda Bookshops, Bookends, Newskiosk and KSU, or online from www.maltaticket.com
Also on the same evening, fans of the Zoo team can follow the most recent comedy produced by these popular characters, Lejl bit-Torch ma’ Zoo, at the Astra Theatre. Chrysander Agius, Claire Agius Ordway, Daniel Chircop and Owen Bonnici will bring this entertaining event during Lejlet Lapsi, with numerous runs throughout the night. The first show begins at 8pm, with repetitions at 9.30 and 11pm, and 12.30 am, with the possibility of more runs on demand.
Lejl bit-Torch ma’ Zoo is organised by the La Stella band club with the support of General Soft Drinks, Bonitos Restaurant and Herbees Diner.
Admission at Lm1 is permitted to people over 16 years of age. It is recommended that tickets are bought in advance from the Astra booking office, which will be open on Saturday from 7pm, website www.zoo.com.mt
Further information may be obtained on tel. No. 2155-9832, or via email [email protected] or online www.gozoculture.com
Entertainment for children in Sabina Square
Activities for children will be held in Sabina Square in Victoria during Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana on Saturday, 19 May.
As from 6pm there will be a pre-show in the square consisting of various inter-activities and talent performances by young Gozitan children. This will be followed by Ronald McDonalds’ show on the main stage – the children’s area is being supported by Mcdonalds. The theatrical group Curtain Raiser will present Once Upon a Toy at 8.30pm.
The original musical Once upon a Toy, written by Patrick Vella of Curtain Raiser Theatre Troupe, uses gadgets and different skills and talents. It is a story based inside a toyshop where the audience, who also become a part of the show, can see the toys come to life.
Patrick Vella, together with his cast and crew, will be transforming Sabina Square into a children’s wonderland, with colours all around and a set that will transform the audience into a place of wonder. The toy shop itself, which will be most of the stage area, will be full of traditional toys, and those that are moveable – such as the toy train, the teddy bear, the toy soldier, the robot and the toy fairy, together with Jack-in-the box – are all actors, who will also be accompanied by professionally made hand puppets that were custom-made in the US.
The performance ends at 10.30pm.
Further information can be obtained by ringing tel. no.2155-9832, or via email to [email protected] or online at www.gozoculture.com
Four free guided tours in the capital of Gozo
On Saturday, 19 May, the public will have an opportunity to visit some interesting and unusual places in Victoria, the capital of Gozo, and learn some historical facts about the city as part of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana.
There will be four different guided tours, each of one hour, led by a licensed guide and leaving a specific departure point every 10 minutes. Each of the four tours will be held 13 times so that the public will have the option of covering all the four tours at different times during the day. Participation is free of charge.
The first tour is entitled Shelters, and after visiting the shelters in St Augustine Convent, Narrow Street, participants will then proceed to the Citadel Bastions. The meeting and departure point is at St Augustine Square, starting from 10.30am and then every 10 minutes, with the last tour leaving at 12.30pm.
Another tour will be focusing on Victoria’s architecture and narrow streets and visitors will be able to enjoy a walkabout in the various narrow streets and squares of Victoria. The meeting and departure point will be at Sabina Square, with the first tour leaving at 12 noon and the last tour leaving at 2pm.
The third tour is entitled Sacred art and churches, and the route will include St Francis Church, St Augustine Church (through A Maria Hili and Charity Streets) and St George’s Basilica. The meeting point will be in St Francis Square (next to the stone cross). The tours will leave every 10 minutes, starting at 3pm, and the last tour will leave at 5pm.
The fourth tour will be focusing on Crafts and Gastronomy and participants will have the opportunity to visit Ta’ Sopu, where olive oil, limoncello and goats’ milk cheese are produced, and Il-Forn ta‘ Kampnari where the delicious Gozitan ftira (a Maltese bread variation) is baked. The tour will see Tal-Qubbajd (Gozitan nougat) at Portelli confectionery, which also produces Qaghaq ta’ l-Ghasel (honey rings), Prinjolata (Easter traditional sweet) and Krustini (traditional biscuits).
In addition to Gozitan gastronomy, visitors will also be taken to see Gozitan handicrafts at the Gozo Ministry, where students from the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts will be manufacturing wrought iron. This tour will depart from Independence Square next to St James Church every 10 minutes starting from 3pm. The last tour will leave the same place at 5pm.
Further information may be obtained on tel. 2155-9832, or via email [email protected] or online www.gozoculture.com