As Billy Joel once said: “Music in itself is healing, an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
Listen to the man: Everyone loves music….
And, as we all know, everyone loves a party. So, Vale da Telha is throwing a party—a Festival of Music to which you are all invited.
It’s taking place on August 20th at the Old School House in Vales, starting at 7.30pm…and admission is free.
To quote another great man, Ireland’s wordsmith George Bernard Shaw: “Hell is full of musical amateurs.”
But there are no musical amateurs here, just seasoned professional musicians and singers, providing hours of great entertainment.
Headline act is The Teds, a rock ‘n’ roll doo-wop band, who all live in the Algarve entertaining holidaymakers.
They are supported by Diamond & Pearl, well-known in the Aljezur area for their range of songs and the quality of their music.
While the two bands are taking centre stage there will also be easier access than ever to no less than FOUR bars, backed up by two food concessions, one organised by Nik and Kim of the Pastelaria, so you can eat and drink between singing along and dancing!
The bar facilities include the normal bar inside the Old School House, two separate beer bars outside, serving draught beer in Imperial or Caneca measures, plus a special cocktail bar run by Hugo of the Piranha as Vale da Telha businesses put their backing behind our own local Festival.
It is sponsored by Aljezur Camara, Lagoa Building Supplies, the Pastelaria do Parque, the Piranha Bar, the http://www.vale-da-telha.eu website, and AMOVATE.
To more practical matters—Port-a-loos will be provided for the men, but the ladies will use the rest rooms inside the Old School House, to make the conveniences more convenient for everyone!
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It’s going to be a fun night, but, as always, there is a serious purpose behind this annual event.
The Vale da Telha Music Festival supports Amovate’s charity fund, and proceeds this year will go towards the Madrugada charity which supports people affected by life-threatening illnesses.
Vale da Telha resident Jeanette Cumberworth, who has had first-hand experience of the comfort and care provided by Madrugada, is raising funds for a Ripple Bed to donate to the charity and your attendance at the Music Festival will help her towards her goal.
So, not only will you have a great night you’ll be helping a great cause as well—two fabulous reasons for being there.
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Back to the music—The Teds claim to guarantee a fun night, describing themselves as a “Real live rock and roll fun band,” and saying “If you want a real fun night, don’t miss The Teds.”
Vocalist and co-founder Sandie Croft, who also sings lead vocals for a jazz band, once sang at the Royal Variety Performance when the Three Degrees topped the bill.
Sandie is also a former Line Dancing teacher who once took second place to the then World Champion in a major competition held in Southampton.
She also recorded the promo CD for the original musical “Winston” which had its world premiere in Portugal last October and has written and performed radio jingles in the UK and Portugal.
Her husband and co-founder Ray Charsley, who plays lead guitar and provides vocals once played and sang lead vocals in the band The Game, which had Kenny Lynch as its recording manager and played live on “Ready, Steady, Go” with their debut single being voted a hit on Jukebox Jury, reaching No.36 in the charts.
Later he played in a musical comedy band “Sweet Illusion” which recorded three albums and played live on BBC TV’s Pebble Mill, and at The Royal Albert Hall.
In 1979 Ray and future wife vocalist Sandie Croft met up, and from 1980 onwards they have played together as a musical multi instrumental duo both in Britain & abroad.
In the mid 1980´s Ray played with several brass bands up in Yorkshire, and also with the Championship section Jaguar Cars City of Coventry.
In 1988 Ray & Sandie moved to Portugal where Ray played Trumpet & Trombone with the OJL Jazz Orchestra & was vocalist & Trombonist/Trumpet player with the Easy Street Jazz band.
In 2009 he and Sandie became founder members of the Teds rock n roll band.
They were joined by Luis Hilario on double bass, drummer “Eddie” from Germany and Pete Lucas on keyboards.
Luis was born in the UK to a Portuguese father and English mother and also has experience playing guitar & drums.
From the age of 15 Luis played with various UK bands including a rockabilly band, before moving to the Algarve in 1995 where he was invited to play electric bass with a local rock band.
He has since played in several different bands, playing varied styles of music including Jazz, Latin & rock, finally joining the Teds at their inception in 2009 playing slap bass & singing.
Eddie’s first contact with music was though his parents, as his father played the drums, horn, flute and mallets and his mother was a singer.
Though his parents never encouraged him to play an instrument – “he was supposed to learn a decent profession” – he felt a deep attraction towards drums and percussion.
After he completed his study of dental techniques he then played the drums for the first time in a band during his national service in the navy.
In 2009 when Eddie was asked to be a co founder of The Teds he entered the Jazz school in Lagos to continue the study of his instrument.
Pete, from the UK, started playing and studying classical piano age 8 and continued to play through his school years taking his music grades at this time.
He sang in a choir at the London Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic and began playing guitar & ukelele age 13.
In the 90´s Pete moved to Portugal and took up the piano again, playing in duets, and with a band playing rock n roll.
Nowadays, when he’s not gigging with The Teds Pete plays solo piano to backing tracks for hotels and private functions.
Of course, support act Diamond and Pearl need little introduction to these parts, frequently topping the bill at events around the Western Algarve.
Singer Pearl C is from Berlin and singer / guitarist Ricky is from London.
Ricky nows lives on Vale da Telha and has been a prime mover behind the Vale da Telha Music Festival.
Together, they take you on a journey through a musical landscape of rock, pop, ballad and dance hits accompanied by backing tracks created in their own studio.
So, put the date, August 20th, from 7.30pm onwards, in your diary.
Free admission, great entertainment, food and drinks on tap at great prices….what more could you want whether you are a resident, a visitor or a holidaymaker!!