There is Carnival and then there is a whole lot of other activities and events in the cultural programme for February, all around the island.
Essential Madeira has several suggestions of cultural and gastronomic programmes to make your February in Madeira even more enjoyable. Find out what the World’s Leading Island Destination has in store for you.
Music
The Madeira Classical Orchestra along with the other groups that are part of Associação Notas e Sinfonias Atlânticas offer a varied programme for February.
On Februry 1t, F.B.I., Funchal Beat Investigation, that is, will be hosting an improve evening with acts by guest musicians: a moment of experimenting with sound in a singular format.
On February 4th, Ensemble XXI will take over the Legislative Assembly of Madeira at around 6 p.m. while on the 11th, the Madeira Classical Orchestra will celebrate its birthday with guest musicians Mário Laginha and Maria João at the auditorium of Casino da Madeira’s conference centre.
At 9: 30 p.m. on February 15th, Madeira Camerata will be at the Belmond Reid’s Palace for a chamber music concert. At 6 p.m. on February 18th the ‘Atlântida’ air quintet will be at the Legislative Assembly of Madeira. And finally, on the 26th of February, at 6 p.m., the Madeira Classical Orchestra and the Conservatory of Madeira will join hands for a Carnival concert at the auditorium of Casino da Madeira’s conference centre.
‘Music in the Chapels’ is back for its 4th edition and there are several concerts in the two chapels of Ponta do Sol scheduled for the 4th and 18th of February.
Every month ‘Fatum’ breathe new life into the old Jesuits’ College of Funchal by singing traditional student fado music. This February, the concert will be on the 18th, at 9 p.m.
February 25th will see young artist Pedro Silva playing a cello concert for the Cliff Bay’s audience at the Vila Porto Mare hotel as part of the PortoBay Classic Young Talents initiative.
Throughout 2017, the Quinta da Cruzes Museum will be hosting a commented music audition with songs played on their Orchestrophone, a mechanical musical instrument from the late 19th century.
Wine & Gourmet
Between the 7th and 12th of February, the PortoBay hosts the ‘PortoBay Chocolate and Wine’ event. A diverse programme comprising themed décor, afternoon tea, happy hours, guided tours with wine tastings included, sculptures, workshops and special entertainment.
Exhibitions
The Mudas.Museum of Contemporary Art has a packed house in February.
‘Backstories’ is in display until April 30th and gathers pieces by Pedro Calapez, Rui Sanchez and Mitsuo Miura themed around the oeuvre of Maria Helena Vieira da Silva.
‘Parlelamente’ will be in display until April 30th and it portrays a dialogue between pieces by sculptor Amândio Sousa and painter Jorge Pinheiro.
‘Chão de Orações’, also in display Mudas.Museum of Contemporary Art of Madeira gathers pieces by Daniel Vasconcelos de Melim relating to his Madeiran roots. In display until March 31st.
And Armazém do Mercado does not fall behind in terms of art. ‘Portraits’, gathers Corné Eksteen’s pieces which portray not only the visual but also the emotional. Artist and architect Jennie Castle has her works exposed in ‘Orchid’. Both are in display until April 1st.
Galeria do Prazeres hosts the ‘O Puro e o Céladon’ exhibition displaying Doris Mitchell’s porcelain pieces, a material with which she has worked since 1987.
Theatre
Fans of the performing arts have the option of watching ‘Ifigénia’, on stage at the Baçtazar Dias Municipal Theatre at 9 p.m. on February 3rd. This adaptation of a greek tragedy brings the cast of the Dona Maria II National Theatre to Madeira alongside some guest performers.
On February 8th and 10th, at 9 p.m. and on the 11th and 12th, at 7 p.m., ‘Variações de António’ will be on stage at the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre. A monologue centred on one of the most important moments in the life of Portuguese artist António Variações.
Õ the 17th and 18th of February, at 9 p.m., and on th 19th, at 6 p.m. ‘Pop! Se calhar o amor é isso’, a comedy drama, is on stage at the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre
Carnival
Na finally, the landmark event of February in Madeira island. Carnival stakes off on the 22nd and comes to an end on March 1st. the night of the 25th will see the streets of Funchal be filled with light as the ‘Great Allegorical Parade’, the much expected moment combining fashion, music and dance. On the 28th, it will be the traditional satirical parade that runs down the streets bringing entertainment to the people. Two dates of celebration for your calendar and which return to Funchal every year. The nights in between are best spent in clubs and bars that host themed nights that thrill the senses of just about anyone.
