Costa Blanca culture and community: From Playmobil pioneers to Jazz under the stars

From inspiring exhibitions and world-class music performances to community fundraising events, there is plenty happening across the Costa Blanca this summer. Residents and visitors can explore the lives of pioneering women through a unique Playmobil exhibition, enjoy internationally acclaimed jazz and flamenco artists in Elche, discover colourful new artwork in Almoradí or support a local charity at a special spiritual evening in Orihuela Costa.

Toy stories bring history to life

A unique exhibition celebrating some of history’s most influential women has arrived in Orihuela, using Playmobil figures to tell stories that helped change the world.

The exhibition, Famous Women, is now open at La Lonja and will run until 3 July, offering visitors a creative journey through history.

Using more than 1,000 Playmobil figures spread across two large displays, the exhibition highlights the lives and achievements of ten women who broke barriers in fields traditionally dominated by men.

Among those featured are education pioneer Maria Montessori, Spanish politician and women’s voting rights campaigner Clara Campoamor, acclaimed writer Virginia Woolf and aviation trailblazer Amelia Earhart. Visitors can also learn about the lives of violinist Stefi Geyer, botanist Lilian Suzette Gibbs, artist Tamara de Lempicka, fashion icon Coco Chanel, sculptor Camille Claudel and composer Ethel Smyth.

Through detailed miniature scenes, the exhibition explores contributions to education, science, politics, literature, art, music and women’s rights, bringing important moments in history to life in an engaging and accessible way.

Orihuela Mayor Pepe Vegara praised the exhibition for combining creativity, education and culture while encouraging younger generations to discover inspiring stories that are sometimes overlooked in traditional history books.

Colour and creativity in Almoradí

Art lovers in Almoradí have a few more weeks to discover the colourful world of artist Victoria Sanz following the opening of her latest exhibition at the Town Hall Exhibition Hall.

Titled Mi obra día a día (My Work Day by Day), the exhibition opened on 13 June and remains on display until 18 July.

The exhibition features a carefully selected range of paintings created using watercolour, oil, pastel and acrylic techniques.

Originally from Cuenca, the artist has enjoyed a lifelong connection with painting. Her work reflects a journey from realism towards more imaginative and expressive creations filled with vibrant colours, striking contrasts and themes of creativity and personal growth.

Summer Jazz arrives in Elche

Some of Spain’s biggest names in jazz and flamenco will take to the stage in Elche next month as the Elx Jazz Festival returns.

The popular festival will be held on 1, 2 and 3 July in the Rotonda of Elche’s Municipal Park, offering three evenings of live music in the heart of the city’s famous Palmeral.

Performers include the Tino Di Geraldo Quartet, Estrella Morente, Rafael Riqueni and Raimundo Amador, bringing together jazz, flamenco, blues, rock and Latin influences across three nights of entertainment.

Tickets are available from the Gran Teatro box office and online, with prices ranging from €12 to €32 depending on the performance.

Soul connections for a good cause

A special evening of spiritual guidance and fundraising is coming to Playa Flamenca with proceeds helping support local charity Help at Home Costa Blanca.

UK medium Rachel Neate will host a Spiritual Soul to Soul Night on Sunday 21 June from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Playa Flamenca Commercial Centre.

Tickets are priced at €15, with all proceeds going to Help at Home Costa Blanca, a charity that provides practical support and assistance to local residents in need.

Seats are limited and organisers are encouraging people to book early. Every euro raised will help the charity continue its valuable work within the local community while offering attendees an interesting and memorable evening.

Acoustic appeal to support AACC Cancer Charity

Local musicians will come together for an evening of live acoustic music and fundraising with all donations supporting the AACC Cancer Charity.

Campoverde Acoustics will take place at De Vito’s Bar on Wednesday 24 June from 7:30 PM, offering an informal night of folk, pop, country and classical music performed by local amateur musicians.

Entry is free, although donations will be collected throughout the evening for the AACC Cancer Charity, which provides vital support services for people affected by cancer. Funds raised help finance life-saving cancer screening tests and enable the charity to continue supporting local residents facing a cancer diagnosis.

De Vito’s Bar is located at Avda Pino del P C, 03191 Pinar de Campoverde.

Anyone wishing to arrange a cancer screening appointment with AACC can email AACC.Campoverde-scans@hotmail.com for further information.