Ski Instructors Report 28th January 2011

IS LIVE MUSIC DEAD?

The bar managers in Arinsal appear to disagree on this. Due to the falling number of guest some bars have done away with live music, whilst others have increased the number of sessions. In past years, the Princesa Parc Hotel had “Ian West” playing in the piano bar, most evenings“Sounds r us” played light pop rock, in Bogart’s bar, with guest appearances at weekends from “Dr Freeman” from Barcelona. The front man “Lenni”, of this pop reggae band, was a master at working the audience, he soon had the guests bopping and dancing to the band’s infectious rhythm. When the hotel was very busy they occasionally had a musician in another bar. This year they only have Ian playing piano in the lounge. On the other hand, The Derby (The Irish bar) now has more sessions by live musicians. They have a very popular Irish singer, “Matt McGinnan” playing during the après ski session. I heard this very talented singer the other night. He had a great voice and was excellent at sensing the mood of the audience and playing suitable music. The “Ragamuffins play on Friday and Sunday evenings. This has proved to be very popular, as Sunday nights are very quiet, because the guests who have just arrived are usually tired after a very early start. Another bar with live music is the Quo Vadis, where “Mike (Elvis) Jones” entertains at après ski and on Friday nights. Scott the popular ski instructor plays guitar when requested. The Palarine often has “Mike” or “Trevor & Eileen” playing in the Bambu bar. El Cau hosts the Decades party mentioned in my last report and frequently has a musician in the lower bar.

This week, I had a lovely class of timid ladies. The all completed the slalom race and used the six seat chair lift, although one lady did need a lot of comforting. Well done ladies it was a pleasure. We have enjoyed great skiing conditions this week, cold, good snow and sunshine. However it started snowing on Friday afternoon and as I write this on Friday night it is still snowing. Let us all hope that it continues.

I return to the U.K. on Monday so there may not be a report next week.