Gozo's capital becomes a stage for spectacular events

The curtain will be raised in Victoria this evening on three days of activities bringing traditions, culture and history to life.

The programme of Lejlet Lapsi - Notte Gozitana kicks off at 7. 30 p.m. with a tasting of local wines at the Delicata Wine Festival, at the Citadel. Singers and artistes will be in attendance. Entrance is free.

Here are some highlights from the programme.

Tomorrow

Music

The three British tenors of international acclaim, Tenori, will be performing at the Ministry for Gozo at 7 p.m. Tenori, who will be accompanied on piano by John Galea, were previously announced to perform at the Aurora Opera House.

Tickets for the Tenori concert are now selling at Lm5.50 and those who have bought tickets for the original price of Lm7.50 and Lm9.50 will be given a refund.

The Big Band Brothers, a 13-strong band, will present a repertoire of classical, Latin, jazz standards and pop music on the Pop Stage, St Francis Square, from 8 to 9.30 p.m.

The Versatile Brass Band will follow with a performance between 9.45 and 11.15 p.m. The band is renowned for its vast repertoire of different genres music.

Claire Baluci will perform from 11.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. accompanied by soprano Jacqueline Micallef Grimaud, vocalist Nicole Weaving and classic vocalist Beatrice Calleja.

Rock and other local bands will give a grand concert at Independence Square kicking off at 9 p.m. until the early hours of Sunday morning. Admission is free.

The concert opens with Klinsmann Coleiro and Band, followed by Frenzy Mono from 10.45 p.m. to 12.15 a.m. Corkskrew will sing from 12.30 to 2 a.m., and Etnika will round off with a performance from 2.30 to 4 a.m.

Theatre, film and football

The FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United will be shown on a big screen at the Don Bosco Oratory, St Augustine Square, at 4 p.m.

The Don Bosco Oratory will also screen two family films - Goal 2 at 6.15 p.m. and Charlotte's Web at 8.30 p.m. Tickets cost Lm1.20 for adults and 80c for children.

The Dù Theatre Group will presents a contemporary production entitled Lacuna at the Citadel at 7.30 p.m. with a repeat performance at the Sentinella Hall at midnight. Admission is free.

L-Imfietah, produced by theatre company Talenti, will be held at the Don Bosco Oratory at 10.45 p.m., finishing at midnight. The comedy is rated 16+ and tickets, at Lm1, will be available from the Don Bosco Oratory tomorrow from 4 p.m.

The Zoo team presents Lejl bit-Torch ma' Zoo at the Teatru Astra. The first show kicks off at 8 p.m. with repetitions at 9.30 p.m., 11 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. with the possibility of more runs on demand. Entrance at Lm1 is permitted to persons over 16 years of age. Tickets will be available from the Teatru Astra's booking office which will be open tomorrow from 7 p.m.

Sunday

The programme of events rounds up with a plant and flower market at Castle Hill between 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.; an annual spring fair at the Ninu Cremona Lyceum, in Victoria from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a parade by the Italian Sbandieratori in the main streets between 10 a.m. and noon.

A Kwaranturi Pontifical Mass and procession will be held from 5.30 p.m. onwards.

Mattia Preti's exhibition at the Banca Giuratale will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a live performance with highlights from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Pochahontas and Tarzan will be staged by students at Sir A. Mercieca School.

For further information call 2155 9832, e-mail events@gozoculture.com or visit www.gozoculture.com.

Gozo hotels 'fully booked'

Gozo hotels are fully booked while self-catering accommodation outlets are registering a constant flow of bookings, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said yesterday.

"This boom in tourism activity is happening during what would have been an otherwise relatively calm weekend for the tourism industry in Gozo," Mrs Debono said as she toured the sites where the main activities of this weekend's Lejlet Lapsi - Notte Gozitana will be held.

"Lejlet Lapsi - Notte Gozitana is a unique opportunity for Gozo to promote its cultural and artistic treasures not only to the Gozitans but to the thousands of Maltese and tourists who will be visiting our sister island for this particular event," Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, who was accompanying Mrs Debono, said.

He said that in its tourism plans, the government is giving special attention to Gozo which is being promoted as a destination in its own right with its characteristics and culture and with special sectors such as the diving segment.

Transport arrangements tomorrow

In Malta

To Cirkewwa
A shuttle service will leave the bus terminus in Valletta. Between 2 and 6 p.m. transport leaves for Cirkewwa from these areas: Gavino Gulia Square, Cospicua; April 9 Street, Luqa; the bus terminus, Birkirkara; near Paramount Garage, Mosta; A. de Paule Square, Paola; near the Health Centre, Qormi; Sliema Ferry.

From Cirkewwa
A shuttle service will leave Cirkewwa for Valletta. Between 1.30 and 5.30 a.m. transport leaves from Cirkewwa to the areas listed above.

Fare is 50c per person one way.

In Gozo

To Victoria
A shuttle service from Mgarr to Victoria will run from 5.30 p.m. to midnight. Transport will also be provided to Victoria every 45 minutes between 6.30 and 10.15 p.m. to these villages:
Kennedy Square: Nadur - Qala - Ghajnsielem - Xewkija - Xaghra - Marsalforn.
Pope John Paul II Street: Zebbug - Ghasri - Gharb - San Lawrenz - Kercem - Santa Lucija.
Carolina Cauchi Street: Xlendi - Munxar - Sannat.

Transport passing through Kercem will run from 6.15 to 11 p.m.

From Victoria
A shuttle service from Victoria to Mgarr will be operated from midnight to 4.30 a.m. Transport will also be from Victoria every hour from midnight until 3 a.m. as above.

Fares are Lm1 per person including return trip.

Ferry

Gozo Channel Co. Ltd will also be offering a special sea transport arrangement, with a shuttle service operated between Cirkewwa and Mgarr. The service today and tomorrow from noon until midnight will be offered at Lm3.60 for a driver and car and 60c for passengers on foot.