The clubs L’Animalà, El Parotet and Malfaeners win the Adult and Children’s Playback Contest

The clubs L’Animalà, El Parotet and Malfaeners took first prize yesterday in the Adult Playback Contest, in both the musical and comedy categories, and the Children’s Playback Contest, organised by l’Associació de Penyes Verge del Sofratge. The event was held at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium in Parque de l’Aigüera as part of the Dia de les Penyes programme, which precedes the Festes Majors Patronals.

Twelve peñas took part in the Adult category this year: eight in the musical category and four in comedy. L’Animalà’s musical performance, JLo, received the highest score from the jury, winning first prize worth €1,200. The same happened in the comedy category, where El Parotet won with Bad Beni, a satirical take on the difficulties of finding a venue during the Festes.

La Revolada, Dit i Fet and L’Essència took second, third and fourth place in the musical category, receiving €800, €600 and €400 respectively. In the comedy category, El Paparinell won the €800 second prize, while L’Esquirol came third. The other participating peñas were Els Desbaratats, Tenim Tela, La Bufa la Gamba, El Resacó and Monkiki.

To bring the contest to a close, and outside the competition, the Queen of the Festes Majors Patronals, Laura Ivars, and her ladies-in-waiting took to the Julio Iglesias Auditorium stage to perform a musical tribute to Katy Perry.

In the Children’s category, Malfa5, a tribute to Michael Jackson by the peña Malfaeneres, won first prize worth €700. Mamma Mía, by the peña Bavallos, and El país de nunca jamás, by L’Espardenya, took second and third place, receiving €500 and €300 respectively. Fourth prize went to On Anirem and Mastegot, which competed together; fifth place went to El Parotet; sixth to L’Esquirol; and I si no mos enredem came seventh. Each of these prizes was worth €100.

Outside the competition, the Children’s Queen, Carmen Guillem, and her ladies-in-waiting performed a show inspired by Shakira and Zootropolis.

The awards were presented by Mayor Toni Pérez; Councillor for Fiestas Mariló Cebreros; the Queens of the Festes Majors Patronals, both senior and junior; the president of l’Associació, Diego Carrasco; and the president of the Comissió de Festes Majors Patronals, Ramón Cano.

Following the awards ceremony, the music continued at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium with a DJ set by Kalenda.

Dia de les Penyes had begun early in the morning with the traditional gathering for breakfast organised by the peñas, followed by a Mass in honour of the patron saint. At 11 a.m., activities got underway at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium, with inflatable attractions opening for younger children. The venue was also the starting point for the Gymkana organised by Penya 24 i Jo. The peña Sembrant Festa won the competition, receiving €400 and taking on the responsibility of organising next year’s edition. Quina Gelada came second, winning €250, while Fem Rebombori took third place and €150.

Following the traditional peñista snack gathering, a mascletà featuring 49 kilos of gunpowder was fired at 2 p.m. by Pirotécnia del Mediterráneo, sponsored by l’Associació de Penyes, bringing the morning’s programme to a close.

With Dia de les Penyes over, the Cultural Week of the Festes Majors Patronals will begin at midday this Sunday with a concert by Societat Musical L’Illa de Benidorm. The programme will combine classical and contemporary pieces, including the premiere of Eugenia, a composition by Josep Cano, a musician and member of the society.