During the last weeks of September, Avilés will become the cultural epicenter of northern Spain thanks to the celebration of the Fifty-Fifty Festival.This event, which will take place between 25 and the September 28, brings with it a program packed with live music, poetry, recitals, and cultural activities designed for all audiences.
With the participation of some of the most recognized figures on the international scene jazz and the art scene, Avilés will experience four days of unique cultural offerings, reinforcing its role as a city open to innovation and musical and literary diversity. The festival, which has already established itself as one of the most anticipated events on the Asturian cultural calendar, transforms the city into a meeting point for music and performing arts lovers.
Big names on the bill: Alberto San Juan and Ray Gelato
In this edition, the Fifty-Fifty Festival will Alberto San Juan, award-winning actor and director, who will open the festival on Friday September 26 at the Palacio Valdés TheaterHis show, which fuses live music and poetic words, is inspired by the historic lecture-recital that Federico Garcia Lorca offered in 1930. San Juan, accompanied by a jazz band, brings to the stage universal themes such as social protest, the search for emancipation and the mystery of art, providing the evening with a great emotional and cultural charge.
Al día siguiente, el Auditorium of the House of Culture will host the legendary Ray Gelato, known as the “Godfather of Swing,” who will perform alongside the saxophonist Enric Peidro and a nine-piece superbandThese artists, renowned at festivals across Europe, will present a repertoire that includes swing classics and original pieces, providing an experience that will transport the audience to the elegance of the 40s. Ray Gelato, with a track record that includes exclusive events such as private performances for Queen Elizabeth II and Paul McCartney's wedding, guarantees a memorable evening full of rhythm, vitality, and dynamism.
Contemporary jazz, fusion, and new talent at the Cultural Factory
El stage of the Club Room of the Cultural Factory It will be the meeting point for lovers of the most avant-garde jazz. Throughout the four days of the festival, you can enjoy performances that fuse styles and bring together award-winning and emerging musicians:
- Thursday 25: Lucía Rey Quartet presents his project “Nomads”, which combines flamenco jazz, Mediterranean rhythms and classical music, with a contemporary sound recognized at international festivals.
- Friday 26: Matteo Paggi brings “Giraffe”, a proposal that won the I-Jazz 2025 award, oriented towards modern jazz and crossover experimentation.
- Saturday 27: Daahoud Salim Quintet, awarded the 2025 Plataforma Jazz España Prize, stars in a night of original compositions and stage energy rooted in Amsterdam.
- Sunday 28th: Marina Lledó Quintet The festival closes with one of the most highly valued voices of Spanish jazz, fusing influences from Brazilian and Cuban music.
The festival reaffirms its commitment to innovation and artistic excellence, supporting established talents and artists who explore new musical languages, enriching the programming with diversity.
Parallel activities and ticket sales
During the week, The city of Avilés will host recitals, workshops, talks, events, and exhibitions. related to jazz and poetry, promoting a free cultural offering designed for all audiences. These activities, complementary to the concerts, seek to offer a complete cultural experience in different venues throughout the city.
The tickets to major shows will be available for advance purchase from the Monday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m., both online and at the Casa de Cultura box office. Prices vary depending on the venue and are usually between €12 and €20, with special rates for those who book in advance.
The combination of concerts, cultural activities and free proposals will fill Avilés of music and poetry During the summer closing, offering an inclusive and enriching cultural experience, in which artistic diversity and citizen participation are the main values.
