Aristides has a bizarre sense of humour that has won him many fans, although the title of his latest LP, Submerged Economy, may be a little too near the truth in the current climate. The appearance is part of a promotional night that includes fashion, design and Canarian food, something for every taste really.

For those yet to discover Faro Chill Art, it is in the Commercial Centre Torviscas Costa, close to the Hotel Niña, where 24 hour parking is on hand. Aristides is due on stage at 11pm but get in earlier and sample the other attractions of this stylish lounge bar.

It promises to be a full night of entertainment with Calle Ciega as the support act and other artists to be confirmed nearer the big night. Tickets are 15 euros in advance from usual outlets including most record shops, or 20 euros on the night.

Just bring your boogie shoes and prepare to enjoy yourself at this open air extravaganza. Costa Adeje has a great record in attracting the top salsa and latino acts, there will be many more to follow Oscar.

Five star accomodation is leading the way with a 8.4 % rise, Costa Adeje is blessed with some of the best in Tenerife, at places like Bahia del Duque, Fanabe, La Caleta and Torviscas. Tourists are flocking from new sources but the traditional regulars are still staying loyal despite many new alternative destinations. German visitors showed an 8.4 % increase, Spanish were up 5.4 % and the British market remained at the same level.

Tourism Adeje and the Tenerife government have put in a lot of work to tap into new markets and it is paying off. The first half of this year brought a 93 % increase in Irish tourists, thanks to increased air links, Eastern Europe was in second place with a 38 % increase and Russia is another growing area with 31 more tourists discovering Costa Adeje.

Councillor Santos welcomed the figures but stressed that there could be tougher times ahead and Adeje will work hard to maintain standards and ensure that current and new visitors get the best from the many attractions that the area has to offer.

Yesterdays group stages saw Great Britain lose their games against Poland and Russia as Poland and Spain 1 went through from one group and Germany and France from the other. The first semi final brought together Spain and France, last years beaten finalists at Fañabe. Spains Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa looked good taking the first set 21-17 but French brothers Kevin and Andy Ces hit back by winning the second set 21-19. That brought the deciding set and more thrilling action, Spain edged it 15-11.

The second semi was again a close contest, Grzegorz Fijalek and Mariusz Prudel held the upper hand winning the first set 21-19 but Germanys Jonas Reckermann and Misha Urbatzka took control in the second set, easing to a 21-11 win. The deciding set swung back and forth before Germany clinched it at 15-13.

The crowd had been building steadily and with the Champions Girls cheerleaders, dazzling and dancing, there was a great family atmosphere. Spain (above) were heavily favoured by the crowd, but Germany slammed their authority on the match and showed why they are ranked 7th in the World. The first set started fairly evenly but Germany pulled away to win 21-14 and once they could sense the trophy was nearly in their grasp, they were uncatchable and wrapped up the set 21-12 to lift the silverware.

The party soon swung into top gear as all those involved in playing, organising and watching the Tenerife Champions Cup, celebrated three days of action, colour and fun

Like the finest of action movies, it was High Noon at Siam Park today when Great Britain and Spain 1 served up the first match of the Tenerife Champions Cup beach volleyball tournament. There was a typically clear Tenerife blue sky, the finely raked sand was baking hot, and it was just about to get a whole lot hotter.

The Champions Girls cheerleaders, had been limbering up and outshone the sun when they appered at courtside. You had to admire the concentration of the players with such delightful distractions, but these guys are professionals and live for the game. Spain’s first team of Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa had a score to settle with the Great Britain pair of Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki after losing to them in the recent Brazil tournament. The Spanish pair proved too strong this time for GB and won by 2 sets to nil, 21-15 and 21-16. 

The tense action on court was a dramatic contrast from the previous evenings cocktail party launch at the Hotel Sheraton La Caleta. Players were able to mingle with invited guests out by the pool and enjoy the fine food and drink served up. Great Britains Robin (left) and Jody (right) seen below relaxing with new found friends, were impressed by the 5 star luxury of the Sheraton, and excited by the prospect of playing in the Tenerife Champions Cup.

The opening game certainly set the net high, but all 8 teams are fired up to chase the glory and prestige that goes with winning the Tenerife Champions Cup.

Glamour was added by the 8 members of the cheer leading troup, Champions Girls, but once we reach noon on Friday October 3, it will be down to serious sporting action as the professional players of Spain and Great Britain start the first match. Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki represent GB as they build towards their target of London 2012, and Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa, fresh back from Beijing will wear Spain’s colours.

• FACTS AND FIGURES
• FRIDAY OCTOBER 3
• Noon -  Great Britain v Spain 1  
• 1pm - Spain 2 v Germany
• 2 pm - France v Italy
• 3 pm - Poland v Russia
• 4 pm - Spain 2 v France
• 5 pm - Spain 1 v Poland
• SATURDAY OCTOBER 4
• Noon - Germany v Italy
• 1 pm - Spain 1 v Russia
• 2 pm - Poland v Great Britain
• 3 pm -  Spain 2 v Italy
• 4 pm - Germany v France
• 5 pm - Russia v Great Britain
• SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
• 11.30 am - Ist Semi Final
• 12.30 pm - 2nd Semi Final
• 3 pm - GRAND FINAL

Don’t forget the event is FREE to watch, just head up to the side entrance of Siam Park, and join in the fun.

The Playa del Duque hotel has 390 rooms spread over 6 buildings and conference halls that can hold 550 people. A recent make over has added a fresh shine and a new Thai Zen space for health and well being, and the Salome V.I.P zone for general relaxation. If you want to eat, you there is no shortage of choice, with reataurants Barbacoa, Portofino, gourmet Poseidon, or buffet Zeus.

Other comforts include, Wi Fi in all rooms and public spaces, a new sporting area, amd a shuttle service to the Golf Costa Adeje course.

• FACTS AND FIGURES
• Iberostar Grand Hotel Anthelia
• Calle Londres 15
• Playa del Duque 38660
• Costa Adeje
• Tel (0034) 922713335
• E mail grand.hotelanthelia@iberostar.com
• http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Tenerife-Sur-hotels/Iberostar-Grand-Hotel-Anthelia_3_24.html

Shrieks of pleasure, gasps of admiration and the frantic click of cameras rung out across Costa Adeje as a dream became reality. Yes, It’s official, Siam Park has arrived. The water kingdom theme park received its inauguration last night in the company of politiicians, business leaders and media from right across Spain. The 185,000 square metre site has been taking shape since 2002 and is a flagship for tourism in the south of Tenerife.

Crowds gathered outside awaiting the arrival of special guest the princess of Thailand, Maha Charkri Sirindhorn, to cut the floral ribbon, before that, the Bishop of Tenerife blessed the park as the crowds admired the imposing exterior. Once inside, the thai theme rang out loudly as colourful temples and guards, not gods, great care has been taken to show due respect to Thai history, dominated the skyline. Performers in traditional dress added a touch of style in the Thai village, the largest outside of Thailand, sealions lounged in the entrance pool and the longest and highest lazy river meandered through the parkas guests explored.

A party of local youngsters eagerly tried out some of the 14 rides, revelling in the warm recycled sea water. The tower of power was the biggest challenge with its 28 metre steep water chute, many looked on in awe through the glass tank where the chute becomes a sealed tube whooshing the rider through a sea of fish and out into a splash pool. Similar thrills awaited on the dragon and volcano with an inflatable raft carrying riders through a maze of tubes and into another splash pool, life guards were ready for them to guide them to a safe stop.

As the sun set, the view over the park and beyond Las Americas to sea, took on a magical light and guests headed to the 5,000 square metre imported white sand beach for the speeches by local dignitaries. The torches burnt around the wave pool, where man made waves of up to 3 metres will delight surfers, and the pagoda like restaurant was a focal point that along with 4 other bars and restaurants, will feed the estimated 7,500 visitors a day the park expects. Fireworks tore through the night sky to round off the evening, and many were already planning return trips with their families when the park opens to the public tomorrow, Wednesday September 17.

•  FACTS AND FIGURES
• Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm
• Adults 28 euros (residents 25 €) book on line 26 euros
• Children 3 to 11 years 18 euros (residents 16 €) book on line 17 euros
• Twin Tickets Loro park & Siam Park www.twinticket.com
• Adults 49 euros (residents 39 €) book on line 46 euros
• Children 33 euros (residents 25 €) book on line 31 euros

The Colon Guanahani (above) is making a habit of picking up awards, this is their 6th such honour. Roca Nivaria is only 3 years old but this is its second award during that short time. Both belong to the Adrian group of hotels, they were designed by Rafael Adrian and decorated by his wife Aurora Ruera.

They may be dwarfed by some of their neighbours, but they have some great facilities to offer. Colon Guanahani has a main restaurant close to the pool, with an intimate terrace and also the La Pergola pool restaurant for lighter meals and snacks. There are also squash and tennis courts, and for pampering there is a spa and beauty centre.

Roca Nivaria (above) has a wider selection of restaurants with the Garoe buffet on the terrace overlooking the sea, the lunch restaurant Ahemon Pool, and 2 themed a la carte restaurants, the Italian Verona and Spanish Burgos. To counter the effects of that good living, there is a large spa and indoor and outdoor sports courts.

• FACTS AND FIGURES
• Colon Guanahani
• Fañabe 38660
• Costa Adeje
• Tel (0034) 922712046 
• www.adrianhoteles.com  
• Roca Nivaria
• Avenida Adeje 300
• Playa Paraiso
• Costa Adeje
• Tel (0034) 922740202
• www.rocanivaria.com

The official private inauguration of Siam Park takes place on the evening of Monday September 15, with the public opening later that week. This website will have details and photos of the inauguration and full details of opening times. The beach has been made from specially selected sand from Portugal and forms a crescent around the man made surfers wave maker.

The cream of beach volleyball will be performing in the competition, with the national champion duos of Great Britain, Holland, Russia, Italy,Poland, Germany and Spain taking part. Maybe you recently enjoyed the Olympic beach volleyball, the cheerleading group for the matches was from the Canary Islands, and the Spanish team of Pablo Herrera and Raul Mesa are signed on for the Tenerife Champions Cup. Spain will have 2 teams in this contest, national runners up Lario and Adrian Gavira will be trying to prove that they should be ranked as the best in Spain.

It’s a great chance to see top stars in action and to learn more about this fast paced action sport.