As part of the celebrations marking Portimão’s centenary, the month of July will feature the acrobatic “Arrêt D’Urgence” circus show.

French company Akoreacro will be performing the “Arrêt D’Urgence” circus show on July 18, 19, and 20 at 22h00 in the riverside area of Portimão. According to its synopsis, “nothing goes according to plan” in this performance, not in the acrobatics nor the speed races, beatbox and techno. There will be a lot of flames in the mix, especially since “the two cheerful presenters (who, at times, are also on fire) don’t know where to turn.”

But there is no need to panic, as everything is under control in this entertaining show, part of the artistic proposals that Lavrar o Mar – Cooperativa Cultural devised to mark the city’s one hundred years in partnership with the Municipality of Portimão.

Also, on the night of July 20, the large TEMPO – Teatro Municipal de Portimão auditorium will host the “Manuel Teixeira Gomes e a Odisseia Mediterrânea” show from 22h00 onwards, under the musical direction of Pedro Jóia, a musician with roots in this city.

The show portrays the journeys taken by the renowned Portimão statesman – who played a direct role in elevating Vila Nova to city status – across the Mediterranean region. It explores how these travels influenced the creative world of this prominent figure from the First Republic. The performance includes music by Pedro Jóia on guitar and the Arabesco Quartet.

Literature will also be part of the centenary celebrations with the fourth edition of the “Verão Azul” literary meetings, scheduled on the four Saturdays of July in the Jardim 1º de Outubro at 18h00. This year’s theme, moderated by Carlos Vaz Marques, will be “All Cities Are (Also) Imaginary Cities”, with the following writers participating: Matilde Campilho and Susana Moreira Marques (July 6); Afonso Cruz and Joana Bértholo (July 13); Francisco José Viegas and Gonçalo M. Tavares (July 20); Lídia Jorge and Ana Margarida de Carvalho (July 27).

As for classical music, the Adágio Choir of the Portimão Musical Academy is organising “Manuel Teixeira Gomes and Artistic Production in the Dawn of the 20th Century”, a musical programme paying homage to Teixeira Gomes’s musical tastes. Between July 16 and 28, there will be cultural events throughout the city, including performances by well-known singers, a lyrical gala at Alameda da República, a staging of the opera “Soror Mariana,” a conference on the life and music of Brazilian composer Júlio Reis, and the presentation of Almada Negreiros’ monologue “Manifesto Anti-Dantas.”

Another highlight of this special agenda is the “Noitada – Festival of Light, Art, and Culture,” with its inaugural edition scheduled for July 26 and 27. This event is a collaboration between NewSheet and Portimão City Hall. It will involve artistic interventions in 20 locations throughout the city, ranging from musical performances and art installations to interactive street performances, 12-meter-high inflatables, and widespread lighting, aiming to delight everyone.

In addition to the centenary celebrations, other summer highlights include Moonlit Thursdays on July 4, 11, 18, and 25, aimed at boosting local commerce. There will also be another edition of the Lota Cool Market from July 24 to 28, the Sardine Festival starting on July 30, and the return of World Press Photo to the old Lota, showcasing the best images of world photojournalism from 2023, starting on July 28.

More information about the centenary programme in July can be found here.