World Cup winner Phil Vickery and his Raging Bull company has put its considerable weight behind the tournament, keen to support the initiative to bring the first full scale event to Ibiza. Delightted that inhabitants and holidaymakers would have the opportunity to see the best the rugby community has to offer Vickery had this to say on the forthcoming tournament, “Everyone’s idea of Ibiza is the clubs, the raves, the money, the expense, the glamour and the boats. Let’s go over and show them what our game is about… having a good time but knowing the limits. We can go over there and break down barriers.” Vickery’s comments were reinforced by former Wasps club mate and England 7’s star Tom Varndell another supporter of the event who added “I’m delighted to support this exciting new rugby 10’s tournament in the idyllic setting of Ibiza and really looking forward to joining the players and spectators for a fantastic day of sunshine rugby”

The Mambo Group has sponsored the ‘Come And Try Rugby’ day, which gives children the chance to get involved, where different forms of the sport will be available under the supervision of London Irish coach Dave Christie as well as a number of local coaches. There will be free rugby balls for all children taking part. London based sport development company RugbySpy is the team behind delivering the event and has the backing of the City of Ibiza Town’s Mayor, Marienna Sanchez- Jauregui and Sport recreation Department minister Maria del Mar Sanchez-Gutierrez who are keen to elevate the sport’s popularity on the back of the national teams Sevens World Series qualification last season.

The one-day tournament will be played at the Estadio Municipal Can Misses, a site normally home to the two football teams of Ibiza Town, based a short distance from the historic Ibiza Town and, set against the backdrop of breath taking Balearic scenery and UNESCO World Heritage site Ibiza Port. Two pools of four teams will take part in a full day of rugby with three play-off stages in front of an expected crowd of 5000 spectators.

The tournament has had great support from local businesses on the island with a major hotel group offering discount to all those RugbySpy ticket holders and prominent businesses Mambo Grou0p and Ibiza Rocks have also partnered with the event. Space is also offering free entry to all ticket holders for an event after party as Ibiza embraces the notion of its first officially sanctioned rugby tournament.

The Shop evolves year on year, what new concepts can we expect from you this summer?
Yes we are definitely an ever-evolving business. This year we are focusing on highly skilled technicians specializing in video, lighting and of course, sound. We are also updating our entire equipment list with an extensive new line of lighting fixtures aimed at the professional market. This year also see’s The Shop concentrating on permanent sales and installations with some amazing new projects, including SACCA and Bomba. We have also just been appointed official installer of Pioneer Pro Audio Speakers for the Balearics and Barcelona, which will really let us submerge ourselves in this new area of the business.

You’ve been the one stop shop for most audio and video hire in recent years, are there any thoughts on actually becoming the shop and selling them?
Yes, although we don’t actually have a shop we are already involved in the sales of professional audio, lighting and video brands including D&B audiotechnik, Pioneer and Martin Lighting.

The Shop is installing the new custom designed sound system in the new Ibiza venue Bomba, what can we expect from the system?
It is all top secret at the moment so sadly I can’t tell you very much at all. It is however an extremely exciting project to be involved in and I really believe in it. It’s a wonderful story line and a huge amount of research and passion has been injected to the project, which will deliver a world class one of a kind club sound system. A few key artists and promoters went to A/B the system in Japan against a leading brand and were amazed at the results.

Technological advances seem to be more frequent nowadays, how much of a challenge is it to keep up and is it always a good thing from an installation perspective?
For us it’s the fun bit of the job. I personally love technology and applying it to the events we produce. Not every event is a Deadmau5 show but applying something like video and projection mapping to Mr and Mrs Mickler’s wedding last year was just brilliant. As this technology becomes more available it becomes more accessible. Were going to see a lot more creativity in our every day events and party planning this year.

You recently opened The Shop Barcelona, what is the thinking behind the expansion?
We do quite a lot of business on the mainland and we really wanted to have the equipment and infrastructure to service our clients properly. We do a lot of music events in the summer and alpine events in the winter across the whole of Europe so The Shop Barcelona was the logical next step.

How proud of you at the rate that IMS has expanded, now with a version of the Summit in LA?
IMS is our baby, our flagship event. We are very proud of how it is growing, LA was amazing, interesting to do what we normally do here in Ibiza on the other side of the world and see how they work! It really is incredible to look out over the delegates and see 20 or 30 faces that are normally at our Ibiza conference – that makes me super proud! LA was absolutely the right choice and somehow feels like it has a natural symmetry with Ibiza as an Island.

What are you most looking forward to from Ibiza 2013?
October!!

The season hasn’t quite got under way just yet but you would never know it as we land on Sunset Strip to be met with a packed Mambo, both in and out of the world famous beach bar. The vibe is a happy, optimistic one, it’s clear that this is the opening party of one of the island’s favourite spots and, as the sun sets, we are treated to the first accompaniment of the season by the talented mambo residents. More than a few Island faces have turned out to welcome Mambo back and catch up with owner Javier, Tony Pikes and Tim Payne are just tow of the faces we managed to snap.

As the sun disappears and darkness descends Mambo gets down to business and the world’s most famous pre-club venue welcomes John Digweed to the booth. The Café Mambo booth could be the most filmed and photographed DJ booth on the planet, cameras and camera phones deliver a strobe like effect as the talented spinner takes control. Digweed has been one of the world’s finest DJs and producers of the last couple of decades, the master of the compilation, an astute label boss with an ear for a tune and new talent is all set for his latest adventure Friday night resident in Pacha for the Insane party. Clearly in the mood for a party, John partakes in a couple of rounds of the famous Mamo Hierbas with the crowd that has gathered behind the booth!

After a stunning performance that whets the appetite for what is to follow in Pacha, the Mambo residents take centre stage and the take the party home. Dropping some of the biggest tunes from the last couple of years, as well as some tasty new nuggets and a couple of classics, they deliver a combined performance that does justice to the occasion. The atmosphere is electric and is exactly what the huge crowd needed, the winter is too long and as one of the island’s most iconic venues is now open and firing on all cylinders, it’s only a matter of time before the army of clubbers arrives and the madness begins. For now, we fire another smooth mambo hierbas back, toast the great beach bar and steel ourselves as the party continues in Pacha. Ibiza 2013 is here and ready to raise the bar yet again.

RESERVATIONS:
CONTACT KEITH@ESSENTIALIBIZA.COM

The design is a nod to 60s Ibiza, bursting with hippy chic and bohemian vibes, Dorothée Meilichzon, the mastermind behind the group’s bars in London, New York and Paris has had a hands on role in ensuring that Experimental Beach is as pleasing on the eye as it is on the palate. The menu pays homage to its French roots and Chef Gerard Ortiz Arlandis is local to the island and a skilled fisherman, so expect fresh local fish expertly prepared and delivered, the ‘Salted Crust Catch Of The Day’ promises to be a big hit. The wine list has been hand selected by the French sommellier of the renowned Compagnie des vins Surnaturels in Paris and boasts an extensive but accessible choice of 150 references, many from Spain. Experimental Cocktail Club Paris and London have also made a contribution with Inko Garat and Peter Hanmer from Paris and London respectively have concocted a cocktail menu which combines ECC style drinks with a summer twist. Again, in its own words, “expect beautifully giant conch shell punch bowls perfect for sharing with friends as the sun sinks into the horizon.”

May 17 sees the stunning new venue open its doors and invite the island to join it in celebrating a successful move to Ibiza. The fun starts at 18.00hrs with a grand sunset barbecue soireé and will highlight many of the best aspects of Experimental Beach with live music, cocktails, punches and artisanal ice cream. Acoustic duo La Di Dah will provide the musical accompaniment revisiting classics from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Moving forward, Experimental Beach will offer a range of entertainment with music touching on electro vivbes with undertones of rock, jazz, bossa nova and reggae. Locally sourced DJs will deliver sunset sessions daily and there will be impromptu parties popping up throughout the season

The stunning addition to the Ibiza beach club landscape brings with it a history of creating beautiful memories, from London to Paris to New York and now to Ibiza, the Experimental brand offers you an insight into a simpler world where pretentions are left at the door, where service is first class and where having a good time is the only prerequisite.

Experimental Beach Ibiza
Playa d’es Codolar
Salinas, 07817 Ibiza
Islas Baleares, Spain
www.eccbeach.com
Open every day from 10am – 1am

IMAGES COURTESY OF ANA LUI

The book is a mixture of two of Sid’s passions, food and music and fittingly, the launch party is more of the same. The DJ line up would not be out of place in any of the island’s super clubs, including the likes of Graham Sahara, Andy Baxter, Pippi, Alfredo, James Kameran, Andy Wilson, Antz, E.A.S.E., Daisy Heartbreaker, Dimitri Nakov, Jon Sa Trinxa, Mr Doris and Andy Carroll. To compliment the truly Balearic line up Sid has also included some of the finest produce and customs from Ibiza, all for free, including local wine from Ibizkus, strawberries freshly picked from the fields courtesy of Sa Finca, Asian Nibbles courtesy of Arroz y Bambu, nibbles prepared by Maria from Can Toni and chupito shots of seriously healthy juice blends created by iPurify, to name only some of the treats that await you.

Any cash generated through food and drink consumption will be donated to Friends Of The Earth Ibiza Preservation Fund.
GLORIOUS IBIZA FOOD (&MUSIC!) LAUNCH ATZARO HOTEL THURSDAY MAY 30 FROM 20.00HRS

What furniture do you specialize in?
We specialize in contemporary reproduction design furniture. We have a variety of reproduction styles like Eames, Noguchi and Hans J. Wegner.

Who are you customers?
Our clients range from new home owners and interior designers to beach clubs and restaurants. We have something for everyone.

Where are you based and can we buy online?
We are a pop up shop but for the past two years we have been based on the road to Santa Gertrudis from Ibiza at km3, directly next door to the shop Living Art. Here in Ibiza most people buy directly from the shop but we do have people away from the Island buying online through our website www.muebles-iconicos.com or www.muebles-de-diseno.es

Where is the furthest you have shipped a piece of furniture?
We sell furniture all over Europe and have done for many years now. We recently supplied a famous Belgium bank design lighting. Our clients range from many countries including Denmark, Germany and Italy.

Where do you get inspiration for the pieces you sell?
I’m a traveler at heart and have had the joy of seeing many world wonders and architectural masterpieces. Buildings and cultures inspire me, the curves and lines of a contemporary chair, all the old classic styles like Le Corbusier and Josef Hoffmann. Their furniture was ahead of its time and fits in perfectly to modern home settings.

You have a range of famous armchairs tell us about them and what makes them famous?
Many of the reproduction furniture we stock is styled on old classics. Eames lounge chairs debuted in the 1950’s on NBC and are hot favorites for use in modern day advertising campaigns. One of my personal favourites is the Finn Juhl model 45 armchair, 45 as it was first manufactured in 1945. Our version is a classic wood frame with wooden arms and a steel grey fabric covering. The structuralism of this chair makes it a comfortable, indulgent seat.

What have you added to your collection this summer?
We are most excited about our new Eames style RAR rocking chair, The Le Corbusier style LC4 Chaise and Finn Juhl model 45 armchair, such a stylish selection.

Spain has a reputation of being expensive for furniture, is this a fair criticism?
No I don’t totally agree. We all know living here in Ibiza things can be quite expensive. When you live on a small Island products always need to be shipped in and this increases costs, but we believe that our prices are very reasonable and affordable, especially during these difficult times.

You also work with bars, restaurants, beach clubs and hotels, where will we find your furniture on the island?
We have new and ongoing clients including Ocean Beach Ibiza, a successful project here on the Island last summer. Away from our shop we can source many styles of furniture for clients projects in a variety of different materials including plastic, fiberglass, wood and rattan furniture modern in design. We can provide decoration, lighting and flooring, artificial grass, building materials and many more similar items.

What are you most looking forward to from Ibiza 2013?
I am hoping for people to be more optimistic for the future especially this coming year 2013. People seem to be working a lot harder for their money now, they seem to have less time to enjoy the good things in life. On a personal note for the coming year I aim to free up more time to spend with friends and family.

It’s fairly obvious in the title but tell us a bit more about Ibiza Boat Festival?
We’ve been putting on successful boat parties on the island for the last 10 years or so. It didn’t take us long to realise there’s something unique about the vibe out at sea, being surrounded by water and dancing in the sun really does make for the best atmosphere on board, especially if you throw in an experienced artist to set the tone. We noticed that whenever we took out 2 or 3 boats at the same time that there was an obvious and really positive interaction between the people partying on each boat, they clearly loved the fact that there were so many likeminded people in the same scenario, enjoying the same experience. So that brought about the idea. If we could gather an enormous group of fun loving party people on a fleet of boats fitted out with sound systems, congregate in a spectacular location, then invite the nautical natives from Ibiza and afar to come and join us on the water – surely that vibe created by the interaction of so many boats and people would be unparalleled.

What made you choose Atlantis as the destination for the festival?
Atlantis has long been one of Ibiza’s most loved, famous locations and everyone that visits agrees there is a feeling of positive energy on arrival. We thought if were to gather everyone in one place on the sea around Ibiza then there is nowhere else more spectacular than Atlantis whilst watching the sun set over Es Vedra, so that’s exactly where we have decided to meet.

You have some high profile Ibiza DJs playing, how important was that for you?
It was important to get the right combination of artists playing at the event, high profile or not, these guys have a great following and the right experience to do the job; I can’t wait to see them in action.

Workers get a sizable discount, is that a case of giving something back or some clever marketing, or maybe a bit of both?
Both workers and residents get a reduction and as you said it’s about giving something back. It’s important that we get out the message that ‘Everyone is welcome’, residents, workers and tourists alike. A good blend always makes for a great party!

You’ve mentioned that other boats are welcome to join in the fun, what’s the thinking behind that?
It’s quite simple, the more the merrier is our motto and we want as many people as possible to get in on the action, we’ve even included the coordinates of our location which are 38° 51′ 55.83″ N 1° 13′ 58.96″ E so that everybody knows exactly where to go.

Will this be an annual festival?
That’s the intention. May is the beginning of boating season in Ibiza so we kind of wanted to celebrate that with a great party on the ocean. Hopefully we can develop it year after year but if you can’t wait that long there’s always the weekly Noah’s Ark boat parties running every Saturday from June 8th!