Jazz fans can enjoy some live music with regular Thursday fixture Simon Coles performing Thursday, April 9 night at Speakeasy Jazz Club in Fuengirola.

Simon Coles Thursdays NYC Club Revival at the venue, offers a smooth and soulful piano-club style midweek alternative to the usual bars and late-night spots on the Costa del Sol. Admission is free and table reservations optional. 

The setting of the club fits perfectly with the music

Specialising in piano and vocals, Simon’s style has been described as ranging from smooth cocktail jazz to more upbeat classics. Laid-back jazzy cocktail sounds to funky, soul and dance-led sets, covering hits from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and noughties. Educated at the University of York and now living on the Costa del Sol, he is regarded as one of the coast’s finest musicians. The sessions have a broad appeal, attracting dedicated jazz fans, but also people simply looking for a stylish night out with live music in the background.

The setting also perfectly fits the mood. Speakeasy Jazz Club has the feel of a classic cocktail lounge, with a moody interior that helps create its intimate atmosphere. The decor is designed in the speakeasy look, with low lighting, a cosy layout and a club-style setting that brings the audience closer to the music. Altogether, it gives the venue a warm, relaxed and slightly old-school feel that suits live jazz especially well.

The jazz vibe gives people a different option from a normal evening out

Fuengirola has the seafront, an array of  bars, restaurants and a very busy social life, and the town also has a growing appetite for smaller live music venues offering something a little more intimate. A jazz night built around piano, vocals and a club atmosphere gives people a different option from the more standard pub or terrace experience.

Regular nights like this are important. They give people something reliable to look forward to each week and help strengthen the local live music scene beyond one-off concerts or seasonal events. 

For anyone after a more laid-back musical evening, the Simon Coles Thursdays NYC Club could be for you. Visit the Speakeasy Jazz Club Facebook for more information. 

Community spirit shone brightly in Mijas on Friday, April 3, when volunteers from La Cala de Mijas Lions Club joined forces with the Phoenix Singers to present two huge cheques at Donkey Dreamland sanctuary near La Cala de Mijas.

Heartfelt visit strengthens local animal welfare ties

Members of both groups travelled to the peaceful, but sometimes difficult to traverse, hillside rescue centre, surrounded by olive groves and offering stunning sea views. They handed over €1,125 raised through dedicated fundraising efforts from La Cala Lions and the Phoenix Singers to help cover essential care costs for the rescued donkeys. Sanctuary staff warmly welcomed the visitors, sharing stories of rehabilitation and daily challenges in providing lifelong homes for injured, abused or neglected animals.

Phoenix singers add musical joy to meaningful occasion

Performers from the Alhaurin el Grande-based choir brought extra warmth to the gathering. Known for their vibrant harmonies and commitment to charity performances across Malaga Province, the group has frequently supported La Cala Lions events and organisations like Donkey Dreamland, including recent markets and fairs. Their presence turned the donation moment into a celebration of compassion, showing how music and philanthropy combine effectively in the Costa del Sol expat and local communities.

Ongoing partnership benefits Donkey Dreamland operations

Donkey Dreamland relies heavily on public generosity, with monthly running expenses reaching around €4,500 for feed, veterinary care, and maintenance. Previous donations from La Cala Lions have already funded new paddocks and several months of supplies, allowing more donkeys to find safety in this ethical sanctuary. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, gentle interactions, and educational experiences that promote responsible animal welfare while boycotting exploitative practices elsewhere in the region.

La Cala Lions continue strong tradition of local giving

La Cala de Mijas Lions Club, operating without paid staff and just with the endless energy and enthusiasm of its volunteers, channels all proceeds from charity shops and events directly into worthy causes. Recent 2026 activities such as the Forget Me Not Tree & Valentine’s Market and the popular Waiter’s Race have helped sustain support for families, health initiatives, and now animal rescues.

One for everyone in the Costa del Sol to mark in their calendars is World Donkey Day on Friday, May 8, when Donkey Dreamland will be celebrating the strength and spirit of our loyal Andalusian friends, the Mijas donkeys. Tickets will be available at donkeydreamland.com/events.

Twice a week A new community initiative, Saltwater Sisters, is making waves on the Costa del Sol by bringing women together through the simple yet powerful act of stepping into the sea.

Founded by Emma Thorne Lees, Saltwater Sisters offers a welcoming space for women – particularly those navigating midlife, relocation, or life transitions – to reconnect with themselves and others through regular sea dips, conversation and shared experience.

What began as a small gathering has quickly grown into a supportive community where women can show up exactly as they are- whether they’re seeking friendship, calm, confidence, or just a reason to get into the water on a chilly morning.

“There’s something incredibly grounding about the sea,” says Emma, founder of Saltwater Sisters. “But what’s even more powerful is what else happens – the conversations, the laughter, the sense that you’re not doing life on your own.”

The group meets regularly at this local beach on the Costa del Sol and welcomes women of all swimming abilities as we mainly bob around and chat. There is no pressure to swim far or fast, simply being present for ourselves and each other is enough. More than just a swim group, Saltwater Sisters reflects a growing desire among women for real-life connection, wellbeing and community, outside in nature in an increasingly busy and disconnected world.

“Uplifting, calming, and quietly transformative”

Participants describe the experience as uplifting, calming, and quietly transformative, breaking life’s autopilot and giving them real self-belief and presence. “It’s become a highlight of my week,” says Susan. “It is a time when I get to forget everything and just enjoy the moment.”

Saltwater Sisters meets twice a week for sea dips, a hot drink and protein balls (provided) and costs €5 (free for the first time). It is open to new members and also has a new free monthly midlife reset & release walk in Torremuelle, Benalmadena too later this month.

Activities planned:

• Sea dips/swims – Tuesday, April 14, 21 and 28 – 9am.
• Sunday, April 19 and 26 – 10am. Carvajal Beach.
• Free Midlife Reset & Release – Friday, April 17 – 5.30pm. Torremuelle, Benalmadena.

For more information, please contact: WhatsApp Emma – 711 005 716 or email hello@emmathornelees.com Facebook/Instagram: @emmathecrossroadscoach Website – www.emmathornelees.com