Salsa Before the Movie: Santa Ponça Gears Up for a Balmy Outdoor Cinema Evening

Salsa Before the Movie: Santa Ponça Gears Up for a Balmy Outdoor Cinema Evening

With a dance workshop by Mariia Maksina, an open-air screening of "Die Hochzeit" and music late into the night

On July 24 in Santa Ponça the typical chirping of cicadas will mingle with the stamping of dancing shoes: the Mallorca Country Club opens its outdoor area for an event that feels like a mix of a summer festival and a cinema night. On the Centre Court there will first be a joint practice session, then the lights go down and the screen goes up.

The evening starts early: from 5 PM visitors with a "Dance & Cinema" ticket can arrive. On the tennis court there will be an open salsa session of around one hour led by competitive ballroom dancer Mariia Maksina. According to the organizers there is room for up to 300 participants; no prior experience is necessary and a dance partner is not required. Those who prefer to watch are just as welcome – at summer events on Mallorca there is always room for spectators to enjoy the atmosphere.

The dance lesson does not end in thin air: a small flash mob performance is planned to be shown spontaneously and together. Maksina brings experience with such participatory actions, including performances on cruise ships. After the workshop there is time for selfies and autographs – anyone hoping for a short chat will have a good chance.

From 7 PM the entry period begins with music; presenter Anuschka Miccoli will guide the program. Among others, former sports presenter Stefan Schmidt will be welcomed for a short conversation, and cult DJ Andy Luxx is also announced. Later David Gee will provide atmosphere at the turntables so the transition from dance floor to cinema screen is smooth. At entry there will again be a request for donations to benefit the foundation "RTL – Wir helfen Kindern".

The film begins at around 10 PM: the German comedy "Die Hochzeit" ("The Wedding") starring Til Schweiger, Samuel Finzi and Milan Peschel will be shown. The sequel continues with the characters from "Klassentreffen 1.0" and tells more about friendship, mishaps and, yes, wedding planning. For everyone who makes themselves comfortable on the Centre Court seating outside, the film promises a warm, cheerful end to the evening.

There are two ticket options: the cinema-only ticket costs 27.50 euros (admission 8:30 PM). Those who want to take the dance lesson book the combo ticket "Dance & Cinema" for 59 euros and can access the grounds from 5 PM. Tickets are available online via the organizer's website. (For other open-air screenings in Palma see Summer Cinema in Palma: "Cinema a la Fresca" Starts – 15 Films Until September 4.)

For the island such an evening is more than entertainment: it shows how sports and leisure facilities can transform into cultural meeting points during the summer months. Instead of hosting only private events, the Country Club opens its grounds to neighbors, residents and guests alike – a slice of everyday life that easily feels like a small celebration. (See Cinema Summer on the Balearic Islands: Popcorn, Air Conditioning and Full Houses.)

If you drive to Palma on a Friday night you know it: Passeig Mallorca fills with pedestrians, cafés still put out tables, and taxi drivers loudly discuss the scores. In Santa Ponça something similar marks its own little island timetable: families, dancers in colorful dresses and older neighbors mingle while the evening air smells of the sea and a light breeze drifts in from the harbor. (Read Cinema under the Starry Tent: Palma launches 'Cinema a la Fresca'.)

Practical tips for the curious: don't forget sun protection for the early hour, bring a light jacket for later wind, and if needed bring your own seat cushion – the atmosphere is cozy but the seating is not like in a cinema hall. Arriving by car is possible; parking at the club is limited, so arriving early or carpooling with friends is recommended.

Evenings like this strengthen something that is often missing on Mallorca: space for encounters beyond the beach and the club scene. Music, movement and a film create a shared memory that still comes up in conversations weeks later at the supermarket checkout. And because part of the proceeds go to charity, the shared fun also acquires meaning beyond the moment.

When the lights go out and the screen lights up, it is not just cinema under the stars. It is a small attempt to bring neighborhoods together again — with salsa in the warm-up program, familiar faces on the grounds and a film that invites laughter. If you feel like it, book your ticket now and save a warm evening outdoors: Santa Ponça awaits guests who want to dance, watch and clap along.

A local tip to finish: after the film it's worth taking a short walk along the promenade; some stalls still sell ice cream and freshly pressed drinks, and often soft music plays somewhere. That's exactly what makes summer on Mallorca – a bit loud, a bit cozy and full of encounters.