Bank-Carotas
Los Bank-Carotas stepped out onto the stage for the first time in the 1981 Carnival and left the boards in 2001.
The group originated from a group of friends, workmates from the banking sector, who decided to exchange jackets and ties for fancy dress during Carnival.
Afilarmónica Los Serenquenquenes
Founded by a group of friends from the town of Agüimes in 1982, it is the group with most awards in the history of the Carnival. Its work has been recognised all over the Canary Islands Archipelago. Every time the Serenquenquenes win a prize at the capital's Carnival, they dedicate it to Don Antonio Morales, their mayor, who since 2015 is also the president of the Gran Canaria Island Council.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival
First Prize for Performance in 1991, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2019.
First Prize for Costume in 1991, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2004 and 2006.
Tomás Pérez Prize for Best Lyrics in 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2017.
Criticón Prize in 2008, Prize for best director in 2017.
2017 celebrated the return of the mythical members of Los Serenquenquenes to the final, a phase they had missed in 2016.
Afilarmónica Los Nietos de Kika
One of the Carnival's pioneering groups. It won the First Prize for Performance in the 1976 contest, as well as in 1980 and 1982. In 1983 it had already achieved the title of Afilarmónica.
The Afilarmónica, which accompanied the grand opening of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival in 2007 alongside La Terremoto de Alcorcón, has received special mentions and prizes awarded by its fellow performers, amongst which are El Payaso de la Amistad, given by the Afilarmónica Los Ni Fú, Ni Fá from Tenerife, the Silver Caín awarded by the Afilarmónica Los Hijos de Caín, and the Chancleta de Honor (the Sandal of Honour) prize with which it was honoured by the members of the Afilarmónica Los Chancletas. Los Nietos de Kika received a gold record in 1985, and they were nominated for the Popular Culture Prize: their biography includes such curious facts as having performed alongside Tina Turner in Madrid in 1987.
Los Nietos de Kika turned 40 in 2016.
Afilarmónica Los Melindrosos
The Afilarmónica, with over 20 years of history to its name, has won five first prizes for performance, three of which came in a row: 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival
First Prize for Performance 2004, 2005 and 2006. Tomás Pérez Prize for Best Lyrics in 2006, and Criticón Prize the first year it was awarded, in 2006.
To date, it is the only Murga in the history of the contest to achieve the Tomás Pérez Prize for Best Lyrics and the Criticón Prize awarded by the press in the same year (2006).
Afilarmónica Los Chancletas
Los Chancletas have collected a multitude of prizes since this group from the Real Club Victoria founded the La Isleta quarter veteran Murga in 1980. Its first prize came 6 years after setting up as a group, and since then and until the present day, it has collected a multitude of awards. Los Chancletas are facing the third decade of their history.
The group has taken part in the capital's Carnival every single year since it was founded, 37 years ago now.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival
First Prize for Performance in 1983, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2011
First Prize for Costume in 1983, 1987, 1994, 1996 and 2007
Prize for Best Lyrics 2003
The City's Gold Medal (in 2011)
David Batista
The professional opera singer David Batista Falcón is a countertenor and a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra Choir. Not surprisingly, his acts have always been characterised by including his live voice.
On this occasion, needless to say, he did the same again, stepping into the shoes of Montserrat Caballé, who had come, accompanied by Freddie Mercury, to open the Olympics that elevated him to the Olympus of drag, on the Gala’s 25th anniversary, no less.
Lola Ortiz
The new Queen combines her work as an influencer with a degree in psychology and an autobiography in which she writes about her personal experience as a victim of gender-based violence.
Inés Gómez Quevedo
Just a few days after the inauguration of the "Earth" Carnival, the revellers found out who would be the first of the rulers to come to the throne: Inés Gómez Quevedo, the representative of Dihova Distribuciones Hoteleras who, with her costume entitled "Siempre" (Always), designed by Grisela Guardia Gómez, took the royal title of Grand Dame.