Extracurricular activities 07.09.2015 - 13.09.2015

This week we're going to celebrate the Virgen de la Vega with a lot of activities of Ferias y Fiestas 2015.

Visits, conferences and even more... Take a look on what we've preparad to enjoying these Ferias and continouing practicing Spanish language:

Monday 7 – HOLIDAY – We anticipated the holiday in order to enjoy a longer weekend.

Tuesday 8, 4:30 pm: Visit to the Las Claras' convent – Dicover with us the Las Claras' convent and its painting, colections and architecture.

Approximate duration: 1h30

Wednesday 9, 7:30 pm: Literary conference – Our teacher Nela will take us to a literary conference of Aute, in the Teatro Liceo

Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 10, 5:00 pm: International Festival of Art in the Street ANIMARTS. "El Principito"

Adaptation of the play with circus, dance, humour and plays.

Approximate duration: 1h

Friday 11, 6:30 pm: Medieval Market – Let's go for a walk in a different age in the Medieval Market.

Approximate duration: 1h

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13: Excursions –  We have a range of trips for the perfect end to the week! Please ask our secretary for more information.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required fro each activity is usually three. Also, unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned in the description, the activity is free of charge. 

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas 2015

Welcome September! Let's start this month with all the news about the Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas 2015 in honor of Santa María de la Vega.
From the 7th to the 15th of september, thanks to the Salamanca Ciudad de Cultura y Saberes Foundation, there will be many activities for all.

Almost all for free, the program offers musical, scenic and enterteinment exhibitions. A total of twenty music bands will play during the ten planned concerts, with salmantinos and international artists, of whome you could view more at this link.

The city will be the very stage of the 9th edition of the International Festival of Art in the Street, that will take place from the 10th to the 13th of september, in the Parque de la Alamedilla, Plaza de Anaya and Plaza del Liceo, with a total of 28 passes and 15 different exhibitions, thaks to the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte and the Concejalía de Juventud. This one partecipates to this Festival with its 8 exhibitions performed by as much Salamanca's companies. There will be 13 companies, of which 7 are from Salamanca while the others are from Brazil, Madrid, Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla and Leon, Andalusia. The 14 exhibitions are going to be about theatre, circus, storytelle and music.

There will be nine activities in the Scenic Arts and Music Centre and also a Medieval Market in the Vaguada de la Palma and the “Salamarket”, a Vintage Market in the Museo de Historia de la Automoción. Furthermore there will be a total of 15 sport activities and fireworks and many other activities.

Let's see what they have planned day by day:

Monday, 7th

12:30 pm. Inauguration of the photography exhibition about Salamanca at the beginning of the 21st Century. Palacio de Garcigrande (Plaza de los Bandos).
6:00 pm. Cabezudos and charangas. From the Parque de La Alamedilla to the parque de los Jesuítas.
7:00 pm. Flower offering to the Virgen de la Vega. From the Iglesia nueva del Arrabal del Puente to the Cathedral. Passing by Puente Romano, Rector Esperabé, Veracruz, Libreros, Compañía, Meléndez, Corrillo, Plaza Mayor, Quintana, Rúa Mayor and Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM. An exhibition for adult audience, “The Hole” mixes on the stage cabaret, teathre, circus, music and humour, in a fun and provocative tone. The exhibition is presented by a Master of Ceremonies, an host, representing a millionaire character.
9:00 pm. Casetas regionales. Campo de San Francisco. Asociación Cultural Tresbolillo.
10:00 pm. Fireworks. Puente Romano.
11:00 pm. Noche Flamenca Concert: India Martínez. Plaza Mayor.
12:00 am. Floral enclosure lighting. La Aldehuela.

Tuesday, 8th

12:00 pm. Mass in honour of Santa María de la Vega. Cathedral.
1:45 pm. Announcement by Esther Vaquero and chupinazo. Plaza Mayor.
2:00 pm. V Custom Bike-Day. Plaza Mayor.
6:00 pm. Cabezudos and charangas. From Parque de La Alamedilla to parque de los Jesuítas.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
9:00 pm. Hechizo Andaluz. Campo de San Francisco.
9:30 pm. Noche + Joven Concert: Abraham Mateo. Plaza Mayor.
10:30 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.

Wednesday, 9th

10:00 am. Children Activity Grupo Antena 3 Media. Plaza de la Concordia.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
6:00 pm. Cabezudos and charangas. From Parque de La Alamedilla to parque de los Jesuítas.
7:30 pm. Gala de los mayores. Multiusos Sánchez Paraíso.
8:00 pm. 2nd  sevillanas. Campo de San Francisco.
9:00 pm. Noche Folk Concert: Raúl Díaz de Dios y Gabriel Calvo y La Fabulosa Retahíla. Plaza Mayor.

Thursday, 10th

10:00 am. Visiting Day: Casa Consistorial, Ieronimus (Torre de la Catedral), Scala Coeli (Towers of the Clerecía), Centro de Interpretación del Patrimonio Urbano Monumental Salmanticae (Iglesia de San Millán), Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (DA2), Museo del Comercio, Museo Taurino, Museo de Historia de la Automoción, Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Decó (Casa Lis), Edificio histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca, Colegio Arzobispo Fonseca, Casa Museo Unamuno, Dependencias de la Policía Local and Parque de Bomberos.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Unpuntocurioso. Parque de La Alamedilla.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Animarts. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. El niño lápiz. Parque de La Alamedilla.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
6:30 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
7:15 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Animarts. Plaza de Anaya.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Gaitas de Galicia Band. Campo de San Francisco.
9:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
9:00 pm. Noche Indie Concert: Sidonie y Hugo Mati’s Band.

Friday, 11th

12:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Unpuntocurioso. Parque de La Alamedilla.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Sin Fin. Plaza de Anaya.
5:30 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. El niño lápiz. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Sin Fin. Plaza de Anaya.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Sones Trianeros. Campo de San Francisco.
9:30 pm. Noche Rock Concert: Rosendo + La Banda.
10:30 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.

Saturday, 12th

12:00 pm. Acordeonistas. Plaza de Carmelitas.
12:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Salamarket. Museo de Historia de la Automoción.
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
1:00 pm. Circo Holiday Parade. Plaza de la Concordia.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Elegants. Plaza de Anaya.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Habichuela. Parque de La Alamedilla.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Circopitanga. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. A tu ritmo. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Elegants. Plaza de Anaya.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Mago Oski. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Circopitanga. Plaza de Anaya.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Jes Martin’s. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Company Yllana The Gagfather. Teatro Liceo.
9:00 pm. María del Alba. Casetas regionales. Campo de San Francisco.
10:00 pm. Noche de los 80 Concert: Los Secretos + Ariel Rot. Plaza Mayor.
10:30 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.

Sunday, 13th

11:00 am. Photography Rally. Plaza del Hotel Monterrey.
11:00 am - 2:15 pm. 1st Vintage Car Urban Raid. Iglesia nueva del Arrabal.
11:00 am. Drummer Day. From Puerta Zamora to Plaza Mayor.
12:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Salamarket. Museo de Historia de la Automoción.
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tiritirantes. Plaza de Anaya.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Habichuela. Parque de La Alamedilla.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tresperté. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. A tu ritmo. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tiritirantes. Plaza de Anaya.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Mago Oski. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
7:00 pm. Wild Way Festival Country Charro con Freeborn Brothers (Polonia), Country Hell (Rusia), Jace Everett (Estados Unidos), In Blauk y Carbayo.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tresperté. Plaza de Anaya.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Jes Martin’s. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Casetas regionales. Campo de San Francisco.
10:00 pm. Pablo Alborán Concert. Multiusos Sánchez Paraíso.

Monday, 14th

1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
9:00 pm. Noche de los cantautores Concert: Ángel Stanich and Fernando Maés. Plaza Mayor.

Tuesday, 15th

1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
9:00 pm. Noche Soul Concert: Freedonia and Sfunk. Plaza Mayor.


Tía Tula, Colegio de Español is going to include some of these events in our extracurricular activities; you can go by yourself at the other.

Take a look to 10 cosas que no te puedes perder de las Ferias y Fiestas de Salamanca to enjoy all the activities and see where are going to be all the casetas.

Tou could read this post about ferias written byJoe, a traineer in our school.

We hope you'll enjoy a lot these Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas 2015!

Extracurricular activities 31.08.2015 - 06.09.2015

August is already ending, but we are ready to welcome September with a lot of fun activities!

Monday 31, 5:30 pm: Guided tour – Accompanied by teacher Lorena, we will go to visit the principal monuments of Salamanca.

Approximate duration: 1h

Tuesday 1, 5:00 pm: Scavenger hunt – Cultural and photographic gymkhana. Come discover really interesting things about Salamanca.

Approximate duration: 1h30

Wednesday 2, 6:00 pm: Merienda – Let's go have an afternoon snack (merienda) at Café Bar Mandala. They offer a wide range of juices, coffees, cakes, tapas, ice-creams... 

Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 3, 6:50 pm: Tapas – The casetas are opening, come and taste their pinchos and experience the atmosphere of the Feria. 

Approximate duration: 1h
Take a look at this article to see the concerts scheduled for the Salamanca Ferias y Fiestas 2015.

Friday 4, 6:20 pm: Scala Coeli – We will going up the Clerecía's towers to see the panoramic view.

Approximate duration: 40 min.

Saturday 5 y Sunday 6: Excursions – We have a range of trips for the perfect end to the week! Please ask our secretary for more information.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required fro each activity is usually three. Also, unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned in the description, the activity is free of charge. 

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Libraries in Salamanca

Do you like our new location in Palominos St? Tía Tula has moved, but it is still in privileged location: the heart of the city centre. And in social media and this blog we will continue to share news about the school, Salamanca and Spain, as well as about culture and practical information. Just as this article, in which we're going to tell you about four libraries situated at less than 5 minutes from Tía Tula.

As we were saying yesterday… With such proverbial words Fray Luis de León resumed his classes at University of Salamanca, after five years in jail. Just like him, many other writers and important people of the arts and culture have been in Salamanca and today all the fruits of the past centuries are well guarded in the numerous libraries of the city.

In the very centre, near Tía Tula and in less than 5 minutes, you can find different libraries. The closest one, the Faculty of Philoly's, is in Palominos St, just opposite to Tía Tula. The library's main building was projected in 1969 by the architect Fernando Chueca Goitia.
The Unamuno House Museum is a 18th Century's building in which Miguel de Unamuno lived when he was the Dean of the University of Salamanca, in the earlier 20th Century. The museum keeps the memory of Miguel de Unamuno, spreading his works and guarding an extensive archive, which help us to reconstruct the history between XIXth and XXth Centuries.

The University Historical Library since 1995 is exclusively a research centre.

It guards and keeps many collections from the 13th Century, as well as codices, manuscripts and fragments, books, pamphlets, periodical publications, maps, etc., nowadays considered as a part of the Historical Spanish Heritage. 
If you'd like to visit it in a virtual way, in this link you can see the library and the treasures it guards.

As the University Historical Library, the House of Shells hosts a public library. The edifice, built between 1493 and 1517, is an example of gothic and plateresque style, typical of the Spanish Renaissance. The singularity of this building resides in his approximately 300 Saint Jaime shells that decorate the façade and, according to the legend, in one of these shells there is a golden coin... 

If you are a student staying in Salamanca for more than 4 months, then you can request the library card and thus be entitled to the library's loan service. Otherwise, you can just go and read the books and enjoy the study material, as well as the Internet connection and PCs.

Extracurricular activities 24.08.2015 - 30.08.2015

A lot of inspiration for this week in Tia Tula: tapas tour, boat trip, sport… and even more! Join us because we're going to have fun :) 

Monday 24, 8:00 pm: Tapas tour – Here comes again, a great chance to meet people, practise what you learn in class and savor some delicious Spanish tapas.

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Tuesday 25, 6:20 pm: Boat trip – Why not take advantage of the good weather and go ride a small boat along the river Tormes?

Approximate duration: 1h30min.

Wednesday 26, 4:30 pm: Horse riding – Horse riding in the Charro countryside. It's going to be a great experience!

Thursday 27, 7:30 pm:  Urban gallery - Do you know Barrio del Oeste? Its open-air urban gallery is a must-see. They are creating new pieces, so we may even get the chance to talk to the artists!
Approximate duration: 1 h.

Friday 28, 8:15 pm: Theatre in the street – We are going to see a performance of "El crimen de Fraile Luis" in Plaza San Benito.

Approximate duration: 1h
Take a look on other activities of Plazas y Patios.

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 – One-day or two-day excursions to several destinations. Further information at the reception desk.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required for each activity is usually three. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school.

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Salamanca's 2015 Ferias y Fiestas - Concerts

September is coming and so are the Ferias and Fiestas! Although the official program hasn't been publicized yet, we already know which artists will hit the stage. Check out some of their songs on our playlist and get to know them, practise your Spanish and start memorizing the lyrics if your are planning on going to their concerts. We'll keep you up-to-date with any news. Meanwhile, see previous entries to get a feeling of what is coming: tapas, street performances, fairground attractions, bullfighting...

Pablo Alborán

After his debut in 2010 with his first single, Solamente tú, Pablo Alborán has won 30 platinum records in Europe, two golden records in America and one in Portugal.

India Martínez

Winner of many prices, in 2015 she received the Goya award for the best song in the movie “El Niño”. She worked with great artists such as David Bisbal, Pitingo or Enrique Iglesias, among others.

Los Secretos

Los Secretos, with influences of the new wave, is considered one of the most important bands in the history of Spanish pop and rock music.

Abraham Mateo

Since the release of hist first album, being just a 10-year-old singer, he has won a platinum record and two golden record sales certifications in Spain.

Ariel Rot

Rock and blues guitar player, singer, composer and music producer. Since his band Los Rodríguez split, the Argentinian undetook a solo career.

Sidonie

The Spanish band Sidonie is characterized by its psychedelic and alternative rock style,  with notable influences by George Harrison, David Bowie o Pink Floyd.

Rosendo

Guitar player, singer and compositor, he is considered one of the most important exponents of Spanish rock.

If you want to listen more by these singers, check out this playlist on Spotify and Youtube:

Extracurricular activities 17.08.2015 - 23.08.2015

Here are the extracurricular activities we have in store for this week, ideal to keep practising Spanish. Are you in?

Monday 17, 4:00 pm: Zumba class – Do you feel like doing some zumba? Our Spanish teacher, Lourdes, will give us a class and we’ll have a good time with her.

Approximate duration: 1h.

Until such time, at the link bellow you can find a playlist with some recommended songs so we can practice: Zumba playlist

Tuesday 18, 6:20 pm: Theatre workshop – At Espacio Al Margen we’ll attend a theatre workshop where we will learn a variety of theatre exercises in Spanish.
Approximate duration: 2h.

Wednesday 19, 5:00 pm: Bike tour – Another good chance to know Salamanca from a different point of view. Let's join us!

Approximate duration: 1h.

Thursday 20, 6:20 pm: Chocolate con churros – This afternoon we are headed to Cafetería El Valor for a delicious treat. Have you already tried chocolate con churros (hot chocolate with a fried dough)? You cannot miss it!
Approximate duration: 40min.

Friday 21, 6:20 pm: Dance class – We are going to learn the first steps of a typical Latin dance (minimum 8 students) It is important to let reception know if you are interested in this activity before 12.30 pm.
Approximate duration: 1h.

Saturday 22: Excursions – Would you like to make an excursion to Aveiro or Gijón this weekend? Further information at the reception desk.

Te recordamos que es necesario apuntarse en conserjería para cada actividad (para reservar tu plaza; el número mínimo de participantes requerido normalmente es de tres personas). Te recordamos también que las actividades que no tienen un precio en su detalle informativo son gratuitas, y que el punto de encuentro - salvo que se diga otra cosa - es siempre la propia escuela Tía Tula.

Las actividades están pensadas no sólo para divertirte (eso está garantizado) sino también para que mejores tu conocimiento de la cultura salmantina y española, y para que pongas en práctica el español que aprendes en clase.