Events in 2011
¡Spanish Bingo! 7pm, Fri Nov 25, 2011
Guaranteed number-learning, and guaranteed fun! Meet at the bar of the Hogar Español to practise ordering in Spanish, to reserve a seat at a table in the bingo hall, buy your coupons and get ready for the games. Bingo starts at 8pm sharp. We normally stay for the first half of the evening (1 hour), by which time you will know your numbers up to 99, guaranteed! After that let's all go to Naked for Satan in Brunswick St for some pintxos/tapas, drinking and chatting (cheap, delicious tapas, beers and infused vodkas).
A Royal visit: the Catholic Monarchs?
Teachers Rocío and Iñigo trying to pass as "Los Reyes Católicos" of Spain but in fact they were dressed as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Look at the image of the originals below and decide for yourself!
Apart from that, it's an amusing photo ... Note thongs, glasses, tatoo and beer!
Visit to del Rios of Mt. Anakie winery, Sun Sept 11, 2011
Each year El Patio books a big bus to take a group on a day trip to del Rios of Mt. Anakie, a winery established by a Spanish family. Upon arrival we get to taste their wines and are treated to a fabulous Spanish lunch, overseen by abuela (grandmother) Damiana!
On this crisp, sunny winter morning, a group of 38 of us went along. In their new function centre on the hill with fabulous views, the del Rios family made us all feel at home with their humour and charm, not to mention excellent food and wines. This was our eighth visit to del Rios, and is always a great day to spend time with fellow students and teachers, with plenty of opportunity to practise Spanish.
¿Qué tomamos? Paella, tortilla española, chorizo, queso manchego, alboacute;ndigas, ensalada, torrijas, ademaacute;s chardonnay, pinot noir, rosado, sauvignon blanc, shiraz y cabernet.
¿Qué hicimos? Practicamos el español, comimos mucho, probamos buenos vinos, nos reímos, cantamos en el autobús y en fin, ¡lo pasamos bien!
Johnston St Hispanic Fiesta, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Nov, 2011
2 days of fiesta in Johnston St Fitzroy. Eat great food, dance, hear music, listen to Spanish, talk Spanish...
Events in 2010
Visit by Ruth Sancho Huerga to El Patio Northcote
Well look who came to visit! Remember Apartamento para Dos? The "educational soap opera" (culebrón, series) that we show in our Elementary and Upper Elementary courses, with Jorge and Marta, who accidentally end up renting the same appartment? Well enter Ruth Sancho Huerga who plays Marta, what a surprise! Ruth is an actor and poet and has recently participated in two events in the Melbourne Overload Poetry Festival, notably in a tribute to Spanish poet Miguel Hernández.
Read about Ruth in the festival.
l>r: Toni Edwards, Ruth Sancho Huerga, Ana Ruiz
Other cotilleos in 2010
Actor Antonio de la Torre parties with El Patio!
The closing night party of La Mirada on Sunday April 11, after seeing the Spanish '50s classic comedy "Tramposos", was as usual a great evening of tapas, paella and drinks with dancing. The highlight was meeting award-winning Spanish actor Antonio de la Torre, the festival's special guest who came over to introduce two of his films that were part of the festival's programme - La Isla Interior and Gordos. His role in the latter is noted for his 33kg weight gain to play the part of Enrique!
de la Torre on the La Mirada website
Read about his role in Gordos
l>r: Olvido Martín Guillén (Agregada Cultural del Consulado de España), Toni Edwards, Antonio de la Torre (Spanish actor), Ana Ruiz, Nagore Zamarreño (teacher at El Patio) at the La Mirada closing night party
Ana & Toni meet Joaquín Cortés in a Madrid tapas bar!
¡Qué guapo! Whilst in Madrid, Ana and Toni caught the new show of Flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés, Calé (gypsy in the Gypsy dialect). Cortés is known for combining pure flamenco dance and music with modern dance and a fusion of flamenco, jazz and latin music. He was accompanied by 16 musicians, 10 classical dancers and animated projections, creating a charged atmosphere that was loudly appreciated by the madrileños.
Read about Calé here ...
Teatro Apolo in Madrid
Ana and Toni with Joaquín Cortés in Madrid
Spanish actor Javier Cámara (4th from left) with Toni, Ana, Íria, Íñigo and Rocío at the Spanish Film Festival in May, 2009
Spanish actress Verónica Echegui (4th from left) with Lorena, Rocío, Íñigo and Isabel at the La Mirada Film Festival in April, 2009