Portsmouth Hispanic Society
2022/23 News Archive
Posted: 19th July 2023
The Divine Dance: Tango at the Cathedral - 22nd July 2023
A day of Tango is being hosted by The Diocese of Portsmouth at Portsmouth's Anglican Cathedral, High St, Portsmouth PO1 2HA, on 22nd July, starting at 10am. The event includes:
-
10:30am to 12pm – ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS’ LESSON ** Only a Few Spaces Available **
Come and discover the delights of the Argentine tango for yourself. This 90-minute taster class will introduce you to the magic of the dance. No previous experience necessary. No need to book with a partner. Come as you are! Teacher: Tracie Gooch from TLC in Southampton. -
2:30pm to 4pm – THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE TANGO ** Only a Few Spaces Available **
Join us for a reflective workshop exploring how dancing the tango connects us to our spiritual side and echoes our relationship to the divine. Exploring aspects including the embrace, connection, presence, collaboration, creativity and much more we will see what they teach us about our own spirituality and our relationship to God. Suitable for people of all faiths and none, and for tango dancers and non-dancers. If you don’t relate to the word ‘God’, substitute a word you prefer – universe, energy, higher force etc. Led by: Rev Catherine Edenborough. -
7:30pm to 11:30pm – MILONGA IN THE NAVE ** Sold Out **
Come and dance in this beautiful space! The nave will be transformed into a tango salon. Dance the night away in this atmospheric and sacred setting. For experienced tango dancers. There will also be limited places for non-dancers interested to watch and learn what happens at a milonga. DJ: David Thomas from Tango Journey
Click here for more information.
Click here to book a place.
(Please note the society is not responsible for the content of external websites).
Posted: 06th July 2023
Mexican Fiesta - 12nd August 2023
Portsmouth's Guildhall is hosting a Mexican themed fiesta on Saturday 12th August. There are two sessions, one starting at midday, the second at 6pm.
The event has a rousing lineup of entertainment:
- Mexican themed games and entertainment - Giant Pinata, Chilli Eating, Rodeo Bull
- The Mariachis - as seen on Strictly Come Dancing, Ant & Dec's Takeaway, and at Glastonbury
- Tequila cocktails and Mexican beer
(Please note the society is not responsible for the content of external websites).
Posted: 15th May 2023
Spanish Abstract Painters
David's presentation introduced Spanish abstract painters and their work to this month's meeting. David's passion for for this art genre was evident as he began with an overview of the artwork housed in the Museo Abstracto Espanol de Cuenca, one of the historic 'casa colgadas' of Cuenca, before focusing on Chillida and Palazuelo, two of his favourite artists.
Pablo Palazuelo was a Spanish painter and sculptor who received the Kandinsky Prize in 1952. His attention became focused on the nature of "form" itself rather than on what it represented.
Eduardo Chillida Juantegui was a Spanish Basque sculptor notable for his monumental abstract works. Chillida himself rejected the label of "abstract", preferring instead to call himself a "realist sculptor".
David's presentation was recorded and has now been archived. Contact the webmaster if you would like to view the recording.
Posted: 15th May 2023
Biblioburro - The Donkey Library
This month's Topical News Item features the story of Luis Soriano, a teacher in the small town of La Gloria, Colombia. Luis has spent the past ten years bringing books to children of the rural communities on the back of his donkey.
Produced, directed and edited by Valentina Canavesio, D.o.P, the five minute article will be played on YouTube.(Please note the society is not responsible for the content of external websites).
Posted: 15th April 2023
Indianos de Asturias
April's presentation, delivered by John Heath, introduced attendees to some of the amazingly ostentatious houses that probably make visitors to the Austurias region of Spain wonder about what lay behind such folly. Nestled in an overwhelmingly rural area who would build such mansions in that particular part of the country. John's presentation led us through the social and historical context that drove many to seek their fortune in the New World and how that money was invested in their homeland to flaunt their new found wealth but also provide much needed philanthropy to the rural poor that had remained behind. John has explored the area extensively and researched the history of many of the Indianos estates. A fascinating journey through the social history of the Austurias region of northern Spain.
John's presentation was recorded and has now been archived. Contact the webmaster if you would like to view the recording.
Posted: 15th April 2023
Sólo or Solo?
At most monthly meetings Mike English delivers a short presentation discussing recent and relevant news items from the Hispanic world. For April's meeting Mike delved into how the Real Academia Espanola, an organisation that controls the development of the Spanish language, dictated the grammatical use of the letter ó resulting in a decade's grammatical discord before caving in and reversing the diktat. Fascinating.
Mike's news item was recorded and has now been archived. Contact the webmaster if you would like to view the recording.
Posted: 10th March 2023
The Storks and Climate Change
At most monthly meetings Mike English delivers a short presentation discussing recent and relevant news items from the Hispanic world. At March's meeting Mike delivered a really interesting overview of how climate change on the Iberian peninsular is impacting the Stork population in terms of numbers and behaviour.
Mike's news item was recorded and has now been archived. Contact the webmaster if you would like to view the recording.
Posted: 07th March 2023
Sea Shanties with Curry - 25th March 2023
Though not directly Hispanic the committee thought that members would enthusiastically support The Portsmouth Family Welfare Association by attending an evening of sea shanties and curry.
Contact the charity by phone on 02392 811407
Or email @ portsfwa@aol.com
Posted: 07th March 2023
Ainadamar @ Mayflower Southampton - 9th Sep 2023 to 22nd Nov 2023
What would you sacrifice for freedom?
Ainadamar, Arabic for ‘Fountain of Tears’, is the ancient well near Granada where the Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca – labelled by the Falangist militia as a ‘homosexual socialist’ – was brutally executed in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.Golijov’s twice-Grammy-winning opera reimagines Lorca’s life through a flashback of memories by his muse and collaborator, the actress Margarita Xirgu, now in her final moments in 1969 Uruguay, as she seeks to pass her generation’s hopes and passion on to her student, Nuria.
Ainadamar promises a spine-tingling spectacle from the Olivier-winning star choreographer Deborah Colker (Rio 2016 Olympics Ceremony; Cirque du Soleil) in her much-anticipated operatic debut in the director’s seat.
The result is a dazzling kaleidoscope of music, dance, and theatre where flamenco meets opera through traditional Spanish singing and sumptuous operatic numbers, all interspersed with rhythmic, sonic, and poetic outbursts. Ainadamar invites you to experience opera like never before.
Click here to visit the Welsh National Opera website for more information and to book tickets.
(Please note the society is not responsible for the content of external websites).
Posted: 06th March 2023
The Wines of Argentina
The society's March meeting, held at the Fratton Community Centre, was a glorious combination of personal travelogue and wine tasting. Society member Alan Borrow interlaced a presentation illustrating a vacation to Argentina with a selection of red, white, and rose Argentinian wines. Alan's in-depth knowledge of Argentine wines stems from his involvement in the wine industry.
For three weeks Alan explored the length and breadth of Argentina, a country so large that it could accommodate all of Europe with room to spare. Alan's trip took him the whole length of the country, all 4,100 kilometers, from the sub-tropical north to the Antarctic south. After exploring Buenos Aires Alan headed south to Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica, before travelling to the northerly wine producing area of Salta. While Alan delivered his presentation peppered with images taken during the trip attendees were introduced to a range of wines sourced from the areas Alan had visited. As usual the evening's entertainment included a light tapas buffet.
Posted: 27th February 2023
Dates for your diaries
During a recent meeting the committee decided to arrange the following events over the coming months:
Further information will be circulated to society members over the coming months but if you would like to express an interest or
require further information please don't hesitate to
send an email.
After a very successful lunch event at Nicholson's last year the society plans to return mid-April.
The committee is exploring hosting this year's Summer Party at the Eastney Cruising Association. The venue has excellent
facilities and superb sea views.
Quob is a wine producer located on our doorstep. Customer feedback reports a very interesting tour of the vineyard with
very generous tasting samples. Dependant on number of members showing an interest and available dates.
Posted: 27th February 2023
Spain and the Hispanic World - Royal Academy of Arts
Until 10th April 2023 The Royal Academy of Arts is hosting a landmark exhibition featuring Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, a New York institution founded in 1904.
Discover the rich story of Spanish and Hispanic art and culture from the ancient world to the early 20th century through over 150 fascinating works: from masterpieces by El Greco, Zurbarán, Velázquez and Goya to sculptures, paintings, silk textiles, ceramics, lustreware, silverwork, precious jewellery, maps, drawings, illuminated manuscripts and stunning decorative lacquerware from Latin America.
Posted: 27th February 2023
Cadiz Connections - by Mike English
February's meeting, held over Zoom, was an illustrated talk about people, places and events that have a connection to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe.
Mike's presentation was recorded but has been archived. If you would like to view the presentation please contact the webmaster.
Posted: 27th February 2023
Roman Spain - by Richard Swaine
Our first presentation of the current year was an introduction to Roman Spain via the travels of one of our society members, Richard Swaine. A very personal and interesting illustrated presentation, which was recorded. The recording has been archived. If you wish to view Richard's presentation please contact the webmaster.
Posted: 5th November 2022
Spanish Language Classes at Southsea Library
We have good news regarding Spanish lessons; soon we will be opening a new face-to-face basic beginners group on Thursdays at Southsea library. Also, if you are interested in other levels, we might open face-to-face classes for other levels, depending on demand.
Finally, we will shortly be opening a pre-intermediate conversation group on Zoom, and we are looking for more people to join.
For more information, or to express an interest, email our Language Coordinator via language@spanishportsmouth.org.uk
Posted: 5th September 2022
New Term for Spanish Tuition
Our Spanish tuition for the 2022/23 season starts this week. The Society runs lessons at all levels of Spanish language competency from complete beginner to advanced. Currently all lessons are taught via Zoom with a maximum of 5 students per session and there may be spaces available. If you are interested in learning Spanish from scratch or in improving your Spanish click here for more information and to express an interest.
