Christmas and New Year events

The Ayuntamiento have just issued the schedule of varied events taking place over the Christmas period here in Olvera that we hope may be of interest to residents and visitors alike. 

 The programme is as above (click to enlarge), loosely translated as follows:

Tuesday December 17th at 09.00hrs, the students of the IES Zaframagón school will cycle along the Via Verde from the Estación de Olvera to the Chaparro de la Vega.
Wednesday 18th December at the pavilion on the fairground. A table tennis tournament, infants starting at 16.00hrs and adults at 20.00hrs.
Friday December 20th at 19.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. A Charity Christmas Carol concert with Alejandra Rodriguez. All proceeds of the 5€ entry plus a toy to be donated for distribution to children by the charity Caritas.
Also on the 20th, a chess tournament at various bars and restaurants throughout Olvera.
On Saturday the 21st and Sunday 22nd December at 20.30hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. Zambomba Flamenca performed by Cuadro Flamenco La Fragua.
Monday 23rd December at the Indoor Sports Centre. Basketball and Volley ball tournaments starting at 16.00hrs for juveniles and 20.00hrs for adults.
Thursday 26th December commencing at 10.00hrs on the Campo de Fútbol, a football tournament through various skill levels going on until the evening.
23rd, 26th and 27th December in the Library between 11.30hrs and 12.30hrs, preparations and decorations for Christmas.
Friday 27th December at 12.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura, a family theatre production of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.
At 18.00hrs in the Bar Manhattan, a Spanish pop concert featuring "Retrovision". 1€ entry, all donations to charity.
Sunday December 29th at 12.00hrs in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Royal Postmen will collect the childrens letters for delivery to Santa Claus plus a performance of Zambomba Flamenca.
Monday 30th December at 17.00hrs, Chess for children in the Indoor Sports Centre.
Sunday 5th January, the procession of the Three Kings, departing at 17.00hrs from the Residential Centre for the Elderly, along Calle Peru, Avda Julián Besteiro and Calle Calvario, distributing gifts and sweets for the children before finishing at the Plaza de Andalucia.
Friday 10th January at 21.00hrs, a theatre performance of "La despedida" in the Casa de la Cultura.

As always, please refer to the Town Hall website here for accuracy of timings and events (although I notice that the poster above and the website refer to Saturday 5th January when the 5th is actually a Sunday). Merry Christmas to all.

Taomi Sports event

 A brilliant morning spent supporting the Taomi sports event at the indoor sports centre.

 We arrived at just after 10.30 and the warm up session was in full swing. Teams from Olvera, Algodonales, El Gastor, Torre Alháquime and Arcos de la Frontera were all here to compete and enjoy the day.

A short video here showing the fun of the event. I dare you not to smile!!.

Brilliant and vociferous support by local school children.

Team Olvera. 

 Students from the IES Zaframagón senior school giving their support.

A strong squad from Arcos were the first opponents for Olvera in the football contest.

 A group photo before battle commences and a team talk below for Olvera.

 Our friend Antonio filming the event for local TV.

 Game over and a 1-3 defeat for Olvera but congratulations and good sportsmanship all round.

 The basketball competition.

 What's that saying. "It's not the winning that matters but the taking part"!. Never more true than today. Well done to all who took part with such skill and enthusiasm and many thanks for giving us such fun and entertainment.  

Taomi Event

Here's an event worth supporting....the seventh Sport and Disability Day to be held at the Indoor Sports Centre on Friday 29th November (postponed from the 22nd November).
Taomi is an organisation, based on the trading estate in Olvera, that provides workshops, occupational therapy, employment and many other activities, all designed to encourage attendees with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential within a caring and supportive environment. 

Go on. Pop along and give your support to a brilliant organisation and enjoy the fun of the event.  

Autumn cultural events

The Ayuntamiento have just published the schedule of organised events and shows taking place in Olvera during October and November. As follows:

Wednesday 23rd October at 12.00hrs in the school of IES Sierra de Lijar. A session with Siracusa Bravo, author of the book "De cómo Peter Pan me quitó demasiado", poems about Peter Pan.

Wednesday at 20.30hrs in the Casa de la Cultura, the presentation of the book "La guerra de los Troya. En memoria de mi padre fusilado" (The Trojan war. In memory of my executed father) by Olvereño author José Troya González.

Thursday 24th October at 19.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. Theatre for children "Un viaje de fábula" (A journey of fable) presented  by the Aquarius Theatre Group.

Friday 1st November at 20.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. Entertainment provided by the singer "El níño de Elche" with songs from his album "Sí, a Miguel Hernández".

At 23.30hrs in the "Nave de Ocio", the new space near to the Industrial Estate, music performances from "Humor Vitreo"(Granada), "Esvertia"(Seville) and "Smoking Kills"(Olvera). 

Thursday 7th November at 19.00hrs. Childrens theatre presented by "Desde Cerro Producciones" performing "Caperucito".

Friday 8th November at 20.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. Presentation of the book "Marzul de los Gatos" by local author Ana Márquez.

Friday 15th November at 21.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. A Flamenco show performed by the gypsy singer Ezequiel Benítez.

Thursday 21st November at 18.00hrs in the Casa de la Cultura. A session with the Cadiz poet Manuel García Gil.

From Monday 2nd December until Monday 16th December, a photographic exhibition "Andaluces y Marroquíes" at the schools IES Zaframagón and IES Sierra de Líjar.

Friday 6th December at 23.30hrs in the "Nave de Ocio", the new space near to the Industrial Estate, performances by "The Soda Club" and "Rock n Rolla".

On the 21st and 22nd December at 20.30hrs in the Casa de la Cultura, Zambombá Flamenca by the "Escuela de Arte Talento".

Friday 27th December at 13.00hrs in the Plaza de Andalucia. A performance of "A Christmas Carol" followed by a Spanish pop concert featuring "Retroversion".

As always, for accuracy please refer to the official programme below for place and timing of events or the Ayuntamiento website here.

 

Procesión de nuestra Virgen del Socorro

We were taken by surprise this evening while watching TV when we heard the music of the Band of Olvera close by. Just around the corner from our house, people were gathering to watch a procession.

Under decorated balconies, the "Virgen del Socorro" was being carried through the streets by thirty eight members of the "Hermandad de la Iglesia del Socorro" (The Brotherhood of the Church of Socorro).

 The ladies wearing beautiful white lace mantillas.

 Tremendous strength, skill and dedication by those carrying the heavy platform or "trono" as it's called in Spanish.

 The Band of Olvera providing the musical accompaniment.

 Heading down Calle San Ildefonso back towards the Church.