Depart of the Vuelta (Cycling Tour to Spain)

Official Promotional Video:

Routes:

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The next 23^rd of August the Vuelta will depart from Jerez, where will carry out a team time trial in the city streets. The event will begin at 19:00

During the presentation of the teams and the route, the city will show to 178 countries that broadcast the Vuelta, the symbols of Jerez as the wine and the horses.

The depart zone will be located in Plaza del Mamelón where have been installed many barrels of wine and four venencias used as fountains.

Also the presentation gala will take place in Jerez the 22^nd of August at 20:00 in the same place that depart zone, Plaza del Mamelón.

From Tuesday, there are some activities linked with cycling that will be organized in the city.

•  Cyclist meeting. Tuesday 19^th of August at 19:30. The cyclists will do the same route than the professional cyclists during the team time trial.
• Saturday 23^rd of August from 16:30 to 20:30 in Plaza del Arenal will take place the promotional zone where the partners of the Vuelta will put on their stands, organize games, exhibitions, contests and sport activities. For all the ages and free entry.
• Vuelta Junior. Saturday 23^rd of August at 17:00. The Vuelta Junior was born to promote the cycling to the young people through the values of overcoming, integration, friendship and respect to the environment.
• Sport activities in the finish zone, Saturday 23^rd from 18:30 in González Hontoria Park. Spinning, dancing, zumba... and others activities for children.

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"Noches de Verano" (Summer nights)

"Summer nights" is an activity that is celebrated in Jerez for some years. During July and August, there will be many concert of flamenco, classical music, tango and other styles and activities that will take place in the Alcazar, St. Domingo cloister and Asuncionsquare.

(During the following days, this post will be updated with all the information about the concerts)

July

·         2^nd of July: (St. Domingo cloister) “Illusions” (Felipa del Moreno's recital) at 10pm. Felipa Medrano Lara (Known as Felipa del Moreno) is a flamenco singer of Jerez de la Frontera, who has worked in many places of the world. For instance, in London recorded a spectacle with the famous dancer Joaquín Cortes, and also has worked in the Mont-de-Marsan festival. She has a great voice and her artistic qualities are famous by the flamenco fans. The spectacle has been called "Illusions", because is the official presentation of her own recital as soloist and her illusion to develop it in her hometown, Jerez de la Frontera. The price is 10€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         3^rd of July: (St. Domingo cloister) “Las cartas a Julieta”(“The letters to Julieta “ ) of The New Costelas band at 10pm. This band born in 2012 of union of 5 friends by their admiration of contemporary musicians that have string quartet in their works. Letters to Julieta is a musical spectacle of The new Costelas band that will play one of the most singular works of the British singer Elvis Costello. The work is dedicated to an imaginary person called Julieta Capuleto through letters. This band provides a singular version with their women voices in a musical genre far of the traditional string quartet. The price is 7€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         4^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) “Hispania pianissimo flamenco” of Manolo Carrasco at 9pm. Manolo Carrasco is composer, pianist and orchestra director who has won many of awards in Spain and France. He is the composer of the music of The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and has done some tours in Japan, China, United States, Europe and Spain. Manolo has 12 discos, 3 re-editions in Asia and 1 in United States. The price is 19€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         5^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) God save the Queen (International Tribute to Queen) at 10pm. This spectacle is a tribute to the band Queen, its music and its leader Freddie Mercury. The spectacle uses the original choreography, costumes and videos, also has light panels and other scenery stuff. The price is 25€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         10^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) 'Pasión Tango – Compañía el Despiole' (‘Tango Passion - the despiole Company') at 10pm. “Pasion Tango” is an spectacle that has all the expression of the Argentinean tango with the actuation of two of the best couples right now, the singing and the poetry interpreted by Martin Gatica and the music of “El Despiole” orchestra directed by Orlando Dibelo. The price is 15 or 20€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         11^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) “Echándole lunares” Laura Gallego spectacle at 10pm. It is a spectacle that sounds as the traditional flamenco and remembers to La Paquera,   Antonio Mairena, Caracol, Camarón... who are considered the masters of flamenco. Laura will sing some songs of different types of flamenco. The price is 10 and 15€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         12^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) "Llorando por Granada" (Crying for Granada), "Los Puntos" at 10pm. "Llorando por Granada, 40 años, la gira de Los Puntos" (Crying for Granada, 40 years, the tour of Los Puntos), at 10pm. "Los Puntos" was one of the more success bands of Spain during 70's. This pop band has achieved many successful songs which have been sung for many singers, some of them, contemporary. The price is 18€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         17^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) “Big Band de Jerez” at 10pm. A Big Band is a spectacle in which is very important the improvisation. It is composed by a minimum of 15 members that play different styles of jazz, like Swing, Blues, Bebop, Cool, Fire Jazz... The "Big Band Jerez" is a group of musicians that play a varied repertoire of music in which intended to show the historical development of big bands, from 20's to the current fusions with other styles. The price is 12€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         18^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) "Improvisao" ("improvised") the spectacle of Farruquito at 10pm. "Improvisao" ("improvised") the spectacle of Farruquito at 10pm. Farruquito is an important flamenco dancer of Spain who born inside of a famous family of artists. He has danced around the world and got many awards like the best artist of the big apple of 2001 by The New York Times. In this spectacle, Farruquito remembers his origin and all the things that he has learnt during his career. It is highly recommended to attend this spectacle because is one of the best flamenco dancers at this moment and his shows always have good reviews of flamenco experts. The prices are 23 and 25€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

·         19^th of July (Alcazar of Jerez) "La revirada- compañia Rea Danza" at 10pm. "La revirada" is a spectacle that has all the expression of the Argentinean tango which represents the development of the tango during different periods. The prices are 15 and 20€ and the duration is 75 minutes.

·         22^nd of July (Plaza de la Asuncion) "Soul Tribute" by The Dock at 10pm. The Dock honours to one of the most influential music ever, the soul of the 60's and 70's. This band offers a really big repertoire of the golden age of the "black music" as Otis Redding, Ray Charles, James Brown, Marvin Gaye…It is free entry and the duration is 60 minutes approximately.

·         25^th of July (St. Domingo cloister) Presentation of David Carpio disc which is called "Mi verdad" at 10pm. David Carpio is a flamenco singer from Jerez de la Frontera. David has wanted that his first disc shows that the classic flamenco sing is "more alive than ever" and due to this, he has decided that the presentation will be on live. The prices are 8 and 10€ and the duration is 80 minutes.

The information will be updated with the next spectacles and performances soon.

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Grand Prix Weekend activities

Grand Prix Weekend activities

During the Grand Prix Weekend, and even before, Jerez de la Frontera, stores and motorcycle clubs prepare a lot of activities and events.

City Hall's Activities:

·         25^th April: Painting contest Repsol-Jerez circuit. With the aim of celebrating the 20^th anniversary of Repsol-Honda in the Jerez Grand Prix, the students of Jerez's schools between 8 to 11 years old have painted drawings. Finalists will exhibit their drawings in the City Hall.

Also, Repsol will exhibit beside the drawings, the motorcycles of the six pilots that won the world championships with Honda-Repsol.

The motorcycles will be:

o   Honda NSR 500,  Mick Doohan

o   Honda NSR 500, Alex Crivillé

o   Honda RC211, Valentino Rossi

o   Honda RC 212 V, Nicky Hayden

o   Honda RC212 V, Casey Stoner

o   Honda RC213V, Marc Márquez

The drawings will be exposed in the City Hall's yard, from 25^th of April to 30^th of May, from 11, 00 to 13, 30 and 18, 00 to 21, 00.

·         27^th of April: 2^nd concentration of "Classic Car Grand Prix Week". The concentration will start at 11, 00 hour at Jerez Circuit, where participants will formalize the inscription. Around 11, 30 hour, all the cars will go to the parking of the Jerez's fair to start a route by the main streets of the city. One hour later, approximately, all the cars will finish in the Plaza del Arenal where the cars will be exposed to the public.

·         30^th of April: Awards of painting contest Repsol-Jerez circuit. 30^th of April at 16, 30 will choose the winners drawings and will give awards to the winners.

·         1^st of May: Presentation of the book "The Merced's Grand Prix, urban races in Jerez". The act will be the 1^st of May, at 18, 00 hour, at Jerez Circuit's Museum. Jaime Alguersuari (editor and ex-pilot) and others pilot will assist to this event.

·         3^rd of May. It will be the "big day" of the weekend. From the morning, the following streets, Porvera, Larga, Cristina, Mamelón and Armas will be closed as motorcycle parking. At 18, 30 hour will start the "First Merced Grand Prix Memorial". During this event, many old competition motorcycles will be exposed to the public. This event will place at Cristina Square where a truck will be used as stage and the motorcycles will turn round at the square at low speed. 20 motorcycles will participate and some pilots who won the world championship. This event, also, will have interviews, autograph, bike extreme exhibitions... From 20, 30 at Rafael Rivero and San Andrés squares and Porvera Street will start several concerts that will last until late at night.

Shuttle bus from Jerez to the Circuit

Price: 2€ each way

Departure from: Minotauro roundabout.

Friday 2^nd of May:

Departure: 12,00 / 13,00 / 14,00 /15,00 / 16,00 / 17,00 / 18,00 / 19,00 / 20,00 / 21,00/22,00/23,00

Comeback: 12,20 / 13,20 / 15,30 /16,30/ 17,30 / 18,30 / 19,30 / 20,30 / 21,30/22,30/23,30

Saturday 3^rd of May:

Departure: 12,00 / 13,00 / 14,00 /15,00 / 16,00 / 17,00 / 18,00 / 19,00 / 20,00 / 21,00/22,00/23,00

Comeback: 9,20 / 12,20 / 13,20 / 15,30 /16,30/ 17,30 / 18,30 / 19,30 / 20,30 / 21,30/22,30/23,30

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Holy Week

Holy Week

Introduction

The Holy Week of Jerez de la Frontera is one of the most important events of the city. It is declared National Tourist Interest and it is one of the biggest Holy Weeks of Andalusia in the number of Brotherhoods and artistic quality. The Jerez Holy Week is a religious event but also, is cultural and popular.

This year, the Holy Week will celebrate from 13^th to 20^th of April.

History

The origin of the Jerez Holy Week is found in the 16th century when were founded the first Brotherhoods which had as aim the public penitence. At first, the Brotherhoods had few numbers of brothers which were divided in two groups, brothers with candles and brothers that were punishing themselves (it is not exist currently). Also the pasos were small with a sculpture Christ or a Virgin Mary.

These events continued until the 18th century when the King Carlos III removed all the Brotherhoods which they statutes were not approved by the government, namely, all Jerez's Brotherhoods. Step by step the Brotherhoods were changed their statutes but the political and social situation during the 19th century was not good for them, due to, the French invasion, anticlerical governments... which provoked the disappearance of the majority of the Brotherhoods.

During the 20th century, the ancient Brotherhoods were refunded and were created others new, recovering the brilliance of the event.

Regarding to the artistic heritage, in the origin, these Brotherhoods did not have funds to do the sculptures and due to this the materials were weak quality which provoked that nowadays, there are not any sculpture of that time. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Brotherhoods had more funds and began to buy better sculptures, which are conserved nowadays.

During the 18th century the Brotherhoods followed with the same trend buying good quality sculptures. In the 19th century with the political and social problems, the Brotherhoods did not increase their heritage. Finally, in the 20th century, with the recovery of the Brotherhoods and the new trends of Seville’s Holy Week, the Brotherhoods began to buy heritage, changing a little bit the style that had been doing during the last centuries. We could say that Jerez's Holy Week, from an artistic view; it is one of the most important of Andalusia but also, of Spain.

Description

In this event the Brotherhoods do penitence to the Jerez's Cathedral, in a particular day each one, starting the Palm Sunday and finishing the Easter Sunday with an average of 6 Brotherhoods per day. (There are some Brotherhoods from the Thursday before the Palm Sunday which are new and they do not penitence to the Cathedral). Each Brotherhood represents in its pasos one of the scenes of the Christ's passion. The pasos are heavy structures of wood (usually coated with gold leaf) or silver (in the case of the Virgin Mary's pasos) in which above it, there are the sculptures. The pasos are carried by the brothers of each Brotherhood, called "costaleros". The numbers of the costaleros depend of each paso, but generally are 40 in the Christ pasos (called too as paso de misterio) and 30 in the Virgin Mary pasos (Called too as paso de palio). The costaleros are guided by the foreman and his auxiliaries, who guide the paso through the Jerez streets.

The pasos go accompanied by music bands which play procession marches, although exist Brotherhoods which go in totally silence.

Each Brotherhood generally is divided in two, on one hand the Christ procession and on the other hand the Virgin Mary procession. At the front of the procession, one brother with a cross, called guide cross, open the procession and the rest of the brothers follow him with candles or Brotherhood's insignias. Each Brotherhood has different robe which is wearing by the penitentes or nazarenos (the brothers) of the Brotherhood.

The Christ pasos or pasos de misterio, are formed by a wood structure which is coated with gold leaf or varnished; and cloths which cover the interior where are the costaleros. On the top, are located the sculptures which can be, a scene of the Christ passion, as the Last Supper for instance; Christ crucified or Christ carrying with the cross. Also this place is decorated with flowers. The pasos's weight depends of each one, but never is less of 700 kilos.

Regarding to the Virgin Mary paso or paso de palio, are done of silver. The sculpture is the Virgin Mary crying, because of her pain, which is covered with a cloth ceiling carrying by 12 silver decorated sticks, "palio". In front of the Virgin is placed some candle rows called "candeleria". In general, the palio and the paso's cloths and the Virgins' cloak are embroidery with floral decoration.

Each Brotherhood has its own schedule and itinerary, but all of them pass by the "Carrera oficial" (Official Route) which is set of streets in which exist boxes with chairs that the people have rented to see the Brotherhoods, and it finish in the Cathedral.

The tourists should not be worried of the Official Route because is possible to see the Brotherhoods in other places of the itinerary or even, in the Official Route.

Each Brotherhood has a special place in which is recommended to see them, because the procession pass by a narrow street, monuments or because it is a typical saeta place. (Saeta: Flamenco sing dedicated to the sculpture and usually occur sporadically during the itinerary).

(It has to highlight that the Brotherhoods have, besides the procession, other aims as the worships and charity during all the year)

During the next days and weeks, it will post new information about Brotherhoods, schedules, itinerary, recommended places and more...

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Motorcycle Grand Prix Weekend

Motorcycle Grand Prix Weekend

From 2^nd to 4^th May

It is one of the grand prix of "Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix". It is one of the most famous and important of the world due to the atmosphere and number of visitants. In 2007, the circuit achieved the assistance record to a sport event in Spain with 134,138 spectators.

The Motorcycle Grand Prix of Spain is celebrated in Jerez circuit and this edition will be the number 27. Jerez is considered the Motorcycle Cathedral in Spain by the motor racing fans. Thousands of people come to Jerez during that weekend invading the city with motorcycles. The hotels occupancy during the weekend in Jerez and other cities is 100%.

The visitors can enjoy with concerts; stands of foods, drinks and merchandising; and others activities that the city prepares to them. Also, the motor racing fans can visit the circuit museum and, in general, all the Jerez monuments during these days.

The motorcycle pilots say that Jerez Grand Prix is different because of the circuit, the fans and the atmosphere, and due to this, all of them want to win and the Sunday racings always are spectaculars.

During the next weeks will post the timetable of the events.

More information and tickets sales in:

http://www.circuitodejerez.com/index.php?id=entradas&L=1

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Horse Fair

Horse Fair

From 11^th to 18^th May

(Official Poster of the Horse Fair 2014)

Horse Fair (also known as Fair of Jerez or Fair of May). It is the most important celebration. It is declared as International Tourist Interest and is one of the most important and visited fair of Spain. It is celebrated in May and has hundreds of stands where can eat and drink the typical products of Jerez de la Frontera, Andalucia and Spain. The protagonist of the fair are horses and exist many horses shows. Unlike other fairs, anybody can entry to the stands because are publics.

The horse Fair has its origin in the Medieval Age, in the fairs which were organized to sale horses. The Fair is located in the Parque Gonzalez Hontoria.

During the noon is celebrated the horse and carriages parades in the fair's central streets.

The fair has more than 250 stands with great environment and with typical gastronomy of Jerez; and between them compete in two competitions, "The Best Tapas" and "The Best Decoration".

Regarding to the gastronomy it highlights the fried fish and seafood, typical stews, paella, tortilla de patatas... The drinks in the fair are the wines of Jerez, Fino and Oloroso, and also there is a refreshing drink very popular in the fair, the "rebujito", it is a mix with Fino and soda.

Women usually wear flamenco dress during the noon, being the flamenco one of the protagonist in the fair.

During the Horse Fair, the hotel occupancy in Jerez de la Frontera is 100% and many tourist and national and international famous come to Jerez, due to this, the fair has become world famous.

(Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis in Horse Fair)

To the kids the Fair has an attractions area.

The Fair has the particularity of having special dedicated days to the kids (Monday) when the attractions are cheaper, women day (Wednesday) when is common the groups of women wearing flamenco dress.

Moreover, there are other parallel celebrations during the fair as bullfights or activities around the horse.

If you ask to a local person about which is the best event to visit in Jerez de la Frontera, the person surely will answer you that the Horse Fair is the most important event in the city.

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Summary of year activities

Are you thinking to come to Jerez? Do you know when? If you don't know or you prefer visit Jerez in a special date, you can check the next video with the activities calendar.

The main events or feast days are:

·         The Flamenco Festival is world famous and is consider for many medias as the most important of world. There are a lot of performances and courses about flamenco.  The XVIII Festival of Jerez will be from 21st February to 8th March

·         Holy Week. 13th to 20th of April. Is one of the most important of Andalusia with more than 40 processions and the number is growing due to the growth of the city. This celebration starts the Palm Sunday and finished the Easter Sunday. The Jerez Holy Week has a big artistic, historical and cultural patrimony, and one of the older sculptures of Spain. Also, it is important the song of the Saeta that it is a flamenco style dedicated to the images in procession and usually is singing spontaneously.

·         Moto GP Grand Prix: It is one of the grand prix of "Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix". It is one of the most famous and important of the world due to the atmosphere and number of visitants. In 2007, the circuit achieved the assistance record to a sport event in Spain with 134,138 spectators. 28th of April to 4th of May.

·         Horse Fair (also known as Fair of Jerez or Fair of May). It is the most important celebration. It is declared as International Tourist Interest and is one of the most important and visited fair of Spain. It is celebrated in May and has hundreds of stands where can eat and drink the typical products of Jerez, Andalusia and Spain. The protagonist of the fair are horses and exist many horses shows. Unlike other fairs, anybody can entry to the stands because are publics. 11th to 18th of May.

·         Tour of Spain. This year the competition will start from Jerez the next 23th of August.

·         Grape harvest festival: Jerez celebrates this feast since 1948, during the first 2 weeks of September. The city usually organizes concert, theatres, touristic routes, artisanal markets, shows related to wine and a tapas’ fair. It is a big occasion to the tourist to know about the typical feast and the people of this city, because, this feast is dedicated to the habitants so the international tourist could feel like a local habitant. 9th to 14th of September.

·         Festivity of St. Dionisio and Blue and White night. 4th to 9th of October. The City Hall usually organise cultural activities like, free entry to monuments, museums, wineries and touristic routes.

·         Christmas in Jerez. 28th November to 6 of January. Christmas is living of special form in Jerez. Usually people meet to sing Christmas songs which are singing in flamenco and with local lyrics. Also It is typical the nativity scenes, there are several in all the city, in fact there is a nativity scenes museum opening during all the year.

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European Wine City 2014 Gala

During this year, Jerez is the European Wine City 2014 and the city will celebrate a lot of celebrations and events around the sherry wine.

These events will present during the European Wine City gala that will celebrate the next 21st and 22nd of February according to the organising committee which has presented today this gala. During the presentation, one of the members has said that these celebrations have to introduce the wine and the ways to consume it to the world.

Also, these galas are the same days that the Jerez Festival (International flamenco festival) and the Iberoamerican Forum Wine Business, so that weekend will be promotional days of Jerez around the world.

Moreover, the City Hall has organised many activities linked to wine intended to the Jerez habitants and the tourists. Also, there are many cultural activities like, free entry to monuments, museums, wineries and touristic routes.

The City Hall has called to habitants and tourists for participate the Saturday 22nd of February in the "toast to Jerez" that will celebrate in the Larga street.

Also that Saturday will be a special gala of "How the Andalusian Horses Dance" by The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation.

The special gala will be the Saturday, 22th of february at 20:00 pm. Price 10€

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