The annual festival bringing Spanish to students outside of a classroom setting kicks off an eventful week today.

Spanish Week, sponsored by Eau Claire’s chapter of the Hispanic honor society Sigma Delta Pi, begins with a presentation by UW-Eau Claire professor emerita Roma Hoff.

Some of the presentations will include, “Spanish Handcrafts through the Centuries,” “Working in the Peace Corps in Paraguay” and “El Camino de Santiago: Hiking the Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela” There is also a book sale and the Sigma Delta Pi initiation.

One change Delta Pi made this year was the addition of Readers’ Theater.

It will consist of a play titled “El cepillo de dientes o Naufragos en el parque de atracciones” written by Jorge Diaz and presented by seven Eau Claire students. In English the title means “The Toothbrush.”

“Many students don’t have an opportunity to hear Spanish outside of the classroom,” said senior Nichole Weinfurtner, vice president of Sigma Delta Pi.

The full-length play, set in Argentina, is a comedy about the ups and downs of marriage and will be presented in Spanish. “It’s funny. I’m excited about it,” Weinfurtner said.

Another event during the week Sigma Delta Pi members are excited about is the 31st annual Spanish Dinner.

Spanish food and live music by students and faculty will be featured, Weinfurtner said. The 31st annual dinner sold out last year, said senior Sarah Schmitt, president of Sigma Delta Pi “The food and atmosphere are incredible,” she said.

Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the Service Center. Prices are $10.50 for the public, $7 for students and $5 for Sigma Delta Pi members.

“Last year it went really well,” said Schmitt. “We had good turn outs.”

All other events are free and open to the public.