Merida Events: Chili and Music
This Week... starting January 13, 2014
Merida Fest Fiesta: January 5 through 31
For the 472nd Anniversary of the City of Merida, there will be 220 shows (virtually all of them free!), featuring 2,000 artists, and cultural offerings from 13 countries. Here in our regular weekly events column. For more information, the full program for MeridaFest is online.
Santa Elena Fiesta: January 10th through January 24th
This fiesta is in honor of Santo Cristo del Amor. Many of our readers are familiar with the fact that the town of Santa Elena that contains Uxmal. This lovely little town is to the southeast of the city, and forms part of our border with the State of Campeche. There are loads of archaeological sites here, including Uxmal, Kabah, Nohpat, Xcoh and Muchich.
Tizimin Fiesta: December 15 through January 10
This fiesta is in honor of Santa Ines. The Municipality of Dzitas is a small “county,” located in the central-eastern part of the state, just south of Espita. There are fewer than 3,500 people who live in Dzitas, and their main artistic skills are turned mostly toward the making of hammocks. It is the population statistics that are interesting in this municipality. Almost half of the people work in agriculture, most of the rest work in manufacturing or go off to work in the oil industry. Over 90% have all the modern utilities coming to their homes and they have plenty of schools, including a college. Two-thirds of the people are indigenous, so the languages spoken in Dzitas are Spanish, Mayan, and Tzeltal. The food and health care are excellent because the birth rate is steady and the death rate is amazingly low. Take a trip out to this fiesta and let us know if you discover their secret to a long and healthy life.
Ongoing Exhibits in the City This Season
V Exhibition: Mira el Silencio : November 22 – January 18
This art exhibit in the Mejorada section of town has been put on in cooperation with the United Nations’ declaration to stop violence against women worldwide. More than 100 artists in a variety of media contributed their art. One more week to see it!
Location: Calle 59 # 452-A x 54 y 52, Centro-Mejorada
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free
Exhibition by Vicente Razo: December 7 – Febuary 28
This is an exhibition brought to Merida by the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City. This artist includes rewritten or transported texts from the Palacio Nacional murals and texts by a number of well known writers.
Location: Galeria Manolo Rivero / Muro 51, Calle 51 x 60, Centro (Santa Lucia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
In The City
Monday (Lunes) January 13, 2014
Visual Arts: Immortality and Passion
This exhibition is of the sculpture of Humberto Peraza. This is a great day to walk down Paseo de Montejo and enjoy these pieces along the way.
Location: Paseo de Montejo
Time: All Day during the Birthday Celebration
Admission: Free
Movie: Hamlet
This is part of the series called Shakespeare on Film.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free
Feldenkrais Personal Training Workshop: The Journey Inward: January 13-16
For More Information, visit the Feldenkrais Journey website.
Location: Casa Quetzal, Valladolid
Time: All day
Admission: $360 if registed by 12/13/2013, $440 after that
Tuesday (Martes) January 14, 2014
Movie: Romeo and Juliet
This is part of the series called Shakespeare on Film.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free
Tuesday of Trova
Always a great Trio from Yucatan.
Location: Central Patio del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free
Wednesday (Miercoles) January 15, 2014
Movie: Hecho en Mexico
Fabulous documentary about music and the arts in Mexico.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Music: The Southern European Heritage
This performance is under the direction of Amy Palma Canto, with participation by Gaitero Miguel Angel Fraile and the Orpheus String Quartet.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Col. Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free
Opening of the exposition: Dear Fernando
This is an exposition of the artwork of two of Yucatan’s most beloved artists: Fernando Castro Pacheco and Fernando Garcia Ponce.
Location: The Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Col. Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free
Movie: El Ciruelo
(Mexico 2008) El Ciruelo tells the story of the vanishing of a little settlement in Nayarit's mountains. The water from El Cajóns dam floods the town. Meanwhile the families who used to live there try to get used to life on the New Ciruelo.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Thursday (Jueves) January 16, 2014
Artisans Market
Come to the beach (or walk down the beach, if you are already there!) and do some shopping! All works offered are created locally.
Location: Chicxulub Centro
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Free but do come to enjoy the offerings and, hopefully, to purchase something wonderful.
Movie: The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye
(USA 2012)An intimate, affecting portrait of the life and work of ground-breaking performance artist and music pioneer Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV) and his other half and collaborator, Lady Jaye, centered around the daring sexual transformations the pair underwent for their “Pandrogyne” project.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Snow White and… her Seven Lovers
This is part of the Tribute to Hector Herrera “Cholo”. Cholo was a famous Mexican comedian who was born in Merida and died in 2010.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 5:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Music: The Goldberg Variations
This performance is under the direction of Pavel Blaszkowski. There is no other information available about who will be playing.
Location: Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Calle 60 x 57 Col. Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Music: The Southern European Heritage
This performance is under the direction of Amy Palma Canto, with participation by Gaitero Miguel Angel Fraile and the Orpheus String Quartet.
Location: Auditorio del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Movie: Byzantium
(2012 UK) Residents of a coastal town learn, with deathly consequences, the secret shared by the two mysterious women who have sought shelter at a local resort.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Music: Songriter of My Time: Andres Tinoco
Do try to make this performance. Andres Tinoco is one of Yucatan’s legendary songwiters and a beloved ambassador of Yucatan’s culture. And they don't hold concerts often in the gardens behind the church at Ermita... that's a real treat too!
Location: Jardín botánico de La Ermita, Calle 66 x 77
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Opening of the Tribute to Hector Herrera “Cholo”
This first hour is a round table discussion and photographic exhibition. Movies will follow tonight and the rest of the week.
Location: Outside Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Movie: Blackfish
(2011 USA) Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity. This movie has been getting lots of press, kudos and, we hear, is difficult but important to watch. They are billing this as "the movie Seaworld doesn't want you to see".
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Movie: El Bulli
(Germany 2011) An elegant, detailed study of food as avant-garde art, this film is a tasty peek at some of the world's most innovative and exciting cooking. As Adri himself puts it, "the more bewilderment, the better!"
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Friday (Viernes) January 17, 2014
Movie: Expedition to the End of the World
(Denmark 2013) A grand and adventurous journey of discovery to the last white areas of the world map. But no matter how far we go and how hard we try to find answers, we ultimately meet ourselves and our own transience. Contender for 86th documentary Academy Award.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Exposition & Music: Life in Santiago
This is an interesting interdisciplinary event that presents the work (paintings, sculpture, etc.) of Igor Froylan, accompanied by the voice and guitar of Armando Martin.
Location: Galeria Mala Vida , Calle 70 x 59
Time: 8:30 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Dance: Y Tan Solo
Under the direction of Roger Pech, the Odori Desu dance company reflects on what it means to be human and to connect with other human beings.
Location: Central Patio of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:30 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Music: Bolé
No description of this event is listed. We believe it may be a musical group.
Location: Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Calle 60 x 57 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Dance: Arbolada
This performance, is by Compañía Tatzudanzaunder the direction of Tatiana Zugazagoitia. Can you say that three times fast?
Location: Fuera de Centro, Calle 21 # 93B X 14 y 18, Col. Itzimna
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Music: William Basinski and Nicholas Szczepanik
This is a performance of the regional music of Yucatan.
Location: Palacio Canton, Montejo x 43
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Movie: Among Paupers and Richies
This movie is part of the tribute to Héctor Herrera "Cholo".
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Movie: The Bling Ring
(2013 USA) Inspired by actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities' whereabouts in order to rob their homes. Stars Hermione Granger... eh, we mean Emma Watson.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Movie: Like Father, Like Son
(Japan 2013) Two sons are switched at birth by mistake and when the parents find out years later, they try to make sense of it. Nominated for the Palmes d'Or prize at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Spring Breakers
(2012 USA) Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Concert: Lavach
If you love rock-n-roll and the blues, and young French musicians and singers, then this is the place for you. Preview the Lavach on their website.
Location: Remate de Montejo x 47
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Saturday (Sabado) January 18, 2014
Dance: Arbolada
This performance, is by Compañía Tatzudanzaunder the direction of Tatiana Zugazagoitia.
Location: Fuera de Centro, Calle 21 # 93B X 14 y 18, Col. Itzimna
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Movie: La Calle Lopez
(Mexico 2013) Something between a microsocial documentary and an urban video symphony.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Noon Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Night of Cultures: Tarima Maya: Pueblo del Maiz
7:00 PM - Tarima Maya: What Sound the Mayapaax
8:00 PM - Meeting Francisco de Montejo
8:30 PM - Compañía de Danza Folklórica Kaambal: La vida en el Mayab (Life Among the Maya)
9:30 PM - Cristina Branco: Fado Singer
10:00 PM - Roda de Choro, Brazilian traditional music
11:30 PM - 100 drums for Nelson Mandela, from Parque de Santa Lucia to the Plaza Grande (Wow... that should be amazing!)
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Admission: Free
Movie: This Is the End
(2013 USA) While attending a party at James Franco's house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse. This is a comedy written and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Contemporary Dance: …Y tan solo
Under the direction of Roger Pech, the Odori Desu dance company reflects on what it means to be human and to connect with other human beings.
Location: Central Patio of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 7:30 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Music: Between Strings and Winds with Cesar Reyes
What a wonderful night this will be, and what a beautiful location.
Location: Museo de la Ciudad, Calle 65 x 56 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Music: Night of Jazz: Steve Koven
Performing tonight will be the Trio Ingrid Laubrock and the Trio Pocket Bras Band.
Location: Parque de Santa Anna, Calle 60 x 47
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Music: Good Vibes 2
This performance is under the direction of Jorge Milan.
Location: Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Movie: Dumb, dumb, but not too much
This movie is part of the Tribute to Héctor Herrera "Cholo".
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Recital of Piano and Violin
This will be a wonderful performance! Dusan Holý will play piano and Christopher Collins will play the violin. Never miss a chance to experience an evening with these two, or either alone as well.
Location: Auditorio of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:30 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Movie: La Piedra Ausente (The Absent Stone)
(Mexico 200?) In 1964, the largest carved stone of the Americas was moved from the town of San Miguel Cuatlinchan in the municipality of Texcoco to the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City in an impressive feat of engineering. The extraction of the monolith, which represents the pre-Hispanic water deity, set off a rebellion in the town and led to the intervention of the army. It has its own Facebook page (the movie, not the stone).
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Prisoners
(2013 USA) When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family? Great performances by Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhall.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Sunday (Domingo) January 19, 2014
Documentary about Nature
Always a great documentary about nature. A great place to bring your kids.
Location: Museo de Historia Natural, Calle 59 x Av. Itzaes
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free
MEL’s 2014 Chili Cookoff
All types of chili are welcome… red chili, white chili, and they have received requests for more vegetarian chili entries. So come join the fun and show Merida your chili! This is a major fundraiser for MEL, so please do participate! Chili cooks, if you haven’t signed up yet you can still do so at melchilicookoff2014@gmail.com. For those who
prefer to participate as chili tasters, tickets are available at the Library or at the same email address. Tickets include one hot dog, one soft drink, and all the chili
you could possibly eat. Bus Service: $20 pesos
Location: Calle 33 No. 378-A x 6 y 8, Col. Montebello, Merida. Bus Service: From the Library to the Cook Off: 12:30 PM & 1:20 PM, Return trips: 3:00 PM & 4:30 PM
Time: 1:00 PM Sunday
Admission: $150 pesos for adults, $50 pesos for children under 12.
Massive Concert: Dance Marathon with Sonora Santanera
These events are coming more and more often. They are just wonderful. Do come out and enjoy dancing in the street. …and don’t forget to bring your camera.
Location: Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: 4:00 PM
Admission: Free
Concert: Tribute to Jeff Manookian
This performance is by the Chamber Orchestra of Merida.
Location: Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
Movie: The Past
(2012 France) An Iranian man deserts his French wife and two children to return to his homeland. Meanwhile, his wife starts up a new relationship, a reality her husband confronts upon his wife's request for a divorce.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: $30pesos plus free popcorn and coffee.
Concert: Cristina Branco
This lady is one of the world’s most well known Fado singers. Fado is a music genre that can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal, but is probably much older. It is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a characteristic sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia.
Location: Teatro Armando Manzanero
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free
Movie: Lake Tahoe
This movie is part of the Tribute to Hector Herrera “Cholo.” No information is given on the version, date or country associated with this movie.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free
Movie: Camile Claudel 1915
(2013 France) Winter, 1915. Confined by her family to an asylum in the South of France - where she will never sculpt again - the chronicle of Camille Claudel's reclusive life, as she waits for a visit from her brother, Paul Claudel.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: $30pesos plus free popcorn and coffee.
Monday (Lunes) January 20
Movie: Othello
This movie is part of a series entitled Shakespeare in the Movies. No version, date, or country of origin is given.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free
Coming Soon
MEL’s Eco-Park Safaris Sundays: January 26
Join Cherie Pittillo, renowned zoologist, photographer, author and columnist, in a tour of 3 Ecological Parks of Mérida; the Parque Acuático, the Kai Lu Um Park (Maya for “song of the earth”) and the Parque Ecológico del Poniente. It begins with an introduction at the Library and maps and special directions for the drivers will be distributed. The tour takes around 5 hours and is, in total, a 26-mile round trip from MEL. The tour will afford you the opportunity to observe and photograph the flora and fauna of the area, including birds such as: Northern Jacana, Black-necked Stilt, Great Egret and Couch's Kingbird. Don’t forget your binoculars, cameras, hats, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen lotion and water.
Location: Begins at the Library
Time: 6:30 AM
Admission: $200 pesos per person. Capacity limited to 17 per tour, so sign up early. They need 4 private cars that can take 4 to 5 persons. If you offer to drive your car, you get the tour free of charge.
Maná in Concert: February 8, 2014
This great rock and roll band will be opening the new Coliseo in Merida... if you love rock and roll, don't miss this!
Location: Coliseo Yucatan, Merida
Time: TBA
Admission: Tickets at www.boletea.com start at $660 pesos
2nd Annual Artist Studio Tour Saturday, February 15
Hosted by the Merida English Library. Step inside the homes and studios of over 20 artists and see where creativity lives. Many of these artists are well represented in galleries, but the MEL Artist Studio Tour is the only time their working spaces will be open to the public. Be your own guide and plan your day with the artists who interest you most. Walk, bike, drive, bus, or taxi your way around Merida, and fall in love with the city and her artists. Each artist will have pieces for sale. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon – or you’ll have to wait until next year for this once a year opportunity!
Locations: Various Artists' Studios. Be Your Own Guide.
Time: Hours TBA
Admission: Tickets are only 200 pesos and will be on sale starting January 17 at the following:
Merida English Library (Mon-Fri 9am - 1pm, Mon Eve 6:30 - 9:00; Sat 10 - 1pm), Calle 53 x 66 y 68, Centro
Habla, The Centre for Language and Culture (Mon-Fri 8:30am-2:30pm, Sat 10am-2pm), Calle 26 No. 99-B x 19 y 21, Colonia México
SlowFood Market (Saturday mornings), Calle 33 y Avenida Reforma (Calle 72), García Ginerés
Fourth Season of Opera at the Movies
February 1st, La NOZZE di FIGARO by Mozart
March 8, ANNA BOLENA by Donizetti
April 26, DON PASQUALE by Donizetti
May 3, Wagner’s Bicentennial - TRISTAN und ISOLDE. “The Ring of the Nibelung” by Wagner will be shown at the end of the 4th season.
Location: Sala Mayamax del Gran Museo del Mundo Maya.
Time: Opera Talk: 11:30 AM, Film: 12:00 PM
Admission: Free
Have an event you want to promote? Email us at info@yucatanliving.com and we'll be happy to list it in our Events listing and our Month-at-a-Glance Calendar!
Events
