Merida Events: Fiestas Galore
This Week... starting January 27, 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.
Temax Fiesta: Last week in January
This fiesta is in honor of Virgen de la Purisima Concepción. This year, it begins on Saturday, January 24th. Temax is located a couple of small municipalities inland from the beach, at about the center of our coastline. They are close enough to the beach that turtles are listed as part of the wildlife found there. Of the 3,231 folks who live in Temax, 2,392 are Mayans and Mayan is the principal language spoken there. Temax has some of the most exciting recent (20th century) history in all of Yucatan. Read about it here.
Hunucma Fiesta: Last week in January
This fiesta is in honor of Corpus Christi . Hunucma is the poster child for “Change Has Come.” This municipality extends from just west of Merida, all the way to the coast. To help you get your bearings, Sisal is in the Municipality of Hunucma. Hunucma (the city) has a newly refurbished gateway into the city, a new addition to their municipal mercado, and a brand new concha acústica. The entire municipality is looking forward to new highways and leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to improve the quality of life for everyone in the municipality. Lots of agro-products are made here, but the shoppers among us go for the shoes! Artisans produce works from coconut shell and henequen, as well as jewelry and leatherwork. On the coast, there are flamingos and great seafood! Hunucma is close to the city and a day at any of their fiestas is well worth the visit.
Valladolid: Candelaria Fiesta: January 24 through February 9
This fiesta is one of the most important fiestas in the state. It is held in honor of Mary, mother of Jesus, to confirm that, for Catholics, Jesus is the Light of the World, and it also marks the time when the chicle workers returned from months of hard work in the forests. And it honors the beekeepers and other farmers. All events focus on the community and the family unit. The fiesta eventually grew so large that it began causing damage to the city itself, so it was moved to a commercial area, Los Gavilanes, which is in the outlying suburbs of Valladolid. Candles are still lit to the Virgin in the annex of the Church of the Candlemas. While no one was paying attention, this sleepy little rodeo town grew into a commercial and industrial giant and, with the elevation of Chichen Itza to the status of One of the Seven New Wonders of the World, Valladolid has become a tourist mecca. Visit Valladolid’s website in Valladolid. For more, visit Valladolid’s wiki page and click on the great links at the bottom.
Tekal de Venegas Candelaria Fiesta: January 28 through February 02
Tekal de Venegas is a tiny municipality in the north-central part of the state. It is south of Temax and Dzoncauich, north of Izamal and Tunkas, west of Tunkas and Cenotillo, and east of Tepakan. (See Maplandia ) Only about 2,300 people live there and half of them are indigenous. Their languages are Spanish, Mayan, and Nahuatl. More than half of the population works in agriculture, cattle ranching, or fishing. We found some pictures of this municipality online and they showed a high level of poverty. Tekal de Venegas is only 11 miles northeast of Izamal, on the road to Temax. Ox Watz is a well designed ecotourism area owned by 56 partners who are native citizens of Tekal de Venegas. What a wonderful idea! We are sure this fiesta will be well worth attending – and please don’t pass up a chance to visit Ox Watz!.
Tzucacab Candelaria Fiesta: January 28 through February 02
Tzucacab is located on the southern border of Yucatan, just east of the point. It lies between Tekax and Peto, and shares its southern border with the State of Quintana Roo. Approximately 12,600 people live in Tzucacab, about 7,000 of whom are Mayans, for whom Mayan is the principal language. This is farming and cattle country, so look for lots of leatherwork here. But the extreme southern part of our state also happens to produce artisans of fine jewelry, so be on the lookout for jewelry here too. Remember that there are volunteer oportunities in Tzucacab as well. And Tzucacab, through Rancho Hobonil, is home to one of our favorite programs, the International Veterinary Medicine program, sponsored by the University of Florida. There are some wonderful things in the interior of our state and we hope everyone takes the opportunity to find that out, especially at these fiestas.
Tecoh Fiesta: February 02
This fiesta is in honor of Virgen de la Candelaria. If you look at a map of the Municipality of Merida, you will see Tecoh down at the far southeast edge. The artisans of this area excel in the areas of making machine embroidered huipiles, hemp hammocks, and woodcarving. Tecoh means “Place of the Puma” and most of the buildings in the town of Tecoh are built on top of pre-Columbian foundations.
Ongoing Exhibits in Valladolid
Exhibit: Photos by Francisco Hernandez Until February 20
Francisco Hernandez, a Mexican born U.S. citizen and Director of the Valladolid English Library, graduated with a Master’s Degree in International Development Studies from Iowa State University. Francisco has had the privilege of working for and on behalf of minority and marginalized populations in Mexico, U.S.A., El Salvador, Haiti and Jordan. He enjoys international travel and has visited parts of India, Cambodia, Thailand, and Europe. Francisco believes that life is made of snapshots and that taking pictures is a way to capture not only the image of what he sees, but also the inner emotions the image brought out of him. He loves sharing his pictures with people because he likes sharing the beauty of the image and the emotions he felt when he took the photographs. Finally, his collection of pictures is a reminder of the unique and blessed opportunities he has had by the mere fact of being alive. All photos in this exhibition are for sale.
Location: : CONATO Restaurant, Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico
Time: All Day during restaurant hours
Admission: Free
Ongoing Exhibits in the City This Season
Exhibition by Vicente Razo: December 7 – February 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 PMAdmission: Free
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
In The City
Monday (Lunes) January 27
Concha Buika in Concert
Concha Buika is a Spanish singer and Grammy nominee. She was born in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands in Spain, and has worked with Yucatan’s own and much-beloved Armando Manzanero. She sings in Spanish, Catalan, English, French and Portuguese. This should be quite a performance.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free
Music: Sonoreando of Mexico sings to Havana
This performance, featuring the Voices Without Borders Choir, is under the direction of Carlos Tello.
Location: Central Patio of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free
Tuesday (Martes) January 28, 2014
Movie: Julius Caesar
This is part of the series called Shakespeare on Film.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free
Circus Performers: Company Ilaii
The title of this performance is “End of the Century Cabaret.
Location: Parque de Santa Lucia, Calle 60 x 55
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free
Music: Sonoreando of Mexico sings to Havana
This performance, featuring the Voices Without Borders Choir, is under the direction of Carlos Tello.
Location: Central Patio f the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free
Concert: Mendelssohn, Schubert, Beethoven
The group that will be performing was not listed, but the director for this event is Luis Luna, the director of the Yucatan Youth Symphonic Band. That means this will be a great performance and one that everyone should attend.
Location: Jose Peon Contreras Theater, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free
Wednesday (Miercoles) January 29, 2014
Movie: My First Contact
(Brazil 2005) Thirty-eight years after their first contact, Ikpeng people reminisce with a mixture of sadness, humor and nostalgia about a time when ''white men" were unknown. They discuss the changes that have come in the wake of this irreversible moment in their history. (English Subtitles)
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Ran
This is part of the series called Shakespeare on Film.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free
Circus Performers: Company Ilaii
The title of this performance is “End of the Century Cabaret". Sounds like fun!
Location: Parque de Santa Lucia, Calle 60 x 55
Time: 8:30 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free
Movie: Heli
(Mexico 2013) Mexican crime drama that premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Thursday (Jueves) January 30, 2014
Movie: Maria Sabina, Woman of the Spirit
(Mexico) Documentary about the famous curandera Maria Sabina.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Prince Avalanche
(2013 USA) Two highway road workers spend the summer of 1988 away from their city lives. The isolated landscape becomes a place of misadventure as the men find themselves at odds with each other and the women they left behind.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Concert: Suigenerislab 2013
This performance is under the direction of Elijah Puc, 2012 founder of Suigenerislab. If any program exemplifies the serious love and dedication of Yucatan to the care and nurturing of young composers, this is it. This program is an incubator for talented young Mexican composers, where they are also are able to work with composers of international renown. It is the existence of programs like this that are the foundation for Yucatan’s long history of producing composers that are beloved around the world.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Col. Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Concert: The Heart of Trova
This concert is by Merida’s beloved Mozu, La Voz, one of Yucatan’s most treasured performers.
Location: Auditorio del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
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 Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Movie: Silvestre Pantaleon
(Mexico 2012) The documentary about an elderly man from the Nahuatl-speaking village of San Agustin Oapan, Guerrero, Mexico. Told with a lyrical combination of lingering imagery and ethnographic detail.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Friday (Viernes) January 31, 2014
Movie: First Position
(USA 2011) Documentary about young ballet hopefuls and what it takes to get to the big stage. Very moving with some beautiful dancing.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Side Effects
(2013 USA) A young woman's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Movie: The Stroke of Midnight
This is part of the series called Shakespeare on Film.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61 Centro
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free
Music: Tricycle Circus Band
This is a type of Jazz that has evolved from the music of the Canary Islands. It is popular in both Cuba and Mexico. This sounds like way too much fun to miss.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Movie: Searching for Sugarman
A reprise of this award-winning documentary about a Detroit bluesman who discovered that he was famous in South Africa.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: Stoker
(2013 USA) After India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him..
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Saturday (Sabado) February 01, 2014
Movie: Like Father, Like Son
Fascinating Japanese movie about two sons switched at birth and the families that have to deal with it when they discover the situation when the boys are six years old.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Noon Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Fourth Season of Opera at the Movies
February 1st, La NOZZE di FIGARO by Mozart . This is a comic opera that is also known as The Day of Madness. It continues the plot of The Barber of Seville and picks up several years later. There is a lot of “thwarting” in this performance and it is a joy to watch.
Location: Sala Mayamax del Gran Museo del Mundo Maya.
Time: Opera Talk: 11:30 AM, Film: 12:00 PM
Admission: Free
Movie: TBD
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos plus free popcorn
Movie: Volver a Nadie
(Spain 2011) A documentary about the life of a girl between the ages of 11 and 23 who lives with the Taliban in Iran.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students
Movie: TBD
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) February 02, 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
2014 Merida Triathlon
Location: Swimming in Progreso, Cycling from Progreso to Merida, and Running on Paseo Montejo.
Time: TBD, Sunday
Admission: TBD
Movie: TBD
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: $30pesos plus free popcorn and coffee.
Movie: TBD
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) February 03
No Events to report at the moment.
Coming Soon
Yucatan Symphony Orchestra - February Schedule
Aires de Bohemia: Friday, February 7, 9:00 PM, and Sunday, February 9, 12:00 PM
Guest Director: Gabriele Pezone, Bassoon: Miguel Galvan
Pequeña y Gran Rusia: Friday, February 14, 9:00 PM, and Sunday, February 16, 12:00 PM
Director: Juan Carlos Lomonaco, Guest Pianist: Edison Quintana
Yucatan Symphony Orchestra’s 10th Anniversary: Beethoven’s 9th
Friday, February 21, 9:00 PM, and Sunday, February 23, 12:00 PM
Director: Juan Carlos Lomonaco, with the Coro Filarmonico de Yucatan, Marcela Chacon (soprano), Alan Pingarron (tenor), Lydia Rendon (Mezzosoprano), and Enrique Angeles (Baratone).
Locations: Jose Peon Contreras Theater , Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday and 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: purchase tickets online or by calling (999) 923-1333
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
Ballet Gala: Russian Ballet February 18 The title of this performance is “Love and Passion,” performed by dancers from St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kiev. This is the first visit to Merida for the stars of the Mariinsky Ballet of St. Petersburg. The Gala will feature pieces from the “White Swa,n” “Black Swan,” “Tarantella” (choreography by George Balanchine with traditional Italian music), “Bhakti” and duets from “Diana and Actaeon.” “Carmen.” “Les Sylphides.”” Romeo and Juliet.””Spartacus” and “Don Quijote.” The Gala will be divided in two acts, all the dancers will be performing in the final number.
Locations: Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: Tickets on Sale at the box office: Prices are 500, 400 and 300 pesos.
Annual Fundraiser: Protección de Perros y Gatos, a.c. Saturday, February 22
The annual fundraising breakfast for Perros y Gatos will be better than ever this year. Thanks to a generous gift from expat Susan Brown, the new clinic will soon be completed. The Grand Opening will be on March 16. If you are unable to attend the meeting, remember that they can now accept both U.S. and Canadian checks and money orders. Giving has never been easier as you can mail checks or money orders in either currency, payable to Protección de Perros y Gatos a.c., to Apartado Postal No. 30, Progreso 97320, Yucatán, México. You will receive an official receipt and thank you note from us. Donations of US $100 (or equivalent) will entitle you to have your name (or that of a beloved pet) inscribed on the plaque that will be prominently displayed in the clinic’s waiting room later this year.
Locations: Barlovento’s Restaurant on Main Street (Calle 80) Progreso
Time: 6:00 PM
Admission: Buy your own food and please make a donation.
Lecture: Alternative Programming for a Comprehensive Human Development of Yucatan, A.C.Tuesday, February 28, 2014
This lecture is part of the 2014 Valladolid Lecture Series. Alter-Int’s office is located in Valladolid. The agency has 17 staff members and they all work in conjunction to develop, coordinate and run the programs across many of the rural areas in the state, including Valladolid. Last year, Alter-Int reached approximately 3,000 people who, the large majority of them, lived in rural and disenfranchised Maya communities. They help with everything from HIV education to organizing a new business incubator. They are especially focused on women and children’s financial and health needs.
Locations: In the Palapa at Casa Hamaca, Colonia San Juan, Calle 49 #202-A x 40
Valladolid, Yucatan, 97780, México, Phone: +52-985-100-4270
Time: 7:30 PM
Admission: $50 peso donation to the Valladolid English Library, all of which will be turned over to Alter-Int to help support its many programs.
Merida Carnival 2014: February 26 through March 05
Quema del Mal humor: Outside the Municipal Palace (Calle 62 x 63), 8:00 PM Wednesday
Pre-School Parade: From the Municipal Palace (Calle 62 x 63) to Parque Santa Lucia (Calle 60 x 55), 4:00 PM Thursday
Corso Parade : Fair Grounds at Xmatkuil, 7:00 PM
Carnaval: Fantasy Parade Fair Grounds at Xmatkuil, 7:00 PM
Carnaval Bachata Parade Fair Grounds at Xmatkuil, 12:00 PM
Regional Parade Fair Grounds at Xmatkuil, 7:00 PM
Battle of the Flowers Parade Fair Grounds at Xmatkuil, 12:00 PM
Burial of Juan Carnaval Outside the Municipal Palace (Calle 62 x 63), 8:00 PM
Merida Music Festival - March 29, 2014
Location: Hacienda Dzibikak
Time: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Admission: Tickets are available at Hennessy’s Irish Pub in Paseo Montejo and La Bierhaus in Colonia México. Normal price: $250 pesos, Presale price: $200 pesos, VIP ticket: $1000 pesos – Food and drinks included in special viewing area, and Children under 12: FREE Sell Your Wares: Stands prices are as follows - Arts and crafts - MX$1,000 Non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, etc), desserts (ice creams etc) - $2,000 Hot food (burgers, hot dogs, etc) and alcoholic drinks - $3,000 Stands are limited and will be taken on a first come first serve basis so that no 2 are alike (ie only 1 burger stand, etc)
More Information: Merida Music Festival http://meridamusicfestival.com/ The email is: info@haciendadzibikak.com and the phone numbers are: 988-933-0006 or 999-245-7562. Or talk to Sean Hennessy at Hennessy's.
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 cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung” by Richard Wagner will be shown (Saturdays at noon):
May 24, 2014 – Introduction (Opera talk and documentary),
May 31, 2014 – DAS RHEINEGOLD (The Rhine Gold),
June 7, 2014 – DIE WALKÜRE (The Valkyrie),
June 14, 2014 – SIEGFRID,
June 21, 2014 – GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG (Twilight of the Gods)
Location: Sala Mayamax del Gran Museo del Mundo Maya.
Time: Opera Talk: 11:30 AM, Film: 12:00 PM
Admission: Free
More Information: Facebook: operayucatan, Twiter: @operayucatan, Website: operayucatan.org
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
