The story this week is probably what I didn’t get to. Oh, well. There’s something here for everyone, especially the Lord of the Column procession at the end of the week. To repeat what I said below, the procession is moving and wonderful to watch — but — do yourself a favor and walk over to Independencia on Saturday evening and watch as scores of devotees create beautiful murals of colored sawdust in the streets.
In the morning, Roman soldiers, priests, acolytes, processioners and all will walk slowly through the sawdust, sending the art into oblivion. Following behind will be a legion of city sweepers with bags and brooms and within minutes it will all be the stuff of a dream. So, go see the dream being created on Saturday evening.
To find out WHAT ELSE is going on, as usual, I recommend the Big 3:
DiscoverSMA: https://discoversma.com/events/events/
Lokkal Events: https://www.lokkal.com/
San Miguel Live: https://sanmiguellive.com/events/
(Remember: Click on any image and enlarge it … especially if your eyesight is as bad as mine.)
March 10, Sunday, 9 a.m.
A bargain hunter’s dream hall
When you are the best, you don’t need any other name: “The Big Garage Sale” returns to Club de Leones in Colonia San Antonio. (right across the street from the church. The sale benefits Amigos de Animales which runs a regular campaign of sterilization for pets and strays.
This is actually Day 2. Doors open at 9 a.m. but there is always a line so …
It’s a garage sale – in a very very big room — do I really need to list the kinds of donated goods that you can pick up for cheap? Nope!
March 10, Sunday, 4:30 p.m.
Oscar! Oscar! Aristocrat!
The Aristocrat restaurant hosts an epic Oscar night of movie celebration with a red carpet, champagne, a photo shoot, Oscars bingo, and munchies. Not to forget the 2024 Oscars, the bistro’s 1st Annual Aristocrat Oscars Awards will close out the night.
Cost is $1200mxn (+15% service) R.S.V.P – Now info@aristocratsma.com – Book Now Starts at 4:30pm – Live Screening from 5.00pm – Aristocrat Awards straight after The 2024 Oscars.
March 10, Sunday, 6 p.m.
The Ladies of Salsa
Four powerful voices will sing out in honor of International Women’s Day in a Soul Fusion Salsa concert at Tres Fuentes Hotel, Calle Baeza #7, Centro.
The names may be familiar, but the music will be oh, so fresh: Gabriela Espinosa, Jackie “Bouvier” Copeland, Danielle Simmons, and featuring Lady Zen. The vocalists will be backed by a fine trio Sergio Carrillo on bass, Pepe Gaytan on percussions, and Carlos Vargas at the piano.
Tickets are $600 mxn and a $590 mxn dinner option is available. Purchase tickets at Hotel Boutique Tres Fuentes.
March 11, Monday
Day of rest and introspection. Turn off the computer. Go for a walk. Buy some ice cream for three little kids that you don’t know. Sit in a park until you have named all the pigeons in the fountain. Write out a letter by hand and mail it. Make a list of things you’ll never have to do again, ever. Burn it. Eat lunch at a hole-in-the-wall spot. Have a drink at an outdoor cafe table overlooking the Parroquia. Go to bed early. Go to bed late. Read a book.
March 12, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Giving voice to the Daughters of San Miguel
Julie Heifetz interviewed many middle-class women, 40 to 60 years old in San Miguel and their stories became a series of monologues called “The Daughters of San Miguel de Allende.” The monologues explore the cultural changes experienced by these women – a teacher, an engineer, a housekeeper, a masseuse and a lawyer.
Giving voice to these stories will be five professional bi-lingual Mexican actresses.
The performance will be at JC3 Cultural Center, Las Moras #47. Tickets are $200mxn for the public and $150mxn for JC3 members. Tickets available here.
Find an insightful interview with creator Julie Heifetz at the Lokkal website.
March 12, Tuesday, 4-6 p.m.
Why doodle when you can draw?
Todd doodles. One day he learned how to draw. He drew and drew until he decided his drawings needed color. Todd became a painter. He became famous. He had shows in famous cities. Todd never once thought to cut off an ear. As he grew very old, Todd painted like Tony Bennett, King Charles, Grandma Moses, and Sylvester Stallone. He was just as happy.
Isn’t it time you moved on up from doodles to drawing? All levels are welcome at the Studio Mario Olivio every Tuesday 4-6 p.m. Cost is $500 mxn and includes all materials. For recervations and details call +393481421531 or email: ARIANA.CRISPINI@gmail.com .
March 12, Tuesday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wanna put a little “Razzle-dazzle” into your steps?
Dancer-choreographer-actor Kayla Boye is teaching some cool moves from the Broadway hit musical “Chicago” in a one-day-only Master Class at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Boye is in town to perform her solo play “Call Me Elizabeth” as part of the inaugural SMA Solo Theatre Fest.
Dancers will be guided through a gentle physical warm-up before rehearsing choreography in the style of Bob Fosse’s works from the musical.
Cost is $35 USD ($600 mxn) with a maximum of 16 students.
Location: Arthur Murray Dance Studio, on Carretera a Queretaro, March 12, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
March 13, Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
How to put the accent into acting
Ever wonder how actors can affect the right accent for their character? Or why Mark Ruffalo keeps getting away with terrible accents in movies? (He’s no Mel Blanc.) Or how one person can project multiple character voices in a single solo show?
Actress Terri Weagant knows the secrets and will teach them in a Master Class on voice characters. “We will explore the possibilities of vocal character range through a series of games and exercises,” says Weagant. “We’ll learn to create an entire character, starting with vocal impulses … We’ll also learn the basics of how to acquire an accent or dialect other than your own, breaking it down into its component parts.”
Weagant is also performing “Every Brilliant Thing” at the SMA Solo Theatre Festival this week. Cost of the Master Class is $35 USD ($600 mxn) and limited to 16 people. The class will be taught at The Studio Space, Subida al Caracol #11.
March 13, Wednesday, 2 p.m.
Let them eat macrons! And madelienes!
But first, go see the 2006 movie “Marie Antoinette” at Santo Cinema, upstairs in the Mercado Sano, Ancha de San Antonio #123. Yes, movies are back at the Mercado.
A very limited schedule also includes “Singing in the Rain” on March 27 at 2 p.m. “Donations” are $70 mxn.
In this anachronistic, mean-girls-rule-France-and-shop bio-flick, Kirsten Dunst is the teen queen and Marianne Faithful is her mum. The movie was directed by Sophia Coppola.
After the movie, why not walk next door to the French bakery Maulier and point to your companions as you tell the waitstaff, “Let them eat cake!” So fun.
March 14, by appointment
Estate art sale preview
The Casa Nini Estate Sale in Colonia San Antonio will be Friday – Sunday, March 15-17, 10 am – 2 pm but you can get a jump on the crowd by signing up for the pre-sale on Thursday, March 14, 10 am-Noon. Make an appointment by contacting corazonfoundobjects@gmail.com to schedule a specific time and receive the address. Let them know the item/items you are interested in viewing. (See this Google image link for all items.)
San Miguel resident, world traveler, collector, and ceramic artist Nini Lofstrom has spent the past five decades collecting and creating. Now, you have the opportunity to own a piece from her meticulously curated collection. There are 600 pieces on offer.
Lofstrom’s own artistic style was showcased in “Art in San Miguel,” Vol II by Al Tirado. She has been a resident of San Miguel for 30 years and is now relocating to California.
See hundreds of photos in Google:
March 14, Thursday, 5-7:30 p.m.
San Miguel Solo Theatre Festival
It’s a solo festival but, no, you need not come alone. Bring a friend! The performances are solo acts. There will be six of them over two weeks. Artists are from San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, New York, and San Miguel de Allende. Not only will there be six tour de force performances, the festival will hold masterclasses, QandA panels, and a student showcase.
This first-ever Festival is organized by San Miguel’s own Eli Hans and Joseph Bennett.
The Solo Theatre Festival runs through March 23 in Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca, Relox #50. Shows are at 5 and 7:30 p.m. each day. Tickets are $450 mxn per show or $800 fr two shows on the same day. Tix: TeatroSantaAna.org For schedule go to SMASOLOFEST.COM.
March 14, Thursday, 5-6 p.m.
Literary road maps from five life-explorers
Five writers will expound on life’s journeys in San Miguel de Allende and beyond at the Poetry and Prose Café. The final event of the 2023/24 season features Carolyn Simsarian, Chloe Kemp, Joan Hall, Collette Sell, and Marilyn Bullivant.
Each author has a new book to share.
Books by the authors will be available for purchase. The cafe always fills up. Arriving a little early (buy a glass of wine!) is always encouraged.
The readings and one theatrical performance will take place at Cafe Murmullo, Ancha de San Antonio #24. A $100 mxn donation is suggested to cover expenses. (And tip your waiters!)
March 14 and 15, 6 p.m.
Last stop for “Mr. Bright”
Dramaturgia Mariana Hartasanchez has been touring her one-woman show around Mexico as part of the National Performing Arts Circuit. Hartasanchez is a prolific stage author and actress, having written and performed 40 works for her company Sabandijas de Palacio.
“Mr. Bright” is set in 1953 when a woman whose husband died in suspicious circumstances arrives at the office of an obscure film producer, Mr. Bright. What appears to be a harmless visit grows into something more sinister. Intriguing, no? It is described in Mexican Theatre as “Irreverent, politically incorrect and deeply painful … A very clear criticism, intelligent in its way of expressing it and very accurate.”
The play will take place at the Sindicato Cultural Center on Calle Recreo #4, in Centro.
March 15, 4-7 p.m.
Now that the pickleball craze has lost its sheen ….
Perhaps it is time to reacquaint yourself with croquet and the gentle art of wearing all white on a manicured lawn. No better time than the Primavera Celebration at the Croquet Club in Balcones. Guests will receive a croquet lesson and play some rounds, enjoy tacos or a taco bowl from Ahorta, and have a lovely time meeting like-minded croquet people.
Libations and fruited water will be available for additional pesos. Croquet, the meal, and the afternoon at the club are $500 mxn, cash only. Wear traditional white. Croquet equipment is provided. No dogs or high-heeled shoes, please.
RSVP at ExperienceSMA.com.
March 15, Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Homage to the Masters
The art exhibit of Rosario Barrosa opens in the Hamilton O’Neal Sala, Instituto Allende, Ancha San Antonio 20, at 5:30 p.m. and runs through April 15.
March 15, Friday, 5-8 p.m.
Habitar el Tiempo (Inhabit Time)
Art opening reception at Blue Moon of the work of gallery co-founder Elvia Samaniego. Exhibition extends through March 30.
Blue Moon Gallery is located at Stirling Dickinson #7, in Colonia San Antonio, San Miguel de Allende.
Saturday, March 16, Noon – 2 pm
Cuarteto de Cuerdas “BAYÚN 20.02”
Come experience a concert by members of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Guanajuato and students of the Music Department of the Architecture, Art and Design Division of the Guanajuato Campus.
The performance will be in Bellas Artes on Calle Umeran #38, Centro. Tickets are $100 mxn and available at Bellas Artes/Casa Negromante.
Saturday, March 16, 5 p.m.
An important question for all
The ABBA House migrant shelter documentary “Where Can We Live In Peace?” will get an important screening at El Sindcato Cultural Center on Saturday at 5 p.m. There will be a Q&A afterward with filmmaker Judy Jackson and Pastor Ignacio Martinez Ramirez, who heads ABBA House in Celaya. A $300 mxn donation will be asked. Tickets can be obtained at Sindicato.
This documentary marks the 7th anniversary of the ABBA shelter for migrants in Celaya and covers several years of filming by Jackson. Founded by Pastor Ramirez and his family, ABBA has cared for more than 80,000 migrants who are fleeing violence, crime, climate change, and corruption in their home countries.
March 16, Saturday, all night
Art so beautiful and fleeting
The procession of Senor de La Columna begins around sunrise on Sunday but really starts on Saturday evening when the air begins to cool. The entire length of Independencia, leading through San Antonio Abad and Calle San Rafael to the front of the Templo de San Juan de Dios is covered in elaborate sawdust art and other venerations.
Generations of whole families, neighbors, and church and social groups join together to make beautiful but temporary street murals. People will be working through the night, even as worshipers walk from Antotonilco to the upper end of Independencia.
When the procession begins, the elaborate art gradually smooshes and smudges and roils and disappears beneath the feet of scores of pilgrims.
Perhaps it is a commentary on the temporariness of everything on this planet.It is both sad and beautiful and not to be missed.
Musings, Magic, San Miguel and More 