One thing is certain, San Miguel de Allende sunsets will always be there for you. Even if you can’t make all the other stuff that goes on every day and night.

We’re a busy little town. That’s for sure. This week we have Semana Santa and it started while you were probably still in bed. In the photos above, families help dress the streets for the arrival of the Lord of the Columns statue. This is the 201st year that it has been carried to San Miguel from Antotonilco.

More events leading up to Easter are on their way.

Meanwhile, there are two Santana events — a tribute concert and a documentary screening that will be attended by his drummer. There are two events for the Bomberderos, our mighty fire department for the past 40 years. There are also two events that find their inspiration in death — one in not being dead yet and one that faces the inevitability that death is coming. Pick your favorite.

And so much more.

As always, to find out WHAT ELSE is going on, check out the Big Three:

DiscoverSMA: https://discoversma.com/events/events/

Lokkal Events: https://www.lokkal.com/1,mexico,san_miguel_de_allende/events/

San Miguel Live: https://sanmiguellive.com/events/

Without further ado, let’s dig in. We’ve got some booking to do. And remember, you can click on any image to enlarge it — good for the fine print!

March 17, Sunday, Sunrise

Semana Santa officially begins

All Saturday night, residents have been creating a beautiful pathway of colorful sawdust art down Calle Independencia to San Juan de Dios Church. At the same time, the faithful have been walking nearly 10 miles from Atotonilco behind a rather frightening statue of a brutalized Christ leaning against a pillar, Señor de La Columna ( Lord of the Column).

For 201 years, the tradition of bringing the statue to the city at Eastertime has persisted. It is accompanied by the statues of Our Virgin of Sorrows and Lord San Juan, from the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno in Atotonilco to the temple of San Juan de Dios in San Miguel de Allende.

Around sunrise, the column of worshipers led by Roman soldiers and religious dignitaries will walk through the sawdust designs as they head for the temple. All are welcome to attend and observe, participate respectfully, and ponder the weightiness of tradition and the temporariness of life and art.

For the next two weeks, El Señor de la Columna will be central to the events of Holy Week, carried from church to church for community observances. Three days after Easter, amid more fireworks and music, he will be returned to Atotonilco.

March 17, 5 p.m.

Pro Musica season finale

In the second of two performances this weekend, The Macondo Chamber Players, a renowned piano quintet,  performs Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor and concludes with Dvořák’s Piano Quintet No. 2 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Calle Cardo.

Tickets are $300, $500, and $750 pesos each, and are on sale through the Pro Musica website, and at the concert 45 minutes before the performance. Contact Pro Musica at promusicasma@gmail.com.

Pro Musica’s annual end-of-season fundraiser is this Thursday, March 21. Details at the website.

Sunday, March 17, 8 am-4 pm

Bomberos flea market

You can double your shopping expedition: Visit the Bomberos flea market at the Fire House on the corner of H. Cuerpo de Bomberos and Salida Qro (Blvd de Conspiracion) and when you are done, walk next door to the always booming Sunday Market. 

Amazing that a city the size of San Miguel has a 40-year-old fire department at least partially sustained by the monthly proceeds of a flea market, but there you go.

You can do more: A fun evening benefit for Bomberderos will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. at the  Instituto Allende on the Ancha. Details below (see Thursday).

March 17, 3 p.m.

To be dead or not to be dead?

The (Not Yet) Dead Poets Society meets to read or listen to poetry members’ poems and those of others at Casa de la Noche, Los Órganos 19, Zona Centro.

If the (Not Yet) Dead intrigues you, check out the Death Café San Miguel de Allende, meeting on Wednesday at Luna de Queso.  As its name suggests, the cafe is a place where people can seriously discuss all aspects of the Big Finish. They have been doing so since 2018. Details on Wednesday below.

The (Not Yet) Dead Poets have been around since 2010. They read, they do not critique – which is why they are probably still kicking. Just show up at 3 p.m. Try out your stuff or listen ot others. All that is asked is 50 pesos for the space and some juice to sip. Not hemlock.

Do not confuse the two.

March 17, 4-5:30 p.m.

FRACTALS: ORGANIC SACRED GEOMETRY IN LIFE, NATURE, AND ART

I’ll let the promo explain because I don’t totally get it:  “Our understanding of Chaos Theory is moving away from randomness and disorder, toward a higher form of organic order, an order of disorder if you like, that drives and structures everything alive, and everything we humans have created.

Intrigued? This talk will be delivered at JC3. Doors open at 3:30 pm. Wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Non-members $300 pesos. Members are $200 pesos.  Get tickets by Paypal here.

March 18, Monday

Public holiday 

Today, Mexico officially celebrates the birthday of President Benito Juárez, giving everyone – including government offices, schools, banks, and many businesses – a long weekend to celebrate.

Juárez was born on  March 21, 1806 in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca. He was a lawyer and held many public offices including state legislator, civil judge, government secretary, and governor.

In 1854, while in exile in the United States, he helped end the dictatorship of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. In late 1857, Juárez became president of Mexico, until he died in 1872. He led the government during the Reform War, the French Intervention, the Second Empire, and the Republic’s restoration.

March 19,  Tuesday, 11 a.m.

Masterclass: Take mime word for it

Admit it, you’ve always wanted to be a mime – find yourself in an invisible box, play with an invisible rope, share an invisible heart with an invisible friend, sip from an invisible cup.

Veteran performer Lynne Jassem, fresh from the Solo Theater Fest, will show a lucky dozen people just how to do it. Says Jassem, “Mime makes us flexible and youthful … using the limbs and the brain to create a world to play in as we get back in touch with our playful selves.”  

Sounds like fun. Oh, wait. There’s no sound in mime.

Cost: $35 USD ($600 pesos) and limited to 12 students. Sign up here.

March 19, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

Tales of San Miguel Chapter 6: Super Women of San Miguel

There is a great story in this. “As part of the celebrations of Women’s History Month, the San Miguel Archive Project presents the sixth panel in a series of live presentations that will focus on the journeys of three remarkable women, who have made a significant impact on many lives while raising their families.

“These women are Guadalupe Álvarez creative director of Penzi, Nadine Goodman co-founder of CASA, and Paola Juárez communications director of Feed the Hungry San Miguel. We’ll explore the struggles, successes, and accomplishments of these women, and the impact they have had on society.”

The event will be in the Teatro Santa Ana, the 91-seat theater located inside the Biblioteca Publica. Cost is  $330 pesos.

March 20, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Masterclass: Find the funny in your life  

To a standup comic, all life is material. Warren Epstein (performing in “Borscht Belted” at the SMA Solo Theatre Festival) will help you find the grand comedy in your life. Says Epstein, “Learning to laugh at the stuff life throws at you, and connecting with others, will inject more fun into your day.”

​Learn how to get past stage fright, gain insights into the humor in your own life, and learn the basics of performing and stand-up comedy. Maybe even write and try out some material!

​Cost: $35 USD ($600 pesos) for a maximum of 12 students. Sign up here.

March 20, Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.

Masterclass: Develop your own monologue

Actor-writer Dan Hoyle (performing “Border People” at the SMA Solo Theatre Festival)  will explore the first steps to creating your own short piece. Through exercises and improv exercises,  create a compelling theatrical monologue. Learn the essential elements, including dynamic setting, heightening the stakes, honing in on character, short-form dramatic arc, and reversal of expectation. 

Cost: $35 USD ($600 pesos) for a maximum of 10 students. Sign up here.

March 20, Wednesday, 1-3 p.m.

Straight talk at Death Cafe

Death Café San Miguel de Allende has been sharing meaningful conversations since July, 2018, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 1-3 p.m. at Luna de Queso, Josefina Orozco 10.

Organizers say the benefits are  “(a) live in the moment, (b) appreciate life more, (c) put things in perspective, (d) identify what really matters, (e) find purpose in our losses, (f) heal through our grief, (g) overcome our regrets, (h) find meaning in our lives, (i) connect with ourselves and others.” This is not a grief counseling session.

The Death Café (www.deathcafe.com) is an international movement founded in England by Jon Underwood, based on the work of Bernard Crettaz.

Death Café is free and open to all.

An all- Spanish version follows at 3 p.m. Same location.

March 21, Thursday, 5 p.m.

The one time shouting “Fire!” is OK

Grand Kermese: A Benefit for Bomberos at Instituto Allende begins at 5 p.m. Donation is  $250 pesos. 

“We are going to play the San Miguel Lottery designed by Alejandro Trejo Art, there will be many prizes and surprises. There will also be food and drink available.” 

Bomberos have been the San Miguel de Allende Firefighters for 40 years. 
Tickets are on sale at Cafe La Ventana and at the entrance of Instituto Allende on the day of the event.

March 21, Thursday, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

One stage, one story, one actor

SMA SoloFest begins Week 2 with three solo performances in rotation starting tonight through Saturday. There are two separate performances each night. You can buy tickets for one or both each evening.

The shows in rotation are “Borscht Belted,” “Being Richard Greene,” and “Border People.” Each performance is followed by a Q&A with the actor.

Find the schedule and more here.

Tickets are $450 pesos per show or $800 for the entire evening. All shows areinside the Biblioteca’s Teatro Santa Ana, Calle Relox 50

March 22, Friday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Your purchase speaks loud and clear

Galería DeSeñas offers exquisite jewelry designs, fabric arts, and woodworking created by the students of EEESMA School for the Deaf in their job-preparedness workshops. For a modest suggested donation, you can take home a stunning treasure for yourself, your home, or as a gift for a friend. 

You are also giving a gift: The affirmation that some student is of value and his or her work is prized by you. That’s priceless, my friend.

Galería DeSeñas is located at Calle Canal 152, between Calle San Pedro and Puente Guanajuato. It is open on  Fridays from 11 am to 2 pm throughout the school year.

March 22, Friday, 2 p.m.

Keeping up with Semana Santa

Seriously, there is a lot going on during this run-up to Easter, aka Semana Santa. Culturally and religiously, it is a lot to take in without some guidance. All it takes is an hour with author Charlotte Bell and you’ll be observing like a native.

The author of “Tears from the Crown of Thornes,” will offer the who, what, when, and where that you need to know.

Her talk is at El Sindicato Cultural Center, Recreo No. 4, and tickets are 100 pesos. Her lecture includes a timetable for events, a slide show, maps, and a chance to buy her book. Tickets are available at El Sindicato, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m..

March 22, Friday, 6 p.m.

A night of beautiful song

A magical Guitar and Bel Canto concert features Cuban guitarist Josué Tacoronte and the voice of soprano Claudia Hernández. At Casa Europa. Tickets on sale for $350 pesos at Casa Europa.

March 22, Friday, 7 p.m.

Forget your evil ways …

Nothing gets the heart pumping faster than a tribute concert to the music of Carlos Santana. And that is exactly what happens in the Angela Peralta Theater on Friday night. La San Miguel de Allende World Music Orchestra will pay tribute to this god of rock who weaves so many Latin and jazz vibes into his music.

The lineup is stellar: Mario Alberto Torres (percussion), Israel Chavez Dominguez (percussion), Victor Monterrubio (percussion), Aaron Romo (bass), Julian Arcos (guitar), Euclid IV Moore (guitar), Yala Torres (violin/voice), Alberto Robledo Cervantes (clarinet/sax/voice), Elisea Valdez (flute/voice), Papacho Sirdey-Desgagnés (keyboards), and Gabriela Espinosa (voice).

You can buy $650 pesos tickets at the Angela Peralta box office or by texting “Ticket” at WhatsApp (415) 151-9551.

March 23, Saturday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Welcome Spring at the Botanical garden

The annual Spring Equinox Concert 2024 begins at 5:30 p.m. at El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden. The gates open at 4:30 p.m. 

Come celebrate 34 years of protecting this beautiful natural monument and celebrate the great festival of the Earth, as every year, in the natural forum of the Charco del Ingenio canyon. This celebration financially supports the Botanical Garden through the purchase of a ticket. Music is by the Orquesta Basura, a group of National School of Music-trained composers, multi-instrumentalists, and urban luthiers. They make their own instruments from recycled waste, while fusing genres, styles, and rhythms. 

Tickets are available at the garden reception center for $500 pesos. Botanical Garden members pay $400 pesos. Youths under 1.30 m tall pay $100 pesos. There will be no ticket sales on the day of the event. Also, no smoking, food, or alcoholic beverages.

Saturday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.

Santana redux – only, on film

The musical documentary “Carlos” will be screened at Plaza de las Damas, Valle de Los Senderos. The film follows Santana’s journey from a 14-year-old street musician to a 10-time Grammy-winning global sensation. Features unseen archival footage and tracks.

As a special treat, Santana’s drummer Michael Shrieve will be on hand to host festivities. Shrieve was part of Santana’s historic performance at Woodstock

in 1969. His drum solo in “Soul Sacrifice” was a highlight of the festival.

Tickets are $200 pesos. Reserve yours at eventos@los-senderos.com . Food and beverages will be for sale.