It’s a promising week when an eclipse of the sun is not really the best thing happening in San Miguel de Allende. I mean, you can’t even look directly at it unless you are a former president of the U.S. or you have special glasses.

What fun is that?

Well, it could be some fun even though we’re on the “partial” side of the path. Just, you know, take care of your own eyeballs. So you can see what else is coming up this week.

There is a lot to be excited about — boxing, bullfighting, classic movies and plays, crazy good singers and musicians, a Jerry Rife photography exhibition (see photo above), and a burlesque show that includes the Mexican Elvis — El Vez. (Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of El Vez. Oh, come on!) The ones doing all the burlesque are Moscato Sky, Carmen Caliente, and Ruby Mimosa — and with names like that, baby you know you want a front-row seat.

There’s more. There’s always more than I have the time to compile so drop on over to your favorite event heralders to see what’s what:

Discover SMA — https://discoversma.com/events/events

Lokkal events — https://www.lokkal.com/

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

If you hear about anything fun happening in San Miguel, you can always drop me a line with the details at robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com .

April 7, Sunday

Sunday morning Zoom: Defending Democracy

This one is near and dear to my heart. Democrats Abroad is offering the chance to join the respected journalism professor and author Jessica Roberts in a live, online discussion, titled “The Vital Role of a Free Press in the Age of Disinformation.”

Roberts will be “in conversation about the critical role of a free press in safeguarding democracy, particularly in the face of rampant disinformation.” 

The big question is of course, with all the spectacularly rampant disinformation being spread around the world, is the media meeting the challenge of sifting the crap from the real thing? Most mainstream media outlets have been neutered by massive layoffs, deep budget cuts, conscious strategies to cover less with less, the depletion of institutional memory, and the disappearance of free coffee. Trust me, I’ve been there.

So how do you offset foreign actors — with big budgets, wielding fake personas, and verifiably false information while sowing distrust and insecurity among the voting populace? Let’s ask Roberts, an assistant professor of communication in Lisbon. She has written several books on this timely topic.

Register here and do it now, avoid the rush, before the Zoom conference begins.

While you are on the Democrats Abroad website, notice that there are several very interesting talks coming up on the calendar.

9 a.m.–9 p.m.  Last day for Feria Artesanal

All around the Parque Jardin in Centro are booths filled with the most marvelous creations by Mexican artists and artisans. Just think of the Christmas shopping you could power through in a single casual stroll!

This is it, though. After tonight, the crafts are packed away, the booths are disassembled, and the tents come down. The vendors recede into the ether, returning to their homes all over this beautiful country. I wouldn’t want you to miss this show. Stop by.

April 8, Monday

Noon – Welcome to the (partial) solar eclipse

Around 1:15 p.m. That’s when the eclipse will reach its zenith of coverage in San Miguel de Allende. We shall experience about 86 percent of the wonder, pleasure, and cosmic windfall that areas that are entirely in the total eclipse pathway will experience.

Still. Eighty-six percent? In high school, my reaction to 86 percent was “I’ll take it.”

Same thing on this day. Given that the alternative was to travel hundreds of miles away, pay extortion prices for a hotel room, jostle with the influx of worshipers, hucksters, event-tourists, and the regular hoi paloi … I’ll take an 86 percent eclipse any day.

One thing we will likely have going for us is clear skies.

But remember kids, don’t be like that crazy orange guy who stared straight up at the eclipse from the White House balcony. Be better. Don’t look up without proper eye protection. Maybe just appreciate the descending grayness at midday – as a mist-lake pall settles over everything, a blanket a quietness, an appreciation that many things in this world are beyond our control. Write a poem. Paint a picture. Pause and reflect. It is a gift when time stands still. You are given it for a purpose.

Just don’t look up.

My friend Jon Welsh posted this specific eclipse info for San Miguel from the page eclipse2024.org. Check it out.

April 9, Tuesday

4 p.m. – Democrats have a lot to celebrate lately. 

The local chapter of Democrats Abroad invites you to Happy Hour at Trina Cantina, Stirling  #28 in Colonia San Antonio. “Hang out with fellow Dems & enjoy some munchies with great drinks,’ say your hosts. “Come enjoy the company of wonderful, like-minded people!”

Can’t get a more congenial invitation than that. Maybe they can come up with a Prosecution Bingo for what promises to be a very busy few weeks ahead – justice-wise.

April 10, Wednesday

2 p.m.   Happy Birthday, “Double Indemnity”

Nobody did bad like Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson. But Fred MacMurray? The father of “My Three Sons” and all those Disney movies?  Apparently when there was a killing to be made – on an insurance policy that he sold against Stanwyck’s husband … the man had no scruples. He was all in. One of the great black-and-white noir movies.

Billy Wilder’s “Double Indemnity” from 1944 – 80 years young! – will be screened at JC3 with a discussion to follow, hosted by filmmaker and movie scholar Elías Nahmías, who has spent 40 years in filmmaking.  The film noir classic was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

JC3/Chesma is located at Calle De Las Moras 47, San Miguel de Allende. Phone: (415) 185-9191. General admission is $150 pesos ($100 pesos for JC3 members).

April 11, Thursday

April 12, Friday

5 p.m. — San Miguel’s streets are his studio

This is so exciting. Jerry Rife walks the streets of San Miguel with his camera daily, capturing the ordinary and extraordinary beauty of everyday life. His photographs can be seen on his Facebook page but this — this is special. A curated show at 1910 Cafe!

Miguel Hernandez and his staff have created a special dinner menu for the evening and there will be music by Fusion Colonche 432. The restaurant is in Colonia San Antonio at La Esperanza #22.

“It is a pleasure to be working again with Miguel Hernandez and the fine folks at Cafe 1910 who comprise a grassroots program of community education and assistance,” says Jerry.

These days, everyone can take pretty pictures. But it is something special to capture compassion, heart, meaning, and soul in your image. Jerry is a master at this because he loves the people and places that he photographs. It shows. And he curates his every photo as if it were his own child. He won’t post it until he is satisfied that it has a story to tell and that he’s told it correctly. There are no wasted moments or space in Jerry’s photos.

Proceeds from the evening will go to Casa Hogar Corazón Valiente, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and their families.

Jerry was a street photographer of sorts for 40 years — a deadline news photographer for the San Diego Union-Tribune (and its various permutations). We worked together proudly for almost 30 of those years.

5-9 p.m. A night of cabaret-style burlesque … and El Vez!

Excuse me if I’m a touch excited about the prospect of the Mexican Elvis appearing in San Miguel.   Yeah, yeah, lots of beautiful burlesque queens in sophisticated performances but … El Vez! If he is the one and same who has enhanced life in San Diego for decades, well, what a treat. Back in the day, El Vez and Jose Sinatra and a whole retinue of like-minded entertainers would bring the bright lights of Tijuana/Las Vegas to local quarters.

This show started out as two nights in different locations. Now it is one night “due to circumstances” and being billed as Espactaculo Burlesque, a “Gay Social and Friends with BURLESQUE!” 

It still features the same Espectaculo cast – Ruby Mimosa, Carmen Caliente, Moscato Sky, and El Vez  – themed cocktails, a DJ, dancing, and “ surprise, suspense, and sensual splendor!”  No longer a theatrical show, the troupe is going “sexy cabaret style.” I’ll let you figure all that out.

The show will be at La Joya Azul, Segunda Priv. Ignacio Allende #26, San Miguel.

6 p.m. – Lots of love and all that jazz

Jazz fusion singer and songwriter Jackie “Bouvier” Copeland will perform the second stop on a world tour of her show, “I Wish You Love,”  at La Biblioteca’s Teatro Santa Ana. Bouvier launched her tour in Rio de Janeiro in February during Carnival.

Sharing the stage with the chanteuse is San Miguel’s all-star Afro-Mexican band – Sergio Carrillo on bass, Pepe Gaytán on percussion, and Carlos Vargas on piano.

“I Wish You Love, San Miguel” will be “a love song to this beautiful city and a musical conversation about love’s complex dimensions,” according to Bouvier. Her eclectic tastes show up in a fusion of spirituals, blues, jazz, R&B, soul, salsa, reggae, and more in English, and with some Spanish.

It’s also Bouvier’s birthday! A reception will follow with all net concert proceeds supporting Casa Hogar Corazon Valiente, a San Miguel girls’ orphanage.

Tickets are $500 pesos, available in advance at the Biblioteca box office. Space is limited to 50 seats. Online tickets are sold out.

7 p.m.  Arthur Miller’s “The Price”

Two brothers settle their late father’s estate — and settle a few scores while they are at it. One stayed home, ate his dreams, worked as a cop, and cared for the father. The other walked out on the family and got to live his best life as a prominent surgeon. Both have paid a price. Can they reconcile?

“The Price” will be performed at Shelter Theatre, Vicente Guerrero #3 over three consecutive nights. The play will be in English as a live radio play, with projected supertitles in Spanish. The cast: Antonia Banewicz, Cristopher Berns, Steve Garfinkel, and Lola Smith.

For tickets go to Boleto City online.  

All tickets are $200 pesos.

Saturday, April 13

2 p.m. Enter the ring

The first Festival of Art, Music, and Bullfighting will take place in the city’s legendary Plaza de Toros.

There will be artistic activities, exhibitions, and music from 2-5 p.m., with an hour-long music festival to follow and bullfighting at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $400 to 800 pesos and are available at Tupinamba Restaurant at Zacatecas #45. The festival will benefit the Children With Autism of San Miguel.

4-5 p.m. Awakening Your Inner Dragon

Local author artist poet, painter, and peacemaker Judith Jenya will show you how to unleash that “dragon” sleeping inside you in a presentation at Camino Silvestre, Correo # 43.

Says Judith, “Let’s embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment together!”  

Her most recent work is a memoir titled “Memories Do Not Burn,” recalling Jenya’s time working with the children of war, starting in the decimated rubble of Sarajevo with her own organization and continuing where ever the battles of adults left children homeless, hungry, and traumatized – including Northern Ireland, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and yes, Los Angeles. 

5-7 p.m. Pro Boxing, Enter the Ring Part 2

Round 7 is coming to the Salón los Pinos (exit to Querétaro). The fighters on this card hail from different parts of the country and some from the United States.

Here is the schedule for tonight::

Ulices “Toro” Tovar (SMA) vs Johny “El Vaquero Navarrete” (CDMX)

Rogelio “Habanero” Jimenez (CDMX) vs Alexeyv Arellano León (CDMX)

Uziel Bueno Martínez (SMA) vs Irving Salazar Márquez (CDMX)

Damian “SPEEDY” Gonzalez (SMA) vs Eder Garcia Cova (CDMX)

Angel Gomez (TEXAS) vs Rogelio Ceja Rayas (CDMX)

Daniel “Dragon” Sanchez Bribiesca (CDMX) vs Calixto Toala Medina (CHIAPAS)

Cristian “NIÑO” Zamacona (SMA) vs Josaphat Zavala González (SALAMANCA)

Kevin Alvarado (SMA) vs Steven Melendrez (CALIFORNIA)

In addition, there will be four more fights of homegrown talents from San Miguel de Allende, representing Panteras Boxing, Zurdo’s Boxing, and Cobrita Boxing.

Tickets are General $200, Ringside $300, and VIP $500.

Address: Salida Real a Querétaro #185.

6 p.m.  Changos Kitchen & Tres Raices winery dinner

Join the Changos for their inaugural wine dinner showcasing Tres Raices Winery. Chefs Kenten Marin and Sid Ranck are crafting a six-course repast, highlighting local ingredients paired with wines from one of Bajio’s major wineries.

The dinner will take place on the Cavalico Rooftop Terrace, Ancha de San Antonio #21. Cost is $1750 pesos per person.

For tickets and more details contact: WhatsApp at +17739885783 or on Facebook ChangosKitchen, also on Instagram _changoskitchen .

---

6 p.m. Celebrate International Kissing Day

What better way than with DK Flamenquito – an enchanting evening of contemporary Flamenco, gourmet cuisine, and captivating art at the romantic Borriol Bistró, Calle Porton #17, in San Miguel de Allende?

DK Flamenquito is a musical ensemble that fuses regional genres with flamenco elements, like rumba and tango. The three Colombian musicians – Kris Wheel, vocalist, with multi-instrumentalists Daniel Saldarriaga and David Saldarriaga –  have a rich background in flamenco festivals across Colombia and Mexico, as well as collaborations in Spain and Canada, among others.

Tickets: $500 pesos, with a complimentary glass of red or white wine.To reserve seats, message WhatsApp at (443) 2021277 or email unshow.music@gmail.com.

7 p.m.  Arthur Miller’s “The Price”

The second night of Arthur Miller’s final play, about two estranged brothers who are settling their late father’s estate — and settling a few scores while they are at it. One stayed home, ate his dreams, worked as a cop, and cared for the father. The other walked out on the family and got to live his best life as a prominent surgeon. Both have paid a price. Can they reconcile?

“The Price” will be performed at Shelter Theatre, Vicente Guerrero #3 over three consecutive nights – April 12, 13, and 14. The play will be in English as a live radio play, with projected supertitles in Spanish. The cast will be Antonia Banewicz, Cristopher Berns, Steve Garfinkel, and Lola Smith.

For tickets go to Boleto City online.  

7 p.m.    “Del Danzon de Vacilon”

Seems a shame to have to listen to this music in a room full of seats. But that’s OK. There will be dancing in the aisles of the Angela Peralta Theater in Centro. 

As Cuban keyboardist Gabriel Hernandez says, “Because you asked for it, the best Cuban music returns to the Angela Peralta Theater.” How can you not dance when Hernandez brings his Cuban friends to the stage? This is going to be fun!  

With Hernandez on keyboards will be Alfred Thompson on sax; Yaima Gutierrez, vocalist; Rey Narino on percussions; Dairon Vazquez on congas;  and Rafa Ramirez on bass.  

And Gabriel was heard, as he played, out of sight! – “No te lo puedes perder, única función!!!”

$500 pesos at the door. One price fits all.