It is a great time to be alive in San Miguel – and rummaging through flea markets, art bazaars, Sunday and Tuesday markets. We have a few of them listed for this week.

Meanwhile, the forecast for fireworks is strong on Friday, May 3, as construction workers get their own religious celebration – not quite a holiday as they still must work – but crosses will be affixed to the highest points on projects, a meal will be served at lunchtime, and  … fireworks!

Speaking of fireworks, musician Doug Robinson brings together an impressive gang of musicians for what has to be the musical event of the week — if not the month. And that’s on May 4.

The horse jumping continues at Otomi and the running of the Kentucky Derby offers another great excuse to gather, bet a few bucks, and drink syrupy cocktails. We have only one fundraiser here, tied to the Derby. But I’ll bet many a sports bar will welcome your patronage. Print out the recipe for Mint julep and bring it with you.

Check out at least one of these three labor-intensive event listing websites that track San Miguel’s wonderful world of entertainment, events, and curiously interesting things to do:

Discover SMA

Lokkal events

San Miguel Live!

If one of them doesn’t get your juices flowing, one of the other two will. (And a pro tip: If you can’t read the information on an image here, click on it with your cursor to expand it.) Pro tipNo. 2: Remember, always tip generously your waitstaff and musicians.

If you have events that you think my massive and over-paid staff is missing, send the information to robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com . We will wake him up and get right on it!

Meanwhile, a selectively curated list of events for you:

Sunday, April 28

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bomberos Flea Market

What’s better than finding a good deal at a flea market? Knowing that some of what you spend will go to keep us all safe in an emergency. Yes, our 40-year-old professional fire department partially depends on the proceeds of the monthly flea market to keep the wheels turning.

Come to buy or sell. You will find new and second-hand clothes, glasses, perfumery, lingerie, toys and collectibles. And much more. And if you don’t? Well, right next door is the huge Sunday Market. 

The Fire House on the corner of H. Cuerpo de Bomberos and Salida Queretero (Boulevard de Conspiracion).  For information: 415-216-7174 WhatsApp.

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. A wealth of creativity in one bazaar

The Casa Aurora Bazaar started yesterday but there is so much incredible art, jewelery, furniture, photography, and more on display and for sale, some as much as 50 percent off normal prices, that there are plenty of gems to be uncovered. 

I’d like to point you in the direction of a special artist, my new friend Michelle Laneque (above) who has at least two paintings on display here. I’m not sure which ones but do go see them and talk with Michelle. She has a cache of incredible work that is available. She enjoys painting homages to Klimt and Monet and similar artists but her originals are incredible. I promise, she will have pictures of many of her works available to browse.

Tell her I said hello!  Casa Aurora Bazaar, Calzada Aurora #10.

All day – They jump horses, don’t they?

The first week of the Otomi Grand Prix FEI Show Jumping Event concludes today at Club Hipico Otomi, located at Principal 18 – which is easier to get to than it sounds. Head past the bus terminal, across the railroad tracks and keep going until you are almost at what used to be the Allende Pressa but is now a desert wasteland.

You can’t miss Club Hipico – everything is so green and lovely and so are the people walking around. Not green, but lovely. And horses. Lots and lots of beautiful horses and the riders who adore them.  Horses and riders will be competing for $175,000 usd in prizes. See? This is a big deal.

Here’s a nice description of the events by Sara Tylosky in the budding young newspaper Insider News. She explains it all much better than I ever could. Though, I have been there and found the events fascinating. Dress nice.

The event resumes May 2-5 – same deal, same location.

2 p.m. Cine Bacco – Beyond Utopia

The documentary “Beyond Utopia” follows several families as they attempt to escape oppression in North Korea by navigating to safety through China, all the way to South Korea via Thailand. It is a fraught and treacherous journey. At Cine Bacco, Hernandez Macias #59.  Tickets are $150 pesos.

If you’re looking for a fictional journey that is fraught and treacherous, go see “Civil War” at CineMex in the Luciernaga Mall. 

5 p.m. Dance! Dance! Dance!

Monday, April 29

4:30 p.m. Bingo!

It happens every other Monday at the La Frontera restaurant on Refugio #28 in Colonia San Antonio.

You get to order up some of that home-cooking style food and hospitality offered by Noren and her staff and … you get 15 bingo cards for $150 pesos. There has GOT to be a winner in that many cards! It is all good food and fun and the proceeds go to help two local charities.

Bingo starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. La Frontera is normally closed Mondays and is open only for you players!

Tuesday, April 30

7 -10 p.m. Kind of a drag …

No, not kind of. This is full on fun drag queenery and full of surprises. (Our lips are sealed….) Every Tuesday —  Tuesgay — at SolTribe Cuisine, Ancha de San Antonio #123.  SolTribe is” Always vegan, gluten free and made with love!” 

Wednesday, May 1

7 p.m. Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute
Big cheers to the Aristocrat for putting on a tribute concert of CCR music.

The four members of Creedence Clearwater Revival were all born far far west of the swamp rock sound they made famous during their four brilliant and stormy years as CCR — 14 consecutive Top 10 singles and five consecutive Top 10 albums in the U.S. alone. Brothers John and Tom Fogarty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford were Bay Area babies. But, man, did they play. And did they fight. And did they spend a hell of a lot of time in court settling lawsuits. A lot of it thanks to John Fogarty’s enormous ego and talent.

And props to the Aristocrat for trying to mix things up with everything from a Scotch whiskey tasting to Gil Gutierrez live. Says chief Aristocrat Adrian Garcia-Evans, “This is going to be a great show. This mix of amazing artists from both sides of the pond are ready to entertain you with the hits of Creedence Clearwater Revival.”

Cash cover charge of $250 pesos goes to the artists. Reservations: info@aristocratsma.com. Aristocrat is located at Jesus #27 in Centro.

Thursday, May 2

6 p.m. A Moveable feast, Part 1

An art dinner from the French Door gallery, hosted by chef Max del Sol at Borriol Bistro  – a three-course menu inspired by the art of six artists from the French Door gallery. The event includes a walkthrough of Boutique Hotel Raiz rooms, decorated by the French Door artists. 

Borriol Bistro at Porton #17, Arcos de San Miguel, is known for its terrace dining, breathtaking views and tapas and paellas. The curated dinner is priced at $2,000 pesos. For bookings: +52 5549257539 or frenchdoors.events@gmail.com.

Friday, May 3

All day – Two celebrations in one

Today is both the Feast of the Holy Cross and Construction workers day.

Here is an excellent description of the basis for the Holy Cross feast – celebrating the day when the original crucifix was discovered during the excavation of Mount Golgotha.

This is also the day when construction workers get their due.  You may see trade workers carrying blessed crosses from churches to their construction sites today. The cross is attached to the highest point at the site. There will – yes there will – be fireworks followed by a feast provided by the owner of the building site.

6 p.m. Claudel gets the final word (in Spanish)

The great, passionate, and ultimately spitful love affair between the sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel in 1883 Paris is the topic of this performance titled “Camille Claudel.”  

There will be two performances at La Biblioteca’s Teatro Santa Ana  — in Spanish on May 3 at 6 p.m. and in English on May 4 at 1 p.m. Tickets — $300 pesos — are available at the Biblioteca box office.

The play is by Gaël Le Cornec, based partially on the written but unsent letters of Claudel. She is played by Yuriria Fanjul, with stage direction by Diego Vázquez, set design by Edyta Rzewuska and lighting by Diego Vázquez and Patricia Gutiérrez.

7 p.m.  Moveable feast, Part 2

Michael Beltrán, executive chef and owner of Ariete, grew up in Miami’s Little Havana, where he learned the value of food from his Cuban exile grandparents. Fusing traditional Mexican cuisine with Beltrán’s distinct Cuban-American cuisine, regional ingredients, and innovative techniques promises a memorable dining experience. A Michelin-star chef, Beltrán was twice a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Award.

There are two dining opportunities — on May 3 and 4, both at 7 p.m. Tickets are $4,500 pesos and include opening cocktails, meet-up with Beltrán, his five-course dinner with wine pairings, after-dinner drinks and coffee. Click here for more details.

Saturday, May 4

10a.m. to 2 p.m. Monthly bazaar for Pro Ninos

The Heart to Heart Charity Bazaar is run by a group of volunteers, collecting and displaying largely high-end donated items solely to support the community work of Patronato Pro Niños.

Credit/debit cards accepted for purchases over $2,000 pesos. The Charity Bazaar is artfully staged and full of bargains for your home and lifestyle.

The bazaar is located at Reforma #75c, upstairs — in Colonia Ignacio Ramírez.

11 a.m. It’s a snap

Photographic Gallery Coffee Social meetup at Mesones #57 in Centro, with Javier Barras. Can’t make it? Group meets every Saturday.

Topics can include: Camera Equipment Discussions, ​Composition, Presentations of Work by Fellow Photographers, Controlling Aperture and Shutter Speed, White Balance, Understanding Histograms, Low Light Photography, Composite Photography, and Photoshop Tips.

The Academia & Galaría Fotografía SMA, founded by Jo Brenzo, holds exhibits, offers classes, one-day photography excursions, and traveling workshops throughout Latin America.

1 p.m. Claudel gets the final word (in English)

The great, passionate, and ultimately spitful love affair between the sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel in 1883 Paris is the topic of this performance titled “Camille Claudel.”  

There will be two performances at La Biblioteca’s Teatro Santa Ana  — in Spanish on May 3 at 6 p.m. and in English on May 4 at 1 p.m. Tickets — $300 pesos — are available at the Biblioteca box office.

The play is by Gaël Le Cornec, based partially on the written but unsent letters of Claudel. She is played by Yuriria Fanjul, with stage direction by Diego Vázquez, set design by Edyta Rzewuska and lighting by Diego Vázquez and Patricia Gutiérrez.

3:30 p.m. Kentucky Derby watch party

After the Patronato Pro Niños bazaar, you have just enough time to catch their Kentucky Derby watch party. A luxurious garden setting in a private home promises the ultimate Kentucky Derby experience — outside of Kentucky!

Multiple televisions will offer a full view of the race and all the pageantry. The party is in a lush green “paddock-like” space and includes an actual horse for atmosphere. Bottomless Kentucky-style refreshments will be served; a glass of bubbly to toast the winning horse; and fried chicken with all the fixins, finished off with pie and ice cream.

The fund-raiser supports medically compromised children in our community. Tickets are $1,500 pesos. Contact: +52 (415) 152-7796.

5 p.m. Walk the walk, Aurora

Fábrica Aurora holds its monthly Art Walk during which all the galleries open their doors, offer cocktails, and inaugurate new exhibitions. And let’s not forget that the public is dressed to see and be seen as the embodiment of fabulous art. Summer whites, peacock regalia, chi-chi fashionistas, haute couture, bespoke expressionistas, Tuesday Market scene stealers, and tourista activewears. It all comes together in a colorful flow of art, artists, fashion, and humanity and a lot of wine.

In the early twentieth century, the Fábrica Aurora complex was a textile factory where manta (cotton fabric) was produced. For over 90 years, it was the main source of work in the city. Now, it is a sprawling complex of art galleries and studios, restaurants, trend-conscious boutiques, and unique keepsake shops. The current architectural design respects the machines and gears that remain here and there from that time.

7 p.m. Musical extravaganza – deluxe edition

Teatro Angela Peralta is the site of the eighth Plays Well With Others concert from the ever-affable and multi-talented musician Doug Robinson. Joining Robinson onstage is an impressive lineup that promises to live up to the subtitle: Edición Delux.

Grammy-winning blues and jazz singer Lauren Mitchell; her husband, the bassist Jack Joshua; Mexico City jazz guitarist Francisco Lelo De Larrea; violinist Yala Torres from the Hot Tamales; and Cuban saxophonist Freddy Thompson. Anchoring and augmenting this crew is Robinson’s Latin jazz band, MediaNoche, with Victor Monterrubio, Mario Torres, and Ruben Olvera.

What kind of music? According to Robinson, “Solo piano, blues, light classical, bump and grind funk, straight ahead and original Latin jazz. Maybe even a little surf music. Vocals, instrumentals. All with an eye toward presenting combinations of talent that you have never seen here in San Miguel.”

Believe it.

Tickets range from $200 to $700 pesos at the Peralta box office, Mesones #82.