Celebrations are breaking out all over San Miguel this week. Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, the Red Cross anniversary, the religious Celebration of the Cross, and even the Locos/Crazies begin to honor their patron saint.
Or, you could just go bird-watching. There is that.
I’m guessing the performance of the week will be pianist Théo Fouchenneret and the deal of the week will be The Rondalla Señorial of the University of Guanajuato (free). The most poignant performances will be by the many wonderful musicians coming together to remember their comrade Tony Duncan.
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:
If one of them doesn’t get your juices flowing, one of the others will. Remember, always tip generously your waitstaff and musicians.
If you know of events our overstuffed and overpaid staff missed, send the information to robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com . We will wake him up and get right on it! We can always update the calendar, so check back occasionally.
Meanwhile, feel free to share this blog with your friends. (And a pro tip: If you can’t read the information on an image, click on it with your cursor to enlarge.)
Meanwhile, a selectively curated list of events for you:
May 5, Sunday
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is the annual celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, by General Ignacio Zaragoza. In places like the United States, it is conflated with the actual Mexican Independence Day, September 16.
Or, in the United States, it just may be that the lyrical sound of “Cinco de Mayo” rolls off well-liquored tongues with such mellifluous flair and commercial potential that the sprawling alcohol industry adopted it as a great way to push Coronas and Dos XX beer and tequila upon thirsty hordes of college-aged people who are yearning for the sort of short term thrills they experienced during Spring Break. The fact that people who endorse wholesale expulsion of immigrants from their country and ever-higher border walls will go out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo is one of the great and funniest hypocrisies on the American spectrum.
While Mexicans long ago learned that no such pretense is needed to enjoy a good slugging back of tequila, in many sectors of Mexico, the need to attach alcohol consumption to some vague purpose gains popularity — so expect sombreros, two-for-one shots, really bad music, and artificially infused frivolity to break out on the local bar scene today.
All Day – Celebration of the Cross
There are many celebrations of the cross going on this month. Up in Ojo de Agua (just above Guadiana), one celebration began yesterday with a religious vigil. Today, the celebratory part begins with fireworks at 5 a.m., followed at 8 a.m. by atole and treats at the Capilla del Ojo de Agua, at Callejon Ojo de Agua and Camino Real de Xichu. From 2-8 p.m., there will be Locos and indigenous dance groups; a DJ and sound system will be set up right below the Capilla. At 8 p.m. more fireworks and closing of the celebration.
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 44th Anniversary of Red Cross/Cruz Roja
The Mexican Red Cross First Aid Station San Miguel de Allende was founded in 1980, and formally inaugurated on May 5 of that year.
Members of the Cruz Roja and their fleet and equipment will be in the Plaza Civica to show their abilities and accomplishments and celebrate 44 years of serving all of San Miguel with first aid, emergency response, and hospital transport. They are an amazing organization with a surprising list of available services.
Stop by to congratulate them, learn about their work, and perhaps chip some pesos into the cause. Meanwhile, some good numbers to remember: The office — +52-415-152-4225. Emergencies — 415-152-1616 or 415-152-4121. When you need them, the Red Cross is there.
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Comicon SMA-style
Star Con, the San Miguel version of Comicon, debuts this weekend at Hotel Real Minas.
What can you expect? “Meet the Harry Potter actors among many other guests!! Anime Comics, Video Games, Science Fiction, Star Wars, K-pop, Manga, Oriental Culture, Expo-Venta. “
Admission is $80 pesos, children under 12 enter for free when accompanied by an adult. See http://www.expostarcon.com for details.
May 6, Monday
Anything? E-mail me at robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com .
May 7, Tuesday
7 p.m. Mothers Day music
The Rondalla Señorial of the University of Guanajuato will be harmonizing allusive themes with their own style converted into musical culture with the fusion of their voices and instruments.
The concert is at the Univerciudad UG Casa El Nigromante, Umarán No. 38, Centro.
This is a free concert and the public is invited to this relatively new facility.
May 8, Wednesday
The celebration of San Pascual Bailon begins
Pascual is the patron saint of the Crazies/Locos the wonderful dancers who get up in amazing costumes and dance with boundless energies through the streets of San Miguel. This is just the beginning. May 19 is the date to mark down. Lots going on and we’ve added the poster of events at the bottom of this blog post.
9 – 11:30 a.m. Bird watching at El Charco
Birds abound in the 170-acre botanical garden, El Charco del Ingenio, so let’s go watch some. Local songbirds, migratory flocks, waterfowl, and raptors are within your view.
A local taxi can get you to the botanical garden for around 80 pesos. Guides will take you along the reservoir and the well-managed pathways. They have some binoculars and telescopes to share but do bring your own.
Afterward there is a cafe for drinks and lunches or bring your own snacks. Remember, always wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a hat.
The cost is $200 pesos for the general public and $150 pesos for El Charco members.
10-11:30 a.m. Open house at Centro Infantil de Los Angeles
Want to check out a great volunteer opportunity and help this nonprofit hire a new teacher? There is even a free shuttle bus from St Paul’s Church at 9:30 a.m.
Centro Infantil de Los Angeles provides daycare and preschool education to 120 children from low-income families in San Miguel de Allende. The children range in age from 2 months to five years old. They are prepared to enter first grade in the public school system.
There will be school tours, a chance to meet some of the kids, information about volunteering, info about sponsoring a child, refreshments and a raffle for dinner for two at Hecho en Mexico.
Your $300 peso donation at the door and raffle ticket purchases go toward funding for a sixth teacher. Questions? Please email info@centroinfantil.org
6 p.m. Piano Concert with Théo Fouchennere
Extraordinary international pianist Théo Fouchenneret will perform at the Church of the Third Order, Calle San Francisco, Centro. Normally the church is the home of the San Miguel Chorale. The Casa Europa-sponsored concert is expecting an audience larger than its own facilities can accommodate.
He will perform the music of Fauré, Schumann, Chopin, and Mendelssohn.
Fouchenneret has won prizes for his performances in Geneva, Lyon, and so many more. La Dolce Volta released his debut recording featuring Beethoven’s Waldstein and Hammerklavier sonatas. His upcoming projects include a recording dedicated to Gabriel Fauré and a complete chamber music works project by Robert Schumann.
Tickets are available at the Church of the Third Order, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or online at Casa Europa. Or, make reservations via Whatsapp: (+52) 415 181 24 64
7 pm. Memorial for musician Tony Duncan
The Aristocrat restaurant on Jesus is providing the space for a memorial concert to honor a popular local musician, Tony Duncan, with a great line-up of musicians to perform. Proceeds and cover charges will go to his family for the medical and funeral expenses.
The lineup for this concert:
- David Mendoza & friends, playing a set of songs from shows they’ve done over the years with Tony;
- Gabriela Espinosa & Sharon Itoi, with some selections from their new duo show;
- singer/songwriter mini-sets from Bill Kavanagh, Rob Ramsey, John Jessup, and Walter Ehresman; and to close the show.
- Hot Tamales Jam Session! Members of Mike/Tony’s band The Duncans, and the Hot Tamales (some overlap there) converge on stage for some fiery musicianship.
Reservations are recommended.
May 9, Thursday
Anything? E-mail me at robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com .
May 10, Friday
Mother’s Day (El Dia de la Madre) is a popular celebration for mothers and mother figures across Mexico since May 10, 1922. It is an observance and not a public holiday in Mexico, but now with religious celebrations of the Mother and Child. Some offices close and some workers get the day off to be with their children.
4:30-5:30 p.m. Book launch: “Burden of Truth”
Kim Malcolm has launched quite a few books since opening Aurora Books in Guadalupe. This one has her name attached to it. The author is Robby Carrier Bethel and “Burden of Truth” tells how a major oil company with the support of the town’s white elite stole the Louisiana land of her ancestors and how she battled for justice.
Malcolm helped write the book and will discuss it at Heirba Sante Restaurant, Calzada de la Aurora 48A.
6 p.m. Bach to the Future
Teen Connect of San Miguel’s Kids Musical Theater Club presents a musical performance at Shelter Theater on Friday and Saturday, May 10 & 11. Tickets are $150 pesos via WhatsApp +1 (469) 595-6422
The theater is located at Vincente Guerrero # 4
7 p.m. The Return of Opera, Part 1
Operísima México Presents “Opera Scenes” under the artistic direction of Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, with more than 10 artists on stage, members of Operísima México. Works from Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Strauss, Gounod, Mozart, and Rossini, among others, will be performed.
The location is Foro El Obraje, Calz. de la Presa 50, Centro. Tickets are $500 pesos and can be purchased through EventBrite.
The concert will be performed both May 10 and May 11. A second concert program will be held May 31 and June 1 at the same location.
May 11, Saturday
5 p.m. A night for the blues
Some Koko Taylor, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, BB King, and more are on the menu when the San Miguel Jazz and Blues Festival turns its talents toward the Masters of the Blues. Chuy Sanchez (vocals and guitar), Dave Bingham (vocals and harmonica), Roger Vargas (guitar), Israel Chavez (drums), and Antonio Lozoya (bass) provide the stellar lineup.
Location is the Hotel Imperio de Los Angeles, on the road to Celya (2.2km), Los Frailes. Tickets are $600 pesos and include a cocktail. Click on the poster for ticket details.
7 p.m. The Return of Opera, Part 2
Operísima México Presents “Opera Scenes” under the artistic direction of Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, with more than 10 artists on stage, members of Operísima México. Works from Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Strauss, Gounod, Mozart, and Rossini, among others, will be performed.
The location is Foro El Obraje, Calz. de la Presa 50, Centro. Tickets are $500 pesos and can be purchased through EventBrite.
The concert will be performed both May 10 and May 11. A second concert program will be held on May 31 and June 1 at the same location.
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Musings, Magic, San Miguel and More 