This week starts off with not one but three locos parades. Each leaves from a different location at staggard times but they will emerge and find their way back to Parroquia San Antonio de Padua where a towering soundsystem is set up.
There will be dancing food and music into the night. Don’t miss it.
At the other end of the week, the long-awaited memoir and photography of Ojala Ninos founder Elsmarie Norby, “It Is To Wonder,” is published and she will talk about her journey on Friday. Take my word for it: It is too wonderful.
And why not end the week with a tribute concert to Duke Ellington and George Gershwin, two of the greatest jazz composers of their time — and ours? That’s Saturday night.
We’ve got the scoop below. As well as all the rest of the news you need to keep your weekly entertainment quotient high in San Miguel de Allende.
As always, hundreds of former English literature majors are chained to desks at Discover SMA, Lokkal, and San Miguel Live! where they are madly typing out info and updates on what is happening in this fine city.
Got something that might work in this Sunday-through-Saturday calendar? Email our CEO at robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com . We promise to wake him up before next week’s calendar needs to be written. Meanwhile, information wants to be free. Share this with the people you love and maybe those on the other side of the political divide.
Beautiful things could happen. Thanks for reading. (Remember, click on any image to enlarge it — or get a new prescription for your glasses. You decide!)
Sunday, May 19
10 a.m. Parade of crazies and more
In honor of the Feast of San Pascual Bailón, the patron saint of the crazies of San Miguel de Allende. A week of devotions and novenas in Templo San Juan de Dios will culminate in Sunday’s parade.
The traditional dance of the bull, mojigangas, numerous locos groups, killer clowns, dancing “monsters,” massive sound systems and so much more. You name it, they will be parading. Where? The Procession in honor of San Pascual Bailón starts from la Parroquia de San Antonio at 10:00am
The route: Callejon de San Antonio, Ancha de San Antonio, Zacateros, Canal, Hernandez Macias, Insurgentes, Mesones, Nunea, San Francisco, Plaza Principal, and returning to la Parroquia de San Antonio.
But wait! There’s more!
There will be three parade groups in all, eventually merging and returning as one to San Antonio. Here’s the scoop:
The first leaves at 10 am from the Parish of San Antonio, and passes through the Callejón de San Antonio, Ancha de San Antonio, Zacateros, Canal, Hernández Macías and Insurgentes.
The second leaves at 10:45 am, and passes through the 5th of Umarán, San Pedro, San Antonio Abad, Insurgentes and the corner of Insurgentes and Hernández Macías to meet the other contingents.
The third leaves at 11 am from the Calzada de la Aurora, and passes through Hidalgo and in Insurgentes with the other two.
There will be dancing, food and music in front of San Antonio after the procession
Read more from Efrain Gonzalez on Facebook.
2 p.m. — Popcorn classic on screen
“In & Out”(1997) is an American comedy directed by Frank Oz, written by Paul Rudnick, and starring Kevin Kline, Tom Selleck, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Newhart, Shalom Harlow, and Wilford Brimley. The film was inspired by Tom Hanks’s tearful speech when he accepted his 1994 Oscar (for “Philadelphia”), in which he inadvertently outed by name his high-school drama coach and a former classmate as “two of the finest gay Americans, two wonderful men that I had the good fortune to be associated with.”
Film is in English with Spanish subtitles. Get tickets at Santo Remedio $70 pesos for popcorn and admission — plus a 10 percent discount in the cafeteria. Recommended you arrive 15 minutes early. Location: Mercado Sano, Ancha de San Antonio 123, Second Floor.
May 20, Monday
3 p.m. — Newcomers Meet & Greet at Casa Grande
On the rooftop terraza of Casa Grande you’ll connect and socialize with members of the San Miguel de Allende Newcomers Club on the first and third Mondays of every month. Meet other newcomers and get the inside story of San Miguel living from the folks who have been around a while.
The $200 pesos fee includes food and beverages. Hosted by Michelle Sturdevant and Michele Leyva.
Casa Grande is located at Prolongation 5 de Mayo #8, Interior 11B.
May 21, Tuesday
3:30 and 6 p.m. First stop — Cine Bacco
The Cine Bacco theater presents “The Last Stop in Yuma County” (2023) a crime thriller that follows a traveling knife salesman who gets thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation at an Arizona rest stop by the arrival of two bank robbers.
Says Cine-Bacco: “With each new narrative development, the film’s game of cat and mouse grows more complex. Some people see the danger they’re in, while others are blissfully unaware. The second half of the movie is dark and hilarious, sad and unnerving with twists and turns worthy of a James Patterson novel, and soon enough it all escalates faster than you can say escalation. You can feel Quentin Tarantino’s artistic DNA coursing through this story.”
Cine Bacco is located at Hernandez Macias #59. Tickets are $150 pesos.
May 22, Wednesday
11 a.m. — Don’t wait for an emergency to happen!
The author of “SMA 911,” Lori Lawson, will be at the Hotel Real de Minas to chat about San Miguel’s emergency medical resources – and the differences between what you’re used to and what you can expect. Lawson has researched the options and talked with dozens of first responders and medical personnel. She has tons of great information to share.
This is a free event. Bring your questions and concerns. The hotel is located at Camino Viejo Al Panteón 1, at Stirling Dickinson, in Colonia San Antonio.
May 23, Thursday
3:30 and 6 p.m. – “The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare”
This movie at Cine Bacco starts off pretty strong. Well, that’s all I can say about it because my TV-SMA account is hanging up every five seconds making everything unwatchable. We need only say this a a Guy Ritchie movie so — Explosions! Shootings! Blood! Action! Goofy killers! And just all around popcorn fun in the theater. It is based oh-so loosely on the exploits of the exploits Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II.
Cine Bacco is located at Hernandez Macias #59. Tickets are $150 pesos.
Various times – “A catwalk of haute cuisine”
The third edition of this gastronomic extravaganza — Millesime GNP 2024 — takes place in three locations, May 23-26. The home base is the Rosewood Hotel, but celebrations will be found, too, at the nearby Hotel Casa 1810 Parque and Numu Boutique Hotel – thus the “catwalk.”
The event promises “the best gastronomy at the hands of the most famous chefs, winemakers and bartenders.” Up to 3,000 attendees are expected as well as nearly a dozen chefs plus mixologists, winemakers and plenty of great music.
Find out more here and ticket information.
5-11 p.m. Mezcaleria Artlalli reopening
Located at Ancha de San Antonio #31, Mezcaleria Artlalli reopens its doors as a “local bar to try good mezcales in a pleasant atmosphere. Come and try our selection of mezcals, with real notes of our land, inherited processes from generation to generation, wild plants, and a legacy of tradition and learning. We invite you to have a cocktail experience based on mezcal, fresh seasonal products, herbs, ferments, flowers, much love, and respecting our mother nature. We also have non-alcoholic blends!” Happy hour is from 3 to 5 p.m.
6:30 p.m. –The blues is for dancing
The six-member California Dancing Blues Band from Leon brings its “soulful performances and energetic vibe” to the Angela Peralta Theater. Tickets – $600 pesos – at the Peralta box office, Hernandez Macias #62.
May 24, Friday
6-7 p.m. Book debut: “It Is to Wonder”
How many people do you know who can lure the entire Yale University Orchestra – three full buses of people and equipment– out to a rural San Miguel community for a concert? Elmarie Norby can. And did.
This is just one of the small miracles she performed while living in San Miguel Viejo. Among her biggest miracles was founding Los Ojala Ninos, a center for culture, education, arts, and creativity for the indigenous children in her community. It thrives today.
Elsmarie’s book about those times is “It Is To Wonder,” a phrase she found herself repeating often as she learned the ways and means of her neighbors. The book is filled with her photographs as well as 48 literary snapshots.
There will be a book premiere with Elsmarie Norby at Geek & Coffee, adjacent to Fabrica Aurora.
If I sound a bit enthusiastic about this one, there is good reason. I was able to help edit and proof this book in small ways and got to meet Elsmarie. She did a wonderful thing in creating this book. There are moments that still catch in my throat as I read them. “It Is To Wonder”? It is too wonderful.
6:30p.m. The smoothest crooner returns
Fil Formicola brings his “Can’t Help Falling in Love” show to the Paprika. What’s love got to do with it? Everything, baby! Fil knows the songs that melt your heart.
Tickets are $200 pesos. Paprika Restaurante and Music House is located at Ancha San Antonio 9 A. Reservations are a must, call +52-415-124-2338
May 25, Saturday
8:30 –11:30 a.m. — Hug a tree? Why not save a tree!
In only three hours of volunteer work, you could claim the right to say that you saved a tree’s life. Those are bragging rights, my friend.
Audubon is trying desperately to slow the plague of Paxtle a parasite that attaches to trees and sucks the life out of them. They need to be plucked one by one from the branches. They are everywhere but Audubon is concentrating its efforts on Parque Landeta, located next to the botanical garden El Charco del Ingenio.
“Tools and equipment are provided. If you need transportation, please let us know when you sign up and we will do our best to locate a ride for you,” according to Audubon. Register by e-mail at audubondemexico@gmail.com
Follow this link for more details about the Save a Tree program.
10 a.m. — Last Saturday of the month: ALMA time!
ALMA is a nonprofit which provides care and accommodation for the elderly. In support of its mission it takes donations of clothing, books, household items, electronics, costume jewelry, etc., and offers them up for sale at greatly reduced prices. You might find fine designer men’s and women’s clothes, shoes, vintage silver jewelry, popular contemporary and classic books, furniture, and lots more.
ALMA is situated in La Lejona at Calle Trueno #69, behind the bright blue Seguro Popular clinic. Easiest way to get there is from the Libriemento, traveling east, take the first right after Comer. Go several streets up, and take a left just before the blue fence. This is a short street and will take you past the La Lejona clinic. Go right at the end of this street and Alma is on your right.
6 .m. — Tributes to Puccini and Milhaud, Part 2
The House of Culture, Mesones #71, presents three exceptional nights with the Sinfonietta MIQ under the artistic direction of Juan Trigos. Mark your calendars for May 18, 25, and June 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy the work of Puccini and Milhaud in celebration of memorable anniversaries, along with tributes and extraordinary talents in each performance.
6 p.m. — Take the A Train to St. Paul’s
San Miguel’s International Jazz and Blues Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary with the music of two of the greatest composers in the history of jazz — Duke Ellington and George Gershwin. A couple of guys who feuded over Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” in the 1930s. The Duke found it derivative and lacking in the “negro musical idiom,” although 20 years later he gushed over the musical and even recorded it.
Their music will be performed by singer Ale Morales, Alex Villagómez on piano, Robert Lehmann on drums, and Antonio Lozoya on double bass. The concert is at St. Paul´s Church, Cardo #6.
Tickets are $660 pesos on PayPal or $600 pesos at Galeria Casa Aurora, Calzada de la Aurora 10, centro.
Musings, Magic, San Miguel and More 