Sunday, July 21

8 a.m. — Doggie day out
Elsewhere it may be the Dog Days of summer but not in San Miguel! Plaza La Luciérnaga is celebrating a happier Dog Day by inviting you and your pooch out to the shopping mall for a day of activities, prizes and lots of fun. Bring your pet.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. Artisan fairs popping up
In the Plaza de los Insurgentes, popularly known as “Plaza Garibaldi,” you can find products for the home, decoration and gifts such as mirrors, lamps, rugs and hearts, even high-quality jewelry and great designs, all made by San Miguel families from a wide variety of communities, neighborhoods, and colonias.
From July 24 to 28, a new edition of the “San Miguel de Allende Artisan Fair 2024” will be held around the esplanade of the Jardine Principal. It will offer “maximum face-to-face exhibition of the color and beauty of local crafts and labor, before thousands of local and foreign visitors.”
DiscoverSMA has the details!

July 19 – 29 — The 27th Guanajuato International Film Festival
The GIFF, in its 27th edition, is being held in León, San Miguel de Allende, and Irapuato.
The State of Guanajuato once again becomes the epicenter of the seventh art as the 27th edition of the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF) hosts moviegoers from all over the world in a free event that promises to surprise with major national and international premieres.

There will be tributes to two iconic figures of Mexican cinema, actors Arturo Ripstein and Joaquín Cosío. In addition, the world premiere of Cosío’s most recent film, “The Price of Educating Them,” will be held. A special series “Women in Film and Television: Recognition of Female Talent” is planned.
In San Miguel events will be held at many locations, including Auditorio Miguel Malo of the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante,” Cinemex Luciérnaga | Sala 7; Teatro Santa Ana, Biblioteca; Geek & Coffee; and Casa Nigromante.
For a schedule of events, see the GIFF website.

4-5:30 p.m. — Everyone needs a hug sometime
The Church of Hugs will be holding a service in front of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.
The gospel truth: “The Church of Hugs is here to spread kindness, compassion, peace, presence, and human connection. Get ready to open your heart to hundreds of your fellow citizens as we gather together for The Church of Hugs, and spread unconditional love to everyone who takes us up on our offer during the event. Tell your friends, tell your co-workers, tell EVERYBODY to come ready to hug and we’ll have ‘FREE HUGS HERE / ABRAZOS GRATIS AQUI!’ signs ready for an evening of love-in-action!”
Feel free to create your own sign that says “FREE HUGS” / “ABRAZOS GRATIS.”

5 p.m. — ProMusica summer fest finale
The last Summer Season concert features a talented young violinist, Sara Dragan, accompanied by Kenny Broberg on piano at St. Pauls Church. Tickets are on sale now on the ProMusica website.

If there is a theme to this all-too-brief music series, it is that the future of classical music is in good and youthful hands. Stunning performances by such young musicians. Sara Dragan is the latest example, only 24 years old but already “a formidable talent on the international stage.” Broberg who performed solo last Sunday is only 31.

These are tomorrow’s superstars performing for us today.

Dragan has chosen a varied program, including music by Ernst, Grieg, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and more.

Tickets are $450 and $650 pesos, and are on sale through the ProMusica website, and at the concert 45 minutes before performance time. Contact: promusicasma@gmail.com.

Tuesday, July 23

6-9 p.m. — Birthday bash with a cause
The ageless piano man Johnny Favourite is having a birthday party and some of San Miguel’s coolest performers are going to help him celebrate. And if you dare say Johnny’s going to the dog’s, it’s only because the canine rescue group Yo Amo Animalitos will benefit!

The best singers in the city are showing up and some of the most popular restaurants in San Miguel, like Sai-Ko, have set the menu.

Who? Lady Zen, Steve Jaymes, Maria Sanchez, Gabriella Espinoza, Fil Formicola, and more.
Where? Hotel Casa Linda, Mesones 101, Centro. No cover, drop on in.

Wednesday, July 24

5 p.m. — Movie and wine tasting
Shelter Theater is under new management and new name and this is a great way to let the world know: A great movie, “Bottle Shock” (2008) followed by a tasting with some California wines. Now called Teatro Cabaret San Rafa “El Shelter” this is event by Shelter Theater VG4, Vicente Guerrero 4. RSVP: 563-632-2233.
Until the early 1970’s, French wines were the undisputed epitome of excellence. Until a Napa Valley 1973 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena bested the French in a blind taste competition and rocked the entire industry. The very loosely fact-based comedy/drama stars the late Allan Rickman, as well as Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, and others.

5:30 p.m. — What’s noir with you?
The SMA Playreaders ensemble presents “Dead Man’s Cellphone” — a “laugh out loud romantic comedy mixed with noir suspense” by noted playwright Sarah Ruhl. The play premiered at New York’s Playwright’s Horizons in 2008, starring Mary-Louise Parker. Ruhl won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play.
Here’s how the Playreaders pitch the plot: “A cellphone rings incessantly in a quiet café. A woman at the next table has had enough of it. Why doesn’t the guy answer it? She answers it for him and immediately things grow weirder and weirder. Curiouser and curiouser. And darker and darker. Can she find her way through it all?”
Tickets are $100 pesos and are sold only at the door, first come, first served at Teatro Santa Ana, Relox #50A, Centro. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. in the Biblioteca’s theater. Find more details at DiscoverSD.

Thursday July 25th

11 a.m. — 4 p.m. — “Dear voter …”
A Democratic Party campaign to write and send thousands of postcards to potential U.S. voters launches at the Abrazos Boutique, Zacateros 24, Centro Histórico. Have a couple of hours to spare? Drop in! The writing campaign will be happening all day and every Thursday through September. The postcards will be directed at potential Blue voters in the key swing states.
Bring some pesos for stamps, your own pen, and maybe a few friends to help.
Patrice from Abrazosis also looking for travelers to bring 500 postcards to SMA or back to the USA in August. E-mail her at SanMiguelPatrice@mac.com .

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7–8:30 p.m. — Ballet Folklorico 49th Anniversary Show
Yes, it has been that long since Gloria Navarrete first put her handful of dancers on a San Miguel stage. The Company now has 55 dancers in four groups and continues to grow. All groups have been learning new dances for the event at the Angela Peralta Theater — and just imagine what awaits their 50th anniversary next year!
Tickets are $100 pesos and are available at the Angela Peralta Theater box office.

7 p.m. — Romance is in the air
Gala Intima is being billed as a “night of romance and fantasy” at the Foro el Obraj, Calzada de la Presa #50, filled with “the most beautiful and well-known melodies from opera, zarzuela, and soundtracks of all time.” Performing the works of Puccini, Mozart, Mancini, Bernstein, Porter, Morricone, Lecuona and more will be Paula Nogueira – Soprano; Eduard Moreno – Baritone; and Javier Garcia-Lascurain – Piano.
The event is produced by Unshow Producciones to benefit the San Miguel de Allende Chamber Music Festival.
General admission $500 pesos.
Reservation: WhatsApp (443) 202 1277 | comunidad@unshow.art. Tickets can be purchased at the box office inside Hotel Live Aqua, El Obraje Forum, or online through Evenbrite.
For all details go to the Unshow website.

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Friday, July 26

7 – 9 p.m. — A night of Hindu dance and Indian cuisine
Soltribe Cuisine is offering a three-course Indian dinner and a classical Hindu dance show by dancers Carla Limones, Ana Laura Juan and Yssel Hernandez.
Tickets are $1,000 pesos and Soltribe Cuisine is located at Sano Market, Ancha San Antonio #123. Purchase tickets through Eventbrite — use the IR code in the poster above.

7 p.m. — Listen up!
Musical maestro Doug Robinson’s latest extravaganza is titled “You Are What You Listen To” (Tu Eres Lo Que Escuchas) and he’s promising some mighty tasty performances at the Teatro Angela Peralta for your consumption. Says Robinson, “I always try to present something new when I produce a concert, and my goal this time is to shine the spotlight on two truly remarkable groups: the Gabriel Hernandez Trio and the Alfred Thompson Saxophone Project. There will be guest artists with both groups, including yours truly.”
The Thompson group will perform the world premier of Robinson’s original composition “Besos Ocultos.” He describes the group as “part big band swing, part passionate carnival music.”
It’s open seating by section. Tickets are available at the theater box office, ranging in price from $200 to $750 pesos. You can buy tickets via PayPal at jazzooo@aol.com and they will be waiting at the box office.

7 p.m. — A night of chamber music
The Chicago Panamerican Ensemble presents a stirring night of classical music at Foro el Obraje, Calzada De La Presa #50. The ensemble was founded by pianist Beatriz Helguera and cellist Andrew Snow in 2008.They are joined by Ricardo Castaneda on oboe. The ensemble’s repertoire celebrates music from the Baroque to the contemporary era, with an emphasis on the works of Latin American composers. The program this night includes Beethoven, Schumann, Poulenc, Piazzolla, and Brazilian Marlos Nobre.
General admission is $500 pesos.
Reservation: WhatsApp (443) 202 1277 | comunidad@unshow.art. Tickets can be purchased at the box office inside Hotel Live Aqua, at the Foro el Obraje one hour before entry, or online through Evenbrite.
For all details go to the Unshow website.
This is an Unshow benefit for the Festival de Música de Cámara of San Miguel de Allende.

Saturday, July 27

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Pilaseca celebrates 25 years
The band Pilaseca got its startin San Miguelin 1999 and now returns home to its roots to mark 25 years as one of the biggest bands in all of Mexico. Founded by lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Paco Rivera and bassist Mauricio Valdez (Pawis), began a residency at Mama Mia restaurant in Centro. The band blends funk, rock, Latin, soul and electronic and has built a significant audience in the U.S. and Mexico.
The concert is at Foro El Obraje, the outdoor amphitheater located at Calzada de la Presa #50, in Centro. Special guest stars will include Benny Ibarra.
Ticket prices range from $500 pesos for “Zona General” (general admission), $800 pesos for “Zona Preferente” (up front near center stage), and $1000 pesos for “Zona Fan VIP,” a section not only by the stage, but with access to the backstage, where you can mingle with the artists and enjoy the backstage bar.
The Foro El Obraje is spacious and elegantly constructed, and there will be plenty of room for dancing. The Restaurant, the concert’s sponsor, will cater the event with food and beverage, and valet parking, costing only 200 pesos, will be available until 1am.
Tickets are available from Boleto City.

Various — Candlelight concerts tonight
7–8:30 pm — The Best of Hans Zimmer
Soundtrack music by Zimmer from Pirates of the Caribbean, Top Gun, Dune, Batman, Inception and more. Tickets $450-970 pesos Concert and ticket information here.
9–10:30 p.m. –Coldplay Tribute Concert information here.
Concerts are at the Live Aqua Resort, Calz. De La Presa No. 85, Centro. Candlelight is a series of concerts performed by classically trained musicians. Solo pianists, string quartets, and other musical ensembles take the stage to envelop and captivate audiences with a rich tapestry of sound, all while hundreds—sometimes thousands—of LED candles flicker and twinkle, casting light on the walls.