Sunday, Aug. 11

10:30 a.m. – Noon — Ecstatic dancing
San Miguel’s longest-running ecstatic dance community Danza de Alma meets at The Nautilus Chamber with the music of DJ Grandpa setting the swirling dervishes in motion. Here’s a map to Nautilus.
Danza del Alma is a scent free zone. Suggested donation is $150-$400 pesos ($8-$20 usd). paypal.me/JoanElenaGoldberg.Can’t make it in person? Zoom in: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6777780270 (Zoom Passcode: Danza, Meeting ID: 677 778 0270)

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Everything must go!
The Heart to Heart Charity Bazaar is famous for its well-stocked shelves of cool goods and hot deals but enough clutter — it is clearance time! They are reducing prices on merchandise in every department – women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes, accessories, small appliances, linens, electronics, home decor, housewares, art.
The bazaar is located at Reforma #75c. Make ’em an offer they can’t refuse!

3:33 p.m. Good vibrations with Kirtan
Now that you’ve danced ecstatically until noon, take a breather and then settle in for a little of the call-and-response (or antiphonal) style song, movement, and chant, set to music, known as Kirtan. The Kirtan group in San Miguel meets every two weeks on Sundays at 5 pm. In Kirtan, participants sing mantras as a group “to increase the vibration of the soul, spirit, and body connecting to The Source of Everything.”
This week it’s 3:33 p.m. for Yoga Nidra with Alejandro Trejo and at 4:44 p.m. Kirtan with Mena & Briam K. Boyle. At 6:46 p.m. the community will gather for a potluck dinner. Bring some food, fruit, and drink to share.
The suggested donation for Kirtan is $200 to $500 pesos. Everyone is welcome. Last week marked the third anniversary of Kirtan in SMA.
And where? In Los Frailes, Calle La Quemada #9.

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Tuesday, Aug 13

8:30 a.m. — Walk this way!
Paynal Ward says this about his Cardio Art Walks, “I do free cardio group walks here in SMA on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m.” Each walk offers a different challenge and opportunity.
The hike master explains: “Tuesday is the more challenging walk and will be with hills, art, neighborhoods you likely have never seen, and often cool surprises. You will feel it. This is the cardio signature walk. 2.5 to 3 hours in length.
“Friday is an 8 a.m. cardio walk. It runs for 1-1.5 hours. This is an early and fast workout. There may not be much art.
“Saturday is an easier pace than the others. This is a pleasant pace for beginners and anyone wanting to get the blood flowing before Saturday’s fun. it is a very sociable walk, often we meet interesting people and are frequently invited into people’s homes.”
Occasionally, Paynal Ward makes a Sunday jaunt to nearby Comonfort where he says, “I’m one of the few people who knows where every mural is hiding and will take you to see them all. We also sometimes meet some of the great artists living there. And I can show you a taco cart in the Jardin that sells incredible food — well worth the line.”
It’s always free. Join Paynal’s Facebook page for details.

Wednesday, Aug. 14
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. — Birdwalk tour in El Charco
Rain and fresh growth mean El Charco is chock full of birds — local and migratory songbirds, waterfowl, waders, and raptors for starters. You can drop in on Wednesdays for a 2.5-hour birdwalk and exploration of San Miguel’s botanical garden, El Charco del Ingenio, the 220-acre sanctuary for native plants, birds, and wildlife. And while you are there, visit the conservatory. After the walk, enjoy drinks and snacks or lunch at the café, and browse the gift shop.
The birdwatching expedition is 200 pesos or 150 pesos for members. The guides have a few pairs of binoculars to lend, and they carry telescopes so everyone can see distant birds clearly.

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11 a.m. No art walk … but open houses!
The traditional Colonia San Antonio Art Walk isn’t happening in August this year but some artists are opening their doors to the public anyway. Here are some events in which three very talented and uniquely different artists are joining forces, from Aug. 14 to 17. Is anyone else planning to open their doors during this time, special galley exhibitions? Let us know!

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11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — It’s the chai life for me!
Chai means “tea” in India but is so much more than that. Chai varies around the world but usually includes black tea mixed with spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and black peppercorns. Cafe Buen Dia at Hidalgo #42 is offering a workshop on chai where you can learn The six tastes according to Ayurveda, the health benefits of chai, which spices are best to use, and how to make your very own blend of chai.
Organizers say, “We will drink the chai and have fun identifying the six tastes. A healthy tasty sweet treat will accompany the chai tasting.”
Reservations are a must. Contact Usha at 415-111-8865 or yagavedalife.info@gmail.com. The workshop fee is $500 pesos

11a.m.-4 p.m. A few writes can undo a wrong
When is the last time you got a hand-written postcard? I know, right? It means something. Now, imagine you live in a swing state and all you get are MAGA’s pre-recorded phone rants. Suppose instead you got a nice colorful, handwritten postcard encouraging you to keep the faith, make sure you can vote Democrat, and know you are loved.
You can do that for real, every Thursday at the Abrazos boutique, Zacateros #24. Just walk in and join the writing party. You will be addressing postcards and writing a well-researched script to low turnout Democrat voters in key swing states to motivate them to vote on November 5th.
Bring some pesos for postage — $110 pesos will cover 10 postcard stamps. The postcards are free. You can even take a bunch home to work on. A fresh batch of 3,000 just showed up — so let’s get writing!
For more information: SanMiguelPatrice@mac.com

2 p.m. One story, four perspectives
Akira Kurosawa’s classic movie “Rashomon” turns 75 next year and it continues to influence moviemakers to this day. There is a screening at JC3/Chesma, Calle De Las Moras #47 (at 5 de Mayo). General admission is $150 pesos or $100 pesos for members.
In the story, a samurai is murdered and four witnesses testify — a woodcutter, a priest, the samurai’s wife, and the accused bandit. Each tells quite a different story — just as each has their own motivations — raising questions on the nature of truth and the unreliability of human perception.
In 1990, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas presented Kurosawa with an honorary Academy Award “for cinematic accomplishments that have inspired, delighted, enriched and entertained worldwide audiences and influenced filmmakers throughout the world.”

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Thursday, Aug. 15

11 a.m. –Tales of the mojigangueros
Come relive the memory of our beloved mojigangueros in the voice of family and friends, who will share with the public the anecdotes kept within the four walls of their homes or workshops.
Event by Centro Cultural El Nigromante, Dr. Hernández Macías 75, Centro.

6 p.m. – Was office life ever this funny?
The Players Workshop of San Miguel de Allende launches its summer show, “Office Hours,” a comedy by Norm Foster and directed by Brian Munroe, with a cast of 10, of whom nine are making their San Miguel debut.

“Office Hours” weaves together six stories on a Friday afternoon, in six separate offices. The promos say, “All the stories are connected in a mad dash toward the end of the workday.”

The play will be performed in Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca, Relox #50A between Aug. 15 and 24. Tickets are $350 pesos, cash only, at the theater box office. The play will be in English with Spanish subtitles. There will be 6 p.m. performances on August 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24. Matinees at 1 p.m. on Saturdays, Aug 17 and 24.

7 p.m. — “Love is a rebellious bird…”
“… that none can tame.” Powerful lyrics from the sultry and sensuous aria popularly called “Habanera” in French composer Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera “Carmen.” You’ll be able to hear it and so much more when Operísima México performs the opera comique Aug. 15-18 at Casa Europa México, Calle San Francisco #23, Zona Centro.
Set in southern Spain, the story of “Carmen” is as powerful and passionate as the music: When the naïve soldier Don José is seduced by the fiery gypsy Carmen, he abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts the military. He loses Carmen to the glamorous torero Escamillo after which … no, I won’t tell you. But, spoiler alert, it does not end well. Passionate love and operas are like that.
The music will be performed under the direction of Operísima founder Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco as “an opera in concert version with stage movements.”
Casa Europa doors will open at 6 p.m. For reservations call +52 415 181 2464. Tickets are $500 pesos.
“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle!”

Saturday, Aug. 17

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11:15 a.m. — 12:45 p.m. Fine-tuning your yoga postures
Esencia Yoga Spa (https://www.esenciayogaspa.com/), Portrerro # in Colonia San Antonio plans a monthly deep-dive into popular yoga postures. “Offering Alignment-based biomechanics of postures and their benefits physically, mentally and energetically. Creating sustainability for a safe lifelong practice and finding the pathway to the full expression of the pose.”
The pose for August is the Cobra series.
The instructor is Claudia Anguiano. Fees are $250 pesos in advance and $350 pesos day of event. Register on the MindBody App.

3 p.m. — Play ball! Leon vs San Miguel
As my friend Efrain Gonzalez says: “Join us for this state tournament Saturday, August 17. Top-flight baseball returns to San Miguel! Come and enjoy an epic duel between: Selection Leon vs San Miguel de Allende.
“The action will begin at 3:00 PM at the Majestic Stirling Dickinson Stadium. Don’t miss out and come support your favorite home team! We are waiting for you to experience the passion of baseball in San Miguel de Allende!”

7-9 p.m. La Camerata Allende
The 11 string instrument musicians comprising Le Camerata will perform the music of Samuel Barber, Felipe Rodriguez Palacios, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Emanuel Arias y Luna in the Angela Peralta Theater,Mesones #82, Centro.
The Camerata Allende is recognized for excellence and dedication to the performance of chamber music. The ensemble is made up of instrumentalists who have forged careers both nationally and internationally. For more on the concert go to the Unshow website. (https://unshow.art/)
Tickets are $500 pesos for general admission and $350 for INAPAM / students. Make reservations via WhatsApp (443) 202 1277 | comunidad@unshow.art or at the Angela Peralta Theater Offices. You can also purchase online at Evenbrite.

Upcoming events:

Aug 21-25 World Music Festival
The 2024 edition of this incredible festival is here, with Free Master classes, concerts, exhibitions and a film series. Events at the public library, El Nigromante Cultural Center, Angela Peralta Theater, Conde Restaurante and Baco cinema.

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Got something in the works? Let us know: robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com.