Survey results are in and the most popular things to do during this soul-crushing heatwave are:
- Make friends with someone who owns a swimming pool.
- Pay for a day pass at a resort hotel with a swimming pool.
- Pretend to shop all day at City Market.
- Complain a lot on social media and beseech various gods for rain.
- Watch a movie inside the cool darkness of CineMax at Lucienaga.
- Watch another movie the next day at CineMax
- Repeat 4 and 5 as needed. After the movie, shop at arctic-friendly Soriana.
- Try to remember where you saw a list of airconditioned restaurants on Facebook.
- Sleep all day, head out for breakfast at 8:30 p.m.
- Sleep on your rooftop with an icy pitcher of margaritas.
- Ask on Facebook for the definition of a “split.” Ask where you can buy a “split.” Ask who can install your new split for you. Turn on split, try to forget the next electric bill.
For the rest of us, there are other things to do this week.
May 26, Sunday
8:30–11:30 a.m. Don’t just hug a tree, save one!
“In just three hours you can make a huge difference in protecting our native trees at Parque Landeta from invasive plants called Paxtle or la Plaga that are threatening their health. Removing these plagues is rewarding work and you’ll be happy with how good it makes you (and the trees) feel,” says the udubon Society.
Parque Landeta is located next to El Charco del Ingenio Tools and equipment are provided.
Indicate if you need transportation when you register: audubondemexico@gmail.com More details about our Save a Tree program: http://www.audubonmexico.org/save-a-tree/
11 a.m. – Closing parade of Festival of Santa Cruz del Valle del Maíz
All I know is there will be locos, mojigangas, and many other dancers parading through the “major streets of the city.” Look for gatherings of people curbside, streets without parked cars, and traffic barriers. Sure signs that a parade is coming down the street. And of course, closing fireworks at 9 p.m.
Noon — Art opening “Aketzalli: Precious Water”
Catch the premiere of this Dutch perspective on Mexican nature by the artists: Jasper de Gelder and Eddy Kaijser at the Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio #20, Colonia San Antonio. De Gelder “uses underwater fauna in terrestrial landscapes to create a symbiosis between both worlds, presenting them as a possible reality. His art highlights the beauty and fragility of the aquatic ecosystem, reflecting concerns about human intervention.”
The exhibition is a co-production of Casa Europa and Allende Institute, with the support of the City of Rotterdam and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mexico. Special guest is Ms. Anne Le Guellec, Deputy Ambassador and head of the Economic Department of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mexico.
The art exhibit begins with a cocktail reception at noon.
2 p.m. Drum solo!!!!
Ever since I was a tiny boy
I don’t want no candy, don’t need no toy
I took a stick and an old coffee can
I bang on that thing till I got blisters on my hand because
I don’t want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day
I don’t want to play
I just want to bang on the drum all day
— Todd Rundgren’s “Bang on the Drum”
Students of the Drum Academy will be putting down the beat and laying their chops at El Sindicato, Recreo #4, in the second annual Festival de Alumnos de Bateria. Tickets are a mere $50 pesos.
4-9 p.m. Ceremony by Colombian Medicine Women
Women Gathering wisdom sharing, weaving, mambe and ambil medicine. Limited entry. Donation $800 pesos, at Galeria Correo, Calle Correo #24, Centro. RSVP Dante 415-133-5046. For more details, click here.
May 27, Monday
1-5 p.m. Memorial Day remembrance
Who knew there was an American Legion Post in San Miguel? It is Number 8 and given the history of the GI Bill students and the Allende Art School, I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. Anyway, happy Memorial Day. The post is holding a party at the San Ramon Hotel on the road to Dolores. There’s free entrance, food, entertainment and … a swimming pool!
Contact vguzman@gmail.com or 415-215-8328 for details and to register.
May 28, Tuesday
Find one of those swimming pools.
May 29, Wednesday
3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. “Letter to Three Wives”
This 1948 light drama directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz is an old favorite. Three wives are stuck aboard an excursion boat with a small army of schoolkids and the prospect that one of their husbands has run off with a woman of their acquaintance. Each has plenty of time to reflect on their lives, their relationships, and their prospect for divorce. It’s all about regrets, reality, and second chances. Jeanne Crain, Ann Sothern, and Linda Darnell star with Kirk Douglas, Paul Douglas, and Jeffrey Lynn. The script is witty and thoughtful and Oscar-worthy as was the director.
Cine Bacco is at Hernandez Macias #59.
This week’s other Cine Bacco movies can be found here.
May 30, Thursday
10:30 a.m.-Noon Local launch for “Information Warfare”
Michael J. Dorfman’s latest book, “Information Warfare: The Battle for Truth and Freedom,” gets its local launch at Casa Angelitos Boutique Hotel, Faroles 3, Atascadero. Dorfman frames his book as answering the modern conundrum, “Why and how governments, corporations, industries, and the media manipulate information to control what you hear, see, and do.”
The launch is at Casa Angelitos Boutique Hotel, Faroles 3, Atascadero. There will be an author presentation, Q and A, snacks, and refreshments. The launch is free but space is limited so RSVP at 998-734-8905 with the number of attendees. Contact Dorfman at mdorfman7@gmail.com and michaeldorfman.com
Dorfman is the author of “The Thriving Vegan” and “The Covid Connection.”
May 31, Friday
5 p.m. – Dorothy! Look! Flying monkeys!
Gravity Kids will present an acrobatic musical experience inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” Kids as young as eight years old are flying on trapeze hoops, fabrics, and more… a whole spectacular experience for all the family.
Where: The Angela Peralta Theater. Tickets at the box office $150 $300 $500 performances to benefit the Mexican Red Cross. The show repeats on June 1.
7 p.m. Where’s Operisima today? Part 1
The nomadic but oh-so-talented Operisima Mexico troupe moves to yet another new location, the Arthur Murray Studio. Ten singers will perform “Opera Scenes” under the artistic direction of Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, with works by Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Strauss, Gounod, Mozart, Rossini, among others.
Location: In Arthur Murray Studio, Laurel 9, Highway Exit to Queretaro KM3.5, Tres Marías Fractionation, San Miguel de Allende.
Tickets available online: https://operisimamexico.eventbrite.com/ and at El Petit Four from Tuesday to Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm Program will repeat on June 1.
June 1, Saturday
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Carrera de Botargas
And what’s a “botargas”? Full-body costumes – like you see in the Locos parades. Only this is going to be a race – or races – up at the Luciernaga shopping center. It is a fund-raiser for Cruz Roja/Red Cross and the entry fee is $50 pesos. There will be awards in three categories. So brush off your unicorn costume and jump into the race. Something tells me this will be a great photo-opp for you shutterbugs!
2-7 p.m A celebration of Black music and art
Soul Fusion presents the 2nd Annual Black Music Month Art & Music Festival at Geek & Coffee.
It will be a day filled with live performances, art exhibits, food vendors, soulful vibes, and creativity. Among the featured artists at Dr. Jackie “Bouvier” Copeland, StephyLoren, Courtney, and Danielle Simmons. Tickets are $300 for adults. Kids enter free. Click here for tickets and information.
5 p.m. Fabrica Aurora Art Walk
First of the month open house at the region’s largest complex of art studios and galleries will run in tangent with the Black Art & Music Festival next door. You get two great events in one location! Be the art, baby! Make both scenes! Ebony and Ivory is the fashion code of the night.
5 p.m. – Dorothy! Look! Flying monkeys!
Gravity Kids will present an acrobatic musical experience inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” Kids as young as eight years old are flying on trapeze hoops, fabrics, and more… a whole spectacular experience for all the family.
Where: The Angela Peralta Theater. Tickets at the box office $150 $300 $500 performances to benefit the Mexican Red Cross. The show repeats on June 1.
7 p.m. First Dance Encounter
This day is filled with dancing! Local dance groups entertain with folk dance, hip-hop, urban, contemporary dance, and classical ballet in Plaza Civic of Generalísimo Don Ignacio de Allende and Unzaga, in Centro. Free.
6 p.m. — Tributes to Puccini and Milhaud, Part 3
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.
7 p.m. Where’s Operisima today? Part 2
The nomadic but oh-so-talented Operisima Mexico troupe moves to yet another new location, the Arthur Murray Studio. Ten singers will perform “Opera Scenes” under the artistic direction of Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, with works by Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Strauss, Gounod, Mozart, and Rossini, among others.
Location: In Arthur Murray Studio, Laurel 9, Highway Exit to Queretaro KM3.5, Tres Marías Fractionation. Tickets are available online: https://operisimamexico.eventbrite.com/ and at El Petit Four on Calle Jesus in Centro. Doors open at 6 p.m. The program will repeat on June 1.
Musings, Magic, San Miguel and More 