Tango Starts NOW!
The tango is not just a dance, it is an experience. No matter your age, or even if you have never danced, we can all feel the tango. Habla, the language school, invites you to share the creative dialogue and sensory fun of the tango with them.
Instructor: Juan Manuel Coral is a professional tango dancer who has studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina and graduated from the State Art Center of Yucatan. He has participated in a number of performing arts, such as poetry readings, theater and contemporary dance performances.
Classes are Open to: Teens and Adults. No prior experience required. Space is limited.
Duration: March 1 to June 14, 2010
Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $450 per person or $750 per couple for 4 weeks
Reservations by phone: 948-1872
Reservation by e-mail: contact [at] habla [dot] org

Monday (Lunes) March 01, 2010

Cathedral: Pipe Organ Tours & Demonstrations
The Cathedral of San Ildefonso is the oldest cathedral on the American continent, with its foundation having been built between 1556 and 1599, from the huge stones of dismantled pyramids. It has beautiful mozarabic-style towers and a 7-meter high image of Christ. It also has the only pipe organ in southeast Mexico, other than the one in its organist’s home. Maria de Jesus Pech Canul, Organista de la S.I. Catedral, along with organist Jim Smiley, will open the organ loft to the public for tours and organ demonstrations beginning Feb. 22, 2010.
Location: Cathedral of San Ildefonso, Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: All Mondays, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Admission: Free, but donations accepted

Tuesday (Martes) March 02, 2010

Cairo Cinema Café Movie: Dazed and Confused
This 1993 movie stars Jason London, Rory Cochrane, and Wiley Wiggins. It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they’d never forget… if only they could remember. If you lived through the Seventies, you’ll love this movie.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Concert: The OCUADY
This group consists of 26 musicians: 7 first violins, 6 second violins, 5 violas, 4 cellos, 2 basses, a pianist and a conductor. For this performance, the orchestra will perform works by Blas Galindo, F.J. Hayden, Bela Bartok and Leroy Osmond, the American musician who has lived in Yucatan for the past 8 years and worked with the OCUADY.
Location: Felipe Carrillo Puerto Theater, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova: Merida, Music and Color
Merida celebrates her trovadores. We have seen these performances before and they are wonderful!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) March 03, 2010

Wednesday in Concert: Trio Ensueño
This performance is under the direction of Prof. Carlos A. Tello Martinez and the Conductor is Mario Chacon Medina
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Remembering the Composers
This is part of a 150-night series (over time, of course) in which the composers of Yucatan are remembered both individually and collectively. Be sure to come back right here next week and we will have a link for you to a 24/7 Trova radio station that will play all 150 performances. Tonight’s performance itself is a celebration of all 150 performances.
Location: Museo de la Cancion de Yucatan, Calle 57 x 50
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: $10 pesos   (a steal!)

Thursday (Jueves) March 04, 2010

Movie: The Hurt Locker
This 2008 movie stars Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Evangeline Lilly. Iraq. Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb. The director is nominated for an Academy Award this year. Repeated again Friday.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: The Weird World of Tod Browning
Tod Browning was a film director in the style, if you can call it that, of Ed Wood. There doesn’t seem to be a movie of this name, so perhaps they are showing a series of his famous movies.
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 45
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: Slow Burn
(U.S. 1986). This movie stars Eric Roberts and Johnny Depp. Jacob Asch is hired by Gerald McMurty to find his ex-wife Laine and their son in Palm Springs.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 6:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
(1966). Starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef. Three men form an alliance of hate to steal a fortune in dead man’s gold.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) March 05, 2010

The Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Here is an opportunity to hear a talented classical guitarist, Robbin Blanco. The performance will be directed, once again, by Juan Carlos Lomónaco. For a preview of his talent, you can see a YouTube video of a former performance here.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission:$150.00, $100.00 and $80.00.
25% Discount for INAPAM, children between 6 and 12 years of age, and students.

Cinema: The Weird World of Tod Browning
Tod Browning was a film director in the style, if you can call it that, of Ed Wood. There doesn’t seem to be a movie of this name, so perhaps they are showing a series of his famous movies.
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 45
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Slow Foods Farmer’s Market
Vendors who wish to sell their products at the Farmer’s Market must send a solicitation describing the product and retail prices to David Sterling Los Dos Cooking School, Calle 68 No. 517, Colonia Centro. You may also e-mail chefsterling [at] los-dos [dot] com.
Location: Calle 31 # 70 x 12 y 14, Col. Chuburna de Hidalgo
Phone: 999-928-1116
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Friday
Admission: Free

Movie: The Hurt Locker
This 2008 movie stars Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Evangeline Lilly. Iraq. Forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, an elite Army bomb squad unit must come together in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb. The director is nominated for an Academy Award this year.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

TGIF (First Friday)(aka NAFTA)
This is the party that is held in La Hach Bar at Fiesta Americana on all First Friday nights. It is a time to visit with old friends and make new ones. There is nothing any prettier than the huge patio outside of La Hach, suspended between the stars and the lights of the city, in one of the finest hotels in Yucatan.
Location: La Hach Bar, Fiesta Americana Hotel, Calle 60 x Ave. Colon
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, botanas (snacks) are provided.
Admission: Free (cash bar)

Saturday (Sábado) March 06, 2010

You Are Invited to Belleza Divina Melody: A Beauty Pageant
This pageant is being sponsored by Melody, a famous clothing store. It is under the direction of Cecilia Galiano and the invited artist is Kalimba.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 6:00 PM Saturday
Admission:  Free

Movie: Wild at Heart
This 1990 film stars Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, Willem Dafoe, Diane Ladd, and Isabella Rossellini. Young lovers Sailor and Lula run from the variety of weirdos that Lula’s mom has hired to kill Sailor. A classic.
Location: Cairo Cinema Cafe, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo) March 07, 2010

Guiness Record for Cochinita Pibil
Fundación Produce Yucatán, AC, organizer of Expocampo Yucatán, invites you to come and be part of history! A Guiness Judge will be coming all the way from New York City to judge the world’s largest Cochinita Pibil. According to official reports, the entire Conchinita Pibil will contain more than 2,850 kilos of raw materials, including over 2,000 kilos of raw meat (the mind boggles…). This is a once in a lifetime event, so you can be sure that everybody is going to be on hand to celebrate! We’ll see you there!
Location: Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Admission: Free!

Evolucion Booth at Merida en Domingo
Be sure and visit Evolucion’s Booth on the Plaza Grande during Merida en Domingo on the 1st and last Sunday of every month. They have animal-related items to sell including cups, t-shirts, figurines and portraits of some of the dogs at Evolucion. As always, they will be working to increase community awareness of the plight of abused, abandoned and neglected dogs and cats in Merida.….and here’s even MORE!
Animal Training Classes: Now available to all pet owners and available in English. The dog training programs are offered through K9 Edu ( 9999-56-97-81) for a minimal charge. Part of the proceeds are donated to Evolucion to help with the care and feeding of its 150 plus canine and feline residents. Please see our Ongoing Classes page for a complete description of both Private (in your home) Training Classes, as well as the Sunday Group Training Classes, which are held at Evolucion. Call Mario Forestieri at K9 Edu for rates.
Pet Portraits: The talented artist, Chloe Saban-Mayor, has generously donated her services to immortalize your pet in a charming pencil sketch. The equally talented Bettina Castro Escalante can capture the personality of your pet in caricature (and don’t we all have some 4-footed characters living with us!). Prices vary according to size and complexity, but are very reasonably priced with all proceeds going to Evolucion. Pet owners are asked to bring a picture of their pet (not the pet itself) to get an estimate of both price and time needed to complete their request. Some drawings may be able to be done at the booth.
Call for Volunteers: if you would like to volunteer to take a turn manning the booth, they would be happy to give you a work schedule. Just contact Jill Benson (snjbenson [at] yahoo [dot] com) and let her know.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 61 x 62 (subject to change)
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 1st and Last Sundays of every month

The Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Here is an opportunity to hear a talented classical guitarist, Robbin Blanco. The performance will be directed, once again, by Juan Carlos Lomónaco. For a preview of his talent, you can see a YouTube video of a former performance here.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time:12:00 am, Sunday
Admission:$150.00, $100.00 and $80.00.
25% de Discount for INAPAM, children between 6 and 12 years of age, and students.

Support Brazos Abiertos: Showcase of Homes
This home tour features the award-winning designs of Merida architect Henry Ponce, as well as homes by Josh Ramos and John Powell, Stephen Conger and Victor Cruz.
Location: The starting point will be the Brazos Abiertos HIV “Education and Prevention Center” located on Calle 72 #463-A x 55 y 53
Time: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday
Admission: $250 pesos per person

Symphonic Concert: Camerata Academica de Merida
This wonderful orchestra is under the direction of Mtro. Jose Luis Chan Sabido
Location: Casa de España: Calle 19 #97-A x 14 y 18 (Col. Itzimna)
Time: 6:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Documentary: Space Shuttle
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, next to the Zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Coming Soon

March 14: Support Brazos Abiertos: Houston AIDS Walk
Brazos Abiertos asks that you support the work they do by joining the Houston AIDS Walk. Please go to aidswalkhouston.org and join their team!

Saturday: April 3: Sir Elton John To Sing at Chichen Itza
This performance is one that many have been waiting for, but only a few will enjoy! This singer-composer-pianist has sold over 250 million records and has had more than 50 hit songs. There is not a generation in the past 40 years that has not had their age defined by one of his masterpieces. If you missgetting a reserved ticket, we are certain there will be other opportunities to get a ticket between now and the time of the concert. We will keep you informed with all the latest on this exciting event.
Admission: $10,000 pesos, $7,000 pesos, $5,000 pesos, $3,000 pesos, $2,000 pesos and $1,000 pesos.
Tickets on sale: www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Siglo XXI Convention Center

Starting June 11: Carmen
Friend of Merida Carla Dirlikov will be starring in the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Carmen. This is sure to be a stunning event that will be repeated for only six performances. Tickets will be on sale at the Teatro Peon Contreras sometime soon… we’ll let you know when we know more! For the entire Symphony schedule, check here.

For Merida Month-at-a-glance Calendar, click here

or

For ongoing events and classes in Merida,
please click here for our Ongoing Events Calendar!

Presentation of the CD: Jewels Volume II
This is a performance by Banda Israel, one of the most popular groups of to come out of Merida in the past few years. They are a big band, a young band, and they’ve got it going on! Preview their work and see if you’re a fan too! .
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Café Pana K’aay T’aan: Collective Exhibition of the Yucatecan Song Workshop
Featuring Magana Aguilar Vinizio and Lupita Garcia House
Location: Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 63 x 64
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Cinema: Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
(U.S. 2008). Starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, and Aaron Yoo. High school student Nick O’Leary, member of the Queercore band The Jerk Offs, meets college-bound Norah Silverberg and she asks him to be her boyfriend for five minutes.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova: Trio Despertar
This performance is under the direction of Fabian Cano
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) February 24, 2010

Mexico: Día de la Bandera Nacional (Flag Day)

Anniversary Concert: Los Juglares
These are Yucatan’s most beloved minstrels, true kings in a land that even Mexico declares to be the land of troubadours. For a preview, listen as they sing “In Yucatan.”
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Wednesday in Concert: Recital of Piano: Alberto Alvarez
Alberto Alvarez is not only a star in his own right, but a teacher of instrumental and vocal stars as well. Most of the time, he is giving the limelight away to his students. Be sure to see this marvelous talent as he plays alone.. Although he is Cuban, I think we have a general consensus that we are simply keeping him in Merida. Be sure to see Alberto Alvarez as he gives us an opportunity to hear him play alone.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Thursday (Jueves) February 25, 2010

Concerts and Videos of Joy Division
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: The Weird World of Tod Browning
Tod Browning was a film director in the style, if you can call it that, of Ed Wood. There doesn’t seem to be a movie of this name, so perhaps they are showing one of his most famous movies, Freaks.
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 45
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: Blade Runner
Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, M.Emmet Walsh, Daryl Hannah, William Sanderson, Brion James, Joanna Cassidy, James Hong, and Kevin Thompson. Deckard, a blade runner, has to track down and terminate 4 replicants who hijacked a ship in space and have returned to earth seeking their maker.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Academic Chamber (Orchestra) of Merida
Tonight’s performance is all about Mozart and is under the direction of Merida’s own Jose Luis Chan Sabido. This is an excellent group and every performance is well worth attending. We just wish we could see more of them!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: Rocknrolla
This is a 2008 Guy Richie film starring Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, and Thandie Newton. In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, attracting some of the city’s scrappiest tough guys and its more established underworld types, all of whom are looking to get rich quick. While the city’s seasoned criminals vie for the cash, an unexpected player — a drugged out rock ‘n’ roller presumed to be dead but very much alive — has a multi-million dollar prize fall into his hands.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) February 26, 2010

The Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Season XIII, Bicentennial of 2010
Program II includes:
Sensemayá, Silvestre Revueltas (1899-1940)
Sinfonía Española Op. 21, Édouard-Victoire-Antoine Lalo (1823-1892)
La Madrugada del Panadero, Rodolfo Halffter (1900-1987)
Rapsodia Española, Maurice  Ravel (1875-1937)
Tonight, the orchestra is under the direction of its own Director titular, Juan Carlos Lomonaco. The featured performer is violinist Christopher Collins.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission:$150.00, $100.00 and $80.00
25% de Discount for INAPAM, children between 6 and 12 years of age, and students.

Movie: The African Queen
Directed by John Huston, Starring Humphry Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, and Robert Morley. Theodore Bikel was also in this classic. In Africa during WW1, a gin-swilling riverboat owner/captain is persuaded by a strait-laced missionary to use his boat to attack an enemy warship.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Cinema: The Weird World of Tod Browning
Tod Browning was a film director in the style, if you can call it that, of Ed Wood. There doesn’t seem to be a movie of this name, so perhaps they are showing one of his most famous movies, Freaks.
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 45
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Slow Foods Farmer’s Market
Vendors who wish to sell their products at the Farmer’s Market must send a solicitation describing the product and retail prices to David Sterling Los Dos Cooking School, Calle 68 No. 517, Colonia Centro. You may also e-mail chefsterling [at] los-dos [dot] com.
Location: Calle 31 # 70 x 12 y 14, Col. Chuburna de Hidalgo
Phone: 999-928-1116
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Friday
Admission: Free

Cairo Cinema Café Movie: The White Ribbon
(Michael Haneke) Crime, Drama, Mystery. Strange events happen in a small village in the north of Germany during the years just before World War I, which seem to be ritual punishment. The abused and suppressed children of the villagers seem to be at the heart of this mystery.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

National Ballet of Cuba
Headed by its director, prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, the BNC will perform in the Mexican state of Yucatan with the ballet "Don Quijote," with choreography by Alonso, based on the original by Petipa and version of Alexander Gorski, with script and design by Salvador Fernandez. The leading roles will be interpreted by dancers Anette Delgado, Javier Torres, Elier Bourzac and Viengsay Valdes.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:00 pm Friday
Admission: Free

Saturday (Sábado) February 27, 2010

Workshop: Making Compost At Home
Basic composting, with the participation of Helga Geovannini, PhD, Merida Verde Director; Nancy Walker, co-founder, A’ak, an ecological park located in Xunya; and Barbara McClatchie Andrews, a Canadian photographer and journalist who now resides in Merida.
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 #572 x 72 y 74
Time: 1:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $50 peso donation for Merida Verde

UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra in Yucatan
This is one of the finest orchestras in the world, which places this event squarely on your “must attend” list! Visit their website to learn more about them.
Location: Uxmal,
Time: 8:30 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Contemporary Dance: Dance Companies from Asheville, N.C. and Valladolid
Please come and enjoy a contemporary dance performance by Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (Estados Unidos) and Jóvenes Talentos de Danza Contemporánea (Yucatán)
We would like to encourage everyone to attend at least one of these contemporary dance performances. First, because the skill and talent of the two performing groups is exceptional; and second, because the young people from Asheville, North Carolina, and Valladolid, Yucatan, have been developing a green living and post-secondary academic and cultural exchange for years. There is a little blurb in the papers about Asheville and Valladolid being sister cities every once in a while, but we would do well to watch the future as it will be brought to us by these two groups of friends. Read all about their relationship here. 
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: Saturday, Feb. 27: 9:00 PM; Sunday, Feb. 28: 8:00 PM
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Movie: Saraband
Directed by Ingmar Bergman, starring Liv Ullmann. Marianne, some thirty years after divorcing Johan, decides to visit her ex-husband at his summer home. She arrives in the middle of a family drama between Johan’s son from another marriage and his granddaughter.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Merida Big Band Concert in Telchac
Merida’s Big Band will be playing Ballroom Jazz at Villas Wayak, complete with a full moon, to help raise funds for the children of Telchac Puerto. There will be wine, food, dancing and great music! Members of the renowned Merida Symphony Orchestra created “Merida Big Band”. They played their debut performance at Daniel Ayala Theater in 2008 to spectacular reviews and critiques! The audience’s at the Otoño Cultural Festival and the Festival de la Ciudad rocked around the clock to the ballroom jazz of Count Bassie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Sinatra, Cole, Connick Jr. and many, many more big band hit musicians! You folks from Texas and Louisiana might not want to miss this, considering that the lead singer and trombonist, James Meador, is one of your own! We know that everyone will see a favorite in this list: Ranier Pucheux, Director, Clarinete and 2nd Tenor Sax; James Meador, Lead Singer and Trombone; Mauricio Bonfiglio, Drums; Juan Garcia, Double Bass; Eduardo Vazquez, Guitar; Edgar Boffill, Piano; Gustavo Setz, 1st  Alto Sax; Armando Uc, 2nd Alto Sax; Jose Ballote, 1st Tenor Sax; Jose Cabrera, Sax Baritone; Alvaro Mota, 1st Trumpet; Juan Bautista Silla, 2nd Trumpet; Robert Myers, 3rd Trumpet; Jesse Durkan, 4th Trumpet  & French Horn; Joel Picornell, 1st Trombone; Todor Ivanov, 2nd Trombone; Benjamin Kohn, 3rd Trombone.
Location: Villas Wayak, Carretera Telchac km 25.5 Carretera Progreso – Telchac
Time: 5:30 pm Saturday
Admission: $200 pesos

Casa Zamna: A Night of Carnival Magic & Music
Latin American music from Samba to Salsa. A roast pork sit down dinner will be served with all the trimmings, including flan, with fruit in a rum sauce topped with cream for desert and Caribbean coffee. Limit to number of guests: 40. The theme is Carnival and there are great prizes to be won!
Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53 #547, Barrio de Santiago, Merida Centro
Time: 8:00 PM, Music begins at 8:30 PM
Admission: $100 pesos, reservations must be paid in advance due to catering
Reservations & Information: 999 924 0103

National Ballet of Cuba
Headed by its director, prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, the BNC will perform in the Mexican state of Yucatan with the ballet "Don Quijote," with choreography by Alonso, based on the original by Petipa and version of Alexander Gorski, with script and design by Salvador Fernandez. The leading roles will be interpreted by dancers Anette Delgado, Javier Torres, Elier Bourzac and Viengsay Valdes.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:00 pm Saturday
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo) February 28, 2010

Academic Chamber (Orchestra) of Merida
Tonight’s performance is all about Mozart and is under the direction of Merida’s own Jose Luis Chan Sabido. This is an excellent group and every performance is well worth attending. We just wish we could see more of them!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Evolucion Booth at Merida en Domingo
The folks at Evolucion hope to have a booth on the Plaza Grande during Merida en Domingo at least 2 Sundays a month. They will have items to sell including cups, t-shirts,
figurines and portraits of some of the dogs at Evolucion.  They will also have members from their dog training team there to promote the training and behavioral classes that they now offer.  As always, they will be working to increase community awareness of the plight of abused, abandoned and neglected dogs in Merida. ….and, if you would like to volunteer to take a turn manning the booth, they would be tickled pink to give you a work schedule. Just drop by the booth on Feb. 27th and let them know.
Location: Plaza Grande, Merida Yucatan, Calle 61 x 62 (subject to change)
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (2 shifts)

Cathedral Mass in English
Beginning on Feb. 28, 2010, Pbro. Lic. Roberto Cuellar Portillo, Rector de la S.I. Catedral, will offer mass in English. This will be the beginning of a new tradition in which there will be mass in English every 4th Sunday.
Location: Cathedral of San Ildefonso, Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: 9:00 AM  Every 4th Sunday

National Ballet of Cuba
Headed by its director, prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, the BNC will perform in the Mexican state of Yucatan with the ballet "Don Quijote," with choreography by Alonso, based on the original by Petipa and version of Alexander Gorski, with script and design by Salvador Fernandez. The leading roles will be interpreted by dancers Anette Delgado, Javier Torres, Elier Bourzac and Viengsay Valdes.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:00 pm Sunday
Admission: Free

Contemporary Dance: Dance Companies from Asheville, N.C. and Valladolid
Please come and enjoy a contemporary dance performance by Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (Estados Unidos) and Jóvenes Talentos de Danza Contemporánea (Yucatán)
We would like to encourage everyone to attend at least one of these contemporary dance performances. First, because the skill and talent of the two performing groups is exceptional; and second, because the young people from Asheville, North Carolina, and Valladolid, Yucatan, have been developing a green living and post-secondary academic and cultural exchange for years. There is a little blurb in the papers about Asheville and Valladolid being sister cities every once in a while, but we would do well to watch the future as it will be brought to us by these two groups of friends. Read all about their relationship here. 
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

The Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Season XIII, Bicentennial of 2010
Program II includes:
Sensemayá, Silvestre Revueltas (1899-1940)
Sinfonía Española Op. 21, Édouard-Victoire-Antoine Lalo (1823-1892)
La Madrugada del Panadero, Rodolfo Halffter (1900-1987)
Rapsodia Española, Maurice  Ravel (1875-1937)
Tonight, the orchestra is under the direction of its own Director titular, Juan Carlos Lomonaco. The featured performer is violinist Christopher Collins.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time:12:00 am, Sunday
Admission:$150.00, $100.00 and $80.00
25% de Discount for INAPAM, children between 6 and 12 years of age, and students.

UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra in Yucatan
This is one of the finest orchestras in the world, which places this event squarely on your “must attend” list! Visit their website to learn more about them.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Documentary: The Giant Planet Jupiter
This documentary explores Jupiter based on information gathered from Voyager, Ulises, and Galileo space missions.
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, next to the Zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Cairo Cinema Café Movie: Garden State
(Zach Braff 2004) Written, directed, and starring Zach Braff. A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother’s funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Coming Soon

March 7: Support Brazos Abiertos: Showcase of Homes
This home tour features the award winning designs of Merida architect Henry Ponce.
Admission: $250 pesos per person
 For more information, contact John Truax john [at] hivyucatan [dot] org

March 7: Guiness Record for Cochinita Pibil
Fundación Produce Yucatán, AC, organizer of Expocampo Yucatán, invites you to come and be part of history! A Guiness Judge will be coming all the way from New York City to judge the world’s largest Cochinita Pibil. According to official reports, the entire Conchinita Pibil will contain more than 2,850 kilos of raw materials, including over 2,000 kilos of raw meat. This is a once in a lifetime event, so you can be sure that everybody is going to be on hand to celebrate! We’ll see you there!
Location: Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: We suspect this will be an event that will be all day, at the very least, and more than one day if we know Yucatan’s hospitality like we do.
Admission: TBA – but probably Free!

March 14: Support Brazos Abiertos: Houston AIDS Walk
Brazos Abiertos asks that you support the work they do by joining the Houston AIDS Walk. Please go to aidswalkhouston.org and join their team!

Saturday: April 3: Sir Elton John To Sing at Chichen Itza
This performance is one that many have been waiting for, but only a few will enjoy! This singer-composer-pianist has sold over 250 million records and has had more than 50 hit songs. There is not a generation in the past 40 years that has not had their age defined by one of his masterpieces. If you missgetting a reserved ticket, we are certain there will be other opportunities to get a ticket between now and the time of the concert. We will keep you informed with all the latest on this exciting event.
Admission: $10,000 pesos, $7,000 pesos, $5,000 pesos, $3,000 pesos, $2,000 pesos and $1,000 pesos.
Tickets on sale: www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Siglo XXI Convention Center

Starting June 11: Carmen
Friend of Merida Carla Dirlikov will be starring in the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Carmen. This is sure to be a stunning event that will be repeated for only six performances. Tickets will be on sale at the Teatro Peon Contreras sometime soon… we’ll let you know when we know more! For the entire Symphony schedule, check here.

For Merida Month-at-a-glance Calendar, click here

or

For ongoing events and classes in Merida,
please click here for our Ongoing Events Calendar!

No Special Events listed for today, but See Our Ongoing Events for plenty to do in Merida!

Tuesday (Martes) February 16, 2010

Movie: Match Point
At a turning point in his life, a former tennis pro falls for a femme-fatal type who happens to be dating his friend and soon-to-be brother-in-law.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) February 17, 2010

Music: Celebration of the Birth of Ricardo Lopez Mendez
This singer and songwriter was from Izamal. He was the director of the Public Library and an advisor to Felipe Carrillo Puerto. He was one of the founders of radio in Yucatan, as well as a representative in Mexico City. He helped to found a society of authors and poets and is one of the beloved trova singers in Yucatan’s history.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Gineres
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Art: Temporary pieces belonging to the People’s Art Collection de Fomento Cultural Banamex
Location: Museo del Arte Popular de Yucatan, Calle 50 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Thursday (Jueves) February 18, 2010

Concerts and Videos of U2
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cinema: The Weird World of Tod Browning
Tod Browning was a film director in the style, if you can call it that, of Ed Wood. There doesn’t seem to be a movie of this name, so perhaps they are showing one of his most famous movies, Freaks.
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 45
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Classical Youth Choir of the City of Merida
Tonight’s program is Music of Latin America, directed by Nidia Gongora. This should be an excellent performance!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Classic Cinema: Revolver
This is a 2005 Guy Richie Film, who seems to have a passion for guns… or at least movies with guns in the title. The movie stars Ray Liotta as a big time casino owner who is no match for a small time, but very successful gambler.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) February 19, 2010

Ballroom Dancing: Dance Festival’s Golden Age
This performance is under the direction of Cristobal Ocana.
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 5:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office.

Dance Exposition: 40th Anniversary of the Folkloric Ballet of the State of Yucatan and the Orquesta Jaranera del Mayab (until March 12)
Alfredo Cortes Aguilar, In Memoriam.
Directors are Raul Castillo Alfaro and Felipe de Jesus Chi Naal
Location: Vestibule of Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Cinema: The Weird World of Tod Browning
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 45
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Ballroom Dancing: Dance Festival’s Golden Age
This performance is under the direction of Cristobal Ocana.
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office.

Art Film: much’tal jedz + Imaginary Tribes
This is a 35 minute film that is an art project by Byrt Wammack Weber, in collaboration with other members of the Collective Turix. Subtitles are in Spanish and English. When something begins terrorizing a Mayan village, the villagers’ strategies to overcome it lead them to a famous archaeologist and, eventually, to an unexpected solution. Based on historical and contemporary events, this film is about the struggle of the Maya to maintain their autonomy. The translation of much’tal jedz is “When we talk, we only say it once.” Imaginary Tribes, the music, is written and performed by Elias Puc, a songwriter and bassist with an astonishingly accomplished career.
Location: At the MACAY, next to the Cathedral in Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Slow Foods Farmer’s Market
Vendors who wish to sell their products at the Farmer’s Market must send a solicitation describing the product and retail prices to David Sterling Los Dos Cooking School, Calle 68 No. 517, Colonia Centro. You may also e-mail chefsterling [at] los-dos [dot] com.
Location: Calle 31 # 70 x 12 y 14, Col. Chuburna de Hidalgo
Phone: 999-928-1116
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Friday
Admission: Free

Concert: Malena Durán and Wren Marie Harrington
Malena Durán and Wren Marie Harrington (from the cast of Phantom of the Opera in New York) will be singing ballads, boleros and blues in concert, accompanied by the jazz trio of Arturo Guzmán on drums, Alberto Palomo on bass and guitar and Edgar Boffil on piano. The concert is called Journey Through the Night and will mark the opening of a new cultural space in La Ermita… a romantic, colonial-style patio for performances called Ule. Sandwiches and beverages will be available for purchase.
Location: Ule, Calle 64 #560 x 71 y 73, Centro (near La Ermita)
Time: 8:30 PM doors open, 9:00 PM concert begins, Friday, Feb. 19
Admission: $50 pesos cover

Movie: Thrist
A failed medical experiment turns a man of faith into a vampire
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Drunk on Tango
This is a spectacular event that includes music, song, dance, and theater. It is under the direction of Silvia Kater.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: $90 pesos, students and INAPAM $50 pesos

Saturday (Sábado) February 20, 2010

World Championship Boxing in Merida!
Guty Espadas (former champ) vs Elio Rojas (current champ),with Espadas as the clear local favorite!
Location: Poliforum Merida, Kukulcan Stadium
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Tickets available at MegaMedia (Prolongacion Montejo in front Club Campestre) and Materama (Construction stores)

Drunk on Tango
This is a spectacular event that includes music, song, dance, and theater. It is under the direction of Silvia Kater.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $90 pesos, students and INAPAM $50 pesos

Folk Dance: A Window to the Past Yucatan
40th Anniversary of the Folkloric Ballet of the State of Yucatan and the Orquesta Jaranera del Mayab.
Alfredo Cortes Aguilar, In Memoriam
Directors are Raul Castillo Alfaro and Felipe de Jesus Chi Naal
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo) February 21, 2010

Classical Youth Choir of the City of Merida
Tonight’s program is Music of Latin America, directed by Nidia Gongora. This should be an excellent performance!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Drunk on Tango
This is a spectacular event that includes music, song, dance, and theater. It is under the direction of Silvia Kater.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: $90 pesos, students and INAPAM $50 pesos

Documentary: The Rhythms of Life
Come and see how life ebbs and flows according to the behavior of the sun and moon.
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, next to the Zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Turtles Turtles Turtles
A special two month turtle exhibit will be at the Museum of Natural History this year. The exhibit opened on February 6 and will continue until March 30. If you have a kid who loves turtles (or you think will love them!), be sure to catch this interesting exhibit.
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, Next to the Zoo
Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Admission: Free

Movie: Casablanca
Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Haiti: Witness to Catastrophe
On January 12, 2010 only two Merida residents — Julie Hoover, president of MERIDA VERDE, and her Haitian-born husband, Serge Lafontant — are known to have been in Port-au-Prince when a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing the capital to rubble. We invite you to join us as Serge will give a discussion of what it was like to arrive in Port-au-Prince hours before disaster, and of their experiences living, suffering, mourning and surviving among the people of Haiti. Julie will follow with a brief summary of the main political issues associated with the provision of subsequent humanitarian assistance and the controversies associated with future reconstruction efforts, followed by suggestions for follow-up actions.
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 # 572 between Calles 72 and 74
Time: 6 p.m.
Admission: $200 pesos to benefit International Red Cross
RSVP: Please email: info [at] casa-catherwood [dot] com

Folk and Keynote Dance
This folkloric dance performance is under the direction of Rafael Zamarripa, Director of the Folkloric Ballet of the State of Colima
Location: National Cineteca Barbachano Manuel Ponce, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 11:30 AM Sunday
Admission: Free

Folk Dance: A Window to the Past Yucatan
40th Anniversary of the Folkloric Ballet of the State of Yucatan and the Orquesta Jaranera del Mayab.
Alfredo Cortes Aguilar, In Memoriam
Directors are Raul Castillo Alfaro and Felipe de Jesus Chi Naal
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Coming Soon

Feb. 22: Cathedral: Pipe Organ Tours & Demonstrations
The Cathedral of San Ildefonso is the oldest cathedral on the American continent, with its foundation having been built between 1556 and 1599, from the huge stones of dismantled pyramids. It has beautiful mozarabic-style towers and a 7-meter high image of Christ. It also has the only pipe organ in southeast Mexico, other than the one in its organist’s home. Maria de Jesus Pech Canul, Organista de la S.I. Catedral, along with organist Jim Smiley, will open the organ loft to the public for tours and organ demonstrations beginning Feb. 22, 2010.
Location: Cathedral of San Ildefonso, Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: All Mondays, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Admission: Free but donations gratefully appreciated

Feb. 26 & 28: The Symphonic Orchestra of Yucatan
Don’t forget to sneak a peek at the coming offerings from the Symphonic Orchestra this Spring. Stars we will see include: Christopher Collins (violin) in February (26 & 28), Robbin Blanco (classical guitar) in March, Alfredo Arjona (piano) in April, Luis Mora (clarinet) in May, and the big finale to the entire season is… Carmen (the opera) is back in June for six performances! …and you will never guess who is singing in the role of Carmen! Carla Dirlikov! Carla is a young friend of ours and the U.S. Cultural Envoy to Mexico. What a season!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: Friday performances: 9:00 PM, Sunday performances 12:00 PM
Admission:$150, $100, $80 and $60 pesos. 25% discount for children and INAPAM
More Information: 923-1334 and 923-1335

Feb. 26 & 27: National Ballet of Cuba Dances Don Quijote
Not much information yet – but we will let you know as soon as we find out!
Location: Plaza Grande
Time: TBA
Admission: TBA

Feb. 27: Merida Big Band Concert in Telchac
Merida’s Big Band will be playing Ballroom Jazz at Villas Wayak, complete with a full moon, to help raise funds for the children of Telchac Puerto. There will be wine, food, dancing and great music! Members of the renowned Merida Symphony Orchestra created “Merida Big Band”. They played their debut performance at Daniel Ayala Theater in 2008 to spectacular reviews and critiques! The audience’s at the Otoño Cultural Festival and the Festival de la Ciudad rocked around the clock to the ballroom jazz of Count Bassie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Sinatra, Cole, Connick Jr. and many, many more big band hit musicians! You folks from Texas might not want to miss this, considering that the lead singer and trombonist, James Meador, is one of your own! We know that everyone will see a favorite in this list: Ranier Pucheux, Director, Clarinete and 2nd Tenor Sax; James Meador, Lead Singer and Trombone; Mauricio Bonfiglio, Drums; Juan Garcia, Double Bass; Eduardo Vazquez, Guitar; Edgar Boffill, Piano; Gustavo Setz, 1st  Alto Sax; Armando Uc, 2nd Alto Sax; Jose Ballote, 1st Tenor Sax; Jose Cabrera, Sax Baritone; Alvaro Mota, 1st Trumpet; Juan Bautista Silla, 2nd Trumpet; Robert Myers, 3rd Trumpet; Jesse Durkan, 4th Trumpet  & French Horn; Joel Picornell, 1st Trombone; Todor Ivanov, 2nd Trombone; Benjamin Kohn, 3rd Trombone.
Location: Villas Wayak, Carretera Telchac
Time: TBA
Admission: $200 pesos

Feb. 27 & 28: UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra in Yucatan
This is one of the finest orchestras in the world, which places this event squarely on your “must attend” list! Visit their website to learn more about them. (www.musicaunam.net)
Location: Feb. 27: Uxmal, Feb. 28: Teatro Peon Contreras
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Feb. 27: Casa Zamna: A Night of Carnival Magic & Music
Latin American music from Samba to Salsa. A roast pork sit down dinner will be served with all the trimmings, including flan, with fruit in a rum sauce topped with cream for desert and Caribbean coffee. Limit to number of guests: 40. The theme is Carnival and there are great prizes to be won!
Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53 #547, Barrio de Santiago, Merida Centro
Time: 8:00 PM, Music begins at 8:30 PM
Admission: $100 pesos, reservations must be paid in advance due to catering
Reservations & Information: 999 924 0103

Feb 28: Cathedral Mass in English
Beginning on Feb. 28, 2010, Pbro. Lic. Roberto Cuellar Portillo, Rector de la S.I. Catedral, will offer mass in English. This will be the beginning of a new tradition in which there will be mass in English every 4th Sunday.
Location: Cathedral of San Ildefonso, Plaza Grande, Merida
Time: 9:00 AM  Every 4th Sunday

March 7: Support Brazos Abiertos: Showcase of Homes
This home tour features the award winning designs of Merida architect Henry Ponce.
Admission: $250 pesos per person
 For more information, contact John Truax john [at] hivyucatan [dot] org

March 7: Guiness Record for Cochinita Pibil
Fundación Produce Yucatán, AC, organizer of Expocampo Yucatán, invites you to come and be part of history! A Guiness Judge will be coming all the way from New York City to judge the world’s largest Cochinita Pibil. According to official reports, the entire Conchinita Pibil will contain more than 2,850 kilos of raw materials, including over 2,000 kilos of raw meat. This is a once in a lifetime event, so you can be sure that everybody is going to be on hand to celebrate! We’ll see you there!
Location: Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: We suspect this will be an event that will be all day, at the very least, and more than one day if we know Yucatan’s hospitality like we do.
Admission: TBA – but probably Free!

March 14: Support Brazos Abiertos: Houston AIDS Walk
Brazos Abiertos asks that you support the work they do by joining the Houston AIDS Walk. Please go to aidswalkhouston.org and join their team!

Saturday: April 3: Sir Elton John To Sing at Chichen Itza
This performance is one that many have been waiting for, but only a few will enjoy! This singer-composer-pianist has sold over 250 million records and has had more than 50 hit songs. There is not a generation in the past 40 years that has not had their age defined by one of his masterpieces. If you missgetting a reserved ticket, we are certain there will be other opportunities to get a ticket between now and the time of the concert. We will keep you informed with all the latest on this exciting event.
Admission: $10,000 pesos, $7,000 pesos, $5,000 pesos, $3,000 pesos, $2,000 pesos and $1,000 pesos.
Tickets on sale: www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Siglo XXI Convention Center

Starting June 11: Carmen
Friend of Merida Carla Dirlikov will be starring in the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Carmen. This is sure to be a stunning event that will be repeated for only six performances. Tickets will be on sale at the Teatro Peon Contreras sometime soon… we’ll let you know when we know more! For the entire Symphony schedule, check here.

For Merida Month-at-a-glance Calendar, click here

or

For ongoing events and classes in Merida,
please click here for our Ongoing Events Calendar!

No Special Events listed for today, but See Our Ongoing Events for plenty to do in Merida!

Tuesday (Martes) February 9, 2010

Presentation of the Piece of the Month
Founding of the League of Social Action
Location: Museum of the City of Merida, Calle 56 x 65
Time: 9:00 AM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Manhattan
Director: Woody Allen. This 1979 movie stars Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy, Mariel Hemingway, and Meryl Streep. A divorced New Yorker currently dating a high-schooler looks for love in the mistress of his best friend instead. The beginning of the Me Generation.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova: Trio Sentimiento
This performance is under the direction of Andy Uicab.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Café Pena K’aay T’aan: 100th Program Celebration
Tonight there will be a special program to celebrate the 100th Tuesday performance in this great café environment. Here is where you will hear and see the Mayan stars of tomorrow. Sometimes there are artists and poets, sometimes writers or dancers. But always there is music. This should be a great show, so plan to be there to celebrate with them.
Location: Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 65 x 64
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) February 10, 2010

Quema del Mal Humor (Burning of Bad Moods)
The kickoff of Carnival. Lots of fireworks… let the party begin!
Location: Lower Floor of the Municipal Palace, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday in Concert: Banda “Eulogy”
This performance is entitled Tribute to “Tool”
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Charlie Bartlett
(U.S., 2007) Director: John Poll, Starring Anton Yelchin (as Charlie), Hope Davis, Kat Dennings, and Robert Downey, Jr. (as the Principal). A rich kid becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body of his new high school – a comedy/drama.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti/ Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

A Musical Recital: Grupo Rock Alternativo
This generation of rock lovers makes our generation look a little “quaint,” but that’s ok. They have a new and improved rock and its great to see how far they have come.
Location: Casa De la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 65 x 64
Time: 8:30 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

6th International Symposium on More Business Value: A World Strategy
Dates: Feb. 10, 11, & 12
Sponsored by UADY’s College of Accounting and Business Administration.
These 3 days will include 9 conferences, attended by students from 15 universities, as well as other interested parties. You are cordially invited to attend as well.
Location: Convention Center Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: Registration on 10th at 9:00 AM
Admission: Pre-registration: $400 pesos, registration on the 10th, $600 pesos
For More Information: simpomasvalor[at]gmail[dot]com, or call: 999 157-6972, or visit their website: www.simpomasvalor.org 

Thursday (Jueves) February 11, 2010

Pre-School Parade

Really, this parade gets the highest points for charming! Kids in costumes are just adorable… and it’s a short parade, so if you’re a little late, you might miss it.
Location: From the Municipal Palace to Parque Santa Lucia
Time: 4:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Videos and Concerts of The Cure
This is a great alternative rock group.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Movie: Snatch
This is a 2000 Guy Richie film, Starring Brad Pitt. Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) February 12, 2010

Corso Parade
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $28 pesos per chair, or free along Montejo and after the Plaza. Restaurants along the route often have special seating to eat and see the parade.

Slow Foods Farmer’s Market
This organic farmer’s market will launch today and will be held every Friday after that. Vendors who wish to sell their products at the Farmer’s Market must send a solicitation describing the product and retail prices to David Sterling Los Dos Cooking School, Calle 68 No. 517, Colonia Centro. You may also e-mail chefsterling [at] los-dos [dot] com. Here’s a tip about the vendors from Monique Duval’s weekly newsletter:

So who are the vendors, you ask? Well if you have a tree laden with fruit in your back yard and don´t know what to do with all that organic food, perhaps you should consider being a vendor. (Attached you will find a simple  application form and criterion list for vendors.) It only costs 25 pesos per table or you can share a table with a friend. (You provide the table.) That is exactly what the amazing bio-music therapist Vanessa Calfan will be doing. Years ago she planted a passion fruit (maracuya) vine which is now a vigorous and massive plant that is sprawling and spilling in every nook and cranny of her back yard. She´ll be at the market sharing her fruit. Martine Bordi, organizer of the French club Quoi de Neuf Merida, is bringing her star fruit from the Carambola tree in her back yard. This abundant tree gives more fruit then her family and friends can eat so, she, too, will be at the market. These are women who have heard about the market and have decided to share their wealth with us. That is the spirit and essence of this market and I hope that you pass that thought around.

But you don’t have to SELL to enjoy the Farmer’s Market… you can BUY, of course! Monique Duval’s breads and yogurts, arugula, crabcakes, pizza crust and other delicacies will be available (email monique to find out more at moniqueduval [at] aol [dot] com), and of course, a number of other vendors will be there selling fresh tofu and soy milk, quail and eggs, free range chickens and eggs, organic peanut butter and honey, locally grown vegetables and fruits (some of them organic!), homemade granola, sauces, artisan breads, organic goat cheese, dairy products. There even might be fish! Come show your support and stock up your kitchen with good healthy homemade things!
Location: Calle 31 # 70 x 12 y 14, Col. Chuburna de Hidalgo
Phone: 999-928-1116
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Friday
Admission: Free

Shorts from the Festival KINOKI
This is an international festival of university cinema groups and is supposed to be the best of the best. It is well worth checking out.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Swedish Massage at La 68
La 68 will be offering Swedish massages on their terrace. The one and a half hours treatment includes a facial and a tisana.
Location: La 68, Calle 66 x 55
Time: from 2 pm to 8 pm
Admission: $ 700 pesos. Reservations required with 50% down payment
Information: call 924-9540 or e-mail la68 [at] la68 [dot] com

Saturday (Sábado) February 13, 2010

Parade of Fantasia
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $28 pesos per chair, or free along Montejo and after the Plaza

Movie: Closer
Director: Mike Nichols. This 2004 movie stars Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo) February 14, 2010

Sunday: Feb. 14, 2010: Parade de Bachata
Well – its certainly shorter to say Bachata than “Laissez et la bon temps rouler!” – and easier to spell too! This is a parade to make some noise and have a good time!
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 12:00 PM
Admission: $28 pesos per chair, or free along Montejo and after the Plaza

Movie: Love Actually
Director: Richard Curtis. This 2003 movie stars Bill Nighy, Colim Firth, Sienna Guillory, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson, among others. It follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Carnaval Next Week

Carnival 2010: Merida, Yucatan

Monday: Feb. 15, 2010: Regional Parade
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 7:00 PM

Tuesday: Feb. 16, 2010: Battle of Flowers Parade
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 12:00 PM

Wednesday: Feb. 17, 2010: Burning of Juan Carnival

The end to Carnival….more fireworks!
Location: Plaza Grande
Time: 7:00 PM

Coming Soon

Feb. 20: World Championship Boxing in Merida!
Guty Espadas (former champ) vs Elio Rojas (current champ),
With Espadas as the clear local favorite!
Location: Poliforum Merida, Kukulcan Stadium
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Tickets available at MegaMedia (Prolongacion Montejo in front Club Campestre) and Materama (Construction stores)

The Symphonic Orchestra of Yucatan
Don’t forget to sneak a peek at the coming offerings from the Symphonic Orchestra this Spring. Stars we will see include: Christopher Collins (violin) in February, Robbin Blanco (classical guitar) in March, Alfredo Arjona (piano) in April, Luis Mora (clarinet) in May, and the big finale to the entire season is… Carmen (the opera) is back in June for six performances! …and you will never guess who is singing in the role of Carmen! Carla Dirlikov! Carla is a young friend of ours and the U.S. Cultural Envoy to Mexico. What a season!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: Friday performances: 9:00 PM, Sunday performances 12:00 PM
Admission:$150, $100, $80 and $60 pesos. 25% discount for children and INAPAM
More Information: 923-1334 and 923-1335

Feb. 19: Experimental Film Screening: Much Such Jedz
The film is by Byrt Wammack Weber. The evening will include a collective showing of the work of the Turix and Mayan community, as well as the national premiere of the work of Elijah Puc, who will participate in the International Electroacoustic Music Festival “Spring in Havana 2010.”
Location: the MACAY, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Feb: 21: Haiti: Witness to Catastrophe
On January 12, 2010 only two Merida residents — Julie Hoover, president of MERIDA VERDE, and her Haitian-born husband, Serge Lafontant — are known to have been in Port-au-Prince when a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing the capital to rubble. We invite you to join us as Serge will give a discussion of what it was like to arrive in Port-au-Prince hours before disaster, and of their experiences living, suffering, mourning and surviving among the people of Haiti. Julie will follow with a brief summary of the main political issues associated with the provision of subsequent humanitarian assistance and the controversies associated with future reconstruction efforts, followed by suggestions for follow-up actions.
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 # 572 between Calles 72 and 74
Time: 6 p.m.
Admission: $200 pesos to benefit International Red Cross
RSVP: Please email: info [at] casa-catherwood [dot] com

Feb. 27: Casa Zamna: A Night of Carnival Magic & Music
Latin American music from Samba to Salsa. A roast pork sit down dinner will be served with all the trimmings, including flan, with fruit in a rum sauce topped with cream for desert and Caribbean coffee. Limit to number of guests: 40. The theme is Carnival and there are great prizes to be won!
Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53 #547, Barrio de Santiago, Merida Centro
Time: 8:00 PM, Music begins at 8:30 PM
Admission: $100 pesos, reservations must be paid in advance due to catering
Reservations & Information: 999 924 0103

March 7: Support Brazos Abiertos: Showcase of Homes
This home tour features the award winning designs of Merida architect Henry Ponce.
Admission: $250 pesos per person
 For more information, contact John Truax john [at] hivyucatan [dot] org

March 7: Guiness Record for Cochinita Pibil
Fundación Produce Yucatán, AC, organizer of Expocampo Yucatán, invites you to come and be part of history! A Guiness Judge will be coming all the way from New York City to judge the world’s largest Cochinita Pibil. According to official reports, the entire Conchinita Pibil will contain more than 2,850 kilos of raw materials, including over 2,000 kilos of raw meat. This is a once in a lifetime event, so you can be sure that everybody is going to be on hand to celebrate! We’ll see you there!
Location: Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: We suspect this will be an event that will be all day, at the very least, and more than one day if we know Yucatan’s hospitality like we do.
Admission: TBA – but probably Free!

March 14: Support Brazos Abiertos: Houston AIDS Walk
Brazos Abiertos asks that you support the work they do by joining the Houston AIDS Walk. Please go to aidswalkhouston.org and join their team!

Saturday: April 3: Sir Elton John To Sing at Chichen Itza
This performance is one that many have been waiting for, but only a few will enjoy! This singer-composer-pianist has sold over 250 million records and has had more than 50 hit songs. There is not a generation in the past 40 years that has not had their age defined by one of his masterpieces. If you missgetting a reserved ticket, we are certain there will be other opportunities to get a ticket between now and the time of the concert. We will keep you informed with all the latest on this exciting event.
Admission: $10,000 pesos, $7,000 pesos, $5,000 pesos, $3,000 pesos, $2,000 pesos and $1,000 pesos.
Tickets on sale: www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Siglo XXI Convention Center

Starting June 11: Carmen
Friend of Merida Carla Dirlikov will be starring in the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Carmen. This is sure to be a stunning event that will be repeated for only six performances. Tickets will be on sale at the Teatro Peon Contreras sometime soon… we’ll let you know when we know more! For the entire Symphony schedule, check here.

For Merida Month-at-a-glance Calendar, click here

or

For ongoing events and classes in Merida,
please click here for our Ongoing Events Calendar!