Belated Birthday Wishes!

Yucatan Living sends a belated 70th birthday greeting to the Facultad de Ingeniería (the Engineering Department) at UADY. It is certain the world will continue to benefit from many more June 1 birthdays for this exceptionally accomplished group of professionals and their students. ¡Cumpleaños Tardío Feliz!

In the News! Did you know?

According to recent issues of el Diario,

• May 23, 2007: The beaches at Progreso, Telchac, and Sisal have been declared free of fecal coliform bacteria, leaving the way open to certification as a clean beach area for the shores of Yucatan.
• May 25, 2007: An escaped circus lion roamed through Tizimín, as terrified citizens hid in their homes! The lion’s keeper caught up with him, on his stroll through town, took him by the chain, and led him back to the circus. All is well in Tizimín, at least at the circus.
• May 27, 2007: The National Institute of Migration (NIM) reports that they receive an average of 500 requests per month for legal (temporary) residency in Yucatan, mostly from Americans.

This week we have lots of observances, not in the least of which include:

• National Week of the Atmosphere as a Natural Resource
• National Week of Mental Health
• And Tuesday, June 5, is Worldwide Clean Air Day

Art Galleries

We often get so caught up in keeping you informed about the spectacular performances we have each week in Merida that we run out of time before we even get to our wonderful art galleries and museums. But you don’t have to wait for us to tell you what’s happening. The City of Merida has been gracious enough to put the Virtual Gallery online and this week it is a smashing success! Take a look at what is available at the Olimpo, as well as at the Cultural Center of Jose Marti. Its all here in the Virtual Gallery!

Best Artisans Work on Display and For Sale

During the month of May, there was a statewide best handicraft artisan contest among all of the artisans who work with traditional techniques and materials in every field (textiles, metal-working, woodworking, jewelry, stone, paper, plastic, and natural fiber, such as hippy-japa, henequén, palm, huano, rattan, sansiviera, etc). The winners were announced on May 23. All of the submitted works will be on display (and for SALE!) in Exibition Sala # 2 at the Olimpo (corner of Calle 61 and Calle 62) until June 30. This means we still have an opportunity not only to see some of the best of all the handicrafts produced in Yucatan, but also to purchase these pieces and provide support to the artisans who produced them. Now is the time to break out that Christmas list. This is going to be an extra fine shopping experience!

Private Recitals: Cuarteto Genesis
Throughout the month of June, Cuarteto Genesis is still offering their services for private recitals at the reduced rate of $5,000 pesos per performance. If you have a private party or an event planned, check to see if they still have room in their schedule by calling them at: 999-112-6816 Visit their website to get a glimpse of what a special group this really is!

We apologize that the events list was a bit late this week. The Working Gringos were traveling… but they’re back and now the Events are published for your scheduling pleasure. As always, check back often as we are not always informed of events until they are almost upon us. You can often find additions to the calendar as the week progresses.

Monday June 4, 2007

Conversaciones con Amigos (Conversations with Friends) Come one, come all! You do not have to be a member to attend. Come to practice Spanish or English. Usually, there’s a group of both English and Spanish native speakers, and the evening is very informative.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68.
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Admission: small donation

VAQUERÍA Folkloric Ballet - Members of the Jaranera Orchestra perform for this event, which includes music, dancing and costumes.
Location: First floor of the Municipal Palace in the Plaza Grande (the building with the clock)
Time: All Mondays 9:00 PM
Admission: free

La Luz Galeria de Arte
Showcasing the work of Alonso Maza, a young contemporary Yucatecan artist.
Location: Calle 60 # 415 between 45 and 47 (across from Parque Santa Ana).
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Showing continues through June 29, 2007
Admission: Free

Tuesday June 5, 2007

Nothing is more censurable than censorship!
This week, The People vs. Larry Flint, directed by Milos Forman and starring Woody Harrelson and Courtney Love. Commentary in Spanish by Lic. Mario Helguera Bolio and Manuel Alejandro Escoffié.

If you haven’t seen this movie, and think you wouldn’t like it because Larry Flynt isn’t a very likeable guy, think again. This is a well-done, well-acted movie that really makes you think… and entertains you at the same time! And while you’re there, stroll through the park! It’s beautiful at night.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti, Parque de Las Americas (Avenide Colon & Calle 19)
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

 

Tuesday of Trova presents The Duet: Martha and Nacho
There is just something about the Trova that makes it like no other music. It speaks to the beating of the human heart without your brain even noticing! This should be an excellent performance.
Location: Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: Free

Remembrance Musicals - The Band of Memory is composed of members of the Jaranera Orchestra. They also play for “To Remember is to Live,” at the Zoo on Thursday. This means you have two chances, every single week, to dance to the Big Band sound produced by an orchestra that most people only see in concert! This dance has taken place every Tuesday since Valentine’s Day, 1984. It has a neighborhood flavor and is something worthy of supporting. Its Big Band sound leaves everyone with a good feeling that can’t be found anywhere else. Dancing is encouraged! If you don’t want to dance, just come and listen and watch the others.
Location: Parque de Santiago, Calle 72 at Calle 59
Time: Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM
Admission: free

Wednesday June 6, 2007

Wednesday in Concert: The Ka `ay ta`an Group
Members of this trova group include Enrique Uitz Burgos (trumpet); Fernando Cardeña (trombone), Ramón Escalante (percussion), Jorge Gamboa (guitar) y Jorán Estrella (keyboard). We believe there is also a declamador (Sergio Cámara Gurbiel) and a singer (Angélica Méndez). We have not heard a lot about this group, so lets all go out and see what they’re all about!
Location: Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Thursday June 7, 2007

Cuarteto Genesis plays again! This increasingly-popular jazz and classical quartet is playing a benefit concert on June 7 for VIFAC, www.vifac.org, at the Hyatt Hotel. VIFAC is an agency that supports single parents in Merida. Jonathan, one of the four artists, has tickets for sale at $150 pesos each for the event. He can be reached on his cell phone (9991 12 68 16) or you will find him just outside the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre each morning at 10 AM or 11:30 AM (during Symphony rehearsal breaks). You can also purchase tickets from Elizabeth Welsh de Dominguez (president of VIFAC) by calling her cell phone: 044 999-968-3047.
Location: Hyatt Hotel
Time: 8:30 PM
Ticket Prices: $150 pesos

Opening Night: Entre Cielo y Tierra, 3rd Edicion
A multidisciplinary art show, with 75 artists each showing one work of art.
Location: The Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 47 y 45 across from Parque Santa Ana.
Time: 8:00 PM Opening Night. Show continues until July 14.
Admission: Free

Concierto by the Graduates in Music of Centro Cultural Wallis
This is the end of the school year and we have an opportunity to see many of the graduating classes of the cultural schools across Merida. This should be an exceptional performance!
Location: Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: Free

“To Remember is to Live” - Live music under the trees in one of Merida’s oldest parks. What I really love about this dance, next to the fact that it starts early and ends at a reasonable hour, is that members of the Jaranara Orchestra play for this one too! These guys have a range that is unbelievable! Come on down and enjoy the Big Band sound, something you’re not likely to hear anywhere else but in Merida these days.
Location: Parque Zoológico del Centenario (The Zoo), Calle 59 at Avenida Itzaes
When: 4:00 PM
Admission: free

Yucatecan Serenade
THE romantic serenade of the week, in Merida, and the one most fondly recalled by Yucatecans who are far from home. Santa Luica Park is the place where you will find El Altar de la Trova, watched over by some of downtown Merida’s oldest and most gracious trees that have survived many hurricanes. This is not a dance. It is a real serenade that has been a fixture in Merida, every Thursday night, for over 40 years. If you haven’t seen it, you have really missed something wonderful. The center of Merida’s romantic heart.
Location: Parque Santa Lucía, Calle 60 and 55, Downtown.
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission is free.

Friday June 8, 2007

Friday Fun at the Classic Cinema: The Marx Brothers in Duck Soup
Starring the Marx Brothers and Margaret Dumont, with cCommentary by Lic. Mario Helguera Bolio (in Spanish). Groucho plays Rufus T. Firefly, newly appointed prime minister of the small country of Freedonia. The government of neighboring Sylvanis is, for reasons we never learn, attempting to take over Freedonia. One can only imagine the Marx Brothers as the objects of attempts to overthrow and assassination plots.
Location: Videosala at the Olimpo
Showtimes: 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

 

 

Only Guitars
Performance by the Graduates in Guitar of Centro Cultural Wallis. Can you imagine how fine this performance is going to be? Only guitars? …and a performance in Yucatan? … given by graduates who are actually musical artists? No matter what else is going on, this is my pick of the night! It is really going to be something to experience!
Location: Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Walls Without Borders, The work of Juana Alicia
Continuing exhibit of the work by this wonderful artist. Check out her website at www.juanaalicia.com .
Location: Museo de la Canción Yucateca (Calle 57 x 48)
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Baila Mérida (Merida Dances). Every Friday night, you can dance to music in the park under the stars and the ancient trees. Does life get any better than that?
Location: Parque Santa Ana at Calle 60 x 47 y 45
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Noches Románticas en La Ermita (Romantic Nights in the Hermitage)
Are there any other kind?
Location: Parque de la Ermita de Santa Isabel
Time: 1st and 3rd Fridays at 9:00 PM
Admission: free

Saturday June 9, 2007

The Rocker Witches of Wallis
Presentation of the graduating class of the Theater Infantil from Centro Cultural Wallis.
Yes – you are seeing correctly. That does say Rocker Witches… now – whether that means “Rock & Roll” or “Hard Rock” is another story but, either way, it should be just precious. These children work so hard and deserve to know how proud we all are of them. So don’t miss the Rocker Witches of Wallis this Saturday night!
Location: Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Labortorio Dzityá - There is an interesting new traveling gallery, designed to bring affordable contemporary art to all parts of Yucatan.
First Showing: Existential Recycling, an Exposition by Cynthia Muciño Esquivel
Location: Laboratorio Dzityá, Calle 22 #103 x 21 y 21a, Dzityá
There is a map on their website.
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Ciclo de Jazz : Jazz Tunkul . Directed by Alberto Palomo. Just another in a series of great live jazz concerts.
Location: Teatro Merida
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos

Music and Dance from India performed by Sangeeta Isvaran.
Location: Center for Visual Arts across from Parque Santa Ana on Calle 60
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Percussion Ensemble: Sensemayá. Directed by David Martinez, this musical and percussion group will have their second annual performance at the José Peon Contreras Theatre.
Location: JPC Theatre, Calle 60 at Calle 57
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night)
Each Saturday night, there is a performance on an outdoor stage here, often from a musical or dance group from another part of Mexico. Chairs are set up for the audience, but it’s often standing room only. Booths selling food and handcrafts are set up in the park.
Location: Beginning of Paseo Montejo, Calle 56 A between 47 and 49, at
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: free

En El Corazón de Mérida (In the Heart of Merida) - live music from jazz to salsa to whatever held on various stages around the Plaza Grande. Many of the streets leading to the Plaza are closed to all but foot traffic, and the restaurants and bars put their chairs and tables outside in the streets.
Location: Centro
Time: Saturday nights, from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Admission: free

Sunday June 10, 2007

This day in history: June 9, 1924: General Salvador Alvarado was shot to death at Hacienda del Hormiguero in Tabasco. He was the revolutionary Governor of Yucatan from 1915-1918 and was shot while attempting to escape to Guatamala, running from the failed de la Huerta Rebellion. General Alvarado outlived Felipe Carrillo Puerto by only 5 months and one week. Want to know more? Stay tuned for more about the history of the Yucatan…

 

 

 

 

Mérida en Domingo
A Spectacular Tradition in Mérida. Booths are set up all around the Plaza Grande. Inside the plaza, you can find huipiles, guayaberas, honey, dolls, bags, tshirts… everything made by the local people of the Yucatan. The outer ring of booths are selling food: marquesitas, tacos, cochinita, ice cream, fruit, drinks, etc. This is the 4th Sunday of the month, so don’t miss the street dancing in front of the Ayuntamiento!
Location: Centro, Plaza Grande
Time: 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM

Now that it’s getting hot, do the Bici-Ruta early in the morning (it starts at 8 am). (Here is the official website. Click on Programa de Actividades). Don’t have a bike? Go anyway and walk. Or rent one down at the Monumento de La Bandera (Monument of the Flag, on Paseo Montejo by McDonalds). The Paseo Montejo always has a lovely outdoor sculpture exhibit. When you’re done, go find a sidewalk café on Paseo Montejo and watch the people stroll by – or a sidewalk café on the Plaza Grande and watch the goings on at Mérida en Domingo. What a lovely way to spend a leisurely Sunday!

Sunday Matinee: Documentary: The March of the Penguins
This is a great documentary for the whole family!
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo
Time: 10:00 AM
Admission: Free

Documentary: Defying the Odds
Another great documentary for all ages! Originally a PBS special, this documentary chronicles the lives and struggles of five out of 250 inner-city students given college scholarships if they could finish high school and get accepted to college.
Location: Museum of Natural History
Time: 12:00 PM
Admission: Free

Coming up Soon

Cuarteto Génesis
We are going to have to stop saying that this group is rapidly becoming one of Yucatan’s own treasures. They have arrived !!! … and there are not enough good things that can be said about them! If you haven’t seen them, you really don’t know what you are missing! It is amazing that we could have this kind of opportunity free of charge. Absolutely amazing!
Location: Center for Visual Arts of ICY (Calle 60 x 47 y 45)
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: FREE
Date: Saturday June 16, 2007

Premiere Expo for Sport Fishing
The Yucatan Fishing Club is starting this exposition to promote sport fishing in the State of Yucatan and to provide information concerning the different services offered by tour operators along the Yucatan coast.
Location: Kabah Room at the Siglo XXI Convention Center
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Admission: Free
Date: Saturday June 16, 2007

 

Yukalpeten Typical Orchestra Benefit Concert
The Yukalpeten Typical Orchestra will present a benefit gala concert for the Ninos and Crias A.C. group, an environmentalist group working to promote the conservation of birds and environmental education. The two groups (active environmentalists and those who follow the arts) do not often have the opportunity to combine forces for a common cause. This night, they will work together to save and strengthen both the environment and the culture of Yucatan. For those of you who do not live here, but have (or know) young people who are 16 and older, please visit the site of Ninos and Crias A.C. to find some really spectacular summer volunteer programs.
Location: Jose Peon Contreras Theater
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: $150 pesos
Date: Sunday, June 17, 2007

Merida’s Annual Erotica Film Series will begin on June 19 and continue til August 3 this year. The festival starts with a 1973 movie from Italy, and goes from there! All films will be shown at the Teatro Merida on Calle 62 and will play at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM for $30 pesos (less if you are a student).

Arte Nuevo Interactivo ‘07, a bi-annual multimedia art event, will open on June 14. The show will take place in not one but THREE galleries around town: the Galería de Teatro José Peon Contreras, the Galería Manolo Rivero at the Hotel Galería Trinidad and the Galería del Centro Cultural at UADY. The opening on June 14 starts at 7:30 PM at the Trinidad and travels to the other two galleries. This is a well-attended show with fascinating interdisciplinary art, including video, games, dance, music, performance and graphic arts. For more information, here’s the website.