Yucatan Living

By Khaki Scott
Topic: Events

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This Week… starting February 15

Municipal Fiestas This Week Carnival, Merida 2010

With Carnival in full swing, all of the towns and villages in Yucatan are having their own Carnival activities. There are no regularly scheduled Festivals or Fiestas other than those this week.

In the City of Merida

Carnival 2010: Merida, Yucatan

We remind our readers that streets along parade routes are closed – even to just crossing the streets by pedestrians – beginning approximately 2 hours before parade time.

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! And now, back to work!!
Location: Plaza Grande
Time: 7:00 PM

Carnival 2010: Progreso, Yucatan

Monday: Feb. 15: Pascalle Carnavalesco and Regional Night
Location: Lower floor of the Municipal Palace
Time: 8:00 PM

Tuesday: Feb. 16: Parade – Battle of the Flowers
Location: Malecon
Time: 1:00 PM

Wednesday: Feb. 17: The Burning of Juan Carnival
Location: Parking Lot of the Municipal Palace
Time: 8:30 PM

Monday (Lunes) February 15, 2010

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 Ricardo Lopez Mendez

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 Movies
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. Anniversary of The Yucatan Folkloric Ballet

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 Event at the MACAY
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 Duran and Wren Harrington in Concert
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 Box in Merida

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

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

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 Orquesta Jaranera de Yucatan

Coming Soon

Feb. 22: Cathedral: Pipe Organ Tours & Demonstrations Pipe Organ at Merida's Cathedral
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 Jazz for Children
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 Carnaval Night At Casa Zamna
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 yo Cochinita Pibil for Guiness Record u 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.