This Week… starting December 19- January 01, 2011

Municipal Fiestas This Week

Tixpéual Fiesta: December 17 through December 20
This is the annual "County Fair" of this municipality. Tixpéual is bordered on the north by Tixkokob, on the south by Kanasin and Acanceh, on the east by Seye and Tixkokob, and on the west by Kanasin and Merida. Did somebody say “location-location-location?” Tixpéual is one of those places where, when you tell folks you live "in a village on the Yucatan Peninsula," you neglect to add that it is practically in sight of the city. We hope you take a look at this little municipality. Great things are coming from here in the not too distant future.

Espita Fiesta: December 19 through December 28
This fiesta is in honor of the niño Dios. Espita is in the East-Central part of our state, just to the east of Dzitas and just under 2 hours from Merida. Lots of cattle ranches and cowboys here, and all of the good food and leather work that goes along with them. There will be bullfights at this fair, along with a 15 km cattle drive from Sucilá to Espita. You can also find ramilletes at this fair.

Tunkas Fiesta: December 20 through December 24
This fiesta is in honor of St. Thomas the Apostle. Tunkas is located just this side of Izamal. Look in Tunkas for huipiles, hemp hammocks, and pottery. Tunkas (Wall of Stones) belonged to the Chieftanship of Cupul during the pre-Histanic era. It is the product of an ancient Mayan civilization that is mentioned in The Book of Chilam Balm of Chumayel. (full text here ). About half of the population is Mayan today and that is the language of all the indigenous people of Tunkas. 

Sotuta Fiesta: December 23 (only)
This fiesta is in honor of San Idelfonso, Archbishop of Toledo, who was responsible, in large part, for the unification of the Spanish liturgy. He died in 667. Sotuta is the ancestral home of Nachi Cocom and the ancestral home of the family of assassinated Governor Felipe Carrillo Puerto. If you are a history buff, Sotuta is the place for you. If you are a shopper, this is cowboy country – so look for great leatherwork here!

Peto Fiesta: December 27 through January 2
This fiesta is in honor of the Virgen de la Estrella (the Virgin of the Star). Peto is also a rural municipality, so lots of leatherwork here – but there are also at least 3 fantastic jewelry shops in Peto and at least one of these families creates the marvelous high-end jewelry sold in the better shops in Merida. Any fiesta in Peto is a great excuse to find out just what wonders may lie in the heart of Yucatan.

Tizimin Fiesta: December 30 through January 16
This is a huge fiesta in the heart of Yucatan’s horse country. Visit the Tizimin Website to see loads of pictures of this great area. Tizimin is that large municipality that borders the Gulf of Mexico and Quintana Roo, as well as extending far into the interior of the State. This gives this municipality access to all of the best of the entire peninsula. What this combination festival and fiesta is doing is running from the last Friday in one year to the beginning of Carnival in the next. This year, the dates are December 30 to January 16. Activities will include horse racing, cockfighting and exhibitions of registered cattle and agricultural machinery.

In The City

Monday (Lunes) December 19, 2011

LVII National Convention of Teachers of Mexican Popular Dance
Francisco Javier Sanchez Lopez
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free

Progreso: Voices of the Sea Choir
Christmas music comes to the beaches of Yucatan. This performance is under the direction of Luis Matos will direct the adult choir and Maestra Concepción Pimentel with direct the children’s choir.
Location: Parroquia Progreso
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free

 

Tuesday (Martes) December 20, 2011

Christmas Concert
This is a Christmas concert sponsored by the Asociacion Koreana (Korean Association) in Merida.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Progreso: Voices of the Sea Choir
Christmas music comes to the beaches of Yucatan. This performance is under the direction of Luis Matos will direct the adult choir and Maestra Concepción Pimentel with direct the children’s choir.
Location: Iglesia Chicxulub
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

LVII National Convention of Teachers of Mexican Popular Dance
Francisco Javier Sanchez Lopez
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

 

Wednesday (Miercoles) December 21, 2011

LVII National Convention of Teachers of Mexican Popular Dance
Francisco Javier Sanchez Lopez
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Popular Music: Christmas Concert
This performance includes Atril 6 (from UADY), along with a long list of stars. The closer we get to Christmas, the more touching the performances become. With Atril 6 on the marquee for tonight, this is sure to be a very special evening.
Location: Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Theater: Musical Comedy: “Rent”
To lighten the mood, the Compania de Teatro Xpresion will perform this Broadway hit by the late Jonathan Larson. “Rent” is about a community facing life, death and AIDS at the turn of the 21st century. Jonathan died, at the age of only 35, the morning after the first performance of “Rent.”
Location:  Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Wednesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Progreso: Voices of the Sea Choir
Christmas music comes to the beaches of Yucatan. This performance is under the direction of Luis Matos will direct the adult choir and Maestra Concepción Pimentel with direct the children’s choir.
Location: Kiosko in Chelem
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Thursday (Jueves) December 22, 2011

Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event as soon as we know them.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Thursday, 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.

LVII National Convention of Teachers of Mexican Popular Dance
Francisco Javier Sanchez Lopez
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Theater: Musical Comedy: “Rent”
To lighten the mood, the Compania de Teatro Xpresion will perform this Broadway hit by the late Jonathan Larson. “Rent” is about a community facing life, death and AIDS at the turn of the 21st century. Jonathan died, at the age of only 35, the morning after the first performance of “Rent.”
Location:  Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Wednesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

 

Friday (Viernes) December 23, 2011

Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event when we know them.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Friday, 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.

Classical Music Concert: Feliz Navidad
Tonight, the children and young people of Yucatan will present their Christmas Concert and it is going to be spectacular! The lineup includes all of the orchestras in the State System of Youth Orchestras: the Daniel Ayala Perez Youth Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan, the Luis G. Garavito Youth Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan, and the Pedro Hoil Calderon Youth Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan. Also performing will be the Cesareo Chan Blanco Coro (Choir), Juan Obed Rios (piano), and Priscilla Arroz (soprano). The entire performance is under the direction of Maestro Jose Luis Chan.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Theater: Musical Comedy: “Rent”
To lighten the mood, the Compania de Teatro Xpresion will perform this Broadway hit by the late Jonathan Larson. “Rent” is about a community facing life, death and AIDS at the turn of the 21st century. Jonathan died, at the age of only 35, the morning after the first performance of “Rent.”
Location:  Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Wednesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Progreso: Opera and Theater with Vania Pallares
While we do enjoy Vania Pallares in operatic roles, we just have to slip in that this young lady also just so happens to be Yucatan’s own Aretha Franklin and we think she can hold her own in any genre she chooses. These are young people at the beginning of their careers. We wish them grand success and hope everyone goes out to hear them whenever they perform.
Preview Vania Pallares in The Barber of Seville.
And Preview Vania Pallares singing Respect.
Location: Parroquia Progreso
Time: 8:30 PM Friday

Admission: Free

Saturday (Sabado) December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve. Look for places to have dinner here.

 

Sunday (Domingo) December 25, 2011

Christmas Day

 

Monday (Lunes) December 26, 2011

Classical Dance: Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This is a performance that includes the Youth Ballet of Yucatan, the Ballet Pro Danza de Cuba, and the Compania Provincial de Ballet. It is under the direction of Victor Salas.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

 

Tuesday (Martes) December 27, 2011

Tuesday of Trova: Trio Los Tres Yucatecos
This performance is a prsentation of Trio Los Tres Yucatecos’ new CD. The name of this one is Coincidir (Coincide). These are sweet sweet voices that everyone will want to hear. 
Preview Trio Los Tres Yucatecos
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Classical Dance: Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This is a performance that includes the Youth Ballet of Yucatan, the Ballet Pro Danza de Cuba, and the Compania Provincial de Ballet. It is under the direction of Victor Salas.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office.

Concert: Beatles Anthology
This is a benefit performance by the Antologia Rock Band. All proceeds go to support children’s homes.
Location: Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: $60 pesos
More Information: (999) 224-3435 and (999) 163-4952

 

Wednesday (Miercoles) December 28, 2011

Choral Concert: Night of Stars
This is a performance by the Coro “Voces Sin Fronteras.” The choir is only 4 years old and its members are a group of retired ISSSTE pensioners. They are living proof that it is never too late to develop your artistic or musical talents.
Location: Vestibule of the Museum of the City, Calle 65 x 56
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Classical Dance: Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This is a performance that includes the Youth Ballet of Yucatan, the Ballet Pro Danza de Cuba, and the Compania Provincial de Ballet. It is under the direction of Victor Salas.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Thursday (Jueves) December 29, 2011

Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event as soon as we know them.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Thursday, 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.

Music: Sing to Jesus
This is a performance by the R5:8 Group, under the direction of Erik Cervera, who is a Minister of Music from the southern part of the state.
Preview Sing to Jesus.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday

Admission: Free

Classical Dance: Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This is a performance that includes the Youth Ballet of Yucatan, the Ballet Pro Danza de Cuba, and the Compania Provincial de Ballet. It is under the direction of Victor Salas.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

 

Friday (Viernes) December 30, 2011

Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event when we know them.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Friday, 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.

Concert: Grupo Linaje
How fitting that, on this next to the last day of the year, we have Grupo Linaje presenting a concert called ‘A Day to Remember.”
Preview Grupo Linaje and their title song “A Day to Remember”
Location: Auditorio del Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Classical Dance: Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This is a performance that includes the Youth Ballet of Yucatan, the Ballet Pro Danza de Cuba, and the Compania Provincial de Ballet. It is under the direction of Victor Salas.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office

Saturday (Sabado) December 31, 2011

New Year Eve. Look for places to have dinner here.

 

Sunday (Domingo) January 01, 2011

New Year 2012

Motul: Tradicional Corrida de Rejones
Traditional Running of the Javelin is a bullfight on horseback.
Location: Plaza de Toros Monumental Aviles, Motul
Time: 4:00 PM Sunday
Admission: TBA

Coming Soon

Are you ready for 2012 in Yucatan? Its going to be a whirlwind year and events are already being confirmed. For those events that require reservations, now is the time to set your schedule and purchase your tickets. We look for 2012 to be the busiest year in the history of Yucatan!

Merida International Marathon 2012
January 8, 2012
Proceeds Will Go To: Patronato Pro Niños con Deficiencia Mental for the benefit of 130 children who require special education and physical therapy.
Note: If these runs are like they have been in the past, runners can sign up prior to one hour before the event begins. No mention was made of having to produce a physician’s statement of the runner’s health.

Race One: 42 km
Location: Race begins at the head of Paseo de Montejo and ends at Parque de Las Americas, with 195 meters endorsed by the Athletic Federation of Mexico.
Time: 6:00 AM
Registration Fee: $100 pesos
Men’s Categories: Free, Sub-Master, Master, Veterans and Veterans Plus.
Women’s Categories: Free, Sub-Master, Master, Veterans.
Additional Category: Wheelchairs.
Total Prizes: $790,000 pesos + two Volkswagen Gols

Race Two: 10 km
Location: Race begins and ends at Parque de Las Americas.
Time: 7:00 AM
Registration Fee: $100 pesos
Men’s Categories: Free, Sub-Master, Master, Veterans and Veterans Plus.
Women’s Categories: Free, Sub-Master, Master, Veterans.
Total Prizes: $72,650 pesos + a kit (gift bag) for the first runners to sign up.
 
Walk of Stars (Not Competitive)
Location: Walk begins and ends at Parque de Las Americas.
Time: 7:05 PM
Registration Fee: $100 pesos
Opportunity: Walk with cultural, sports and education personalities.
Press Conference: The Municipal Institute of Sports will present the official international shirt, medals, prizes and cars.

M.E.L.L. Game Night: Last Friday in January (Jan. 27, 2012)

After a holiday break, M.E.L.L.’s Game Night will return on the last Friday in January. Patrons can feel free to bring in a favorite game and the library will provide the snacks. Sodas and water will be on sale at a discounted price, as will other refreshments. There are some fairly accomplished backgammon and Scrabble players in the expat community, and are always finding new games (such as Upwords and Farkel) to enjoy. Why not challenge someone you’re not used to playing against and see if your wordsmithing and logic skills are really up to par?
Location: Merida English Language Library, Calle 53 x 66
Time: Game Night begins between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM and lasts for approximately two hours.

U.S. Poets in Mexico: January 6 – 10, 2013
A week poetry readings, including Tom Sleigh, Anselm Berrigan, Nicole Cooley, Lynn Emanuel and Suzanne Jill Levine (notable translator of Jorge Luis Borges and José Donoso). Featured readings by Mexican poets include, Mario Bojórquez, Rubén Márquez and Álvaro Solís, editors of the literary ezine, Circulo de Poesia based in Puebla and more!
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Admission: Free to the public

2012 Carnival in Merida
February 15 – 22, 2012
The 2012 Carnival in Merida website is up and running. Little by little, all of the pages are being filled. Now is the time to become familiar with the site so you can check back often for updates. Yucatan Living will be adding Carnival events and news as they becomes available.

Air Supply at Hacienda Chichi Suarez
Wednesday  March 7, 2012
This will be Air Supply’s 35th Anniversary Concert.
Location: Hacienda Chichi Suarez, Calle 35 x 14 s/n Hacienda Chichi Suarez, Yucatan
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: VIP $1,200 Gold: $1,000, Silver: $800, General $600 pesos. Tickets on sale in the offices of More Music, located in the Banorte Tower, Paseo de Montejo # 310, 2nd floor.

International Women’s Day Event: March 8 – 10, 2012
This event has been organized by We Move Forward, an organization dedicated to helping women reach their full potential. Please visit the website of We Move Forward for more information. .
Location: Isla Mujeres
Time: TBA
Admission: $645 USD until Nov 30, $695 USD thereafter. Includes membership in WMF. Group rates are available. Reservations are now being taken.

Have an event you want us to publicize? Just email the information to: info [at] yucatanliving [dot] com. We publish every Monday night.