Email & ShareThis Week… starting August 15, 2011
Municipal Fiestas This Week
Izamal Fiesta: August 15 through August 25
This fiesta is in honor of the Patron Saint of the population, Nuestra Senora de Izamal. Two statues had been made exactly alike in Guatemala, one for Izamal and the other for Merida. It seems that many miracles were brought about because of "Our Lady of Izamal" but, in 1829, there was a fire and the statue in Izamal was destroyed. The people of Merida then generously donated their statue to Izamal. There was a solemn procession to bring her to her new home, but never again have the miracles appeared. Izamal is one of the magical cities of Yucatan (indeed, in all of Mexico!) and their fiesta is certainly not to be missed. If you are shopping your way through the fiestas, look in Izamal for jewelry, leather goods, ceramics from the town of Citilcum, and wood and leather crafts from Citilcum and Kimbila.
Mani Fiesta: August 15 through August 24
This fiesta is in honor of the Virgen de la Asunción. The artisans of Mani produce some of the finest hammocks in Yucatan. In addition, Mani is the place where Fray Diego de Landa did his best to destroy Mayan history and religion. For more on this story, click here. A trip to Mani is of great value for its historical significance alone. The added benefit of the beautifully restored church is just icing on the cake. Read here about our trip to Mani (and see some wonderful photos).
Sanahcat Fiesta: August 15
This fiesta is in honor of the Virgen de la Asunción. Sanahcat is just a little west of about the center of the State of Yucatan. It is a small municipality of about 1,500 people who are mostly engaged in farming or raising cattle. Sanahcat reminds one of the rural American towns… maybe 300 people in town but, ring an emergency church bell and watch the neighbors pour in from the countryside. Its the sort of place where you can easily convince yourself that the modern world hasn’t intrude everywhere quite yet – only to discover later that half the folks in Sanahcat are surfing the net. Looking for the real Yucatan? This is where you will find it.
In the City of Merida
Annual Merida Book Fair: August 12 through August 22.
This is an annual event with special activities going on throughout 
the week. These events are held in Spanish only. Books in Spanish will be on sale during the fair.
Friday: Aug. 12:, 11:00 AM, at the Municipal Palace: Opening ceremony
Saturday: Aug. 13, 10:00 AM, Salón de Cabildo in City Hall: Tribute to writer Melba Alfaro
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Centro Cultural Jose Marti: Workshop: Writing Memoirs, Instructor: Melba Alfaro.
Thursday: Aug. 18, 8:00 PM: at Centro Cultural Jose Marti: Presentation of the Book “A Confederacy of Xinum,” Author: Ermilo Abreu Gomez
Sunday: Aug. 21, 11:00 AM: in the Corridors of the Municipal Palace: Closing of the 2011 Municipal Book Fair.
Monday (Lunes) August 15, 2011
Temporada de Opera en el Cine: La Cenicienta
Cenerentola is a wonderful 1817 opera buffa (comic opera) that is 
consistently tuneful, lighthearted, and spirited. It is loosely based on the Cinderella tale. The purpose of Opera Yucatan is to promote the art of opera in Yucatan. At the present time, the monthly performances from the New York Met are on HD DVD. The goal is to become one of the locations in Mexico that show the Met Live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, so come out and support us in this effort and watch some wonderful opera performances!
Location: Movie theaters at Siglo XXI Convention Center
Time: 7:00 PM Monday
Admission: $40 pesos donation to Opera Yucatan
Tuesday (Martes) August 16, 2011
Music: Students of the Workshop of Yucateco Song
This performance is under the direction of Maestro Felipe de la Cruz.
Location: Café Pena K’aay T’aan in Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 64 x 63
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free
Wednesday (Miercoles) August 17, 2011
Check the list of ongoing events in Merida Here or just relax before everything goes back to normal next week.
Thursday (Jueves) August 18, 2011
Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Thursday, 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.
Free Art Classes for Children
Location: Municipal Building in Chuburna Puerto
Time: Every Thursday at 5:00 PM
Admission: Free – but your donations of art supplies will be deeply appreciated.
Contact: Ginnie LaRoi at 144-4792 for more information or to make a donation.
4th State Contest Between Interpreters of Popular Song and Yucateca Trova
New Voices of the Mayab. These are the new stars who will continue to perform well into the Fall Cultural Festival.
Location: Cineteca Nacional Manuel Barbachano Ponce in Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 6:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free
Friday (Viernes) August 19, 2011
Cinema: A Selection of Out-Takes from 2009
These are out-takes from some of the best animated films made in Mexico and Canada in 2008 and 2009.
Location: Cineteca Nacional Manuel Barbachano Ponce in Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Dance: Jazz: Tribute to Dance
This is a performance by Grupo Pies en el Aire, under the direction of Tobias Ojeda
Location: Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets on Sale
Art Gallery Opening
Bring any piece of art you have produced about "La Santa Lucha" to be exhibited for a month in this new gallery. Works will be received today from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Location: Galeria Santa La Lucha, Calle 65 x 64 y 66
Time: 8:00 pm
Admission: Free
In Concert: Yum Kin
You don’t want to miss this group. They are the very popular group that plays some of today’s finest Mayan Music on prehispanic instruments.
Location: Restaurante Vegetariano Savia , Calle 59 x 52 y 54
Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM Friday
Admission: No Cover Charge
Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: Friday, 9:00 PM
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.
Art: A Collective Exposition.This exposition includes sculpture, graphics, photography, installations and video-art.
The exposition will be open until August 31
Location: Galeria Merida, Calle 59 x 52
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free
Saturday (Sabado) August 20, 2011
Movie
Check the Full Events Calendar for updates on this event
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.
In Concert: Yum Kin
You don’t want to miss this group. They are the very popular group that plays some of today’s finest Mayan Music on prehispanic instruments.
Location: Restaurante Vegetariano Savia , Calle 59 x 52 y 54
Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Admission: No Cover Charge
Cinema: A Selection of Out-Takes from 2009
These are out-takes from some of the best animated films made in Mexico and Spain in 2008 and 2009.
Location: Cineteca Nacional Manuel Barbachano Ponce in Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free
Dance: Season of Professional Folkloric Groups
This performance is by Compania de Danza Folklorica Kaambal, under the direction of Abraham Espinosa
Location: Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office
Sunday (Domingo) August 21, 2011
Documentary: Secrets of the Sea
See the story of the discovery of hydrothermal vents in the sea and the exotic life forms that inhabit the area around these vents.
Location: Natural History Museum, Calle 59, next to the zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free
Cinema: International Animation Festival
The movie is El Fantistico Sr. Zorro (The Fantastic Mr. Fox).View the Trailer here.
This is a Spanish edition of this movie, and is originally for children. It is probably dubbed in Spanish and without subtitles.
Location: Cineteca Nacional Manuel Barbachano Ponce in Teatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free
Dance: Season of Professional Folkloric Groups
This performance is by Compania de Danza Folklorica Kaambal, under the direction of Abraham Espinosa.
LocationTeatro Armando Manzanero, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Tickets available at the box office
Coming Soon
On Monday Nights:
Temporada de Opera en el Cine:
Aug. 22: Aida
Location: Movie theaters at the Siglo XXI Convention Center
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $40 peso donation to Opera Yucatan
In Concert: Yum Kin
6 Performances in August: Fridays: 12 & 19, plus every Saturday night
You don’t want to miss this group. They are the very popular group that plays some of today’s finest Mayan Music on prehispanic instruments.
Location: Restaurante Vegetariano Savia , Calle 59 x 52 y 54
Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Admission: No Cover Charge
4th Friday Game Night
Guests and patrons bring favorite games, like backgammon, Scrabble, Phase 10 or Farkle. MELL provides botanas. Soda and water will be on sale.
Trial Run: Beginning in August 26. The event will continue if there is enough interest, so do be sure and attend if you are interested!
Location: M.E.L.L., Calle 53 x 66 and 68
Time: Starts between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM, lasts approximately 2 hours
Admission: Free 
The Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
The Fall Season for the Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan will run from September through December. Look for the first performance to be a grand gala. Keep watching Yucatan Living and we will post the entire season on its own page, as well as individual performances in this column, as soon as we receive the schedule. In the meantime, visit the Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan website for more information, including ticket information.
Joaquin Sabina in Concert: October 30, 2011
Singer Joaquin Sabina brings his new tour “El Penultimo Tren” to Merida.
Location: Centro de Convenciones Siglo XXI, Calle 60 Norte #299-E Ex-Codemex, Col. Revolución, Between Gran Plaza and Liverpool
Time: TBA
Admission: Tickets at Centro de Convenciones Siglo XXI
Prices: $1,500 (Diamante), $1,200 (VIP), $900 (Platino), $600 (Oro) and $350 (Plata).
Info: 941-60-95 and 313-10-66.
First Annual Merida Music Festival: November 20
All day music festival featuring 20 bands, including bands from Cuba, Ireland and the Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan. Only 2000 tickets will be sold. The event will be catered by Hennessy’s, everyone’s favorite Irish pub.
Location: At Hacienda Dzibikak… if you have never been there, this will be a great opportunity to see one of Yucatan’s lovely renovated haciendas.
Time: More information to follow.
Admission: Tickets will be $195 USD per person or $350 USD per couple.
Have an event you want us to publicize? Just email the information to: info [at] yucatanliving [dot] com. We publish every Monday night.
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