Calendar Mistakes

Voting for Chichén Itzá, as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World is NOT over! As it turns out, the zero was not working on their calendar (Que ironía, eh? Perhaps they should go talk to some Mayans about fixing that…) . One day, we had 7 days left to vote. The next day, we had 69 days remaining. So, if you haven’t voted yet, you still have plenty of time to get your vote counted at: http://www.new7wonders.com/ . It’s your world! Weigh in on which should be the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Opera is Back!

Last year, for the first time in umpteen years or more, there was opera in Merida at the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre, which is really an opera house in the first place. Rigoletto was a great success! Great singers, costumes, set and the whole thing was scrolled across the screen above the stage, just like in opera in the big cities! Now, opera comes back to Merida. This time, Madame Butterfly will grace the stage. If it is any bit as good as last year’s performance, we are all in for a treat. And if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, don’t worry. Yucatecans typically don’t buy their tickets until the last minute (except when the Russian Ballet comes to town), so there are still probably very good seats left. Luckily the opera house, designed by an Italian architect you know, has a lot of good seats! Check the individual days below for dates and show times. And if you want to know the story and the players ahead of time (and with opera, that’s usually a good idea), check the libretto on this Stanford University website.

Did I Mention The Russian Ballet?

When I wrote the last paragraph, I was remembering the last time the Russian Ballet came to town. Now I find out they are coming to town again, and tickets went on sale today! Hurry down to the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre if you want your tickets for this performance. These DO sell out!

Details? Merida is a stop on the World Tour of the National Ballet of Russia. They will be doing ONE performance only of Swan Lake at 8:30 PM on June 12 in the Jose Peon Contreras Theatre. Tickets go on sale today, May 8, and cost $200, $300, $450, $600 and $800 pesos. Why Merida? According to today’s Diario de Yucatan, "The National Ballet of Russia recognizes that Merida has an expert audience that well understands the value of this type of art.  It is a great honor for Merida to have been included in the itinerary of their World Tour. " To which we can only add: Indeed!!

Monday May 7, 2007

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

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

Ralf Walter, Paintings
May 4 through June 3
Location: Gallery of Jose Peon Contreras Theater (downstairs, to the left as you are facing the stairs in the lobby)
Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007”
SPECIAL GUEST: JORGE MICHEL GRAU
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
Program: Qualification for the Center of Cinematography
Presented by the Mexican Institute of Cinematography
A different Program every night!
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Tuesday May 8, 2007

Remembrance Musicals - LIve Big Band Music outdoors in the park. 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

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007”
SPECIAL GUEST: FABIOLA RAMOS
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
A different Program every night!
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Salaries
The pictoral work of Mtra. Teresita Del Carmen Castillo Ruiz y
Mtro. Michel Maugee, instructors at ICY in La Casa de España.
Time: Tuesday through Friday
Location: Centro Cultural Ricardo López Méndez,
(Calle 49 # 360 x 46 y 48 Cordemex)
Admission: Free

A Documentary Glance:
Stanley Kubrick, A Life Through Cinema
(US, 2001) Director: Jan Harlan
With interviews of Stephen Speilberg, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Jack Nocholson, and others. There will be commentary in Spanish by Lic. Mario Helguera Bolio and Gabriel Chacón.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti, Parque de Las Americas (Avenida Colon in García Gineres)
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova:
Trio Despertar
Winner of 1st Place in the Contest of Trios organized by Camara National de Comercio, Servicios, and Turismo of Merida (CANACO-SERVYTUR). On this night, they will present a serenade dedicated to the mothers of Yucatan.
Location: "Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado" Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: Free

Wednesday May 9, 2007

Wednesday in Concert:
Grupo Yahal Kab, under the direction of Ricardo Vega
Location: "Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado" Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007”
SPECIAL GUEST: OSCAR URRUTIA
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
A different Program every night!
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Thursday May 10, 2007

“To Remember is to Live” - Live music under the trees in one of Merida’s oldest parks.
Location: Parque Zoológico del Centenario (The Zoo), Calle 59 at Avenida Itzaes
When: 4:00 PM
Admission: free

Yucatecan Serenade:
This is still my favorite of all the serenades and is a must see, especially for new folks and visitors. But be careful – this is one of those places where you are most likely to fall in love with Merida and her people.
Location: Parque Santa Lucía Calle 60 and 55, Downtown
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: free

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007”
SPECIAL GUEST: JOSE MANUEL CRAVIOTO
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
A different Program every night!
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: free

Classical Thursday:
A Piano Recital by Rafael Guiterrez
Location: "Dr Silvio Zavala Vallado" Auditorium in the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Friday May 11, 2007

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

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007”
SPECIAL GUEST: ENRIQUE VÁZQUEZ SANCHEZ
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
A different Program every night!
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: free

Salaries
The pictoral work of Mtra. Teresita Del Carmen Castillo Ruiz y
Mtro. Michel Maugee, instructors at ICY in La Casa de España.
Time: Tuesday through Friday
Location: Centro Cultural Ricardo López Méndez, (Calle 49 # 360 x 46 y 48 Cordemex)
Admission: Free

Opera Returns to Yucatan! This year…
Madame Butterfly! with the Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan, now in its Seventh Season. Madame Butterfly is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini that was first performed in 1904 at La Scala in Milan, Italy. According to scholars, it is based on actual events that occurred in the early 1890’s in Nagasaki. The tragic story of a clash of cultures and expectations now belongs to the world .
Location: Jose Peon Contreras Theater
Time: 9:00 PM on May 11, 15, and 17
and Sunday, May 13, at 6:00 PM
Admission: Various, depending on seats. Check at the box office for what is still available.

Circo, Maroma y Teatro….Contra el hastío matrimonial
(Circus, Rope and Theater… Against the Weariness of Matrimony)
Directed by Álvaro Carcaño
Synopsis: Silvia Káter and Alvaro Carcaño give life to a couple who has been married for several years. They are now looking for a way to continue a sex life that has become routine. This is an humorous glimpse into the anguish, the cruelty and the impossibility of communication between these two. I have seen pictures of this production and it really looks as if it is going to be great!
Location: Daniel Ayala Perez Theater
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: TBA

Saturday May 12, 2007

Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night)
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

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007” This is the night to go, folks!
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
Program:
"The Fantastic Eye"
(Thesis Program of the University Center of Movie Studies)
"Chimera"
Direction, script and edition: Jose Luis Valley.
35 mm/Color/22 min./2006.
This short film won the KODAK Prize for Best Student Cinematography in Latin America. It was also awarded a Special Mention by the Official Jury
in XXI the International Festival of Cinema in Guadalajara.
SPECIAL GUEST: Jose Luis Valley himself!!
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Circo, Maroma y Teatro….Contra el hastío matrimonial
(Circus, Rope and Theater… Against the Weariness of Matrimony)
Directed by Álvaro Carcaño
Synopsis: Silvia Káter and Alvaro Carcaño give life to a couple who has been married for several years. They are now looking for a way to continue a sex life that has become routine. This is an humorous glimpse into the anguish, the cruelty and the impossibility of communication between these two. I have seen pictures of this production and it really looks as if it is going to be great!
Location: Daniel Ayala Perez Theater
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: TBA

Sunday May 13, 2007

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 second 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

Don’t forget the Bici-Ruta (Here is the official website. Click on Programa de Actividades). There’s something for everyone on bikes in Merida on Sunday! Don’t have a bike? Go anyway and walk. The Paseo Montejo has a lovely outdoor sculpture exhibit.

7th Mexican Short Film Festival: “Yucatán 2007”
From the 6th to the 13th of May, 2007
Location: Teatro Mérida: Cineteca Nacional
Time: 7:00 PM

Opera Returns to Yucatan! This year… Madame Butterfly! With the Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan, now in its Seventh Season.
Location: Jose Peon Contreras Theater
Time: 6:00 PM
Admission: Various, depending on seats. Check at the box office for what is still available.

Circo, Maroma y Teatro….Contra el hastío matrimonial
(Circus, Rope and Theater… Against the Weariness of Matrimony)
Directed by Álvaro Carcaño
Synopsis: Silvia Káter and Alvaro Carcaño give life to a couple who has been married for several years. They are now looking for a way to continue a sex life that has become routine. This is an humorous glimpse into the anguish, the cruelty and the impossibility of communication between these two. I have seen pictures of this production and it really looks as if it is going to be great!
Location: Daniel Ayala Perez Theater
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: TBA

Rinconete y Cortadillo
A theater version, by José Ramón Enríquez, of a novella written by Miguel de Cervantes. Rinconete and Cortadillo are children of the streets, just trying to survive in an unjust world.
Director: Francisco Marín
Location: Central Patio of Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 63 between 64 and

66 next to the Templo de Monjas (Nun’s temple).
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Children’s Matineé
Screen: Cineteca Nacional: X-Men 3: The Final Battle
Screen: Sala de Arte: Avatar, the legend of Aang Libro 1: Water. Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 8.
If you remember, we have already had Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4. So this is the next installment.
All of these shows are important to children – so, if you have a few favorite kids in your neighborhood, why not bring them on down?
Location: Teatro Mérida
Time: 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Admission: Free