This week…
An unusual event for our city… a sale on Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, clothes and accessories at Hacienda Xcanatun. The sales benefit children around the world, so indulge yourself and do some good! Check the event details on Thursday and Friday of this week.

Monday (Lunes) May 26, 2008

Yoga Class
This lovely colonial home in the Centro has regular yoga classes, as well as a small giftshop and a garden for deep breathing after class.
Location: Calle 68 #470A x 55 y 57, Centro
Time: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 9:30 AM. Wednesday and Friday, Noon to 1:30 PM with Claudia Guerrero. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 PM to 9 PM with Joan Sibila Burckle. Monday
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes

Advanced Yoga Class – Garcia Gineres
Claudia Guerrero teaches yoga class to students who want to deepen their practice. She has studied in Italy and Mexico City and is a student of Vijana yoga and Orit Sen-Gupta in Israel.
Location: Calle 11 # 206 x 24 y 26 in Garcia Gineres
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM Monday
Admission: Call 920 5361 for information

Conversaciones con Amigos (Conversations with Friends)
Practice Spanish or English with friends. Membership not necessary. The library really needs English-speaking participants, as word is getting out that this is a great place to learn English. It also happens to be a great place to learn Spanish, too, and to make some friends outside of the expat community. Come and participate!
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68.
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday
Admission: Small Donation

Vaqueria Folkloric Ballet
The signature dance of Yucatan, featuring the Jaranera Orchestra and the City Folkloric Ballet & Trova Yucateca.
Location: Ground floor of the Ayuntamiento in the Plaza Grande (the building with the clock).
Time: All Mondays 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Concert in Tribute to Tony Espinoza
Celebrating the 33 year career of this exceptional musical artist.
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, C. 60 by 57
Time: 9:00 PM Monday
Admission: Tickets Available in the Ticket Office

Tuesday (Martes) May 27, 2008

Yoga Class
This lovely colonial home in the Centro has regular yoga classes, as well as a small giftshop and a garden for deep breathing after class.
Location: Calle 68 #470A x 55 y 57, Centro
Time: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 9:30 AM. Wednesday and Friday, Noon to 1:30 PM with Claudia Guerrero. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 PM to 9 PM with Joan Sibila Burckle. Tuesday
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes

Yoga Class – Garcia Gineres
Claudia Guerrero teaches yoga class to beginning and intermediate students who want to deepen their practice. She has studied in Italy and Mexico City and is a student of Vijana yoga and Orit Sen-Gupta in Israel.
Location: Calle 11 # 206 x 24 y 26 in Garcia Gineres
Time: 7:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Call 920 5361 for information

Remembrance Musicals
This weekly dance has been held every Tuesday night since Valentine’s Day, 1984. Come on out and listen to the Big Band sounds of the 1940s, performed by the wonderful Jaranara Orchestra. Best of all, this is a great place to practice your chachachá and your mambo, or to just sit and watch the people of Merida enjoy dancing under the open skies.
Location: Parque de Santiago, Calle 72 at Calle 59
Time: Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova: Trio Ensueño
Location: Auditorium "Dr. Silvio Zavala Vallado" at the Olimpo, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Concert: I & I / Rikita Banana
Reggae & Ska music in Concert in Merida.
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 7:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Tickets Available in the Ticket Office

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida
Tonite, Radio Swap, a band formed by local music students. The music is Reggae and Calypso…fun!
Location: Jazzin’ Merida, Calle 56 #465 x 53 y 55
Time: Opens 8 PM, Performance at 9:30 PM
Phone: 924-5628

Folkloric Ballet Spectacular: Son al Caribe (Music of the Caribbean)
An anthology of Cuban-Yucateco dances. This is going to be a beautiful performance with more than 50 dancers on stage at any given time. It will be the "must see" performance of the evening.
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, Calle 60 at Calle 57
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Orchestra, Box Seats, and 1st level: $60 MXP; 2nd and 3rd levels: $40 pesos.

Wednesday (Miércoles) May 28, 2008

Advanced Yoga Class – Garcia Gineres
Claudia Guerrero teaches yoga class to students who want to deepen their practice. She has studied in Italy and Mexico City and is a student of Vijana yoga and Orit Sen-Gupta in Israel.
Location: Calle 11 # 206 x 24 y 26 in Garcia Gineres
Time: 8 AM to 10 AM Wednesday
Admission: Call 920 5361 for information

Yoga Class
This lovely colonial home in the Centro has regular yoga classes, as well as a small giftshop and a garden for deep breathing after class.
Location: Calle 68 #470A x 55 y 57, Centro
Time: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 9:30 AM. Wednesday and Friday, Noon to 1:30 PM with Claudia Guerrero. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 PM to 9 PM with Joan Sibila Burckle. Wednesday
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes

Wednesday in Concert: Night Club Orchesta

10-piece live band in Concert this week under the direction of Claudia Pasos.
Location: Auditorium "Dr. Silvio Zavala Vallado" at the Olimpo, Calle 62 by 61
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Jazz Night at Mercer Cigars
Mercer Cigars is now opening its bar for Jazz every Wednesday night. Enjoy cool live jazz in Merida’s ultimate hip lounge setting.
Location: Prolongacion Montejo 85-3, 15 y 17, Colonia Mexico (next to La Parilla)
Time: Jam starts at 8 PM Wednesday
Phone: 944-3647

Remembering the Composers
Always very special evenings.
Location: Museo de la Cancion Yucateca C 57 by 48 and 50
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Concert: Victor Celis and His Group
Location: Cineteca Nacional in Teatro Merida C 62 by 61
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Tickets Available in the Ticket Office

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida

Don’t miss this Wednesday’s Jam Session. You never know what great player is going to show up!
Location: Calle 56 #465 x 53 y 55
Time: Opens 8 PM, Live performances at 9 and 10:50 PM Wednesday
Phone: 924-5628

 

Thursday (Jueves) May 29, 2008

Yoga Class
This lovely colonial home in the Centro has regular yoga classes, as well as a small giftshop and a garden for deep breathing after class.
Location: Calle 68 #470A x 55 y 57, Centro
Time: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 9:30 AM. Wednesday and Friday, Noon to 1:30 PM with Claudia Guerrero. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 PM to 9 PM with Joan Sibila Burckle.
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes

Yoga Class – Garcia Gineres
Claudia Guerrero teaches yoga class to beginning and intermediate students. She has studied in Italy and Mexico City and is a student of Vijana yoga and Orit Sen-Gupta in Israel.
Location: Calle 11 # 206 x 24 y 26 in Garcia Gineres
Time: 7:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Call 920 5361 for information

Italian Shoes and Fashion for Sale in Merida
Hurry on down to Hacienda Xcanatun for a rare Merida event… an Italian shoe sale. Well, more than shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, clothes adn accessories will be on sale at the Salon Arcangel at Hacienda Xcanatun for two days only. All proceeds benefit SaveTheChildren.org. Only cash and credit cards will be accepted. No checks.
Location: Hacienda Xcanatun
Time: 11 am to 7 pm Thursday and Friday
Admission: Free (but you really should buy some shoes…)

To Remember is to Live
This is a dance that begins early and ends at a reasonable hour. Music is provided by the Jaranara Orchestra with their signature Big Band sound.
Location: Parque Zoológico del Centenario (The Zoo), Calle 59 at Avenida Itzaes
Time: 4:00 PM Thursday
Admission: free

AA Meeting in English
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday

Classic Cinema Double Feature
First Feature: Seconds (U.S., 1966) Rock Hudson, Will Geer, John Randolph. There is a very secret organization that offers wealthy people a second chance at life; the customer picks out someone they want to be and the organization surgically alters the customer to look like the intended person, stages the customer’s death, gets rid of the intended person and the customer has a new life. There’s only one thing they didn’t count on…..

Second Feature: Altered States (U.S., 1980) William Hurt, Drew Barrymore. A research scientist who believes in different states of consciousness uses a sensory deprivation tank and hallucinogenic drugs to find the ultimate truth. But soon his mind-altering experiments get out of control…
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 61 x 60
Time: First Features: 6:00 PM, Second Features: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Concert: Chamber Orchestra of UADY
Under the direction of Miguel Perez Concha
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti at Parque de las Americas, Calle 20 at Avenida Colon
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida
Tonite’s performance is by the Steel Jazz Trio.
Location: Calle 56 #465 x 53 y 55
Time: Opens 8 PM, Live performances at 9 and 10:50 PM
Phone: 924-5628

Concert: Piano Recital by Alberto Alvarez
Location: Auditorium "Dr. Silvio Zavala Vallado" at the Olimpo, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Yucatan Serenade of Santa Lucia
This is the defining serenade of Merida and has been performed every Thursday night for over 40 years. Parque Santa Lucia is the center of Merida’s romantic heart – and has the alter to prove it. If you are a visitor, make sure to get to this particular serenade. It is well worth being part of your first memory of Merida.
Location: Parque de Santa Lucia, Calle 60 at Calle 55
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Concert: Quarteto Orpheus
The Works of Mozart and Strauss by this lovely quartet.
Location: Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Calle 60 by 57
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Poker Night at Mercer Cigars
Thursday night is poker night at Mercer Cigars. Everyone who participates gets a free Cuban cigar. Complimentary refreshments will be served, and beer, wine, food and cigars are available. Call for more information or to reserve your spot!
Location: Prolongacion Montejo 85-3, 15 y 17, Colonia Mexico (next to La Parilla)
Time: 8:30 P.M. Thursday
Phone: 944-3647

Concert: Maria Teresa: Insinuate (Insinuate)

Maria Theresa is a very popular singer in these parts. She takes the stage with a backup band and sings her heart out.
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, Calle 60 at 57
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Tickets Available in the Ticket Office

Concert: Groupo Telesis Tiempo Amarillo (Yellow Time)
Concert and presentation of their new CD
Location: Cineteca Nacional in Teatro Merida, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Tickets Available in the Ticket Office

 

Friday (Viernes) May 30, 2008

Yoga Class
This lovely colonial home in the Centro has regular yoga classes, as well as a small giftshop and a garden for deep breathing after class.
Location: Calle 68 #470A x 55 y 57, Centro
Time: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 AM to 9:30 AM. Wednesday and Friday, Noon to 1:30 PM with Claudia Guerrero. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 PM to 9 PM with Joan Sibila Burckle.
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes

Cafe Pena K’aay T’aan: Youth Musicals
Banda Juvenil del ICY, Director: Luis Luna Guarneros
Workshop of the Opera of Yucatan, Director: Maria Eugenia Guerrero
Workshop of Cancion Yucateca, Director: Felipe de la Cruz
Location: Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 63 # 503-A x 64 y 66
Time: 8:30 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Theater: Salama la X’nuc Nina
Under the direction of Raul Nino.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: General Admission: $70 MXP, Students & INAPAM: $50 MXP

Concert: Fernanco Vega "Tribute to Raphael"

This concert will be presented by a group of more than 15 musicians under the direction of Alberto Palomo. For more on the Merida music scene, visit the website of Jazz Tunkul
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras C 60 by 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available in the Ticket Office

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida
Tonite’s music features Rene Monte Rosa, local jazz pianist that is developing quite a local following. He plays both standards and originals.
Location: Calle 56 #465 x 53 y 55
Time: Opens 8 PM, Live performances at 9 and 10:50 PM Friday
Phone: 924-5628

Movie: High Noon
(U.S., 1952) Gary Cooper, Lloyd Bridges, Grace Kelly, Lon Chaney, Jr., Harry Morgan, Lee Van Cleef. A rare chance to see all these great actors in a timeless classic.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Documentary: Buscando al hombre sagrado. Making the holy man
Documentary by Oscar Urrutia that takes us into the unknown world of the contemporary Mayan ceremonies dedicated to the rain, to the field and to the animals, lead by the mythical sacred man: The H’ men. This documentary stands from a different point of view, keeping away from the anthropological or ethnographical parameters, which have been shaping this kind of investigations, staying away from the folk vision and avoiding a superficial or esoterically approach. Spanish with English subtitles.
Location: La 68, Calle 68 # 470a x 55
Time: 9 PM Friday
Admission: $20 pesos

Baila Merida (Merida Dances)
This is a wonderful "under the stars" dance that is held in a different park every Friday night. Tonite’s performer is Banda Magistral at Colonia Dolores Otero in the south part of the City.
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

 

Saturday (Sabado) May 31, 2008

Children’s Story Hour
MEL is always in need of additional volunteers for the Children’s Story Hour on Saturday mornings. A time for reading children’s books in English and Spanish.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68
Time: 10:00 AM Every Saturday morning
Admission: Free

Merida Men’s Club
No dues and no officers – just great camaraderie, wonderful speakers, and loads of information about subjects of general and local interest. The Merida Men’s Club is a multi-national, English-speaking group that meets for coffee, breakfast and friendly conversation on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday and last Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. They usually meet at the Cafe Bistro Kaapej on Prolongacion Montejo, half a block north of the Circuito Colonias, more commonly known as the "Burger King Circle." For more information, contact Dan Ninburg (928-3866) or Roger Bowie (924-6792). You can also contact Dan via e-mail at bushninburg [at] yahoo [dot] com
Location: Cafe Bistro Kaapej
Time: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Saturday
Admission: Free (bring a friend)

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 there is often standing room only. Booths selling food and handcrafts are set up in the park. The purpose of this performance is to bring all of Mexico to Merida and to our tourists from all over the world.
Location: Beginning of Paseo Montejo, Calle 56 A between 47 and 49
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Theater: The Importance of Being Earnest
This is one of Oscar Wilde’s best works.A favorite since 1895, this play is directed by Raquel Araujo and is from an adaptation by Jose Ramon Enriquez. It is a trivial comedy for serious people. You can read the play here
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 61 at Calle 62
Time: 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: General $60 MXP, students and INAPAM $30 MXP

Movie: The Magnificent Seven
(United States, 1960) Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, Horst Buchholz. One of the greatest westerns ever made!
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 at 61
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Concert: Julio Velasquez (tenor)
Preview this great singer on YouTube. Then go see him in Merida.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Calle 20 at Avenida Colon.
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Concert: Orquesta Tipica Yukalpeten
Director: Pedro Carlos Herrera
Occasion: Anniversary of the Municipality of Tecoh
Location: Tecoh (about 18 miles SE of the city)
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Concert: Gran Clausura (Grand Closing)
Night Club Orquesta and Banda Ysrael
Location: Parque in the Colonia, Juan Pablo II
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

En El Corazón de Mérida(In the Heart of Merida)
Live music, including jazz, salsa and trova, 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. This is a night designed for that Saturday night date, but they’ve got all of the shops open for business too.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 61 at Calle 60
Time: Saturday nights, from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Admission: Free

Movie: Segundo Siglo (Second Century)
A comedy about a crew of Mexican filmmakers who make a pilgrimage through the Southern Highlands of Scotland, while carrying all their film equipment on their backs. Segundo Siglo includes an ironic touch with its own "making of" and reflections about the fleetingness of life, the sadness of death and the state of filmmaking as it moves into its second century. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Location: La 68, Calle 68 # 470a x 55
Time: 9 PM
Admission: $20 pesos

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida
Tonite Toriya Mareya again graces the stage with her unique brand of Latin Jazz. Don’t miss the chance to see this world-renowned jazz musician who has chosen to spend a few months in Merida… lucky us!!
Location: Calle 56 #465 x 53 y 55
Time: Opens 8 PM, Live performances at 9 and 10:50 PM Saturday
Phone: 924-5628

Sunday (Domingo) Jun 1, 2008

A Play Date for Dogs
The popular play date for dogs is getting very popular! Last week, we had ELEVEN dogs all getting to know each other (we call that ‘socializing’ and it’s very important for dogs… ) Come and join Zoe, Pepper, URL, Mali, Ms. Kitty, Champ, Popcorn, China, Manny, Buddy, and more… and of course, bring your four-legged and most loyal friend. We know it’s hard to get up early on Sunday, but once you see those puppies playing, you’ll decide it’s all worth it. Its hot outside, and we have some shade, but don’t forget to bring water for you and for your dog.
Location: Calle 75 #507 between 62 and 64 (behind a big metal door, that now has a sign…knock!)
Time: 7:30 AM Sunday
Admission: Free for now. We’re going to discuss a future dog park!

The Bici-Ruta
The Bici-Ruta begins early, at 8:00 AM, though we see them setting up as early as 7:00 am, and ends at noon. The route usually begins in Ermita, but there is construction there right now, so we’re guessing it starts in San Juan, passes through the Centro up Calle 60 and then travels down Paseo de Montejo, to include Fiesta Americana. If you want to play chess, go to the sidewalk outside the Museum of Anthropology on Paseo de Montejo at 9 am and pick up a game! There is a complete listing of activities, including sports, music, and craft events on the Bici-Ruta website
Location: Begins at Parque de la Ermita, through the Plaza Grande and Ends at the glorieta on Prolongation Paseo Montejo (by Burger King).

Time: 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 PM Sunday

Admission: Free

Mérida en Domingo
Sunday downtown is a spectacular tradition in Mérida. Start at the center of town, where booths are set up all around the Plaza Grande. Inside the plaza, you can find huipiles, guayaberas, honey, dolls, bags, tee-shirts… and everything is made for sale by the local people of the Yucatan. The outer ring of booths are selling food: marquesitas, tacos, cochinita, ice cream (try the coconut), fruit, drinks, etc. If the crowd starts to get to you, wander up Calle 60 to Santa Lucia Park (at Calle 55), where you can also find antiques, old books and other curiosities. At that lovely park, there is also live music, lots of dancing, and great food.
Location: In the Centro Historico: Plaza Grande, Parque Santa Lucia (Calle 60 x 55) and MACAY Museum (Calle 60 between 61 and 63)
Time: 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free, of course…

Sunday Art on Paseo de Montejo

Every Sunday there are artists displaying and selling their fine art along Paseo Montejo. There are usually 20 or more artists showing their paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints and more. This is your chance to meet the artists, see what’s new and maybe pick up something great for those big empty walls in your new renovated home in Merida or that house by the beach.
Location: Paseo de Montejo in front of VIPS (on the southeast corner of Avenida Colon, across from WalMart)
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Sunday at the MACAY
There is a musical concert in the garden at the MACAY Museum, just off the Paseo de la Revolución next to the main cathedral. If the Merida en Domingo crowd starts to get to you, go to the museum (entrance is free). Sit around the fountain or walk through the galleries and listen to the live music.
Location: In the Garden at the MACAY (next to the Cathedral)
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free