This Week… starting December 17, 2012

Municipal Fiestas This Week

Editor’s Note: The worker bees that buzz furiously behind the scenes to bring you this weekly events listing are taking the week off between Christmas and New Year’s. So the following are the events that we know of for the next TWO weeks. See you in 2013!!

Maya Cultural Festival
From Friday December 14 until December 21, there are going to be a myriad of events going on around Yucatan, too numerous to mention here. We will be sure to mention some of the most important and easiest-to-see events. Events include book presentations, scientific and cultural conferences and discussions, blessings of cenotes, dancing, singing, theatrical performances, telescopes to see the stars, cooking and art demonstrations, artisans booths… anything and everything to celebrate the end of this baktun and the beginning of a new era. For a full listing, you’ll want to explore this website: www.festivalculturamaya.com (in Spanish).

Tizimin Fiesta: December 15 through January 10
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. Their fiestas are always “must attend” events.

Tixpehual 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.

Monday (Lunes) December 17, 2012

Choral Concert in Valladolid
The choral ensembles of Merida AND Valladolid will perform at the Casa de los Venados tonite. This is a great place to hear a beautiful concert… if you are in Valladolid, go and enjoy! There will be a reception after the show.
Location: Casa de Los Venados, in Valladolid
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission:Free

Celebration of a “Boda Maya” (Mayan Wedding)
When is the last time you were invited to a Mayan wedding? Today you can just stroll down to Ermita and watch a traditional Mayan wedding, put on by the city. What fun!
Location: Parque de la Ermita, Calle 66 x 79
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday
Admission:Free

Vaqueria: Mestiza Wedding
This is the Vaqueria to see! You will never see costumes like this anywhere else!
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Monday
Admission:Free

Dance: Closing Performance of the Course in Regional Dance
There are ongoing courses in many types of dance in all areas of Merida and throughout the state. These closing performances are wonderful but don’t forget to pass by your local park or cultural center to watch the dancers practice during the year.
Location: Parque El Rosario / Calle 33-A x 30-B, Col. El Rosario
Time: 5:00 PM
Admission: Free

Interactive Telescopes: Observing Maya Skies
Opportunities all over the city to look through telescopes at the aligning planets, the movement of the stars and planets that signalled to the Mayans the end of the era.
Location: Parque Yucalpetén C. 67 X 122 Frac. Yucalpetén
Location: Amapolita Calle 48 X 27-A and 27-A Col. Amapolita, Centennial
Location: Parque Zoologico del Centerario AV Itzaes X 59 Col. Centro
Location: Parque de la Bojórquez C. 108 X 59-J and 59-H Col. Bojorquez
Location: Parque de la La Roma Av Hidalgo X 48 Y 50 Col. Roma
Location: Parque Jardines C. 73-B-X 118 Y 118 Fracc. Jardines de Mulsay
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 PM Monday
Admission:Free

Festival: Expressions of Art and Culture in parks and municipalities
Music, food and crafts at the park, as part of the week of celebration of the End of the Era.
Location: Parque de la Mejorada, Calle 50 x Calle 59
Time: 7:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free

Exhibition: Maya Displays (Paintings and Sculpture)
This month, the City Museum is displaying art with Mayan themes, all pieces are by artists who use different techniques. This will be the opening.
Location: 2nd floor of the Museo de la Ciudad de Merida, Calle 65 x 5
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM Monday
Admission:Free

Concert: Cuarteto de Guitar and the Chamber Orchestra of ESAY
The title of this live concert is “Soundtrack Evocations of the Maya World”. Should be a lovely and evocative setting for that music.
Location: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, next to Liverpool
Time: 7:00 PM Monday
Admission:Free

 

Tuesday (Martes) December 18, 2012

Music and Dance: Yucatan and It’s Roots
This is a performance by the Folkloric Ballet of Yucatan, under the direction of Maestro Carlos Acreto.
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 7:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Piano Recital: Mario Esquivel
This will not only be a concert by a great talent, but the music will all be of Yucateca origin.
Location: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, next to Liverpool
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission:Free

Festival: Expressions of Art and Culture in parks and municipalities
Besides the usual wonderful music at this park, which happens every Tuesday night, there will be crafts and other things… we think. Even if not, the music is enough reason to go!
Location: Parque de San Sebastian, Calle 72 x 77
Time: 7:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Concert: Sergio Esquivel
If you want to see and hear one of the few voices that, taken together, make up the heart and soul of Yucatan’s music, this is the concert for you.
Location: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, next to Liverpool
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Joyeux Noel
(Germany / France / United Kingdom) Director: Christian Carion. Starring: Benno Furman, Guillaume Canet, Daniel Bruhly, Diane Kruger. On Christmas Eve during world War I, the Germans, French, and Scottish fraternize and get to know the men who live on the opposite side of a brutal war, in what becomes a true lesson of humanity.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

 

Wednesday (Miercoles) December 19, 2012

Movie: Food Inc.
A much heralded movie about factory farming and how it affects what we eat. To find out more, here’s the website.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $30pesos, $15pesos students

Maya Book Fair (U máank’inal maaya áanalte’ob)
Books in Mayan language, literary recitals and other activities centered around the Maya language.
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Festival: Expressions of Art and Culture in parks and municipalities
Music, food and crafts at the park, as part of the week of celebration of the End of the Era.
Location: Parque de la Paz, Avenida Itzaes x 59
Time: 7:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Interactive Telescopes: Observing Maya Skies
Come out to Santa Lucia and take the opportunity to look through telescopes at all the planets that are aligning for December 21st!
Location: Parque de Santa Lucía, Calle 60 X 55 Centro
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Concert: Yucatan Symphony Orchestra
This performance presents the music of Yucatan, played by Yucatan’s own symphony orchestra. The performance tonite is under the direction of Emilio Bueno and will be at the new museum.
Location: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, next to Liverpool
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Concert: Yum K’iin
This is a presentation of a wonderful Maya group as part of the program entitled “Five Millennia of Maya History”.
Location: Parque de la Ermita, Calle 66 x 77
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Opening of Three Exhibitions
Three new exhibitions herald the reopening of the beautiful museum on Paseo de Montejo! First, The Maya World of Teoberto Maler. Then an exhibit of huipiles, called Mestiza: the Hipil of the Yucatan and lastly, Yesterday’s Faces: Portraits in Yucatan. They all sound wonderful!
Location: Museo Regional de Antropologia Palacio Canton, on Montejo x Calle 41
Time: Opens 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

 

Thursday (Jueves) December 20, 2012

Movie: The Man Who Lived in a Shoe
(Mexico 2011) A documentary that is the “true story of a man, Jose Luis “El Guero” Robles Gil. It is also a story of reality versus imagination, love and madness, plus the opening and closing of the eyes: of a life poised almost at the border of fantasy. It is the story of a man who lived in a shoe, and the story of the woman who accompanied him, once upon a time.” The movie is in Spanish.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students

Festival: Expressions of Art and Culture in parks and municipalities
The celebration of the end of the era with music, food and crafts comes to Parque de las Americas tonite!
Location: Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Movie Night at Thai Flash Progreso
Come celebrate the season with in the traditional way…. NOT! Eat delicious Thai food by the beach, while watching Christmas Classics on the big screen. Its a Wonderful Life starts at 6 PM, and White Christmas starts at 9 PM. Call 999-101-7330 to make reservations, as seating is limited. Or email thaiflashprogreso [at] gmail [dot] com.
Location: Calle 27B between C. 30 and C. 32 in Progreso (between Progreso and Chixchulub.)
Time: 6:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Maya Ballgame (Pok Ta Pok)
This event is a rare demonstration of one of the original Maya games. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Location: Plaza Grande, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Interactive Telescopes: Observing Maya Skies
Opportunities all over the city to look through telescopes at the aligning planets, the movement of the stars and planets that signalled to the Mayans the end of the era.
Location: Parque de San Juan, Calle 69 X 64, Colonia Centro
Location: Parque de la Plaza Grande, Calle 60 X 61, 62 Y 63, Centro de la Ciudad
Location: La Ermita de Santa Isabel, Calle 66 X 77 Y 77-A, Colonia Centro
Location: Parque de Itzimná, Calle 21 x 18 y 20 col. Itzimná
Location: Parque Tabenthá, Calle 15 X 22 Y 28, Fraccionamiento Altabrisa
Time: 7:00 to 10:00 PM Thursday
Admission:Free

 

Friday (Viernes) December 21, 2012

Re-opening of the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
After a bit of tweaking and tuning up, the new iMuseum will re-open to the public.
Location: Next to the Siglo XXI Convention Center.
Time: 9:00 AM Friday
Website: www.granmuseodelmundomaya.com
Admission:Free

El Tunkul de los Aluxes
Music with Mayan instruments by the percussionist children of Chak Xulub Chen.
Location: In front of the Cathedral in Merida
Time: 6:00 PM Friday
Admission:Free

Concert by Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil
They present a piece called the Night of the Mayas.
Location: On the esplanade of the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
Time: 8:00 PM Friday
Admission:Free

Opening of the New Baktun Monument
This monument will be shown for the first time today on this day.
Location: On the esplanade of the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
Time: 7:00 PM, Friday
Admission:Free

Activities at the Archaeological Zones: Show of the Splendor of the World
This looks as if it will be one of the most interesting events of the week. It is billed as a Spiritual Summit, associated with Maya Wisdom. There will be craft shows, dancing groups, living statues and groups of revelers. The locations will only add to the mystery and wonder.
Location: Archaeological zones of Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Dzibilchaltún
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday
Admission:Depends on the archaeological zone

Movie: Corazón del cielo, Corazón de la tierra (Heart of the Sky, Heart of the Earth)
A timely movie! The great cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar will end in 2012. This movie looks at “How does the story end? Do the oceans collapse? Does the sky fall as the last tree is cut? The remote homelands of the present day Maya in Mexico and Guatemala present a perfect microcosm to show how unhindered globalization is already destroying the Earth and indigenous cultures. The stories and the cosmovision of six young Maya are juxtaposed with our shortsighted exploitation of the Earth.” In Spanish.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $80 pesos

Installation of the Time Capsule
On this occasion, a time capsule will be presented and installed that will be due to be opened a LONG time in the future. Go and see what they are putting in the capsule!
Location: Centro Cultural Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Art Opening
Two exhibits will be here until January 6. The Eternal Maya by Manuel Lopez and Maya Temples and Towns by Luis Falcon.
Location: Lobby of Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: Opens 6:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

 

Saturday (Sabado) December 22, 2012

Today is the first day of Baktun 14!

Movie: El Cielo Abierto (The Open Sky)
(2011 Mexico) “First came the word, then the assassin’s bullet, then the silence. This strong documentary by Everardo González about Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the voice of the voiceless in El Salvador, killed march 24th, 1980. Portrays the inevitable destiny of an announced crime and the beginning of the civil war.” (In Spanish with English subtitles)
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.

Celebration of Baktun 14!
Now begins the celebrations of the new era… what fun!
7:00 PM – Coro Monumental: 300 Voices Proclaim the New Cycle
8:00 PM – Tribute to the Maya, A New Beginning, Baktun 14!
8:00 PM – Dance: The Night of the Mayas by the Choreographic Workshop of UNAM
9:00 PM – Proclamation of the New Baktun and the Introduction to the 2013 Festival of Maya Culture
Location: On the Esplanade of Siglo XXI , next to the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya
Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission:Free

Movie: China Girl
In November 1941, American news photographer Johnny ‘Bugsy’ Williams manages to escape from the Japanese and finds himself back in Burma where he meets the beautiful Miss Haoli Young. Johnny is also a flyer and his friend Shorty McGuire is after him to join the Flying Tigers. He could make a small fortune filming the Burma Road but puts off the opportunity to be with Haoli, but she leaves unexpectedly for Kunming where her father runs a school. He has a price on his head and spies working for the Japanese are ready to nab him. When he hears that the Japanese are going to wipe out Kunming, he sets off to rescue Haoli.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61, Centro
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Dance: Tribus Unidas 2012 (United Tribes 2012)
This performance showcases ATS Dance (American Tribal Style) and Tribal Fusion. Performers include: Lore Rojas, Padme Studio, Escuela de Danza “Zentzontle” and Academia de Danza Margot Fonteyn. What a great way to really feel the rhythm of a brand new era!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission:$80 pesos

 

Sunday (Domingo) December 23, 2012

Documentary: Dolphins
What more engaging way to begin a new era than by learning about one of the most beautiful and gracious animals in the sea!
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59 next to the Zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Movie: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
(USA 1973) Sam Peckinpah directs James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson. An aging Pat Garrett is hired as a lawman on behalf of a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons–his sole purpose being to bring down his old friend Billy the Kid.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 5:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

 

Monday (Lunes) December 24, 2012

Christmas’ Eve
Look for Christmas’ Eve Dinners and events here

Tuesday (Martes) December 25, 2012

Christmas Day
Yucatan Living wishes you a Merry Chirstmas!
Today is an Official National Holiday

Wednesday (Miercoles) December 26, 2012

Movie: Shakespeare and Victor Hugo’s Intimacies
Documentary filmmaker Yulene Olaizola introduces audiences to her grandmother, who has a fascinating story to tell, in this offbeat feature. Rosa Elena Carvajal has owned a large house in Mexico City for years and has often taken in boarders; in the mid-Eighties she began renting a room to a curious man in his early Twenties who she at first took to be a lay preacher.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $30pesos, $15pesos students

 

Thursday (Jueves) December 27, 2012

Movie: Los Bastardos
A 24 hour period in the lives of Fausto and Jesus, two undocumented Mexican day-laborers in L.A. Each day another task…
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students

Movie: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Rather a heavy way to end the year but, it has to be admitted that the acting was superb (or was that acting?). Burton and Taylor at the height of their love-hate relationship… what a treat!
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

 

Friday (Viernes) December 28, 2012

Movie: Music by Prudence
Music by Prudence tells a self-empowering story of one young woman’s struggle who, together with her band…
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $80 pesos

Movie: The Trial of Joan of Arc
This reconstruction is based entirely on the transcripts of the actual trial. An interesting take on a well-known story.
Location: Videosala del Olimpo, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

 

Saturday (Sabado) December 29, 2012

Movie: Music by Prudence
Music by Prudence tells a self-empowering story of one young woman’s struggle who, together with her band…
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $30 pesos, $15 pesos students.

Movie: The Cross of Iron
(USA 1977) This must be Sam Peckinpah week! He also directed this movie about a squad of German soldiers fighting on the Eastern Front during WWII led by a battle-hardened sergeant. They fight to survive Soviet attacks and dogmatic commanders in a chaotic and lethal environment in this sympathetic portrayal of another side of the war not commonly portrayed in Hollywood film.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61, Centro
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

 

Sunday (Domingo) December 30, 2012

Documentary: The Kingdom Below Zero
Find out what forms of life live in the world below zero degrees.
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59 next to the Zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Movie: The African Queen
(USA 1951) You’re all familiar with this classic Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn movie… but when is the last time you saw it? In Africa during WW1, a gin-swilling riverboat owner/captain is persuaded by a strait-laced missionary to use his boat to attack an enemy warship.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 5:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Burlesque / Teatro de Revista
This is a performance that is both produced and directed by Barbara Fox… sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $80 pesos, $60 students and INAPAM

Monday (Domingo) December 31, 2012

New Year’s’ Eve
Look for New Year’s Eve Dinners and Parties here

Tuesday (Domingo) January 01, 2012

New Years Day
Yucatan Living wishes you a bright and wonderful new year in Yucatan!

Coming Soon

MEL’s Saturday Lectures: New Immigration Law
Adriana Cruz Gonzalez from YES (Yucatan Expatriate Services) will explain the new Immigration law which became effective November 9. There has been a lot of information given on the new law, but a lot remains unknown. This should help those who haven’t heard about the new law, as well as clarify questions that remain. This is very important for all expatriates who have begun their immigration process to live in Mexico or who are thinking of moving to Mexico in the future.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 between Calle 66 and 68, Centro
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Free

Marathon of Merida
This 22nd International Marathon is being run to commemorate the 476 Anniversary of the City of Merida. There will be a 10km “marathon” and a 2 km walk.
Location: Paseo de Montejo for the marathon and Parque de las Americas for the walk. Prizes will be given to the best in each category. Sign up on the spot.
Time: Starts at 6:00 AM
Admission: $100 pesos for the marathon and $ 30 pesos for the walk.

Piano Concert: Steven Vrancken: January 7, 2013
Everyone loves an artist or musician who overcomes great obstacles to become a worldwide success, especially if he is young and has a boundless zest for life. Learn more about Belgian pianist Steven Vracken from his website and be ready to greet him in Merida early in January.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Fundraiser for the Chicxulub Food Bank: January 8, 2013
A fashion show fundraiser will highlight fashions from Olga Cuevas, Casa de Diseňadores and promises to be fun. Please come out an enjoy the fashion show while supporting one of the oldest and most appreciated community service organizations in Yucatan.
Location: in Chicxulub Puerto at Bamboo Beach- Home of the Chicxulub Food Bank
Time: 11:00 AM
Admission: Tickets are and available from Sharon at shelgason [at] hotmail [dot] com, or call 999-169-4704 or Charly at 999-992-6253

MEL’s Saturday Lectures: Franciscan Missionaries in Yucatan: January 12
Professor George Ashley will speak on the Franciscan Missionaries in Yucatan. Professor Ashley has given various lectures at MEL in the past, and is always eagerly awaited with more information on different eras of Mexican history.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 between Calle 66 and 68, Centro
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Free

Writers Expo: January 19, 2013
Come enjoy a day by and for Merida writers! At the Merida English Library, books written by local writers will be for sale. Books include prose, poetry, self-help, cookbooks, travel, advice and more! There will be book signings, readings, etc! Come to see and come to sell. (If you want to sell, contact meridawriters2012 [at] gmail [dot] com)
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 between Calle 66 and 68, Centro
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Free

Real Estate & Renovation Workshop January 9, 10 & 11 (optional day)
3-Day Cram Course Sponsored by Merida English Library. Learn what and when to buy, how to hire the right architect, how much should all of this cost, and more. Register early to make sure that your particular questions are dealt with.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 x 66 y 68
Time: TBA
Admission: Pre-Reg. in Dec.: $2,500 pesos + 600 pesos for optional day
MEL member: $2,100 pesos + 400 pesos for optional day
January Reg.: $2,800 pesos + 600 pesos for optional day
To Register: workshop [at] meridaenglishlibrary [dot] com

My Sister’s Closet: Saturday, January 26, 2013
3rd Annual Fashion Show & Clothing Sale Fundraiser for the Chuburna Puerto APOYO Escolar Program. Light Finger Food will be included, as well as a Cash bar (wine, beer & soda) & Raffle
Location: La Casa Namaste, Calle 5 #404, Entrada Mojarra off the highway between Chelem & Chuburna, to the beach road
Time: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Admission: $100 pesos: Seating limited so get your tickets now
More Information: 999-190-2728 Tickets Available From: Mary Walberg 999-904-9666, Bev Melchior 999-129-3608, Marta DeQuesada 999-146-0788

2013 Planned Pethood Sterilization Clinic
Clear your calendars and sign up to volunteer on the following days. If you can’t be there, please consider sending donations as more information on what is needed comes in.
January 6 and 7 (Sunday and Monday): Progreso
January 8 (Tuesday): Cholul or Progreso
January 9 (Wednesday): Day of Rest
January 10 – 13 (Thursday – Sunday): Merida
Goal: 300 animals spayed or neutered per day (2,100 animals !!!) We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

 

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