This Week… starting December 22 , 2008. We’ll be back on January 5, 2009

Happy Holidays From Yucatan Living!

Please note that we are bringing you two weeks of events this week because we are all taking off for a few days to finally spend some quality time with our families. We’ll see you all back here on January 5th.

Municipal Fiestas This Week

Sotuta Fiesta 1 Day Event 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 7 Day Event Dec. 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. 

In the City This Week and Next

Casa Catherwood’s End of the Year Sale!
Casa Catherwood is having a huge end of the year sale between now and Epiphany (Jan. 6). If you need a last minute gift, you can surely find it there. …and if you need to stock up for yourself, after Christmas would be the perfect time to treat you and yours. Visit their website for more information.

Hotel Zamna New Year’s Gala
The Boxing Day Party at Hotel Zama is Sold Out and there are only 12 tickets left for the New Year’s Gala. Included in the evening will be a welcome drink, a banquet dinner buffet, feathered carnival masks for each guest, music to dance all night, bubbly at midnight and a fireworks display, free liquor coffees after midnight, and spot prizes throughout the night. This party will be the most fun and the "best buy" in the city on New Year’s Eve.
Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53.No 547 x 70 and 72
Admission: $250 pesos
Reservations: 999 924 0103. Please pick up tickets before Christmas. , please e-mail Hotel Zamna at zamna[dot]merida[dot]centro[at]gmail[dot]com

Monday (Lunes) December 22, 2008

Casa Catherwood’s Salon # 3: America’s Role in the World
Former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and George P. Shultz each delivered speeches, the former on February 12, 2004 and the latter on May 17, 2004, speaking to this topic. Who was right and who was wrong, now that, four years later we have a healthy distance to evaluate their perspectives?
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 #572 & Calle 72.
Time: 5:00 PM  Monday
Admission: Suggested donation of $20 MXN
Information: E-mail: info[at]casa-catherwood[dot]com

 

Tuesday (Martes) December 23, 2008

Music: Musica de las Alturas (Music of the Heights)
We have seen this performance before and it is, without a doubt, one of the must see events of the season. Performers will be Soloists from the Coro de la Iglesia, El Peregrino, and from Julliard School of Music in New York. This performance is sponsored by the Asociación Koreana Mexicana A.C.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission:  Free

Tuesday of Trova: is taking 2 weeks off.
The next Tuesday of Trova will be Dec. 30.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

 

Wednesday (Miércoles) December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve, Check our Christmas Dinner listings

Thursday (Jueves) December 25, 2008

Christmas Day

Theater:Y Qué Paso con el Sueño de Flamboyanes (And What happened with Dreams of Flamboyanes)
This performance is produced by Hector Herrera and Directed by Jazmin Lopez. It stars Mario III, Beatriz Yanez, Tanicho, Wendy Basulto, and Juan Castillo
Location: Teatro Merida
Time: 8:00 PM, every evening from Dec 25th through Dec 30th
Admission: $200 pesos and $100 pesos

The Yucatones Are Packing Them In!!!
Come on down Thursday night and help the always politically incorrect LEGENDARY Yucatones. Dan and Gary have plenty of new material and will be playing all your old favorites as well. So come down for some great music, a few drinks and David’s delicious Enchiladas.
Location: Jazzin’ Merida, Calle 56 # 465 x 53 y 55
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 MXP
For more information: Call: 924-5628

En el Corazón de Mérida: Now All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Location: Centro, Calle 60, from 61 to 53
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM  All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) December 26, 2008

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Movie: Diarios de Motocicleta
(Coproduction: Argentina-USA, Chile-Mexico, & Peru). Starring Gael Garcia Bemrnal, Rodrigo de la Sema, and Mercedes Moran.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Artistic Weekend: Salma, La Poch (deseosa) Novio
This performance is under the direction of Raul Nino.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: Friday: 9:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 PM
Admission: General: $80 pesos; Students & INAPAM: $60 pesos

Theater:Y Qué Paso con el Sueño de Flamboyanes (And What happened with Dreams of Flamboyanes)
This performance is produced by Hector Herrera and Directed by Jazmin Lopez. It stars Mario III, Beatriz Yanez, Tanicho, Wendy Basulto, and Juan Castillo
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM, every evening from Dec 25th through Dec 30th
Admission: $200 pesos and $100 pesos

Theater: Indiana Jones In Search of the Skull
This performance is under the direction of Octavio Ayil.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida
Tonite’s music is a surprise. Come and be surprised!
Location: Calle 56 # 465 x 53 y 55
Time: Friday, Opens 8 PM, Live performances at 9 and 10:50 PM Friday
Phone: 924-5628

Documentary: TBA
Location:Casa de Cultura Elena Poniatowska: La 68, Calle 68 # 470a x 55
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

En el Corazón de Mérida: Now All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Location: Centro, Calle 60, from 61 to 53
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM  All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Admission: Free

 

Saturday (Sabado) December 27, 2008

The 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 Café Bistro Kaapej on Prolongacion Montejo, half a block north of the Circuito Colonias, more commonly knows 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: Café Bistro Kaapej
Time: 9:00 AM Saturday
Admission: Free (bring a friend)

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Artistic Weekend: Salma, La Poch (deseosa) Novio
This performance is under the direction of Raul Nino.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: Saturday: 8:00 PM
Admission: General: $80 pesos; Students & INAPAM: $60 pesos

Theater: Indiana Jones In Search of the Skull
This performance is under the direction of Octavio Ayil.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Theater:Y Qué Paso con el Sueño de Flamboyanes (And What happened with Dreams of Flamboyanes)
This performance is produced by Hector Herrera and Directed by Jazmin Lopez. It stars Mario III, Beatriz Yanez, Tanicho, Wendy Basulto, and Juan Castillo
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM, every evening from Dec 25th through Dec 30th
Admission: $200 pesos and $100 pesos

Charla: El Gran Cazador, Orion
Location: Planetarium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 6:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

The Nightmare Before Christmas
(U.S., 1993). Animation. Directed by Henry Selik.
Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween, but becomes bored with the same routine every year. He takes a walk into the woods and discovers a door leading to Christmas Time. Christmas Time is amazing to Jack. He doesn’t fully understand the concept, but decides he wants to bring Christmas to everyone and plans to take over the job from Santa. The world of Christmas isn’t quite used to the lifestyle of the King of Halloween and is not going to cooperate with Jack’s plans at all.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Times: 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

 En el Corazón de Mérida: Now All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Location: Centro, Calle 60, from 61 to 53
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM  All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Admission: Free

Documentary: TBA
Location: Casa de Cultura Elena Poniatowska: La 68, Calle 68 # 470a x 55
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $20 pesos

 

Sunday (Domingo) December 28, 2008

Documentary: Cosmic Collisions
This documentary is from the American Museum of Natural History and NASA. It is about the continuous effect of cosmic collisions on our Solar System, including the creation of new planets.
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, just past Avenida Itzaes
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Artistic Weekend: Salma, La Poch (deseosa) Novio
This performance is under the direction of Raul Nino.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: Sunday: 8:00 PM
Admission: General: $80 pesos; Students & INAPAM: $60 pesos

Theater: Indiana Jones In Search of the Skull
This performance is under the direction of Octavio Ayil.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Theater:Y Qué Paso con el Sueño de Flamboyanes (And What happened with Dreams of Flamboyanes)
This performance is produced by Hector Herrera and Directed by Jazmin Lopez. It stars Mario III, Beatriz Yanez, Tanicho, Wendy Basulto, and Juan Castillo
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM, every evening from Dec 25th through Dec 30th
Admission: $200 pesos and $100 pesos

Monday (Lunes) December 29, 2008

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Monday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Theater:Y Qué Paso con el Sueño de Flamboyanes (And What happened with Dreams of Flamboyanes)
This performance is produced by Hector Herrera and Directed by Jazmin Lopez. It stars Mario III, Beatriz Yanez, Tanicho, Wendy Basulto, and Juan Castillo
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM, every evening from Dec 25th through Dec 30th
Admission: $200 pesos and $100 pesos

Tuesday (Martes) December 30, 2008

Tuesday of Trova: Grupo Kaytaan
This performance is under the direction of Daniel Borges
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Theater:Y Qué Paso con el Sueño de Flamboyanes (And What happened with Dreams of Flamboyanes)
This performance is produced by Hector Herrera and Directed by Jazmin Lopez. It stars Mario III, Beatriz Yanez, Tanicho, Wendy Basulto, and Juan Castillo
Location: Teatro Merida, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM, every evening from Dec 25th through Dec 30th
Admission: $200 pesos and $100 pesos

 

Wednesday (Miércoles) December 31, 2008

New Year’s Eve, Check our New Year Dinner Options

Thursday (Jueves) January 01, 2008

New Year’s Day

TGIF (First Friday)(aka NAFTA)
This is the party that is held in La Hach Bar at Fiesta Americana on all First Friday nights. It is a time to visit with old friends and make new ones. There is nothing any prettier than the huge patio outside of La Hach, suspended between the stars and the lights of the city, in one of the finest hotels in Yucatan.
Location: La Hach Bar, Fiesta Americana Hotel, Calle 60 x Ave. Colon
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, botanas (snacks) are provided.
Admission: Free (cash bar)

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcrackers)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

The Yucatones Are Packing Them In!!!
Come on down Thursday night and help the always politically incorrect LEGENDARY Yucatones Dan and Gary have plenty of new material and will be playing all your old favorites as well. So come down for some great music, a few drinks and David’s delicious Enchiladas.
Location: Jazzin’ Merida, Calle 56 # 465 x 53 y 55
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: $30 MXP
For more information: Call: 924-5628

En el Corazón de Mérida: Now All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Location: Centro, Calle 60, from 61 to 53
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM  All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) January 02, 2008

Dance: El Cascanueces (The Nutcracker)
This performance is by Compania de Danza Clasica de Yucatan, under the expert direction of Victor Salas. This is a wonderful group, a wonderful director, and we want to see them more often!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Tickets available at the ticket office.

Live Jazz at Jazzin’ Merida
Tonite’s music is a surprise. Come and be surprised!
Location: Calle 56 # 465 x 53 y 55
Time: Friday, Opens 8 PM, Live performances at 9 and 10:50 PM Friday
Phone: 924-5628

Documentary: TBA
Location:Casa de Cultura Elena Poniatowska: La 68, Calle 68 # 470a x 55
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

En el Corazón de Mérida: Now All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Location: Centro, Calle 60, from 61 to 53
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM  All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Admission: Free

 

Saturday (Sabado) January 03, 2008

 En el Corazón de Mérida: Now All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Location: Centro, Calle 60, from 61 to 53
Time: 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM  All Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Admission: Free

2009: Festival of the City
January 3 through January 23
Oh Dear! We hope you got some rest over the holidays. Tonight begins the Festival of the City, celebrating the 467th Anniversary of the founding of the City of Merida as we know it today. During this 21-day period, there will be over 1,000 events and performances in the City of Merida. We hope you enjoy them all.

Dos Corazones Cantan a Merida (Two hearts sing to Merida)
This performance features Sergio Esquivel and Maria Medina, with the Orquesta Tipica Yucalpeten. We love this orchestra and hope you take the time to come and enjoy their performance.
Location: Lower floor of the Municipal Palace, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Maria San Felipe in Concert
This performance is part of El Corazon de Merida. As you can see, even the street parties in Merida boast only the best in entertainment.
Location: Centro: Calle 60 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Documentary: TBA
Location: Casa de Cultura Elena Poniatowska: La 68, Calle 68 # 470a x 55
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $20 pesos

 

Sunday (Domingo) January 04, 2008

Documentary: TBA
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, just past Avenida Itzaes
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Theater: Un Huirocalypto en la Mayan City
This is a performance by the students of Teatro Regional Infantil. We know it is entertainment for children, but we’ll just bet that it will be well worth seeing. If you are already in town during the middle of the day, please try to see at least one of these performances. It really means a lot to the children and to the future of theater in Yucatan.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala, Calle 60 x 61
Time: 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Inauguration: 6th Ballroom Dancing Contest and 2nd National Ballroom Dancing Show.
What a wonderful evening of entertainment this promises to be!
Location: Parque de Las Americas / Concha Acustica, Av. Colon x Calle 20 Garcia Gineres
Time: 8:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Dances of Mexico:Compañía de Danza Folklórica “Kaambal”
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

A Tribute to Merida de Yucatan on her 467th Anniversary
This is an exposition of art, sculpture and photography, presented by Grupo Art’ho, the professional organization to which most Yucateco artists belong..
Location: Galeria del Pasaje Picheta (in the Governor’s Palace, Calle 61 x 60 y 62)
Time: 8:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Theater: Crack or of Things Without a Name (Crack O de las Cosas Sin Nombre)
Location: Centro Municipal de Danza, Calle 62 x 55 y 57
Time: 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Dance: Butoh
Butoh is a type of dance with which we were not familiar, so we went “on the hunt” and found out all about it HERE. There is no other place in the world where one can see the variety of art, music and dance found in Yucatan.
Location: Centro: Calle 61 x 62
Time: 5:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

For ongoing events and classes in Merida,
please click here for our Ongoing Events Calendar