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Buddhist Meditation Classes
These classes are based on the Modern Kadampa Buddhism School. Under the instruction of Ana Luisa Sanchez de la Riva (ordination name: Kelsang Chime), the General Program (GP) will offer you the opportunity to learn how to meditate, relax your mind and live in a life-affirming way. The General Program introduces the basic Buddhist view, medication and practice suitable for beginners. It also includes advanced teachings and practices of both Sutra and Tantra for practitioners with greater experience. For more information, come and interview Kelsang Chime about Buddhism in Mexico and check out their website.
Dates & Times: Beginning Sept. 1st & Every Monday thereafter: 7 PM in Spanish
Beginning Sept. 22 & Every Monday thereafter: 1:00 PM in English.
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 x 72
Admission: $50 MXP

Art Classes

Artists in Mexico (read our interview here) will be offering art classes. While these classes are designed for young people 12 years of age and older, anyone, of any age, who wants to experience one of their classes is welcome to attend. There will be one 15 class workshop in alebrije handicrafts and another 15 class course in sculpture (plaster).
Location: Casa de los Artistas, Calle 60 # 405 x 43 y 45.
More Information: +52 (999) 928-6566
Tuition: $3,800 MXP, includes all materials
Workshops and Classes:
Alebrijes Workshop: In this 15 class workshop, the artists will be teaching students to create their own alebrije handicrafts. The alebrije is a type of imaginary, fantasy character and, in this workshop, they will be constructed of styrofoam and paper mache, and painted bright colors. These are absolutely beautiful. There are examples on the Artists in Mexico website. 
Time: Mondays 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 to 7:00 PM
Sculpture Class:. This course was designed for art students, young people and adults who are interested in learning the plaster method  to working with sculpture.
Time: Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 to 12:00 AM and 4:00 to 7:00 PM  

For information on This Week’s One-Time Events in Merida
please check our Weekly Events Calendar

 

Ongoing Events and Classes

Monday (Lunes)

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

Belly Dancing
Arabian dancing for students of any age who want to connect wtih their sensuality and femininity.
Location: Centro de Yoga y Desarollo Integral Virya, Calle 20 at Calle 19, Plaza Itzimná #7, Itzimná
Time: 8 PM to 9 PM Monday
Admission: Call 127-9810 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. Monday
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes
Website: www.semillayoga.com.mx

Introduction to Yoga
For beginners to yoga. This is an easy class, meant to introduce the student to positions and prepare them for inverted positions (such as head stands..). The class is in Spanish but the teacher speaks English. Call 920 5361 for information.
Location: Centro de Yoga y Desarollo Integral Virya, Calle 20 at Calle 19, Plaza Itzimná #7, Itzimná
Time: 8 AM to 9 AM Monday
Admission: $90 pesos per class or $500 for 8 classes

Restorative Yoga
For yoga students who want to eliminate tension and stress and elongate their body. This is a combination of passive postures, some using equipment such as blocks and ropes. The class is in Spanish but the teacher speaks English. Call 920-5361 for information.
Location: Centro de Yoga y Desarollo Integral Virya, Calle 20 at Calle 19, Plaza Itzimná #7, Itzimná
Time: 9 AM to 10 AM Monday
Admission: $90 pesos per class or $500 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 127-9810 for information

Salsa Classes
We can’t wait! If you need exercise, this is the place to get it!
Location: Expresion Libredanza, Calle 21 # 100 x 18 y 20, Chuburna
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Mon. & Wed.
Admission: $300 MXP per month
For More information, call Raul (999) 997-3251 or Anny (999) 125-0466 English speaking

At Pure Fitness: Pilates Classes

Location: Calle 60 #303 Local 4 x 27 in front of the Consulate
Time: 7:00 PM

At Pure Fitness: Jiu Jitsu: Classes
BJJ is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to forcean attacker to submit.
Location: Calle 60 #303 Local 4 x 27 in front of the Consulate
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Buddhist Meditation Classes
These classes are based on the Modern Kadampa Buddhism School.Under the instruction of Ana Luisa Sanchez de la Riva (ordination name: Kelsang Chime), the General Program (GP) will offer you the opportunity to learn how to meditate, relax your mind and live in a life-affirming way.
Dates & Times: Beginning Sept. 1st & Every Monday thereafter: 7 PM in Spanish
Beginning Sept. 22 & Every Monday thereafter: 1:00 PM in English.
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 x 72
Admission: $50 MXP

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). C 62 by 63
Time: All Mondays 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

 

Tuesday (Martes)

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 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

Tango Classes
Can’t wait to try this! …and Anny is the tops!
Location: Expresion Libredanza, Calle 221 # 100 x 18 y 20, Chuburna
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Tue., Th., & Fri.
Admission: $450 MXP per month
For More information, call Raul (999) 997-3251 or Anny (999) 125-0466 English speaking

At Pure Fitness: Cardio Salsa Classes

Location: Calle 60 #303 Local 4 x 27 in front of the Consulate
Time: 7:00 PM

Wednesday (Miércoles)

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.
Admission: $75 pesos per class or $560 for 8 classes

Salsa Classes
We can’t wait! If you need exercise, this is the place to get it!
Location: Expresion Libredanza, Calle 21 # 100 x 18 y 20, Chuburna
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Mon. & Wed.
Admission: $300 MXP per month
For More information, call Raul (999) 997-3251 or Anny (999) 125-0466 English speaking

At Pure Fitness: Pilates Classes

Location: Calle 60 #303 Local 4 x 27 in front of the Consulate
Time: 7:00 PM

At Pure Fitness: Jiu Jitsu: Classes
BJJ is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to forcean attacker to submit.
Location: Calle 60 #303 Local 4 x 27 in front of the Consulate
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM

All Wednesdays: Home and Garden Tours Are Back!
Look for this event throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring on our Ongoing Classes and Events page. These walking tours take you through three of the beautiful, historic homes in Merida’s Centro District.
Location: Meet at Merida English Library,
Calle 53 #517 x 66 y 68
Time: 9:45 AM (will be finished by 12:30 PM)
Admission: $200 MXP (no reservation necessary)

Tertulias Literarias (Literary Circles)
This event is sponsored by La Periferia and the Literary Network of the Southeast.
Share books, authors, and texts in workshops. From what we understand, this is the beginning of a social network group (enREDémonos) whose purpose it is to strengthen the social fabric of Yucatan by working together to share its literary past, present, and future.
Location: La Periferia, Calle 54 #468 x 53 y 55
Time: 7:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free
Website: Galeria la Periferia
Telephone: (999) 924-1923

Thursday (Jueves)

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

Tango Classes
Can’t wait to try this! …and Anny is the tops!
Location: Expresion Libredanza, Calle 21 # 100 x 18 y 20, Chuburna
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Tue., Th., & Fri.
Admission: $450 MXP per month
For More information, call Raul (999) 997-3251 or Anny (999) 125-0466 English speaking

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

Yucatan Serenade at 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

AA Meeting in English

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

 

Friday (Viernes)

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

Tango Classes
Can’t wait to try this! …and Anny is the tops!
Location: Expresion Libredanza, Calle 21 # 100 x 18 y 20, Chuburna
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Tue., Th., & Fri.
Admission: $450 MXP per month
For More information, call Raul (999) 997-3251 or Anny (999) 125-0466 English speaking

At Pure Fitness: Jiu Jitsu: Classes
BJJ is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to forcean attacker to submit.
Location: Calle 60 #303 Local 4 x 27 in front of the Consulate
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Saturday (Sabado)

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

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

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

Sunday (Domingo)

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

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 Prolongacion 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

Other ongoing events

International Women’s Club Breakfast
Each month, the IWC holds a non-host breakfast that is open to both members and to potential members. You can read about the IWC here and check their calendar for dates, times, and locations here.

Mérida Mens 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 to 10:30 AM Tuesday
Admission: Free (bring a friend)

For information on This Week’s One-Time Events in Merida
please check our Weekly Events Calendar