Friday night: Give a Hand to save a Paw!

Looking for something to do on Friday? Show your support for AFAD, the privately run dog and cat shelter here in Merida. AFAD is holding a benefit fiesta tonite… and they would be pleased as punch if you would attend. There will be food, drink, raffles… all the money going to the dogs, of course! The map to the event is here on the right and it starts at 8 pm. We’ll see you there!

Saturday Night: Christmas Begins!

We’ve added some new events for Saturday… if you have kids or want to get in the Christmas spirit, check it out!

Plan for Next Week…

In honor of the upcoming holiday season, The Museo del Arte Popular will be opening their extensive Nativity set exhibit with a fiesta including music and treats. More information coming, but save the date!
Location: Corner of Calle 57 and Calle 50A on the Parque Mejorada
Date: Saturday, December 8
Admission: We think it’s free… if we find out differently, we’ll update this page.

Monday (Lunes) November 26, 2007

Cuarteto Amadeus

Directed by Antonio Espinoza Canto
Location:Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto
Time: 8:30 P.M.
Admission: Free

La Pastoral
Performed by the Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil, Under the direction of José Luis Chan Sabido
Location: Teatro Peón Contreras, Calle 60 s/n x 57 y 59, Centro
Time: 9:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Conversaciones con Amigos (Conversations with Friends)
Practice Spanish or English with friends. Membership not necessary.
Location: Merida English Library , Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68.
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Admission: Small Donation

Monday Night Football
Football with a chicken wings, beer, fellow football fans and a good cigar! Every Monday night through Dec. 30.
Location: Mercer Cigars, 85-3 Prolongacion Montejo, Colonia Mexico
Tel: 999-944-3647 for information
Time: 7:30 PM until its over
Admission: Free

VAQUERÍA 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

Computer Workshop: Introduction to Windows XP and Word XP

Teacher: Edith Vázquez
Location: Centro Cultural José Martí/Parque de las Américas
For: Anyone 18 years of age and older
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Admission: Free

Tuesday (Martes) November 27, 2007

Didactic Concert for Children
Performed by the Orquesta Jaranera del Mayab
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala Pérez, Calle 60 No. 495 x 59 y 61, Centro
Time: 9:00 A.M.
Admission: Free

Cinema Series. Topic: Of Death and Other Surprises
This week: The Brothers of Iron ( Mexico, 1961). Directed by Ismael Rodríguez.
Commentaries by Lic. Mario Helguera Bolio and invited guests
Location: Centro Cultural José Martí, Parque de Las Américas
Time: 8:00 P.M.
For: Adults and Adolescents
Admission: Free

Movie from Chile:La Llegada a la Democracia
Location: Teatro Mérida, Cineteca Nacional Calle 62 No. 495 x 59 y 61, Centro
Time: 5:00 P.M. & 8:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

For Children: Alas y Raices (Wings and Roots)
A workshop and performance by Rigel the Magician
Location: First floor of the Palacio in Ucú
Time: 5:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Las Trapacerias de Scapin
A Play by De Moliere, performed by Grupo Antro
Location: COBAY, Cenotillo
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Adalberto

One of the best ever trova singers in Yucatan!
Location: First floor of the Palacio, Maxcanú
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Martes de Trova (Tuesday of Trova)

This week: Martha y Nacho
Location: The Auditorium of the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 8:30 P.M.

Admission: Free

Remembrance Musicals

Dance to the Big Band sound of the 40’s, played by the wonderful Jaranara Orchestra. Sit with the crowd in the park, at one of the restaurants that look out over the "dance floor" and eat dinner, or get out there and dance!

Location: Parque de Santiago, Calle 72 by Calle 59
Time: Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM for about 1.5 hours
Admission: Free

Workship: Introducción to Windows XP and Word XP

One of the best ever trova singers in Yucatan!
Location: First floor of the Palacio, Maxcanú
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) November 28, 2007

M.E.L. House & Garden Tour

Conducted by Keith Heitke for the benefit of M.E.L.

Location: The tour departs from the Merida English Library, Calle 53 No. 517 between Calle 66 and 68 and ends at Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 No. 572 between Calle 72 and 74.
Time: 9:45 AM – 12:30 PM, all Wednesdays, October thru March.
Reservations: (999) 924-8401
Information: sterlingheitke [at] prodigy [dot] net [dot] mx
Admission: $200 pesos

Poker Night at Mercer Cigars
Every other Thursday night, there’s a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament at the Mercer Cigars store. Everyone who participates gets a free Cuban cigar. Buy-in is $500 pesos and First place takes 60% plus a Romeo & Juliet Churchill cigar. Complimentary refreshments will be served, and beer, wine, food and cigars are available. Call for more information or to reserve your spot!
Location: Mercer Cigars, Prolongacion Montejo 85-3, 15 y 17, Colonia Mexico (next to La Parilla)
Time: 8:30 P.M.
Phone: 944-3647

Inauguracion: Proyecto Land Art
La Tierra es de Quien la Trabaja
A presentation of the works of Jorge Sánchez y Ariadna Lara
Location: Calle 28 D x 27, Polígono Itzimná
Time: 10:00 A.M.

Admission: Free

Boleros de Yucatan y Cuba
Presented by the Students of the Workshops of Music (Alumnos de los Talleres de Música)
Location: Centro Cultural Mejorada Calle 59 No. 426 x 50 Centro, costado sur Parque de la Mejorada
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Panorama de la Plástica Yucatanense
Fernando Palma, Ermilo Torre, Alonso Gutiérrez, Emilio Vera, Jorge Sobrino, Carol Acereto y Víctor Argáez
Location: Central building of ESAY, Ferrocarriles
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Inauguración de la Biblioteca (Library) Virtual de Yucatán
Presentación of the Edición Facsimilar y Virtual de las Obras (works) de Peón Contreras
Featuring music by: Eduardo Conteras Soto, Jorge Canto Alcocer and Enrique Martín Briceño
Location: Teatro Mérida, Cineteca Nacional, Calle 62 No. 495 x 59 y 61, Centro
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Regional Theater: Huay, Carlos Medina
Location: Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Admission: Free

Wednesday Regional Theater
This week: in Colonia López Mateos
Location: Parque / C. 31-B x 28 y 30
For: the entire family
Time: 7:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Recordando a los Compositores (Remembering the Composers)
Dedicated to Chan Cil and Estela Puerto. Performance by: Trío Ensueño y la Rondalla Yucatán (Absolutely the best of the best!)
Location: Museo de la Canción Yucateca, Calle 60 entre 63 y 61-A
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: At the ticket office or Call for more information

Voces en Bronce (Bronze Voices)
Under the direction of Rubén López
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Funklórico, Mitote Jazz
Under the direction of Arturo Cipriano
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala Pérez, Calle 60 No. 495 x 59 y 61, Centro
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: At the ticket office or Call for ticket information: 924-0277 y 928-6863

Wednesday at the Peón: Cora… Sones del Sureste
A performance by the Kaambal Folkloric Dance Company, under the coordination of Abraham Espinosa Pat.
Location: Teatro Peón Contreras, Calle 60 s/n x 57 y 59, Centro
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: At the ticket office or Call for ticket information: 924-3954 y 924-3843

The International Tribute to The Maya
This is a musical event.
Location: Teatro Mérida
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Workship: Introducción to Windows XP and Word XP
Teacher: Edith Vázquez
Location: Centro Cultural José Martí / Parque de las Américas
For: Anyone 18 years of age and older
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.

Admission: Free

Thursday (Jueves) November 29, 2007

Classic Cinema Double Feature
Location: Videosala at the Olimpo (Calle 61 x Calle 62)
Admission: Free

First Feature: Kirikú and the Wizard (France, 1998)

Cartoons. Directed by Michel Ocelot.

For: the entire family
Time: 6:00 P.M.

Second Feature: The Night of the Hunter (United States, 1955)

Charles Laughton

For: Adults and Adolescents
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Evocation to a Muse: Sister Juan Ines de la Cruz.

A scenic representation of her life and works. Under the direction of Mtra. Yatzaret Castillo Alcalá

Location: Centro Cultural José Martí / Parque de Las Américas
For: Adults and Adolescents
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Classic Thursday: Sequence of the South

De Berio al Minimalismo: Contemporary Music. Under the Direction of Mtro. Javier Alvarez

Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
For: Adults and children over the age of 6
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

"To Remember is to Live"

A dance for those of us who want to get home a little earlier. Again, the Big Band sound of the magical Jaranara Orchestra.
Location: Parque Zoológico del Centenario (The Zoo), Calle 59 at Avenida Itzaes
Time: 4:00 PM
Admission: Free

Yucatan Serenade

The signature romantic serenade of Merida and romantic heart of the City.
Location: Parque Santa Lucía , Calle 60 and 55, Downtown
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Workship: Introducción to Windows XP and Word XP
Teacher: Edith Vázquez
Location: Centro Cultural José Martí / Parque de las Américas
For: Anyone 18 years of age and older
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.

Admission: Free

Orquesta del Recuerdo la SPV (Orchestra of Memory)

Location: First floor of the Palacio in Chichimilá
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Exhibición de Videos Ganadores del Concurso Universitario de Video

Location: Patio of the Cultural Center at UADY
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Mitote Jazz:
Carreta de Sueños (Cart of Dreams)
Under the direction of Arturo Cipriano
Location: Casa de la Cultura, Progreso
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Carlos Tello y sus Amigos: A musical event

Location: First floor of the Palacio in Dzemul
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Tiempos de Nostalgia (Times of Nostalgia)
A performance by Mozú La Voz, one of the premier trova voices of Yucatan.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala Pérez, Calle 60 No. 495 x 59 y 61, Centro
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: At the ticket office or call for information: 924-0277 y 928-6863

Friday (Viernes) November 30, 2007

AFAD Fiesta!

An absolutely required annual event! This fiesta is the annual benefit in support of the AFAD shelter for dogs and cats in Merida. Please support AFAD with your attendance and donations. The event will include wine, food and raffles. This is the least we can do for the animals who stand ready and willing to give us their hearts and lives but, through no fault of their own, have found themselves in desperate circumstances.

Starts at 8 pm. See map and directions at top of the page.

Ballet Folclórico del Estado (The Folkloric Ballet of the State)
Under the direction of Raúl Castillo Alfaro.
With the Orquesta Jaranera del Mayab under the direction of Felipe de Jesús Chi Naal
Location: Casa de la Cultura, Progreso
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Orquesta Típica Yukalpetén
Under the direction of Pedro Carlos Herrera
Location: Parque Principal de Valladolid
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

A Theater Production

By: Grupo de la Casa de la Cultura de Izamal
Location: Motul
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Quinteto de Metales Ek Balam
A musical performance.
Location: Plaza Principal, Ticul
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

A Dance Production

Papeles de Guerra , de Lidya Romero.
Fuera de…, de Nicolás Flores López and Rosalía Loeza.
Al Sur Danza (Dance of the South) under the direction of Víctor Salas
Location: Plaza Principal, Peto
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Regional Theater: Huiro vs Huira
Under the direction of Miguel García Minaburo
Location: Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Round Table: La Ruptura
José Luis Cuevas, Gabriel Ramírez, Manuel Calero, Jorge Sobrino and Jorge Cortés Ancona
Location: Teatro Mérida, Cineteca Nacional
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Café Peña K’aay T’aan
A musical event with Jessica Hernández, Verónica Cupul, Víctor Celis, Gerardo Romero and Felipe Chacón
Location: Casa de la Cultura del Mayab
Time: 8:30 P.M.

Admission: Free

Serenata Universitaria:
Ballet Folclórico de la UADY,
México de Mis Recuerdos (The Mexico of my Memories)
Location: Patio del Centro Cultural Universitario UADY
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán

Tonight’s performance: Las Variaciones under the direction of Juan Felipe Molano
Location: Teatro Peón Contreras
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: $100, $80, $60, $40

Alejandro Filio
This is a must see performance by a quite famous guitarist and singer/songwriter. Should be an excellent evening of entertainment.
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala Pérez
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: At the box office or call for information: 924-0277 and 928-6863

Circo, Maroma y teatro contra el Hastío Matrimonial
Under the direction of Álvaro Carcaño. Staring Silvia Káter and Álvaro Carcaño. We remember these “Against the Weariness of Marriage” performances from last year and they were just hilarious. If you understand Spanish, don’t miss this year’s offerings in what will probably be a cycle of performances.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: At the box office or call for information

La Década
A musical performance by Carlos Tello and his Amigos
Location:Explanada de la Catedral (Esplanade of the Cathedral)
Time: 9:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Baila Merida

This is a weekly dance that moves about the city. Music is by the Jaranara Orchestra.
Location this week:Parque de La Mejorada, Calle 59 x 50 Centro
Time: 8:00 P.M.

Admission: Free

Workshop: Introducción to Windows XP and Word XP
Teacher: Edith Vázquez
Location: Centro Cultural José Martí / Parque de las Américas
For: Anyone 18 years of age and older
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Admission: Free

Saturday (Sabado) December 1, 2007

Cruzada del Arte por la Paz (Art Crusade for Peace)

An unusual ballet performance is coming to Merida, as a part of a program called the Art Crusade for Peace. Sonia Amelia is a prima ballerina who is a world-renowned crotalista. What is a crotalista, you might ask? Someone who plays the castanets! Sounds like an interesting combination!

Location: Teatro Peón Contreras, Calle 60 s/n x 57 y 59, Centro
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Admission: At the ticket office or Call for ticket information: 924-3954 y 924-3843. Tickets cost $300, 200 and 100 pesos.

Christmaslicious Show

Put on by the city of Merida, this show opens tonite at 7 pm, and runs every weekend night (except Dec. for the month of December. There will be a Christmas story play, dancers, music, Rudolf the Reindeer, Hip Hop Jingle Bells and probably a Santa Claus thrown in somewhere. A music show for the whole family!

Location: Remate Paseo Montejo (at the south end of Paseo Montejo)
Time: Fridays 7 and 8:30 pm, Saturdays 8 pm and Sundays 6 and 8 pm, throughout December
Admission: Free

Handcrafts Christmas Fair
The whole park will be set up with tables selling crafts made by local craftsmen and women. Here’s the place to start your Christmas shopping, because you’ll be support the local artisans. To help you shop, at 7 PM, the group called Latino will serenade you. Then at 8 PM, the famous Las Mayas Internacional, a group of women, dressed in traditional huipiles, will sing for you.

Location: Parque Santa Ana, Calle 47 at Calle 60
Time: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Christmas Tree Lighting and Extravaganza
It’s the first Saturday in December, so all the Christmas trees around Merida will be lit tonite. The biggest one, and the biggest party surrounding the event, is in front of the Chedraui grocery store on Prolongacion Paseo Montejo across from Gran Plaza. The tree will be lit, and there will be a show with dancing and music, as well as puestos (stands) selling food and drink (and probably Christmas gifts).

Location: Prolongacion Paseo Montejo, in front of Chedraui and across from Gran Plaza shopping mall
Time: 6:00 PM
Admission: Free

Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night)
An outdoor performance that brings the folklore of all of Mexico to Merida! Music and partying under the stars!

Location: Beginning of Paseo Montejo, Calle 56 A between 47 and 49
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

En el Corazón de Mérida
Outdoor concerts, sidewalk cafes, shopping at night – its all here!
Tonight: Concerts by Trío Trovanova, Mozú La Voz , and Grupo Acústico in Parque de Santa Lucía (Calle 60 at Calle 55)
Location: Also in Plaza Grande, Centro
Time: Saturday nights, from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo) December 2, 2007

Documentary at the Museum of Natural History

Location: Calle 59 # 648 x 84 y 84 A on the north side of the Zoo.
For: the whole family
Time: At noon
Admission: Free

Sunday mornings is for Dogs

A “play-date” for dogs!

Location: In the grass-covered parking lot behind the Hyatt Hotel: north on Calle 60, right on Calle 35, just past Siqueff Restaurant.

Parking lot entrance is on the left.

Time: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM (bring water for you and your dog)

The Bici-Ruta
The Bici-Ruta continues into the fall and winter. Every Sunday, it begins early, at 8:00 AM, though we see them setting up as early as 7:00 am, and ends at noon. Last week, they were setting up for a live concert when we were walking the dogs on Paseo Montejo. The route begins in Ermita and San Juan Parks, passes through Centro and then travels down Paseo Montejo, to include Fiesta Americana, and Paseo de Montejo at the corners of Calles 45, 43, 31, and 29. If you want to play chess, go to the sidewalk outside the Museum of Anthropology on Paseo 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, out Paseo Montejo, and Ends at the glorieta on Prolongation Paseo Montejo (by Burger King).
Time: 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 PM
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. There’s also usually a musical concert in the garden at the MACAY Museum, just off the Paseo de la Revolución next to the main cathedral. If the 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. Or wander up Calle 60 to Santa Lucia Park, 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
Admission: Free, of course…

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
Admission: Free