As expats we are all well aware of the many attributes it takes to live in Merida, our adopted foreign home. Just to name a few: curiosity, a sense of adventure, compassion for others (and ourselves at frustrating times!), flexibility, the love of new languages (Spanish and Maya here)—but there is another attribute we may not be as well aware of, nor take credit for: Creativity!

Yes! It is no longer purely anecdotal: two psychologists have proven that there is a definite link between creativity in artists and writers and living in a foreign country.

William Maddux of INSEAD, a business school in Fountainebleau, France, and Adam Galinsky of the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago, Illinois, reported on their study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. One hundred and fifty-five Americans and fifty-five foreign business students studying in the United States

were given a test by the psychologists to measure creativity. Given only some matches, a candle and a box of thumbtacks they were asked to attach the candle to a cardboard wall so that no wax would drip on the floor when the candle was lit. (Of course all you creative people knew the solution: use the box as a candle holder and attach it to the wall with the thumbtacks.) The results were that 60% of the students who were either living abroad or who had spent some time doing so, solved the problem, whereas only 42% of those who had not lived abroad did.

Then 72 of the Americans and 36 foreigners had their creative negotiating skills examined in a subsequent study. Students were paired off, one playing the role of the seller of a gas station, who then needed to find a job, and the other the role of the buyer who would then need to hire personnel to run their business. The two were likely to reach a stalemate as the buyer had been told he could not afford what the seller had been told was his lowest price. However, when both negotiators had lived abroad, 70% reached a deal in which the seller was offered a position in management at the gas station in return for a lower selling price. When neither of these negotiators had lived abroad, none of the pairs was able to reach a deal!

To make sure they had not merely discovered that creative people are simply more likely to choose to live overseas, the doctors identified and measured personality traits like openness to new experiences, which is known to be predictive of creativity. Even after using specific controls to filter, the statistical connection between living abroad and creativity endured, signifying that it is something specific to living in a foreign place that fosters creativity.

It is not enough to travel to foreign lands: packing your sunscreen and Speedo for Barcelona does not a Picasso make! It is the actual day-to-day living that makes the difference, as we well know! So grab your pencils and paints and passports, you aspiring artists and writers—move to another country, become an expatriate and let the creative adventure begin!

****

INSEAD School in France

Wikipedia on Creativity

Honestly, sometimes it is hard to read these stories. Hard to publish them. Hard not to harden your heart. But we want you to know that there are animals out there, waiting for your love and waiting to love you back. And the good news is that many of these animals are finding homes. Remember Chubby, the puppy found on the street a month after Christmas? He has found a new home and is already starting a life of being pampered and spoiled by two Merida residents who are thrilled to have found him. Here’s the email we just got about Chubby:

I just want to report that everything is working out well with Chubby. We took him to see our veterinarian and she says he has scabies. The good news is that dog scabies are not contagious for humans. He is in the process of receiving treatment for it and it should be cleared up in about two weeks. Meanwhile, we have to keep him away from our kitties so that they do not contract it. That has caused some odd moments in the house, trying to keep them apart. Chubby gave our big female cat, Pepper, quite a good run this morning before I could catch him.  He is very loving and, of course, growing everyday.  Our vet said he will be about 60 pounds !!

Chubby spent the morning playing in the yard and spent this afternoon sleeping at my feet in the office. All is well.  He is very loved and  will be very spoiled.

So, there is always a bit of good news too!

Here are two beautiful dogs from Evolucion who are looking for families, looking for someone to love and spoil them… might that family be yours? We hope so… let us know!

Terry

Terry is a neutered dog, a survivor of a negligent family, being hit by a car, and apparently a few street fights. Terry is blind in one eye and has lost his tail. He loves to rest in the shadows at noon, he gives his paw to greet people and he knows how to stay still if you ask him. As anyone in a new home, he needs not only your affection but a little bit of patience to adapt… but once he feels comfortable, he’s going to be a loving companion. He is not more than 3 years old and weighs about 14 kgs. He needs a family that will give him some exercise, a safe place to stay and a lot of love. If you do that, he’ll give you all that love back and more, lower your blood pressure every time you pet him and warm your heart.

Kimbo

Kimbo’s story tells us that Mexico is changing… but there are still a lot of people who treat animals in ways that we just aren’t very happy about.

A student sent a two page letter to Silvia at Evolucion explaining why he can’t keep Kimbo, a one and a half year old pit bull. He loves his dog and he’s is very anxious to find a good home for his beloved dog. His mother doesn’t want to keep the dog and has told him that the dog has to leave the house!

He has paid a lot of attention to the dog, the dog has all his vaccinations and is well fed and well-behaved. He loves children and is very affectionate to people. He only barks at strangers or when we feels someone is in danger…like a good dog should. He is very playful and very good with other dogs too. He is very afraid of voladores (those homemade bottlerockets that people here just love to set off… many dogs are afraid of them) and he tries to hide in small places when he hears them.

This young man says that he doesn’t understand his family who wants to throw Kimbo out on the street, like his brother did to their previous dog (Kimbo’s mother). We won’t go into what the letter said about the fate of Kimbo’s mother… but it wasn’t a kind thing to do and it wasn’t a happy ending. This student has taken the time and energy to write, trying to find a good family for his beloved dog. He would of course keep the dog if he had the money or a house to be in with him, but as long as he’s studying and living with his mother and brother, the dog is not allow to stay at the house.

Please, help us find a house for Kimbo! The dog and his young master will be eternally grateful.

If you want to adopt Kimbo or Terry, please contact Silvia at evol_anm [at] hotmail [dot] com or call Silvia at: (9991) 930628.

And if you are still remembering Queenie from last week, call Lynn Adair at (999) 965-0660 to adopt her.

Mexico Considers Banning Twitter
First Spain gave judges the power to shut down – or out – sites that facilitate crime. Now, Mexico is considering the same, beginning with Twitter. The main concern here is the speed with which information travels on social networking sites. The example given was the rapid attack on a Marine after he was part of a team involved in the killing of one of Mexico’s druglords. His murder was traced to information passed along through Facebook. In addition, Twitter is being used to avoid drunk driving checkpoints in Mexico, which is leading to an increase in alcohol related accidents. Mexico is already monitoring social networking sites so the government is well aware of the speed at which use of these programs can move information and contribute to increases in crime at all levels.

Los Leones Baseball Season Beginning Soon
“Play Ball” has never been more enjoyable than in Mexico and, specifically, right here in Yucatan! The first game this year will be on March 18th and will be a contest between Yucatan’s Los Leones and Quintana Roo’s Tigres. In 2010, Los Leones will have new equipment, new people, and more passion than ever before. To print a copy of ticket prices and game schedules, visit the website of Los Leones. Just click on Calendario at the top to go to the Game Schedules. If it is too small for you to read, not to worry, it is too small for us as well, but we are working on getting the entire season schedule ready for you before the season begins!

A Yucateco Goes to San Francisco
This week, we read a blog written by a young lady with one of the best grasps of the situation of migrants we have seen. Her name is Alexandra Early. In her blog post, she describes the plight of three Yucatecos as they attempt to cross into the U.S. night after night. Two give up and return to Yucatan, one finally makes it to San Francisco, where he and Alexandra renew their friendship. The details of his life there serve to underscore the need for immigration reform, as well as the need for jobs that are worthy of the skills of young professionals like Alexandra Early. We do hope you will take a few minutes to read Jose Naranjero’s Long Walk to Work. Both Jose’s story and Alexandra’s are important to the way we move forward into the future.

Bancomer Offers Mortgages in Euros
Although these mortgages are specifically for the purchase of property in the new golf and marina resort in Campeche, Bancomer is offering mortgages, for the first time ever, in Euros. Mortgages in US dollars have been available in Mexico for some time now. It must be remembered that requirements for these mortgages are stricter than would be the case in the individual’s home country and the interest rates are higher. Nonetheless, the funds are available and the mortgages are being made. This further expands the options for those who wish to relocate to Mexico and helps to ensure the stability of the real estate market throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.

More Credit Cards in Mexico
U.S. Bancorp, through its payment-processing division Elavon, has teamed with Spain’s Banco Santander to introduce themselves into Mexico’s growing credit card payment market. Not that we would want to deprive the growing middle class in Mexico of the ability to manage their finances through the responsible use of credit cards – but, one would think that they could look northward and see that this is probably not a road they want to travel. We do wish them well and hope their new financial freedoms do not end the same way such dreams are ending elsewhere.

Clements International Expat Youth Scholarship 2010
If you know of an expat student, of any nationality, who has lived in a foreign country for at least 2 years, please pass this scholarship information along to them. Clements International is a leading provider of expat insurance and has decided to return part of the money they have made to expat students in the form of scholarships. Last year, they gave $10,000 USD in scholarships and hope to expand the program this year. Six scholarships will be awarded in two age groups between the ages of 12 and 18. For more information about how to apply, visit the Clements International 2nd Annual Expat Youth Scholarship page.

Maya Classic Auto Rally
This auto rally takes place every year. This year’s dates are February 12 to March 5. The first section begins in Panama City, then passes through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize, before ending in Cancun. The second half of the event goes on through Mexico City and ends in San Diego, California. All participating vehicles are vintage classics. If it is at all possible, you will want to see them when they pass through. They will arrive in Merida on Feb. 28, and leave on March 1. If you haven’t seen the cars that will be participating, you really must visit the website of the Maya Classic Auto Rally. When they are in Merida, they’ll be staying at Hacienda Temozon, so they will probably not pass through downtown.

Vendor Butane Safety
Can you imagine how dangerous it would be if unregulated, unlicensed, and untrained vendors were allowed to roam through Carnival while cooking with butane? Such was the case not too many years ago and it is a miracle there were not more deaths and injuries than there were. Today, however, times and circumstances have changed. Butane bottles and cooking equipment is safer than ever before and Civil Protection makes certain that all vendors have safe equipment and the proper education on how to use that equipment prior to every major holiday, including Carnival. If any irregularities are found, the vendor is given a notice and time to fix the problem. If he or she does not return with the problem resolved, their licenses to do business are immediately lifted until they do. This takes one more worry off the minds of those who want to enjoy the crowds and merriment during Carnival time.

Progreso Getting Work Training Center for the Disabled
There are many disabled individuals who want to work and earn their own way in the world. Over the years, we have seen one municipality after another in Yucatan build everything from bakeries to restaurants in order to give these deserving individuals an opportunity to achieve their dreams. Now, Progreso is building its own workshop to train disabled individuals in skills that will earn them a living wage. The first workshop will be a bakery. After that, direction will be led by the needs of the workplace. All training programs will be approximately 6 to 7 months, with workers learning at their own pace. This topic also reminds us that the disabled citizens in Merida have asked to be invited to volunteer in community service projects, so please do keep them in mind when extra sets of caring hands are needed.

This Week… starting February 8

Municipal Fiestas This Week

What? No Municipal Fairs or Fiestas this week? There are no regularly scheduled municipal fairs and fiestas this week because it is the week leading up to Carnival. There are celebrations in every corner of Yucatan and no place more so than in Merida. If you are in an outlying town or village, just drop by the local Casa de la Cultura or the Office of the Mayor to ask what’s happening in your town for Carnival.

Carnival 2010: Merida, Yucatan
When we looked at the Events this week, we thought that there really doesn’t seem to be much happening in Merida, and then we realized that there are huge Carnival events and/or parades every single day beginning on Wednesday. If anyone did schedule additional events, no one would be able to get to them because of the crowds! Park the car and walk – or take a bus. This is going to be a grand party that lasts for 7 full days and nights! The worst days for driving are Sunday and Tuesday, when all of Paseo de Montejo will be blocked off for most of the day and night. On the days when the parade is at night, Paseo de Montejo will be open in the mornings, but will start to close around 2 in the afternoon. Usually. Nothing is for sure during this week, so plan accordingly.

In the City of Merida

Monday (Lunes) February 8, 2010

No Special Events listed for today, but See Our Ongoing Events for plenty to do in Merida!

Tuesday (Martes) February 9, 2010

Presentation of the Piece of the Month
Founding of the League of Social Action
Location: Museum of the City of Merida, Calle 56 x 65
Time: 9:00 AM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Manhattan
Director: Woody Allen. This 1979 movie stars Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy, Mariel Hemingway, and Meryl Streep. A divorced New Yorker currently dating a high-schooler looks for love in the mistress of his best friend instead. The beginning of the Me Generation.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova: Trio Sentimiento
This performance is under the direction of Andy Uicab.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Café Pena K’aay T’aan: 100th Program Celebration
Tonight there will be a special program to celebrate the 100th Tuesday performance in this great café environment. Here is where you will hear and see the Mayan stars of tomorrow. Sometimes there are artists and poets, sometimes writers or dancers. But always there is music. This should be a great show, so plan to be there to celebrate with them.
Location: Casa de la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 65 x 64
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) February 10, 2010

Quema del Mal Humor (Burning of Bad Moods)

The kickoff of Carnival. Lots of fireworks… let the party begin!
Location: Lower Floor of the Municipal Palace, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday in Concert: Banda “Eulogy”
This performance is entitled Tribute to “Tool”
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Charlie Bartlett
(U.S., 2007) Director: John Poll, Starring Anton Yelchin (as Charlie), Hope Davis, Kat Dennings, and Robert Downey, Jr. (as the Principal). A rich kid becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body of his new high school – a comedy/drama.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti/ Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

A Musical Recital: Grupo Rock Alternativo
This generation of rock lovers makes our generation look a little “quaint,” but that’s ok. They have a new and improved rock and its great to see how far they have come.
Location: Casa De la Cultura del Mayab, Calle 65 x 64
Time: 8:30 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

6th International Symposium on More Business Value: A World Strategy
Dates: Feb. 10, 11, & 12
Sponsored by UADY’s College of Accounting and Business Administration.
These 3 days will include 9 conferences, attended by students from 15 universities, as well as other interested parties. You are cordially invited to attend as well.
Location: Convention Center Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: Registration on 10th at 9:00 AM
Admission: Pre-registration: $400 pesos, registration on the 10th, $600 pesos
For More Information: simpomasvalor[at]gmail[dot]com, or call: 999 157-6972, or visit their website: www.simpomasvalor.org 

Thursday (Jueves) February 11, 2010

Pre-School Parade

Really, this parade gets the highest points for charming! Kids in costumes are just adorable… and it’s a short parade, so if you’re a little late, you might miss it.
Location: From the Municipal Palace to Parque Santa Lucia
Time: 4:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Videos and Concerts of The Cure
This is a great alternative rock group.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Movie: Snatch
This is a 2000 Guy Richie film, Starring Brad Pitt. Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20, Garcia Ginerés
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) February 12, 2010

Corso Parade
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $28 pesos per chair, or free along Montejo and after the Plaza. Restaurants along the route often have special seating to eat and see the parade.

Slow Foods Farmer’s Market
This organic farmer’s market will launch today and will be held every Friday after that. Vendors who wish to sell their products at the Farmer’s Market must send a solicitation describing the product and retail prices to David Sterling Los Dos Cooking School, Calle 68 No. 517, Colonia Centro. You may also e-mail chefsterling [at] los-dos [dot] com. Here’s a tip about the vendors from Monique Duval’s weekly newsletter:

So who are the vendors, you ask? Well if you have a tree laden with fruit in your back yard and don´t know what to do with all that organic food, perhaps you should consider being a vendor. (Attached you will find a simple  application form and criterion list for vendors.) It only costs 25 pesos per table or you can share a table with a friend. (You provide the table.) That is exactly what the amazing bio-music therapist Vanessa Calfan will be doing. Years ago she planted a passion fruit (maracuya) vine which is now a vigorous and massive plant that is sprawling and spilling in every nook and cranny of her back yard. She´ll be at the market sharing her fruit. Martine Bordi, organizer of the French club Quoi de Neuf Merida, is bringing her star fruit from the Carambola tree in her back yard. This abundant tree gives more fruit then her family and friends can eat so, she, too, will be at the market. These are women who have heard about the market and have decided to share their wealth with us. That is the spirit and essence of this market and I hope that you pass that thought around.

But you don’t have to SELL to enjoy the Farmer’s Market… you can BUY, of course! Monique Duval’s breads and yogurts, arugula, crabcakes, pizza crust and other delicacies will be available (email monique to find out more at moniqueduval [at] aol [dot] com), and of course, a number of other vendors will be there selling fresh tofu and soy milk, quail and eggs, free range chickens and eggs, organic peanut butter and honey, locally grown vegetables and fruits (some of them organic!), homemade granola, sauces, artisan breads, organic goat cheese, dairy products. There even might be fish! Come show your support and stock up your kitchen with good healthy homemade things!
Location: Calle 31 # 70 x 12 y 14, Col. Chuburna de Hidalgo
Phone: 999-928-1116
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Friday
Admission: Free

Shorts from the Festival KINOKI
This is an international festival of university cinema groups and is supposed to be the best of the best. It is well worth checking out.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Saturday (Sábado) February 13, 2010

Parade of Fantasia
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $28 pesos per chair, or free along Montejo and after the Plaza

Movie: Closer
Director: Mike Nichols. This 2004 movie stars Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo) February 14, 2010

Sunday: Feb. 14, 2010: Parade de Bachata
Well – its certainly shorter to say Bachata than “Laissez et la bon temps rouler!” – and easier to spell too! This is a parade to make some noise and have a good time!
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 12:00 PM
Admission: $28 pesos per chair, or free along Montejo and after the Plaza

Movie: Love Actually
Director: Richard Curtis. This 2003 movie stars Bill Nighy, Colim Firth, Sienna Guillory, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson, among others. It follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Carnaval Next Week

Carnival 2010: Merida, Yucatan

Monday: Feb. 15, 2010: Regional Parade
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 7:00 PM

Tuesday: Feb. 16, 2010: Battle of Flowers Parade
Location: From the Monumento a la Patria to Parque de San Juan
Time: 12:00 PM

Wednesday: Feb. 17, 2010: Burning of Juan Carnival

The end to Carnival….more fireworks!
Location: Plaza Grande
Time: 7:00 PM

Coming Soon

Feb. 20: World Championship Boxing in Merida!
Guty Espadas (former champ) vs Elio Rojas (current champ),
With Espadas as the clear local favorite!
Location: Poliforum Merida, Kukulcan Stadium
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Tickets available at MegaMedia (Prolongacion Montejo in front Club Campestre) and Materama (Construction stores)

The Symphonic Orchestra of Yucatan
Don’t forget to sneak a peek at the coming offerings from the Symphonic Orchestra this Spring. Stars we will see include: Christopher Collins (violin) in February, Robbin Blanco (classical guitar) in March, Alfredo Arjona (piano) in April, Luis Mora (clarinet) in May, and the big finale to the entire season is… Carmen (the opera) is back in June for six performances! …and you will never guess who is singing in the role of Carmen! Carla Dirlikov! Carla is a young friend of ours and the U.S. Cultural Envoy to Mexico. What a season!
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: Friday performances: 9:00 PM, Sunday performances 12:00 PM
Admission:$150, $100, $80 and $60 pesos. 25% discount for children and INAPAM
More Information: 923-1334 and 923-1335

Feb. 19: Experimental Film Screening: Much Such Jedz
The film is by Byrt Wammack Weber. The evening will include a collective showing of the work of the Turix and Mayan community, as well as the national premiere of the work of Elijah Puc, who will participate in the International Electroacoustic Music Festival “Spring in Havana 2010.”
Location: the MACAY
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

Feb: 21: Haiti: Witness to Catastrophe
On January 12, 2010 only two Merida residents — Julie Hoover, president of MERIDA VERDE, and her Haitian-born husband, Serge Lafontant — are known to have been in Port-au-Prince when a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing the capital to rubble. We invite you to join us as Serge will give a discussion of what it was like to arrive in Port-au-Prince hours before disaster, and of their experiences living, suffering, mourning and surviving among the people of Haiti. Julie will follow with a brief summary of the main political issues associated with the provision of subsequent humanitarian assistance and the controversies associated with future reconstruction efforts, followed by suggestions for follow-up actions.
Location: Casa Catherwood, Calle 59 # 572 between Calles 72 and 74
Time: 6 p.m.
Admission: $200 pesos to benefit International Red Cross
RSVP: Please email: info [at] casa-catherwood [dot] com

Feb. 27: Casa Zamna: A Night of Carnival Magic & Music
Latin American music from Samba to Salsa. A roast pork sit down dinner will be served with all the trimmings, including flan, with fruit in a rum sauce topped with cream for desert and Caribbean coffee. Limit to number of guests: 40. The theme is Carnival and there are great prizes to be won!
Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53 #547, Barrio de Santiago, Merida Centro
Time: 8:00 PM, Music begins at 8:30 PM
Admission: $100 pesos, reservations must be paid in advance due to catering
Reservations & Information: 999 924 0103

March 7: Support Brazos Abiertos: Showcase of Homes
This home tour features the award winning designs of Merida architect Henry Ponce.
Admission: $250 pesos per person
 For more information, contact John Truax john [at] hivyucatan [dot] org

March 7: Guiness Record for Cochinita Pibil
Fundación Produce Yucatán, AC, organizer of Expocampo Yucatán, invites you to come and be part of history! A Guiness Judge will be coming all the way from New York City to judge the world’s largest Cochinita Pibil. According to official reports, the entire Conchinita Pibil will contain more than 2,850 kilos of raw materials, including over 2,000 kilos of raw meat. This is a once in a lifetime event, so you can be sure that everybody is going to be on hand to celebrate! We’ll see you there!
Location: Siglo XXI, on the road to Progreso
Time: We suspect this will be an event that will be all day, at the very least, and more than one day if we know Yucatan’s hospitality like we do.
Admission: TBA – but probably Free!

March 14: Support Brazos Abiertos: Houston AIDS Walk
Brazos Abiertos asks that you support the work they do by joining the Houston AIDS Walk. Please go to aidswalkhouston.org and join their team!

Saturday: April 3: Sir Elton John To Sing at Chichen Itza
This performance is one that many have been waiting for, but only a few will enjoy! This singer-composer-pianist has sold over 250 million records and has had more than 50 hit songs. There is not a generation in the past 40 years that has not had their age defined by one of his masterpieces. If you missgetting a reserved ticket, we are certain there will be other opportunities to get a ticket between now and the time of the concert. We will keep you informed with all the latest on this exciting event.
Admission: $10,000 pesos, $7,000 pesos, $5,000 pesos, $3,000 pesos, $2,000 pesos and $1,000 pesos.
Tickets on sale: www.ticketmaster.com.mx and Siglo XXI Convention Center

Starting June 11: Carmen
Friend of Merida Carla Dirlikov will be starring in the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Carmen. This is sure to be a stunning event that will be repeated for only six performances. Tickets will be on sale at the Teatro Peon Contreras sometime soon… we’ll let you know when we know more! For the entire Symphony schedule, check here.

For Merida Month-at-a-glance Calendar, click here

or

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