Municipal Fiestas This Week

Ticul: Fair Trade Expo, Footwear & Crafts – March 18 – 28
Come and see the new Spring and Summer lines of fashion footwear, as well as the pottery and other artisan products of the area at the Fair Trade Expo, Footwear and Crafts.

Spring Break in Cancun
Cancun is coming back in style. Spring Break has begun and the entertainment lineup is spectacular! This week, Akon, Young Money and Snoop Dog are all performing. The party begins on Tuesday and ends with the after-party on Saturday.

Municipal Events, Fiestas and Festivals This Week
There are no municipal fiestas or festivals beginning this week. Instead, people are busy getting ready for the non-stop activity and events that will take place during the Easter holidays, known in Mexico as Semana Santa.

Also, events in the Municipality of Merida are not listed for this week due to a requirement associated with pre-election campaigning for Mayor of Merida.

In the City of Merida

Monday (Lunes) March 15, 2010

Anniversary Concert: 18 Years of ‘Top and Valerina‘
‘Top and Valerina’ is a local radio program starring Mario Chacon.
Tonight’s performance is by Carlos Tello and his Amigos
Location: Teatro Daniel Ayala
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: Free

Tuesday (Martes) March 16, 2010

Cairo Cinema Cafe: Waking Life
(2001 Australia) A man shuffles through a dream meeting various people and discussing the meanings and purposes of the universe. The movie uses an arresting combination of film and animation, making it an even more dreamlike experience.
Location: Calle 20 # 98-A x 15 y 17
Time: 7:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) March 17, 2010

Concert: La Fabrika Bohemika
This musical performance stars Gabriela Garcia, Paola Cochegrus, Lizza Rodriguez, and Sergio Moreno.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $100 pesos

March 17: Concert for the Animals (sponsored by AFAD)
A concert featuring a local cover band, playing indie/alternative music!
Location: Casa de La Cultura, C. 63 # 503 A x 64 y 66 Centro
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: Free, but bring something for the animals: cans or bags of Pedigree or Cat Chow food, Frontline or any other flea or tic-avoidance mechanism (collars, shampoos, etc.), toys, treats, collars, leashes, any vet medicine, cleaning supplies for the kennel (chloro, soap, rags, brooms, mops, buckets, etc.), iodine, syringes, latex gloves, towels, mats, anything for a pet to sleep on (clean, please). All donations will be used at the AFAD animal shelter. For more information, you can see their website at www.afad.org.mx.

What’s To Do on St. Patrick’s Day?
Before you go to the AFAD benefit concer listed above, you can maybe consider some of these other St. Patty’s Day events:

• Hotel Zamna has a 3 course Irish dinner and a stand-up comedian. There are still tickets available.  Call: 999-924-0103 or stop by Calle 53 #547 x 70 y 72
• Bennigan’s has low prices on drinks and, if you are wearing green, you get one beer free – but no Irish music.
• Last year, the Irish Pub on Prolong. Montejo didn’t do much for St. Patrick’s Day – no Irish menu and no Irish music
• La Casa del Habanos (formerly Mercer Cigars) has recorded Irish music but, if patrons make a reservation as a group, they will prepare a special menu. In addition, they plan to play the Irish Parade from New York City on TV at 10:00 AM. They say the only thing they might have trouble providing is green beer. Their telephone number is 944-3647

Thursday (Jueves) March 18, 2010

Concert: Trio Oriente
This performance stars Armando Martin (guitar), Arturo Baez(bass) and Hernan Hecht(drums) playing classical pieces.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

The Yucatones Are Back: One Night Only!
Come out and see the Yucatones, along with special guest Alfred Roredame. Be sure to be there for the second set, which will be all music from the Beatles!
Location: El Hoyo, Calle 62 # 487 x 57 y 59
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: No Cover but El Hoyo has great and reasonably priced sandwiches, salads, coffee, soft drinks, and a full bar, so come early and make a night of it!
 Note: The legendary Yucatones are also available for your private party: 99 92 31 02 52 (cell)

Cruz Roja Fashion Show
This fashion show will present three dozen designs that fit the trends of the season, complete with all accessories. The clothes are all very feminine in cut, color and texture and it is expected to be quite a successful show. All proceeds go to assist the Volunteer Ladies of the North Delegation of Cruz Roja with their projects throughout the year.
Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $200 pesos: Tickets available at the North Delegation of Cruz Roja (Colonia Gonzalo Guerrero), or through Reina Diaz (Calle 30 #331 x 41, Plaza Las Margaritas, San Ramon Norte), Gerado Sanchez Fashion House (Calle 31 #87-D x 12, Colonia Mexico), or by calling Claudia Sierra Medina at 944-0687. 

Ted Browning Film Festival: The Devil Doll
This film is from 1936. It stars Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Frank Lawton. An escaped Devil’s Island convict uses miniaturized humans to wreak vengeance on those that framed him. We think maybe we saw this movie one early Saturday morning in the Fifties… it was very cool!
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 47 y 45, Frente a la Iglesia de Santa Ana
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cairo Cinema Cafe: District Nine
(2009 US) Stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt. Nominated for 4 Oscars, 10 other wins, 40 nominations. An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.
Location: Calle 20 # 98-A x 15 y 17
Time: 7:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Video: La Fiesta Patronal de la Virgen de la Concepcion
This is a video of the annual local fiesta for the Virgen de la Concepcion in Celestun. We know this is a little out of the way, but if you happen to be in the area, it is probably a video you won’t be able to see anywhere else!
Location: Municipal Palace in Celestun

Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) March 19, 2010

Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Tonight’s program is a tribute to Chopin and Schumann. Directors for this performance will be our own Juan Carlos Lomonaco and, special guest director, Jose Guadalupe Flores. Martyn van den Hoek will be featured as the piano soloist.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras
Time: 9:00 PM Friday

Admission: $150, $100, and $80 pesos with a 25% discount for INAPAM, children 6 to 12 years of age and students.

Ted Browning Film Festival: The Devil Doll
This film is from 1936. It stars Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Frank Lawton. An escaped Devil’s Island convict uses miniaturized humans to wreak vengeance on those that framed him. We think maybe we saw this movie one early Saturday morning in the Fifties… it was very cool!
Location: Centro de Artes Visuales, Calle 60 x 47 y 45, Frente a la Iglesia de Santa Ana
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Cairo Cinema Cafe: District Nine
(2009 US) Stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt. Nominated for 4 Oscars, 10 other wins, 40 nominations. An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.
Location: Cairo Cinema Café, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Saturday (Sábado) March 20, 2010

Handicraft Expo: AANY’s Arte A Mano
Good thing there isn’t too much going on this week, because you’ll want to save your time (and money!) for this event! If you haven’t already read about it, you can read about the AANY event here. This sale of handmade artworks from local artists is a great place to find presents, handmade clothing or furnishings for your home here. One of the interesting artisans is Don Cutz, a young man (age 75) who retired and took up making rustic furniture with his grandson 15 years ago. He is, evidently, quite good at making a variety of furnishings from wood and white vines, such as living room furniture, dressers, chairs, tables, and rocking chairs, as well as decorative handicrafts. His work has been exhibited in Merida in other shows and by the Merida Lions Club. The name of his workshop is Zaac-ack (white vine). You will also find embroidery, jewelry, sculpture, handmade paper, metalwork and so much more.
Location: COPARMEX, Ave. Hidalgo Garcia Gineres x 38, Merida
Time: Sat. 20th: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Cairo Cinema Cafe: Inland Empire
(2007 Belgium) Stars Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, and Justin Theroux. An actress’s perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted as she finds herself falling for her co-star in a remake of an unfinished Polish production that was supposedly cursed.
Location: Cairo Cinema Cafe, Calle 20 No. 98A x 15 y 17, Col. Itzimná
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Slow Food Market Moves to Saturdays
The beginning of the Slow Food Market was a rousing success! In order to serve the needs of those who work on weekdays, it has been decided to move the market to Saturdays.
Location: Calle 31 x 60, Chuburna de Hidalgo, catty-cornered to the Super Faraon (turn at the light across the street from the OXXO).
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free – but please consider becoming a member (and encourage others to do so as well)! Membership is only $100 pesos per year and directly supports keeping the market going, as well as providing assistance to sustainable and organic production in Yucatan. There is a membership sign-up table on the porch on market day.

Sunday (Domingo) March 21, 2010

Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Today’s program is a tribute to Chopin and Schumann. Directors for this performance will be our own Juan Carlos Lomonaco and, special guest director, Jose Guadalupe Flores. Martyn van den Hoek will be featured as the piano soloist.
Location: Teatro Peon Contreras
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: $150, $100, and $80 pesos with a 25% discount for INAPAM, children 6 to 12 years of age and students.

Carrera de Los Amigos (Race of Friends)
If you are into running, this race is for you! There will be both a 5 km and a 10 km race. You can sign up at Talleres Graficos La Carpeta, Calle 6 #116 x 13 y 15, Expendio de Pan Bimbo, Calle 56 #524 x 65 y 67, Parque Taben Tah (Altabrisa) (this one before the event only), Mundo Deportivo (Plaza Fiesta, Gran Plaza, Plaza Dorado and Centro), Mi Miel at Calle 20 #92-C in Itzimna.
Location: Parque Taben Tah in Altabrisa
Time:7:00 AM Sunday (runners must arrive before 6:30 AM)
Admission: Varies by category. For more information, call 927-6361

Wings To Fly
Wings to Fly is an association that was founded on 07/07/07, for the purpose of serving disadvantaged children. This year, there will be a 300 meter walk, by parents and children, in support of the mission of Wings to Fly. All donations this year will go to assist the nutritional support program at the St. Vincent de Paul dining room in the colonia Nueva Sambula. Seven people of achievement will be invited guests on the walk, one of which will be Erik Avila, Cuxum actor and Merida’s Carnival King for 2010. With Erik along, a grand time is sure to be had by all. At the end of the walk, there will be a festival. Children are encouraged to dress for Spring and to bring banners with children’s rights slogans. They are even encouraged to bring pets!
Location: Monumento a la Patria to Plaza Grande
Time: 9:00 AM
Admission: $50 peso donation per walking family

Documentary: Where the River Meets the Sea
There is a complex and wonderful habitat at the point where any river meets the sea. This documentary explores that environment.
Location: Museum of Natural History, Calle 59, next to the Zoo
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Cairo Cinema Cafe: Good Job
This is part of a series called ‘Sunday’ by Claire Denis. We suspect that this series is as much about learning how to appreciate all types of films as much as it is about the work of Ms. Denis. It looks quite interesting and we do recommend attending.
Location: Calle 20 # 98-A x 15 y 17; Col. Itzimna
Time: 7:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Handicraft Expo: AANY’s Arte A Mano
Good thing there isn’t too much going on this week, because you’ll want to save your time (and money!) for this event! If you haven’t already read about it, you can read about the AANY event here. This sale of handmade artworks from local artists is a great place to find presents, handmade clothing or furnishings for your home here. One of the interesting artisans is Don Cutz, a young man (age 75) who retired and took up making rustic furniture with his grandson 15 years ago. He is, evidently, quite good at making a variety of furnishings from wood and white vines, such as living room furniture, dressers, chairs, tables, and rocking chairs, as well as decorative handicrafts. His work has been exhibited in Merida in other shows and by the Merida Lions Club. The name of his workshop is Zaac-ack (white vine). You will also find embroidery, jewelry, sculpture, handmade paper, metalwork and so much more.
Location: COPARMEX, Ave. Hidalgo Garcia Gineres x 38, Merida
Time: Sun. 21st: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
Admission: Free

Coming Soon

Wednesday March 24: A Tribute to Santana
Local bands, we imagine, playing Santana music.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 9:00 PM
Admission: $50 pesos, Students and INAPAM: $30 pesos

VIMA Kite Surfing Event in Cozumel – Weekend of March 26th through 29th
The best kitesurfers in Mexico will be on hand, since this tournament is part of the national kitesurfing circuit. There will be three categories in the tournament: Men’s Freestyle, Women’s Freestyle and Course Racing. There will also be non-stop parties throughout the weekend and even a bikini contest. As always, for the most up-to-date information, you can visit the Cozumel 4 You website (www.czm4u.com).

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 thepast 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!

March 15: The Birthday of Benito Juarez
Today is the birthday of the only President of Mexico who was a full-blooded indigenous national and the first President who did not have a military background. Juarez is still one of Mexico’s most revered and beloved leaders who not only resisted the French invasion and oversaw the reinstatement of the Republic of Mexico but who also made many improvements in an attempt to modernize the country. He was a lawyer, a judge and the governor of Oaxaca before he was forced to flee the country because of his opposition to Santa Anna. He spent his exile in New Orleans, working in a cigar factory. When he came back, he became President, and was re-elected twice. He died at his desk of a heart attack. Of course, there is much more to his fascinating history than this, and since today is a holiday and everything is closed, you’ll have time to read more about Benito Juarez here.

Domestic Cruises to Begin March 20
Pullmantur Cruises will begin traveling from their home port, Cozumel, and bring passengers on a 7-day cruise to Montego Bay, the Grand Cayman Islands, Costa Maya and Progreso, Yucatan. 75% of all passengers are expected to be Mexicans, while 25% are expected to be from Spain.

Good Luck to the Mero Fishermen

At the stroke of midnight on March 16, the mero (grouper) fishermen will leave port to head out on the first mero fishing expeditions of the season. The fish caught during this time of year are the backbone of the fishing economy of Yucatan, so we know how important this is. Yucatan has approximately 15,000 fishing families that directly depend on the money made during this season, and all of the other merchants, with whom they do business, find their year either made or broken by the success of the fishermen. We hope they are successful beyond their dreams and that they all come home safely.

Mayan Xic Scores Big Around the World!
After Merida hit the Guiness Book of World Records with the world’s biggest cochinita pibil, Mayan Xic produced a tee-shirt emblazoned with:  I “Heart” Cochinita. The shirt has been an immediate local and international success, for which we heartily congratulate the owner. You can read our interview with him here.

Valladolid Emergency Personnel: Mom – I’m Ok… but…
Have you ever gotten one of those phone calls? “You got only how many stitches? You fell down the stairs to the what? What’s a cenote?” If your children are traveling to the Yucatan, try not to be too worried. The hostel staff and firemen at Dzitnup in Valladolid and at Kaua Airport all just completed their emergency medical courses and are ready to assist intrepid travelers and residents if they are injured or become ill, as well as get them to the proper paramedics and hospitals if necessary. Congratulations to the new graduates and our sympathies to anyone who needs their services.

Foot Traffic Only on the Malecon? We Think Not!
We understand that there has been a suggestion that it might be a good idea to turn the Malecon, in Progreso, into a pedestrian only boardwalk on the Saturday and Sunday of Easter. Here is the situation. There are too many people and too many vehicles on the Malecon on those days and, indeed, on every major holiday. If Progreso was anywhere else in the world, the Malecon would have been turned into a pedestrian only boardwalk years ago. But it isn’t anywhere else. If vehicles were banned from the Malecon, how would young people “see and be seen?” What would old people have to complain about?  Where would people park? It only takes 3 or 4 trips around the center of Progreso to find a parking place on the Malecon. At least you get to see the sights and determine for yourself that very little ever changes in Progreso. So – no. We are all used to being inconvenienced by trying to drive on the Malecon on holidays and it wouldn’t feel right if all we had left were the stories of old people who “remember when” cars were so thick on the Malecon that you could stir them with a stick. As far as we know, the pedestrian-only plan has been tabled for now.

New 3 x 1 Projects in Hunucma
Many of our North of the Border residents do not understand how the money sent back home by Mexican emigrants to the U.S. is spent and believe that all of this money goes to support individual families back home. Such is not the case. Both emigrants and the Mexican government long ago realized that towns can do a whole lot more with a larger lump sum than they can with a few pesos being spent here and there by individual families. Back in February, between 15 and 20 Yucateco mayors traveled to the U.S. to meet with emigrants from their municipalities. They brought pictures of the projects they have already completed with the 3 x 1 money and gave them a report on the new projects they would like to complete. 3 x 1 means that the federeal, state, and local governments match the money put into the program by emigrants three to one, making it possible for the municipalities to complete very large projects, such as municipal markets, restoring parks, repairing roads, and bringing basic services to people who have never before had them. Congratulations to Hunucma for getting the go-ahead for this year’s completion of their municipal market and thanks to all of the emigrants who are making this good work possible. 

Read the Real Thing: The Books of Chilan Balam
As 2012 draws nearer, we may want to have a little more background of the history of the Maya under our belts. We often hear of a mysterious sounding set of books called The Books of Chilan Balam, the Prophetic and Historic Records of the Mayas of Yucatan. The Books of Chilan Balam recently went online as a courtesy of Project Gutenberg. We hope you enjoy reading the history and true prophesies of the people who have lived in our adopted state for more centuries than we will ever know.

Mano Amiga Celebrates 22 Years
We all know how important it is to have a concrete roof when hurricanes, or even the long winter rains, come to Yucatan. For the past 22 years, Mano Amiga has come to Yucatan to put a concrete roof on the homes of the poor in Progreso, Chelem, Chuburna, and Ixil. This year, there are 90 high school students staying in a Presbyterian camp in Churburna Puerto. They pay their own way here and cover their own expenses during the trip. Visit the Mano Amiga website to learn more about this great volunteer opportunity! And if you are interested in participating next year, contact Denis Larsen, owner of Casa Hamaca in Valladolid.

17 Year Old Hospitalized with Sudden, Intense Lupus
Daphne Montserrat is an active, engaged high school student from Escarcega, Campeche. She belongs to her school’s jazz band and was just here in Merida for jazz band competition in November. Now she has returned in a wheelchair, descended to critical condition, and begun to improve – all because of the onset of sudden and intense Lupus. This is devastating news to both Daphne and to her family, especially to her mom, who is a high school teacher. Daphne’s hospital bills are now over $200,000 pesos and her mom is urgently seeking help to cover these bills. Many of us have friends or family members who suffer from Lupus and know how desperately sick these patients can become and how quickly that can happen. If you can, won’t you please help Daphne and her mom? The family has left a cell number where they can be reached: (045) 982 -107-5379 and two locations in Campeche: Calle 59 x 22 y 24 s/n, Colonia Unidad, Fuerza and Trabajo No. 2, in Escárcega.

Police Warning
Please be careful not to purchase any seafood that is not in season. There are road blocks set up to stop the illegal sale of pulpo and fish that are out of season (and you thought they were there to catch narcotraffickers!). This is a crime and you will be arrested. In addition, no one is saying not to drink alcohol, but please do not do it on the streets and do not drink and drive. Arrests for both are already being made. Public drunkenness and drunk driving are simply not going to be tolerated in Yucatan during the holidays. 

Tibetan Monks
We just got news that a group of Tibetan Monks will be in town from Friday, March 19 until Sunday, March 21. Tulku Dawa Rinpoche and Lama Sonam Gyaltsen will be visiting Merida. The Lama lives and teaches at the Maitreya Institut in the Netherlands, and Tulku Dawa Rinpoche appears to be affiliated with a group in Northern California. They will be doing pujas and purification ceremonies. When we know more about any public events, we will publish them in the Events calendar. In the meantime, if you are interested, you can email abidarma5 [at] hotmail [dot] com for more information.

]]> http://www.yucatanliving.com/news/yucatan-news-benito-juarez-day.htm/feed 0 http://www.yucatanliving.com/art/aany-merida-art-show.htm http://www.yucatanliving.com/art/aany-merida-art-show.htm#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:24:50 +0000 Working Gringos http://www.yucatanliving.com/?p=1642 AANY (Amigos de Artistas/Aartesanos Nuevos de Yucatan) is a volunteer group of local international residents working to advance the work of three-dimensional craft artists in the Yucatan. Their mission is to identify fine craft artists both in the pueblos and in art studios in the large cities, to bring the artists and their work to a marketplace in Merida, and to help artists both refine their work and seek out larger markets.

The first AANY exhibition was in November 2008; the second was in March, 2009, and the third, ARTE A MANO, was at the Club de Leones, on the weekend of December 5-6, 2009. According to Joan Farrell, the director, "attendance has grown amazingly and sales have far exceeded expectations. Our events have become much anticipated in the Merida community, and we now have the endorsement of the Instituto de Cultura de Yucatan (ICY). ARTE A MANO was even featured as a part of the ICY Otoño Cultural, 2009."

Personally, we can vouch for that. Having attended the last few AANY shows, we have learned to only put as much money in our pocket as we will allow ourselves to spend, because the temptations are great. At the last show we picked up woven floormats from Campeche, earrings and rings, beautiful little salt holders carved from bull’s horns, an incredibly original painted hemp shawl and various gourd masks and vases. Many of these purchases were given as Christmas presents to our loved ones back in the States, and they were much appreciated. One of our favorite purchases is pictured on the left. It is a stick, smoothed and painted to represent an eagle (on the top), and a snake (the green part on the right)… the two animals that figure in the story of the origin of Mexico.

Part of AANY’s mission is to work closely with the artists to improve their products, refine their displays and seek new markets for their work. They sponsored a very successful workshop at the Habla School for artists to offer guidance on how to improve their displays, led by a local resident, Craig LaBerge, who is a museum exhibit designer in another life. In the future AANY plans to offer more workshops by and for their artists. They have made it clear that they encourage galleries, retail stores and designers to attend the events to find new resources. Many of the AANY artists have received special orders from clients who have seen their work at these events.

AANY Spring Show 2010

The next ARTE A MANO will be Saturday, March 20th, 10AM-7PM, and Sunday, March 21st, 10AM-5PM.

This AANY show will be held at a new location: Coparmex, Avenida Hildalgo X 38th, in Colonia García Ginéres. Avenida Hidalgo is the continuation of Avenida Colon on the west side of Itzaes, after going around the Donde Glorieta. Continue past the IMSS hospital on the left and go one more block. You’ll see the Comparmex building there, as well as a bunch of cars parked in the area.

We hear the new location is a good one – a huge, enclosed space with air conditioning (which is daily becoming more important again, now that the nortes seem to be over), and there is a parking lot in back of the building (Okay, we take that back about the cars… look for the parking lot). Coparmex is a nationwide association of business owners and they will be getting the word out to all their members and email lists. The crowd at this show promises to be bigger than ever, so take it from us: If you want your pick of the new and beautiful things, go early.

Additionally, there is an enclosed patio space where visitors can sit down, relax with food and beverages, and regroup for another pass through the show. They have made promises that there might be better food than popcorn and Cokes this time, but really, we don’t go for the food, do we?

New Arts and Crafts Talent

The AANY team has continued combing villages near and far on the Yucatan Peninsula for exciting new craft talent… well, new to us, but mostly these are experienced craftspeople who know little or nothing of the possible market here in Merida. Of the roughly 40 participating artists, there will be about 12 new artists participating, such as:

• from San Felipe, fabulous sculptural mobiles made of shells
• Maya and Aztec replicas (like the one pictured at the start of this article) by a master from Tulum
• utilitarian but lovely hampers made of palm from Calkini
• fused glass objects and jewelry by an artist from Playa
• a collection of exhibition one-of-a-kind hats made of hipi from Becal
• and several new lamp makers.

As always, AANY tries to maintain a balance of studio craft with rural work, and hope that these shows and the attention from AANY and the customers can be instrumental in furthering the traditional crafts of the villages. The tapete makers from the last show were a sell-out in 1 1/2 hours in December! Apparently, they desperately want to return for the March show, but have run out of raw materials. Locally, the patete plant that is used to make these tapetes is not harvested until April or May. Thanks to the help of another of the AANY artists, they may be able to get material shipped in from Tabasco. Come to the show and find out!

The arms of ANNY continue to extend. Eight AANY artists were invited to participate in the recent Chili Cookoff sponsored by the Merida English Library, there is discussion with a local TV station about doing news segments focusing on cultural events supported by the international community, and artists keep reporting increased sales in their studios resulting from the distribution of their business cards at the shows.

Part of AANY’s long-term goal is to encourage the participating artists to assume a proactive role in producing the shows in the future. This is starting to work. One artist has taken over the responsibility of placing visiting artists in private homes to avoid hotel expenses. Another has taken over the proposed placement of several large banners on and around the Donde traffic circle and several artists are acting as buddies to work with first-time exhibitors to improve their displays. In addition, they have begun to accompany the AANY explorers on those endless road trips that are required to find the new artists. The AANY artists are beginning to interact with each other and more and more of them want to be part of the process. Eventually, the current AANY management hopes to work itself out of a job almost completely.

Come to the AANY show and show your support and your interest in the art and craft of the Yucatan. With your help, AANY will continue to grow and diversify in the future… a win/win situation for all concerned!

Read more about AANY here and here.

Dates: Saturday, March 20th, 10AM-7PM, and Sunday, March 21st, 10AM-5PM.

Location: (see map above): Coparmex, Avenida Hildalgo X 38th, in Colonia García Ginéres

In the last few years, more and more extranjeros are finding and buying colonial homes south of the Plaza Grande. When we first moved here, we were warned that "the south" was a place that was dangerous and not a place that we would want to live. No longer dangerous, and full of colonial homes at lower prices, SOME (pronounced "SO-may", short for South Merida) as we sometimes call it, has become a fashionable place to buy and renovate.

Areas like L’Ermita, San Sebastian and San Juan are all south of the Plaza Grande. While the streets are often not as elegant as in places such as the Santa Ana district, living in SOME provides some of us (Working Gringos included) with a chance to buy larger homes or homes for less money that are every bit as beautiful and interesting as the ones of our uptown neighbors. An added bonus of living in these neighborhoods is the chance to experience authentic Merida life, with all its quirks, problems and delights. Some of these neighborhoods are the sites of city-sponsored music performances, and L’Ermita, with its beautiful old church, garden and park has become one of the most important areas to visit during Day of the Dead here in Merida.

The home we chose for our sixth episode of Houses of Merida is located on Calle 60, a few blocks directly south of the zocalo, which puts it a few blocks east of San Juan Park. The neighborhood includes lumber stores, ice cream shops, schools, cocinas economicas and during the day, the streets are bustling with the business of Merida. Next door to this particular house is an art gallery, and the street is lined with old colonial buildings, many of which have been repurposed into commercial spaces. We don’t call this area SOME for nothing… it is reminiscent of New York’s SOHO district before it became the upscale enclave that it is today.

Exemplary Preservation

The colonial home that is the subject of our latest Houses of Merida video was in a typical sorry state of disrepair and neglect when the owner bought it. Designing it long-distance with architect Victor Cruz, he created a home that we think is exemplary in its preservation of the feel and charm of old colonial houses, while still providing the comforts of the 21st century (air-conditioning, hot water, dishwasher, swimming pool, etc.). The owner and the architect worked well together to keep all the old mosaicos, the old wooden doors, and many of the iron windows. Even when rooms were built from scratch, like the kitchen, they were designed in a way that blends seemlessly with the older rooms.

This home was built as a second home or a vacation home for one person and his guests and friends. The simple four-room square house at the front of the lot was preserved almost exactly, though the rooms were repurposed. An open area between two structures was turned into the kitchen, and the back structure was turned into three bedrooms with two bathrooms. An open patio on the side of the lot provides access to the outdoors from all but the two front rooms, and another patio was added in the back, lined with arches and columns looking out to a backyard with a lawn and garden. In the very back of the property, they built a pool and a poolhouse, while managing to preserve the mature palm trees that they found there. The entire property is surrounded by old stone walls, some of which were added to in the back to make them taller.

Three of the most sought-after features in a colonial home in Merida are probably the original mosaico pasta tile floors, original wooden doors and tall, beamed ceilings. This house had all three, and all three have been renovated and preserved. In the front rooms, for instance, they preserved the original mosaico tapetes (the tiles in the center of the room that form a kind of "rug"), but removed all the dark surrounding tiles and replaced them with newly-minted light-colored tiles, giving an entirely new look to the rooms. There are original wooden doors throughout the house, matched by some additional doors that look as if they are old but were created for the house by local craftsmen. The beamed ceilings in many of the rooms only had to be cleaned and repainted (and probably also needed minor repairs). Even when certain iron doors were replaced, most of them were repaired and repurposed, sometimes delightfully, as in the master bathroom.

The owner, who is a designer from New York, has an eye and an appreciation for antiques and other memorabilia from Merida and other parts of Mexico, so the house is decorated with a bevy of interesting objects. Every single light fixture was purchased from local antique and junk dealers. Many of them are blown glass hanging fixtures, fairly common in older Merida homes, and some are wrought iron fixtures which the owner painted white instead of the traditional black. The handles to drawers in the kitchen and bathrooms are also from local antique and junk stores, and at least one of the bathrooms has an old porcelain sink and toilet, complimented by newly-made mosaico tiles created in the same Caribbean blue.

When you are in this house, you feel you are definitely in Mexico and in the Yucatan, and if you look around you in most rooms, you won’t be able to tell what year it is. Is it 1920? 1955? 2010?. The combination of architecture and interior design leaves you pleasantly unsure.

Feedback Please!

We continue to welcome your comments and questions. Please let us know how we’re doing and what you want to see more of, what other information would be useful and interesting to you. As always, the video says more than we ever can… so please click below and enjoy Yucatan Living’s sixth episode of The Houses of Merida!

For information on mosaico tiles (old and new), how they are made and where to buy them, visit our article on Mosaicos.

Our host, Eric Partney, can be contacted through the Mexico International website.

For a list of antique stores in Merida, pick up a Yucatan Living Merida Art Map, which can be found at most galleries, museums, hotels and restaurants in Merida Centro.