INFO San Miguel

General News

The mayor’s race is truly upon us. For PAN, Cristobal Franyuti won last week’s election. Lucy Nuñez de Zavala is supported by the PRD (Revolución Democrática and PRI (Revolucioario Institutional). There are two registered mayoral candidates for Partido del Trabajo and Partido Verde. The campaign is from May to June with elections to be held on July 5.

March 28
- To go to the Burro Festival at Jalpa, meet at St. Paul’s Church, Calle Cardo 6, at 2:00. There will be dressed up burros, racing burros, kids showing off their English language skills and handcrafts. Last minute tickets are available at Casa de Papel and Solutions.

March 30
- The General Hospital celebrates the completion of the installation of a diabetic retinopathy camera and laser machine with attending community and medical experts. The camera (US$18,000) will detect and the laser (US$32,000) can repair the eye. Dr. George Bresnick, expert diabetic retinopathologist has returned to SMA to train local doctors. Treatments have been underway since March 12.

During March through July, Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography will be conducting their Economic Census, mainly directed at market oriented activities. The questionnaires are about assets, date the economic unit began, days worked, employment, expenditures, income, investments, inventories, innovation and research, products and raw materials, type of operation, legal status, wages, foreign capital etc. The last Economic Census was in 2004.

With Easter Week (Semana Santa) approaching, look for special religious festivals to appear on the street and in the homes of SMA. On April 3, altars in honor of the Virgen of Dolores will appear.

Groups and Meetings

March 29
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hear the Reverend Gail Tapscott from UU’s church in Fort Lauderdale, and will talk about “The Quest for Mary Poppins.”. The Fellowship welcomes all races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, when it meets each Sunday in La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

March 31
- The Midday Rotary Club has its weekly meeting in the Hotel Real de Minas. Check-in hour is from noon to 12:15, and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30.

The S.P.A. had its annual meeting on March 9, and elected 5 new board members. They are Kristy Baker, Jim Castro, Graham Culliford, Linda Thompson and Carl Wachtel. Retiring as director was Kathi Hamblet.

Lectures

April 2 and 6
- Photographer Charlotte Bell will lecture on her book “Tears from the Crown of Thorns” and Holy Week as celebrated in SMA to be combined with a book signing at Galería Ra Luz in the Hotel San Francisco, corner of Calle Hidalgo and the Jardín. There will be lectures both days at 1:30 and 4:30 and on the 6th, the lecture will be in Spanish.

Lectures in the Biblioteca Pública’s, Insurgentes 25, Sala Quetzal (SQ) and Santa Ana Theater (SAT)
March 28 – Renee Devereaux will demonstrate facial exercises that will have the affect of a non-surgical face lift in the Gloria Grant Sala (2nd floor) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00.

March 30 – SQ – Richard Adelman will give a talk and movement experience “Never Fall Again: Getting yourself Grounded,” from 3:00 to 5:00.

March 31 – SAT – Arturo Morales will lecture on “Easter in San Miguel,” at 1:30

March 31 – SQ – Sergio Rodriguez will talk about “Learning a New Language” at 3:00.

Tours

March 28
- Saturday Adventure Tours usually visit a home of an artist or artisan and then go to a place of interest out of town.
The tour leaves from the Jardín at 10:30 a.m. and benefits the Centro de Crecimiento.

March 29
- House and Garden Tour begins gathering at the Biblioteca Pública at 11:00 a.m. and leaves at noon to visit 3 houses.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a walking tour of historic SMA led by SMA volunteers leaves the Jardín in front of the Parroquia. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is mostly level walking. Taking the tour helps provide medical and dental care for children in need through Patronato Pro Niños.

March 31 and April 2
- The Tuesday and Thursday tours of the botanic garden El Charco del Ingenio continue. To join the tour, meet at the main entrance to leave promptly at 10:00 a.m. The tour lasts about two and a half hours. Bring hat and water and wear comfortable walking shoes. For further information, call 15Apr 8838 or visit the new website http://www.elcharco.org.

April 2
- The San Miguel Lions sponsor some fantastic tours to support their eye clinic and diabetes testing facility, which is open on Thursdays. On this day their first-class bus will head toward Pátzcuaro and the Artisans’ Fair in Uruapan, staying two nights in a Apr Star Plaza Hotel in Uruapan. For further information, call Janice Page at 152-5541.

Movies

Biblioteca Cinemateca
Mar 28
- Kids Movie Theater – Cartoons – FREE – noon
Mar 30
- Opera/Ballet Series: Rachmaninoff’s The Miserly Knight, Eng – 2:00
- Lost and Found in Mexico, Prize Winning Doc Eng – Q&A with filmmaker after – 5:00
- Pete Seeger: The Power of Song – 6:15
Mar 31
- Strangers in Good Company, Eng – 6:30
Apr 2
- Love Is . . . , Made in SMA, Eng- 1:30
- The History of Mexico – visual narration Eng, Made in SMA – 5:30
Apr 3
- Milk, Nominated for Best picture – 3:00
- Persepolis, animation Fren/Eng – 5:30
Apr 4
- Strangers in Good Company, Eng – 3:00

MM Cinemas – For schedule 120-4743

Movie Pocket Theater – El Market Bistro, Hernández Macías 95 – 1:30, 4:00 & 7:00

Café Monet, Zacateros 83, -
Mar 29 – Dinner & Movie at 6:30

The Meditation Center, Callejón Blanco 4 (off Quebrada)
Mar 2 – Film of Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Engaged Buddhism – 5:30 – FREE – Please be early to get seated.

The Arts

Readings
April 2
- PEN Writers Aloud will have James Cervantes reading some of his poetry and some of his flash fiction in Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal, Insurgentes 25, at 3:00.

April 3
- Authors’ Sala Reading will be at St. Paul’s, Calle Cardo 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 with Leigh Hyams, Iris Graville and Summer Moon Scrivner. Each will show slides with their readings.

Performing Arts

Music and Dance
March 27
- Gypsy guitarist Javier Estrada will play, sing and talk about gypsies and their music in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:00.

March 27
- The history in musical form, Zarzuela – lighthearted and improvised – comes to the Bellas Arts courtyard, Hernández Macías 75 with actors Laumuq and Christian Baumgartner, tenor Xavier Hernandez, soprano Gabriela Peralta and pianist Leliana Guitierrez at 6:00.

March 27
- Junta Flamenca with Anis and Yerbabuena will perform in the Santa Ana Theater, Insurgentes 25, at 1:30.

March 27
- Vudu Chile will pay tribute to Muddy Waters and Ray Charles in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A at 8:00.

March 27
- Pianist Ken Bichel and composer/ethnomusicologist/musician/painter, Tim Hazell will get together for a concert at the Angela Peralta Theater at 7:30. The concert is “Kid’s Incredible Adventure.” They will be joined for the “Adventure” by Ken Basman and Michael Sudheer.

March 28 & April 3
- Antonio Cabrero Mendoza will give a piano concert in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 6:00.

March 28
- Songwriter Lynx Maple will perform Beatles arrangements in concert at the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A at 8:00

March 29
- The Sharpies in “The Funniest show on Six Strings” concert will perform in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A at 7:30.

March 30 and April 2
- Sergio Basurto will give two concerts on his Folklore harp and Flamenco guitar in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:30, Reloj 50A.

April 1
- Rafael de la Rocha, well known singer of the Mexican night club circuit, will sing songs from Latin American folklore and classic Mexican repertoire in the Santa Ana Theater at 5:00. Entrance is at Insurgentes 25.

April 2
- Once again Tribal Style Belly Dance comes to El Viejo Topo Theater-Café, Stirling Dickinson 28, Local 7, Col. San Antonio. The dance concert begins at 9:00. Reservations at 15Apr 8701. Dancers are coming from Prescott, Arizona, Albuquerque, NM, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Monterrey, Mexico City, and San Luis Potosi.

April 2 & 3
- Exhibition of paintings by Anita von Ballmoos plus a concert two nights of music from eastern and central Europe. She, on the accordion, will be joined by bassist Gilberto Gonzalez and guitarist Jacobo Hechem at the Shelter Theater and Art Space, Vicente Guerrero 4 at concert time of 7:00

April 3
- Baritone/Tenor Enrique Kopal will present an evening of romantic, classic music in the Angela Peralta Theater, corner of Hernández Macías and Mesones, at 6:45.

Baroque Music Festival
March 27
- Festival Voices with Sebastian Knebel, organ; Nathaniel Mayfield, Baroque trumpet and Ana Trevino-Godfrey, soprano in Villas del Parque, Baeza 18 corner of Aldama and Cardo, at noon.

March 27
- The Italian Connection with concertos by Bach and Vivaldi played by Camerata Ventapane Baroque Ensemble in the San Juan de Dios Church, corner San Antonio Abad and San Rafael, at 8:00.

March 28
- The Crown Jewels of the High Baroque with J.S. Bach’s The Brandenburg Concertos with Camerata Ventapane Baroque Ensemble in the Theater of Santa Maria del Obraje, Calzada de la Presa 90, at 7:00.

Theater
April 1 and 2
- The San Miguel Playreaders will present Marius von Mayenburg’s fast moving satire “The Ugly One” in St Paul’s Parish Hall, Calle Cardo 6. Readers will be Richard Keene, Richard Koerner, Susan Rushton and John Wharton. Paula Lopuch directs and Irving Kohn provides light and sound. Doors open at 7:00: the play begins at 7:30, earlier if the house fills.

April – 4 at 8:00 April 5 at 5:00
- Camino Real Theater of New Mexico is bringing Manuel Igrejas’s play “Kitty and Lina,” directed by Linda López McAlister. This is the same group who produced “Copenhagen” in 2006 and “Still Life” in 2007. Proceeds of the performances will benefit SMA’s AnYel School of Music.

Exhibitions and Openings

April 2
- Todd Williams, photographer, will have an opening of his exhibit of “San Miguel de Allende: A Visual Diary” at Galería Bordello, Órganos 19, from 6:00 to 9:00.

April 3 from 5:00 to 7:00
- Art Walk at Fábrica La Aurora.

April 3
- At Art Print Photo Gallery, San Francisco 11, will hold an opening for the photos of Holly Wilmeth at 7:00.

Currently through April 9
- Skinscapes by Silvia Santiago Coral in Arte Contemporaneo in Fábrica La Aurora.

Workshops and Classes

March 28
- Jon Sievert will conduct a self-publishing workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00, with participants limited to 12.

General News

SMA will have a special election on March 22 as three members of the PAN party vie for mayoral position. Cristóbal Finklestein Franyuti, and he will run as Cristóbal Franyuti, Filomena Ramírez and Martín Stefanonni. All three have advanced university degrees.

Continuing thru March 22 – Cuban Culture Festival is being celebrated in the Jardín with an opening at noon. A lecture of Cuban culture “50 years after the revolution” in Spanish will be given by Vivian Martínez at 6:00, and music at 8:00 with Ibrahim Ferrer, Prudencio and Jesusa.

March 20
- Spring Equinox will be celebrated by a Concert and Ceremony at The Botanic Garden El Charco with music by Rodrigo Garciarroyo, tenor; Belinda González, soprano; and Mario Alberto Hernández, pianist; at 4:30.

March 21
- Spring Equinox will be celebrated on a site that is part of the heritage of the Chichimeca Guanajuato tribe at Cerro de Culiacan. The Native American ceremony will be led by Marcela Andre López.

SMA’s Third Baroque Music Festival is to be from March 24 thru 29.
In addition to the music (see Music in Performing Arts below), there is to be a Master Class given by members of the Conservatorio de las Rosas of Morelia on the 24th at 1:00: Also on the 24th, there will be a display of baroque furniture at La Buhardilla in Fábrica la Aurora beginning at noon: On March 26, pre-schoolers in CASA’s Day Care Center will participate in a session of music appreciation: March 28 Carlos Noyola of La Buhardilla in Fábrica la Aurora will examine the impact of major Mexican artists on contemporary art – FREE: March 28 a dinner and fashion show from the Barbara Porter Collection in the Theater of Santa Maria del Obraje, Calzada de la Presa 90, at 8:30; And on March 29 at noon, Mexican cellist Rocio Orozco will narrate a concert at Bellas Artes – FREE.

March 26
- The 24 Hour Association will meet on the Biblioteca Pública’s Santa Ana Theater, Insurgentes 25, at 11:00 a.m. Questions will be answered about prepaid San Miguel funerals. It is a non-profit, legally registered Mexican civil association to provide prepaid cremation and burial in full compliance with Mexican laws.

Groups and Meetings

March 22
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hear the Reverend Gail Tapscott from UU’s church in Fort Lauderdale. The Fellowship welcomes all races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, when it meets each Sunday in La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

March 23
- Shalom San Miguel will have its Fourth annual literary program in the Hotel Quinta Loreto’s TV Salon, Loreto 15, at 5:00.
Five writers will be there to take part – Judith Jenya, Sharon Leder, Carol Sherman, Noah Stevens and Milton Teichman.

March 24
- The Midday Rotary Club has its weekly meeting in the Hotel Real de Minas. Check-in hour is from noon to 12:15, and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. As their guest speaker, the will have Joseph McClain, artistic director of Ópera de San Miguel speak on “Opera, Passion and San Miguel.”

March 26
- Mujeres en Cambio monthly luncheon will be held at the Hacienda de las Flores, Hospicio 16 at 2:00. Entry for the lunch is by pre-purchased tickets, available at Casa de Papel, Mesones 57A. No tickets are sold the day of the luncheon. For further information (no phone reservations), call Roger Hind at 154-6552.

The S.P.A. had its annual meeting on March 9, and elected 5 new board members. They are Kristy Baker, Jim Castro, Graham Culliford, Linda Thompson and Carl Wachtel. Retiring as director was Kathi Hamblet.

Lectures

March 24
- St. Paul’s Church FREE Lenten lecture series on Women Mystics continues at noon to investigate Julian of Norwich (1342-c.1416).

Lectures in the Biblioteca Pública’s, Insurgentes 25, Sala Quetzal (SQ) and Santa Ana Theater (SAT)

March 23 – SQ -William Henderson will talk about Tai Chi and give a demonstration at 3:00.

March 24 – SAT – Arturo Morales will give a talk and slide show on Xilitla and the Sierra Gorda at 1:30.

March 24 – SAT -Photographer/writer/lecturer Robert de Gast will present a slide show and talk “Wacky Names and Weird Numbers,” at 5:00.

March 24 and 25 – SAT – Bill Pearlman will present a video “Jung at Heart” and lecture on the 24th at 6:00. He will follow through with a mini-workshop from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00.

March 25 – SAT – Guillermo Méndez, retired professor of humanities, will lecture on the “Ancient Cultures of Mexico: The Magnificent Maya: Part I” at 3:00.

March 25 and 26 – SAT – Leonard Rosen will lecture on “Understanding Afro-Cuban Rhythms” and percussionist Kimani Carrazana and colleagues will supply the “Son of Salsa” in the repeat of the same evening at 8:00. For these, the entrance is at Reloj 50A.

March 27 – SQ – Eva Eliscu will lecture on “History of the Dining Table” at 5:00.

March 30 – SQ – Richard Adelman will give a talk and movement experience “I Will Never Fall Again: Getting yourself Grounded” from 3:00 to 5:00.

Tours

March 22
- House and Garden Tour begins gathering at the Biblioteca Pública at 11:00 a.m. and leaves at noon to visit 3 houses.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a walking tour of historic SMA led by SMA volunteers leaves the Jardín in front of the Parroquia. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is mostly level walking. Taking the tour helps provide medical and dental care for children in need through Patronato Pro Niños.

March 24 and 26
- The Tuesday and Thursday tours of the botanic garden El Charco del Ingenio continue. To join the tour, meet at the main entrance to leave promptly at 10:00 a.m. The tour lasts about two and a half hours. Bring hat and water and wear comfortable walking shoes. For further information, call 154-8838 or visit the new website http://www.elcharco.org.

April 2
- The San Miguel Lions sponsor some fantastic tours to support their eye clinic and diabetes testing facility, which is open on Thursdays. On this day their first-class bus will head toward Pátzcuaro and the Artisans’ Fair in Uruapan, staying two nights in a 4-Star Plaza Hotel in Uruapan. For further information, call Janice Page at 152-5541. Reservations must be in by March 19.

Movies

Biblioteca Cinemateca
Mar 21
- Kids Movie Theater – Cartoons – FREE – noon
- Polish Art Film: Freedom on the Fence – 2:00
Mar 23
- Opera/Ballet Series: Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Eng – 2:00
- Global Justice Film: The Yes Men, Cutting the Corporate Crap – 5:00
Mar 24
- Bioneers Film Series + Conversation on Van Jones, current US
- Council on Environment Policy – 3:00
- Jung at Heart, Bill Pearlman – 6:00
Mar 25
- Spiritual Film Series: Tuesdays with Morrie – 5:00
Mar 26
- Global Justice Film: Che: El Argentino, Sp/Eng – 2:00
- The History of Mexico – visual narration Eng, Made in SMA – 5:30
Mar 28
- Kids Movie Theater – Cartoons – FREE – noon
- Bashú the Little Stranger, Farsi /Eng – 3:00

MM Cinemas – For schedule 120-4743

Movie Pocket Theater
- El Market Bistro, Hernández Macías 95 – 1:30, 4:00 & 7:00

Readings

March 26
- PEN Writers Aloud will have Leonard “Red” Bird will not only read from his Folding Paper Cranes, but will read from some new work in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 3:00.

Performing Arts

Music and Dance
March 20 and 27
- Gypsy guitarist Javier Estrada will play, sing and talk about gypsies and their music in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:00.

March 21 & 22
- Sherele and her group from Guadalajara with Klezmer, Jazz and Funk to entertain at the Shelter Theater, Vicente Guerrero 4, Colonia San Rafael. Reserve tickets by calling 152-7629.

March 21 and 22 & 28 and 29
- Antonio Cabrero Mendoza will give piano concerts in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 5:30.

Continuing March 20 and 21
- Shakespeare’s “Richard III” with adaptations by Murray Kamelhar follows the King’s history. The players from Actors Lab will tell the tale in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A, each evening at 8:00 and on Sunday, March 22, at 5:00.

March 22 and 29
- Sunday Matinee Concert Series, the Third of the series will have singer Clara Dunham, soprano Gabriela Perales, the big voice of Xavier Hernández with accompanist Mauro Ledesma in the Santa Ana Theater at 2:30. Entrance is at Reloj 50A.

March 23 and 26
- Sergio Basurto will give two concerts on his Folklore harp and Flamenco guitar in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:30, Reloj 50A.

March 23
- At Cerveza de San Miguel, Ken Basman and jazz singer Toni Ballard will entertain from 6:00 to 9:00. Entrance is FREE. Location is 1 Kilometers north of Fábrica la Aurora on the road to Dolores Hidalgo, before coming to the Libramento.

March 24
- Classical Guitar Concert with Guillermo Ascencio Ramirez in the Biblioteca Pública – 8:00

March 26
- Children from ages 2-1/2 to 18 will participate in the Children’s Violin Concert in the Angela Peralta Theater, Mesones 82 at 6:00. Entrance is FREE.

March 27
- The history in musical form, Zarzuela – lighthearted and improvised – comes to the Bellas Arts courtyard, Hernández Macías 75 with actors Laumuq and Christian Baumgartner, tenor Xavier Hernandez, soprano Gabriela Peralta and pianist Leliana Guitierrez at 6:00.

March 27
- Junta Flamenca with Anis and Yerbabuena will perform in the Santa Ana Theater, Insurgentes 25, at 1:30.

March 27
- Vudu Chile will pay tribute to Muddy Waters and Ray Charles in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A at 8:00.

March 27 – Pianist Ken Bichel and composer/ethnomusicologist/musician/painter, Tim Hazell will get together for a concert at the Angela Peralta Theater at 7:30. The concert is “Kid’s Incredible Adventure.” They will be joined for the “Adventure” by Ken Basman and Michael Sudheer.

March 28
- Songwriter Lynx Maple will perform Beatles arrangements in concert at the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A at 8:00

March 29
- The Sharpies in “The Funniest show on Six Strings” concert will perform in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A at 7:30.
- Opera Matinee Concert – Arias and Duets – 2:30

April 3
- Baritone/Tenor Enrique Kopal will present an evening of romantic, classic music in the Angela Peralta Theater, corner of Hernández Macías and Mesones, at 6:45.

Baroque Music Festival
March 24
- Italian organ and harpsichord winner in 2006 Francesco Corti on the harpsichord and soprano Francesca Bomcompagni will give a concert at La Buhardilla in Fábrica la Aurora, at 7:00.

March 25
- Francesco Corti plays the harpsichord in a concert of French music at La Buhardilla in Fábrica la Aurora, at noon.

March 27
- Barrett Sills, cello and Sebastian Knebel, harpsichord in “Up Close & Musical” at El Castillo, Santo Domingo 71, at 7:00.

March 26
- A concert of baroque sonatas from the courts of northern Germany with Barrett Sills, cello; Greg Ewer, violin; Joe Edelberg, violin, Lenka Smocakova, flute and Sebastian Knebel, harpsichord in CASA’s Sala de Eventos, Calle Santa Julia 15, Col. Sta. Julia, at 7:00.

March 27 – Festival Voices with Sebastian Knebel, organ; Nathaniel Mayfield, Baroque trumpet and Ana Trevino-Godfrey, soprano in Villas del Parque, Baeza 18 corner of Aldama and Cardo, at noon.

March 27
- The Italian Connection with concertos by Bach and Vivaldi played by Camerata Ventapane Baroque Ensemble in the San Juan de Dios Church, corner San Antonio Abad and San Rafael, at 8:00.

March 28
- The Crown Jewels of the High Baroque with J.S. Bach’s The Brandenburg Concertos with Camerata Ventapane Baroque Ensemble in the Theater of Santa Maria del Obraje, Calzada de la Presa 90, at 7:00.

Theater
April – 4 at 8:00 April 5 at 5:00
- Camino Real Theater of New Mexico is bringing Manuel Igrejas’s play “Kitty and Lina,” directed by Linda López McAlister. This is the same group who produced “Copenhagen” in 2006 and “Still Life” in 2007. Proceeds of the performances will benefit SMA’s AnYel School of Music.

Exhibitions and Openings

March 25
- Estudio 46, at Zacateros 46 will show new work by Lisa Simms, Ron Richie, Renee Courtney and Joan Elena Goldberg, with an opening of the show from 6:00 to 8:00.

Workshops and Classes

March 23 thru 27
- Charlotte Staub Thomas will be giving classes in botanical art techniques with classes limited to 15 persons. For further information and registration, contact nzerriffi@yahoo.com.

March 24 and 25
- Galeria/Atelier artists Patricia Mahan, Dan Matarazzo and Joan Hall will teach a workshop on collage and assemblage in the Fábrica la Aurora. Hall and Mahan will work in their respective media on the 24th and 25th. For further information, contact the gallery at 044 (415) 151-8665.

March 28
- Jon Sievert will conduct a self-publishing workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00, with participants limited to 12. Reservations can be made by phoning 154-5058.

General News

March 12 thru 22
- Cuban Culture Festival is being celebrated in the Jardín with an opening at noon. A lecture of Cuban culture 50 years after the revolution in Spanish by Vivian Martínez at 6:00, and music at 8:00 with Ibrahim Ferrer, Prudencio and Jesusa. Music continues on the 13th at 7:00, the 14th at 8:30 and the 15th at 6:00.

March 17 and 18
- The Volunteer Fair and Conference of the San Miguel Project will have its second event, together with the University of Texas’ Pan American branch and SMA’s Biblioteca Pública, to be held in the main patio of the Library. The aim of the conference is to promote knowledge of the nonprofit organizations operating in SMA.

March 20
- Spring Equinox will be celebrated by a Concert and Ceremony at The Botanic Garden El Charco at 5:30 with music by Rodrigo Garciarroyo, Belinda González d Mario Alberto Hernández

Groups and Meetings

March 16
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hear the Reverend Gail Tapscott from UU’s church in Fort Lauderdale speaking about the earth-centered traditions at the heart of UU belief. The Fellowship welcomes all races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, when it meets each Sunday in La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

March 17
- The Midday Rotary Club has its weekly meeting in the Hotel Real de Minas. Check-in hour is from noon to 12:15, and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30.

March 30
- Democrats Abroad will have an ex-member of the Carter Whitehouse, Jack Watson, speak on President Obama’s New Directions at the Bugambilla restaurant Hidalgo 42 at 3:30.

March 20
- Winners with raffle tickets of the Feed the Hungry Raffle will learn who wins at La Otra Cara de México and the Mask Museum, 32 Cuesta de San José, between 5:00 and 8:00.

March 27
- SMA Red Cross will have a Founder’s Dinner in the Hotel Sauto garden, Hernández Macías 59, at 6:00. Tickets can be purchased at Border Crossings, La Conexión, Solutions and Radio San Miguel.

March 31
- Waldorf School of SMA, Grade 5 will have a concert and “night out” at Nivel Cdro, corner of Zacateros and Codo beginning at 8:30.

Lectures

Lectures in the Biblioteca Pública’s, Insurgentes 25, Sala Quetzal (SQ) and Santa Ana Theater (SAT)

March 17 – SAT – Arturo Morales will lecture with slides on the “Seventy Years Foreigners Have Been Coming to SMA” at 1:30.

March 17 – SAT – Georgia Conti will give an Audubon presentation at 3:00.

March 19 – SQ – PEN Writers Aloud will have Frank Morlock and Rochelle Cashdan will read from their current efforts at 3:00.

March 20 – SQ – Burton Jaffe, MD will lecture on “Thinking Green” from 2:30 to 4:30.

Tours

March 15
- House and Garden Tour begins gathering at the Biblioteca Pública at 11:00 a.m. and leaves at noon to visit 3 houses.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a walking tour of historic SMA led by SMA volunteers leaves the Jardín in front of the Parroquia. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is mostly level walking. Taking the tour helps provide medical and dental care for children in need through Patronato Pro Niños.

March 17 and 19
- The Tuesday and Thursday tours of the botanic garden El Charco del Ingenio continue. To join the tour, meet at the main entrance to leave promptly at 10:00 a.m. The tour lasts about two and a half hours. Bring hat and water and wear comfortable walking shoes. For further information, call 154-8838 or visit the new website www.elcharco.org.

March 21
- Instituto Allende will have a field trip to Bernal and its state capital Querétaro. The tour leaves at 9:00. Bilingual guides lead all Instituto tours. Reservations are required and fees must be paid in advance at Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20. Telephone 152-0226.

March 21
- The Center for Global Justice will take participants to the environs of Dolores Hidalgo where The Center for Agricultural Development (CEDESA) is helping better the lives of the campesinos. They will leave the Center, Calzada de la Luz 42, at 9:30. Transportation, translation, comida and guides are included. For further information, call 150-0025.

April 2
- The San Miguel Lions sponsor some fantastic tours to support their eye clinic and diabetes testing facility, which is open on Thursdays. On this day their first-class bus will head toward Pátzcuaro and the Artisans’ Fair in Uruapan, staying two nights in a 4-Star Plaza Hotel in Uruapan. For further information, call Janice Page at 152-5541. Reservations must be in by March 19.

Movies

Biblioteca Cinemateca
Mar 16
- Opera/Ballet Series: Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Eng – 2:00
- Global Justice Film – Why We Fight – 5:00
Mar 18
- Art Today – presentation by 3 local artists – 3:00
- Lost and Found in Mexico – Doc, Eng + Q&A with filmmaker – 5:00
Mar 19
- Love Is . . . – 1:30
- Global Justice Film – The End of America – 3:00
- The History of Mexico – visual narration Eng, Made in SMA – 5:30
Mar 20
- Freedom on the Fence Doc, Award-winning Polish Posters from
- WW II to present – 3:00
Mar 21
- Kids Matinee – Cartoons – FREE – Noon

MM Cinemas – For schedule 120-4743

Movie Pocket Theater – El Market Bistro, Hernández Macías 95 – 1:30, 4:00 & 7:00

Café Monet, Zacateros 83, -
Mar 15
- Dinner & Movie at 6:30

The Meditation Center, Callejón Blanco 4 (off Quebrada)
Mar 19
- Film – 5:30 – Please be early to get seated.

Performing Arts

Music and Dance
March 14 and 15
- Antonio Cabrero Mendoza will give concerts in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 5:30.

March 16 and 19
- Sergio Basurto will give two concerts on his Folklore harp and Flamenco guitar in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:30, Reloj 50A.

March 18
- The Guitar Duo, Antonio Muñoz and Arturo Velarde will give a concert in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:30, Reloj 50A.

March 18
– El Viejo Topo Theater-Café, Stirling Dickinson 28, Local 7, Col. San Antonio, will have Santiago Derbez and Alejandro Campos playing a concert of bolero and jazz. The concert begins at 9:00.

March 19
- There will be a Concert and Raffle in the Angela Peralta Theater, Mesones 82, to raise funds or the scholarships of Jóvenes Adelantes at 5:00.

March 20
- Gypsy guitarist Javier Estrada will play, sing and talk about gypsies and their music in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:00.

March 21 & 22
- Pro Musica will have violinist Timothy Fain giving two separate concerts on Saturday and Sunday in St. Paul’s Church, Calle Cardo 6 at 5:00.

April 3
- Baritone/Tenor Enrique Kopal will present an evening of romantic, classic music in the Angela Peralta Theater, corner of Hernández Macías and Mesones, at 6:45

Theater
March 16 thru 22
- Shakespeare’s “Richard III” with adaptations by Murray Kamelhar follows the King’s history. The players from Actors Lab will tell the tale in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A, each evening at 8:00 and on Sunday, March 22, at 5:00.

March 17 thru 19
- San Miguel Playreaders will present David Rambo’s comedy /drama “God’s Man in Texas” in St. Paul’s Parish Hall, Calle Cardo 6. Readers are Bob Carson (new this reading), Don Connolly, and John Wharton. Eli Ndel will provide lights and sound and Lola Smith directs. Doors open at 7:00 with the performance beginning at 7:30 or earlier, if the house fills.

Exhibitions and Openings

March 17
- David Leonardo will have an exhibit of new paintings in the Instituto Allende’s James Pinto Gallery, Ancha de San Antonio 20, with the opening at 6:00

March 18
- Galería Pérgola at Instituto Allende will have an open reception fro the display of vintage cultural posters by Polish Artists, 1945 – 1995 from 7:00 o 9:00. A film about these posters will be screened on March 20 at 3:00 and March 21 at 2:00 at the Biblioteca Pública.

March 20
- Styrofoam Sculptures by five artists – Maria Boullosa, Ignacio Maldonado, Mari José Marín and Ana Thiel – will show in the Sala de Usos Múltiples in Bellas Arts, Hernández Macías 75, from 6:00 to 8:00.

Workshops and Classes

March 17 thru 19
- Myriam Bardoul returns to teach a class in making polymer clay beads and jewelry at the Instituto Allende from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30. For further information or registration, call 152-0226 or visit the Instituto at Ancha de San Antonio 20

March 23 thru 27
- Charlotte Staub Thomas will be giving classes in botanical art techniques with classes limited to 15 persons. For further information and registration, contact nzerriffi@yahoo.com.

General News

March 10
- The Yale University Concert Band will play a FREE concert in the Jardín at 8:00.

CASA is to expand to Guatemala with its midwifery school and the vice minister of Guatemalan public health envisions development of three schools in poor areas of that country. Each school will cost about US1million dollars and the proposed 150 native women as scholarship students will cost US$350 monthly to train.

San Miguel lost two lively ladies on February 23, Barbara Lichter, who was so active in the local Red Cross organization, and María Luisa Moreno, “The Story Lady,” who told children stories at the Biblioteca Pública for many years.

March 8
- SMA’s Municipal Women’s Institute will celebrate International Women’s Day with free events in the Plaza Civica from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00. There will be free vaccinations and HIV tests. In addition, there will be a lecture on dignity and diversity and a play, as well as exhibits and workshops.

March 7 & 8
- A Kermesse at the Bernard Weisman Foundation headquarters, Quebrada 67, will be an Alternative Fair of Women Artisans with games, a lottery with big and little prizes. The occasion is an effort to reinstitute some of the lost-by-the-wayside delightful Mexican traditions. The Fair is from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 both days.

March 12 thru 22
- Cuban Culture Festival will be celebrated in the Jardín with an opening at noon. A lecture of Cuban culture 50 years after the revolution in Spanish by Vivian Martínez at 6:00, and music at 8:00 with Ibrahim Ferrer, Prudencio and Jesusa. Music continues on the 13th at 7:00, the 14th at 8:30 and the 15th at 6:00.

March 17 and 18
- The Volunteer Fair and Conference of the San Miguel Project will have its second event, together with the University of Texas’ Pan American branch and SMA’s Biblioteca Pública, to be held in the main patio of the Library. The aim of the conference is to promote knowledge of the nonprofit organizations operating in SMA.

Groups and Meetings

March 8
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hear the Reverend Gail Tapscott from UU’s church in Fort Lauderdale. The Fellowship welcomes all races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, when it meets each Sunday in La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

March 10
- Shalom San Miguel will celebrate Purim at Los Milagros Restaurant, Reloj 17beginning at 11:30 a.m. Call 154-6761 for reservations.

March 10
- The Midday Rotary Club has its weekly meeting in the Hotel Real de Minas. Check-in hour is from noon to 12:15, and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. They will hear guest speaker Lydia Carey, the new executive director for the Center of Global Justice to talk about the new solar water pump at Peñón de los Baños.

March 10
- St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Calle Cardo 6, invites the community to a series of talks about “Women Mystics” during the Lenten season, beginning at noon.

March 10
- A group of hands-on healers will have their meeting of a series at noon. The FREE energy exchange will be at Privada de Pila Seca 5 (a short street off Pila Seca opposite Pila Seca 45). Facilitators are welcome to participate as well as those in need of help. For further information, call 152-0376.

March 10
- The Social and Newcomers Club meets every Tuesday evening at either a local restaurant or one of the members’ private home. Newcomers who are bridge players meet on Fridays at noon in Casa Payo restaurant, Zacateros 26. The bridge players raise money for kids’ projects. Call Jean Schickel at 152-4299 for further information.

Hospice San Miguel sponsors bereavement groups in both English and Spanish. Pat Tirkot (152-8164) counsels in English on Mondays at 4:00 and Leticia Gonzales helps in Spanish.

March 18
- Patronato Pro Niños has the first Challenge Cup Races at the Winery Los Senderos from 7:00 to 10:00. There will be 4 races with 16 riders for the winner of the 2009 Challenge Trophy. Tickets and tax deduction papers at San Francisco #1.

March 20
- Feed the Hungry will have it 2009 Fund-Raising Raffle at Cuesta de San Jose from 5:00 to 8:00. Tickets will be on sale in the Jardín on March 12, 13, 16, 17 and 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 or call the FTH office 152-2402 for home delivery.

Lectures

March 11
- Russ Archibald will speak and show slides about the Global Threat Reduction Initiative at St. Paul’s Church, Cardo 6, at 12:30.

March 11
- Philip Hardcastle will lecture on “World Financial Crisis and San Miguel’s Real Estate” at 7:00. The lecture is FREE, but reserve you place at 185-8311.

Lectures in the Biblioteca Publica’s, Insurgentes 25, Sala Quetzal (SQ) and Santa Ana Theater (SAT)

March 7 – SAT – Georgeann Johnson will give lecture on the Mysteries if the Maya. She will address the “Mysteries of the Maya Ball Game and the 2012 Calendar” at 2:00.

March 7 – SQ – Lena Bartula lectures and presents huipiles for International Women’s Day at 3:00.

March 10 – SAT – Arturo Morales will talk about and give a virtual tour of “The Evolution of San Miguel Architecture” at 1:30.

March 10 – SQ – Richard Adelman will lecture on “Aging Gracefully: Flexibility after 50” at 3:00.

March 10 – SAT – Robert de Gast will talk about “The Romance of Ruins” and some of the 300 churches and chapels that were in the San Miguel area at 5:00.

March 11 – SQ – Cliff DuRand will represent the Center for Global Justice when he speaks about “Mexico under NAFTA” at 10:30 a.m.

March 11 – SAT – Guillermo Méndez, retired professor of humanities, will lecture on the “Ancient Cultures of Mexico: Part II” at 3:00.

March 11 – SQ – Colin Hanlen will talk about “The Mayan Calendar and You” from 3:00 to 4:40.

March 12 – SQ – Dianne Aigaki will repeat her lecture and presentation on the flora of Tibet at 1:00.

March 12 – SQ – Pen Writer’s Aloud Series with Lulu Torbet and Bill Pearlman at 3:00.

Tours

March 7
- Saturday Adventure Tours usually visit a home of an artist or artisan and then go to a place of interest out of town.
The tour leaves from the Jardín at 10:30 a.m. and benefits the Centro de Crecimiento.

March 8
- House and Garden Tour begins gathering at the Biblioteca Pública at 11:00 a.m. and leaves at noon to visit 2 houses.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a walking tour of historic SMA led by SMA volunteers leaves the Jardín in front of the Parroquia. The tour lasts a little over two hours and is mostly level walking. Taking the tour helps provide medical and dental care for children in need through Patronato Pro Niños.

March 3 and 5
- The Tuesday and Thursday tours of the botanic garden El Charco del Ingenio continue. To join the tour, meet at the main entrance to leave promptly at 10:00 a.m. The tour lasts about two and a half hours. Bring hat and water and wear comfortable walking shoes. For further information, call 154-8838 or visit the new website www.elcharco.org.

March 7
- Instituto Allende will have a field trip to the state capital of Guanajuato. The tour leaves at 9:00. Bilingual guides lead all Instituto tours. Reservations are required and fees must be paid in advance at Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20. Telephone 152-0226.

March 14
- The Center for Global Justice will take participants to Peñón de los Baños and the organic growing or tomatoes, leaving the Center, Calzada de la Luz 42, at 9:30. Transportation, translation, comida and guides are included. For further information, call
150-0025.

March 14
- Instituto Allende will have a field trip to the Dolores Hidalgo and then to the state capital of Guanajuato. The tour leaves at 9:00. A free preview lecture will be on March 11 at 4:00. Bilingual guides lead all Instituto tours. Reservations are required and fees must be paid in advance at Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20. Telephone 52-0226.

Movies

Biblioteca Publica
Mar 6
- Spiritual Film Series – Groundhog Day + discussion – 1:00
- The History of Mexico, visual narration Eng, Made in SMA – 3:30
Mar 7
- Kids Movie theater, Cartoons – noon – FREE
- Reel Docs Film Series: Match & Marry – 4:00
- “ “ “ “ The Longing – 5:30
Mar 9
- Opera/Ballet Series: Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Ital/Eng – 2:00
- Global Justice Film – Nanking – 5:00
- Vitus , Germ/Eng – 7:30
Mar 10
- Bioneers Movie Series + Conversation – 3:00
- The Secret Life of Words, Eng/Sp – 6:15
- Bashu the Little Stranger, Farsi/Eng – 8:15
Mar 12
- Global Justice Movie: 13 Pueblos in Defense of Water, Air and Earth – 3:00
- The History of Mexico, visual narration Eng, Made in SMA – 5:30
Mar 13
- Movie Premier: The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers – 1:30

MM Cinemas – For schedule 120-4743

Movie Pocket Theater – El Market Bistro, Hernández Macías 95 – 1:30, 4:00 & 7:00

Café Monet, Zacateros 83, -
Mar 1 – Dinner & Movie at 6:30

The Meditation Center, Callejón Blanco 4 (off Quebrada)
Mar 12 – Film – 5:30 – Please be early to get seated.

The Arts

March 8
- An art activity, organized by Akiko Yasuda, will make, with the public’s cooperation, two collages, one on the west side of the Jardín and the other in Juárez Park near the kiosk. Called San Kyu (Thank you) art, it will materialize from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00.

Performing Arts

Music and Dance
March 6 and March 13
- Anis and Yerbabuena, the Junta Flamenca will offer their songs, dancing and guitar music in the Santa Ana Theater at 5:00 on both days.

March 6 and March 13
- Gypsy guitarist Javier Estrada will play, sing and talk about gypsies and their music in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:00.

March 7 and 8 at 5:00
- Pro Música brings Strictly Strings in two different concerts by the José White String Quartet to St. Paul’s Church, Calle Cardo 6. On the 7th the program includes Beethoven’s Quartet, Op. 74 in E flat major and works by Joaquín Turin and Manuel M. Ponce. On the 8th they will play Mendelssohn’s Quartet Op. 13 in A major plus works by Silvestre Revueltas and Manuel M. Ponce.

March 7 and 8 AND March 14 and 15
- Antonio Cabrero Mendoza will give a series of concerts in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 5:30.

March 8
- Klezmer music, played by Anita von Ballmoos and Nathalie Braux is scheduled in the Santa Ana Theater at 2:30. Entrance is at Reloj 50A.

March 9 and 10
- Guitarist Jonathan “Juanito” Pascual will play flamenco, introducing to SMA his innovative and original compositions in the Shelter Theater, Vincente Guerrero 4, Col. San Raphael, both nights at 7:30.

March 10
- The Yale University Concert Band will play a FREE concert in the Jardín at 8:00.

March 9 and 12
- Sergio Basurto will give two concerts on his Folklore harp and Flamenco guitar in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal at 7:30, Reloj 50A.

March 12
- Organist John Stump will give a FREE organ recital in the Angela Peralta Theater entitled “Baroque on Broadway” at 8:00.

March 13 and 14
- The Three Sopranos will appear in the Angela Peralta Theater with classic arias by Mozart, Donnizetti and Puccini at 8:00.

March 15
- The Second of the Sunday Matinee concert series will have singer Clara Dunham, soprano Gabriela Perales, the big voice of Xavier Hernández with accompanist Mauro Ledesma in the Santa Ana Theater at 2:20. Entrance is at Reloj 50A.

Theater
March 4 thru 8 and March 11 thru 15
- Players Workshop presents the Award winning play “Art” by Yasmina Reza in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A. The times vary: March 5 thru 7 and March 11 thru 14, the play begins at 8:00. On Sundays, March 8 and 15 curtain time is at 5:00.

Exhibitions and Openings

Art Openings
March 7
- Michelle Wey at Mero Arte Contemporaneo, Zacateros 24, 7:00 to 9:00.

March 7
- David Nobbe’s photography at Galería Izamal, Mesones 80 from 6:00 to 8:00.

March 12
- Painter Dale Moses and ceramacists and sculptors Dan and Nisha Ferguson at Galería Eclectica in Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20 at 6:00.

Workshops and Classes

March 23 to 27
- Charlotte Staub Thomas will be giving classes in botanical art techniques using the Botanic Garden of El Charco as the laboratory. Limited to 15 in English. Classes by Alifie Rojas in Spanish will be given March 28 and 29.

March 23 to 27
- Judi Betts will give a watercolor workshop in the Mansion Virreyes Hotel, Canal 19, with a limit to 12 persons. To register, call 154-5466.