General News
All government jurisdictions, federal, state and local are depending on tourism to be the main income source for the future of SMA. The head of the Federal Tourism Department Rodolfo Elizondo was in town on the 16th when he made an agreement with the State of Guanajuato (Governor Oliva was also here) to invest $175,350,000 pesos in tourism projects. Now that SMA is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it will no longer benefit from the Magic Towns (Pueblos Mágicos) program, but will have grants from other programs. The 12 acre development where the old Hotel Aristos stood is due to open at the end of 2010 is employing 900 workers during construction of Artesana Rosewood and Las Ventanas Golf Club projects. Secretary Elizondo offered support for that. Hotel Real de Minas and Villas Xichú received certificates under the Moderniza program, which rewards hotels and restaurants which improve the quality of service, increase profits and stimulate their employees. Casa Sierra Nevada received a Distinivo H certificate for its restaurant’s hygiene training program. Secretary Elizondo commented that these programs generate more jobs, better jobs and improve the quality of what SMA offers tourists.
From the state, SMA will get cash input to enrich the living areas where 50% of the residents live in poverty. For these areas, access to drinking water, drainage, garbage collection, and paving will be improved. There is also a program to improve public spaces and make them more secure. These efforts are coordinated with local government.
The state Secretary of Health is investigating SMA homes in a hope to prevent dengue fever. A state inspector checks for all standing water, areas of mosquito habitats.
April 25 – All members of the Botanical Gardens, neighbors to it or the Landeta Park will celebrate Earth Day by volunteering to clean up the two parks. AND on
April 26 – The sweat lodge (Temascal) in the ruins of the old hacienda will be available at 10:00. For reservations and information, call 154-8838 or 154-4715.
May 6 and 13
- Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75, has cultural gatherings in the downstairs café promoted by LASMA Cultural Movement. In March, there was Zarzuela, in early April Neopolitan songs and in May, there will be tangos.
Groups and Meetings
April 26
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hear Cliff DuRand on “Individualism and the Impoverishment of Democracy.” 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.
April 26
- St. Paul’s Church will follow the 10:30 a.m. service with Church Deacon Ernie Townsend cooking baked ziti to raise funds for Centro Infantil San Pablo at the Longhorn Smokehouse, Salida a Celaya 6.
April 28
- 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 guest speaker will be Jeannie Ralston on her change from a Manhattan journalist to a Texas lavender farmer and author.
Lectures
Lectures in the Biblioteca Pública’s, Insurgentes 25, Sala Quetzal (SQ), Gloria Grant Room (GGR) and Santa Ana Theater (SAT)
April 28 – SAT – Arturo Morales Tirado will give a slide lecture on “San Miguel’s Environmental Challenges” at 1:30.
April 28 – SQ – Dr. David Lee McMullen will speak on “Ellen Dawson: Unsung Heroine of Labor” at 3:00
May 2 – SQ – Renee Devereaux will speak on “Decoding the Mysteries of the Body” at 1:00.
Tours
April 25
- Saturday Adventure Tours visits the home of artisan Eunice O’Hanna and then go to Rancho La Loma where Andalusian horses are raised and trained for dressage. The tour leaves from the Jardín at 10:30 a.m. and benefits the Centro de Crecimiento.
April 26
- 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.
April 28 and 30
- 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
Movies
Biblioteca Cinemateca
Apr 24
- The Children of Chabannes, Doc Eng – 7:30
Apr 25
- Kids Matinee – Cartoons – noon – FREE
Apr 27
- Opera & Dance: Etoiles, Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet, doc Fren/Eng – 3:00
- The Car Man, ballet, based on Carmen Eng – 5:00
Apr 28 – Rize music, doc – 5:00
- Shall We Dance, dance Eng w/Astaire & Rogers – 7:00
Apr 29
- A Red Carpet for the Sun: The Life of Irving Layton, doc bio Eng – 3:00
- Thoth, doc Eng – 5:00
Apr 30
- Stomp Double Feature: Stomp Out Loud
- Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey, doc, 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, – reservations 154-8348
Apr 26
- Dinner & Movie at 6:30
The Meditation Center, Callejón Blanco 4 (off Quebrada)
Apr 23
- Film – I Am that I Am, teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Part II – 5:30 – Please be early to get seated.
Shalom SMA, Hotel Quinta Loreto TV room, Loreto 15
Apr 27
- The Rape of Europa, doc Eng – 5:00
Performing Arts
April 28
- To celebrate UNESCO’s International Dance Day (April 29), El Sindicatop, Recreo 4, will have a lecture and Latin dance demonstration at 7:00. Entrance fee adds to the funds available for the Sindicato’s children’s scholarship fund.
April 29
- In connection with International Dance Day, Rocio Fuentes Herida will give a dance presentation in the Bellas Artes auditorium, Hernández Macías 75, at 7:00.
April 29
- Jimena Giménez Cacho is a well known Mexican cellist. She will give a concert of Bach and Julián Carrillo in the Santa Ana Theater at 7:30. Entrance at Reloj 50A.
April 30 – May 3
- Harold Pintner’s Betrayal comes alive in the Santa Ana Theater, Reloj 50A. In the cast are Flor Dengreville, Doménico Espinosa, Ricky W. Galera and Gregory Mori. Mariana Alatore directs. Performances on April 30 and May 1 are at 8:00, on the 2nd at 7:00 and on the 3rd, 6:00.
Exhibitions and Openings
Currently on exhibit at Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75, are sculptures by Enrique Carbajal, better known as Sebastián. Sebastián’s colossal works are well-known as important city décor through out the world. These works are less than two meters large.
April 25
- Artist, muralist Bruce Stuart and Claudia Stuart, who makes decorative fairies, will have a joint opening up stairs from the Burrito Bistro, Correo 45 from 5:00 to 8:00.
April 27
- Sharon Conklin will give a FREE demonstration of hand-coloring digital prints in Happenings Galeria de Arte, Mesones 57, Int. 8 at 3:00.
April 30
- Photographer Fabrizio Viglioni will show his “Visiones DF-ectuosas” at Atelier Flor Acosta, Tata Nacho 8, Col. Guadalupe, at 7:00.
Workshops and Classes
April 26 thru 29 and May 1
- Mary Jane Miller will once again offer her Icon Painting Workshop. The first part will be conducted at La Soledad Monastery for an hour each day, and on May 1 at Sagrado Corazón 14, Col. San Antonio. Space is limited, confirm by dropping off 500 pesos at the San Antonio address.
April 27 – 30
- There will be a workshop on African Dance in the Santa Ana Theater, at 10:00 a.m. each day. Entrance at Insurgentes 25.
April 28 and 29
- St. Paul’s, Cardo 6, will be the venue where Rev. Robert S. Shank will give a workshop “Introduction to the Enneagram” from 9:30 a.m. to 4:40. Contact Eunice Hernández at 152-0387, to reserve your place.