Merida Events: All About Carnaval

9 February 2015 Events 0

This Week... starting February 09, 2014

Mark Your Calendars for 2015
These dates are all governed by the cycles of the Sun and/or Moon and most are associated with major holidays and celebrations in Yucatan.
February 17: Fat Tuesday (the Last Carnaval Parade... events start on February 11)
March 20 at 4:45 PM: Spring Equinox
March 29: Palm Sunday
April 4: Total Lunar Eclipse
April 5: Easter Sunday
June 21 at 11:38 AM: Midsummer Equinox
July 2 & 31: Blue Moon
September 23 at 3:20 PM: Fall Equinox
September 27: Super Moon
September 28: Total Lunar Eclipse
December 21 at 10:48 PM: Winter Equinox

Monday (Lunes) February 09, 2015

No events planned for today

Tuesday (Martes) February 10, 2015

Movie: Kurt Cobain: About a Son
(United States 2006). Director: Al Schnack. Stars Kurt Cobain, Michael Azerrad (interviewer), and Courtney Love. Previously unpublished interviews from 1992/1993 in which Cobain tells the story of his rise to fame and the problems he encountered. Most likely in English with Spanish subtitles.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti / Parque de Las Americas, Av. Colon x Calle 20
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Music: Mo’Mojo! Is in the Park!
What a way to begin Carnival week! Mo’ Mojo is a hard driving, high energy, Zydeco-based “Party-Gras” Band. The female fronted group features three-part harmonies, accordion, fiddle, guitar, rubboard, sax, trumpet, harp, bass, percussion, and drums. Don't miss this!
Location: Parque de Santa Lucia, Calle 60 x 55
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Phase IV
(USA 1974) Desert ants suddenly form a collective intelligence and begin to wage war on the desert inhabitants. It is up to two scientists and a stray girl they rescue from the ants to destroy them. In English with Spanish subtitles.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) February 11, 2015

Quema del Mal Humor (Burning of Bad Moods)
This event is the official beginning of Carnival. Entertainment will be by Los Super Lamas and will most likely include fire and fireworks.
Location: In front of the Municipal Palace
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

Thursday (Jueves) February 12, 2015

Children’s Carnaval Parade
This parade is probably the most charming and photogenic of all the parades in the next week. It begins in front of the Municipal Palace, makes its way around the Plaza Grande and then up Calle 60. Visit the Map of the Children’s Parade.
Location: Merida Centro
Time: 4:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Movie: Donnie Darko
(USA 2001) A troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident. In English with Spanish subtitles.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Friday (Viernes) February 13, 2015

Latin, Mexican & Yucatecan Music with Maricarmen Perez
Check the performance details at the Merida English Library website. The Merida English Library presents its Music in the Gardens concert series. This concert features Maricarmen Perez (vocals & guitar), Juan Palacios (electric piano), Darwin Valencia (acoustic bass), and Julian Lopez (percussion).
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 x 66 y 68.
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: $100 pesos. Seating limited. Beverages available for purchase.

Corso Parade
This parade will showcase the theme of this year’s Carnival: Caribbean Voyage, and it is going to be beautiful. Do try to get out to the fairgrounds to see it. There will be a special concert by the Banda El Recodo.
Location: Carnival Plaza at X’Matkuil Fairgrounds
Time: 8:30 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Movie: Dazed and Confused
(USA 1993) AThe adventures of incoming high school and junior high students on the last day of school, in May of 1976. In English. If you lived in a small town in the 70's, you might just love this film.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $35 pesos

Saturday (Sabado) February 14, 2015

Yucadanz: Monthly Contra Dance in Merida
When is a square dance not square? You're just going to love this new dance in town. Contra dance is a community “barn dance”, where everyone socializes and dances with everyone else. We love their energy and hope that everyone will give contra dance a whirl. Everyone is welcome!
Location: Tumaka't Dance Studio, Calle 51 #475-A x 52 y 54 (blue building, middle of block), Centro
Time: Beginner Class in Spanish: 7:00 PM, Beginner Class in English: 7:30 PM, Contra dance: 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Admission: Bring your own refreshments and water, no alcohol at the dance. $50-$100 pesos donation requested. Proceeds benefit Tumaka't, a nonprofit arts group, and to establish a fund for live music. Read this great page on the Yucadanz website!
There will be one more meeting this season, on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

Fantasia Parade
Actress and former model Ariadne Diaz, originally from Puerto Vallarta, will be on hand to participate in this parade, which will showcase Yucatan’s love affair with fantasy floats. We can only imagine how grand they will be when coupled with this year’s theme of Caribbean Voyage. There will also be a concert by Merenglass, the most popular merengue group in Mexico, as they celebrate 20 years on stage with a brand new CD.
Location: Carnival Plaza at X’Matkuil Fairgrounds
Time: 8:30 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Dinner for Two in Cairo
3 course dinner for two for $350 pesos, includes one drink.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $350 pesos

Sunday (Domingo), February 15, 2015

Bachata Parade: Sunday February 15, 2015
The heart throb of this parade is Jose Ron, award winning telenovela actor from Guadalajara and internationally well known animal rights activist. The Bachata Parade is always defined by its Dominican Republic ancestry with African roots. With this year’s theme of Caribbean Voyage, look for this parade to step it up a notch and be one of the best of the week.
Location: Carnival Plaza at X’Matkuil Fairgrounds
Time: 1:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Movie: Fight Club
(USA 1999) An insomniac office worker looking for a way to change his life crosses paths with a devil-may-care soap maker and they form an underground fight club that evolves into something much, much more... In English.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Monday (Lunes) February 16, 2015

Regional Parade
Since every region of Yucatan has some history and association with the Caribbean, it will be interesting to see how this parade plays out. Usually, various groups of residents join the parade dressed in traditional dress of Yucatan, making this one of the most charming parades of the week.
Location: Carnival Plaza at X’Matkuil Fairgrounds
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free

Coming Soon

Muelle Market-Bazar del Muelle
First and Third Thursdays of January, February and March 2015
Local and Foreign Artisans Market: to benefit the Chicxulub Food Bank. Attractions include Slow Food Market Vendors, Jewelry by Jorge, Carvings by Martine, Olga Cuevas: Clothing Designer, Mano de Nano (aka Naomi Murphy): homemade mustard, salad dressing, marinades, granola, meat rubs, baked goods, and a variety of pickles, Anita's Salchichones (German Sausage) and many many more !!!
Location: D'Mar Salon de Eventos, Calle 28x21y23, Chicxulub Puerto
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Free to shoppers. Vendors contact for more information.
More Information: Call Nola (English): (999) 109-6319 or e-mail: muellemarket@gmail.com or keep up with new announcements on the Muelle Market-Bazar del Muelle Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MuelleMarket

Battle of the Flowers Parade: Tuesday February 17, 2015
The Battle of the Flowers Parade is the biggest parade of Carnival week. This year, Africa Zavala and Lenny de la Rosa will be on hand to participate in this parade. Africa Zavala is an actress from Mexico City who admits to coming to Yucatan for the food. Lenny de la Rosa, also described as “eye candy,” is a Cuban actor, singer, model and dancer who currently lives in Mexico.
Location: Carnival Plaza at X’Matkuil Fairgrounds
Time: 1:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

The Burial of Juan Carnival: Wednesday February 18, 2015
Today is Ash Wednesday. Juan Carnival is the (straw man) personification of the spirit of Carnival. His mock death signifies that Carnival has ended and Lent has begun.
Location: In front of the Municipal Palace in Merida centro
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Merida English Library Saturday Lecture Series: October – March
• February 21: MEL Artist Studio Tour. No lecture.
• February 28: Mexican wines – discussion and limited tasting. Elliot Diaz. Attendance limited. Admission 100 pesos.
• March 7: TBA
• March 14: TBA
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 x 66 y 68, Merida centro.
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Most lectures are free, some have a nominal fee

The Artist Studio Tour - February 21
This unique self-guided tour is a yearly fundraiser for the Merida English Library and gives important exposure to local, national and international artists living and working in Merida. Many of our 24 artists are represented in galleries and museums around the world, but the MEL Artist Studio Tour is the only time their studios are open to the public. One day, 24 great artists! The Artist Studio Tour allows you to spend quality time discussing the creative process with each artist and if, the mood strikes, you can pick up a piece for your home. You’ll find sculptors, painters, printmakers, photographers, papermakers and more in this talented group. Visit www.meridaenglishlibrary.com for updates on the tour, ticket sales locations and artist profiles.
Location: Downtown Merida. Map made available to ticket holders.
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Admission: Tickets are on sale now! Buy your tickets before February 21 and pay only 200 pesos. Tickets are 250 pesos the day of the tour so get them early!

Soldier, Come Home - February 22
Award winning play based on real letters written during the Civil War will be presented in the garden. It is interesting to note that two of the main characters, depicting Civil War soldiers, will be played by local Yucatecans! Read here for more information.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 x 66 y 68, centro
Time: 4:00 PM
Admission: Tickets on sale at MEL

IWC Tour: The Amazing Archaeological Tour - February 24 to March 1, 2015
This tour includes:
• Five nights accommodation
• Bilingual guide service
• Transportation by motor coach for the duration of the tour
• Breakfast each morning
• Entrance tickets to all specified attractions
• Donation to IWC Charity Committee
You will visit the archaeological sites of Edzna, X/puji, Balamku, Becan, Chicana, Calakmul, Kohunlich, and Coba, as well as a visit to Laguna Bacalar. Contact Joanna at http://writingfrommerida.com/2014/10/26/off-the-beaten-trail-tourism/ for more info on this trip.

Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, March 08
An icon of the music comes to Merida. Do not miss the opportunity to listen live to one of the musicians who marked an era, accompanied by some very accomplished artists in their own rights. This is a unique and unrepeatable concert not to miss.
Location:Coliseo Yucatan, on the road to Progreso
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission:from $425 pesos to $1825 pesos . Buy your tickets in advance here.

Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan (OSY) in March
Note that the next performance of OSY will take place at Teatro Manzanero on Sunday, March 1st. During the month of March there will be NO Friday performances, thus /tickets/seating may be limited.
Sunday, March 1 - A la Eslava - Dvorak and Tchaikovsky
Sunday, March 8 - Concierto Didactico - Mozart, Prokofiev, Britten and Tchaikovsky
Sunday, March 15 - Republica Checa en la musica - Dvorak and Smetana
Sunday, March 22 - Del Clasicismo al Romanticismo - Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Liszt

Concert: Rock and Blues Friday March 13, 2015
The Merida English Library presents its Music in the Gardens concert series. This concert features Steve Katz, formerly of Blood, Sweat & Tears, on guitar and vocals.
Location: Forum Cine Colón (72 street by Colon Avenue)
Time: 7:30 PM
Admission: $100 pesos. Seating limited. Beverages available.

Have an event you want to promote? Email us at info@yucatanliving.com and we'll be happy to list it in our Events listing and our Month-at-a-Glance Calendar!