Merida Events: Xmatkuil Fair 2014

3 November 2014 Events 0

This Week... starting November 03, 2014

National Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe: December 12
This is one of the biggest fiestas of the year in Mexico. You can see some of the activities in Merida in Yucatan Living’s Virgin of Guadalupe Video.

Christmas and New Year's Eve
The last two weeks of December and the first five days of January are relatively quiet in Yucatan, but the new year of almost non-stop festivals begins again on January 6 (Three Kings’ Day, aka Epiphany). So do keep watch on Yucatan Living’s Events pages to see what there is to do in Merida whenever you are here.

In The City

New Ongoing Event: Cemetery Walking Tour (Wednesday Nights)
Don Wilbert Sosa, with his extensive knowledge of the history of this cemetery, will walk you through the tombs, mausoleums and roundabouts of famous people who are buried here, telling stories of those men and women who shaped the history of our state. You are cordially invited to come and learn about the various funeral rites that have existed in Merida, from pre-Hispanic to the present, and about the various architectural styles of the mausoleums and tombs.
Location: Cementerio General de la Ciudad (General Cemetery of the City), at the southern end of Calle 66, south of Ermita
Time: 8:00 PM all Wednesdays
Admission: Free

Temporary Exhibition of the National Museum of Egypt
This exhibition will be open only during the Festival of Mayan Culture. There are 25 pieces in the collection. Why Egypt? No idea...
Location: Juan Gamboa Guzman Gallery, Calle 59 x 60 y 58
Time: Opens at 10 AM
Admission Free

Monday (Lunes) November 03, 2014

No Events Planned for Today

Tuesday (Martes) November 04, 2014

Movie: Frankenstein
An obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses. In English with Spanish subtitles.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Marti, Av. Colon x Calle 20, García Ginerés.
Time: 8:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Tuesday of Trova Trio Inspiracion
As always and excellent group playing Yucatan's Trova.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Canoa
(Mexico 1976) A group of students take a bus to go to a small town, in order to finish a professional practice. All of them are friends, and they decide to sing some modern songs, while the other passengers are trying to sleep. One of the passengers gets angry and shouts "stop rowing", so they shut up. But when they arrive in the town, and after knowing the incident, everybody treats them as if they were criminals. In Spanish.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Tuesday
Admission: Free

Wednesday (Miercoles) November 05, 2014

Gremio to begin Week Long Festival
There will be a gremio (procession) in the seaside town of Telchac Puerto to herald the beginning of a week-long traditional festival in honor of San Diego Alcala.
Location: Telchac Puerto
Time: 11:00 AM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Metamorphosis
(USA 2008) Based on 'Frank Kafka''s Metamorphose story, the documentary presents 2 metamorphosis of the present society: anorexia, as an disruption of our self-perception; depression, as an isolating illness ; and physically handicapped conditions, as mobility problems. In English, with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Music: International Choir Festival
Singer Children from Yucatan and Orquesta Tipica Infantil along with Choral Red from Yucatan are present on the opening of the 2014 International Choir Festival taking place in Yucatan from November 05 to the 10th.
Location: Jose Peon Contreras Theater
Time: 8:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: Free

Movie: Cendres
(France 2009) Exiled from her country since her husband's murder ten years earlier, Judith lives in Marseille with her three children. After having refused to see her family for years, Judith, in spite of her fears and secrets, allows herself to be influenced by her children's wishes and accepts an invitation to their cousin's wedding. They set off to spend a summer in the old country, discovering their roots and their past. But Judith's return revives old hatreds between rival clans. In French with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro, Open Air Cinema
Time: 9:00 PM Wednesday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Thursday (Jueves) November 06, 2014

Movie: The Act of Killing
(Denmark 2012) A documentary which challenges former Indonesian death-squad leaders to reenact their mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers. In English with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Telchac Puerto Mass
Mass at the corner of Calle 29 and Calle 24 in Telchac Puerto, as part of a week-long traditional festival in honor of San Diego Alcala.
Location: Telchac Puerto
Time: 7:30 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Music: Nights in Paris
The performance of the musical group "Night in Paris" will be a delight for everyone present since the group has with a French star, singer Priscillia Urroz. Admission is free, so expect a crowd. "Nights in Paris" is a musical ensemble of the Vienna Music & Art Academy-Yucatán. (This group will also be playing in Telchac Puerto next Monday)
Location: French Alliance in Merida, C 117 x 23 and 24 col. Mexico
Time: 8:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Music: Los Romanticos
Romantic music for the soul.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:30 PM Thursday
Admission:$50 pesos

Movie: The Thing from Another World
(USA 1951) Scientists and American Air Force officials fend off a blood-thirsty alien organism while at a remote arctic outpost. This must be in English, most likely with Spanish subtitles.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Thursday
Admission: Free

Movie: Casa
(France 2011) Before the family home is sold, the filmmaker decides to film their memories and the sorrows that still inhabit the place where his father died some years ago. In French, we think, with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 9:00 PM Thursday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Friday (Viernes) November 07 , 2014

Movie: Diente por Diente
(Mexico 2012) Pablo Kramsky, a crime reporter for a tabloid newspaper is the victim of a home invasion. A colleague offers him a gun for self-defense, and this leads Kramsky to kill a person when he feels endangered. Kramsky is not brilliant at his job, but when he writes an article about a possible vigilante taking justice into his own hands, he gains the recognition of his superior and the admiration of his coworkers. Thus, Kramsky repeats the formula, committing crimes and writing about them, creating a crime fighting national hero. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro,
Time: 5:00 PM Friday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

X’matkuil State Fair: November 7 – November 30
These events take place at the X’matkuil fairgrounds. Admission is only $15 pesos and parking is $30 pesos. In addition to theater events, there are so many performance shows that it makes this fair the largest center for nightlife in southeast Mexico right now.
Location: Fairgrounds at Xmatkuil, south of Merida.
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Friday
Admission: $15 pesos, $30pesos parking

Movie: The Man Who Laughs
(USA 1928) When a proud noble refuses to kiss the hand of the despotic King James in 1690, he is cruelly executed and his son surgically disfigured.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Dance: Solos for Joining
When loneliness provides an opportunity for meeting. This is a performance by the Contemporary Free Dance Company.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday (Fridays and Saturdays October 17 through November 22)
Admission: $50 pesos, Students and INAPAM: $25 pesos

Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Temporada XXII: Program 5. Suite No. 1 “Carmen” Georges Bizet, Harp Concerto, Op. 25 Alberto Ginastera and Symphony No. 7, Op. 131 Sergei Prokofiev. This program will feature as guest director one of the most important Mexican directors, Jesus Medina, Principal Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the University Nuevo Leon. The Carmen Suite No. 1, and two additional great works, the Harp Concerto by Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera, feature OSY’s bright harpist Ruth Bennett, and the cheerful and energetic Russian Seventh Symphony by Sergei Prokofiev.
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: 9:00 PM Friday. Must be seated at least 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance.
Admission: Tickets available at the box office.

Movie: Klip
(Serbia 2012) Jasna is a beautiful girl in her mid-teens, leading a crude life of the postwar generation in Serbia. With a terminally ill father and dispirited mother, she is disillusioned and angry with everyone and everything, including herself. Having a huge crush on a boy from school, she goes on a spree of sex, drugs and partying, constantly filming with her mobile phone. Still, in that very harsh environment love and tenderness emerge. In Serbian with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro, Open Air Cinema.
Time: 9:00 PM Friday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Vaquería Dance
This traditional dance will be presented in the corridors of City Hall as part of a week-long traditional festival in honor of San Diego Alcala. Providing music will be the Victor Soberanis Orchestra and the Medardo Kantunial Gamboa Orchestra. They will also present the ambassador to the festival, Graciela Ortega Fesyejos Tamayo, age 17, a student at Cobay.
Location: Telchac Puerto
Time: 10:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

Saturday (Sabado) November 08, 2014

Merida English Library - Saturday Lecture Series
November 8: Three interesting & easy day-trips from Merida. George McClellan.
Location: Merida English Library, Calle 53 x 6 y 68
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday
Admission: free

Opera Yucatan, A.C. Begins Fifth Season With Mozart’s Don Giovanni
This organization was created as a non-profit civil association to promote the art of opera in Yucatan. Their objectives are purely educational and cultural.
Location: Sala Mayamax in Gran Museo del Mundo Maya.
Time: 11:30 Opera Talk, 12:00 PM Video begins
Admission: Free

Event Taurino
Comic bullfighting will be presented, along with a lot more shenanigans, no doubt.
Location: The lot on Calle 22, opposite Temple Sinai, Telchac Puerto
Time: 4:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Movie: La Transformación del Mundo en Música
(Germany 1996) The Opera Festival Bayreuth transforms for a few days, the entire city in music, and also, in a more humane and perhaps less Wagnerian site. Walking the scenes of the opera, Herzog travels orchestral universe and confirms his theory: the opera is another world. Part of a simple but important thing: make the world music. In German with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro
Time: 5:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Movie: The Curse of Frankenstein
(UK 1957) Victor Frankenstein builds a creature and brings it to life. But his creature behaves not as he intended. Probably in English with Spanish subtitles.
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 7:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Hotel Zamna: The Magic of the Movies
This event includes a three course dinner followed by one of the famous Zamna quizzes.
Location: Hotel Zamna, Calle 53 #547, Barrio de Santiago, Merida Centro
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, dinner served at 7:30 PM, Saturday
Admission: Tickets are $150 pesos and are available from hotel reception.
More Information: call (999) 924-0103

Dance: Solos for Joining Fridays and Saturdays October 17 through November 22
When loneliness provides an opportunity for meeting. This is a performance by the Contemporary Free Dance Company.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 8:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $50 pesos, Students and INAPAM: $25 pesos

Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
(USA 2011) Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker. In English.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Movie: Party Girl
(France 2014) An aging nightclub hostess decides to settle down and get married. In French with Spanish subtitles.
Location: LA 68, Calle 68 at Calle 55, Centro, Open Air Cinema.
Time: 9:00 PM Saturday
Admission: $35 pesos, $15 pesos students

Dancing!
Dancing in the streets... everyone is invited. Live music!
Location: Opposite the Municipal Palace, Telchac Puerto
Time: 10:00 PM Saturday
Admission: Free

Sunday (Domingo), November 09 2014

Documentary: Prehistoric Life
Life from the beginnig of the planet. In Spanish
Location: Museo de Historia Natural, Next to the Zoo on Calle 59.
Time: 12:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Yucatan and Spain in Music
Spanish and Yucatecan Music together in a wonderful event. Get ready to listen to some Zarzuela!!
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo, Calle 62 x 61
Time: 12:00 and 8:00 PM Sunday
Admission:$50 pesos

Symphony Orchestra of Yucatan
Temporada XXII: Program 5. Suite No. 1 “Carmen” Georges Bizet, Harp Concerto, Op. 25 Alberto Ginastera and Symphony No. 7, Op. 131 Sergei Prokofiev. This program will feature as guest director one of the most important Mexican directors, Jesus Medina, Principal Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the University Nuevo Leon. The Carmen Suite No. 1, and two additional great works, the Harp Concerto by Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera, features OSY’s bright harpist Ruth Bennett, and the cheerful and energetic Russian Seventh Symphony by Sergei Prokofiev.
Location: Teatro Jose Peon Contreras, Calle 60 x 57
Time: Sunday: 12:30 PM, must be seated at least 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance.
Admission: Tickets available at the box office.

VI Annual Merida Showcase of Homes
This event is a major fundraiser for Fundacion BAI A.C. (Brazos Abiertos Yucatan). It is a self-guided tour of seven of the most beautiful homes in Merida’s Historical Centro. These restored colonial homes represent the work of seven of the best architects in Yucatan and each is a “must see” treasure. Brazos Abiertos works to provide education and be a catalyst for change in order to prevent HIV/AIDS, and to help stop the stigma that the virus still carries in many circles. They provide free classes and free counseling. All proceeds will be used for their programs in Yucatan. Yucatan Living is one of the sponsors of this very worthy and well-run event.
Location: Starting point: Hennessy’s Irish Pub on Paseo de Montejo x Calle 41 y 43, Centro.
Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Admission: Tickets: General: $300 pesos, Students: $150 pesos. Tickets include a complimentary drink at the end at either Hennesseys or Casa de las Torres, and a complimentary drink at Cantina La Negrita during the tour. Tickets are currently on sale at Hennessy’s Irish Pub, Cantina La Negrita, Restaurante Unico, Robert Abuda Salon, or by phone at (999) 292-8436. For more information, visit Fundacion BAI A.C. online.

Event Taurino
Comic bullfighting will be presented. Great bullfighting involving Papadzul and Moloch Wiros, directly from Channel 13
Location: The lot on Calle 22, opposite Temple Sinai, Telchac Puerto
Time: 4:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Movie: The social network
(USA 2010) Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, but is later sued by two brothers who claimed he stole their idea, and the cofounder who was later squeezed out of the business. In English.
Location: Cairo Cinema, Calle 20 #98A x 15 y 17, Colonia Itzimná
Time: 9:00 PM Sunday
Admission: Free

Monday (Lunes) November 10, 2014

Art Show: Los Pinceles de la García
Art show from local artists living in Colonia García Ginerés.
Location: Centro Cultural Jose Martí, Av. Colon x Calle 20
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free

Classical Concert
Enjoy the beautiful Yucatan Classic Quintet concert "Gala Musical Yucateca" by the Vienna Music & Art Academy - Yucatan. They will be accompanying the tenor Miguel Mena, under the direction of Maestro José Luis Chan Sabido.
Location: The Municipal Auditorium, The Colosito, in Telchac Puerto
Time: 8:00 PM Monday
Admission: Free

Coming Soon

November Tuesday of Trova
11 | Trío K’aay Ta’an
18 | Trío Ensueño
25 | Trío Los Galanes
Location: Videosala of the Olimpo
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

VI Anniversary: SoHo Galleries' Back to Cuba Exhibition Friday, November 14
Meet the artist: Jorge Jacas Vivanco, enjoy the works of Sandra Dooley Medina, toast the artists with Cuban drinks, and enjoy the gourmet delights made by Anita, the Sausage Lady.
Location: SoHo Galleries, Calle 60 #400-A x 43 y 41
Time: 7:00 PM Friday
Admission: Free

ARTE a MANO AANY Expo - November 14, 15, & 16
This year’s exciting show represents over 70 masters of the finest in Yucatecan art and handcrafted treasures.
Location: CONACO, Av. Itzaes # 273 x 31 y 33, Three blocks from Clinica de Merida
Time: Preview on Nov. 14 at 5 PM, Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 7 PM
Admission: TBA

Yucadanz: Monthly Contra Dance in Merida - First Dance: Saturday, November 22
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!
Additional Dates:
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Saturday, April 11, 2015

Fourth National and International Jose Jacinto Cuevas Piano Competition- November 21-29
Competition is tough here, but the best of the best come to Merida and they are all winners in our book! You can find out more at their website here.
Location: Teatro Felipe Carrillo Puerto
Time: Opening Ceremony: Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, 8:00 PM.
First stage of competition: Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:00 AM. Additional competitions will be announced throughout the week, with the awards ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. No times have been announced, as yet, for any of the events except the opening ceremony and first stage of competition.
Admission: Free

Bird-a-thon Xocch’ich: November 21 through 23
The biggest birdwatching competition on the Yucatan Peninsula. More Information as it becomes available. Mark your calendars!

Live, Love, Laugh - November 23
A full day of fun, interactive presentations, demonstrations and workshops by several holistic health practitioners. The universe is energy. You live in and use energy in everything you do from your thoughts, your movements and in your emotional and spiritual life. Our goal is to help you use this energy to get the best out of your life. Presenters will include Barbara Harris, Astrea Geertsema, Elizabeth Arnott, Julie Chickadel-Cardena and Nancy Hokenson.
Date: November 23
Location: Flow Holistic Center, Calle 79 #191 A, Montes de Ame, Merida
Tickets : $350 pesos. You can purchase your tickets at Flow Center or contact Barb Harris 999 193 4669 or email Barbarajoanharris@gmail.com or from one of the facilitators.

Chamber Orchestra of Merida - November 23
This performance is under the direction of Russel Montanez Coronado. This small orchestra is one of the best of its size that we have ever heard.
Location: Auditorium of the Olimpo
Time: 6:00 PM
Admission: Free

Miraculous Medal Race - November 23
This running event is open to the general public and is being held as a benefit for the Chelem Chapel. The course is approximately 14 miles long. Prizes to be announced. Categories include: free, master, submaster, male and female veterans, and veterans plus wheel chair. There will also be additional events, such as 5K hikes, walks. This event is under the direction of the Institute of Sport (IDEY).
Location: Chelem, Progreso, Yucatan (start and finish at the church)
Time: TBA
Admission: $100 pesos

Benefit: The Oasis Red Ribbon Charity Ball - Nov. 29, 2014
This lavish event will open the festive season on the terrace of one of Merida’s most spectacular homes. The event will be a be a fundraiser for Oasis San Juan de Dios AC, a shelter for people affected by HIV/AIDS who have no resources and no family to care for them. Live music and dancing will follow the scrumptious dessert bar. A raffle and live auction will add to the merry-making.
Location: At a private residence in Merida, TBA
Time: TBA
Admission: $1,000 pesos per person. Limit 150 people. A buffet dinner and a full open bar (all drinks are included in the ticket price).

“My Sister’s Closet” 5th Annual Fashion Show: At the Hop - January 29
The Fashion Show Committee needs your gently used, summer clothing for the Boutique. Even one outfit will help Little by little we "fill the closet" from which we choose the 36 model outfits, selling the rest to the 180 women who attend. If you have clothing to donate please contact these wonderful volunteers: Chelem: Frances Cummings cummings_fh@yahoo.ca, Chuburna: Chris Parkin ucatanchris@gmail.com, Progreso: Diane Clinton dminerdc@gmail.com, Chicxulub: Karen Cloutier klcloutier@hotmail.com. Without this clothing, the event, in support of El Programa de Apoyo Escolar de Chuburná Puerto, would not happen. Thanks on behalf of the students and their families
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Admission: TBA

Merida English Library Saturday Lecture Series October – March
• November 8: Three interesting & easy day-trips from Merida. George McClellan.
• November 15: Important women of the Yucatan. George Ann Huck.
• November 22: The history of chocolate in Mexico. Presenter to be confirmed.
• November 29: US Thanksgiving weekend. No program.
• December 6: Birding in the Yucatan. Cherie Pittillo.
• December 13: Justo Sierra O’Reilly – 19th century Yucatecan writer. James Gunn.
• December 20 (Winter Solstice): What are labyrinths, how are they used? Offsite; attendance limited to 15 persons. Dan Karnes.
• December 27: Christmas weekend. No program.
• January 3: New Year’s weekend. No program.
• January 10: Popol Vuh – the Maya creation story and more. Miguel Angel Vergara.
• January 17: Writers’ Workshop. John Gray.
• January 24: The history of the Yucatan-Cuba connection. Peter Johnson.
• January 31: Mexican history: A hero and a villain: Juarez and Diaz. George Ashley.
• February 7: Eldercare Choices in the US. Catherine Hawes & Charles Phillips.
• February 14: Valentine’s Day & Carnival weekend. No program.
• 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
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Admission: Most lectures are free, some have a nominal fee

VI Full Moon Jazz Festival - February 6
This event is the major fundraiser for Telchac Education. This program continues to sponsor children in school in the Telchac area and they are thriving. Three fabulous bands, dancing, the food court and full bar await you on the beach Many thanks to all of the sponsors and to everyone who participates in this Jazz Festival.
Location: Villas Wayak, km 25.5 Progreso - Telchac Road
Time: This is an all day and into the night event
Admission: Free but please come prepared to purchase food and drinks, and - we hope - to make a donation and/or sponsor a child in the Telchac Education Program.

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!