EVENTS

Mexico abroad

THRU FEB: ANCIENT ART OF VERACRUZ, Mexican Fine Arts Museum–Chicago. This extraordinary exhibit brings together a unique display of sculptures, artifacts and paintings from Veracruz, Mexico. Headlining the exhibit are colossal heads from the Olmec civilization, ranging from 5 feet to 11 feet tall. www.mfacmchicago.org.

FEB 11 – Sept 3: THE AFRICAN PRESENCE IN MEXICO, The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum (MFACM)—Chicago. The most comprehensive project ever organized about African contributions to Mexican culture featuring three exhibitions: The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present, Roots, Resistance and Recognition, and Common Goals, Common Struggles, and Common Ground. www.mfacmchicago.org.

THRU FEB 13: EXHIBITION: THE AZTEC EMPIRE - Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City. The landmark New York museum will examine the extraordinary civilization of the Aztecs through more than 450 works drawn from public and private collections. Organized by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH) and the Consejo Nacional de Cultura (CONACULTA), the exhibition is curated by Felipe Solis Olguin, Director of Mexico City's Museum of Anthropology and designed by Enrique Norten of TEN Arquitectos. www.guggenheim.org.

THRU-APR 3: EXHIBITION: HERITAGE OF POWER: ANCIENT SCULPTURE FROM WEST MEXICO -Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Forty works of ceramics will be on display from the three major west Mexican regions—Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit—and represent the primary style groups of Comala, Ameca-Ezatlan and Ixtlan del Rio. Heroes, houses and ancestor pairs are rendered in three dimensions to give visual substance to prominent members of society and their significant activities on behalf of community and family, as well as to honor their forebears. Placed in major tombs, the sculptures commemorate the high social position, personal power and wealth of the deceased. The sculptures date between 300 B.C. and 400 A.D. and include depictions of birds and animals. www.metmuseum.org.

FEB 16-19: MEXICAN CULINARY EXHIBIT—Montreal, Canada.

FEB 29: MEXICO CITY SEMINAR AND CULINARY FESTIVAL-Chicago, USA.

JAN 4 - FEB 6: Live at the Blue Mamou, Mike Schermer –Zihuatanejo, Gro. Mighty Mike Schermer is back and will be playing with special guests in January and February. He's an extremely talented, contemporary electric guitarist whose blues and American roots music was one of our special treats during the Blue Mamou's 2004/05 season. Paul Libertore of the Marin Independent Journal calls him "...one of the most extraordinary guitarists of the new generation." Charlie Lange of Bluebeat Music writes "...equally at ease with hard-ass blues or the spare necessities of vintage soul, Schermer steps forward with clever tunes, sturdy vocals and loads of great guitar!" Mike Schermer has put out two killer CDs that are worthy additions to any blues-lovers collection: "First Set" and "Next Set," both available on-line on Mike's website: http://www.mighty-mike.com

JAN 25 - FEB 7: Live at the Blue Mamou, Terry Hanck –Zihuatanejo, Gro. Terry Hanck is well known for his hard blowing sax, incredible range and gusty vocals. Born in Chicago, Hanck was heavily influenced by the blues, soul and jazz music of the 50’s and early 60’s. After moving to California in 1965, he toured with Elvin Bishop through most of the 70’s and 80’s and Bishop gave him plenty of opportunities to hone his craft on stage. “Terry Hanck is a fine vocalist, an amazing showman, and my favorite sax player,” says Bishop. Terry Hanck left the Bishop band to tour under his own name in the late 80’s playing a signature mix of New Orleans Gumbo, West Coast Jump and East Bay Funk, all delivered with a heavy dose of blues and soul. Check him out at www.terryhanck.net

FEB 1: Opening new location of Galart, Villa de la Selva Restaurant –Ixtapa, Gro. Paintings and sculptures, exclusive designs by Emilia Castillo & D’Argenta, Folk Art by Jose A. Madrazo, Jewelry by Arthur Koby, Gigi Mizrahi, Tidure’s, Open daily 6pm-12pm. Grand Inauguration in February, TBA.

FEB 2: Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria)--Nationwide. Celebrated with candlelit processions dedicated to the Virgin Many and dancing in many towns throughout the country, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas celebration and stems from earlier customs of purification and fertility and in Mexico it is also linked to the Aztec New Year. On this national holiday, families and friends gather together and those who received the doll in their piece of cake on Three Kings day must host a party and provide their guests with tamales and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour). It is said that this tradition (of providing food and drink) comes from the times when priests were attempting to convert the population, and needed some form of incentive to make the indigenous Mexicans attend their celebrations.

FEB 5: Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) –Nationwide. An official holiday that commemorates the signing, on this date in 1917, of Mexico's third Constitution, which continues to be the basis for the Mexican legal system to this day.

FEB 7 - 22: Live at the Blue Mamou, John Nemeth –Zihuatanejo, Gro. John Nemeth is a traditional Blues singer whose style resembles that of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker. His decade long career has found him opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo', and Earl Thomas. Performing major music festivals around the United States, Scandinavia, and Canada as both a featured artist of the Junior Watson Band and fronting his band the Jacks has brought him critical acclaim. The Cascade Blues Association selected Nemeth as a crowd favorite at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival in 2002, and the Washington Blues Society called him the show stealer at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival in 2003. He is considered a topnotch harp blower. Greg Johnson of Blues Notes writes, "John Nemeth possesses rich harmonica tone that easily brings to mind Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter."

FEB 11: Arthur Koby Jewelry Exhibition, Galart, Hotel Villa del Sol –Zihuatanejo, Gro. Back by popular demand and just in time for Valentine’s Day. If you missed it last time, you have a second chance to see Arthur Koby’s bold and original pieces that drive women wild, “Last time I saw so many women oohing and ahhing and squealing was at a Duran Duran concert.” –over heard at the bar during Koby’s last show. Opening 7pm-10pm, exhibition runs through February 15.

FEB 12: Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet and Fashion Show, Coconuts—Zihuatanejo, Gro. All you can eat, all you can drink champagne brunch in our beautiful garden. Join us as we celebrate Valentine’s with a fashion show featuring unique local designers evening wear, bikinis and lingerie, one of a kind fine jewelry pieces, accessories, fun gift boxes and valentines surprises. After the show, the designers will be on hand with select items for purchase. There will also be raffle benefiting the Humane Society of Zihuatanejo. Brunch starts at 11am and the fashion show begins at 12:30pm. Tickets are $300 pesos per person and reservations are currently being accepted, tel. 755-554-2518

FEB 14: Valentine’s Day – Worldwide.

FEB 17-19: 4TH National Motorcycle Reunion (Reunion Nacional de Motociclismo) – Zamora, Michoacán. The event will include bike acrobats, a live rock concert, tours to the most beautiful places in Zamora and surroundings, among others. For more information, visit: www.amoden.com

FEB 16: A Night of Aztec Culture Night Honoring Mexico's Poet King, Netzahualcoyotl –Zihuatanejo, Gro. Enjoy an uplifting celebration of Aztec culture with colorful costumes and live music, plus a very special presentation of dance and poetry to be read in Nahuatl, Spanish and English by Zihuatanejo students. 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the fabulous La Cala Restaurant at Puerto Mio, with its breathtaking views of the entrance to Zihuatanejo Bay. Cocktails and appetizers will be served, plus live music and a silent auction of select fine crafts and local items. Tickets are 400 pesos, or 40.00 dollars. Proceeds benefit The Netza School Project (now a U.S. 501-C3 charitable corporation), dedicated to equal-access to education for indigenous, and indeed, all children and all people, for all time, as well as related causes in literacy, culture and health in the region. Advance tickets recommended, from La Cala 755-54-46177, Rocio Madrazo at Galart/Villa del Sol 755-55-47774 (galartgrupogala@hotmail.com), from Bill Underwood, 755-55-70820, and from TNSP Founder & Executive Director Lisa Martin, lisa@lisabmartin.com, Mexico cell 044-755-10-01173, US tel 207-389-2124. See www.netzaproject.org for more info.

FEB 19: Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival Fundraiser, Sail and Snorkel trip on the Picante catamaran –Zihuatanejo, Gro. Come enjoy a day of sailing on the beautiful Picante catamaran with snorkeling, $450 pesos per person. Proceeds benefit the Zihuatanejo International Guitar festival, a non profit festival in its third year that benefits the arts and culture in Zihuatanejo by hosting a week long music festival every year. This year’s event is March 26 – April 2 and the line up includes 26 international artists. www.zihuafest.info

Email us for more info and reservations

FEB 22-28: Ceremony of the Pocho Dance--Tenosique, Tabasco. Dating back to prehispanic times, the traditional "Pocho" dance means it's almost Carnival time in Tabasco. The Pocho consists of a series of dances and other ancient ceremonies performed by masked dancers, many dressed as jaguars and tigers. The dance symbolizes the purification of man through the battle between good and evil. The Pocho performances begin on January 20 at the main park in Tenosique and on all subsequent Sundays prior to the commencement of Carnival. On the last day, the dancers dance backwards from the main square to the church where the dance began.

FEB 22 – MAR 5: 3rd International Contemporary Film Festival of Mexico City (Festival Internacional del Cine Contemporaneo de la Ciudad de Mexico)--Mexico City. Hosted by Cinemex, the Mexico City International Contemporary Film Festival is a ten-day showcase featuring 150 international pictures, among them winners at the Venice, Berlin and Cannes film festivals. www.ficco-mex.com/

FEB 23-28: Carnival (Carnaval)--Nationwide. Celebrations begin five days before Ash Wednesday and are marked by parades, parties and dancing in the streets. Some of the most famous and festive celebrations are held in the port towns of Veracruz, Campeche (www.webcampeche.com ), Mazatlan (www.carnavalmazatlan.com.mx) and Ensenada, while carnival in San Juan Chamula, Chiapas is one of the most important indigenous celebrations in Mexico, involving purification ceremonies and ethnic dances that depict Mayan legends.

FEB 24 Flag Day (Día de la Bandera) - On this day in 1821, the Iguala Plan was signed, and Mexico officially became an independent country, thus ending the war of independence from Spain.

FEB 25, 26: Buddhism seminar, “Anger and Forgiveness” –Ixtapa, Gro. Israel Lifshitz comes back for a second two day seminar on Buddhist teachings. To be held in the conference room at the Palma Real Golf course, Sat and Sun 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm. Contact Rocio Madrazo at Galart for reservations and more information, galart@prodigy.net.mx tel. 755-554-7774

FEB 27: Seashells and Wine Festival-Ensenada, Baja California. Now in its 6th year, this exquisite festival will take place at the Salon Rojo y Patio Bugambilias, celebrating the fine wine from the region. For more information, contact: fiestasvendimia@hotmail.com.

MAR 3: Night of the Witches (Noche de Brujas)--Catemaco, Veracruz. Is modern medicine getting you down? Need a cure or are you just a bit curious? The small lakeside town of Catemaco, referred to as the mecca of witch doctors, attracts thousands of people seeking non-conventional healing methods, and many swear by the results. Taking place the first Friday night of March every year, the annual gathering is a spectacle of witches, healers, magicians and wizards.

MAR 4: David Correa Exhibition --Ixtapa, GRO. Galart’s new location at Vila de la Selva restaurant in Ixtapa hosts an exhibition of paintings by David Correa, (read about him in the November 2004 / 34 edition of ADIP). Correa is an award winning painter from Mexico City who has exhibited across the globe. Come see his bold colorful works and meet the artist 7pm – 10pm.

MAR 26 – APR 2: 3rd Annual Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival --Zihuatanejo, GRO. For the third year in a row, the streets will be full of music when invited guitarists from across the globe come to Zihuatanejo with great music for a great cause. ZIGF is a week long benefit festival with a full eight days of live music including: Gala Dinner shows nightly, Live Music shows nightly, an Opening Concert Sunday March 26, a Closing Concert April 1 and a free children’s concert during the week, with other special events planned. Over 60 artists submitted for 2006, 24 international artists are confirmed so far, check www.zihuafest.info for artists list and complete festival information.
*** If you want to help: Sponsor an artist or Be a Volunteer (Volunteers now needed, contact info@zihuafest.info to sign-up.)