November 2010

Revolution Day Parade, Zihuatanjeo, November 2000. Photo by Grace Relfe.

Nov 1-2, XVI Festival de Las Calaveras (Festival of the Skulls) Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes. This macabre festival features a variety of deadly art exhibits, performing arts and a parade of skeletons with contests for the most creative costumes and artwork. Skulls of different sizes and materials are on display as well as games and stands with traditional food and seasonal fruits. For more info: Festival de Las Calaveras

Nov 1-2, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), nationwide. One of the most colorful annual festivals in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos commemorates departed loved ones. During this festival, the dead are thought to have divine permission to visit friends and relatives on earth. The living, welcome the souls of the departed by putting out offerings of their favorite foods and beverages, as well as marigolds and candles.

Nov 4-7, X Rally de Motociclismo (10^th Annual Harley Davidson Rocky Point Rally), Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. Annual HOG get together featuring charity events, beaches, live music and of course “rides.” For more info:  Rocky Point Rally

Nov 5, Tequila Tasting at Caprichos Grill House, calle Cinco de Mayo, Zihuatanejo 7 pm. Join new owners of Caprichos, Hicham and Lisa, for a tequila tasting.You will enjoy four samples of tequila as well as two new Moroccon appetizers. Reservations recommended 554.3019.

Nov 5-13, Festival International de Cine Independiente y Video Oaxaca (Oaxaca International Independent Film and Video Festival), Oaxaca, Oaxaca. This premiere cinematic event, showcasing films exploring a broad range of subject matter and spanning multiple genres will be held throughout the city of Oaxaca, in fifteen different venues. This festival provides a platform for the talents of seasoned filmmakers and emerging artists alike to premiere their work, as well as expanding the audience for independent film. for more info: Oaxaca Film Fest

Nov.11-27, XXII Festival de Musica de Morelia (International Music Festival of Morelia, Michoacan). Created in 1989, this annual festival features performances by musicians from all over the world and takes place at beautiful settings throughout Morelia. Music aficionados can experience and enjoy the presence hundreds of international artists, an array of concerts, seminars, classes and courses both for students and music professionals. For more info:  Festival de Musica de Morelia

Nov.12-14,  9th Annual Feria Maestros del Arte, Club de Yates de Chapala (Masters of Art Fair, Chapala Yacht Club),Paseo Ramon Corona, Chapala, Jalisco. This art fair is a non-profit organization which promotes the rapidly disappearing folk and indigenous art (artensania) of Mexico. Artists are invited from all corners of Mexico. Some whose art has been passed down from generation t o generation and others considered undiscovered and worthy of recognition for their art. For more info: Feria Maestros del Arte

Nov.17-20, Concierto de las Campanas (Concert of Bells)–Cholula, Puebla. More than 100 bells from the different churches in Cholula participate in this annual celestial concert of bells. The town boasts the greatest quantity of churches and alters in Mexico with a total of 365 in the district, one for each day of the year. Townspeople sit atop roofs with lit candles to enjoy the harmonious spectacle. This unique and innovative event is held the Saturday closest to full moon and is complemented with artistic performances and fireworks.  For more info: Vive Cholula

Nov 20, Día de la Revolución (Mexican Revolution Day), nationwide. This year the date marks the 100^th anniversary of the start of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 when Francisco “Pancho” Villa and Pascual Orozco led the first insurrectionist attack. The main causes of the revolution were the dictatorship-like rule of Pofirio Diaz for over 30 years, exploitation and poor treatment of workers, and great disparity between rich and poor. On this day, throughout Mexico, there will be magnificent parades and impressive civic ceremonies commemorating the Centennial anniversary, as was the case for the Bicentennial of Independence Day this year.

Nov 20, Wine Tasting at Caprichos Grill House, calle Cinco de Mayo, Zihuatanejo, 7 pm. Enjoy a selection of wines with owners Hicham and Lisa. There will be four wine tastings, paired with Asian Fusion appetizers. Reservations recommended 554.3019

Begins the last week of Nov., 73rd Feria Nacional de Plata (73rd National Silver Fair)—Taxco, Guerrero. Taxco is the region of the country known as Mexico’s “silver heartland,” as it is the source of much of the lucrative silver mining and export business. Every year Mexico’s best silversmiths compete against artists from around the world in this lavish festival including concerts, dances, fireworks and a seemingly endless supply of unique items for sale. For more info:  Feria Nacional de Plata

Nov. 10-14, XVI Festival Internacional de Jazz y Blues (16th International Jazz and Blues Festival), San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Historic San Miguel de Allende will once again come alive to celebrate the sixteenth year of the International Festival of Jazz and Blues, adding itself to the festivities of the Bicentennial of Independence and Centennial of the Revolution. Some of the greatest names in international jazz and blues will perform in historic and beautiful venues such as La Troje and the Amphitheatre of the Cultural Center of Santa María del Obraje (an extraordinary eighteenth century ex-hacienda), the classic Teatro Ángela Peralta, the Cultural Center of Rancho Los Labradores and the Jardín Principal, where the music will float alongside the city’s icon – the Gothic church La Parroquia of San Miguel de Allende. For more info: San Miguel Jazz

Nov.27- Dec 5, Feria Internacional del Libro (International Book Fair in Guadalajara), Guadalajara, Jalisco. The FIL is an eclectic celebration of literature, art and culture and is the second largest book fair in the world and the largest and most diverse international offering of publications in the Spanish language. Every night during FIL, a free concert  is given and also extends to museums, cultural centers and art galleries throughout the city, turning a celebration of writing into a feast of culture in many varied settings, and attracting a diverse audience. www.fil.com.mx

Nov.27-Dec.12, Feria Nacional del Tequila (National Tequila Fair), Tequila, Jalisco. Held annually, the tequila fair features an exposition of the primary tequila makers throughout the country, with demonstrations on how this famous spirit is made. The fair also features charreadas (Mexican rodeo events), cockfights, mariachi serenades and fireworks.

Nov-Mar, Santuarios de la Mariposa Monarca (Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries) several are in Michoacan State. Every year, millions of Monarch butterflies migrate from Canada and the U.S. to the Oyamel forests near Angangueo, Michoacan in the fall, hibernating for winter and mating in the spring. Two sanctuaries are open to the public in the towns of Angangueo and Ocampo. For more info: Michoacán Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries