Walk with Weavers: Jan 30 - Feb 5, XI Feria de Turismo Rural de Oaxaca

Walk with Weavers: Jan 30 - Feb 5, XI Feria de Turismo Rural de Oaxaca (11th Annual Rural Tourism Fair of Oaxaca), Oaxaca City, Oaxaca.

Jan-Mar, Whale watching, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. One secret that the waters off the beach have to offer during winter months is the great whale-watching during their annual migration. In December and early January many of the fishing and sailing boats have already spotted great packs of dolphins, pods of whales with calves and quite a few sea turtles just floating along. You should be able to see whales if you go out in a boat just outside the bay of Zihuatanejo. There isn’t any guarantee, of course, but this is the time of year when they pass along our coast, and there are many ways to book boat trips here in Zihuatanejo. You can hire a boat straight off the beach, contact the fishing collectives down on the waterfront near the pier or along Playa Municipal, or just ask around the marinas…It’s worth it!

Jan 6, Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day), National. Celebrate the Epiphany (as it is usually called in English) the Mexican way, with gifts for the children and a feast with family or friends. The Feast of the Epiphany recalls the arrival in Bethlehem of the three wise men (reyes magos) bearing gifts for baby Jesus. This is the day of traditional gift-giving for children in the central and southern regions of Mexico. Rosca de Reyes, is a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits with tiny plastic babies baked inside, is served on this day. Whoever is lucky enough to find the figure in his slice of bread must host a party on February 2, Candlemas Day, offering tamales (stuffed cornflour cakes wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves) and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour) to the guests.

Jan 8, ADIP Author Series at Coconuts Retaurant, Zihuatanejo at 7pm. Jay Frankston, California author and poet, will do a reading and book signing of his new novel El Sereno.  Jay Frankston was raised in Paris, and came to the U.S. in 1942. He became a lawyer and practiced in New York for 20 years reaching the top of his profession and writing at the same time. In 1972 he gave up law and New York and moved to California where he became a college instructor. He is the nationally published author of several books some of which have been condensed in Reader’s Digest and translated into 15 languages. His book “A Christmas Story” a true story has been read by millions and included in numerous anthologies from Germany to Korea and beyond.

Jan.10, Tequila Tasting at Caprichos Grill House 7:00 p.m. Try five unique tequilas from Mexican Boutique tequila makers.  Appetizers will be served.  Reservations and information at www.facebook.com/CaprichosGrill

Jan 14- Feb 8, León State Fair, León, Guanajuato. Leon City Located just 45 minutes outside of Guanajuato, hosts this annual fair which features concerts, dance, food and much more. One of the highlights of this year’s fair is an ancient Totonac ritual performed by dancers of all ages called Los Voladores de Papantla (Flyers from Papantla). These professional dancers launch themselves from the top of a 100-foot pole and slowly descend, flying through the air as the ropes around the pole unwind. www.ferialeon.com.mx

Jan 15, ADIP 11th Anniversary & 2nd Annual Community Fair Fiesta, Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande., Zihuatanejo, Gro. 6-10PM. Come celebrate with Another Day in Paradise Magazine and the vibrant Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo community it serves, at ADIP’s 11th Anniversary Party and 2nd Annual Community Fair Fiesta! We will have live music by Bluesman Scotty, drinks including an international wine menu from Vinoteca, information tables with representatives on hand from some of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s wide variety of community projects and non-profit associations–sharing information about what they do and how you can get involved, and much more. Join us Saturday, January 15, at the Archeology Museum in Zihuatanejo, located at the end of Paseo del Pescador, at the canal.

Jan. 17, El Día de San Antonio Abad(The Feast of St. Anthony), in Zihuatanejo and churches all over the country. The Mexican people are certainly concerned about the fate of their animals, in life and death, because on January 17th, they bring their pets to be blessed at the local church. With the diversity of nature to be found in Mexico, you can guarantee some unusual pets will be at the church. Don’t just expect to see pets either, since for agricultural people in Mexico, this celebration is an opportunity to ensure the health of their livestock, donkeys and horses over the coming year.  The feast is usually celebrated in a morning mass, at the local church and then the priest emerges to bless the assorted animals waiting bemusedly in and around the church. If you want a good vantage point, turn up early and wait for the mayhem to begin!

JAN 19, La Danza del Pochó (Ceremony of the Pocho Dance), Tenosique, Tabasco. Dating back to prehispanic times, the Pochó 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 Pochó 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.

Jan 20-28, Fiesta de San Sebastián el Mártir (Saint Sebastián the Martyr Festival), Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. This fiesta is famous for its parachicos tour, a dancing procession, from the Santo Domingo church to the San Antonio Hermit, and ends in a delectable food festival featuring traditional dishes such as pepita con tasajo, made of beef in a creamy pumpkin seed sauce. On the night of the 21st, a traditional nautical battle takes place on the Grijalva River which concludes in a spectacle of fireworks.

Jan 21-29, XXVII Annual Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Cultural Festival, Alamos, Sonora. Every year, for ten days at the end of January, the sleepy town of Alamos, Sonora, wakes up to the lilting strains of guitars, the pounding rhythms of rock bands and the echoing arias of opera stars, all part of this festival honoring Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado, a beloved Alamos physician and tenor, who died in the 1950s, left the town a legacy of philanthropy and music. Visitors come to listen to music, view and buy the works of local and national artists, and eat good food. For info: www.festivalortiztirado.gob.mx

Jan 22, ADIP Author Series at Coconuts Retaurant, Zihuatanejo at 7pm. Kathe Kokolias will be reading from her recently released book, What Time Do the Crocodiles Come Out? A Travel Memoir of Mexico. Kathe is an author and artist who moved to Zihuatanejo with her husband, Brian, in 1997. In the fall of 2009, she published Spandex & Black Boots, Essays from an Abundant Life.

Jan 27, Wine Tasting at Caprichos Grill House, 6:30 p.m. Offered in conjunction with Vinoteca. Enjoy a tasting of 5 Mexico produced wines. Three traditional Mexican appetizers will be served.  Reservations and information at www.facebook.com/CaprichosGrill

Jan 30- Feb 5, XI Feria de Turismo Rural de Oaxaca (11th Annual Responsable Tourism Fair of Oaxaca), Oaxaca City, Oaxaca. In its 11th year, the 2011 Responsible Tourism Fair is a veritable model of the local travel movement and slow travel. The colonial city of Oaxaca showcases the cultural and natural diversity of rural Mexico. It takes place in multiple locations in Oaxaca City and surrounding towns. Visitors have a number of options, including weaver-guided walks in Teotitlán del Valle, photosafaris in public parks and authentic indigenous meals including Caldo de Piedra (Chinanteco), Maatsy (Ayuuk) and tamales (Zapotec and Ayuuk style). Self-guided treasure hunts ask foodies to try various cheeses, chocolates and mezcal. . Visitors will also have the opportunity to join hiking and biking trips, visit community museums and purchase Oaxacan handicrafts. For info: http://oaxaca.wikispaces.com/Funconference

Feb 1-6, Zihua Sailfest  2010 ,Zihuatanejo, Gro. This will be the 10th year of Sailfest which started because the boaters, stopping in Zihua on their way south, wanted to help the children and schools in the area.  It has become an annual event where the boaters, joined by the local people and merchants, join in a week long festival to raise much needed monies and supplies for the local schools and children.  All the proceeds from the events go towards the schools in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa through Por los Ninos de Zihuatanejo a registered Mexican non-profit.  Volunteers are always needed as well as items that can be used by the children and schools. Contact Lorenzo Marbut 755 554- 2115 or cell 755 102-4463 if you would like to become involved. Zihua Sailfest