Around Town, Jan 12, 2007
Meetings & Lectures
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Sandy Brooks, a long-time San Miguel winter resident, recalls the emotional and practical impact of “Growing Up in the 1930s” at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, January 14.
The decade of the Great Depression made a powerful and painful impact on the lives of working people in the United States following the crash of the stock market in 1929. As a very young child, Brooks was unaware of its devastation but in retrospect can relate the time to the effects on her own family.
Brooks has been an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of New York for 15 years. In 2002, she produced a documentary-drama based on the book A Bintel Brief (Yiddish for “a bundle of letters”), which detailed the lives of newly arrived immigrants in the United States. Community members participated in the production and monies raised were donated to International PEN for writers incarcerated for their beliefs.
The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs in the hotel restaurant for brunch. For more information, visit portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html.
Lecture on Iceland
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What do you know about that island up in the North Atlantic called Iceland? Would you like to know more? Who lives there, where did they come from, and what is their society like today? |
The story of the Icelanders goes back to the Vikings, and their society is highly cultural, educated and creative. It is not as cold as you might think because of the Gulf Stream coming from the South Atlantic.
Sigurlaug Gudmundsdottir, Silla as she calls herself in Mexico, is from Iceland and will talk about her country and its customs, along with stories of long and dark winters, fairies and elves. The talk takes place Thursday, January 16, at 5pm in the Biblioteca’s Sala Quetzal. The entry fee of 50 pesos will be donated to the Biblioteca Pública.
Rumi readings and discussions
Jelaluddin Rumi is the greatest mystical poet of Islam. Robert Wallace is a writer and philosopher who has led many readings and discussions of Rumi’s works. He is particularly knowledgeable about what Rumi (and other Islamic mystics) learned from the Platonic tradition of philosophical mysticism, which helps to explain the undogmatic openness of Rumi’s theological views and the great appeal of his poetry for present-day spiritual searchers. Wallace will lead readings and discussions of Rumi in the Biblioteca Pública’s Sala Quetzal on Friday, January 12, at 5 pm and Friday, January 19, at 5 pm. The admission of 50 pesos goes toward the Biblioteca’s scholarship fund.
Third Gathering of Facilitators for Healing
The third Gathering of Facilitators for Healing, an “energy exchange,” takes place at noon on Thursday, January 18, at Privada de Pila Seca 5 (turn into the cul-de-sac opposite Pila Seca 45). Every meeting is different. The meeting is free and open to the public, including those in need. Facilitators are invited to participate. Call 152-0376 to reserve a place on the program.
Classes & Workshops
Glass sand-cast sculpture workshop
Ana Thiel is opening her studio to offer an intensive six-day workshop this month to teach the basic elements of sand-casting molten glass. All materials are included.
Everybody can expect to complete some finished small pieces of glass. The workshop includes learning how to formulate and mix sands for casting glass; how to create sand impressions and different techniques for creating forms; various ways to pour molten glass into the molds; working with color and other inclusions in between layers of glass; learning about the theory of annealing, an important part of the glass-making process; different options for finishing the pieces; and setting up and lighting tips for the finished work
No experience in working glass is necessary; however, experience in art or design is preferred.
For information on details and proper working attire, please contact Luisa Restrepo (luisarpo@hotmail.com,
luisarpo@gmail.com ) or Ana Thiel (anathiel@yahoo.com).
Rosa Mexicano chef to teach at Sazón
Roberto Santibáñez, a Mexico City native whose life has been dedicated to traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine, will be in San Miguel next week for a professional culinary workshop and has announced he will teach a class at Sazón on Thursday, January 18, from 10am to noon. Santibáñez studied culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, was executive chef at Henbury Estate in Cheshire, England, and since 2002 has been the culinary director of the famed Rosa Mexicano restaurants.
Considered a culinary innovator who has at the same time remained faithful to his country’s traditions, Santibáñez is an undeniable authority on Mexican food and a giant in his field. He writes for Gourmet, Bon Appétit, and Martha Stewart Living. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Cost is US$75. For information call 154-7671 or email sazon@sazonsanmiguel.com.
Other cooking classes at Sazón include “Cooking in Cazuelas and Ollas” on Friday, January 19, from 11am to 1pm; cost is US$55. “Taquiza Taco Party!” will take place Saturday, January 20, from 11am to 1pm and also costs US$55. A market tour and class will be held Tuesday, January 23, from 11am to 1pm at a cost of US$45.
Sazón is located at Correo 22. See the website at www.sazonsanmiguel.com
La Cocina cooking classes
On Tuesday, January 16, from 4-7pm La Cocina’s cooking class is devoted to Mexican food, including some traditional dishes as well as a few with a modern twist. The menu includes roasted tomatillo salsa, chile pasilla salsa with skirt steak, grilled vegetable and goat cheese chiles rellenos, chayote salad, raspberry chipotle brownies and café de olla.
On Thursday, January 18, from 4 to 7pm a mole class will be held. After snacking on freshly made sopes con tinga, you’ll learn the secrets of making homemade mole, one of Mexico’s most festive dishes. The menu features black mole cheese enchiladas, green mole with chicken, cactus salad and tres leches cake.
It’s not just a cooking class, but a fun evening out with a full dinner and margaritas. The cost is US$45 per person. For more information and registration, stop by El Buen Café, Jesús 23, between 9am and 4pm or go to www.mexicocooks.com.
Stern to teach at Instituto Allende
Fred Stern, an internationally recognized innovator in public art and the application of computer and video technologies to the arts, will be teaching a class in Process Explorations at the Instituto beginning January 17. Note that this is a change of date; originally the class was set to begin January 10.
The class explores the relationship, significance and meaning of the artistic process and is open to professional artists and advanced-level art students. It begins with an exploration of personal vision and the creative process. Topics to be covered include the role of the art object and the meaning of completion, dealing with creative blocks, the role of exhibition, gallery and agent relationships, grant-writing strategies, and the internet and its use and the importance of an internet presence. The class begins January 17 and will meet for 10 weeks on Wednesday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm at the Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20.
Tours & Excursions
Instituto Allende trip to Atotonilco, Dolores Hidalgo and Guanajuato
On Saturday, January 20, at 9am, Instituto Allende leads a field trip to nearby Atotonilco, Dolores Hidalgo and the city of Guanajuato.
The sanctuary of Atotonilco is the place where rebel priest Miguel Hidalgo took up the likeness of the Virgin of Guadalupe and used it as an inspirational banner in the initial moments of Mexico’s fight for independence. The church also showcases murals, sculpture and baroque art from the mid-18th century. The next stop is Dolores Hidalgo, a center for talavera ceramics. On Dolores’ main square, Miguel Hidalgo uttered his famous “¡Viva Mexico!,” the historical cry for freedom referred to as “El Grito.” The main square also offers ice creams with unique and unusual flavors, such as avocado, shrimp and tequila, along with other more traditional types.
Later, the tour heads to the capital city of Guanajuato, a charming city with a great cultural tradition and home of the University of Guanajuato. Famed painter Diego Rivera’s home is on the tour, along with an easy walking tour of other sites of interest such as the Plaza de la Paz and the main square.
Other points of interest include the university and the stately governmental buildings in Centro, along with a number of museums.
The cost for the all-inclusive trips is US$55, which includes transportation, museum fees and a restaurant meal. All tours are led by bilingual guides within a secure environment. Reservations are required, and fees must be paid in advance. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For more information, visit Instituto Allende at Ancha de San Antonio 20 or call 152-0226.
Botanical garden tour
Every Tuesday morning discover the marvels of cacti and other Mexican plants as well as the history of El Charco with Martin Smith, curator of plants. An additional privilege of this visit is the opportunity to see the plants in the nursery that is not ordinarily open to the public. Many rare species and plants threatened with extinction are protected and propagated at El Charco.
Entrance fee is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour is 50 pesos. All proceeds benefit the garden. The tour is in English and starts at the main entrance at 9am and lasts about 2 hours. Bring a hat and water. Space is limited, so reserve by calling Martin at 154-8838 or 154-4715 or email
charco@unisono.net.mx.
Explore the campo with Global Justice
San Miguel de Allende is surrounded by 500 rural communities, but most of us know little of life in these small settlements, which are home to many of Mexico’s poorest. The Center for Global Justice is establishing communication with some of these communities in an effort to better understand campo life. You can participate in this Dialogo Comunitario by joining one of our day trips to the countryside.
On Saturday, January 20, the Center will visit the community of Ciénega de Juana Ruiz, located in what was once cattle-raising territory in the Río de la Laja valley. This is an opportunity to venture beyond the familiar cobblestone streets of San Miguel and experience a piece of México profundo. The trip will leave at 9am from the Center for Global Justice at Calzada de la Luz 42. A 300-peso ticket will cover transportation, comida and translation.
Advance registration is required. Call 150-0025 for a reservation and come by the Center weekdays between 9am and 2pm for your ticket.
Performances & Events
Blessing of poodles at Oratorio
On January 17, the day of the blessing of the animals, a special blessing of poodles will take place at the Oratorio of San Felipe Neri, at the corner of Insurgentes and Pepe Llanos, at 5pm.
Any size or combination of poodle is welcome. Owners should bring their poodles, a leash and a plastic bag to the courtyard of the Oratorio by 4:45pm. For more information, call Arlene at 154-8410.
Charity chili cook-off date changed to January 28
Things will be very hot in San Miguel on Sunday, January 28. A dozen or more cooks will compete to see who can make the best chili con carne, as judged by a panel of expert tasters.
The competition, loosely based on the famous Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) competition, will take place in the vacant lot at the corner of Calle Nueva and Suspiros, behind Espino’s. Tents, cookstoves, water and ice will be supplied, but contestants must bring six quarts (litros) of their chili for attendees and for judging. Full rules and registration forms are available at the Longhorn Smokehouse, located behind Espino’s.
The public is invited to come taste all the chilis and enjoy music and 15-peso beer and help support the ongoing work of the Centro de Crecimiento. Entrance fee is 50 pesos; kids under 12, 25 pesos. The gate opens at noon, and tasting starts at 2pm.
An added attraction of the chili cook-off is a “Magnificent Margarita” contest among local restaurants, with “celebrity” judges. There will also be music, door prizes and raffles.
The Centro de Crecimiento (Center for Children with Disabilities) was founded 29 years ago with the vision to help children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida and other congenital malformations.
The Centro de Crecimiento has several programs to help these children, including hydrotherapy, speech therapy, diet, early stimulation, Special Olympics events and special education.
For further information, contact Gordon Jett at 152-2621 or John DeLeon at 154-4117.
Malabar party at El Petit
On Thursday, January 18, the presentation of the third issue of Malabar magazine and the reopening season of El Petit Bar will result in a cocktail party to remember. Drinks will be served from 7pm and the evening will include the opening of an exhibit of art by Alejandra Mendoza.
This issue of Malabar features the artwork of Anne Arden Macdonald, Rivelino, Ingrid Rosas and Sarah Davis, a poem by Linda Dyer, a dossier dedicated to that short trip called the Weimar Republic with texts by Bradburn Young and Peter Leventhal and a graphic gag by Clement.
If you haven’t found out who is still in town, who has left and who has just arrived, be at Hernández Macías 95 next Thursday beginning at 7pm.