AROUND TOWN

Meetings & Lectures

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Peggy Bell leads the Fellowship this Sunday in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Adopted by the United Nations in 1948, the declaration represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. The celebration is a function of the UU Service Committee, a nonsectarian organization that advances human rights and social justice around the world. Bell is a longtime San Miguel resident with a long history of UUSC volunteer work, once serving as the national co-chair. 

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.

Artist’s talk

On Sunday, April 5, photographer Todd Williams holds an artist’s talk discussing his book and show entitled San Miguel de Allende: A Visual Diary, at Galeria Bordello, Organos 19, immediately after the House & Garden Tour. Call (415) 100-5129 for information.

Midday Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday meets Tuesdays at Hotel Real de Minas, intersection of calles Ancha de San Antonio and Stirling Dickinson. Check-in time is 12–12:15pm and the meeting starts promptly at 12:30. Visit www.rotarysma.org  for more information.



Peacemakers among the carnage 

San Miguel’s own Sallie Latch will report on her visit last month to Israel and Palestine where she met with several peace organizations, both Palestinian and Israeli. Her month-long quest took her to Nazareth, the West Bank, the hills of Nablus and Hebron, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jaffa and the Dead Sea.

She will present an illustrated travelogue focusing on the many angels of peace she found working so hard in the area. Sponsored by the Center for Global Justice, her talk will be on Tuesday, April 7, at 3pm in the Biblioteca’s Sala Quetzal. Admission is 60 pesos.

Holy Week at St. Paul’s Church

The Venerable Michael Long, Rector and Archdeacon of St. Paul’s Anglican Church at Cardo 6, is leading a host of events at the church during Holy Week. A processional and Eucharist service is set for 9am and 10:30am on April 5, Palm Sunday. Note: set clocks forward the night before for Daylight Saving Time in Mexico, so that you don’t miss the services.

A Washing of Feet service at 7pm with Eucharist is followed by a prayer vigil in the chapel on Maundy Thursday, April 9.

On Good Friday, April 10, Holy Communion at noon is followed by worship at the Stations of the Cross.

A sundown service at 8pm on Holy Saturday, April 11, will be enhanced by candlelight as dusk falls, preceding the Great Easter Vigil.

Finally, on Easter Day, April 12, the church will be massed with flowers for the Resurrection Service at 9am and 10:30am, with special choral music at the later service. A festive Easter dinner in the Parish Hall and garden is a traditional event following worship. For further information and reservations for the dinner, phone the church office at 152-0387, Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm. 

Passover

Wednesday, April 8, is the first night of Passover. This holiday celebrates the famous story of the parting of the Red Sea, during the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The holiday is celebrated by retelling the story of the Exodus and is accompanied by songs and traditional foods. A tradition in Judaism is to “invite the stranger” to help celebrate this joyous event in Jewish history. In that spirit, everyone is welcome, both Jews and non-Jews, to celebrate Passover together.

This fiesta will stray a bit from tradition, with a touch of Klezmer music, some spirited and passionate singing and maybe even some dancing around the table in the beautiful new restaurant El Bajo Fondo at Zacateros 19. Alicia Wilson Rivera will provide one of her spectacular organic meals, with a choice of vegetarian or meat entrees. All of us together will provide the joy. Festivities begin promptly at 6pm; cost is 300 pesos. Seating will be limited so reserve early to smkravetz@gmail.com, 154-9496 or lindasorin@yahoo.com, 154-9004.

Shalom San Miguel is conducting a more traditional Seder at the Hotel Quinta Loreto, calle Loreto 15.

Classes & Workshops

Chess: patio and terrace

Chess players meet Mondays 5–6:30pm in the north portal of the Biblioteca Pública’s central patio. Players also meet three times a week at Casa de la Cultura on Chorro: Saturdays, 10am–2pm, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4:30–7pm.

Floral Design for Beginners

Wendy Sievert offers a four-hour workshop on the fundamentals of floral design. Each participant will construct a small centerpiece to take home. All supplies and containers are included, and no previous experience is required. Sievert has twice won “Best in Show” at the Garden Club of San Miguel’s Flower Show. The class is Saturday, April 4, 10am–2pm and limited to 12 participants. Registration is US$50 (or peso equivalent). Call 154-5058 or email wendymex2@hotmail.com.

Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventure Tours

These tours benefit the Centro de Crecimiento school for disabled children and leave the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.

Botanical Garden Tour 

A guided tour in English of El Charco del Ingenio each Tuesday and Thursday, 10am–12:30pm, is a fun and informative activity for people of all ages. Entry is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour is 50 pesos. Wear a hat and closed shoes. The juice bar next to the gift shop has water and refreshments. The easiest way here is by taxi. Staff will call a taxi for the return trip. Reservations are not necessary. Information: www.elcharco.org  or email nzerriffi@yahoo.com. 



Performances & Events

Contact Improv Dance Workshop

The Tribal Style Bellydance workshop wraps up Friday–Sunday, April 3–5, 9am daily, to be followed by the Contact Improv Dance Workshop, Monday–Wednesday, April 6–8, 1–4pm, at Libelula Estudio de Danza, Plaza de San Antonio 10B. The cost is 900 pesos; call

(415) 109-4982 to register. The workshops are organized by San Miguel resident Elsanne, www.libeluladanza.com. 

Giant CASA Spring Garage Sale

Help CASA and spring clean at the same time. The annual sale is Saturday, May 16, on the CASA patios, Santa Julia 15, in Colonia Santa Julia. They are accepting donations of clothes, books, furniture, kitchen ware and other lightly worn treasures. For drop-off/pick-up information, contact Ana Peña 154-6060, fortalecimiento@casa.org.mx. 

Films & Videos

Meditation Center

The Meditation Center at Callejon Blanco 4, near Quebrada, presents Wisdom and Compassion, a conversation with Pema Chodron and Jack Kornfield on Thursday, April 9, at 5:30pm. The films are free, though donations are always welcome. Please arrive well before 5:30, as seating is limited and late arrivals disturb others.

Pema Chodron is a fully ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun and is the resident teacher of Gampo Abbey monastery in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her books include Start Where You Are, When Things Fall Apart and No Time to Lose. 

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He is founding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Center. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a husband and father. His books include A Path with Heart, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry and The Art of Forgiveness Lovingkindness and Peace.