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Passion and precision in music
By Inés Roberts

Amernet String Quartet Chamber Music Festival XXXI in San Miguel is all about passion and precision in music.

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Technical Assistance Workshop
Sat–Thu, Aug 1–6
Colegio de Arquitectos de San Miguel de Allende

SMASH brings experts together
By Beverly Russell

To research how San Miguel de Allende’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site will affect the municipal region and its environment, Federico Vidargas, an architect and developer based in Chicago and San Miguel, leads a workshop of experts in the city, August 1–6.

The workshop is based on the Urban Land Institute’s successful Technical Assistance Panel format, used worldwide. Vidargas says, “My goal, as a citizen of San Miguel, is to help local government with mechanisms for implementing a regional planning strategy, by assembling world-class experts and local professionals confronting issues of sustainable growth and conservation within the framework of the city’s commitment to the UNESCO World Heritage community.” 

Hosted by the Colegio de Arquitectos de San Miguel de Allende (CASMA), the Technical Assistance Workshop is dubbed SMASH, acronym for “San Miguel de Allende: An Initiative for Enhancing and Sustaining the Municipal Region of a World Heritage Site.” The invited participants contribute expertise in the following disciplines: urbanism and regional planning, land economics, real estate development, finance and investment, community development and World Heritage/historic preservation. They represent private foundations, civic and charitable organizations, professional organizations, local government and academic institutions.

The closed-door program is composed of site visits, interviews, workshops and presentations, from which a white paper report will be published within 90 days of the event.

Grants to fund this citizen initiative have been awarded by Harvard University, Loeb Foundation Alumni Association and the Land Economics Foundation. Sponsorship and in-kind donations have been provided by: the municipality of San Miguel de Allende, Urban Land Institute—Mexico City District Council, San Miguel House Rentals, US National Strategy Forum and Partners of the Americas.

“We pair world-class urbanites, economists and planners with local experts to explore the challenges facing the city and the municipality,” declared Vidargas. “We hope to offer recommendations and approaches for achieving a comprehensive municipal plan.” The Technical Assistance Workshop is a first step toward a municipal land use strategy, requiring citizen participation, continuity and implementation of these recommendations by the municipal government.

Interested organizations, community groups and government officials who would like further information about this initiative should contact Federico Vidargas at fvidargas@gmail.com,  or Olga Adriana Hernandez (CASMA) at arquyrest@hotmail.com. 

Community Help this lavender field of dreams Gala benefit for The Lavender Project, a community co-op that farms lavender in Rancho La Colorada

Art Art openings abound Fábrica la Aurora’s Summer White party is sure to be sensational. At Bordello Gallery less is more. Take an ArtWalk in the “ghost town” of Mineral de Pozos.

Music Mexico’s famed cellist, Jimena Giménez Cacho, treats listeners to Bach concerts in the Biblioteca and at the Botanical Garden. Check out a pre-Hispanic music concert, a rock and roll show, and concerts that offer everything in between.

Theater Actress Jesusa Rodríguez has reshaped what theater and performance can be in Mexico. She has opened the way for the irreverent, the transgressive, the wildly imaginative, the profound, the marvelous and the resistant in theater. She has found new ways to inject theater into politics and politics into theater. July 31 at El Viejo Topo with her play Diálogos entre Darwin y Dios (Dialogues between Darwin and God)

Center pages-Cañada de la Virgen Tour the Cañada de la Virgen sanctuary and discover a plethora of Mexican flora and fauna as you return to the wilderness.

		Que Pasa Que Pasa is the most complete weekly guide to arts and entertainment in San Miguel de Allende.

Community Connections Dozens of organizations in San Miguel assist children and families; promote education and schools; provide food, potable water and medical treatment; and even take care of animals and the environment. This section provides descriptions, contacts and information for donors or volunteers.