Catrinas on parade for seventh year
October 31, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Catrina Parade
Sat, Nov 1, 8pm
Jardín

Seven years ago, the residents of Rancho Los Labradores decided to start a new tradition inspired by the artwork of José Guadalupe Posada, who created the humorous, satiric image of the skeletal Catrina, a visual jab at society ladies at the time of the Mexican Revolution.

The Catrina parade is an annual event that takes place in the Jardín. San Miguel’s best-dressed Catrinas will meet at the Rancho Los Labradores office at San Francisco 18 at 7pm to ready their finery for the parade at 8pm. On its way to the Jardín’s kiosk, the parade will pass by the Day of the Dead altar set up by Rancho Los Labradores in memory of those who spent their last days at the Alma nursing home.

The skeletal scallywags will be accompanied by a band and will distribute candy to children in the audience. The most outstanding Catrinas will be recognized at the end of the parade. All costumes must conform to the Catrina theme; Halloween costumes are not allowed.

Playreaders perform a balcony scene

Theater
The Balcony Scene
Wed–Thu, Nov 5–6, 7pm
St. Paul’s Church
Cardo 6
20 pesos

Alvin has had it. He sees civilization crumbling around him and wants no part of it. The only place he feels safe is inside his Chicago high-rise apartment, so that’s where he stays until Karen moves in next door. She is a diehard optimist with a high-pressure job and a relentless ex-boyfriend who won’t take no for an answer. Alvin and Karen meet on their adjoining balconies and form a friendship that sets their two worlds on a collision course.

This is the set-up for The Balcony Scene, a comedy by Wil Calhoun, which the Los Angeles Times raved was a “sunny salute to romance.” Gannet News said the play was “a small gem…charming and delicious.”

Tim Johnson directs this breezy and heartwarming comedy by famed TV sitcom writer Calhoun, whose credits include Friends and What I Like about You.

Playreaders favorites Jill and Michael Gottlieb play the roles of Karen and Alvin, and Tim McCoy plays Karen’s bad-news boyfriend. Eli Nadel manages lights and sound.

Green light for Iguana
By Alan Jordan

Yes, the world economy is hanging by a thread and, yes, a thousand houses are for sale in San Miguel and, yes, no tourists may visit in February, but what better time to raise spirits with a first-time month-long celebration of the arts?

The Iguana Arts Festival kicks off February 2 and runs to February 28. Three major theatrical productions will be mounted and run in repertory throughout the month. There also will be main stage musical evenings, bagel-and-coffee breakfast play readings, an outdoor art and design show and sale, acrobatic performances and late-night drag shows. The three stage plays will offer a catered buffet meal before the performance and our happy hour bar will be open before the musical events.

Iguana Productions is the professional nonprofit theater company that brought San Miguel Blown Sideways through Life, Love Letters, The Love List and Sex, Lies & Quilting. We at Iguana are proud, this year, to offer a free theatrical performance to underprivileged young people and children.

For this first festival we are creating a theater at Salon Independencia at Avenida Independencia 82, an area described as the Greenwich Village of San Miguel, what with hidden treasures like Restaurante Don Felix and San Miguel Designs.

OK, friends, here’s the reason for this early announcement: it takes a village ... I think someone else said that once ... but it does. We need help! We need volunteer helpers, as well as a ticket salesperson (paid position). We want to establish a yearly, dynamic, upscale arts/crafts show and sale of items that aren’t usually available at other fairs in town. We are seeking out the best artists, artisans and designers for this first-time outdoor arts celebration which will be presented under tents on two consecutive weekends, February 14–15 and 21–22.

Thanks to some good friends who believe in Iguana Productions and quality theater in San Miguel, we have been able to set the wheels in motion for this festival. If you would like to help push those wheels, we can use your support and we are able to offer tax-deductible receipts through the San Miguel Foundation. Please visit the donations page of the website www.theatersanmiguel.com  for more information on how we can work together to create a yearly arts festival. 

If you represent a business and would like to be listed in advertising and posters as a sponsor of the arts, contact Alan Jordan at 154-0352 or Kirsten Dehner at 152-1112.