Cervantino Day Two: Sydney Dance Company

One phase, but only one, of 2 One Another

Along with a nearly full house today at the State Auditorium, I saw a sneak preview of the Sydney Dance Company's 2 One Another.  Most of the others in the auditorium came by bus from other towns in the state as part of the program Cervantino para todos. The man beside me came from San Diego de Union, the woman behind me from Villagrande.

The Australian company has danced in Guanajuato before. It managed to arrive in our city during the grueling days after 9/11. Now it back with its new choreographer-director, the Spaniard Rafael Bonachela aand I would think a completely new set of dancers, sixteen in all. They performed a work of his against spectacular lighting: the changing, starry night sky, startling flashes of light, myriad points of a single color.

My take: thumbs up for the few sections that got under my skin, especially the solo by an Asian man and sensual duos  by a blonde man and woman. I admit to feeling drowsy during long stretches of the work when the groupings and movements didn't speak to me.

Repeats at the State Auditorium Friday, 8pm

Guanajuato's 1st Chamber Music Festival in Mineral de la Luz

Friday I went to the second concert. It turned out to be a quartet from Queretaro playing the psaltery (like a dulcimer, the word her is . vijuela (a small guitar with curved back(, guitarron (similar but larger) and accordion. 19th and early 20th century popular music. The remaining four concerts, mostly classical will be Wednesday, May 14th and the following three Saturdays, starting at 6pm. The city department provides free roundtrip bus transportatioin from the Delfina Quinones School, a short walk up Calle Alhondiga from the Alhondiga. If the program doesn't interest you you can enjoy the town and the ride back as the sun is setting.

Beer & Culture in Guanajuato

Cervantino35 has come and gone and I'm the better for its coming. For eight years, I've enjoyed my immersion in hish=quality cultural events brought from Africa, Asia, and Europe for the Mexican elite. Some pop events in the Alhondiga, open to all at no cost except going early for a seat, are fine too when the sound system isn't set to blast level. The partying done by throngs of young people in the streets only happens Friday night into Sunday morning, leaving Sunday afternoon until Friday for Culture and ordinary life.

For anyone who thinks Guanajuato is mainly festivals, pretty painted facades and enjoying life in San Fernando Plaza, I've included the photo about life as it is lived most of the time by most of the people here. If I thought the budget cut announced for next year's Cervantino budget would mean more funds for improving primary education, I'd be for it.

Annual Taking of the Alhondiga Day Fills Guanajuato Streets

Yesterday, when I went down to Embajadoras, the entry street was filled with riders on their mounts. Spectators lined the route of course. I saw horsemen from clubs as far away as Tamaulipas and a few women and children on horseback too. The parade had been underway a long time as the local children and bands made their appearance. A festive day, popular with Guanajuatenses.