March 2011

Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, March 8-13, 2010.

Mar 1-14, Feria Internacional Tapachula, Chiapas (Tapachula, Chiapas International Fair) One of the largest fairs in the region, state and country including; livestock, agriculture, commercial exhibitions, bullfights, rodeos, art, hand crafts, local cuisine, family shows and concerts, and don’t forget the rides.

Mar 3-9, Carnaval (Carnival), Nationwide. This festival is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration beginning the weekend before Catholic Lent; Carnaval is celebrated with parades, floats and dancing in the streets. Excellent places to watch the festivities are; Veracruz, Cozumel, Mazatlan and two towns near Mexico City – Huejotzingo and Tepoztlán (see below).

Mar 4-27, Festival Eurojazz, Mexico City. This week-long event features a series of jazz performances in the Areas Verdes del Centro Nacional de las Artes (Green areas of the National Center for the Arts) featuring the best of the European contemporary jazz scene, attracting many prominent jazz musicians, singers and bands. Participating countries this year include Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy and Sweden.

Mar 6-9, Tepoztlán Carnaval, Tepoztlán. The presence of the chinelos, the famed dancers of the Mexican state of Morelos, makes Tepoztlán Carnaval distinctly unique. Revelers dress in elaborate costumes and curious fake beards and dance wildly to live brass band music. The hypnotic dance, El Brinco del Chinelo, originated at the Tepoztlán Carnaval and unfailingly travels down through the generations – every Tepozteco is familiar with its mesmeric skip and hop.

Mar 8-13, Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Gro. The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, now in its eight year, is a non-profit music festival that brings world class musicians from across the globe to beautiful Zihuatanejo, Mexico, each year for a week of live music in paradise. A percentage of funds generated go toward supporting art and cultural endeavors in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. This year’s event brings international musicians from across Mexico, the United States, Canada and as far away as South Africa. Tickets prices are from $100 pesos to $250 pesos per event and there are also two free to the public concerts. For more information go to: Zihuafest

Mar 10-17, Fiesta de San Patricio (St. Patrick). A religious celebration in Mexico, honoring the patron saint of towns with that name, such as San Patricio Melaque, Jalisco. Renowned for a week, preceding his feast day, with fairs, processions, bullfights, fireworks and special Masses. Also, March 17^th has special significance in Mexico. It is one of the two days that Mexicans pay tribute to the soldiers who were hung by the United States Army for deserting and defecting to the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American War known as the San Patricio Battalion.  (Go to ADIP archives March 2002, Mexico’s Fighting Irish by Gregg Thompson, for the history of the San Patricio Battalion)

Mar 10-27, Festival de México en el Centro Histórico (Festival of Mexico in the Historic Center), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. The Festival of Mexico in the Historic Center was created in 1985 as a non-profit organization, proceeds going towards the rescue and restoration of the historic art and architecture of the town center of Mexico City. Over the years it has earned its reputation as one of the most vibrant celebrations of art and culture in Latin America. For two weeks every year the festival offers a range of over 100 diverse events including opera, chamber and symphonic music, recitals, jazz, folk, pop and rock concerts, theater, classical ballet, modern dance and dance theater, exhibitions, installations and gourmet dinners for gastronomes. Experts come from around the world to give conferences and lectures, renowned authors and poets share their work in person and many of the visiting international stars give master classes and workshops to encourage local talent. For more info: FMCH

Mar 12, Indigenous Mexica New Year, El Zócalo, Mexico City. Elaborate headdresses and celebratory dances spring up in Mexico City’s main square for the Indigenous Mexica New Year celebration. Women perfume conch shells with incense before blowing them in a homage-paying nod towards the cardinal points. The Mexica calendar has a cycle of 52 years and each year is named with a number from 1-13 consecutively, succeeded by one of the four signs: Tochtli in Náhuatl or Conejo in Spanish (rabbit); Tecpatl or Pedernal (flint); Calli or Casa (house); Acatl or Carrizo (reed). To make things even more confusing, each year starts at a different time of the day, Tochtli begins at dawn, Tecpatl at dusk, Calli at midnight and Acatl at midday. Unlike the common Western idea of New Year that usually involves copious amounts of alcohol and raucous behavior, the Indigenous Mexica New Year is a respectful and intriguing affair.

Mar 17-21, Cumbre Tajin (Tajin Summit), Tajin, Veracruz. This festival celebrates the Spring Equinox, archeological sites and natural beauty of Veracruz. The central theme of Tajin is the ritual. The culture of the Totonac people of Veracruz takes the spotlight at this annual event. The festival includes concerts, workshops and the opportunity to sample the unique cuisine of Veracruz, as well as a spectacular night show at the Tajin archaeological site. For more information: Cumbre Tajin

Mar 21, Birthday of Benito Juárez (March 21, 1806- July 18, 1872), nationwide. This day is a celebration and a national public holiday for one of Mexico’s most beloved leaders. Sometimes referred to as the “Mexican Abraham Lincoln,” Benito Juarez went from being a poor Zapotec Indian to become Mexico’s first (and only) native president. He made education free and mandatory and brought in the separation between church and state.

Mar 21, Equinoccio de la Primavera (Spring Equinox), Chichen-Itzá, Yucatán. Thousands of people from around the world gather at this Mayan ruin on the Yucatan peninsula to witness the afternoon shadow of the snake-god Kukulcan slowly “crawl down” the country’s largest Mayan pyramid, El Castillo.

Mar 21, Noche de la Primavera (Spring Night Festival), Centro Historico (Historic Center), Mexico City. During the Spring Night Festival, the streets and plazas of Mexico City’s historic center fill with music and dancing until dawn, welcoming the new season in style. The roads in the historic center of the city center are closed off to cars, and dance shows, music, street theater and opera take their place and many attractions in various central locations, such as the courtyards of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Plaza de Santo Domingo, Teatro de la Ciudad and Plaza de la Constitucion.

Mar 25- Apr 1, Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara (Guadalajara International Film Festival), Guadalajara, Jalisco. For 26 years, Guadalajara has hosted the oldest and most important film festival in Mexico, offering the best selection of Mexican and Latin American films of the year. The festival features a variety of films including feature-length films, shorts, documentaries and children’s films. For more info: FICG