For most expats with limited language skills, a night at the theater in Spanish can feel like a daunting prospect. The rapid-fire dialogue, cultural nuances and linguistic acrobatics of live performance don’t always translate easily for non-native ears. But that doesn’t mean the local theater scene isn’t worth knowing about — or supporting.

British rocker Rod Stewart has canceled all three of his scheduled Mexico concerts — including the September 11 show in Guadalajara — on doctor’s orders after undergoing a routine coronary stent procedure.

Here’s a rundown of the free events you can attend during this year’s International Mariachi and Charrería Festival, which runs August 26 to September 6, mostly in the Guadalajara metro area, but also with events scheduled in the Jalisco provinces, including Ajijic, Chapala and Puerto Vallarta.

Tlaquepaque Mexican art emporium Del Corazón de la Tierra will hold an exhibition of Mexican folk art, including conferences, workshops and direct sales with the artisans, Tuesday to Sunday, August 18 to 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 pm. at Independencia 227 in San Pedro Tlaquepaque. 

A new exhibition at the Museo de las Artes (MUSA) in Guadalajara offers visitors a rare glimpse into the sacred world of the Wixárika people through the intricate art of niérika — votive tables crafted with yarn and wax on wood.

Last Saturday, visitors experienced the “Juegos de mi barrio” exhibition through touch, texture and sound in a unique, accessible tour led by curator Héctor Mendoza at Guadalajara’s Museo de las Artes Populares.