Preliminary details have been released regarding the massive cultural program planned in conjunction with the October 14-30 Pan American Games in Guadalajara.
A soon-to-be-published guide detailing the program is expected to list at least 450 separate events, although some of these are likely to be regular cultural functions scheduled at this time of year, such as Guadalajara’s Fiestas de Octubre and its colorful opening parade through the streets of the city. State and federal authorities are reported to be pumping around 30 million pesos into the cultural festival.
Here are the main highlights:
- Presentations with a Guadalajara theme by the acclaimed Ballet Folklorico de Amalia Hernandez. Plaza Bicentenario de Zapopan. Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15, 8 p.m.
- “Sonidos y Movimientos Panamericanos,” a multidisciplinary spectacular highlighting the folklore of Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and the United States. Teatro Degollado. Sunday, October 16, 12:30 p.m. and Friday, October 21, 8 p.m.
- Concert by famed U.S. jazz Grammy winner Bill Frisel. Teatro Degollado. Tuesday, October 18, 8 p.m.
- “Carmen,” an opera and ballet gala with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Leslie Dunner, the Jalisco State Choir and the State Dance Company (Compañia de Danza Clasica y Neoclasica de Jalisco), featuring choreography by Dalirys Valladares, one of Mexico’s leading former ballerinas. Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso. Thursday, October 20, 8 p.m.
- Concerts by the Pan American Orchestra, with ballet and mariachi. Instituto Cultural Cabañas (ICC). Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23.
- Dance gala “Estampas Panamericanas” with Elisa Carrillo and Mikhael Kaniskin, principal dancers at the Staatsballett Berlin, as well as Guadalajara’s very own Isaac Hernandez of the San Francisco Ballet, and other invited dancers from Latin America. Teatro Degollado. Tuesday, October 25.
- Presentations by the State Dance Company (Compañia de Danza de Jalisco), plus demonstrations by the famed Flyers of Papantla (Voladores de Papantla). Guachimontones archaeological site, Teutchitlan, Jalisco. Sunday, October 16; Sunday, October 23 and Sunday, October 30, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Program organizers say several artists booked to appear at the Cervantino Festival in Guanajauto from October 12 to 30 will be making side trips to Guadalajara for special performances. Details to come.
- Also opening during the games will be a major art show featuring 100 works from the acclaimed Jumex Collection at the ICC and an exhibit of jade masks at the Museo de Arqueología de Occidente.
- In addition, the Metropolitano Park in Zapopan will host a number of cultural events, including a world-record graffiti painting attempt on Sunday, October 30.
- Events are also planned for other Pan American Games venues, including Chapala, Puerto Vallarta, Lagos de Moreno and Ciudad Guzman. These will include performances by Puerto Vallarta’s Ballet Folklorico Xiutla, the Jalisco State Choir and soprano Natalia Ramos, among others.