Never mind the kid’s games, themed pavilions, skating rink, vendors’ booths and food stands, Guadalajara’s annual Fiestas de Octubre fairground (open daily October 7 to November 7) also provides plenty of Mexican-style entertainment with free nightly shows in the main auditorium (around 7 p.m.) featuring pop stars, bandas and even some mature artists (Enrique Guzman, Paquita la del Barrio, for example), as well as late-night performances by ranchero singers following the rather gruesome cockfights.
But the cultural festival also extends to downtown Guadalajara, where the pace is more relaxed and bohemian, and international performers are often on the bill.
Artists taking part in Guanajuato’s acclaimed Cervantino Festival (this year from October 13 until October 30) frequently make a side trip to Guadalajara to give additional shows. This year is no exception, with three top-class acts booked to perform in the open-air Plaza Fundadores behind the Teatro Degollado later this month. They are the Laya-Nadaamrit music ensemble, a percussion group from India (October 18); the Peking Opera Ensemble from China (October 25); and the Steve Koven Trio, a jazz band from Canada (October 27). The concerts are free and there’s no need to book. All start at 7 p.m.
Here is the full daily schedule for the Plaza Fundadores cultural festival.
Friday, October 14, 7 p.m. Los Hermanos Carrillo (Veracruz)
Saturday, October 15, 6 p.m. William Faulkner (harp, United States), Daniel Torres (psaltery) 7 p.m. Makochi Dulcemelos (Queretero youth orchestra)
Sunday, October 16, 6 p.m. Estampas de Mexico (folk dance troupe from Tec de Monterrey University) 7 p.m. Ballet Folclorico Yurecuaro (Michoacan)
Monday, October 17, 7 p.m. Grupo Sabor de Antaño with Daniel Torres (psaltery) 8 p.m. Well-known singer Mercedes Medina in concert – “My Guadalajara.”
Tuesday, October 18, 7 p.m. Nadaamrit ensemble (India)
Wednesday, October 19, 6 p.m. DJ Cesar Cosio with dance music Thursday, October 20, 7 p.m. Orquesta Mexicana de Tango
Friday, October 21, 6 p.m. Música Fusión “Luna Sureste” 7:30 p.m. Concert “Son de Paz” with troubadour Paco Padilla
Saturday, October 22, 5 p.m. XII State Folk Dance Competition
Sunday, October 23, 5 p.m. XII State Folk Dance Competition
Monday, October 24, 7 p.m. Singer Carmina Cannavino (Peru)
Tuesday, October 25, 7 p.m. Peking Opera Ensemble (China)
Wednesday, October 26, 7 p.m. Valentina sings tangos (Uruguay)
Thursday, October 27, 7 p.m. Steve Koven Trio (Canada)
Friday, October 28, 7 p.m. Los Maipucitos (children’s folk dance troupe and choir, Chile) & Ballet Folklorico Infantil Los Gavilancitos.
Saturday, October 29, 7 p.m. Rarajipame folk dance (Chihuahua).
Sunday, October 30, 6 p.m. Universidad de Colima folk dance troupe