Naranjito Blues, a group, who until recently were too young to play in bars and instead played outdoors at Paseo Chapultepec, are now at both venues.
The four-member Naranjito Blues plays Friday, January 27, 9 p.m., at the not-too-wild-and-crazy downtown cafe Teu Lloc. (Lopez Cotilla 570, some blocks east of Federalismo. No cover.) They are also regularly setting up shop Saturday nights at the outdoor cultural stroll that takes place in the middle of Chapultepec south of Vallarta. No charge to enter (because there is no entrance). You’ll be more comfortable at Teu Lloc, though the musicians say they are more comfortable playing in the streets.
Photos of Los Maras
A poignant, sometimes shocking, collection of black and white photos by French-Spanish artist Christian Poveda documents his three-year observation of the infamous Salvadoran gang, Los Maras. Poveda paid with his life for the privilege of documenting the gang, and nobody knows exactly why, except that he ticked somebody off, which was probably not hard to do considering the gang’s origins in kidnapped and abandoned children welded into militants during El Salvador’s long and horrible war. Poveda’s photos and film, “La Vida Loca,” traveled the world after his death, and now 22 of his still photos are on display until Thursday, February 9, at the Alianza Francesa of Guadalajara, Lopez Cotilla 1199, between Chapultepec and Enrique Diaz de Leon. (33)3825-2140. Free entrance. Monday to Friday: 9 a.m.– to 1 p.m. And 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tibetan Relics
For something on the uplifting side this weekend, a collection of funerary crystals made for various Buddhist teachers are on display at the Colegio de Jalisco. The pearl-like crystals, which sit in ornate reliquaries, are said to date from 2,500 years ago through the 20th century. The pieces were donated by a lama and have been traveling the world. Plans are to eventually make them part of a sculpture in northern India. The show only lasts a few days. Get there by Sunday, January 29, before it closes at 5 p.m. (and you may want to take in the following show on the same day). Open Friday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Calle 5 de Mayo, 1-2 blocks from Avenida Americas and the arch of Zapopan. (33)3633-2616.
Oaxaca-themed art
The stark, minimalist spaces of Museo de Arte Zapopan, MAZ, are hosting a selection of sculptures, drawings, installations and a video, all said to reflect Oaxaca, where artist Daniel Guzman has his roots and where he went again after the recent death of his mother. But visitors expecting to see something of Oaxacan popular arts will be surprised. “Materia Oscura” consists of metal doors, balustrades and gates that the artist found and assembled into ghostly arrangements, drawings based on the witch-like cartoon character Hermelinda Linda, a sculpture of wrought metal and fresh chorizo sausages that may be mouldering by the time you see them, and a number of other unlikely yet somehow captivating creations. Perhaps the only familiar traces of Oaxaca come in the form of an outdoor sculpture that refers to pre-hispanic figures — a construction of red and black Oaxacan clay bricks. Shows until the middle of April. Andador 20 de Noviembre 166, just off the plaza in front of Zapopan’s famed Basilica. (33)3818-2585. Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Entrance fee: 13 pesos. Free entry Mondays.