Tuesday recitals
The Degollado Theater opens its doors each Tuesday for the free classical music series Martes de Musica y Opera. No tickets are sold nor is there numbered seating. Just turn up before the performance and grab a seat. The quality is always exceptional, and the theater will often fill up.
July 28: Anniversary Concert by the Orquesta Sinfonica de Zapopan, directed by Guillermo Salvador, and the Zapopan Municipal Choir, directed by Santiago Cumplido. “Overture to Candide” by Leonard Bernstein, Cantatas BWV 131 by Bach, Concerto in F Major for Three Pianos and Orchestra by Mozart and The Polovetsian Dances by Borodin.
Teatro Degollado, Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Free
Thursday dance
Free dance presentations by accomplished groups are held each Thursday.
Teatro Alarife Martin Casillas, Thursdays, 8 p.m. Free
Thursdays at the Palace
Instead of politicians arguing, see free recitals in Guadalajara city hall’s council chamber.
Palacio Municipal de Guadalajara (next to Guadalajara cathedral), Thursdays, 8 p.m. Free.
Alternative Wednesdays
Todd Clouser, a U.S. musician and writer now living in Mexico City, joins jazz drummer Bob Moses (Mingus Big Band, Pastorius) for the next concert in the Alternative Wednesday (Miercoles Alternativo) series.
Teatro Vivian Blumenthal (Tomas V. Gomez 125), Wednesday, July 29, 8:30 p.m. 150 pesos.
70s rock
Three local bands interpret rock, mostly heavy, from the 1970s – La Revolución de Emiliano Zapata, Spiders and 39.4.
Teatro Galerias, Friday, July 24, 8 p.m. 200-300 pesos.
Folk dance
With a slightly revised schedule (read dates and times carefully below), the renowned Ballet Folklorico de la Universidad de Guadalajara is back for its summer/fall season, performing 11 Sunday shows through October 11. This troupe’s repertoire takes in dances from the states of Veracruz, Michoacan, Guerrero and, of course, Jalisco, with its breathtaking “La Negra,” “La Culebra” and “Jarabe Tapatio” finales. Those who has never seen this pulsating and colorful show should not give it a miss. Repeat viewing is also recommended, as the program is updated each year. Value for money guaranteed!
Teatro Degollado, Sundays, July 26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; September 6, 10 a.m. September 13, 20; October 4, 11, 6 p.m. 80-350 pesos.
Corteo
The magic of Canadian-based circus arts troupe Cirque du Soleil returns to Guadalajara with “Corteo,” a show that debuted in Montreal in 2005 and has subsequently been seen by eight million people in 19 countries.
Gran Carpa Blanca (Avenida Lopez Mateos, corner of Cubilete), From July 30 to August 16. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays: 5 and 9 p.m. Sundays: 1 and 5 p.m. 800-3,400 pesos (VIP seating). Tickets available at Ticketmaster and www.cirquedusoleil.com/corte.
More folk dance
Guadalajara city hall’s Ballet Folclorico Guadalajara began its annual series of Thursday evening summer/fall shows on July 2. The theme of their season is “Cielito Lindo.”
Teatro Degollado, Thursdays, July 30; September 17; October 1 and 15, 8 p.m. 80-200 pesos.
Jazz Festival
The Jalisco Jazz Festival kicks off with an exclusive opening gala at the Teatro Degollado for “members” only on Friday, July 31, 8 p.m. Five-hour “Fiesta de Jazz” sessions at the Teatro Diana are scheduled Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 6-11 p.m. Shows at the Degollado continue on Wednesday, August 5, 8 p.m. with trumpeter Dave Douglas and the Klaus Mayer Big Band, Thursday, August 6, 8 p.m. with Brian Lynch and the Frost Jazz Sextet from the University of Miami, and Friday, August 7, 8 p.m. with an all-star closing gala.
Teatro Degollado and Teatro Diana. Tickets available from Ticketmaster and the theater box offices. For more details go to festival.fundaciontonica.org.