It comes around once a year, and when it does, it brings a whole lot of noise and celebration to Guadalajara, laced up in trajes de charro and gently swelling strings, belting brass and rhythmic guitar. A small army of mariachis will descend on the city August 29 for the International Mariachi and Charreria Festival, bringing with them all the prestige and flair of centuries of tradition paired with a well-oiled cultural event.

Martes de Musica
Free classical performances by talented musicians are held each Tuesday at the Degollado Theater. No tickets are sold – just turn up.  August 26: recital with flautist Nancy Ulate and invited guests.
Teatro Degollado, every Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Craftsmen show off their skills at the Palacio de Gobierno as Guadalajara marked the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on August 11. The Jalisco government used the occasion to promise financial stimuli to promote indigenous arts and carafts.

Colorful, exuberant and still vibrantly young after nearly 50 years, the Ballet Folclórico of the University of Guadalajara, one of several such ensembles across Mexico – and one of the most exciting dance troupes on stage in this writer’s opinion – is once again in the middle of their annual performance season at  the Teatro Delgollado.

As in past years, the 13th Encuentro Nacional del Mariachi Tradicional (Traditional Mariachi Festival) will precede the big annual mariachi bash, with performances scheduled at several city venues from August 18 to 24.

Exploration, creativity, innovation, art, design, multimedia installations, concerts, workshops, talks and exhibits. That’s what organizers say you can find at the sixth MOD (Monitor Digital) Festival de Arte Digital (Festival of Digital Art), running at the LARVA (Laboratorio de Arte Variedades) in downtown Guadalajara from Tuesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 24.