Grito
For a “Grito” experience without the crowds of downtown Guadalajara on Thursday, September 15, head to either one of two popular spots on the western side of the city. The Glorieta Chapalita hosts a relaxed Grito party with all the right (culinary) trappings, as does the park at Bach and Millet in Colonia La Estancia. The Grito is “shouted” at 11 p.m. If you want more formality but an equally good time, head to a party at one of the five-star hotels. The Presidente Intercontinental (across from Plaza del Sol) bash begins at 9 p.m. and costs 395 pesos for buffet, mariachi, dancing and games. (33) 3678-1234.
Crafts FairHere’s one good reason to go shopping at the Galerias Mall complex over the next 10 days: the Wal-Mart car park is hosting some 150 crafts vendors from 20 Mexicans states and four Latin American nations – Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala.
The show/sale is titled the Encuentro Nacional de Artesanos Zapopan, and is organized by the Federacion Mexicana de Artesanos.
This is the fifth edition of the event, which organizers say attracted nearly 200,000 visitors in 2010.
The range of creative merchandize on sale may surprise you: clothes, bags, hammocks, tablecloths, Aztec calendars, alejibres, jewelry, wall hangings, artwork, and on and on. Food and drink items for purchase will also be plentiful: Chiapas coffee, Oaxaca chocolate, artisanal cheeses, mezcal, moles, bread, candies, chapulines, etcetera.
There’s no charge, except for the Wal-Mart parking fee. At Avenida Vallarta and Rafael Sanzio, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until Monday, September 19.
Corn Festival
Zapopan’s Plaza de las Americas Juan Pablo II (across from the Basilica) will be the scene of the Fiesta del Maiz 2011 (2011 Corn Festival), an initiative of the popular weekday morning radio program “A las 9 con Ustedes” on XEJB (96.3FM and 630AM).
As well as sampling succulent stews and other dishes concocted from corn, visitors can enjoy a non-stop feast of culture from 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 10.
Scheduled to perform are Grupo Tunkul, the Zapopan Municipal Band, Grupo Folklorico Ixchel de El Salto, Grupo Zontla (sones jarochos from Veracruz) and many others.
An exhibition and sale of crafts created from corn is a further highlight of this festival, as well as a photographic exhibit showcasing the “culture of corn.”
Soccer
Upcoming professional soccer games in Guadalajara:
Estudiantes vs. Jaguares (Estadio Tres de Marzo) Friday, September 9, 8.10 p.m.
Atlas vs. San Luis (Estadio Jalisco) Saturday, September 10, 8.45 p.m.
Leones Negros vs. Necaxa (Estadio Jalisco) Friday, September 16, 8.45 p.m.
Chivas vs. Puebla (Estadio Jalisco) Saturday, September 17, 7 p.m.
Ambassador
There are nations that are thousands of years old and then there’s the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Ahmed Mulay Ali Hamadi, SADR’s ambassador in Mexico, met last week with Guadalajara Mayor Aristoteles Sandoval at city hall.
SADR is a partially recognized state that claims sovereignty over the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara. Both SADR and Morocco claim sovereignty over this territory. The SADR declared its independence in 1976 and has been recognized by 84 members of the United Nations.