Art Fest
An institution at the American School since 1978, the annual Art Fest offers professional artists a space to showcase and sell their work. The festivities begin with a formal auction on Friday evening November 11, from 7 p.m. to midnight, while on Saturday from midday until 4 p.m. the booths will be brimming with the works of local and international artists, accompanied by music, food, children’s art workshops, and students’ artwork exhibitions. The art fest takes place at the American School on Colomos 2100. For more information visit www.asfg.mx/artfest
Polo Outdoors Cup
If you’ve never seen the “sport of kings” and also want to help a good cause, here’s your chance. The Polo Outdoors Cup, scheduled for November 19 and 20, will raise money for the Children’s Burn Unit at the Nuevo Hospital Civil. The event is held at Hacienda El Molino, about 20 kilometers west of Guadalajara on the new Circuito Sur. Entrance is by invitation only. Tickets can be picked up at the Junior League de Guadalajara office, located on the top floor of the AMSOC clubhouse (Av. San Francisco 3332), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Parapan cultural calendar
A full program of cultural activities, many of which showcase disabled artists, will accompany the Parapan American Games, which take place from November 12-20. Before the games begin, an international art festival known as the “Jalisco Colors Competition” will be shown in the explanada of the Cabañas Cultural Institute on Friday November 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The activities continue at the same time the following day, with children who suffer from disabilities and Down syndrome invited to take part. The contest winners will be announced Sunday November 13, 7 p.m., when there will also be a performance of stilt-walkers.
The “3rd Guadalajara Living Statues Festival 2011” and the “Cultural Icons of the American Continent” can be seen in the Plaza Fundadores on Sunday, November 13.
The multi-media “Pan American Sounds and Movements” show will be presented on November 16 and 17 in the courtyard of the Instituto Cabañas at 8 p.m.
“Down Dance” is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16 at the Teatro Degollado, 8.30 p.m., with groups from Oaxaca and disabled artists due to perform.
London theater
Theater lovers will have the opportunity this week to view a play from London’s prestigious National Theatre as part of the company’s live broadcasts to cinemas around the world.
“The Kitchen,” directed by Bijan Sheibani, is a black comedy set in a 1950s London restaurant. The play will be shown in the Estudio Diana, a smaller venue below the Teatro Diana (Av. 16 de Septiembre 710) on Tuesday, November 15, 8 p.m. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or the theater box office for 130 pesos, or 110 for students, teachers and senior citizens.
The play was actually screened live worldwide on October 6 but the Diana always reruns National Theatre plays at a later date.
The London Times said of the production: “Fabulous, fast-moving direction ... with wit and energy it keeps you gasping.”
Pro Jova music fest
Support the Jova Hurricane victims at the Pro Jova music festival this weekend, a free all-day music spectacular at Guadalajara’s Minerva traffic circle. A host of local DJs and even guest artists from as far afield as Germany will be playing at the Minerva on Saturday, November 12, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Attendees are requested to donate food (beans, rice, sugar, cereal), drink (bottled water, powdered milk) or hygienic articles (soap, diapers, toilet paper, tampons). Pro Jova is an initiative organized by the Guadalajara Dance Laboratory, Bar Americas and the Association of liberal youths in Jalisco, with the support of the city council, the Mexican Red Cross and the Family Development Agency (DIF).
Mexpat
Guadalajara’s monthly Mexpat meeting takes place at the Temple Bar on Tuesday, November 22, from 7-11 p.m.
Mexpat brings together a wide range of expatriates from diverse countries each month to chew the fat and get acquainted with new and old friends.
The Temple Bar is located at Cotilla 1860, Colonia Americana, tel. 3630-6336.
Perroton 2011
Mass dog-walking races will take place in the Parque Metropolitano from 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 27. The “Perroton 2011” competition is open to all ages and breeds of dog. There will be 1-, 3- and 5-kilometer circuits, plus family walks and races for disabled dog owners. The winners will receive prizes. To register visit www.perroton-dogchow.com.mx.