Buen Fin
If you’re thinking of making any big purchases in the coming weeks it may be best to wait until the “Buen Fin,” Mexico’s equivalent to Black Friday in the United States, from November 16 to 19. More than 1,500 stores in Jalisco took part in last year’s inaugural Buen Fin and many department stores and other businesses will be offering great deals and discounts again this year.
American Society
Celebrate el Dia de los Muertos and Halloween in fancy dress at the American Society (Amsoc) on Thursday, November 1. A special menu of salad, meat loaf, corn, mashed potatoes and apple pie costs 120 pesos (100 for members). The prize for best costume will be a ticket for Amsoc’s Thanksgiving Dinner worth 240 pesos. The dinner is on Thursday, November 22 but tickets (220 pesos for members; 100 for children) must be purchased before November 15. Thanksgiving tickets purchased thereafter or at the door on the day will cost 280 pesos (120 for kids).
TlaquepArte
The fine line between artists and artisans will all but disappear during the popular TlaquepArte festival, which runs from Thursday, November 1 to Monday, November 5 at the Centro Cultural El Refugio in Tlaquepaque.
The annual exhibition of high-quality handicrafts from around Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean will bring hundreds of artesanos to Jalisco.
This giant bazaar should have something to please everyone at a range of prices. Besides Mexico’s well-known folk art, there will be a large presence from Cuba, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. It will be a magnificent opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and buy directly from the artisans.
Look out for the special display from Oaxaca and presentations of vignettes from the colorful annual Guelaguetza festival. You can also see exhibits of altars honoring the dead, as this year’s event coincides with Dia de los Muertos.
TlaqueParte is open November 1 through November 5, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Centro Cultural El Refugio, Donato Guerra 160, Tlaquepaque (about three blocks from the main plaza). For more information visit www.tlaqueparte.com.
Hungarian dance
Marking the end of the annual Fiestas de Octubre are two free performances in the Plaza Fundadores behind the Degollado Theater. Saturday, November 3, 7 p.m. sees a lively show by Hungarian dance troupe Miskolc, while at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, 6 p.m. the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra will reprise the program performed earlier in the day inside the theater (see facing page for details). Both events are free.
Altars to the dead
From October 30 to November 2, the Mueso Pantaleon Panduro (Prisciliano Sanchez 191) in Tlaquepaque is running special Dia de los Muertos activities, including competitions for the best altars and Catrina costumes, as well as live dancing, theatre and music.
Elsewhere, from October 29, the Centro Cultural Patio de Los Angeles in the Analco neighborhood (Cuitlahuac 305) will display altars in honor of deceased local residents and the Museo de Artes Populares (San Felipe 211) will display altars from October 31.
Golf tournament
The world’s top 30 female golfers have confirmed their presence at the 5th LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational, to be held at the Guadalajara Country Club from November 8-11. See next week’s Reporter for full details.
Clothes
Fashionista Stella McCartney – daughter of Beatle Paul – unveils her new clothing line for C&A stores on October 29 at the city’s five outlets in the Gran Plaza, Plaza del Sol, Plaza Pabellon, Galerias and city center (Juarez 333).