Multilingual concert
The well-known, nine-member a cappella group Cantabile offers a Christmas concert on Friday, December 21, 8:30 p.m. at San Bernardo church on Plan de San Luis near Federalismo. Carols in English, Spanish, German, French and Latin will be sung. The cost is 30 pesos to benefit the charitable group Juntos Por El Dolor.
Christmas Eve Mass
At St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Guadalajara, a Mass that includes congregational and choral music and a creche blessing have been set for 6 p.m., Monday, December 24.
The service will be a bilingual Mass, starting off with 20 minutes of congregational carols and hymns, led by St. Mark’s 15-person choir, which will include several singers invited from local professional choirs. Debra Rodriguez directs, accompanied by Ana Siliva Guerrero on organ.
During the Mass, the choir will sing several anthems, including Pergolesi’s “Glory to God in the Highest,” Handel’s “Gloria” and the African American spiritual “Some Children See Him,” climaxed by Handel’s roaring “Hallelujah Chorus” at the conclusion.
“It will be a really big show,” joked St. Mark’s pastor Jim Priddy, and will include a blessing of the creche. Afterward, worshippers will enjoy seasonal refreshments in the parish hall.
The church is a two-minute drive north of Plaza Mexico, on the corner of Aztecas and Chichimecas in Colonia Monraz. (33) 3641-6620.
Mexpat
Mexpat is changing the format for its end of year get-together set for La Mata Tinta on Thursday, December 27.
This will be an extremely informal gathering for those who are staying in Guadalajara over the holidays. Just turn up at the eatery between midday and 6 p.m. and see who you run into. There will be two-for-one beers and 75-peso shephard’s pie (just tell them you are with Mexpat).
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.
La Mata Tinta is located at Justo Sierra 1984 on the corner of Avenida Chapultepec. Telephone: (33) 3825-7013.
Acua Claus
Visitors to the Guadalajara Zoo this Christmas are in for a festive surprise in the aquarium.
A scuba-equipped Father Christmas dubbed “Acua Claus” is greeting guests and posing for photos in full festive outfit inside a giant fish tank.The zoo promises that all visitors to the aquarium will be able to see “Acua Claus” in the run up to Christmas.
The zoo is located in Colonia Huentitan with entrances at Paseo del Zoologico 600 and Calzada Independencia 4510. It will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. over the festive period.