March for peace
Families will be out in force imploring for peace on Saturday, May 9. A planned march in Guadalajara will call for calm and tranquility after the blockades and shootouts of May 1.
“This march is born out of the initiative of Jalisco families who intend to unite behind a symbol of peace for the city,” event organizer Arturo Olvera Regin said. “We don’t represent any belief, organization, political party or foundation.”
The marchers intend to wear white and march silently from Avenida Montevideo and Pablo Casals at 6 p.m. in the direction of the Minerva, where they will deposit flowers.
Booksellers
Book vendors are doing brisk business at Guadalajara’s annual Municipal Book Fair, which is currently occupying space amid the elegant portals surrounding the Palacio Municipal. All kinds of books, mostly in Spanish, are on sale for reasonable prices. Browsers will find plenty of books for young readers – great for children and grandchildren learning Spanish.
Bridge games
Bridge players in Guadalajara are reminded that the Club de Bridge Guadalajara meets every Monday at 4:30 p.m. The cost is 30 pesos per player for non-members. The club is located at Gabriel D’annunzio 5184. Call 3629-6695 for more information, or go to www.clubdebridgegdl.com.mx/inicio.
Hula hooping
Hula Hooping classes are offered in the Parque Revolucion (Juarez and Federalismo) each Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. It’s just one of many activities that take place along the route of the car-free Via RecreActiva activity. Even if you don’t take part, it’s fun just watching the expert Hula Hoopers showing off.
Lucha Libre
All the fun of professional Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) can be experienced on Tuesdays and Sundays at the Arena Coliseo, Medrano 67, in downtown Guadalajara. Tuesday’s bouts begin at 8:45 p.m, while Sunday’s action gets going at 6 p.m. Prices at the door are reasonable: 60 to 150 pesos. You can also get them ahead of time on Ticketmaster, but with a 10-percent commission included. The sessions rarely sell out, though.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand the intricacies of what’s going on. The passion of the masked fighters is something to admire – even if it is only just theatrics and not really sport!
Charreria
Regular as clockwork, each Sunday at noon, the Lienzo Charros de Jalisco (Av. Dr. R. Michel 577, by the Parque Agua Azul), hosts a charreria or Mexican rodeo event, featuring charros, escaramuzas, folklore and plenty of music. The show lasts for about three hours and provides a fascinating glimpse into Mexico’s unique equestrian culture.
Coming up at the Expo
Expo Guadalajara has a full schedule of events planned in May to suit a variety of tastes. The trade show center is at Av. Mariano Otero 1499, Col. Verde Valle, Guadalajara. Here’s the list:
MODAMA is an autumn-winter season exhibition of footwear, bags and accessories from Mexico and Latin America. May 12-14, modama.com.mx.
Expo Tu Boda is the largest and most complete exhibition of wedding organizers and providers in Mexico. May 23-24, expotuboda.com.mx/guadalajara.
Expo Tu Bebe y Tu is a maternity and babies event where you can find anything a new-born might need: clothing, accessories, cribs and strollers. May 23-24, nvo.tubebeytu.com.
The International Language Fair will bring together the world’s experts in the language teaching field to discuss and share learning experiences and the latest techniques. May 28-30, fiid.mx/20fiid/20fiid.php
The International Spelling Bee will see young spellers from around the world compete for the top prize in an edge-of-your-seat contest. May 29-30, spellingbee.com.
Moto Galeria will display some of the world’s finest motorcycles. The fair will feature top industry names and promote the motorcycle as a recreational, commercial and sporting vehicle. May 30-31, expo-guadalajara.com.
Expo Belleza Internacional de Occidente (Western International Beauty Fair) is a prestigious event presenting the latest trends in beauty, grooming and make up, as well as featuring models and designers from around the world. May 31–June 1, www.ebio.mx.
Papirolas has offered a unique space for children and young people to enjoy educational and entertainment spectacles each year since its debut in 1995. The event is organized by the University of Guadalajara. May 20-24, papirolas.udg.mx.