Native Nativity
A manger, various barnyard animals, three kings, Joseph, Mary and Jesus typically make up the nativity scene placed under Christmas trees and in other places of prominence during the holiday season.
You can see a variety of these creations at Galeria Colectika (corner of G. Sanchez and Allende, Centro) from December 13 through January 3. The hours vary but your best bet is to stop by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day but Sunday. Kevin Simpson is the curator.
The collection includes Huichol hand-beaded scenes, white clay from Santa Maria Oaxaca, black clay from San Bartolo, Oaxaca and Day of the Dead-inspired sets. Some are even whimsical and instead of a manger, the holy family can be seen in a car, on a merry-go-round and in a plane.
The gallery is also displaying photos of an incredible 1,200-piece nativity scene created this year for the Vatican Museum. The work was commissioned by the state of Oaxaca and developed by more than 140 families. It was put together by artists Jacobo and Maria Angeles from San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, who also created the angel, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus which was presented to Pope Francis on December 10.
Hitting the High Notes
The famous Metropolitan Opera House is located on Broadway at Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. It is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and opened in 1966. Teatro Vallarta (Uruguay 184, Colonia Cinco de Diciembre) is one of the lucky venues to show live HD transmissions from this famous venue.
The Live from the Met 2014-2015 simulcasts give you the feeling of actually being there. There are also behind-the-scenes interviews, something you wouldn’t be able to enjoy if you were sitting in the theater in New York.
The next performance is “The Merry Widow” on Saturday, January 17, noon. Tickets are $250 pesos and can be bought online at www.ticketmaster.com.mx, or at the theater box office, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The operetta, created by Franz Lehár, has enjoyed extraordinary international success since its 1905 premiere in Vienna and continues to be frequently revived and recorded.
This performance features soprano Reneé Fleming and tells the story of a rich widow, and her countrymen’s attempts to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband. Several men fall under her spell, but she is looking for true love. There are more intrigues and a wonderful ending.
Teatro Vallarta has free introductory lectures prior to every opera transmission. The lectures are in English and usually start one hour before the performance begins. The theater has English subtitles during the simulcasts.
This is the third season of Live from the Met transmissions in Puerto Vallarta and attendance has increased steadily.
Learning is Fundamental
Started in 2007 in Colonia Volcanes, the Volcanes Community Education Project is an entirely volunteer funded project with various programs to support local children. They operate a food bank, have refurbished an abandoned building to house an after-school program, provided new laptops and books for a library, and pay for English classes.
There is now a crowd-funding campaign, called Envision Volcanes Mexico, that hopes to raise US$15,000 by the spring of 2015. Organizers want to keep the program growing and add more after-hours English classes. They believe the lives of these children living in poverty can be vastly improved through education.
Visit www.gofundme.com/envisionvolcanes for more information.
Calling All Artists
Artists are being sought for the XV Biblioteca Los Mangos (library) Art Auction to be held on January 29. Domestic and foreign artists can participate with works in any discipline, up to a maximum of three pieces per artist. This ensures a wide range of contributors.
To participate applicants must fill out an online registration form at bibliotecalosmangos.com for each work submitted. Submissions are accepted until January 7.
Participants may also donate works of other artists which they own. By doing so, the applicant authorizes Los Mangos to use the information about the work for promotional purposes and for publishing an online catalog.
Works will go through a selection process by a curatorial board formed of gallery owners, which has the dual intention of filtering quality and building bridges between artists and the art market. The list of selected works will be published on the auction’s website no later than January 10, by which time the artist will be notified by email.
Selling the artwork involves donating a minimum 50 percent of the sale price for the operation of Los Mangos Library. The artist or owner of the work, however, may specify a higher percentage grant, if he or she prefers.
Remember that Los Mangos Library is more than just a library. It is a true community and cultural center. By supporting the event you will be able to give back to the community. The monies raised go toward the many community services and activities at Los Mangos.