Expat Living

Tlaquepaque fiestas redux

If you regret missing out on Tuesday evening’s Independence shenanigans there’s a second chance to experience their patriotic flavor at Tlaquepaque’s delayed festivities this weekend. 

Grito in Zapopan

Independence bash

The American Society of Jalisco (Amsoc) will be decked out in red, white and green on Saturday, September 12 for the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration lunch. 

On the menu is chamorro (pork shank),  beans, rice, salad and flan for dessert. Tickets cost 150 pesos, available at the front desk. Doors and the bar will open at noon; lunch is served at 1:30 p.m. 

Amsoc is at Avenida San Francisco 3332, Colonia Chapalita. Call 3121-2395 for more information. 

Rebozo Exhibit

The name of the photographer showcased in the Rebozos exhibit at the Colegio de Jalisco in Zapopan is Joel Rivas, and not as published in our August 29 edition. Rivas is shown above, bottom left, with some U.S. visitors who attended the exhibit opening. The display is up through mid-September at the Colegio, Cinco de Mayo 321, two blocks from Andador 20 de Noviembre.

Bike rally

Bikers from various parts of western Mexico will take part in the sixth Rally de la Independencia on September 5 and 6, a trek that both starts and ends in the Guadalajara metropolitan area.

Organized by the Moto Clubes Unidos de Jalisco, the rally begins outside the Palacio de Gobierno in Zapopan at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 5.  The bikers will ride en masse to Ixtlahuacan del Rio, Cuquio and Yahualica, where there will be an overnight stay. Sunday’s ride takes in Tepatitlan, Puente Calderon and Tonala, before returning to the Jalisco capital.

At least 1,200 bikers from 74 clubs registered with Moto Clubes Unidos are expected to participate in the 385-kilometer rally.

For more information see motoclubunidosjalisco.mex.

Charro Parade

For those who missed the Mariachi parade last Sunday, there’s another chance to catch a free slice of Mexican culture on Monday, September 14, Dia del Charro (Horseman’s Day).  Local equestrians and their female counterparts, escaramuzas, will parade down Avenida Chapultepec, from Niños Heroes to Avenida Mexico, in all their fancy finery, from 10 a.m.

This year marks the 95th anniversary of the famous Charros de Jalisco equestrian association (not to be confused with the baseball team). 

Pooches

Plaza Andares (Patria and Acueducto) is the only mall in the metro area where patrons are permitted to take their pooches.  On the first visit, you must register your pet with the concierge.  Drinking bowls are even provided for the dogs. For more information go to www.andares.com or call (33) 3648-2280.

Expo Auto

Anyone looking around for a new car might do no worse than head over to Expo Auto at Expo Guadalajara on September 26 and 27, when most of the auto distributors that operate in metro area Guadalajara will gather under one roof. Organizers say manufacturers will be offering a range of discounts to entice buyers to part with their cash.

Car enthusiasts will also get the chance to drool over new models, as well as peek at the sports cars on show.

Expo Auto claims to be one of the biggest motor shows in Latin America. For more details go to www.amdajal.com or call (33) 3343-3000. 

Another farmer’s market

The upmarket Plaza Gourmeteria on Avenida Lopez Mateos Sur, by the entrance to El Palomar subdivision, has followed the lead of the Andares mall and is hosting a weekly farmer’s market

Handcrafted elegance

Saturday, August 22 is the final day of the 47th annual Enarte expo showcasing Mexican handcrafts, gift and decorative items. More than 120 leading manufacturers of high-quality Mexican design are featured. The show is on at the Centro Cultural El Refugio on the corner of Avenida Niños Heroes and the pedestrian walkway in San Pedro Tlaquepaque, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restricted to commercial buyers. 

New look Via

The highly successful Sunday Via RecreActiva car-free program is getting an image makeover. More than 400 volunteers who staff the activity have been given new uniforms, color coded to represent their specific function.   “Volunteers” who control traffic at intersections will wear green waistcoats and carry whistles and “stop” signs, “first-aid” personnel green shirts and grey shorts, and “guides” orange shirts and grey shorts.