The second biennial International Circus Act Festival of Mexico (FiCHo) opens ten straight days of lively activities with a series of events scheduled Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, November 17 at various venues in Chapala and Ajijic. The program continues November 18-24 with all kinds of happenings scheduled in Guadalajara.
The festival is qualified as “celebration of inspiration” for out-of-the-box circus arts, more akin to street theater than conventional big top shows or glitzy Cirque de Soleil performances. It is geared both as an exchange encounter for performers from Mexico and abroad, and as a platform for public appearances.
The lakeside agenda kicks off Thursday, November 14, 5 p.m., with a parade along Avenida Madero and the Chapala Malecon, followed by an inaugural show and concert at the waterfront.
Fuco di Strada (Mexico) presents “Tempo” on Friday, 6 p.m. at the Ajijic Malecon. Bravisimo (Mexico) appears with “Olé” on Sunday, November 17, 4 p.m., at the Chapala Malecon.
All of these performances are free.
Three headline spectacles are scheduled at the Auditorio de la Ribera:
The international troupe Zarawato with “Circo Caracol,” Friday, November 15, 7:30 p.m.; David Lichtenstein (USA), with “Lost Highway,” Saturday, November 16, 7:30 p.m.; and Mexico’s Cabaret Capricho y Eros with “Familia PiZZiCaTo,” Sunday, November 17, 6 p.m. General admission is 150 pesos per person, 90 pesos each for groups of four and 30 pesos for kids aged 3-10.
Collateral film screenings listed on the bill are “Man on Wire,” Friday, November 16, 9 p.m., Chapala Malecon and “The Cost of Living,” Sunday, November 17, 9 p.m., Ajijic Malecon.
Workshops in acrobatics, aerial dance and clowning will be offered daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chapala’s Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo and the Centro Cultural de Ajijic. There is no charge, but pre-registration for limited spaces is required. See www.fichofest.com/#!talleres/coa4 for details.