Santana and Journey in Guadalajara March 26th

Through their Twitter account Ocesa Rock confirmed a tour of Mexico with Santana and Journey . These two giants of twentieth century rock Friday, March 27, presented at Foro Sol in Mexico City. There will be a pre sales with Banamex Ticketmaster the 10th and 11th of December, while tickets are available to the general public starting December 12. 

Beyond this date, Santana and Journey are presented on Thursday, March 26th, at the Estadio 3 de Marzo in Guadalajara. Along with the main venue, the alternative rock band of the 90's, the Counting Crows, are listed as special guests on both dates. Ah, but that's all, because the concert at Foro Sol also will involve classic rock group Creedence Clearwater Revisited. 

The public can enjoy the Mexican guitarist topics such as "Smooth", "Europe", " Maria Maria "," Samba pa ti "," Beautiful "," Winning ", among others; in turn interpreted Journey "Do not stop believin ',' Open arms", "Lights", "I would find you" to name a few. 

While the Counting Crows group sing "Mr. Jones, "" Round here "," A long december "," Palisades Park "; meanwhile, Creedence Clearwater Revisited please its fans with songs like "Suzie Q," "Lodi," "Fortunate son", "Hey Tonight", among others.

Santana, Journey y Counting Crows en México

Father of Mexican Muralism, Honored in Jalisco

The work of painter and writer Dr. Atl, considered the ideologue of Mexican Muralism and teacher of Diego Rivera, is the focus of the “Cosmic Rotation” exhibition in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death.

Dr. Atl, whose real name was Gerardo Murillo Cornado (1875-1964), is considered of great importance to 20th-century Mexico, not only for his artistic work that includes both the plastic arts and literature, but also for his political and social influence, Carlos Ashida, curator of the exhibition that will remain open until next February, told Efe.

“He had a very particular ideological and philosophic position, and was among the first to make contact with the European avant-garde at the beginning of the century and knew how to adapt it to Mexico,” he said.

The exhibition, presented at the Cabañas Institute in Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco, is composed of paintings, drawings, photos and documents from such Mexican organizations as the National Institute of Fine Arts, the Tlatelolco Cultural Center and the Alfredo Zalce Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as from private collections.

Father of Mexican Muralism, Honored in Jalisco

Cirque du Soleil plans its first theme park in Vallarta

Cirque du Soleil plans to create and operate a major theme park that promises an immersive "entertainment experience" in Nuevo Vallarta on Mexico's west coast.

It's a first for the Canadian company known for its elaborate circus-style shows that tour the world.

Details in the announcement Wednesday were scant, except to say that ideas for the theme park near Puerto Vallarta are in development. Cirque is partnering with Mexican resort developer Grupo Vidanta on the project, which is expected to open in 2018.

"Grupo Vidanta is offering us an amazing sandbox in which we can unleash our creativity," Cirque's founder, Guy Laliberte, said in the statement.

Renderings of ideas show sections called the Village of the Sun and the Village of the Moon, similar to different "lands" at other theme parks. Each experience will be based on a storyline and will be performed by Cirque artists, and could include a water park, nature park and an outdoor area that holds 3,000 to 5,000 visitors for evening shows, officials of the two companies said.

Cirque du Soleil plans its first theme park, chooses Mexico site

Nuevo Vallarta is in Nayarit but is still Vallarta ....

Tlajomulco hosts the Nacional Charro Competition

Guadalajara, Mexico (October 2, 2014) .- From October 25 to November 16, Rancho Santa Maria de Tlajomulco will host 70 edition of Congress and National Charro Championship 2014, which will have the presence of the top teams the country and the United States. 

A total of 135 teams charros, 94 casts of skirmishes and charros are 15 full participants in this competition, Jalisco returns after the last time it was held in the state was in 2009, at the Arena VFG. 

"Scoring with the support of all will be a great tournament, and have everything ready, well organized, and have the mares, all stock, it will certainly be one of the best tournaments in recent years" He explained in a press conference Salvador Sánchez, president of the Charros Association of Jalisco and member of the organizing committee. 

To cover all the rodeos, the organizers have made ​​available 400 mares pial, jockeying and Mangano and 800 bulls tails and repair , weighing between 380 and 480 kilos. 

The ticket price is 90 pesos for the three day rodeo, which will be at 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00. 

"The National Charro is a tool first order to promote the good image and Jalisco, it is estimated that some 10 000 delegates will come to be several days in the city and represents a major economic benefit, "explained Enrique Ramos, Secretary of Tourism of Jalisco.

Recibirá Tlajomulco el Nacional Charro

Get ready for the Feria Maestros del Arte in Chapala

The XIII Feria Maestros del Arte will be held from 14 to 16 November in the town of Chapala, involving 80 recognized artisans in 16 states of the Mexican Republic.

Diane Ayala Vazquez, representative of the organizing committee, said it aims to preserve and promote the Mexican folk art, bringing together artisans with national and international acclaim and whose work will be on sale.

"We can see pieces in textiles, wood, ceramics, printmaking, among others, made by craftsmen originating in Chiapas, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Puebla and Jalisco, this activity is also a cultural exchange as artisans staying in the homes of people in Chapala so it is a rich coexistence, "he said.

He noted that since 2008 this festival became a civil partnership, allowing greater participation of artisans and the presence of more domestic buyers and collectors in order to promote best performing folk art.

"This time, we will have on display a sculpture of a monumental alebrije developed by Alejandro Camacho, who is an artist of Xochimilco; Michicihualli piece is called, is the Goddess of Lake Chapala and participated in the Seventh Parade WoodCarvings Monuments Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City. "

He stressed that the XIII Feria Maestros del Arte will be held at the Yacht Club, located on Ramon Corona in Chapala, open from 10:00 to 17:00 hours and entrance fee of 50 pesos.

Prepárate para la Feria Maestros del Arte en Chapala

Proposed new Corona Mercado

Almost three months after the fire that destroyed the Corona Market in the historic center of the capital of Jalisco, the afternoon of Friday unveiled the conceptual project that will work to rebuild; according to the mayor, Ramiro García Hernández is estimated that the work, which cost about 300 million pesos be completed in one year.

Of the 30 proposals received, the office "Fernández Arquitectos SC" is the winner of the tender to be developed to choose who would have to draw the layout for the construction of the new market Ramón Corona after this collapse in a fire Sunday May 4.

This is a project that includes 589 stores and parking for 582 parking spaces, plus about nine thousand square meters of offices.

The facade of this market would comprise gates and trellises, along with special adaptations for sustainability and lattices that protect against the sun's rays, green roofs, solar panels for electricity supply and efficient lighting devices.

The intent of the Ochoa property management is that becoming a new tourist destination and service for visitors to the historic center.

Concepcion de Buenos Aires

So a drive down the south side of Lake Chapala was the plan maybe to Petatán and see the pelicans if they were still there. Thoughtful me without my map I didn't know how far Petatán was and made it as far as Cojumatlán - both in Michoacan. Cojumatlán is a large town and Sundays are the day for everyone to meet at the plaza. Couldn't find parking within 4 blocks and didn't feel like being the only gringo with a camera in the huge crowd - so back to Amacueca and maybe head inland.

A friend told me about Concepción de Buenos Aires somewhere off the new road to Mazamitla as being an attractive place to visit. The turn off is about 10-12 miles up the hill from Amacueca to the right. Putting that name on a road sign is next to impossible so you'll see something like - Cocep de BA. About 12-15 miles on this secondary road full of not very deep potholes appears the gates to Concepcion.  Without a map in this area it's hard to tell if you are in Jalisco or Michoacan.

The town reminds me of a number of Colonial mountain towns like Tapalpa, Mazamitla or even Patcuaro with the tile roofs, buildings painted similarly and lots of wood. However this town was only founded in the 1850's and became head of it's municipio in the 1880's. The sign on the entrance to town says - 'Land of the friendly people'

New treatment plant for Guadalajara

New treatment plant to serve 3 million people in Guadalajara

The opening of a new treatment plant this week in the state of Jalisco means that nearly 80% of sewage from the metropolitan zone of Guadalajara will be treated.

Agua Prieta, officially opened yesterday by President Peña Nieto, is Mexico’s largest and was completed at a cost of more than 3 billion pesos.

The plant brings to 54%, an increase of four points, the amount of sewage waste which is now being treated in Mexico. The project is part of the National Infrastructure Program, whose goal is to raise that figure of 54% to 63% by the time Peña Nieto finishes his term in office.

New treatment plant to serve 3 million people in Guadalajara

Virtual tour of the Puerto Vallarta area

Pretty cool 360 degree views of various places around Vallarta. Basically from Compostela to El Tuito and east to Mascota and Talpa.  Just mouse over the red dots for a small view or click for a larger one.

Virtual tour of the Puerto Vallarta area

Map of El Tuito

A fun trip to Yalapa

A fun trip to Yalapa on Banderas Bay

Yelapa (Yeh - La -Pa) was probably first populated by a some Native Americans of the tribe that originated in the ancient circular town of Tenacatitlan, 100 miles north, as they migrated south to eventually form Mexico City and become the Aztec empire. The word means 'gathering place' or 'meeting place' and, although it lies on the same latitude as Hawaii, has been likened to Tahiti.

The road south of Puerto Vallarta does not go all the way around the bay but cuts inland at Boca de Tomatlan. To get to Yelapa you must take a boat from Boca de Tomatlan , Los Muertos beach or the beach just south of the Rosita Hotel. Yelapa can also be reached by mountain bike or hiking down from El Tuito, high in the mountains behind the village. There is a daily cruise boat that drops tourists off for about two hours. Here in Puerto Vallarta you will find alot of beauty and culture, and of course the magical village of Yelapa.

Chapala's 'La Estacion's' 94th Anniversary celebration

Schedule of EVENTS  - 94th 'La Estacion' Anniversary commemorative celebration. Chapala's 'La Estacion' 94th year birthday is on 8 April 2014.  The following is the celebratory scheduled events program:

April 4th 19:00 HRS - CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CLEMENTE OROZCO CEDART

April 6 at 12:30PM - LATINO GROUP ASSEMBLY AND SON AND SOUL CHOIR

April 8 19.00 HRS - TYPICAL ORCHESTRA Chapala

April 10th 17:00 HRS - CLASS MEETING ARTISTIC CULTURAL CENTER GONZALEZ COCK WITH STUDENTS OF THE HOUSE OF CULTURE Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos

April 11 at 18:30 HRS - CINE CLUB , the film "Like Water for Chocolate"

April 12th 19:00 HRS - Ixtlahuacán BALLET AND MY GROUP MEXICO

Admission is free for each of these scheduled EVENTS, and everyone is invited and encouraged to participate, and asked to spread the word to friends and members of the greater Chapala resident community.  Participate and CELEBRATE 94 YEARS OF THE ARRIVAL OF A TRAIN Chapala...

Sincerely, MARIA ELENA RAMIREZ [email: gonzalez_gallo@hotmail.com]

Semana Santa Escape

Want to go in the opposite direction from everyone else this Semana Santa?  Want to let others have the beach for a few days while you explore other parts of Jalisco.  Guachimontones ruins, Tequila, Magdalena opals, Guadalajara, Tonala, Tlaquepaque.  Pick up in Melaque or Manzanillo or call or email for options.   Tour with Mex-ECO Tours

Laguna Sayula

This was a little loop trip from Lake Chapala to go get some coffee. We went around the lake from Jocotepec to Tuxcueca and around Cerro Garcia where the highway to Mazamilta takes off south. Just about a mile on that road there is road to the right that heads to Citala, Teocuitatlan de Corona, across Laguna Sayula to highway 54.

Pretty country but it's dry and brown now including the Lake. We made stops in Citala, very small and not much there and Teocuitatlan quickly to check the old sugar mill. There are much better preserved and larger mills around Mexico but this one has been converted to housing, hay storage and various other things. Didn't get to see much of Teocuitatlan because we got a late start and my partner had been there before. Gonna have to start earlier next time by myself or with another 'newbee'.

Anyway, we did make it to Amacueca for coffee and did not get rained out this time. However what really interests me about that area is the lake and how it changes from season to season. Some years it has lots of water (looks like a lake) and right now it's dry .... but not as dry as it's going to be. When it's really dry it turns to dust and with a good wind the storms can be like a 'white out' with snow. In the opposite season it is green and filled with migratory birds.

Then there are stories of the ancients living on the lake, salt deposits and collection, arrow and spear heads found and pottery shards. Interesting stories and history

View Larger Map

Dry lake and the valley

The lake with water looking across at Cerro Garcia