Showing posts with label festivals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festivals. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2014
International Guitar Festival Starts in Mexico
Mexico, Mar 3.- The recognized 14th Guitar Festival of Sinaloa starts today in that state in Northeast Mexico.
The event, scheduled until next Saturday, includes presentations in Culiacán 8capital of the state), and the municipalities of Mazatlán, Guamuchil, Los Mochis and Mocosito.
Among its participants are the Italian virtuous Mauro Zanatta, who has formed generations of well known guitar players in several countries.
Other special guests are Manuel Espinas (Cuba), Hopkinson Smith (Suiza), Cavatina Duo (Bosnia-Spain), Marko Tpchii (Ukraine) and Gilberto Puente, with the Trio Los Tres Reyes (United States).
Mexicans Rene Garcia and Jose Carlos Pestaño, winners of the Sinaloa State Prize Guitar will also be present.
Mexican maestro Jose Gutierrez will direct the 6th Advanced Course on that instrument.
At the same time, 17 guitar players from different countries will compete in the 7th International Contest Sinaloa 2014.
(Prensa Latina)
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Carnaval Giants Adorn the Malecón
The staff of Instituo de Cultura and Arte de Mazatlán began installing the annual parade of giant caricatures (manigotes) along the Malecón de Mazatlán on Tuesday. The giants stand eight meters (26.25 feet) tall.
This year’s caricatures represent the four major carnivals throughout the world; those in Brazil, New Orleans, Havana, and Venice.
The first of the giants was installed next to Valentino’s and is an African-American representing New Orleans’ famous Marti Gras.
Havana’s Carnival is celebrated on Malecón’s North Beach at 5 de Mayo, where a giant replication of the revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara has been placed.
When the installation is complete there will be a total of ten giants adorning the Malecón.
Rául Rico, Director of Instituo de Cultura, said that after the choosing of the Queen of Carnaval four of the giant caricatures would be moved to Plaza Machado.
(from El Debate)
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Mexico Month By Month
about.com
Throughout most of the country the weather in April is hot and dry, and Holy Week usually falls during this month, so many Mexicans head to the beach at this time. During Holy Week (officially the week leading up to Easter, but the following week is also a holiday for many) millions of Mexicans take a family vacation, so beaches and tourist attractions are crowded. Make hotel and travel reservations well ahead of time if you'll be in Mexico during the Easter break.
Some festivals you can enjoy in August are the Huamantla Fair in Tlaxcala during which the city streets are decorated with flower petals and sawdust; and the Fiestas de la Vendimia, a wine festival held in Ensenada, Baja California. Northern Mexico has hot temperatures in August, whereas the central and southern regions experience warm and rainy weather. Beach destinations tend to be hot and humid at this time, but destinations in the interior are cooler. Although hurricane season officially begins in June, most major storms strike between August and October, so if you're traveling in August, you should take this into consideration.
There are many good reasons to visit Mexico in November. Day of the Dead is an important Mexican celebration that takes place this month (festivities begin at the end of October) honoring and celebrating deceased loved ones. Puerto Vallarta's Gourmet Festival is held in mid-November, and the third Monday in November is a public holiday in commemoration of the Mexican Revolution. Temperatures are lower in November than in the preceding months, so it's a wonderful time to enjoy Mexico's beaches. Inland it can get rather chilly in the evenings.
By Suzanne Barbezat
Wondering when you should travel to Mexico? You'll
find interesting festivals and fiestas taking place every month of the
year. This monthly guide to Mexico highlights the most important
festivals, holidays, and events, as well as offering information about
high and low season and weather conditions, to help you decide when to
travel to Mexico.
January in Mexico
© Suzanne Barbezat
The year kicks off with New Year's festivities, and this month also sees the celebration of Kings Day.
January (along with December) is one of the months of the year with the
lowest temperatures, which can make for very pleasant weather in
coastal areas, but at higher elevations it can be decidedly chilly, so
check the weather
in your destination of choice and pack accordingly. Many travelers
looking to escape cold weather visit Mexico in the winter months, so
this is considered high season.
February in Mexico
Photo by cable369, Creative Commons
Carnival often falls in the month of February (dates vary), and the first Monday of the month is a public holiday
in honor of Constitution Day. This is statistically the driest month of
the year and temperatures are warming up. February marks the peak for
Monarch butterfly season, so it's an ideal time of year to visit Mexico's monarch butterfly reserves.
March in Mexico
Photo by Lorenia, Creative Commons
The third Monday in March is a public holiday in honor of Benito Juarez' birthday. March 20th or 21st is the spring equinox, and spring festivals are held, and this is also the date that crowds gather in Chichen Itza to witness the appearance of a serpent on the steps of the pyramid of Kukulkan (a play of light and shadow). Spring break often falls in the month of March, so if you want to avoid crowds, you should choose to stay in one of Mexico's less well-known beach destinations.
April in Mexico
© Suzanne Barbezat
Throughout most of the country the weather in April is hot and dry, and Holy Week usually falls during this month, so many Mexicans head to the beach at this time. During Holy Week (officially the week leading up to Easter, but the following week is also a holiday for many) millions of Mexicans take a family vacation, so beaches and tourist attractions are crowded. Make hotel and travel reservations well ahead of time if you'll be in Mexico during the Easter break.
May in Mexico
Photo by Bisayan Lady, Creative Commons
May is a very busy month in Mexico, with lots of holidays and events. May 1st is a public holiday, Labor Day. Then it's Cinco de Mayo,
though not celebrated with as much exuberance as in the U.S, it is
commemorated with parades and civic events. Mother's Day, held in Mexico
on May 10th every year, is a major cultural celebration, and
restaurants are packed with families treating their mothers to a meal
out. As for the weather, it may still be quite hot during May, and this
month marks the beginning of rainy season through much of the country.
June in Mexico
Photo by dakotaduff, Creative Commons
In the month of June you can enjoy festivals such as the Día de Locos in San Miguel de Allende, and the Feria de San Pedro
in Tlaquepaque, near Guadalajara. The weather in June is warm and it
can be humid, with tropical showers in the late afternoons and evenings.
June through October is considered "sea turtle season" and if you'd
like to participate in a turtle release program, this is a good time to
do so.
More: June Festivals and Events in Mexico
More: June Festivals and Events in Mexico
July in Mexico
© Suzanne Barbezat
Rainy
season begins in May but July is often the wettest month of the year.
That shouldn't deter you from visiting, however, as it usually rains in
the late afternoon and evening, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing
earlier in the day. The summer vacation period lasts from the beginning
of July through the end of August, but typically tourist destinations
and attractions aren't as crowded as during the winter months and Holy Week. The Guelaguetza festival is held in Oaxaca from mid- to end of July, and is a great opportunity to enjoy Mexican culture and folk dances.
August in Mexico
Courtesy www.huamantlalaferia.org
Some festivals you can enjoy in August are the Huamantla Fair in Tlaxcala during which the city streets are decorated with flower petals and sawdust; and the Fiestas de la Vendimia, a wine festival held in Ensenada, Baja California. Northern Mexico has hot temperatures in August, whereas the central and southern regions experience warm and rainy weather. Beach destinations tend to be hot and humid at this time, but destinations in the interior are cooler. Although hurricane season officially begins in June, most major storms strike between August and October, so if you're traveling in August, you should take this into consideration.
September in Mexico
© Suzanne Barbezat
Fall is an excellent season to visit Mexico. There are usually very good deals
to be found, as this is generally considered low season. Temperatures
in September are agreeable and rainy season is coming to an end
throughout most of the country, so you can enjoy lush green vegetation
without having to contend with much rain (though hurricane season isn't over yet, so take the appropriate precautions). Mexican Independence Day
is celebrated in the month of September, and although the 16th is the
official date, you'll find festivities stretch out over the whole month.
October in Mexico
Photo by Irene Soria, Creative Commons
The Festival Cervantino, held yearly in Guanajuato
in the month of October, is one of the country's most important
cultural festivals. Other important festivals held in October include
the Morelia's International Film Festival and the Fiestas del Sol in Mexicali, Baja California. Day of the Dead
celebrations begin at the end of the month. October marks the end of
the rainy season; there's still a chance of tropical storms and
hurricanes, but in general the weather is milder than in the summer or
winter months. Daylight Saving Time comes to an end in Mexico on the last Sunday in October.
November in Mexico
There are many good reasons to visit Mexico in November. Day of the Dead is an important Mexican celebration that takes place this month (festivities begin at the end of October) honoring and celebrating deceased loved ones. Puerto Vallarta's Gourmet Festival is held in mid-November, and the third Monday in November is a public holiday in commemoration of the Mexican Revolution. Temperatures are lower in November than in the preceding months, so it's a wonderful time to enjoy Mexico's beaches. Inland it can get rather chilly in the evenings.
December in Mexico
Photo by Flickr user Travelinknu, Creative Commons
There's lots happening this month: the feast day of Mexico's patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe falls on the 12th, the posadas begin on the 16th and run through the 24th, and then of course there are other Christmas celebrations.
December and January tend to be the coolest months of the year, so no
matter your destination, you'll probably want to bring a sweater just in
case. Both beach destinations and popular colonial cities can be busy and crowded at this time.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Third Annual “Festival of Birds” Planned for January, 2014
Pronatura event coordinator, Jaime Rangel Salgado, announced in a
press conference yesterday that the third annual “Avefest” will take
place in Mazatlán and surrounding areas from January 27-31, 2014.
This is the first time, he pointed out, they are receiving assistance from the Secretary of Tourism, the Center for Investigation of Food and Development, Municipal Hall and the aquarium.
The aim of the festival is to introduce on an international level the 70 bird species that exist in Sinaloa and to accomplish that end, there will be a series of workshops, conferences and bird watching tours from the beaches to the mountains.
Those interested in attending can email emurua@ciad.mx or telephone 989-8700, ext. 260.
This is the first time, he pointed out, they are receiving assistance from the Secretary of Tourism, the Center for Investigation of Food and Development, Municipal Hall and the aquarium.
The aim of the festival is to introduce on an international level the 70 bird species that exist in Sinaloa and to accomplish that end, there will be a series of workshops, conferences and bird watching tours from the beaches to the mountains.
Those interested in attending can email emurua@ciad.mx or telephone 989-8700, ext. 260.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Mexico – Where Adventure Travel Never Ends
By Mike Cooney Chief Explorer, Cooney World Adventures
Following my dissertation about the country’s natural beauty, its history, and the fact that Mexicans are among the most warm and hospitable people in the world — I’ve been to more than 50 countries, so I have a fairly good frame of reference — I always win them over to adding Mexico to their bucket list.
Sure, we all know about the all-inclusive resorts with their eat-and-party-until-you-drop philosophy. They can be fun too, but in small doses. Then there are the historical relics and temples scattered throughout Mexico that remind us of once mighty civilizations that rivaled Rome, Greece, and all other empires of note. And let’s not forget the culinary delights, which have been exported around the world from Beijing to Boise. But did you know that Mexico is one of the great adventure tourism destinations on the planet?
Everything from soft adventure to full-on adrenaline-fueled sports activities are available throughout many states and regions of Mexico. Some of the more well known include whitewater rafting, rappelling or canyoning, mountain biking, zip lining, sandboarding, hang-gliding, hiking, swimming with whale sharks, mountain climbing, skiing (yes, snow skiing) and much more. The only limitations are your own, and how far you are willing to push the adventure envelope.
For the second year in a row, I was invited to participate in Adventure Travel Mexico (ATMEX), which is sponsored in part by Adventure Travel Trade Association. In addition to several Familiarization (FAMs) tours, there is also a large three-day trade show where virtually every state and many travel tour operators converge to promote their region and adventure-filled itineraries. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
Whitewater rafting options range from tubing on a placid river with minor drops to make-sure-your-insurance-is-paid class 5 rapids. One of the best places to experience whitewater rafting is at Mexico Verde Expeditions, which is located on Rio Pescados northwest of Veracruz. The lodge offers glamping (glamorous camping) accommodations, excellent food, and a variety of adventure activities.
Ymbigapan is a tour company located in San Andrés Tuxtla also not far from Veracruz. They offer customized itineraries for all levels of adventure travel including caving, rappelling, bird watching, horseback riding, and experiencing awe-inspiring waterfalls that are off the beaten path.
Rappelling beside a raging 120-foot waterfall is both exhilarating and a bit unnerving, even for the most devoted adventure-seeker. First, it requires getting geared-up in a thick wetsuit that’s like putting on a full-body girdle, strapping on a helmet, zip lining across a gorge, crossing a swift moving river on foot to the point where everyone begins the descent to the bottom of the waterfall. The wetsuit serves two purposes: First, it protects against abrasions when coming in contact with the jagged sides of the cliff, and two, it provides some protection against the freezing cold water plummeting to the rocks and deep pool below.
I’ve experienced my fair share of adventure travel, but one of the most exhilarating was riding an ATV on the sand dunes at Playa Chachalcas. The massive dunes come right up to the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. They are constantly shifting and creating new windswept vistas. Even the powerful ATVs have a hard time cresting some of the huge piles of sand along the beach. Believe me, I know. It took me four
attempts to conquer a formidable dune that seemed to rise at a 45-degree angle. Once at the top, I was treated to picturesque views of the Gulf’s azure waters and surrounding area.
Mexico offers adventure enthusiasts countless options and locations to experience what they love best. Whether you are new to adventure travel or have lived an adventurer’s life, new and exciting experiences await you in Mexico. What are you waiting for?
Interesting Facts About Mexico
· Mexico’s official name is Estados Únidos Mexicanos, which translates to United Mexican States.
· Chocolate, corn and chilies are all originally from Mexico.
· The first printing press in North America was used in Mexico City in 1539.
· Chihuahuas are named for a Mexican state.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Restaurateurs in Olas Altas Plan Day of the Dead Party
Owners of restaurants in Olas Altas met with Mazatlán Mayor Alejandro
Higuera yesterday to present their Día de Muertos Olas Altas 2013
program.
Ricardo Velarde, president of the local chapter of Canirac, told reporters there are 15 restaurants in Olas Altas. The plan is to erect two performance stages and altars along the esplanade fashioned by students of architecture and design schools.
The event is for families, young people and adults, he said, adding that at the meeting with the Mayor they had requested permission for the event on November 2 to begin at 4pm and end at 3am on November 3.
(from Noroeste)
Ricardo Velarde, president of the local chapter of Canirac, told reporters there are 15 restaurants in Olas Altas. The plan is to erect two performance stages and altars along the esplanade fashioned by students of architecture and design schools.
The event is for families, young people and adults, he said, adding that at the meeting with the Mayor they had requested permission for the event on November 2 to begin at 4pm and end at 3am on November 3.
(from Noroeste)
Monday, October 7, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
'Llueven' estrellas en el TAP
Sorprende Pavel Arámbula con sus caracterizaciones femeninas
Dantiela Mendoza
noroeste.com
Monday, September 30, 2013
Mazatlán Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Cultural Festival
Director of Cultura Raúl Rico introduced this year’s
program which begins October 7, ending December 18.
The late Ricardo Urquijo, founder of the annual Mazatlán arts event, took up the reins in 1993 when local artists and the Mazatlán community expressed their desire to reinvigorate cultural events in the city. This year, the cultural festival celebrates its 20th anniversary.
At a press conference yesterday, director of Cultura Raúl Rico introduced this year’s program which begins October 7, ending December 18. Eighty-six events are planned involving 1,800 artists from five countries: Cuba, United States, Russia, Japan and Mexico.
For dance enthusiasts, the Russian State Ballet Mari El will perform “Don Quijote” on October 7. Mazatlán’s internationally acclaimed Delfos Contemporary Dance Company will present “Vitril, Viaje Imaginario” on November 19 and 20, and on November 30San Francisco´s Flamenco Theater will perform “Flamenco en Movimiento.”
In celebration of 400 years of cultural and commercial ties between Mexico and Japan, the Japanese contemporary dance troupe Mai Sho Gaku will perform at the Angela Peralta Theater on December 5 showcasing dance, music and Japanese culture.
Also in December, the Companía Nacional de Danza will perform a ballet gala on the 6th and 7th. And finally, on December 12 and 13 the popular annual presentation of “The Nutcracker Suite” will be presented by the Municipal School of Ballet and invited soloists.
Music fans will be treated to a concert by the symphony orchestra celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of British composer Benjamin Britten on October 31, a performance of Faure´s “Requiem” by the Mazatlán Camarata and Angela Peralta Choral on November 1, and the opera “Pagliacci” conducted by Enrique Patrón de Rueda December 7 and 8.
Other highlighted performances this year include an homage to the Bee Gees (November 22 and 23), a concert by María del Sol (December 14) and the annual Christmas Gala music and dance night with the Angela Peralta Choral and Mazatlán Camarata on December 17 and 18.
For a full program schedule of the 2013 Mazatlán Cultural Festival, visit the Instituto de Cultura, Turismo y Arte de Mazatlán website at www.culturamazatlan.com.
(from Noroeste)
Thursday, September 12, 2013
My Sinaloa: Tourism Chief Frank Cordova Talks Mazatlan, Mexico & Beyond
Published on June 25th, 2013 | by Mark Chesnut
latinflyer.com
Among the news: four major cruise lines are returning to the port of Mazatlan, while new air service is debuting at the Mazatlan airport. The Mazatlan-Durango highway is due to open this fall, making it easier for people to drive from the United States. And plans call for the city of Mazatlan to double its hotel capacity over the next five years. In this exclusive interview, Cordova talks about what makes Mazatlan a special place.
The Zona Dorada — Golden Zone — is one of the most popular Mexico beach areas in Mazatlan.
What are your biggest goals in your new position?
As secretary of tourism, one of my biggest goals is to communicate to people around the world that Mazatlan is back and better than ever. The cruise ships are already returning, and Sinaloa and Mazatlan are coordinating to further increase the number of American and Canadian flights to our state. Sinaloa and the Mexican government have invested millions of dollars in the city to improve and enhance the experience for tourists, and I am working to make sure more travelers than ever from around the world come to visit.
What do you think are the biggest selling points for Mazatlán, and Sinaloa overall, for travelers?
Mazatlan and Sinaloa have all the best of Mexico – beaches, nightlife, gastronomy, culture – at an affordable price and without the stereotypical “spring break” atmosphere. Visitors can still enjoy locally produced Tequila and Pacifico beer and visit an exciting variety of bars and clubs, but we’re an ideal destination for families and people looking for a relaxing vacation as well. We have plenty of activities for every type of traveler.
What are the best-kept secrets in Sinaloa in terms of tourism?
Sinaloa is full of beautiful beaches, colonial architecture, archaeological sites and even therapeutic hot springs, and one of our best kept secrets is the Copper Canyon. Located in the northern part of the state, it is considered to be even deeper than the Grand Canyon! You can take a train from Los Mochis that will allow you to see scenic views, waterfalls and stop in a number of villages. Sinaloa also has a diverse exotic bird population. Isla de Piedra and Altamura Island are home to beautiful toucans, parakeets and parrots.
The historic city center of Mazatlan, Mexico, is a big draw for culture lovers.
What are the main types of travelers that Sinaloa attracts?
While Sinaloa attracts all types of visitors, we have been named the Best Family Beach as part of Travelocity Mexico’s 2010 “Battle of Destinations.” We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly destination that has something for everyone. Travelers who want to experience the best of Mexico’s beaches, gastronomy and heritage without the crowds of some of the more popular destinations should put Mazatlan at the top of their list.
What’s new in Mazatlan and Sinaloa for travelers?
The Mazatlan-Durango Highway will open later this year, connecting Sinaloa with the southwestern United States and making it even easier for visitors to explore more of our area. We also have many new hotels and resorts looking to open, and we hope to double hotel capacity within the next five years.
Mazatlan has a high profile on the tourism scene, but many people may not be aware of Sinaloa as a state, and what it has to offer. Why should travelers make time to explore more of the state?
There’s more to Sinaloa than just the beautiful beaches and the delicious shrimp of Mazatlan, and the region has changed so much in the past few years. We’re proud of Sinaloa and ready to show travelers everything our state has to offer.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Todo listo para el Séptimo Circuito de Voleibol de Playa NORCECAen su sexta etapa en Mazatlán
|
Mazatlán, Sinaloa .- El puerto de Mazatlán albergará del 13 al 15 de Septiembre el Séptimo Circuito de Voleibol de Playa NORCECA en su sexta etapa.
Las canchas de voleibol de playa de la Unidad Deportiva Sahop serán la sede de los enfrentamientos los cuales iniciarán el viernes a las 9:00 de la mañana y posteriormente a las 12:30 del medio día se realizará la ceremonia de inauguración.
Para esta etapa participan 28 equipos, 15 en la rama varonil y 13 en la rama femenil de los países de Canadá, Estados Unidos, Guatemala, Honduras, San Kitts y Nevis, Costa Rica, Trinidad y Tobago, Puerto Rico, Islas Vírgenes, Nicaragua y México.
Los representantes Mexicanos son Lombardo Ontiveros, Juan Virgen, Juan Revuelta, Ricardo Galindo, Ulises Ontiveros y Salvador Frias en los que respecta a los hombres y en las mujeres están Martha Revueltas, Bibiana Candelas, Diana Estrada, Paola Estrada, Vanessa Virgen y Estefania Burnsite.
La bolsa a repartir en el evento es de 16,000 mil dolares entre los 8 primeros lugares, pero ademas de la compensación económica se reparten los puntos países que finalicen en los primeros puestos para asistir a los Juegos Olímpicos de Brasil 2014.
El evento culminará el día domingo con las finales y se le hace la invitación a todo el publico en general ya que la entrada es totalmente gratuita.
Las canchas de voleibol de playa de la Unidad Deportiva Sahop serán la sede de los enfrentamientos los cuales iniciarán el viernes a las 9:00 de la mañana y posteriormente a las 12:30 del medio día se realizará la ceremonia de inauguración.
Para esta etapa participan 28 equipos, 15 en la rama varonil y 13 en la rama femenil de los países de Canadá, Estados Unidos, Guatemala, Honduras, San Kitts y Nevis, Costa Rica, Trinidad y Tobago, Puerto Rico, Islas Vírgenes, Nicaragua y México.
Los representantes Mexicanos son Lombardo Ontiveros, Juan Virgen, Juan Revuelta, Ricardo Galindo, Ulises Ontiveros y Salvador Frias en los que respecta a los hombres y en las mujeres están Martha Revueltas, Bibiana Candelas, Diana Estrada, Paola Estrada, Vanessa Virgen y Estefania Burnsite.
La bolsa a repartir en el evento es de 16,000 mil dolares entre los 8 primeros lugares, pero ademas de la compensación económica se reparten los puntos países que finalicen en los primeros puestos para asistir a los Juegos Olímpicos de Brasil 2014.
El evento culminará el día domingo con las finales y se le hace la invitación a todo el publico en general ya que la entrada es totalmente gratuita.
Fecha : 10-09-2013
Hora : 14:07 Hrs.
Hora : 14:07 Hrs.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The spirit of Mexico: Tastings spotlight complexity of tequila
Christine Delsol, Special to SFGate
Published 4:31 pm, Tuesday, August 27, 2013
- Photo: Luis Garcia-Rivera
Perhaps Mexico's most famous export, tequila has come a long way from its onetime frat-party niche where fortitude was measured by the number of shots, buffered by licks of salt and lime, you could down. Not so long ago, travelers were often surprised to encounter the wide variety and high quality of tequila they encountered in Mexico. In the right hands, the nectar of the blue agave actually is as refined and complex as any fine whiskey or wine.
Though Mexico strictly regulates tequila exports, more and more previously unknown brands have been making it north of the border — so many, in fact, that it's hard to know what to choose. There are a couple of constants: Always look for 100 percent blue agave (the name "tequila" can be applied to anything above 50 percent), and the older the spirit, the smoother and richer it will be. Beyond that, it's mostly personal preference.
Tasting festival
The Spirits of Mexico event, coming to San Diego Sept. 17-21, is one easy way to sample a wide variety of tequila brands, as well as a few mezcal and other spirits made in Mexico. Now celebrating its 10th year, the festival offers seminars led by professionals who cover the history and culture of each spirit, teach proper tasting techniques and impart wisdom about current trends. And of course, there are tastings. Lots of tastings.
The tasting competition (by invitation only) that precedes the festival determines the awards, and trophies are announced during a dinner and live auction at Barra Barra Saloon in Old Town San Diego Friday night. Top winners in 2012 were Crotalo Extra Añejo, best of show, and Siete Leguas, Corazon, El Jimador, Crotalo and Los Siete Misterios (Tobala Variety), best in their respective categories.
The Spirits of Mexico is a touring event, starting in New York in May, moving to Chicago in June, and winding up in San Diego. The final San Diego leg, which draws about 2,500 aficionados, claims to be the oldest, largest and most comprehensive such event in North America. A panoply of master distillers, blenders, mixologists, distributors and retailers present both world-renowned and emerging brands, and visitors will be able to tap the knowledge of prominent historians and authors. This year's festival promises more "meet, greet and taste" opportunities than ever, and is adding events that spotlight the spirit, as well as the spirits, of Mexico's history and culture.
Tequila 101
The kickoff event is the brand-new "Contemporary Cocktails/Ancient Cuisine" Cocktail Challenge at the Blind Burro in Downtown San Diego. Chefs will re-create dishes that the ancient Aztecs ate, as well as each dish's contemporary version, offering insight into how the Spanish influenced Mexico's ancient cuisine. Five finalists will pair their finest cocktail concoctions with cuisine re-created from what is known about what the Aztecs ate. At the same time, guests will taste mixologists' best efforts to create the festival's Cocktail of the Year.
A free "Art of Tequila" exhibition opens Wednesday, detailing the artistic passion lavished upon the hand-crafted bottles that distinguish Mexico's spirits from any other in the world. The exhibition focuses on the distinctly Mexican cultural themes that inspire the innovative, often whimsical and sometimes outlandish designs.
Thursday brings the traditional Tequila Trail in Old Town San Diego, presenting signature dishes from local restaurants, along with selections of tequila, mezcal and other Mexican spirits.
The main tasting event on Saturday, at the Information Center Plaza in Old Town San Diego, puts hundreds of styles of agave and other spirits produced in Mexico at visitors' disposal, with food created especially for the event.
Extra credit
Though The Spirits of Mexico will have enough tequila to keep any sane person fully occupied, the festival also offers a rare opportunity to sample Mexican wine, as well as some of the other spirits produced in Mexico that are rarely found in the United States, including:
Bacanora — Distilled for 400 years from agaves that grow in Sonora's Sierra Madres, bacanora was inexplicably outlawed at the onset of the Mexican revolution in 1915. That law was only repealed in 1992, and the state established standards and regulations for its production. The agaves are slowly roasted in underground pits, imparting mineral nuances to the liquor.
Mezcal — Though a generic name for all spirits distilled from the agave, it's more often associated with the maguey agave spirit produced primarily in Oaxaca and to a lesser extent in the states of San Luis Potosi, Michoacan, Jalisco, Durango, Morelos, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. It is usually produced in smaller batches, and the agave heart, or piña, is cooked in an underground pit lined with volcanic rock. The smoky flavor that results does not lend itself to mixing, so it is usually drunk in straight shots.
Raicilla — A fermented pre-Hispanic drink that has been prepared by traditional methods for 500 years, raicilla is based on wild agave plants, though agave is now cultivated for the purpose in the state of Jalisco. Long regarded as "moonshine," it is now regulated and produced legally in Jalisco.
Sotol — Produced in northern Mexico from the Desert Spoon cactus (sotol in Spanish), sotol is distilled in much the same way mezcal is. Though common in Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango and Coahuila, commercial versions are extremely rare.
The Spirits of Mexico, Sept. 17-21, downtown and Old Town San Diego. Events $35-$95; combo tickets $88-$265. www.thespiritsofmexico.com, (619) 709-0555.
Though Mexico strictly regulates tequila exports, more and more previously unknown brands have been making it north of the border — so many, in fact, that it's hard to know what to choose. There are a couple of constants: Always look for 100 percent blue agave (the name "tequila" can be applied to anything above 50 percent), and the older the spirit, the smoother and richer it will be. Beyond that, it's mostly personal preference.
Tasting festival
The Spirits of Mexico event, coming to San Diego Sept. 17-21, is one easy way to sample a wide variety of tequila brands, as well as a few mezcal and other spirits made in Mexico. Now celebrating its 10th year, the festival offers seminars led by professionals who cover the history and culture of each spirit, teach proper tasting techniques and impart wisdom about current trends. And of course, there are tastings. Lots of tastings.
The tasting competition (by invitation only) that precedes the festival determines the awards, and trophies are announced during a dinner and live auction at Barra Barra Saloon in Old Town San Diego Friday night. Top winners in 2012 were Crotalo Extra Añejo, best of show, and Siete Leguas, Corazon, El Jimador, Crotalo and Los Siete Misterios (Tobala Variety), best in their respective categories.
The Spirits of Mexico is a touring event, starting in New York in May, moving to Chicago in June, and winding up in San Diego. The final San Diego leg, which draws about 2,500 aficionados, claims to be the oldest, largest and most comprehensive such event in North America. A panoply of master distillers, blenders, mixologists, distributors and retailers present both world-renowned and emerging brands, and visitors will be able to tap the knowledge of prominent historians and authors. This year's festival promises more "meet, greet and taste" opportunities than ever, and is adding events that spotlight the spirit, as well as the spirits, of Mexico's history and culture.
Tequila 101
The kickoff event is the brand-new "Contemporary Cocktails/Ancient Cuisine" Cocktail Challenge at the Blind Burro in Downtown San Diego. Chefs will re-create dishes that the ancient Aztecs ate, as well as each dish's contemporary version, offering insight into how the Spanish influenced Mexico's ancient cuisine. Five finalists will pair their finest cocktail concoctions with cuisine re-created from what is known about what the Aztecs ate. At the same time, guests will taste mixologists' best efforts to create the festival's Cocktail of the Year.
A free "Art of Tequila" exhibition opens Wednesday, detailing the artistic passion lavished upon the hand-crafted bottles that distinguish Mexico's spirits from any other in the world. The exhibition focuses on the distinctly Mexican cultural themes that inspire the innovative, often whimsical and sometimes outlandish designs.
Thursday brings the traditional Tequila Trail in Old Town San Diego, presenting signature dishes from local restaurants, along with selections of tequila, mezcal and other Mexican spirits.
The main tasting event on Saturday, at the Information Center Plaza in Old Town San Diego, puts hundreds of styles of agave and other spirits produced in Mexico at visitors' disposal, with food created especially for the event.
Extra credit
Though The Spirits of Mexico will have enough tequila to keep any sane person fully occupied, the festival also offers a rare opportunity to sample Mexican wine, as well as some of the other spirits produced in Mexico that are rarely found in the United States, including:
Bacanora — Distilled for 400 years from agaves that grow in Sonora's Sierra Madres, bacanora was inexplicably outlawed at the onset of the Mexican revolution in 1915. That law was only repealed in 1992, and the state established standards and regulations for its production. The agaves are slowly roasted in underground pits, imparting mineral nuances to the liquor.
Mezcal — Though a generic name for all spirits distilled from the agave, it's more often associated with the maguey agave spirit produced primarily in Oaxaca and to a lesser extent in the states of San Luis Potosi, Michoacan, Jalisco, Durango, Morelos, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. It is usually produced in smaller batches, and the agave heart, or piña, is cooked in an underground pit lined with volcanic rock. The smoky flavor that results does not lend itself to mixing, so it is usually drunk in straight shots.
Raicilla — A fermented pre-Hispanic drink that has been prepared by traditional methods for 500 years, raicilla is based on wild agave plants, though agave is now cultivated for the purpose in the state of Jalisco. Long regarded as "moonshine," it is now regulated and produced legally in Jalisco.
Sotol — Produced in northern Mexico from the Desert Spoon cactus (sotol in Spanish), sotol is distilled in much the same way mezcal is. Though common in Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango and Coahuila, commercial versions are extremely rare.
The Spirits of Mexico, Sept. 17-21, downtown and Old Town San Diego. Events $35-$95; combo tickets $88-$265. www.thespiritsofmexico.com, (619) 709-0555.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Mexico to replace New Jersey in 2014 plans?
8/27/13
crash.net
Mexico to replace New Jersey in 2014 plans?
crash.net
Mexico to replace New Jersey in 2014 plans?
Mexico could be poised to step in as the replacement for the proposed Grand Prix of America on next year's F1 schedule.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has made no secret of his desire to return Mexico to the calendar, but several false starts have prevented the event from figuring among the myriad candidates that have made the grade in recent seasons.
While last week's broadside at the organisers of the New Jersey race may have been just another means of hurrying things along, Ecclestone appears ready to include Mexico in his plans for 2014, suggesting at Spa-Francorchamps that a decision could be made within the next couple of weeks.
Having let slip his interest to NBC's Will Buxton during his pre-race grid walk in Belgium, Ecclestone told Autoweek that he was working towards making the race a reality.
According to the latter, the Mexican race would also see the return of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez which, having been given a facelift since its last F1 appearance in 1992, is now under the guidance of Circuit of the Americas originator – and Mexico native - Tavo Hellmund.
“I should know within a couple of weeks about Mexico,” Ecclestone told Autoweek, “I'm going to try to make it happen.”
There is added impetus to return F1 to Mexico with both Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez on the grid this season and, while the latter's position at Sauber could be threatened by the team's new reliance on Russian backing and the apparent imposition of Sergey Sirotkin for 2014, Hellmund has pulled together an all-star team to help in the event's resurrection.
Alejandro Soberon, CEO of live entertainment giant CIE, is joined Carlos Slim Domit, the son of the world's richest man and, perhaps crucially, a member of the FIA Senate, while new Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto is also understood to be in favour of the race returning as soon as possible.
Whether Mexico - now a staple on the WRC schedule - fills the June calendar slot originally earmarked for New Jersey will, in part, depend on whether the US event can find the money it needs to proceed – and Ecclestone insists that he has not given up on Leo Hindery Jr's team entirely – but, with Austria and Russia already expected to join the fray for 2014, there could still be some shuffling to do before the final calendar appears in December. India has already said that it will not be part of the schedule and doubts remain over the viability of Korea as an F1 destination, but Ecclestone knows that the teams are keen to keep the number of races at a maximum of 20.
Nigel Mansell won the final Mexican Grand Prix from pole position on his way to the 1992 world championship title. Gerhard Berger claimed fastest lap.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has made no secret of his desire to return Mexico to the calendar, but several false starts have prevented the event from figuring among the myriad candidates that have made the grade in recent seasons.
While last week's broadside at the organisers of the New Jersey race may have been just another means of hurrying things along, Ecclestone appears ready to include Mexico in his plans for 2014, suggesting at Spa-Francorchamps that a decision could be made within the next couple of weeks.
Having let slip his interest to NBC's Will Buxton during his pre-race grid walk in Belgium, Ecclestone told Autoweek that he was working towards making the race a reality.
According to the latter, the Mexican race would also see the return of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez which, having been given a facelift since its last F1 appearance in 1992, is now under the guidance of Circuit of the Americas originator – and Mexico native - Tavo Hellmund.
“I should know within a couple of weeks about Mexico,” Ecclestone told Autoweek, “I'm going to try to make it happen.”
There is added impetus to return F1 to Mexico with both Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez on the grid this season and, while the latter's position at Sauber could be threatened by the team's new reliance on Russian backing and the apparent imposition of Sergey Sirotkin for 2014, Hellmund has pulled together an all-star team to help in the event's resurrection.
Alejandro Soberon, CEO of live entertainment giant CIE, is joined Carlos Slim Domit, the son of the world's richest man and, perhaps crucially, a member of the FIA Senate, while new Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto is also understood to be in favour of the race returning as soon as possible.
Whether Mexico - now a staple on the WRC schedule - fills the June calendar slot originally earmarked for New Jersey will, in part, depend on whether the US event can find the money it needs to proceed – and Ecclestone insists that he has not given up on Leo Hindery Jr's team entirely – but, with Austria and Russia already expected to join the fray for 2014, there could still be some shuffling to do before the final calendar appears in December. India has already said that it will not be part of the schedule and doubts remain over the viability of Korea as an F1 destination, but Ecclestone knows that the teams are keen to keep the number of races at a maximum of 20.
Nigel Mansell won the final Mexican Grand Prix from pole position on his way to the 1992 world championship title. Gerhard Berger claimed fastest lap.
Mazatlán Gastronomical Festival set for September
Organizers advised they are expecting 5,000 people to
attend the second year of this event.
mazmessenger.com
Maureen Dietrick
Maureen Dietrick
The festival, called “Mazatlán Como Local,” will take place in the parking lot of the Teodoro Mariscal baseball stadium and will honour Alejandro Flores Curlango, owner of restaurant Mariscos Bahía, in business for 63 years, and the family owners of Tacos Figueroa famous for their machaca tacos in Mazatlán.
Not only is the festival for locals, but also for visitors to Mazatlán, said Peraza Chavarín. They will have the opportunity to sample dishes from 20 different restaurants.
One of the big advantages of this second festival is that with little money people can eat many things, he added.
The festival will be open from 11am to 11pm. Organizers advised they are expecting 5,000 people to attend.
To visit and participate in the gastronomical spread, attendees can purchase food with a coupon of 5 or 10 pesos each. Prices for dishes will be less than usually found at local restaurants.
As an extra this year, organizers are offering classes in the preparation of Thai, African, Japanese and Mexican food.
(from Noroeste)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)