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This Month in Puerto

Saturday 3
Jaripeo
The local rodeo, it features bull-riding contests with live music, in this instance Gerardo Reyes and his mariachi band and La Bandanona La Espinera. 7 p.m. Plaza de Toros La Costeñita

Tuesday 6
Birthday of Frida Kahlo
She was born in 1907 in Coyoacán, México D.F., the daughter of Wilhelm Kahlo, a German-Jewish photographer, and Matilde Calderón, originally from Oaxaca. Since her death in 1954, her stature as an important Mexican painter has grown to eclipse that of her partner, the famed muralist Diego Rivera. The 2002 biopic starring Salma Hayek and featuring Lila Downs on the Academy Award-winning soundtrack. captured the rich textures of Mexican art and culture, the focus, coincidentally, of this month's issue.

Monday 12
Lawyer's Day
Every year, the lawyers are allowed to run the world for a day . . . No seriously, in México every trade and profession has a designated day on which they are saluted and their contribution to society is acknowledged. Yes, even lawyers. Be nice.

Thursday 15
Secretary's Day
(See Monday 12) We all know who really runs things. Felicidades to all of them, especially to our new secretary, Liliana Aguilar.

Wed 14 - Friday 16
Fiesta of Our Lady of Carmen
This saint's day is very important in the city of Oaxaca, where it marks the beginning of the famous Guelaguetza festival (see the story on page 10). Here on the coast, Nuestra Señora del Carmen is patron saint of Puerto's Colonia Libertad, Zapotalillo at Chacahua National Park and Candelaria Pochutla.

Traditional saint's festivals on the coast include calendas, lively processions through the streets with brass bands, huge papier-mache puppets and candle-lit globes inviting participation in the festivities.

There are fireworks displays and jaripeos (bull riding rodeo competitions), dances with live bands and sports events, including cockfights and horse races.

Sunday 18
Anniversary of the Death of Benito Juárez
One of the colossal figures of Méxican history, Juárez died on this day in 1872. An illiterate Zapotec Indian from Oaxaca who rose to become his nation's president, he is noted for his integrity, patriotism and commitment to social justice. Flags are flown at half-mast on all public buildings.

Monday 19, 26
"La Guelaguetza, Mondays on the Hill"
The sights and sounds, the flavors and colors of all the regions of the state create an amazing mosaic of history, culture and tradition in the Oaxacan capital. (See our story)

Wed 21 - Friday 23
Fiesta of Mary Magdalene
This is the feast day of the patron saint of Santa Maria Magdalena Tiltepec, close to Santos Reyes Nopala. This small Chatino village in the coffee-growing hill country is best known for the slow-fired pottery produced by the ladies of the village using techniques virtually unchanged in 2,000 years.

For more on the Nopala area, see see our story on Santos Reyes Nopala.

Sat 24 - Monday 26
Fiesta of Saint James
St. James (Santiago) the Apostle was the patron saint of the Spanish conquistadors, so it isn't surprising that numerous important settlements throughout the empire were named for him. Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Santiago Llano Grande and Santiago Cuixtla are some of the local towns which will host annual fairs to mark this week. The veneration of St. James is also an important ceremonial occasion in San Juan Lachao and Santos Reyes Nopala.

Friday 30
Anniversary of the Death of Father Hidalgo
The George Washington of México, Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo, a parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, launched the movement for independence from Spain. Captured by colonial forces, he was executed July 30, 1811. Flags are flown at half-mast on all public buildings.

Fri 30 - Sun Aug 1
Dry Law for Election Day
The people of Oaxaca go to the polls on Sunday, August 1 to elect their next state governor, as well as local deputies. So the dreaded Dry Law goes into effect, prohibiting the sale of alcohol from midnight on Friday 30 until long after the polls have closed on the night of Sunday, Aug. 1.
You have been warned.

Wed Aug 3 - Sun 10
Oxbow Soul & Style
Oxbow, the French sportswear brand that has sponsored the World Longboard Tour for the last 12 years, will inaugurate a new event right here in Puerto. They wanted an informal contest in which the world's best surfers could show off their stuff in a laid back resort atmosphere. The result is Soul & Style, an invitational longboarding event that will feature 15 surfers in a session competition based on personal style and pizazz! Among the invitees: Rusty Keaulana, Hawaii; Colin McPhilips, Calif.; Zack Howard, Calif.; Beau Young, Australia, Bongo Perkins, Hawaii; Joel Tudor, Calif.; Josh Baxter, Calif.; Duane de Soto, Hawaii; Taylor Jensen, Calif.; Dino Miranda, Hawaii and representing the host country: Angel Salinas Rebollar.

Read This Month's Feature Articles:
Music
La Guelaguetza
Las Chilenas