Saturday 5 - Thurs 17
Chila 2005
The mother of all fiestas, the Annual Fair in neighboring Bajos de Chila
is the grandest on the coast. It spreads over 2 weeks and offers a
wealth of entertainment. It s become very tourist-friendly over the
years, so don't miss it.
More on Chila
Fiesta Schedule:
Saturday 5
7:00 p.m. Miss Chila 2005 and Queen of the Cowboys Contests
Sunday 6, Monday 7, Tues 8
6:00 p.m. Social-Cultural Programs featuring different folkloric groups
Wednesday 9
9:00 a.m. Children's Bike Race
3:00 p.m. Half Marathon
Wednesday 9 - Tuesday 15
Cockfight Tournament
Thursday 10
3:00 p.m. Mountain Bike Race
Friday 11
9:00 a.m. Sports Contests, including soccer, volleyball
Saturday 12
9:00 a.m. Sports Contests, including the fascinating Mixtec Ball Tournament, very popular in
Chila.
![[mixteca]](images/mixtec1.jpeg)
Sunday 13
9:00 a.m. Men's Soccer & Volleyball
4:00 p.m. Convite festive parade
8:00 p.m. Calenda once around again, but with candle-lit globes
Monday 14
8:00 p.m. Major Cultural Events & Fireworks display
Tuesday 15
3:00 p.m. Jaripeo bull riding rodeo
10:00 p.m. Dance with Luz Roja de San Marcos and Grupo Carrusel
Wednesday 16
3:00 p.m. Jaripeo
Jueves 17
10:00 p.m. Dance with Banda Machos, Sexto Poder and Banda Rio Blanco
Tuesday 8
Puerto Blues 2005
SAB
Puerto Blues 2005, a festival featuring Canada's hottest blues and
roots musicians, continues this month with the consummate showman, SAB,
that's the show name of Peter Sabourin, Canada's original outlaw
rocker. With his trademark top hat, bourbon stained vocals and guitar
virtuosity, he is a crowd pleaser who has rocked Puerto in the past. He
plays from 200 to 300 shows a year and has gigged with the likes of Dr.
Hook, Downchild Blues Band and April Wine.
7:30 p.m. (Band starts at 9 p.m.) Villa Belmar Beach Club, Playa Zicatela
Wednesday 9
Ash Wednesday
The beginning of Lent. The faithful attend a special mass to receive the
mark of ashes on their foreheads.
Thursday 10
Puerto Blues 2005
SAB
See Wednesday 8
Friday 11 - Mon 14
Annual Fair in El Tomatal
El Tomatal is located just 20 km. from Puerto, on the coast highway
towards Pochutla. The community is familiar to some of our regular
visitors because of the woman's collective which produces peanut butter
and tehini, cream of sesame seeds, finding a way to market some of the
principal agricultural products. They also founded the "Flor de
Cacahuateł Cultural Center there and will play a major role in the
annual fiesta in honor of Tomatal's patron saint, San Felipe de Jésus.
Friday 11
7 p.m. Calenda parade to announce the start of the festivities
Saturday 12
9 a.m. Men's Soccer contest
9 p.m. Dance with the group Superciclo and Sonido Azteca
Sunday 13
9 a.m. Palenque cock fights
3 p.m. Bicicros, bike race
5 p.m. Flower Basket & Typical Costume Contest among the local secondary
school students.
Monday 14
5 p.m. Greased Pole Contest
7 p.m. Free Dance
Saturday 12
Vela-Guetza
This is how the good folks at the Hotel Arcoiris describe their latest
showcase of Oaxacan culture. The word combines two of the best-known
cultural traditions of the state: the Guelaguetza, which is a coming
together of different ethnic groups to share their individual music and
dances, as well as to bestow gifts from the harvests or locally made
products. The Vela is the fiesta of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and this
is region which will be explored during this night of fun, music, dancing and great food.
Attendees at a Vela always bring something; the women, favorite
dishes to share; the men, cases of beer. (For your convenience, beer
will be available at agency prices, to avoid the hassle of bottle
deposit.) The event is free of charge. Don't miss this opportunity to
enjoy the spectacular costumes, the warmth and joy, and the enduring
cultural expression of the people of the Isthmus.
6 p.m. Hotel Arcoiris, Playa Zicatela
Bohemian Night
Noche Bohemia is a gathering of friends to sing and enjoy the romance
and nostalgia of the great classics of Méxican music. (See last month's
issue.) This is a fundraiser and pre-Valentine's Day party for Rotary
International of Puerto and their humanitarian efforts.
Cover: $50.ºº 9 p.m. Casa de la Amistad, Rinconada
Puerto Blues 2005
SAB
See Wednesday 8
Monday 14
St. Valentine's Day
The Day of Love and Friendship is a big deal in México, so do
something nice for your sweetie. Special menus and programs at many
Puerto restaurants and hotels and it's also the big night in Chila.
Monday 14, Tue 15
Our Lady of the Cures
Santiago Jamiltepec
One of the important fiestas in this interesting and historic Mixtec
market. According to the legend the Virgen de los Remedios, whose
image can be seen in Jamiltepec's handsome Dominican church, appeared to
some hunters (after iguana), in a geyser rising from the nearby hot
springs, which are still today considered to have curative powers, hence
the name given to this saint.
(See more on Jamiltepec in Day trips)
Saturday 19
Clouds of June
A contemporary music trio playing in the pleasant ambience of the newly
renamed Playa Sol Beach Club
8 p.m. Villa Sol Beach Club
Army Day
Established in 1950, this is the anniversary of the formation of a
national army by Venustiano Carranza in 1913
Tuesday 22, Thurs 24
Puerto Blues 2005
Chris Chown
He was playing professionally at age 16 and his debut album a year later
was a huge critical success in Canada. And he just keeps getting better.
7:30 p.m. (Band starts at 9 p.m.) Villa Belmar Beach Club, Playa Zicatela
Monday 24
![[banderas]](images/flags.jpeg)
Flag Day
There have been many versions of the familiar tricolor, first adopted in
1821, each color representing one of the principals of the first constitution of the young Méxican
Republic
Thurs 25, Sun 27
Founders' Day
Santa Ma. Colotepec
Feb. 27 marks this neighboring town s 290th anniversary. Sports events,
a program on history and folklore, and on Sun 27th, a rodeo, fireworks, and a big dance.
Saturday 26
Puerto Blues 2005
Closing Bash
Hippy Night, come in costume for Chris's final show. Lots of door prizes
and other surprises plus a monster jam.
7:30 p.m. Villa Belmar Beach Club, Playa Zicatela