Rembrandt in Merida Mexico

The Rembrandt exhibition, the divine and the human will be available to the public at the Olimpo Cultural Center from July 20 to October 20, 2013, 10am till 8pm.

The Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijnarrived, lived and painted between 15 July 1606 and 4 October 1669.

This exhibition arrived in Mérida from Milan. Included in this collection are engravings in religious genre, portraiture, and landscape subjects.  Tom and I went this morning and viewed the  68  engravings.  

I love how they decorated the stairway leading up to the exhibit

I am having difficulty believing that the engravings I saw this morning are some 380+/- years old.  

There are three salas to view in this exhibition; the first is of religious theme items, the second includes some religious figures but are all portraits, aka 'retratos', and the third is educational material and displays.

There was/is strict security, photos are forbidden.  I can understand flash photography being an issue, but utilizing the natural light, what's the problem.  There were monitors, and cameras set up so don't be silly.

I snapped this shot from a corner of the first sala, and was then advised against taking fotos, and afterwards was followed and monitored throughout the rest of my time.

The exhibit set up is really lovely   beautiful deep rich color on the walls, each piece individually lit. I was amazed at how small the pieces were.  Most were no more than postcard size, and a few as small as a matchbook.  And OMG the detail...They are good height for viewing. My big complaint was the information placards, they are so low, and in such tiny font that you must bend over at each one to read the information.  

There are a number of huge graphics of various paintings accompanied by info or details about Rembrandt, the medium, or some aspect of the exhibit.

The Olimpo rotunda with Rembrandt banners

The third sala was the informational material, no actual artwork so I thought I could show you some of the cool info, but No!  I snapped this shot below and was immediately warned against photography.  When I explained that this wasn't sensitive stuff and only informational I was still told No, No fotos!   So you are just going to have to go.

this was explaining the engraving and printing process.

There was a timeline of events during Rembrandt's life, very interesting... Several videos to watch, books of his work, all in all a very interesting addition to the exhibition.

Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenile de Yucatan, the performance!

So a short while back I posted about a free performance by the Youth Symphony Orchestra,  

read about that here!

Tom and I went and were really quite pleasantly surprised.  

They were fabulous.  

The guest clarinetist that we were expecting was not able to be there due to a family emergency. 

The young clarinetist, Cesar Anastacio Reyes Jimenez,  from the orchestra I believe did a fabulous stand in.  He really was excellent.

I highly suggest if you see the opportunity you go see them.

This particular show was a bit too long without an intermission. Apparently the previous show included and intermission, but for whatever reason they played straight through for the 2nd performance.

We heard Mozart's Magic Flute, 3 parts of VonWeber's Concert for clarinet and orchestra in F minor which included the clarinet solo, and then Beethoven's Symphony #6 "La Pastoral".  OUF, there really should have been a break.  It was an hour and a half in those god awful uncomfortable chairs.  

But the music was fabulous.

Merida's Yucatan Youth Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenile de Yucatan

Here in Merida we are incredibly fortunate to have a GREAT Symphony.  Add to that the symphony performs in an incredible theatre, el teatro Peon Contreras.

We also are fortunate with a multitude of other musical options - Trova, Salsa, Big Bands, Rock, Techno, HipHop, Pop, etc, etc.

We also have Yucatan Youth Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenile de Yucatan (OSJY, formerly ORJUVE)).

This link will take you to a concert by the ORJUVE 
(video by Erich Briehl, In The Yucatan)  

I invite you to listen to it as you continue to read this post!

the following email message came through a friend, from a friend, trying to stir up more interest in the Youth Symphony, I present it here!

We learned about the Youth Orchestra as part of our involvement with the Central College faculty delegation in January 2012.  During the January 2011 Central College alumni and music department’s visit to Merida, the director of Central’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, name removed, connected with the director of the Yucatan Youth Orchestra, José Luis Chan Sabido.  Subsequently, they began working on ways their music students and others could work collaboratively to build mutually beneficial intercultural relationships and exchanges.  The 2012 faculty delegation brought instruments donated and refurbished by Iowans and presented these in a ceremony which culminated with an interchange of performances by Central faculty member and professional clarinetist Cynthia Doggett and members of the Youth Orchestra.

Recently, we attended another performance by the Youth Orchestra at the Peon Contreras.  At the end of the concert the director announced future events including a guest performer from the USA.  We spoke to him afterward and he excitedly exclaimed, “Cindy is coming back to perform with us!”  In January, Cindy had asked the director, “What do you most need to develop your program?” and his response was, “Professional musicians like you who would be willing to spend time with our youth and inspire them.”  He had explained previously that many of these youth come from rural environments where they have had no opportunity to experience an awareness of classical music tradition and the role music could play in their intellectual, psychosocial and spiritual development.  

These kids are really amazing and way better than any US high school (or even some college) events we’ve attended.  Their quality and professionalism are impressive.  It is hard to believe that some of them have only been playing for three years.  Their temporada (performance season) runs from February through July and they prepare for each concert in only 4-5 rehearsals, just like a professional symphony orchestra.  You can find a link to their concert schedule on the Yucatan government cultura website ( http://www.culturayucatan.com/flash/index.html ). Look for the  Orjuve OSJY (Sistema Estatal de Orquestas Juveniles de Yucatán) logo.

The next Youth Orchestra concert will be Thursday, March 22 at 9pm with a repeat performance on Saturday, March 24 at 8pm.  Both of these events take place at the Peon Contreras and feature Cynthia Doggett on clarinet. Admission is free, general seating.

Merida Murder Mystery Theatre - Love Kills

We attended the FIRST, in Merida and in English - they think, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre performance of Love Kills! yesterday.

We had a great good time and sincerely hope that this continues. 

The event was a fund raiser for 2 local charities; one is AMANC AC, and the other is for Evolucion AC.  AMANC provides direct help to almost four thousand children suffering with cancer, and their families. Evolucion is an animal protection organization that shelters, cares for, and finds homes for dogs of Mérida.


I can't even imagine the amount of work each of the volunteers put in to make this happen but they did a fabulous job.  


The audience had a great time, there was lots of participation, more by some than others, and the surprise ending, but I'm sworn to secrecy on that as there are 4 more shows.


Big applause to Jill Benson, the brain trust behind the idea, the Writer, and the Director!  It is a fabulous idea and story, she is truly awesome!


I also feel a need to single out Hennessey's Sean and Colm who provided the space, arranged the meal service, and paid for their staff to be at our beck and call, in addition they served and cleared tables during the meal service portions of the event.  You guys ROCK!

From the actors to the backstage staff - Thank you all

 for all you did!  

Great Job - Standing Applause to all of you!

The tickets sold out quickly for this event, so when the chat starts about the next one, and there will be a next one you better get in line!  I've already committed to 2 tickets for whatever they do!

Murder in Merida - Mystery Dinner Theatre

and now, some photos!

Inspector Gustavo making a point, and I'm sure he had one!

Bobby the ball player, and Maxine reacting to some startling evidence

The  nutty  Genius Scientist, hmm does she look capable of....Murder!

A bit of drama

The Mystery Writer, could she be getting background and research for her next book? and to what lengths will she go???

The Psychic Hotel Owner, Can she see the Clues?

The Cast, and the audience member who correctly read the clues!  Congrats Jacquelina!

Cast, Charity Directors, Hennessey's, Jill The Writer!

I somehow didn't get a shot of Vienna the uber gorgeous and fabulously famous Actress and Model,  Must have been jealousy on my part!  Sorry Vienna!

Purpura Plastika

I have written a number of posts about Purpura Plastika and their Art Therapy programs.

I am a huge fan of, and so very proud of what these artists accomplish with kids and women from, shall we say distressed situations.

You can read my posts Here and Here


They are planning a SALE this coming week. Not much notice - I know!

I was going to write about it, but Joanna has beat me to the punch so I will direct you to her well written and full of photos post

CLICK HERE

and don't forget to visit PPK's website for more info and lots more photos

sculptures of Leonora Carrington

Leonora Carrington is a British-born Mexican Surrealist.  She was born in Clayton Green, South Lancaster, Lancashire on April 6, 1917. In addition to sculpture, she is also a surrealist painter and a novelist, and currently lives in Mexico City.

Tom and I took the opportunity recently to walk the Paseo de Montejo and view the current sculpture exhibit that is installed there.  Unfortunately we went mid day so the sun was flat and  the pictures are not all that great.  There are apparently 27 pieces although I did not count them.  They are fanastical surrealist fantasy creatures in bronze, and really quite enjoyable to look at.  As I understand it these are fairly recent pieces, within the past 2-3 years. And since Ms Carrington is in her 90's I feel fairly certain she has apprentices that have done the actual creation and crafting based on her input, design, and esthetic.