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Last updateFri, 13 Mar 2015 5pm

City Living - March 6, 2015

Tlaquepaque happenings

To highlight the fact that shopping is not the only attraction to draw visitors to Tlaquepaque, city fathers have hired a world-famous classical ensemble, the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, to give two free performances this weekend, as well as some workshops to budding local musicians next week.

The presentations are part of Tlaquepaque’s Mute Festival, which also features a concert by one of the founders of former British electronic band Depeche Mode (see story on facing page). Under the baton of its founder and music director Misha Rachlevsky, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin is composed of some of Russia’s finest string players, who have helped the orchestra earn international recognition. “Uncanny musicality, precision, and verve … the sheer amount and velvety warmth of sound was thrilling,” says the San Francisco Classical Voice of the chamber orchestra. Founded in 1991, this gifted group has carved a niche for itself, performing to a devoted audience at its home in Moscow, maintaining a full schedule of international concerts and festivals, and producing more than 30 recordings.

The first presentation is scheduled Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Refugio. Prisciliano Sánchez 191, three blocks from Tlaquepaque Centro.

The second will be an open-air recital in the Jardín Hidalgo, on Sunday, March 8, 7 p.m.  Both events are free of charge. 

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, visitors to Tlaquepaque can enjoy mariachi in the pleasant El Parián restaurant/bar area in the heart of Tlaquepaque Centro. Performances take place in the bandstand at 3:30 and 9:30 p.m.  There is no cover.

Mariachi music is offered daily at Restaurant El Abajeño at 4 p.m. (folk dance included on Sundays) and Restaurant El Patio at 3 p.m.

Tlaquepaque is now home to a growing number of charming boutique style hotels. Check these out online for details and promotions.

Hotel La Villa del Ensueño (www.lavilladelensuno.com), Posada de la Media Luna (www.hotellamedialuna.com), Hotel Casa Armonía (www.casa-armonia.com), Hotel Casa Tlaquepaque (www.hotelcasatlaquepaque.com.mx) Tlaquepaque city hall will also arrange tours at no cost if sufficient numbers are interested. Call(33) 35627050 ext. 2320 y 2321 for details.

Painter Juan Kraeppelin

A glimpse into the personal life of eccentric – but hugely talented – Tapatio painter Juan Kraeppellin, who died in 2009, can be seen in a new exhibition at the Ex Convento del Carmen.

More baseball

The Estadio Panamericano de Beisbol will host a pre-season tournament for several teams preparing for the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) from March 13 to 29. 

Although the Charros de Jalisc

o will not feature in the tournament, top quality players will be tuning up their skills for the season ahead.  Teams confirmed so far include the Rieleros de Aguascalientes, Guerreros de Oaxaca, Diablos Rojos de México, Sultanes de Monterrey and Saraperos de Saltillo. 

Games are scheduled on Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 14, 5 p.m.; Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m.; Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, 1 p.m.

Tickets at 50-150 pesos will be available at the gate but also in advance at the stadium box office, open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. They can also be purchased through Ticketmaster.   

The stadium is at Av. Sa

nta Lucia 1100 Colonia Tepeyac,  Zapopan (to one side of the Auditorio Telemx and two blocks from the northern periferico).

Anne Netrebko

Despite high ticket prices, a full house of excited patrons turned out to see famed Russian soprano Anna Netrebko in a gala concert marking the tenth anniversary of the Teatro Diana.  Accompanied by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Canadian Marco Parisotto (photo right), Netrebko interpreted pieces from a variety of well-known operas, including Verdi’s “Macbeth,” before launching into a series or arias from “Luisa Miller,” “Il Trovatore” and “Othello.” She finished her performance with “Andrea Chenier” byGiordano, “Pagliacci” by Leoncavallo, “Adriana Lecouvreur” by Cilea and “Manon Lescaut” by Puccini.  Each aria was greeted with deafening applause and the celebratedf soprano made several curtain calls before the ecstatic audience left the theater for their homes.