Guadalajara Reporter

Three years ago Moises Rosas turned up at the door of the Culture Secretariat in Guadalajara to inform authorities of the imminent demise of the chirimia, the small, pirouette-bearing, double-reed musical instrument.

Officials were suitably shocked and decided to start a festival to rescue this indigenous instrument in Jalisco, a state which, according to Rosas, boasted a mere 17 known chirimilleros.

Such has been the success of the past three festivals that Rosas now reckons at least 32 people can call themselves bona-fide chirimilleros and, most importantly, many of them are youngsters.

The chirimia is a predecessor of the modern oboe and regarded as part of the shawm family – medieval and Renaissance instruments woodwind made in Europe from the late 13th century until the 17th century. It was brought to Mexico by the Spanish and incorporated into popular and religious festivals, often played together with a drum known as “teponaztli,” a tradition that continues today.

Variations of clay chirimias were certainly used in pre Hispanic Mexico and are still used in indigenous communities throughout Latin America.

This year’s  Festival Jalisco de la Chirimia got underway on Wednesday with a roundtable discussion on the instrument at the Museo Regional.

Festival events take place in Guadalajara, Tonala, Tlaquepaque, Zapopan, Amatitan, Autlan and Gomez Farias. Here’s this weekend’s rundown for the metro area.

Saturday, July 3

10 a.m. Tonala main plaza. Performance of chirimilleros, along with traditional masked Tastuanes dancers.

5:30 p.m. Plaza Fundadores, downtown Guadalajara.  Performance of chirimilleros, along with traditional masked Tastuanes and Tololos dancers.

7 p.m.  Plaza Fundadores, downtown Guadalajara.  Homage and presenatation of Chirimia de Barro award to Moises Rosas.

Sunday, July 4

11 a.m. Performance of chirimilleros, along with traditional masked Tastuanes dancers, in the Plaza Juan Pablo II (in front of the Basilica) in Zapopan.

5 p.m. Performance of chirimilleros, along with traditional masked Tastuanes dancers, in the Jardin Hidalgo in central Tlaquepaque.

7 p.m. Performance of chirimilleros, along with traditional masked Tastuanes dancers, in the main plaza of El Salto.

The chirimia is also featured in a popular song for small children that goes like this:

Tres pollitos tiene mi tia,

uno le canta, otro le pia,

y otro le toca la chirimia!

Mexpat

Guadalajara’s monthly Mexpat meeting takes place Thursday, July 15 at Panoramica & The Rooftop in Colonia Lafayette.

Mexpat brings together a wide range of expatriates from diverse countries each month to chew the fat and get acquainted with new and old friends.

It all starts at 7 p.m. and goes on until around 11 p.m. The address is Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 119 (intersection Lopez Cotilla). Don’t forget to join the Mexpat Facebook page.

Boxing

The Prince of Guadalajara boxing, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, fights Argentine Luciano Cuello in the city on Saturday, July 10. Tipped to be a future world champion and part of U.S. promotions company Golden Boy,  Alvarez has the boxing world at his feet and is a massive local favorite.

The redheaded fighter will be hoping to gain a little revenge for Mexico’s soccer World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina.

Cuello recently lost narrowly to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., another up-and-coming Mexican boxer and son of a legend, but believes the decision should have gone his way. The Argentine is vowing to knock Alvarez out.

Also on the bill is Jalisco’s “La Guerita” – a small, blond-haired female boxer who is making giant strides in the sport.

The event is scheduled at the VFG Arena at kilometer 18 of the Guadalajara-Chapala carretera.

Tickets are on sale exclusively from www.ticketmaster.com.mx and range from 100 to 2,000 pesos.

Special zoo visitor

There’s a newcomer at the Guadalajara zoo: Shuan Shuan the Giant Panda.

Shuan Shuan arrived Wednesday from Mexico City and will go on show to the public shortly, once he becomes accustomed to his new surroundings.

He will stay six months in Guadalajara.

Interestingly, to snag Shaun Shaun, the Guadalajara zoo paid its Mexico City counterpart 200,000 pesos and lent them a couple of white tigers, a mandrill, a puma, an antelope and two buffaloes.

Shuan Shuan had better be worth it!

The zoo is located at Av. Paseo del Zoologico in the Parque Huentitan, near the intersection of Calzada Independencia and Periferico Norte. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the summer school vacation, the zoo will also open on Mondays and Tuesdays. Entrance is 76 pesos for adults, including a train ride and 50 pesos for children.