By Dennis Taylor If you happen to walk along the banks of the Presa in El Charco when it’s full of water, or the shores of Presa Allende where the water is shallow, you will almost surely see one, if not all three, different types of wading birds. The White-faced Ibis , American Avocet , and Black-necked Stilt  all share the same habitat and have long skinny legs (good for wading). But that’s the extent of their similarities.  Aside from their divergent plumages, you will not

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson San Miguel de Allende is surrounded by a large wine growing area in the State of Guanajuato. I have visited several wineries outside of town on the roads to Querétaro and Comonfort.  Currently there are many wineries in the area with more being developed every day. My friends and I decided to visit Vinedo San Miguel , which is on the road to Comonfort about five miles south of town. Viñedo San Miguel is the largest winery in the state of Guanajuato.  T

By Jessie LaFalce Hygge  is more than a style of decorating; it’s a way of living. It’s about creating spaces that nurture the soul — spaces that invite us to slow down, savor a cup of coffee, and appreciate the small, quiet joys that make life feel full. Originating in Denmark, Hygge centers around the pursuit of contentment through simplicity and warmth. Candles, natural materials, layered textures, and soft lighting all play their part — but at its core, Hygge is about how

By Meryl Truett The past few weeks in San Miguel de Allende have been a happy little whirl of art openings— those golden-hour evenings when the streets feel extra cinematic, the galleries glow like lanterns, and you can’t walk two blocks without running into a familiar face (or a new one holding a plastic cup of vino blanco with a happy story about how they arrived to our unique pueblecito ). I’ve been popping into several shows around town—drifting from courtyard to white wa

By Colleen Sorenson ASfii RUbnck  is a San Miguel artist who truly loves his job at CASA A.C. Center for Adolescents in Santa Julia, where he teaches graffiti art and promotes the projects of the Ranchero Pandillero Program . This program was started in 2018 by artists from different neighborhoods with unique painting styles. The goal is to reduce the rates of violence among young people through art and hip-hop, and a focus on promoting peace between neighborhoods with respec

By Staff Writer Just how does a sculptor get the sculpting bug? There are many avenues that lead to the creation of art in three dimensions, but the most prevalent is undoubtedly the natural progression from making functional pottery to sculpting with clay. Jane  sold her own original tableware designs and pottery successfully all across Canada for twenty-five years. Then, after being inspired by visiting the Mask Museum in San Miguel in 2008, she began creating her first cla

By Lisa Babincsak If you're walking around San Miguel and stumble on a shop you like, here's my advice: Pin it. Write down the address. Take a photo of the front. Take a photo of the building next to it. Take a photo of the entire block. Because if you don't, you will never find it again. San Miguel is a maze. A beautiful, cobblestoned, flower-covered maze. But still—a maze. The streets twist and narrow. The alleys fork. Doorways could lead to a candle shop, an art gallery, o

By Doreen Cumberford January in San Miguel delivers us some cool misty mornings and the annual ritual of New Year’s resolutions. But for expats, the concept of cultural goal-setting often misses the mark. Moving to México and learning Spanish is way more than logistics and vocabulary, yes, it's about connection and day-by-day personal growth. We all arrived with eagerness and good intentions. Yes, of course we'll learn Spanish, make local friends, immerse ourselves in Mexican

By Carolina de la Cajiga The day Cris Solís  and her husband arrived in San Miguel as newlyweds, someone stole all their belongings—including their hammock and family photos. “That’s how we started our life here in 2015,” says Cris with a hearty laugh, typical of Veracruz, where she’s from. Luckily for San Miguel de Allende, they stayed. “The first few months were complicated, especially when I got pregnant,”  she recalls, “but I was fortunate to meet other women in similar s

By Pascual Hijuelos Paper has long been regarded the handmaiden for conveying the written word and visual imagery. Its rich history spans over 2,000 years, originating in ancient China. From its inception in China, paper has evolved to become both a physical object and a central theme in the world of art. Terry Tomlinson , an artist specializing in paper-based creations, has been crafting remarkable art using paper for 23 years. Her extensive experience culminated in a recent

By Jonathan Lockwood If you’ve lived in San Miguel long enough, you learn that nothing stays where it is. Doors close, new ones appear and sometimes your favorite spots vanish before you know it. When The Room Mezcalería was forced out of its original location, it looked like another casualty of the city’s constant churn. Instead, it became the start of a reinvention. Ana Sofía Tidball  and Luciano Abaca  didn’t just rebuild The Room —they reimagined it. The original Room on

By Cathi House The Jardín Principal  of San Miguel is the beating heart of this beautiful town, in which the past and the future are linked with the joys of daily life.  Leafy trees carefully shaped meld together to create an embracing ceiling for those seated on the many benches of the Jardin.  Birds twitter overhead, the rustle of the leaves in a gentle breeze, soft sounds of water in fountains that cool the air - all work together to create a peaceful space in which to gat

By Alan Jacobson On Sunday, January 18 th  at 7:00 p.m., JC3/CHESMA  will present a special staged reading of The Dumbwaiter , Harold Pinter’s acclaimed one-act play. This darkly comic drama stars two accomplished performers: Fil Formicola  and Alan Jacobson , both longtime Actor’s Equity and SAG members bringing decades of experience to this intimate production. The Dumbwaiter  is about two hitmen, Ben and Gus, who are waiting in a dingy basement room for their next assignme

By Catherine Marenghi Atención News  is launching a new book club for San Miguel book lovers. Recognizing the vibrant literary community in San Miguel de Allende, Atención will focus on titles by talented local authors, with a preference for fiction, memoir, and short stories. Monthly book club meetings will be held at 3:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month beginning February 24th , at Casa Nigromante , the historic birthplace of Ignacio Ramirez located on Umaran #38. A

By Carole Schor For over two decades, ProMusica San Miguel de Allende  has stood at the center of SanMiguel’s cultural life, bringing world-class classical music and opera to audiences in intimate, historic settings. Under the leadership of president Michael Pearl, ProMusica has become renowned for its ambitious programming and commitment to artistic excellence including life-changing opportunities for young musicians. Pearl, a passionate music impresario since childhood, say

By Camie Fenton Waiting for the New Year to roll in—and now it has—bringing with it all the intentions and aspirations that a “clean slate” inspires in each of us. While we know it’s never quite that simple, the idea of beginning anew invites reflection: striving for betterment, more kindness, more patience, deeper gratitude, and more time to share ourselves with others. In a world that often moves too quickly, these intentions ask us to pause and be more present with ourselv

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio Fashion has long been driven by youth-centric imagery, trends, and marketing strategies. Yet one of the most loyal, discerning, and financially independent audiences remains largely overlooked: mature clients. This demographic, often defined as individuals over 50, possesses a deep appreciation for quality, personal style, and craftsmanship. Designing for them is not about following fleeting trends, but about creating clothing that respects experi

By Carlos Ramírez Zago At just 21 years old, Diego Galván González  has found in mixed martial arts (MMA) much more than a sport: a way of life. Although he was born in Dolores Hidalgo, he has spent most of his personal journey in San Miguel de Allende, the city that has seen him grow into a disciplined, down-to-earth young man with determination. He describes himself as “ a simple, humble, friendly guy, dedicated to anything he sets his mind to, disciplined, and a little cra

By Stan Allen, 8-year volunteer On November 20, 2015, ABBA House opened its doors for the first time. Pastor Ignacio  and his young family realized that migrant need and care required more than hot meals and warm clothing delivered daily from the trunk of the family car. Pastor Ignacio had a humanitarian and ambitious vision 10 years ago! The initial mission of ABBA House was to offer migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and oppression in their Central American countries, a pl

By Felecia Ford Elihú Catalán , better known as “Blue Beard”  is one of México’s most distinctive and accomplished harmonica players. Born and raised in México City, he was shaped early on by the music his parents played at home and later refined through his lifelong dedication to the blues. Although guitar was his first instrument (he ROCK’S the guitar), the harmonica ultimately has became his true love and passion.  FF:  Thank you for this opportunity to share your story. W

By Judith Jenya Few artistic partnerships are as intertwined—in life, in work, and in spirit—as that of painters Ray Miller and William Martin . Their paths began miles apart, shaped by very different landscapes and early influences, yet converged years later in the creative corridors of San Miguel de Allende’s Fábrica La Aurora. Today, after years of movement, reinvention, and dedication to their craft, the couple have returned to San Miguel i with renewed plans: to teach, t

By Aundria McMillan Humphrey San Miguel de Allende has long been a haven for thinkers, artists, and those drawn to meaningful conversation. Its blend of heritage, contemporary creativity, and openness to global ideas makes it the ideal home for  TEDxCalle Aldama , returning this year under the theme “Symphonies for the Future.”  More than an event, it is becoming one of the city’s defining cultural experiences—an intersection where imagination, art, and human insight meet. At

By Karina Álvarez As the high season of English-languagetheatre begins in San Miguel de Allende, Teatro Santa Ana  welcomes a dynamic blend of independent producers and long-standing theatre companies who continue to make our stage their artistic home. Over the next three months, these artists—many of whom perform with us regularly—bring creativity, commitment, and passion that enrich the cultural life of residents and visitors alike. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the prod

By Natalie Taylor Difficult times can either break or strengthen, and often what rises from adversity is a positive beginning. With the world deeply bruised by WWI, writer Catherine Amy Dawson searched for a way for writers to unite, since nations had failed to do so.  “We must talk to one another,”  she wrote in her letters addressed to writers everywhere, encouraging them to break the wall of hatred that had been left behind by the war. On October 5, 1921, the PEN Club —the