By Liam Stidham Growing up in México and coming back to school in September means that Independence Day is right around the corner and everyone is ready to celebrate it. The 16th of September is a very important day in our history, culture and tradition. It reminds us that 200 years ago a group of people called Los Conspiradores started a secret plan to uprise against Spanish rule. Their names were Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest who became the leader; Ju

By Michael G. Brown After a four-year hiatus, TEDxSanMiguelDeAllende will return on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at La Casona, bringing together the community to explore one of the defining questions of our time: How do we navigate a future arriving faster than ever before? This year's theme, Umbral del Futuro - Threshold of the Future, reflects a moment unlike any other. Artificial intelligence is changing how we work. Breakthroughs in medicine are extending and improving liv

By Catherine Marenghi Of all the rich literary traditions of San Miguel, the San Miguel Poetry and Prose Cafés (P&PC) is among the most popular and enduring. Often playing to capacity crowds, this rich tradition continues with the announcement of the 2026-2027 season. Rosaleen Bertolino, a San Miguel writer and author of The Paper Demon and Other Stories, chairs the board of directors for the P&PC. She and her team recently completed their lineup for September 2026 through Ma

By Catherine Marenghi Atención Book Club proudly presents Martin Fletcher, journalist, author, and retired NBC News Middle East correspondent best known for nearly four decades of frontline reporting from conflict zones as Tel Aviv bureau chief. Fletcher will present his book Teachers: The Ones I Can’t Forget, on August 25th at 3:00 p.m. at the historic Casa Nigromante, Umarán #38, Centro. Fletcher's career encompassed reporting on pivotal events including the Israeli-Palesti

By Meryl Truett San Miguel de Allende has long had a gift for influencing and shaping artists. The Instituto Allende drew spirits from across México and the world, becoming a crucible for serious artistic formation. It was here, in 1972, that a young painter from Guadalajara arrived on scholarship — and the city left its mark on her permanently. That year, Lucía Maya received a scholarship to study sculpture, painting, and lithography at the Instituto Allende. Born in 1953 on

By Staff Writer Why does a hammer have that proportion and not another? Why does the curve of a French curve feel so natural? Why have certain tools remained virtually unchanged for centuries? The answer lies not only in function but in the memory they embody. Each one is the result of generations of observation, testing, refinement, and accumulated experience until reaching a form that now appears inevitable. Memory of Forms, the new solo exhibition by architect and visual a

By Staff Writer When we began the Atención Book Club, we had no idea how much interest there would be. After all, there are many book clubs in this city—why create another one? Ours is unique because we feature local authors and ensure that they are present at the event. That gives the audience an opportunity to ask direct questions and explore issues that only the writer can answer. We have held four presentations, and they have been remarkably different in genre and content

By Carolyn Studer “Somebody once told me, ‘Don’t worry. Great things happen in small spaces.’” — Papacho Sirdey, jazz pianist and producer After moving to San Miguel de Allende, the only thing I missed was the small, intimate jazz clubs I frequented in Los Angeles—places like the Baked Potato and Charlie O’s, where you could hear exceptional musicians surrounded by people who truly loved listening to jazz. So I was delighted to discover the concert series at Cine Bacco—a 25-s

By John Challis, Board Member, Operísima Mexico Beyond its celebrated visual arts and cultural festivals, San Miguel de Allende has earned a reputation as one of Mexico’s leading opera destinations. The longstanding seasonal contributions of several esteemed opera organizations continue to sustain a vibrant tradition of training programs, concerts, and competitions that attract emerging artists and audiences from around the world. Since beginning its activities in San Miguel

By Frankie Cruz-Aedo Three years ago, Jo Davis decided to create a social media page where foodies could write about and share their passion for all things San Miguel gastronomy. On Tuesday, July 14, Cent'anni Live Eatertainment and Crazy Horse Promotions will host the three-year anniversary celebration of SMA Food Porn. The event will feature two DJs alongside guest chefs Max from 3.6.9. pop kitchen, Chuy from Agavia, Andrés from Amatte/Hacintto, and Toño from Garnache, alon

By Amy G. Rothlin The energy was unmistakable. Walking into Parque Benito Juárez on Sunday during the 5th edition of San Miguel y sus Sabores, it was immediately clear why this festival has become one of the city's most anticipated culinary events. Over three days (June 12–14), more than 35 restaurants, local producers, traditional cooks, and artisans transformed the park into a vibrant celebration of what makes San Miguel's food scene so special. Organized by the Municipal G

Written by Margot E. Sinclair, writer and publicist As Lady Zen’s birthday approaches over the Mother’s Day weekend—on May 9th—a heartfelt tradition will unfold. Each year, she celebrates by hosting a special Mother’s Day concert. This event is not just another performance—it is a deeply personal way to honor her own journey, which began as an orphan, and to give back to the community. This year’s concert carries extraordinary purpose: all proceeds go directly to creating a s

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson May in San Miguel de Allende marks the transition from the dry spring season into the early buildup of summer. It’s one of the warmest months of the year, with increasingly humid conditions and the first signs of the rainy season. The month of May begins with Labor Day, May 1st, which is celebrated with a parade of Union workers. The real celebration begins two day later on May 3rd: Día de La Santa Cruz. Construction workers will show up after attend

Join us as we celebrate outstanding local authors. No signup required, no fees. Just read the book and come meet the author for a lively presentation and book discussion. See you at Casa Nigromante, Umarán #38 on April 28. Catherine Marenghi will talk about Walking With Beth: Conversations With My 100-Year-Old Friend with author Merilyn Simonds. Books are available at Aurora Books, Tesoros Bookstore at the Biblioteca, and online booksellers.

By Carolyn Studer “When oppressed communities sing, they are doing more than making music. They are declaring that the present reality does not get the last word.” — Rev. Dr. Brian Blount For centuries, music has given voice to hope in times of hardship. From spirituals sung in the face of slavery to the improvisational freedom of jazz and the bold, defiant energy of rap, African American music has carried a message of resistance and hope. That tradition will come to San Mig

By Alan Jacobson Last month I wrote about two of San Miguel’s most important performance spaces — the intimate Teatro Santa Ana and the historic Teatro Ángela Peralta — places where actors, musicians, and performers step onto a stage to tell stories. But in April, San Miguel’s most powerful performances don’t happen inside a theatre at all. They happen in the streets. During Semana Santa , the city itself becomes a kind of living stage. Historic plazas , narrow cobblestone

By Catherine Marenghi When you think of places that attract the world’s top writers, you might think of Paris in the 1920s, Dublin, or New York. Or you might recall the famous Algonquin Round Table , a group of literary figures who met daily at the Algonquin Hotel, New York, in the 1920s and 1930s. Also known as the Vicious Circle, the group included Dorothy Parker , George S. Kaufman , and Robert Benchley , as well as occasional members like Noël Coward . Who would imagine t

By Lisa Muhn Climate change is no longer just an environmental concern—it is a growing global security challenge. It has been said that the next wars may be driven not by ideology or territory, but by the consequences of climate change itself. Increasingly described as a “threat multiplier,” climate change intensifies political instability, humanitarian crises, and conflict worldwide. These urgent connections will be explored in a timely public talk presented by i3: ideas tha

By Frank "Sugar" Hudson. Photos by Lander Rodríguez March is a great time to be visiting San Miguel de Allende. The weather is generally mild to warm and dry, with pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler nights, lots of sunshine, and minimal rain — making it a wonderful time to explore the city. Now that you’re here, what is going go in the city in the month of March? Are there festivals and events? Why are there parades and people dancing in the streets?. Let me walk you

By Catherine Marenghi Last month, this column explored the economic and cultural benefits that the San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival brings to San Miguel. This month we spotlight four young Mexican writers who got a career boost from the Conference’s Scholarship Program. Each year the Conference invites local educational institutions to nominate talented young people with an interest in writing. These students receive a full scholarship to participate in