“The Magic of Yucatan” featuring folklorico & live music at Chichén Itzá Restaurant
Chichén Itzá Restaurant {in collaboration with Mercado La Paloma}
celebrate
“The Magic of Yucatan”
A spectacular cultural & gastronomic celebration of the Mexico's Yucatan peninsula returns during the month of August
August 1-31, 2015
Opening ceremony - Saturday, August 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Art: Exhibit opening.
Music: Ballet Folklorico Xhanat & Tres Souls Trio.
Lecture: Fabricio Espasande-Bouza, unveiling of miniature replica and equinox demonstration of the Castle of Chichén Itzá, by David Mir.
Vesper Public Relations. Los Angeles, July 2015. Chichén Itzá Restaurant (recognized as one of the best 101 restaurants of 2014 in the greater Los Angeles area by food critic Jonathan Gold of the Los Angeles Times) and Mercado La Paloma present for a third consecutive year the celebration “The Magic of Yucatán” or “La Magia de Yucatán.” This month-long celebration showcases the art and gastronomy of the Mexican state of Yucatán.
“La Magia de Yucatán” (“The Magic of Yucatan”) will take place at 3655 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90007 all events are FREE to the public.
Catch a glimpse of last year’s event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f415zC2enfA
To begin the Yucatecan cultural celebration, Gregorio Luke, well-known as a Mexican art and culture ambassador, will showcase a lecture “Los Mayas bajo las Estrellas” (The Mayans under the Stars). In this cultural talk, Luke will travel along with the audience to the historical past of this ancient civilization and their growth in Yucatan peninsula. The historian will also discuss the main contributions of the Mayan civilization in art, architecture, writing, astrology and its influence in the cultural growth in the civilizations of the modern world.
The scheduled lectures will provide ample knowledge of the history, geography and culture of the Yucatecan peninsula. Among them will be “Los Cenotes y las Cavernas de Yucatán” (Sinkholes and Caves in the Yucatán). Presented by writer and journalist Juan José Morales Barbosa, who has received many recognitions and distinctions, for his knowledge of the flora, fauna and ecosystem of the Yucatecan peninsula. This talk will explain what cenotes are and what are they made of. Also discussed will be the extraordinary archeological discoveries in the deep cenotes on the coast line, including perfectly preserved human fossils more than 10 thousand years old.
As part of the modern cultural history of the Yucatan the architect Mario Antonio León Flores will present the lecture “Arquitectura de Yucatán” (Yucatecan Architecture). In his exposition, León Flores will explore the historical architecture presenting the characteristics and the styles that built a Yucatecan heritage through time.
Another lecture will be Ropas Típicas de Yucatán (Traditional Yucatan Attire) presented by industrial engineerArely Pacheco, who will share her personal experience of working with the indigenous communities. Arely will detail the art of embroidery and provide examples of Mayan textile designs.
The celebration will present activities for the whole family throughout the month of August. It starts with a grand opening ceremony on August 1 and is followed by special lectures, food demonstrations, and dance and musical performances. It closes on August 31 with a bang with special entertainment from Yucatán. All lectures will be presented in english and spanish.
Opening ceremony - Saturday, August 1:00 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Art: Exhibit opening.
Music: Ballet Folklorico Xhanat & Tres Souls Trio.
Lecture: Fabricio Espasande-Bouza, unveiling of miniature replica and equinox demonstration of the Castle of Chichén Itzá, by David Mir.
Lectures: On Saturdays – 6 p.m. (English/Spanish)
Saturday, August 8
“Mayans Under the Stars” - Gregorio Luke, art historian
Saturday, August 15
“Cenotes and Caverns of Yucatán” - Lic. Juan José Morales Barbosa
Saturday, August 22
“Architecture of Yucatán” - Arq. Mario Antonio León Flores
Saturday, August 29
“Traditional Folkloric Clothing from Yucatan” - Arely Pacheco
Gastronomic presentations by Chef Gilberto Cetina and Gilberto Cetina, Jr.:
Every Tuesday – 6 p.m.
Yucatan’s Tasty Recados - August 4
Chile Habanero Sauce - August 11
Corn in the Mayan World - August 18
Cochinita Pibil/Pork Simmered in Achiote Sauce - August 25
Music and dance presentations:
Grupo Foklórico Xhanát will also perform at 12 noon on Saturdays on August 2, 9, 16 and 23
Closing ceremony - Sunday, August 30 – 12 noon
Special performances by the Orquesta Jaranera de Yucatan and Ballet Folklorico Nicte Ha. Special musical appearance by Lupita Infante.
Chichén Itzá Restaurant specializes in the cuisine of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The restaurant has garnered rave reviews from loyal customers and from such publications as Travel and Leisure Magazine, GQ Magazine, L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Hispanic Magazine, and La Opinión. It is regularly recognized by the L.A. Times food writer Jonathan Gold as one of the best restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area.
Chef Cetina also runs a thriving catering business and markets a line of Yucatecan culinary products under the Chichén Itzá Restaurant label that includes two chile habanero salsas. His cookbook, co-authored with Katharine A. Díaz and son, Gilberto, Jr., is available in English and Spanish: the award-winning Sabores Yucatecos: A Culinary Tour of the Yucatán and Sabores yucatecos: Un recorrido culinario a Yucatán (WPR Books: Comida). Both are available on Amazon and at WPR Books.
The festival is organized by Chichén Itzá Restaurant in collaboration with Mercado La Paloma and Esperanza Community Housing Corporation with additional support from the México Tourism Board, ARCO Foundation and Cervantes Center of Arts and Letters.