From the Publisher's Desk May 2006

From the Publisher's Desk

GUEST EDITORIAL

With this issue we begin a series of Guest Editorials by respected members of the community whose ideas and organizational skills continue to enrich our lives in Mazatlán.

Trapped in the Provinces

I was ranting in the office one day recently, and the boss, Mike, said, “Why don’t you write it?”

So here I am, sharing my frustrations with you, the reader. Normally, I share with you news of forthcoming cultural events in Mazatlán, primarily those taking place at the Angela Peralta Theater.

Each month when I write my notes of what’s coming up in the performing arts, I find that it is always necessary to add the disclaimer: For changes, cancellations and additions to the schedule, check the website: www.culturamazatlan.com.mx. That is because, as unbelievable as it seems, constant changes are made to the arts calendar up to a couple of days ahead of the performance dates.

Why? Surely a venue as important as the Angela Peralta Theater has to be reserved well in advance. After all, arrangements must be made for the lights, the sound equipment, the scenery (where required), the air conditioning, the ushers, the cleanup crew. And the theater has other uses. Sometimes it is rented for private events, such as conventions, rallies, even weddings.

Is the lack of advance notice of cultural events merely because we’re in Mexico? Mexicans are notorious for making last-minute, spontaneous plans. But that can’t be. You can go to Bellas Artes in Mexico City and see what’s going to be playing in that theater as far as two months ahead of time.

Or is it just because we’re in the provinces, and the powers-that-be are figuring that when they announce a concert or an opera three or four days ahead of time, the audience will just meander on down to the box office and buy tickets. This mentality does not factor in the needs or desires of the visitors — the very people the promoters are trying to bring here with a promise of “a beach with culture.”

This information gap is not new. The lackadaisical attitude may seep down from the state level in Culiacán, where the orchestra and a bevy of singers rehearsed “La Boheme” for two months but did not know when it would be performed until three days ahead of time. The decision on the dates for the two performances was handed down at the last minute by the head of Difocur, the statewide department of cultural affairs.

Jackie Peterson

Arts Columnist