In a city like Mazatlán, which has no subway, residents may find it hard to relate to a name like SUBWAY VIBRATIONS. It’s best explained if you know that Mario Spinetti, the multitalented founder of the group, is a New Yorker. He was born there in 1985, studied music there and in Germany from an early age, and was proved to have an exceptional ability as a composer. Not only that, he’s a pianist, singer, dancer and choreographer. He comes to Mazatlán’s Angela Peralta Theater with an international group of young musicians to play works inspired by Jose Feliciano, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, among others. Joining in on the show will be the String Orchestra of the Municipal Center for the Arts, led by Monica Osuna, with a choreographic montage designed by Agustin Martinez of the Delfos Contemporary Dance company. This celebration of youthful talent will take place Dec. 18 on the stage of the Angela Peralta Theater as part of the Mazatlán Cultural Festival’s 10th anniversary season. It goes to show there’s something for every taste, from the Beatles to Bach, among the performers who will appear as the festival heads into December. Such holiday fixtures as “Nutcracker” will be joined this year by the opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and a traditional Mexican pastorela, or Christmas pageant. Most performances take place at 8:00 p.m. in the historic Angela Peralta Theater; exceptions are noted. Here’s the December festival calendar as released tothe Pacific Pearl at press time:

1 Gitanerias: Guitarist Paco Renteria plays a flamenco-flavored program 3 Sueño Barroco (Baroque Dream), with pianist Adrian French, soloists and the chamber group from the Mazatlán Municipal Center for the Arts 7 Aigul Kulova, the Russian pianist, in concert 8 Homage to John Lennon as performed by the group called Help Beatlemania at 8:00 p.m., followed by John Lennon Blues memorial concert at 10:00 p.m. in the Plazuela Machado 10 Miguel Sala, Spanish vocalist, sings songs of Spain and Catalonia in the open-air lobby; free 11 Bach Orchestral Suite, played by the Sinaloa Orchestra for the Arts 12 “Nutcracker”: performed by the dancers of the School of Classical Ballet at the Municipal Arts Center 14 Contemporary Dance Gala, offered by the Professional School of Contemporary Dance of Mazatlán 17 “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” opera presented by soloists and singers of the Angela Peralta Chorale; 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. 18 Pianist Mario Spinetti and other young musicians from the United States and the Municipal Center for the Arts in concert 19 Mexican Pastorela, a traditional holiday play, in Spanish, tells the timeless story of the pilgrimage to Bethlehem 20 Christmas Posada, with candlelight procession around the Plazuela Machado, piñatas, fireworks and dancing to live music, starting at 6:00 p.m.; free This program is subject to slight changes and additions. For the latest information, consult the box office to the right of the theater entrance or the website, www.teatroangelaperalta.com