As a general rule, May tends to be a slow month for the performing arts once the Jose Limon Contemporary Dance Festival is over. But get this: The municipal institute of Culture, Tourism and Art (which goes by the acronym CULTURA) is pulling out all stops to present a gala production of Georges Bizet’s opera, “Carmen” in the Angela Peralta Theater in mid-month. The opera will be sung by guest soloists from Mexico City and abroad, backed by the Angela Peralta Chorale under the direction of maestro Antonio Gonzalez with the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra in the pit and Mazatlán’s own Enrique Patron de Rueda as guest conductor. And that’s not the only attraction worth circling on your May calendar. The newly formed Mazatlán Camerata, whose debut concert in late April was canceled, will tentatively perform on May 25 at the theater. That new date could not be confirmed at the Pacific Pearl’s deadline and should be checked on the CULTURA internet site or by calling the Angela Peralta Theater (982-4447). Since the Jose Limon Contemporary Dance Festival continues over from April, some information about it bears repeating. All performances take place on the stage of the Angela Peralta Theater and reserved seats are available for 40, 60, 80 and 100 pesos. As always, changes and additions are possible after the Pacific Pearl’s deadline, so it’s a good idea to check the website for

last-minute news: www.culturamazatlan.com.mx MAY ARTS CALENDAR 1: Jose Limon Festival continues with a performance by Provisional Danza from Spain 8:00pm, Angela Peralta Theater 3: Limon Festival: VI Jose Limon Ensemble. Three contemporary dance companies perform, Delfos of Mazatlán, the Jorge Dominguez Company, Tijuana, and Antares, Sonora 8:00pm, Angela Peralta Theater 4: Limon Festival: Jorge Dominguez Contemporary Dance Company and Antares 8:00pm, Angela Peralta Theater 5: Limon Festival: Delfos, Mazatlán’s home dance company, performs 6:00pm, Angela Peralta Theater 5: Limon Festival: Sinalodanza Contemporary Dance Company from Culiacán 8:00pm, Angela Peralta Theater 5: Art exhibition: “ Presence in Nature.” Distinguished members of the local art community participate in a collective show 8:00pm, upstairs gallery, Angela Peralta Theater 7: Convergence of the Dance Academies 12:00 noon, Angela Peralta Theater Tickets: 100 pesos 12: “Carmen,” the opera by Georges Bizet 8:30pm, Angela Peralta Theater Tickets: 180, 250 & 300 pesos 14: “Carmen,” a repeat performance of the opera 6:00 pm, Angela Peralta Theater Tickets: 180, 250 & 300 pesos 18: Art Exhibition: A group show by students of maestro Armando Nava 8:00pm, upstairs gallery, Angela Peralta Theater 25: Premiere performance of Camerata Mazatlán (tentatively) 8:00pm, Angela Peralta Theater Tickets: 60, 80 & 120 pesos jackie@pacificpearl.com