Never has the arts scene in Mazatlán been more vibrant, more active, more downright upbeat than during this last quarter of 2007.  The Sinaloa Arts Fair presented a variety of international entertainment, lots of it free, and the Mazatlan Cultural Festival has brought to local audiences a sensational production of the opera “La Boheme” as well as “Don Pasquale” which continues tonight and the full ballet “Sleeping Beauty” by the National Dance Company (formerly the Mexican National Ballet). That’s just to mention a few of the highlights. Meanwhile, the Miura Expresion Flamenca, a school specializing in the dance and song of the Spanish gypsies, has announced its conversion into a permanent professional company with Lucero Martinez, director of the troupe, 12 female and four male dancers plus three soloists and six musicians. Miura will be performing at the Angela Peralta Theater this month while yet another local flamenco group, Mirabras, will dance on the stage of the Antonio Haas Theater. The First Friday Artwalks continue this month when artists open their studios to the general public. And last but not least, DIFOCUR (the cultural arm of the state of Sinaloa) has come up with some funds to help Mazatlán’s Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism and Art put on some of the more expensive productions it has been mounting this season. The Camerata Mazatlán has grown from the original string quartet to add a flute, a clarinet and a french horn, and when necessary it can be supplemented by advanced music students from the Center for the Arts to form a symphonette which will accompany this year’s “Nutcracker” (along with several members of the acclaimed Cuban Ballet from Havana). All told, the show-going public has nothing to complain about as a crowded calendar of events keeps things humming right up to

Christmas. After that, it’s anybody’s guess. A new PRI party administration is taking over City Hall from the PAN party, and nobody knows yet who will be in charge of local cultural affairs.  One thing is sure, though: Carnaval falls the end of January 2008, and that tradition more than a century old will continue as usual no matter who’s running the show.  Below are the events on the December schedule. Changes and additions are always possible, so it’s a good idea to check the website, www.culturamazatlan.com.mx Where tickets are required, they can be obtained at the Angela Peralta Theater box office unless otherwise specified. DECEMBER Dec.1: Don Pasquale, the comic opera by Gaetano Donizetti, 8pm, Angela Peralta Theater, Ticket prices: 120, 250 & 300 peso Dec. 5: Concert by Camerata Mazatlán, 8pm, Christian Church, 5 de Mayo, Centro Free Dec. 6: String Orchestra concert, 8pm, Sagrada Familia Church, Fracc. Gaviotas, Free Dec. 7: Jane Saborio, Exhibition of paintings, 7pm, Angela Peralta Gallery Dec. 7: Artwalk visiting 15 local artists’ studios, 4- 8pm, various locations, Centro Historico, Free Dec. 8: Tania Libertad, Peruvian-born, internationally renowned singer, 8pm, Angela Peralta Theater, Ticket prices: 150, 280 & 350 pesos Dec. 8: Mirabras Flamenco, 7pm, Antonio Haas (formerly Social Security) Theater, Ticket prices: 60 pesos, Mirabras Studio, Belisario Dominguiez 1301 or Copper Gallery, Camaron Sabalo 504 Dec.10: “A Romance of Tablao” by Miura Expresion Flamenca, 8pm, Angela Peralta Theater, Ticket prices: 80, 150 & 180 pesos Dec. 14 & 15: Christmas Gala in music and song, 8pm, Angela Peralta Theater, Ticket prices: 180, 220 & 280 pesos Dec.17 & 18: The Nutcracker, Municipal School of the Classical Ballet, Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra of the Arts, Enrique Patron de Rueda, conducting 8pm, Angela Peralta Theater, Ticket prices: 100, 150 & 200 pesos