Entertainment this month is a mixed bag that includes two major pre-Carnaval events, a huge Flamenco spectacular, English-language theater and the monthly Artwalk through Old Mazatlán. On January 8th in the Plazuela Republica at a free event, the King of Joy and Child Queen will be determined. The vote counting — at a peso a vote — is always accompanied by musical entertainment while the judges tally up the scores. That night, the 11 candidates for Queens of Carnaval will either continue on to the election night finals on Jan. 30 or be eliminated from the competition. Expect lots of noise from all the candidates’ respective cheering sections.
Also on January 8th is the First Friday Artwalk, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. (rescheduled because of New Year’s Day) when 40 artists open their studios throughout the Historic Center to the public. Maps are available at various locations in the area, and the sites that welcome visitors are marked with banners and balloons. Mid-month, Mazatlán’s Compania Miura Flamenco Troupe presents two shows: “Romance de Tablao” will feature Marién Luévano, one of the top flamenco dancers in Mexico, along with live music by a group of Mexican and Spanish artists, evoking the classic dance of the 1950s in an all-new, mammoth, original production.  An evening of English-language comedy starring Ken Albanese will be coming up toward the end of the month (see page 25), and to cap off the month, the election of the Queen of Carnaval and the Queen of the Juegos Florales is set to take place on January 30.  Since it is hard to get tickets for this last spectacle in the Angela Peralta Theater, given that the families, friends and enthusiastic supporters of each of the 11 candidates will fill the Angela Peralta Theater to overflowing, the Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism and Art will

erect giant screens in the Plazuela Machado where the public can watch the goings-on and see who the judges elect as the new queen. As for graphic arts, don’t forget the Second Annual Salon of Humor, with dozens upon dozens of cartoons from around the world, posted in the Angela Peralta Gallery through Jan. 12.  Then later in January, the results of a printmaking exchange between five Mazatlán artists and an equal number from Saranac Lake, NY, will go on display in the Angela Peralta Gallery. Here is the events list as known at the Pearl’s deadline. Be sure to check for omissions, additions and changes at www.culturamazatlan.com  and the new Carnaval website: www.carnavalmazatlan.net

JANUARY
8 — Final computation of the vote, pre-Carnaval 2010, 6:00 p.m., Plazuela Republica, Free event

8 — First Friday Artwalk (jumped to second Friday), 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., throughout Old Mazatlán, Free

16 — “Romance de Tablao” Flamenco spectacular, 5:00 & 8:00 p.m., Angela Peralta Theater, Tickets: 200, 180, 150 and 100 pesos

21 — NY-Mazatlán Printmaking Exchange Exhibition, 7:00 p.m., Angela Peralta Gallery (downstairs), Show continues through March 1

26 — “The Power of Ignorance,” starring Ken Albanese, 8:00 p.m., International Community Center (Canucks), Tickets: 150 pesos 

30 — Election of the Queens of Carnaval Mazatlán 2010, 8:00 p.m., Angela Peralta Theater, Tickets: prices TBA, Free live screening in the Plazuela Machado