What's With The Coverup?

These photos were shot over a span of little more than a week earlier this spring. One evening, in the central plaza of San Jose del Cabo, I happened upon a small group of artists preparing the stage for the community's annual Fiestas Tradicionales, a week of recitals, concerts, fireworks, carnival rides, cock fights and general revelry. In the left photo, an artist who had strapped his brush to the end of a pole that was maybe 15 feet long was sketching from a likeness held by a colleague a portrait of Emiliano Zapata Salazar, a pivotal figure in the Mexican revolution a century ago this year. The completed portrait, center, loomed over the stage throughout the fiesta's many performances, though it largely was blocked by a tower of speakers. Not long after the fiesta ended, city work crews arrived on the stage to paint over the portrait of Zapata (top right) and a similar painting of four-time Mexican president Benito Juarez on the other side of the stage. I don't know what shocked me more, the bright pink paint that was used to cover up the portraits or the attitude of city officials who so cavalierly and so abruptly dismissed the art. Though no one seemed upset about how casually the portraits were washed over, I remain mystified and curious, and would appreciate any enlightenment anyone could provide.

A Start, On Two Fronts

Not all the charms of Los Cabos are as obvious as its sun, sea, surf and sand. Several are downright secretive. Only by stumbling across them do you find them. Earlier this spring, for example, I poked my head into a usually vacant building on the north edge of the central plaza in San Jose del Cabo. This is the structure that at one time was slated to house a museum to pay tribute to the marine history of Los Cabos. For one reason or another, those plans haven't worked out, however.

At any rate, what I found in the building was around 10 students and an instructor rehearsing stringed instruments, as shown in the photo here. I didn't interrupt to learn more, but later learned they probably were affiliated with the region's youth orchestra, which I hadn't known even existed. That brings me back to my main point: I've had a devil of a time getting a handle on the cultural events about Los Cabos. The area's two major English-language newspapers, Gringo Gazette and Baja Pulse, publish calendars of activities, but they aren't as comprehensive or as timely as would be ideal. I've learned more about concerts, plays and the like by just walking about town, keeping an eye on posters stapled to utility poles.

But now, thanks to an email from Alan Castro Ruiz, the director of cultural activities for Los Cabos, I've learned of Cultural Los Cabos, a Web site that looks as if it includes a frequently updated and finely detailed list of dance performances, recitals, workshops, concerts and the like from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz. Here's hoping the calendar remains updated and even grows with activities to keep us entertained and engaged while in Los Cabos.