There are certain sounds that go with the rhythms of Rocky Point. The sound of Semana Santa is that of bandas, bandas, and más bandas! If you are unfamiliar with this traditional northern Mexico style of music, which seems to mix vestiges of polka by running the gamut of música ranchera, boleros, corridos, and cumbias, this is the weekend for an immersion course. During Semana Santa, bandas from across Sonora, Sinaloa, and elsewhere pack their instruments into vans, buses, and pick-up trucks and make their way to the beaches and back streets of Puerto Peñasco, and of course to the infamous banda mecca in the malecón. So with banda as our background, let’s dive into the Semana Santa weekend rundown!
Roads: Watch for the main road into the Old Port to be roped off to vehicles, making this area only accessible to foot traffic (and local residents) from about Thursday p.m. through Sunday morning. On the way to Las Conchas, steps have been made to make a “four-lane road” along Blvd. Fremont (with packed dirt forming the two “lanes” on the northern side from about Pemex to Oceáno Rentals. As always, drive with caution and beware of long traffic lines around Calle 13 and anywhere near the Old Port.
Of note this weekend
Thursday Art Exhibit of work by artist Ricardo Guillermo Arena, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Superior Technological Institute of Puerto Peñasco (ITSPP) Building C
Friday Viacrucis (Stations of the Cross) procession 10 a.m. begins along Blvd. Josefa Ortiz and proceeds to Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on Ave. Simon Morua. (We’ve been told there is no viacrucis in the malecon this year)
Good Friday evening service (English/Spanish) at Family of God Church, 6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
Aquí es la Fiesta! Free concerts on beaches around town, and at El Chamizal off Blvd. Juarez, sponsored by the City.
Rocky Fest at the Bonita Park lot (Calle 13 just before Gamma’s and Peñasco del Sol Hotel)
Friday: Infected Mushroom plus Nortec (Panoptica Orchestra), Saturday: Codigo FN + Banda Reyna Tarasca
Saturday – 11 a.m. meet up / 12 p.m. start time Las Conchas Beach Bocce Tournament. Part of annual fundraising activities for the Las Conchas Community Relations Committee ($15 US person / $30 team) Contact Lori at: 382-0139 MX 520-204-1449 US)
Sunday – Easter services across town
8 a.m. Easter morning beachside service in front of Puerta Privada by Family of God Church
March 30th! Don’t miss Puerto Peñasco featured on HGTV’s House Hunters International! If you didn’t catch the Feb. airing, be sure to tune into HGTV’s episode of “Peaceful in Puerto Peñasco”
Also around town
Pinacate! Hours for the Visitors Center and Pinacate entrance are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and recommendations are for morning visitors to stop by the Visitors Center first (with its newly installed museum pieces) and take in their interpretative trails and spectacular views over ancient lava flows. Then, continue along with a visit to the Pinacate craters (entry pass is valid for both spots). Cost $50 pesos visitors, $25 pesos Peñasco residents.
Movies! www.citicinemas.com Select city, and once in Puerto Peñasco select “cartelera” (movie times) *subject to change*. Sub = subtitled (generally with Spanish subtitles) Dob = Dubbed in Spanish.
CEDO! The Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans in Las Conchas offers unique ways to explore the desert and Sea of Cortez with ecotours like kayaking, a tour through the Morua estuary, and tidepool tours.
Coming up!
April 6th brings with it bathtub races (at JJ’s Cantina), Mermaid’s Arts Market at Shrimp Park, the Cholla Bay Sportsmen’s Club Annual Horseshoe Tournament, 4th Annual Atomic Crew Skate Event, plus Retro Volleyball across the sands of Sandy Beach (Outtatownproductions), and a double concert of Enigma Norteño and Tito Torbellino at the Chamizal.
April 8th Spring Fling Fashion Show featuring Naomi Black and Casa Turquesa (Puesta del Sol restaurant at Playa Bonita Hotel)– to benefit CEDO
April 11th Buena Vibra Social Sound Ska Jazz Tour at Chango’s
April 11th – 14th Second round of 58th Annual CBSC Fishing Derby
April 12th – 13th Camino del Padre Kino: Camping at El Pinacate
April 19th III International Day of Dance Celebration
April 20th Funkalicious Volleyball in front of Las Palomas, Mermaid’s Arts Market at Shrimp Plaza
April 27th Las Palomas Triathlon (Register online! Rocky Point 360 readers! For special discounts, use the code RPT360 when registering!)
April 27th JJ’s One club Open
April 27 – 28 Arizona MultiHull Fleet 42 Sailing “Cinco de Mayo” – Playa Bonita R.V. Park, Rocky Point, Mexico.
May
May 3 – 5 El Golfo Run (Rocky Point Times)
May 3 – 5 Rocky Point Riders Beach Biker Fest (did someone say Spring bike rally?)
May 4 Mariachi and Tequila Fest
May 18 Tequila 125 Off Road racing (SADR)
May 15 – 19 Uniting Nations Cup at Peninsula course of Mayan Palace
May 25 Sonoran Resorts 2nd Las Vegas Charity Night!
June
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers Circus Mexicus XXII June 6 – 9, 2013
Upcoming events? Check out our Event Calendar! If you have information you’d like to add, please let us know at info@rockypoint360.com cell: 638 380 8849, or from the US: 480-282-4226 For weekend rundown announcements, please get them to us at least by Monday-ish of that week…though the earlier the better! Don’t forget to subscribe to RockyPoint360.com to get all our articles and announcements and/or Like us on Facebook at Rocky Point 360