Agenda Cultural: The Agenda Cultural de Baja California Sur, published monthly by the Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Cultural, lists several interesting classes and workshops, including most of what you see here. Be prepared to use your Spanish. Pick up a copy of this excellent publication, published in Spanish, at the tourism office next to the skateboard park (Obregón between Bravo and Rosales) or at the newer tourism office on 16 de Septiembre at the corner of Belisario Dominguez, across the street from Sears department store. In particular, check out Casa de la Cultura del Estado, the public libraries, the Centro Cultural La Paz and Casa de la Cultura municipal. You can subscribe to the Agenda Cultural online at

http://issuu.com/disenoisc/docs/agenda_cultural_isc_nov2011

AbraPalabra children’s library, ongoing: AbraPalabra is a non-profit children’s library on the grounds of the Galería Galería art gallery on Revolución at the corner of Juárez. Children take part in activities to put them on the path to reading, starting as babies: storytelling, puppets, music, theatre, handicrafts, reading workshops, games and, of course, books. There are books in English, Spanish and French for newborns to children aged 12. The library is free and open Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Scheduled activities: Story hour is 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and it’s free; Martes de Pastilina  (“Platicine Tuesdays”) is Tuesdays at 5 p.m.;  Jueves de Peques (“Thursdays for the littlest kids”) is an activity with stories, crafts and songs for babies to six-year-olds at 5 p.m. Thursdays and it’s free. The "Library workshop” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays offers stories and crafts and the cost, including materials and light refreshments, is 80 pesos. For more information, call Cel. 612-108-9820, e-mail children’s library director Angela Rosales at angelarosalesm@gmail.com or visit Galería Galería. (updated January 2012).

Art classes, ongoing: Join Maestro Raúl Escobedo for classes in drawing and painting Monday to Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Jardín Velasco. This is a workshop sponsored by the municipality of La Paz. (updated Aug. 3, 2011)

Casa de la Cultura del Estado, ongoing: This organization provides a goldmine of courses from January to December. There is a wide variety -- everything from drawing and painting, formation of musical groups and Hawaiian dancing for mature women, Spanish for foreigners and more. The focus is mainly on classes for children and young people, but some program are for adults, too. Admission is open year ’round. Classes run until December 2012. For more information, visit Casa de la Cultura at Madero 825, between Salvatierra y Torre Iglesias (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Telephone: 122 90 40 y 122 73 86. e-mail casaculturaedobcs@yahoo.com.mx or visit www.facebook.com/casadelaculturaedobcs (updated January 2012)

Casa de la Cultura Municipal, ongoing: There is a variety of workshops and classes at this recently opened cultural centre. The Casa de Cultural Municipal is on Independencia 807 between Altamirano and Gómez Farías. There have been workshops in drawing, theatre and music. Next session begins Feb. 21, 2012: workshops in art, creativity for children, recycling and redesign of clothes, drawing and painting, basic photography and folkloric dance. For more information and to enrol, call 122-8784 or e-mail culturaenlapaz@hotmail.com (updated January 2012)

Centro Cultural La Paz, ongoing: Current workshops include tango, aerial dance and salsa. For information these and other activities, contact the cultural centre at 16 de Septiembre at the corner of Belisario Dominguez. Posted hours for Centro Cultural La Paz: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Phone number is (612) 122-0065. E-mail address is centroculturallapaz@live.com

Chess, ongoing: The workshop Todos Jugamos . . . Ajedrez (we all play . . . chess) is directed at children aged 5 and older. Instructor is Carolina Rodriguez. It’s Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. in the Sala General in the library Biblioteca Central Filemón C. Piñeda, Navarro and Héroes de Independencia (near Teatro de la Ciudad). For more information, call 125-0369.

Children’s library, ongoing: see listing above for AbraPalabra.

Club Cruceros activities, ongoing: Club Cruceros started as a resource for sailors, but has expanded into many other areas. The club offers classes and activities for English speakers, including morning yoga class at Marina de La Paz.; domino (Méxican train) games at La Costa Restaurant; bridge games at The Dock restaurant at Marina de La Paz; watercolour sessions at the Club Cruceros clubhouse. . Landlubbers, as well as boaters, are welcome to join Club Cruceors for 100 pesos per year. Visit the clubhouse at Marina de La Paz, Topete and Legaspi, during morning coffeehour Monday through Saturday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. to learn more. Or go to the web site: http://www.clubcruceros.org

Dance workshops, ongoing: Among current offerings are workshops in tango, aerial dance and salsa at Centro Cultural La Paz. See the centre’s listing on this page for contact information. (Updated for February 2012)

Ecology activites, ongoing: There’s a new season of activities at Ecology Project International with workshops and field trips. Call Wendy K. Sánchez at 612-165-6561 or e-mail wendy@ecologyproject.org for more information. EPI is located on Guillermo Prieto #1038 between Navarro and Encinas. Visit the website at http://www.ecologyproject.org (updated for October 2011)

Environmental activities for children, ongoing: Jueves Ambientales para Niños is a weekly children’s program focused on the ecosystem. It features music, theatre, dance and talk Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Casa de la Cultura del Estado. For more information, call 122-9040 or visit the Casa de la Cultura del Estado, Madero 825, between Salvatierra y Torre Iglesias. (updated June 1, 2011)

Escuela de Música del Estado, ongoing: For more information, call 122-2286 or 125 55 19, go to the website at www.escuelademusicabcs.com or visit the school at Morelos 1055 (corner of Marcelo Rubio). The office is open 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m..

French classes, ongoing: Alianza Francesa offers classes in French at its cultural centre, Centro Cultural Roger de Conynck. The next session starts Feb. 7. Classes are offered for all levels; there are also groups for reading, conversation and seminars. The French cultural centre is at Revolución 635 between Morelos and Guadalupe Victoria. For more information, Phone 12-22888, e-mail rubsando@uabcs.mx or visit the cultural centre or go to www.rogerdeconynck.org and www.alianzafrancesa.org.mx (updated January 2012)

Galería Galería, ongoing (check on when new classes start): The gallery has had a variety of workshops and activities, including jewelry making for adults, paper maché, painting for adults, painting for children, cake decorating for adults and cookie and candy decorating for children. There are also activities at the children’s library (see listing above for AbraPalabra). You can register at Galería Galería,Revolución 590 at the corner of Juarez. For more information, contact siritapa@yahoo.com or phone 612-1256973.

Golf classes for women, ongoing: Costa Baja Golf Club has classes Mondays and Thursdays for groups of 5 to 8 women. Cost is 400 pesos per person per class. For information and to reserve a spot, call 175-0122 or e-mail reservation@costabajagolf.com (updated Feb. 15, 2011)

IMSS courses, ongoing: A new term starts January 2012 for a variety of classes continuing to July. El Instututo Mexicano del Seguro Social, on the Malecón at Obregón and Héroes del 47, offers classes in everything from creative dance and yoga to Kung Fu and “Theatre and Health.” IMSS is open from 8 a.m. to 20:00 Monday through Friday. To register, you will need a copy of your CURP card, photographs, a utilities receipt as proof of residency, etc. Visit the office for more information. (updated January 2012)

Jewelry-making with seeds, starts Jan. 30, 2012: Felipa Higuera will teach you how to make jewelry with seeds at this class. There is an introduction at noon at Casa Parra, on Madero street between Independencia and 16 de Septiembre. The class will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and cost per hour is 50 pesos. For more information, contact Claudia Parra at Tel. (612)12 4 25 28 or info@casaparra.com.mx or www.casaparra.com.mx (Updated for February 2012)

Korean culture courses, ongoing: Academy of Korean Culture: Academia de Cultura Coreana Scola offers courses in dance, Oriental cooking, traditional and modern dance, Nanta (percussion with kitchen utensils), Korean language and handicrafts. Coordinator is Dami Kim. The school is at Reforma 520,  between Altamirano and Ramírez. For information, call 123 57 32 or 044612 140 99 81.

Language instruction - Instituto Technológico de La Paz, January-June 2012: A new series of language instruction begins in January. Classes are offered in French, Italian and Spanish for foreigners. For more information, go to www.itlp.edu.mx, e-mail capitlp@gmail.com or visit Facebook at capiLapaz. (updated January 2012)

Language instruction - Italian, beginning Jan. 11, 2012: Casa de Cultural Muncipal has a class in Italian beginning Jan. 11. Cost is $150 pesos per month. For more information, contact Bernardo Valadez at 122-8784 or e-mail culturalapaz@gmail.com. Instructors are Onofrio Gucciardi and Emilia Festa. The centre is on Independencia between Gómez Farías and Altamirano. (updated January 2012)

Libraries in La Paz, ongoing: Bibliotecas públicas (public libraries) offer several activities and workshops, mainly for children and young people. For information on library locations and programs, pick up a copy of the Agenda Cultural (see “And more” at the bottom of this page).

Music school courses, ongoing: See the listing above for “Escuela de Música del Estado.”

Music and studio recording and production, ongoing: BajaSound Music and Recording Studio offers classes in the latest in digital music recording and production techniques. There are also classes in guitar, bass, sax and music theory. Please visit www.bajasound.com for more information or email info@BajaSound.com

Reflexology, ongoing: Mariana Fontenla Mata offers courses in reflexology techniques for groups and companies. For more information, visit the websites at www.reflexologiaytradiciones.blogspot.com and www.reflexologyandtraditions.blogspot.com (updated Dec. 30, 2010)

Spanish, ongoing: “Simple Spanish” offers year-round courses, including classes that will bring you closer to Mexican culture and literature while learning Spanish. Class are in central La Paz near Jardín Velasco. E-mail simplespanish@hotmail.com or call 612-123-5084 (you can call collect to Mexico 011-52-612-123-5084). Visit the website at http://www.simplespanish.org/. Director Montserrat Bueno Espinosa de los Monteros is also a bilingual novelist, author of A Harvest of 200 Suns, written in Spanish, English and Tzeltal. You can learn more about her novel from her website at http://www.cosechade200soles.com/

Spanish, ongoing: Se Habla... La Paz Spanish Language School offers courses in Spanish for general learners, specialized classes for legal and medical professionals.  The language school now offers one-to-one SKYPE virtual classes. Call (612) 122-7763 or stop by the office, Monday through Friday 8 a .m. to 2 p.m. (or later by appointment). School address is Francisco Madero #540, between Republica and Guerrero. E-mail info@sehablalapaz.com and the website is at www.sehablalapaz.com and SKYPE julidelapaz.

Spanish, ongoing: Spanish with Sergio offers personalized services at school or in your home. There are intensive courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Sergio also has lessons online. Phone 121-2224 (home), Cel 044-612-137-7058, e-mail spanishwithsergio@yahoo.com.mx or visit Sergio's web page http://www.spanishwithsergio.com/ for more information.

Universidad Mundial workshops, ongoing: A new term starts Jan. 30, 2012, for a variety of classes continuing to April 14. UM workshops range from ballet, jazz and folkloric dance to guitar, photography and salsa. For more information and to enrol, visit the campus on Abasolo between Colima and Colosio or go to the website at www.universidadmundial.edu.mx (updated January 2012)

Writers’ group, every Thursday: The Sea of Cortés Writers’ Group meets at 10 a.m. Thursdays to read aloud from their work (poetry, prose, fiction or nonfiction pieces) and get feedback from other writers. The group meets until about noon. New members are welcome. For more information, call George at 612-123-4669, e-mail george_potvin@yahoo.com or call “Shorebird” on VHF radio at 8:30 a.m. (updated October 2011)

Yoga classes with Ayesha Estrada, ongoing: Instruction includes a wide range of levels. For more information on Ayesha’s yoga classes, visit the Centro Holístico, Melchor Ocampo #714-A (across from Telmex), contact Ayesha at 612-128-6712 or go to her website at  www.escuelasoloYOga.com