Here’s how to find venues for events in La Paz. For more information and maps, visit one of the tourism offices (see below). You can also download a map from Baja Insider at http://www.bajainsider.com/baja-maps/la-paz-map.htm. And there’s a list of links: at the bottom of the page are a list of useful links to other English-language sites for more information about La Paz and Baja California Sur.
Alianza Francesa: The French cultural centre, called Centro Cultural Roger de Conynk, is the site of French classes, films, art exhibits, live performances of music, roundtable discussions and other special events. The centre is on Revolución 635 between Morelos and Guadalupe Victoria. It’s open Monday through Friday 5-9 pm; Sat 9:30 am-2 pm. Phone number: 122-28-88.
Allende Books of La Paz: This English-language bookstore also features gifts and artwork. It's at Independencia #518, between Serdan and G. Prieto. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone number is (612)125 9114.
Archivo Histórico Pablo L. Martínez: at Unidad Cultural, next to Teatro de la Ciudad, Navarro and Héroes de Independencia. Site of archival exhibits. Hours listed are Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Bar Salsipuedes: This bar and restaurant is the site of films, art exhibits and televised sports events. It’s at Alvaro Obregón (Malecón) 2130 between Allende and Juárez, (612)12 8 55 94
CICIMAR: Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, the marine sciences institute, is near the beach at the foot of Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Driving away from the city centre Abasolo, you would turn right one block after Colosio (which at that intersection is also named Golfo de California). Information: 612-1234658.
Callejón Ignacio Bañuelos Cabezud: This is the small plaza on Obregón near the Malecón across from the tourist dock with the watchtower. Site of Saturday night university performances and other performances.
Casa del Artesano Sudcaliforniano: Exhibit and sale of regional arts and crafts in wood, shell, clay, weaving, cultured pearls and more. Open daily 10am to 10pm, Malecón and Bravo next to the skateboard park. Information: 128-8707.
Casa de la Cultura del Estado: 825 Madero between Salvatierra and Torre Iglesias. Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday 9:30am to 2pm. Site of concerts and many workshops.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Paz: Cathedral across from Jardín Velasco on Revolución between Independencia and Cinco de Mayo.
Centro Cultural Esperanza Rodríguez A.C: on Independencia near Belisario Dominguez (next to Las Varitas nightclub). Site of independent film series and art exhibits.
Ciao Molino restaurant: Topete at Legaspy (across from Marina de La Paz): site of Wednesday night jam session and Mexican Train dominos.
Costa Baja: Kilometre 5 on the highway to Pichilingue, north of La Paz. Ask at the bus depot on the Malecón about free transportation from the centre of town.
Dirección de Culturas Populares e Indigenas: I.M. Altamirano, between 5 de Mayo and Constitución, open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm
El Paraje Roadhouse: You’ll find blues and rock ‘n roll live music some nights (check the “LiveMusic” listings) at this bar and restaurant, which in February 2010 moved to a new location at Allende 169, between Madero and Revolución.
Escuela de Música del Estado: the state music school is at 1055 Morelos on the corner of Marcelo Rubio. Site of concerts and rehearsals, which are open to the public. School hours: 8am-8pm, Monday through Friday. For information about activities or to donate orchestral instruments, contact Thomas A. Ireton, 123-4424 or thomasireton@hotmail.com
Estado Arturo C. Nahl: Constitución and Lic. Verdad near Ley’s supermarket. Site of major live events, including concerts and special events.
Galería de Arte Carlos Olachea: Exhibits change monthly at this major gallery, which is next to Teatro de la Ciudad at Unidad Cultural, Navarro and Héroes de Independencia. Admission is free. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also check out the vestibule of Teatro de la Ciudad for other changing exhibits.
Galería de Arte Tonantzin: The gallery owners were once lawyers in Mexico City, but they developed a passion for art. Tonantzin (the name has connections to both the Aztec goddess and the Virgin Mary) is an art gallery and cultural space for live performances. You'll find prehistoric pieces and contemporary Sudcalifornian and Latin American artists. There are concerts of live music in the gallery courtyard some evenings. Location: Constitución 320 (between Aquiles Serdán and Revolución), the same block as the post office. Phone number: 044-612-154-8136. Posted hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Galería, Galería :The gallery features workshops and a children’s library, as well as art and interior decorating. It’s at Revolución 590, at the corner of Juarez. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Lucia Frausto at siritapa@yahoo.com or phone 612-1256973.
Galería Gato Negro: La Paz artists Lila Magallón and Nora White opened this gallery in 2008 to exhibit the work of contemporary Baja artists. The gallery is next to Teatro Juárez on Belizario Domingez 1435, between 16 de Septiembre and Independencia. An artist is on hand 10 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday, but you can visit the gallery whenever the adjoining restaurant is open (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.). For more information, e-mail galeriagatonegro@gmail.com
Galería La Paz: Sidne Byars, an artist, collector and real-estate agent, established her first art gallery in La Paz 13 years ago. She features contemporary Mexican artists such as Gabo and Miguel Ramirez. You will also find original pieces that are functional – a clock, a lazy susan, a piece of furniture. The gallery is on the Malecón on Alvaro Obregón 299 and Constitución. Galería La Paz, which doubles as a real estate office, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, contact Sidne Byars sidne@galeria-la-paz.com
Galería Municipal de Arte de la Dirección de Cultura y Acción Cívica municipal, H. XII Ayuntamiento de La Paz, 365 Revolución between 5 de Mayo and Consitución (a block from the Cathedral). Open to public 8am-3pm Monday through Friday; may also be open part of Saturday.
Jardín Velasco: The public square by the cathedral is between 5 de Mayo and Independencia, and between Madero and Revolución. Site of performances and Lotería (Mexican bingo games)
La Casa Azul y Oro de Pumitas: Francisco J. Mújica, at the corner of Almendra, Col. Indeco. Hours: Monday to Friday, 5 to 8 pm. Telephone: 121 17 37
Librería Educal: Spanish-language books, art and gifts for sale in this beautiful government bookstore. You’ll also find magazines, videos, CDs, maps, crafts, educational toys, archeological reproductions and more. Open daily 10 am to 8 pm, Antigua Presidencia Municipal de La Paz, 16 de Septiembre at the corner of Belisario Dominguez, across the street from Dorians department store.
Museo Comunitario de la Ballena: Whale museum, Antonio Navarro between Ignacio Altamirano and Héroes de la Independencia (near Teatro de la Ciudad). Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am-2pm. Information: museoballenerobcs@hotmail.com or telephone (612) 348 762.
Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia: Altamirano and 5 de Mayo, Mon-Sun 8 am-6pm. Site of many exhibits. Also has an interesting gift shop, open 8am-2pm and 4-6pm. Information: 122-0162.
Palacio Municipal: on Luis Donaldo Colosio between Avenida de Los Deportistas and Carabinas, near Soriana and City Club.
Parque Cuauhtémoc: across from the Malecón at the foot of Bravo Street. Site of tourism office, crafts cooperative and the former skateboard park.
Parque Revolución (also called Plaza de los Músicos): across from CCC Palacio on Felix Ortega between Bravo and Rosales. Site of Thursday night music performance Jueves Alegres (Happy Thursday).
Palabra por Palabra: La Paz book club meets monthly, usually first Tuesday of the month. Sometimes authors visit. For more information, contact Allende Books.
Sala de Conciertos de la Ciudad de La Paz: This new concert hall is at Morelos 1055, on the corner of Marcelo Rubio. For more information, call 122 22 86 y 125 55 19
Salón de los Espejos del Ágora de La Paz: I.M. Altamirano, between 5 de Mayo and ConstituciónTeatro de la Ciudad: Unidad Cultural, Navarro and Héroes de Independencia. Major venue for performances of theatre, dance and music.
Se Habla...La Paz Spanish Language School: The school presents a free weekly one-hour cultural talk in Spanish 1:15 p.m. Tuesdays. The school is at Francisco I. Madero #540, between Republica and Guerrero. Phone number is (612) 122-7763. E-mail info@sehablalapaz.com www.sehablalapaz.com Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Teatro de la Ciudad: This is a major venue for live performances of theatre, dance and music. The theatre -- along with its nearby art gallery, archives and plaza -- is at Navarro and Héroes de Independencia. The site is called Unidad Cultural Profr. Jesús Castro Agúndez. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Telephone: 125 04 86 y 125 02 07
Teatro Espacio Angular Esterito: Valentín Gómez-Farías 525, between República and Guerrero in Colonia Esterito.
Teatro Juárez: This historic building opened as a community theatre almost 100 years ago. It’s now a centre for music, dance and theatre, as well as exhibitions of art. A group of citizens has undertaken a major restoration project, financed by people who support the theatre. There’s generally a new exhibit every month. Location: Belizario Dominguez between 16 de Septiembre and Independencia. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Teatro Revolución: This is on the grounds of the art gallery Galería, Galería at Revolución 590, at the corner of Juarez. For more information, contact Lucia Frausto at siritapa@yahoo.com or phone 612-1256973.
Tourism offices: One office is next to the skateboard park across from the Malecón on Obregón between Bravo and Rosales; the other office is in the Antigua Presidencia Municipal de La Paz, 16 de Septiembre at the corner of Belisario Dominguez, across the street from Dorians department store.
Unidad Cultural Profr. Jesús Castro Agúndez: This is the site for several arts cultural venues and offices, including Teatro de la Ciudad, Galería de Arte Carlos Olachea, the archives Archivo Histórico Pablo L. Martínez and Patio de los Almendros. It’s at Navarro and Héroes de Independencia.
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur: UABCS, University of Baja California Sur on Boulevard Forjadores, is the largest university in La Paz. To find the Centro de radio y T.V. and the Explanada de Difusíon Cultural, look for the statue of the horse and the garden, which is located near the entrance to the university. Buildings at the university have signs corresponding to their letter of the alphabet. For additional directions, ask at the office of Difusión Cultural, which is the little building in front of the statue of the horse.
LINKS TO ONLINE RESOURCES
BAJA INSIDER: an online magazine for traveling and living in the Baja. You’ll find a wide range of features, plus fishing reports, weather information and excellent articles about Mexican holidays. http://bajainsider.com/
BAJA WESTERN ONION: an e-mail newsletter serving the communities of Todos Santos, Pescadero, and surrounding areas on southern Baja's "Left Coast.” The BWO allows readers to post questions, want ads, or items of general interest to the local community via e-mail. To subscribe, visit the website at http://www.BajaWesternOnion.com/subscribe.asp
BAJA PONY EXPRESS: another informative e-mail newsletter, this one serving Los Barriles and the surrounding area on the East Cape. Like the Baja Western Onion, it’s an exchange where readers post questions, want ads and items of general interest. To subscribe to this group, send email to bajaponyexpress3@gmail.com
EATING THROUGH LA PAZ: "The bread guy takes you on a very random tour of his new home town with various stops for food lore he has gathered along the way." This interesting blog is dedicated to foods and restaurants in La Paz. http://eatingthroughlapaz.blogspot.com/
LA PAZ GRINGOS: This online forum for English-speakers in La Paz is a place to exchange information, activities and ideas. Unlike the Pony Express and Western Onion, where items are cut-and-pasted by the moderators into a concise format, LPG members get broadcast e-mails. So if you sign up, consider the option of a “daily digest” if you don’t want to get several individual e-mails daily. For information or to join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lapazgringos/ or contact Sheryl Hamilton at hamiltos12@yahoo.com
