AROUND TOWN: September in Mexico City

At the Museo del Chopo the show of large scale paintings (see photo left) that I

wrote about before has been extended until October 31. I've been twice--check it out.

Madame Butterfly, one of Puccini's most loved operas, will be presented at the

Palacio de Bellas Artes on September 18, 20, 22 and 25. Tickets at the box office or ticketmaster. Bring kleenex.

Museo Nacional de la Estampa.

The group show at the often over-looked Print Museum is one of the best things I've seen in years. Works on paper by some big name artists are on display--Francis Bacon, Helen Frankenthaler, Henry Moore, Julian Schnabel and lots more. It's located at Hidalgo 39, right behind the

Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Don't miss this one.

Across the plaza is

the Franz Mayer Museum where (until December 4) you can see the 5th Biennial of Ceramics, all prize winners from across the country. Take a break at the café in the courtyard, one of the most beautiful examples of colonial architecture in Mexico.

Pick up a copy of Tiempo Libre magazine (comes out on Thursday) for listings of movies, concerts, etc. and check out http://arte-mexico.com/ for new art openings and current shows.

Fiestas Patrias. If it's September, it's time to eat chiles en nogada. Check out

Nick's blog post to find out where to find the best ones in Mexico City.

Don't forget the traffic will likely be horrendous the weekend of the 16th, so plan accordingly. If you're thinking of getting out of town, check out this listing of festivals in other parts of Mexico.

The Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional begins its new season this month, also at the

Palacio de Bellas Artes. Here's their website: http://www.osn.bellasartes.gob.mx/.

There are seats for as little as 80 pesos--up high where the sound is best--and concerts at noon on Sundays. The timing allows you to hit the Sunday Tanguis at the Lagunilla market first, then head to comida afterwards.

Film Festival. Sept. 3-8, The Centro Cultural del Bosque hosts a series of short films from around the world. http://www.ccb.bellasartes.gob.mx/index.php/ccine/shortshorts