Consul...ting

JULY 2011 Publication of the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto

The Consulate General of Mexico and the Har-

bourfront Centre present “Corazón de México”

(“Heart of Mexico”), a festival bringing together

the traditional and the modern, with sights, sounds

and movements from Mexico.

“Corazón de México” has been generously sup-

ported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexi-

co, as well as the Mexico Tourism Board, Tequila

Regulatory Council and WestJet Vacations.

The sounds of Mexico take over Toronto’s down-

town waterfront with performers Celso Piña (aka

the Accordion Rebel) and Nortec Collective Pre-

sents: Bostich & Fussible, who combine traditional

norteño and techno music as they take to the West-

Jet Stage. Also performing is Toronto’s own Dirty

Maria, a Latin-alternative rock band, and Mexican

ranchera music singer Cecilia Guerrero.

Foodies can learn how to make authentic Mexi-

can food alongside Chef Francisco Alejandri who

will be making tostadas (chicken) with lime and

chia agua fresca (a fresh fruit drink). Become an

expert in tequila and mezcal (Mexican spirits) as

professionals reveal the secrets and history behind

these traditional favourites. Experience bona fide

Mexican cuisine by some of the finest chefs from

Mexico. Yuri de Gotari and Edmundo Escamilla

are the founders of The School of Mexican Gastro-

nomy and have studied anthropological, social,

historical and cultural perspectives of Mexican

food for over a decade. Their expertise is featured

in a number of food demos throughout the wee-

kend.

“Corazón de México”’s family events include

Marionetas de la Esquina, a 35-year-old puppet

theatre company from Mexico that entertains all

ages with their show. Children will also enjoy

clowns as they come to life during Clowntime in

Mexico.

And for the grand finale, check out our fashion

show that features Mexico’s best mariachi bands

and folkloric dance companies.

This will be the second large Mexican Summer

Festival at the Harbourfront Centre. On July 2009,

the Harbourfront hosted the “Mexico: Beyond your

Expectations” Festival that attracted thousands of

people.

Full Event Listings by Genre

MUSIC

Sugar Heat (formerly known as Los Homeless)

Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)

Sugar Heat is a high-energy, nine-piece band that

plays a wide variety of Latin music. Their repertoi-

re includes salsa, cumbia, merengue, cha cha and

bachata.

Celso Piña

Friday, July 8, 8:30 p.m. (WestJet Stage)

Mexican-born Celso Piña has risen to be one of the

most notable figures in cumbia music. Cumbia has

its origins in Colombia’s African and indigenous

populations, but has since spread to be one of the

most universal Latin American music genres. Celso

Piña, also known as “the Accordion Rebel”, is

known for blending the sounds of the tropical base

with genres from norteño (a genre of music from

north México) to hip hop.

Quique Escamilla

Saturday, July 9, 5 p.m. (Redpath Stage)

Quique Escamilla is a multi-instrumentalist and

singer-songwriter based in Toronto. Despite living

far from Mexico, he still remains very attached to

his roots and is inclined to support diverse social

causes such as human and civil rights and immigra-

tion reform through his music.

Dirty Maria

Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)

(continued on page 2)

“Corazón de México” Festival: July 8-10 www.consulmex.com

USEFUL LINKS

● Visas and consular ser-

vices: consulmex.com

● Mexican Embassy in Ca-

nada

● Facebook Consulmex

● Secretary of Foreign Af-

fairs:

sre.gob.mx

● Mexican restaurants in

Toronto & GTA [click

here]

● ProMexico (former Ban-

comext):

promexico.gob.mx

● Mexico Tourism Board:

visitmexico.com

● Mexican National Coun-

cil for Culture and the

Arts: conaculta.gob.mx

ecultura.gob.mx

● Canadian Chamber of

Commerce in Mexico:

canchammx.com

● Presidency of Mexico:

presidencia.gob.mx

Page 2 Consul...ting

(from page 1)

Dirty Maria exploded onto Toronto’s music

scene in early 2004, when the four members

decided to establish the first Latin-alternative

rock band in the city. Their unique composi-

tions consist of lyrics in Spanish and English,

covering a variety of topics ranging from co-

mical life situations to politics.

Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fus-

sible

Saturday, July 9,

9 p.m. (WestJet

Stage)

Grammy Award-

nominated Nortec

Collective mate-

rialized from the

burgeoning Ti-

jiuana electronic

scene. By combining Norteño (from the north)

and techno, Nortec successfully merges tradi-

tional and modern music with a twist of enter-

taining visuals. Members Bostich & Fussible

are committed to generating music that is a

positive and proud representation of their

hometown.

Cecilia Guerrero

Sunday, July 10, 12:30 p.m. (Redpath Stage)

Cecilia Guerrero is a Mexican ranchera music

singer (the music is a waltz, polka or bolero

style). She began her career at age 12, and has

now recorded five records and received nume-

rous awards. In Toronto, Cecilia has been

recognized as one of the best voices and inter-

preters of Mexican ranchera music.

Fandango with Café Con Pan

Sunday, July 10, 1 p.m. (Boulevard Tent)

Café Con Pan play son jarocho a traditional

form of music from Veracruz, Mexico. They

explore the roots of son jarocho while connec-

ting with other traditions from Latin America

and beyond. Over the past decade, they have

maintained a multi-disciplinary relationship

with son jarocho with projects that combine

research, collaboration, visual arts, teaching

and producing. Their performances are guided

by band member Kali Niño’s uplifting voice

and her effusive zapateado dancing, along

with an array of traditional instruments.

Amanda Martínez

Sunday, July 10, 2pm (Brigantine Room)

El Fandanguito (Musical Bingo)

Saturday, July 9, 4:30 p.m. (Boulevard Tent)

Alec Dempster combines his skills as a visual

artist and musician to create a unique works-

hop based on the Mexican form of bingo ca-

lled lotería. The traditional lotería game con-

sists of images and verses rather than just

numbers. His version includes 60 images that

represent son jarocho folk songs. The songs

are sung while the players listen and try to

identify the corresponding images on their

boards.

FOOD

Tastes of Mexico:

Chef Francisco Ale-

jandri

Saturday, July 9, 3

p.m. (Boulevard Tent)

Chef Francisco Ale-

jandri of Agave y

Aguacate restaurant in

Kensington Market

has become one of the

hottest chefs in Toronto. Francisco teaches

how to make tinga mini tostadas (chicken)

with lime and chia agua fresca (a fresh fruit

drink) at the festival.

Tastes of Mexico: Tequila and Mezcal

Saturday, July 9, 6:30 p.m. (Lakeside Terrace)

Tequila and mezcal are among the world’s

great liquors and were created from the mee-

ting of indigenous Mexico and the Spanish.

Experts from Mexico take you through the

tastes and the history of these most unique

Mexican beverages.

Daniela Solís, representative for the United

States and Canada at the Tequila Regulatory

Council, will give a talk on the history, cate-

gories and classes of tequila.

The Mexican Gastronomy School of Ed-

mundo Escamilla and Yuri de Gortari

Saturday, July 9, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. & Sunday,

July 10, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. (Lakeside Terrace)

Outstanding chefs from Mexico introduce and

highlight the tastes of diverse regions, techni-

ques and the ingredients required to make

authentic Mexican dishes.

DANCE/THEATRE

Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico

Saturday, July 9, 1 p.m. (Redpath Stage)

Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico is a non-profit

organization whose goal is to spread and pro-

mote Mexican culture through folkloric dance.

The organization works to preserve the herita-

ge of traditional Mexican dances through rese-

arching, recording and teaching to reveal

Mexico’s cultural diversity.

Film Fest of Lucha Libre with El Santo and

Blue Demon

Friday, July 8, 9 p.m. & Saturday, July 10, 9

p.m. (Boardwalk)

A different film is featured on each festival

day. Saturday, “Santo y Blue Demon en la

Atlántida” (“Santo and Blue Demon in Atlan-

tis”), “Santo vs Las Lobas” (“Santo vs the

She-wolves”) is playing and on Sunday,

“Santo en el Museo de Cera” (“Santo in the

Wax Museum”) and “Santo y Blue Demon vs

Los Monstruos” (“Santo and Blue Demon vs

the Monsters”) are being featured.

Mariachi Fashion Dance Fiesta

S u n d a y ,

July 10, 4

p . m .

( W e s t J e t

Stage)

For the

grand fina-

le of the

Corazón de

México festival, Toronto’s top mariachi

bands, Mariachi Amigo and Viva Mexico

Mariachi accompany a Mexican-themed fas-

hion show. The event also features the Mexi-

can Folkloric Dance Company who display

the authentic dances, costumes and traditions

of regions within Mexico.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Marionetas de la Esquina

Saturday, July 9, 3 p.m. & Sunday, July 10, 3

p.m. (Redpath Stage)

Marionetas de la Esquina is a puppet theatre

company from Mexico that has entertained

children and adults since 1975. Since their

formation, the company has helped develop

the art of puppetry in Mexico with a repertoire

of 10 enchanting shows.

Clowntime in Mexico

Saturday, July 9, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. &

Sunday, July 10, 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. (Ann Tin-

dal Lawn & around site)

On the streets of big cities and in the squares

of small villages throughout Mexico, there is a

long history and tradition of clowning. Clowns

create short stories, satirical confrontations

and interact with the public to bring hilarious

characters to life.

Mexican Kid’s Crafts

Saturday, July 9, 1:30 p.m. & Sunday, July 10,

1:30 p.m. (HarbourKIDS Tent) The Mexican

Cultural and Social Foundation teaches chil-

dren how to make a variety of family crafts.

Mexico Today

Sunday, July 10, 3 p.m (Marilyn Brewer Com-

munity Space) Discover the complexity of

Mexico Today from economic and social cha-

llenges to the rich heritage of culture and art

created from the joining of Indigenous cultu-

res with Spanish culture. “Cultural Tourism in

Mexico”: Guillermo Eguiarte, Director, Mexi-

co Tourism Board; “Mexico in the list of the

UNESCO Cultural Heritage”: Gerardo Ochoa.

"Corazón de México" Festival at the Harbourfront Centre

Consul...ting

Page 3 Publication of the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto

■ 208 Passports

■ 154 Legalizations

■ 47 Certificates issued per request of parties

■ 21 Life certificates to pensioners

■ 28 Visas to foreign passports

■ 32 Notarized documents

SAWP(*):

■ 6,484 workers (total since January): 6,306 to Ontario and 178 to Mani-

toba. In all, 178 are women.

■ 60 visits to farms (including 8 in Manitoba), 5 to hospitals (total since

January) to attend to 628 workers (including 119 in Manitoba).

(*) Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program

Services of the Consulate General during June:

100-Day Countdown to the Guadalajara 2011 Pan American Games (October 14-30)

The Consulate General of Mexico in Toron-

to hosted an event, on July 6 2011, to launch

the world campaign of the XVI Pan American

Games in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

(October 14-30), 100 days before the opening

ceremony, where Amb. Mauricio Toussaint,

Consul General of México in Toronto, and

Mr. Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer, To-

ronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Organizing Committee (TO2015) participated

as speakers.

At 100 days to the inauguration of the 16th

Pan American Games, Guadalajara and Jalisco

are ready to welcome the athletes and specta-

tors who will come to experience firsthand

numerous competitions, activities, sporting

and cultural events prepared for the enjoyment

of our brothers and sisters from across the

American Continent and around the world,

beginning October 14, 2011.

The Government of the Republic, the Go-

vernment of Jalisco and the City of Guadalaja-

ra have worked hard to create the necessary

sports infrastructure, improve roadways and

provision of services, and enhance the image

of the city and secondary Pan Am venues.

In order to hold competitions in the 36 disci-

plines of the Games, it was necessary to build

23 stadiums equipped with leading-edge tech-

nology, remodel three existing stadiums and

request the loan of a further three private

sports complexes.

To ensure adequate provision of services,

Guadalajara has expanded hotel infrastructure

by 30%, including an increase from 16,000 to

21,000 hotel rooms.

It is anticipated that this event will provide a

financial spillover of over 2.7 billion dollars,

equal to four times the value of the spillover

from Jalisco’s Tequila exports in 2010.

Preparations for the event from 2007 to date

have resulted in the creation of 49,592 perma-

nent and future jobs within the sectors of in-

frastructure, media visibility and production of

technical and academic expertise, as well as in

development of the strategic sector of commu-

nications.

Broadcasting of the Guadalajara 2011 Pan

American and Parapan American Games will

be worldwide, thanks to a contract signed with

a Spanish firm that will produce over 750

hours of television content related to the spor-

ting competition and the wealth of Mexico’s

traditions, customs and cultures.

Each step has been taken with a view toward

rolling out the best Pan Am Games ever, im-

bued with the warm hospitality and exceptio-

nal quality our visitors deserve.

Mexico’s aspiration to host the Games emer-

ged some 15 years ago, but it was not until

May 28, 2006 that the Pan American Sports

Organization (PASO) granted the City of Gua-

dalajara the right to stage the 2011 Pan Ameri-

can Games.

Our bid was successful thanks to the deve-

lopment and positioning of Jalisco and its

capital city. We are hi-tech leaders and a sour-

ce of expertise in Latin America with over 650

companies, transforming us into one of the

primary pillars of Mexico’s interactive media

industry. We are at the forefront of the design

of semiconductors, embedded software, multi-

media and database administration systems,

generating over 85,000 highly specialized

jobs.

Jalisco is considered the most emblematic

state of Mexico, as it offers our visitors me-

morable experiences and cultural history.

Amb. Mauricio Toussaint , Consul General of México in Toronto (right), and Mr. Ian Troop,

Chief Executive Officer, Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing

Committee (TO2015)

www.consulmex.com

“Consul...ting” is the

monthly e-publication of

the Consulate General of

Mexico in Toronto.

Register your e mail to re-

ceive this newsletter and

information about our ac-

tivities:

www.consulmex.com

Press Office

Isabel Inclán

Phone: (416) 368-2875 ext.238

Fax: (416) 368-0676

E-mail:

prensa@consulmex.com