Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Find out how Canadian Outback Adventures & Events combined employee training with charity team building for an unforgettable destination retreat in Mexico.

When a software company wanted to reward their top sales employees at a destination employee training retreat in Mexico, they looked to Canadian Outback Adventures & Events. Combining a Cardboard Boat Build Challenge with a charity twist, the group wanted to give back to the local community and make a difference with the kids.

Customizing a Team Building Activity

The Cardboard Boat Build Challenge activity has teams building boats out of nothing more than cardboard and tape. Participants learn project and time management skills, then race their boats in the high seas.
Teams balanced the already difficult boat build task with additional charitable challenges. Each team balanced their time between building a cardboard boat, building a desk from recycled materials and assembling care packages of school supplies.

Environmental authorities on Friday invited Web users to choose the name of a newborn zebra at the Mexican capital's San Juan de Aragon zoo.

Voters have until March 19 to vote for one of three Nahuatl names posted on the Web site of the Federal District's Environment Secretariat: Pakki (happy), Yamanki (gentle) and Isel (unique), that agency said in a press release.

Pakki leads with 50 percent of the 232 votes cast thus far, while Isel and Yamanki have received 26 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

Visitors to San Juan de Aragon can view the newborn Grant's zebra, which was born on Thursday, in the zoo's grasslands area.

This species of zebra, which inhabits an area of East Africa stretching from the southern parts of Sudan and Somalia to western Zambia, can grow to 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) in length and 370 kilograms (815 pounds) in weight.

San Juan de Aragon, one of two Mexico City zoos along with Chapultepec, was founded more 50 years ago and currently is home to 626 animals representing 129 species. EFE

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- 193,475 jobs were created, in the formal sector, during the first two months of the year; these numbers are 31 % larger than the amount of jobs registered for this same period in 2014; this data was taken from the recent number of workers affiliated to IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute).

During the month of February alone, 133, 691 new jobs were open; an amount representing 6.5 % higher than the one reported on February of last year. Out of this amount, 70 % are permanent position jobs and the rest 30% are temporary jobs.

The amount of people affiliated to IMS up to February 28, 2015 is of 17,433,000; 85.4 % of these numbers are permanent workers and 14.6 % are temporary workers.
All of the country’s Federal entities experienced an annual increased, except for Campeche. The States with a greater annual increment superior to 6 % were: Guanajuato, Baja California and Quintana Roo; informed IMSS in its Press Release.

At the sector level, the annual increment was driven mainly by the Construction Industry with 11.6 %; Communication and Transportation 5.5 %; Agriculture 5.4 % and Renovation with 5.3 %

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

Puerto Vallarta Jal.- Banks and the Mexican Stock Market (BMV) will remain closed next Monday, March 16, due to the long weekend commemorating the birth of Benito Juarez; they will reopen Tuesday at their regular hours.

The Mexican Banks Association explained that, even though it is a holiday, institutions offering their services in Commercial Centers and supermarkets, will be open to the public at their regular schedule.

They also reminded the public that Banks have telephone and Internet services, as well as 41,000 ATM’s available to their clients the 365 days of the year.

Transparency and Legislation of Financial Services Law establishes that, when the deadline of a payment falls in a nonworking day, the payment should be made the on next working day.

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Swimming and interacting with the Dolphins is two of the unique experiences that Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have to offer; this was confirmed by a group of TV presenters that were here to attend a celebration attended by the rich and famous, last weekend.

The presenters of the Azteca TV program ‘Hasta mañana es lunes’, which is transmitted every Sunday at noon: Lambda Garcia, Regina Munguia y Majo Castro greatly enjoyed the Dolphins and the Water Park ‘Aquaventuras Park by Dolphin Discovery, where they were able to interact with the dolphins and learned about these creature’s care and anatomy.

The open air activities and the contact with the Flora and Fauna of Vallarta-Nayarit region are the most looked after by thousands of tourist each year; that was the case with the rich and famous that were here, who said they will be sharing with their audience their amazing experience with the dolphins.

The General Manager of the Dolphin Park, Mario Dominguez, said that it is encouraging that these kinds of Puerto Vallarta’s and Riviera Nayarit’s activities are promoted on TV. This way, people will learn how exciting the contact with the dolphins is.

Representatives of tourist companies promoting the region will take care of providing all the logistics for the filming that have already been planned and that will give Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit a good projection right before vacation time.

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

Guillermo Del Toro at the Guadalajara International Film Festival, Monday, March 9, 2015.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Guillermo del Toro is the latest of Mexican filmmakers to speak out against the government, defiantly stating his country is on the verge of a “social apocalypse.”

“From the bloodbath we will not save anyone and that is something I would love is understood by the political class, understood by those dedicated to narco-trafficking,” he said during the International Film Festival in Guadalajara. “Mexico is about to experience a social apocalypse. I firmly believe it and that the media does not openly say it does not mean it’s not happening and that’s tragic.”

Del Toro celebrated Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu’s Oscar win last month and praised him for the statements the “Birdman” director made during his acceptance speech. He said it’s important that artists and filmmakers do not silence themselves when they can express their opinions or they will fall into “comfort and a profound cowardice.”

The “Pacific Rim” director said Mexico is full of artificial divisions, like sexism and classism, when in reality all citizens are the same.

“I think those ideas are the only reason why we commit the brutalities we do to each other. The only way that you can torture, kill or destroy a human being who is from your country, from your own race, of the same language, is by creating an artificial division … it’s that comfort that allowed the Nazis to call Jews something else,” Del Toro said.

Speaking about his career, the 50-year-old said he has never done a film for money.

The “Pan’s Labyrinth” director, who has two Oscars under his belt, has written a total of 22 screenplays, nine of which have been produced — 13 others are waiting.

Actress Jessica Chastain could not stop gushing about her admiration for Del Toro, who directed her in the supernatural period film “Crimson Peak,” out in October.

"He's a dream come true," she said.

Representatives of Mexican budget airline VivaAerobus, in Houston on Tuesday to promote new local flights and a fleet upgrade, acknowledged that not all of their customers have been happy, and they pledged to do better.

"We realized that we stick so hard to our low-cost model that we never contemplated some options for passengers," spokeswoman Alejandra Ochoa said. "We made mistakes, and we recognize it. We spent 2014 listening to what passengers had to say. We hope these changes we are implementing really right our wrongs."

The airline guarantees its no-frills model - passengers pay extra fees and they don't get complimentary drinks - allows VivaAerobus to offer the cheapest ticket prices in the market, in some cases 55 percent below other carriers.

But the airline has been criticized for high fees and poor customer service, including inadequate communication.

Houstonian Ren Artemio, who runs the travel deal website Escape Houston, said he booked a Saturday flight with VivaAerobus last year for $172 and promoted the deal on his website. When another flier sent him a note to let him know his Saturday flight had been changed to a Friday without his knowledge, Artemio checked his own itinerary and discovered the same thing had happened to him.

It was difficult to contact customer service, Artemio said, and when he did, he was told he could not get a refund.

Artemio wound up making the flight anyway and said it was a positive experience, with friendly staff and a smooth flight and a free carry-on bag.

The VivaAerobus officials cited several changes, including offering assigned seating and dropping the often steep fee for changing flight dates and other details. The airline also now guarantees its customer services team will respond to a customer within 72 hours; if not, it will give the traveler a voucher worth 400 pesos, or about $25.

VivaAerobus is adding routes in Houston and several other U.S. cities and upgrading its fleet to the Airbus A320, which has wider aisles and more overhead space than current planes.

The carrier began offering service between Houston and Monterrey in 2010. The Houston-Monterrey service flies Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and carries about 3,600 passengers a week. Last December, VivaAerobus added nonstop Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday flights between Houston and Guadalajara. A nonstop between Houston and Cancun will be offered Monday, Friday and Sunday.

The airline is dropping its Saturday flight to Cancun starting in April.

Ticket prices for the Houston nonstop flights to cities in Mexico are lower than its competitors, which fly more frequently. For example, a United Airlines flight between Houston and Guadalajara would cost $404 over the next 90 days, while a VivaAerobus flight would cost $164. A United ticket to Cancun would cost $258, but VivaAerobus would charge $160. To Monterrey, VivaAerobus offers a $130 ticket, while United would charge $240.

"We are not aiming to take other airlines' market share," Ochoa said. "We are for those people who might fly only once a year and now can do it more."

The airline will serve 51 destinations in Mexico and five U.S. cities starting this year.

Houston has seen an influx of nonstop flights to Latin America. Southwest Airlines has applied to fly Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. It also requested approval for flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, and Belize City, Belize.

Aeromexico, Volaris and Interjet have also added or announced nonstop flights between Houston and destinations in Mexico. Spirit Airlines announced 10 new routes to Latin America.

United Airlines, which already serves 25 cities in Mexico from its Houston hub, added nonstop service last year to Santiago, Chile, and Punta Canta, Dominican Republic.

On Wednesday night I attended the Voto Latino 10th anniversary event in Washington, D.C. Following up on my column last week, I spoke with several Latino celebrities on the red carpet about what they thought of minorities playing superheroes that have been primarily played by white actors. Needless to say, they were all for a fair and realistic representation of the diversity of America in the entertainment industry.

“I’m excited that they’re recognizing the country looks very different than what the comic books painted many, many years ago,” Wilmer Valderrama told me. “To me, that is the biggest success we have. The fact that they’re paying attention, that there’s a new beginning, there’s a new morning that we’re waking up to. I think the country deserves to look how they look in the movies and on television. I think it is an exciting time for diversity. I think the studios and networks really, truly need to figure this out and make sure that everyone is represented.”

America Ferrera was more blunt. “I just think the portrayal of Latinos in the media needs to be more diverse. I think we’re capable of so much. We are an incredibly diverse cultural community. We’re doctors, lawyers, we are soldiers, we are mothers, we are elected officials, we are teachers. Some of us are housekeepers, and gardeners, and maids, but there’s obviously been a very strong representation of our community in [just] one way for a long time. It’s time for that single representation to be cracked opened and diversified.”

Rosario Dawson had the most to say about the issue: “Superheroes are made with diversity anyway. It’s just maybe that those particular stories weren’t being told. When you look at these many remakes and you’re like, ‘wait a minute, in Conan they had Grace Jones and all of these people, why is the remake not nearly as diverse?’

“There were a lot of really remarkable women nominated for being in movies in the 60s and 50s and there were remarkable roles. Like really powerful. The kind of stuff we’d kill over having today. So what happened? And the fact of the matter is that we do have. The pendulum swings back and forth sometimes. We really need to take advantage of the times when is over here, and amplify it, and really grow it, and show those numbers. Show up.

“Latinos that are over-indexing buying those [movie] tickets, they’re not showing up to see Chavez, they’re not showing up to see Selma, then we don’t get traction, we don’t get more of those movies. So it’s really important for us to start supporting our stories out there and celebrating people like Iñárritu making all types of stories.

“And the fact that we’re capable, we’re just all playing together. As long as we’re having fun and we’re really all being inclusive I think we’ll have something really powerful to go. At the same time, there’s some really amazing things going and we can’t just always be pessimistic about it.

There’s really, really great stuff that’s happening and we need to amplify that because positivity is what’s really going to move the dial forward. I feel really lucky because I got to voice Wonder Woman a couple of times. So that was really fun. She was [what] I always wanted [to play]. I feel like I got to, kind of. I can take that off my list of to-do.”

That’s what three prominent, but most importantly, conscious and uplifting Latinos had to say about that. Now bear with me because this is going to be a bumpy ride.

You don't blame minorities for supposedly not creating their own fiction. Out of 60 million plus minorities in the US of A, you're going to really believe not one of them is creating their own fictional characters? Their own mythology? By the way, white mythology is also an amalgamation (or stolen creative property, if you want to go there) from other mythologies. Even the Jesus story is criticized as being stolen from Horus'. My point is that all stories progress and change throughout the times. God knows white men, specifically, have been usurping entire cultures, countries, religions, and entire continents. The bottom line is that accusing minorities of being creatively lazy is pretty myopic and obtuse. Especially since so many of us have been writing stories for years.

Another thing: If we have an issue with lazy writers, why aren’t the “Fast & Furious” creators – or the creators of most franchises today – getting called lazy for churning out so many films about the same thing? Why criticize the underdog? The onus isn't on us. It's on Hollywood executives. Calling minorities lazy sounds like what the typical racist troll writes online.

You might want to reconsider your opinion and do a little research as to why our stories aren't being funded. Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz tweeted that “Cartoonists and writers of color have been creating ethnic superheroes and characters for decades. But then we're told they're ‘not universal’.” But get a load of this: this generation of moviegoers wants to see diversity and they show that by showing up more to movies and TV shows with a diverse cast.

So if comic book fans want a Latina to play the female Green Lantern (Jessica Cruz), what’s so wrong about that? “Why is Shakespeare only played by white actors? Why can't they be played by everybody of all colors? Stories are about human beings," said Rosie Perez in a recent segment of “The View.” I completely agree with her. So gracias, Rosie. Anyone can be a Green Lantern, by the way. It's not really based on a specific race. There are alien Lanterns in the Green Lantern Corps. Now that we’re here, why would radioactive spiders only bite white guys? If we’re going to be ridiculous, let’s stay within the confines of our ridiculousness and assume that fictional spiders are not projections of our biases and that they won’t discriminate against women and minorities.

Few movies (if any) adapted from comic books are exactly like the comic books, to the chagrin of fan boys. It wouldn’t translate as well to stay too true to them. It’s fair that those fans are upset over that, but not when it comes to race, because those very same fan boys who complain that diversity champions are ruining the veracity of their favorite fiction, are the same ones who become champions of the performing arts. Meaning, when minorities complain that a white person is stealing the few roles available to them, their reaction (which is usually and equally as visceral as when they see a minority playing a character they think should only be played by whites) is to elevate the performing arts above race and ethnicity. So what gives?

If we want Hollywood and politicians to take us seriously, then let’s flex our muscles. Not just with outside forces. Let’s also clean up our act. Get up, stand up for your rights to exist and be treated with dignity. Show up. Vote. State your peace with your words, with your money, with your presence. Going against those who combat ignorance and hate makes us willful participants in the oppressive machine. Say no more to this.

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” Originally said by Howard Beale, a white guy, in the Network movie, but now this Latino is yelling it at the top of his lungs. They say that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. I say add diversity to that. If you don’t like it, kick rocks.

César Vargas is a producer, writer, director, and social media strategist. He founded UPLIFTT (United People for Latinos in Film TV and Theater) and is president of Burning Ones Productions. You can reach him on Twitter at /CesarVargas365.

100,000 peso note showing Plutarco Elías Calles and the Banco de México,
which he founded in 1925, an important step in Mexico's economic history

Mexico’s economic history has been characterized since the colonial era by resource extraction, agriculture, and a relatively underdeveloped industrial sector. Economic elites in the colonial period were predominantly Spanish born, active as transatlantic merchants and silver mine owners and diversifying their investments with the landed estates. The largest sector of the population was indigenous subsistence farmers, who lived mainly in the center and south.

New Spain was envisioned by the Spanish crown as a supplier of wealth to Iberia, which huge silver mines accomplished. A colonial economy to supply foodstuffs and products from ranching as well as a domestic textile industry meant that the economy supplied much of its own needs. Crown economic policy rattled American-born elites’ loyalty to Spain when in 1804 it instituted a policy to make mortgage holders pay immediately the principal on their loans, threatening the economic position of cash-strapped land owners.

Independence in Mexico in 1821 was economically difficult for the country, with Spanish merchants returning to Spain and many of the most productive silver mines not only damaged from the insurgency, but also the loss of its supply of mercury from Spain.

Most of the patterns of wealth in the colonial era continued into the first half of the nineteenth century, with agriculture being the main economic activity with the labor of indigenous and mixed-race peasants. The mid-nineteenth-century Liberal Reforma (ca. 1850-1861; 1867–76) attempted to decrease the economic power of the Roman Catholic Church and to modernize and industrialize the Mexican economy. Following civil war and a foreign intervention, the late nineteenth century found political stability and economic prosperity during the presidential regime of General Porfirio Díaz (1876-1911). Mexico was opened to foreign investment and, to a lesser extent, foreign workers. Foreign capital constructed of a railway network, linking regions of Mexico and major cities and ports was a key factor in modernization of the country. The mining industry revived in the north of Mexico and the petroleum industry developed in the north Gulf Coast states with foreign capital

Regional civil wars broke out in 1910 and lasted until 1920, known generally as the Mexican Revolution. Following the military phase of the Revolution, Mexican regimes attempted to "transform a largely rural and backward country...into a middle-sized industrial power." The Mexican Constitution of 1917 gave the Mexican government the power to expropriate property, which allowed for the distribution of land to peasants, but also the Mexican oil expropriation in 1938. Mexico benefited economically from its participation in World War II and the post-war years experienced what has been called the Mexican Miracle (ca. 1946-1970). This growth was fueled by import substitution industrialization. The Mexican economy experienced the limits of ISI and economic nationalism and Mexico sought a new model for economic growth. Huge oil reserves were discovered in the Gulf of Mexico in the late 1970s and Mexico borrowed heavily from foreign banks with loans denominated in U.S. dollars. When the price of oil dropped in the 1980s, Mexico experienced a severe financial crisis.

Under President Carlos Salinas de Gortari Mexico campaigned to join the North American Free Trade Agreement with the expanded treaty going into effect in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada on January 1, 1994. Mexico implemented neoliberal economic policies and changed significant articles of the Mexican Constitution of 1917 to ensure private property rights against future nationalization. In the twenty-first century, Mexico has strengthened its trade ties with China, but Chinese investment projects in Mexico have hit roadblocks in 2014-15. Mexico's continued dependence on oil revenues has had a deleterious impact when oil prices drop, as is happening 2014-15.

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(Photo: Thinkstock/iStock)

As spring break, that glorious time of freedom, approaches, you may be wondering: Is it safe to go to Mexico? Should you let your kids go to Mexico for spring break?

It depends on whom you ask. The U.S. State Department currently has a travel warning for Mexico, but the dangers are mostly in less-touristy areas. The best way to heed this travel warning is by reading the state-by-state breakdown of advisories, as some parts of Mexico are definitely safer than others. For example, for Quintana Roo, where most of the popular tourist destinations (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum) are located, no advisory is in effect.

If you do visit, be smart about what you do in Mexico. The State Department says, "U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims". They also advise, "To reduce risk when traveling by road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads ('cuotas') whenever possible", due to the concern over carjackings and highway robbery. The State Department further warns against visiting "casinos, sports books, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments," due to safety concerns.

If you ask the State of Texas if you should go to Mexico, their answer is a resounding "no." the state's Department of Public Safety included the warning: "avoid travel to Mexico" in their list of safety tips for spring break travelers. This advice seems a little suspect, since Texas is probably trying to convince travelers to visit the state's own spring break hot spots instead.

So should you or your kids do Mexico for spring break this year? Ultimately, that's up to you. If you do go, make sure to register your travel plans with the State Department, and to follow their common sense safety tips. Keep in mind one key piece of knowledge from the State Department: "Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors or residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes."

Mr Nieto and his wife Angelica Rivera have been on a three-day state visit to the UK

The president of Mexico has visited Aberdeen to sign a memoranda of understanding on collaboration in the energy sector.

Enrique Pena Nieto met senior senior representatives of the oil and gas industry during a ceremony at the city's Town House.

It was the final day of his state visit to the UK.

Human rights groups have called for concerns to be raised about an upsurge in torture cases in Mexico.

Mr Pena Nieto was joined by Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael, UK Energy Minister Matthew Hancock and Scottish External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

He also met Aberdeen Lord Lieutenant George Adam and Aberdeen City Council chief executive Angela Scott during the event.

Fuel supplies

During his three-day state visit he has attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen, taken part in a business leaders' breakfast meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the Palace, met opposition leader Ed Miliband and delivered the Canning Lecture at Lancaster House.

His visit to the north east of Scotland follows discussions with David Cameron on future co-operation in the oil and gas sector as part of Europe's efforts to diversify the sources of its fuel supplies away from Russia during the ongoing stand-off over Ukraine.

The prime minister hosted the Mexican leader for lunch at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, after which Mr Cameron's official spokesman said Mr Pena Nieto "very much agreed with what the PM and other international leaders have set out about how Russia's actions in the context of Ukraine means we can't, as an international community, have 'business as usual' relations with Russia".

The spokesman said Mr Cameron had also raised the issue of human rights and judicial reform in Mexico.

Amnesty International UK says the nation's nine-year-long "war on drugs" has seen more than 100,000 killings and some 22,000 disappearances.

Protests have been held in Mexico over the abduction of 43 trainee teachers

Mr Pena Nieto has also faced public anger over the handling of the abduction and apparent murder of 43 trainee teachers by corrupt police in league with gang members.

The students' disappearance in Ayotzinapa in September sparked weeks of protests across Mexico against corruption and violence.

Mr Carmichael launched Amnesty's Stop Torture campaign in Scotland in May last year, which highlights a number of countries of concern, including Mexico.

Siobhan Reardon, Amnesty International Scotland's programme director, said: "Torture is out of control in Mexico and President Pena Nieto needs to radically overhaul his country's woeful response to this crisis.

"Alistair Carmichael has shown his public support for Amnesty's campaign to stop torture and we'd like to see him raising this issue directly with the Mexican president.

"Mr Pena Nieto's visit to Aberdeen shouldn't just be about oil."

A spokeswoman for Mr Carmichael said: "The coalition government routinely discusses security, justice and human rights issues with the Mexican government, including at the highest levels. Indeed the deputy prime minister and President Pena discussed these topics in their meeting on Wednesday.

"Should the opportunity present itself in Aberdeen, the Scottish secretary will also raise human rights with the president."

Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico

uerto Vallarta, Jal.- As it turns out, the musical group that performed at Carmel’s Palladium Thursday and was billed as the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico was actually the Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico (Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México) which is based in Toluca, in the state of Mexico, Mexico. It’s an important distinction because the former (Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional, OSN) is the most important classical music and symphonic ensemble in Mexico and plays regularly at the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) in Mexico City. The two orchestras are sometimes confused. That is not to say that the latter is in any way inferior, because based on its stellar performance, the 40-year old Toluca-based orchestra led by chief conductor and music director Enrique Batiz is tremendous in its own right. Still, one wonders why the Center, in its advertising and promotion of the concert, wasn’t aware of the important difference.

Despite the billing blunder, it didn’t seem to matter to the nearly full Palladium house made up of a heavily Latino audience, some of whom also attended a VIP reception in the Palladium’s Founder’s Room prior to the concert. The event, which was co-sponsored by the Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis and Amigos, a local organization that promotes goodwill between residents of Mexico and Indiana, was held to honor the orchestra and conductor Batiz. Also present were various city, state and federal elected officials or their representatives.

Opening bi-lingual remarks for the concert itself were made by Center President Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, who was born in Cuba, and Jorge Sanchez, the Mexican Consul in Indianapolis.

The concert’s first half, which paid tribute to Mexico’s Spanish roots, included “Danzas Fantásticas, Op 22” by Joaquin Turina and Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez,” featuring guitarist Alfonso Moreno. After intermission the orchestra performed Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op 90.”

“Danzas Fantásticas,” which Seville born composer Turina drew from Andalusian folk dances, consists of three movements with the first clearly influenced by Flamenco music; the second with a melancholy feel, inspired by a Basque dance; and the third which is fiery and highly energetic.

“Concierto de Aranjuez,” composed by Rodrigo, who was blind from the age of three, is considered to be one of the most celebrated guitar concertos. Moreno, demonstrating his mastery on classical guitar, interpreted the work, consisting of three movements, with its intended fragility, grace and meaning. Especially moving was Adagio, the highly recognizable second movement, which characterized its feeling of quiet sorrow.

Following Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op 90,” which filled the second half of the program and further displayed the superlative musicianship of its players, the orchestra performed two encores that honored the countries of the concert’s host and guests. The first was an excerpt from “Huapango,” by José Pablo Moncayo Garcia, one of Mexico’s most important composers and the second was a portion of “Liberty Bell,” by John Philip Sousa, an American composer of military and patriotic marches.

For tickets and information about the remainder of the Center for the Performing Arts 2014-2015 season call (317) 843-3800 or visit thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.