We will begin each morning with guided movement in the main hall. Breathing and movement exercises are great for loosening the body, getting the blood flowing, and opening ourselves to the possibilities of the day.
After thirty minutes we will break off into smaller groups, and instructors will lead us to the spaces for our chosen sessions (5 different sessions to choose from). Each session teaches a different artistic discipline such as painting, acting, dance, and writing. However, they all follow the common theme of, “telling a narrative through art.” We encourage participants to step out of their comfort zone and attend a session that they’ve never tried before.
All sessions are meant to be accessible to both beginners and veterans.
In the afternoons we will have interactive special events on the main stage. Events like The Deadly Dinner Party, The Inside Story, and the Live Radio Drama are sure to entertain while offering a limited amount of audience participation. After these main stage presentations we will have a lunch break, followed by our two-hour afternoon session. Again we encourage participants to attend a session with a form of art they’ve never done before.
In the evening we will have three acclaimed speakers with widely different backgrounds presenting on the main stage. You won’t want to miss: Ivy Pochoda, Edoardo Ballerini, and Harrison Ball.
To close out each day we will have a pop-up bar with live entertainment. Enjoy beer, wine, or bottled water at Smokey Joe’s Cafe.
Badges
If you’re an instructor, presenter or you’ve purchased a 3-Day Festival Pass, you will need to pick up your badge the first day of the festival. Badges will be available Tuesday, October 29th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Wednesday, October 30th from 9:00 to 10:30 AM in the registration area at La Casona Convention Center.
Your Personal Schedule
When you purchase a festival pass or individual tickets, you will receive an email receipt. This receipt lists all the events you have selected with their times and dates. It’s basically a schedule personal to you.
This email receipt can also be shown at the door as a ticket to gain entrance to your events. If you have purchased a festival pass, the email receipt can be used to claim your badge.
Swapping Sessions
If you would like to move from one concurrent session to a different one, come to the registration area between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and we will make the change if there is space. Alternatively, you can send an email to Nathan at [email protected]
Lunch
Lunch is not included with the festival pass. However, there are many venues around the convention center with some great fare. We have a lunch break in the schedule every day from 2:00 to 3:30 PM
Smokey Joe’s Cafe
Each evening in the main hall we will have a pop-up bar for with live entertainment. Enjoy beer or wine as Smokey Joe’s Presents: The Jam Sessions, Where music meets spoken word, Game Show Extravaganza, and Open Mic on Oct 29th & 30th 8:00 to 9:30 PM and Oct 31st 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
If You’re Visiting San Miguel
Weather in October
The average temperature in October is 76°F/25°C to 55°F/13°C. That means it’s cold in the morning and evenings, but warm in the afternoon. Bring a sweater and light jacket for those cooler temperatures.
Getting Around
San Miguel is a wonderful town for walking. It’s relatively flat and everything is about a fifteen-twenty minute walk away. Taxis are also a great way to get around. A taxi ride in the center will cost about MXN$80 (USD$4). If taxis and walking don’t sound appealing, you can always use Uber.
Money
These days you can use your debit/credit card at almost every venue in San Miguel. Still, it’s a good idea to have some pesos during your trip. The best way to get a little cash is by visiting an ATM. The exchange rate is usually better than a currency exchange depot, and you’ll find ATMs all over the center of the city.
Safety
Like most international tourist destinations, San Miguel de Allende occasionally has the random pickpocketing and purse snatching, but is otherwise a very safe city. However, you should still use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. If you’re out late at a bar, consider hailing a taxi for the trip back to your hotel. They only cost about MXN$80 (USD$4).
If you have a question which isn’t answered here, checkout our FAQs page.