Thursday-Friday, Octubre 17-18, 10am-8:30pm
Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75
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Rebellious Nuns - mixed

Experience Eighteenth Century San Miguel History – Live!

By Susan Page

In 1760, in the convent that is now Centro Cultural “El Nigromante” (Bellas Artes), some of the nuns who lived there staged a most curious rebellion. The San Miguel Literary Sala is bringing you a two-day celebration of this pivotal conflict and the fascinating history of San Miguel at that time. The event will take place in Centro Cultural “El Nigromante,” (informally known as Bellas Artes) where the rebellion took place and will include dramatizations based on the events. The dates of the event are October 17 and 18, 2019. For full information, a schedule of the two-day event, and to register or by tickets to individual events, go to rebelliousnuns.com.

The two-day conference will begin with a talk by local celebrated historian Graciela Cruz about the history of the Canal family. Also presenting entertaining and educational lectures will be the author of Rebellious Nuns, Margaret Chowning, who is a Professor of History at The University of California, Berkeley, and James Cordova, Professor of Art History at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Former Equity/SAG actor and director Kirsten Dehner is the writer and director of four short dramatizations based on the rebellion that will be presented throughout the two-day event. Her creative interpretation of the historic events is innovative theater at its very best!

In addition to informative talks with slides and these groundbreaking short plays, the two-day event includes a choir of acting nuns who will present a beautiful concert of period music. Cuisine historian Kirsten West will present a fascinating talk about what the nuns in the convent were probably eating, and why!, and delicious period cuisine will be served at the closing, festive reception. A movie about the famous seventeenth century feminist nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, will also be a part of the two-day event. Individual tickets are available.

The Rebellion

The oldest Canal daughter, Josefina, inherited a fortune when both of her parents died in their 40s. Josefina’s passion was to start a convent in San Miguel. She was a disciple of Padre Felipe Neri Alfaro (who also founded the church at Atotonilco), who was a strict observer of self-deprivation, all-day prayer, and self-flagellation. However, it was fashionable in the eighteenth century for wealthy families to send one of their daughters to a convent. These young women came with servants and expected to live a comfortable, easy life, sharing their sisterhood. After they arrived and learned that the expectation was self-deprivation, they found a most curious way to rebel.

Registration and Tickets
Tickets are available for the entire two-day event or for individual portions of it.
Save the date now: Thursday and Friday, October 17 and 18. Register now to be assured of being able to purchase the full “Sassy Sisters” package. Tickets to individual events during the two-day event are also available. Go to rebelliousnuns.com.

Website / Tickets