5 Best Performing Arts Venues in Oaxaca, Mexico

Every evening the rather drab Casa de Cantera transforms itself into the colorful Casa de Guelaguetza. It's a mesmerizing show, with lots of music and traditional dancing. Things get started nightly at 8:30 pm.

Centro Cultural Ricardo Flores Magón hosts performances of music and dance.

The Monte Albán has nightly dance shows beginning at 8:30 pm.

This organization offers a series of film screenings throughout the year in the majestic Teatro Macedonio Alcala (which is an experience in itself). The films, mostly independently made, cover a wide range of topics relating to Oaxaca, Mexico, and the wider world. Aimed at Spanish-speaking audiences, many of the films in Spanish are not subtitled into English. However, the experience of watching a well-made, intellectually stimulating film in the atmospheric environs of the theater, and the reasonable entry fee, more than compensates for any lack of English.

The French-style, 19th-century Teatro de Macedonio Alcalá, one of the city's most beautiful buildings, hosts concerts. There are no tours, so you'll need to buy a ticket to a show to see the sumptuous interior. Show times and information are posted at the entrance. There are operas, world dance, and art-house film screenings.