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The "El Lunes del Cerro" festivities, on the two Mondays following July 16, have the city all abustle with music and dance from all seven regions of the state of Oaxaca. (To hear some of the music go to: http://www.aoaxaca.com/guelaguetza/en.htm)
In Zapoteco, "gueleguetza" means "community sharing", a long held indigenous tradition in which everyopne participates in giving and receiving rituals. Along with the two Monday show days it really is a month long cultural celebration with not just the regional music and dance, but also classical and contemporary. The Monday show, held in the outdoor auditorium overlooking the city is a great event in itself, but the parade, where all the audience members, dancers and musicians meander down from the auditorium hill to the zocolo for the fireworks show is really spectacular. There were all these colorful splashes above the trees emanating from these tall, whistling structures and before you know it the whole church was lit up with white firecrackers and lights. Debris was falling everywhere and sparks were coming down on our heads, making it all the more exciting in safety conscious Mexico.