From Here, August 17, Monday
The movie The Odyssey is big, bold, loud, long, and overflowing with testosterone. Teenage boys will see it multiple times, I am sure, with the rest of us peeking through our fingers, hoping the savagery will stop or at least slow down. Spoiler alert: it does.
I spent a very relaxing 33 minutes at Stan Wagner's Neurofeedback Clinic last Tuesday. Next time, I will try the 45-minute version. Why? Because I'm worth it. With absolutely no work on my part, the neurofeedback has given me back about 85% of the feeling in my feet. I have been a half dozen times or so, with no agenda, just being calm and grateful for the opportunity to chill and see afterward what either comes or goes, and leaves me feeling better all round.
My talented, old friend of nearly 35 years is celebrating 50 years of making beautiful piano music. Salvatore Rodriguez, often called the ''Liberace of Mexico,'' will star at his own Black and White Gala at Cafe des Artistes, August 29 at 7 pm. A few mutual friends and other guests will sing, including Gloria Fiona, Freddy Pacheco, and Jorge Echeagaray. Cocktails, a show, and then a six-course dinner will follow, with wine pairings if you choose. It will be an outstanding evening celebrating Maestro Salvatore. There aren't many tickets left, so visit ShowMePV.com to reserve, and I will see you there.
Mike Owens, owner of the wildly popular Studs Bar, allowed me to sit with him at La Catrina Cantina for Luis Villanueva and Nacho Granados. My sister Patrice and I would go to Studs downstairs when it was called Thrive and listen to Nacho, Chris Lopez, and Max Prado every week—three wonderful Argentinian voices.
Vallarta Garden Club President Sunny Rossi had no trouble getting her board members' attention when she chose to hold our latest meeting at the gorgeous River Cafe. We decided the following: Yes, we will go forward with the 4th Annual Isla de Los Muertos on Sunday, November 01. We are amalgamating our Welcome Back/Membership Drive/Christmas shindig for December 17, which will include some caroling. And our Gala will be on January 28, 2027. Details will be announced shortly. We need volunteers for these events, And, we need new members, so we have Lowered our annual Prices to 500 pesos for singles and 750 pesos for couples. Of course, we gladly welcome sponsors with gifts of 5,000 pesos or more so we can keep Vallarta gorgeous.
Every other week, Christian Manly hosts a game show at La Catrina Cantina on Friday nights. He does a masterful job explaining to a full house of team players how each game works and, with the help of Wendy Warhol, keeps score until two hours later, when he announces the winning team. It is often John and Pamala Sheppard's foursome; they took home nearly 13k in prizes!
There's a new entertainment venue in town at Avida Condominiums. Enbraced by food and beverage vendors, the large stage was inaugurated last week by Maestro David Maiocco on piano and vocalist Cate Elizabeth. The full house also enjoyed hearing Brad Mallett and sampling handmade chocolates by Xocodiva. Angeloo delivered an a cappella finale of Dimash's Sinful Passion.
Speaking of Angeloo, keep him in your thoughts as he represents Puerto Vallarta in Guadalajara this coming Wednesday at 5 pm for the final ''Suenan Las Juventudes 2026.''
A couple of years ago, Georgia Darehshori started the Summer Concert Series at her seaside Conchas Chinas villa, Casa Karma, to give Vallarta's entertainers a space to perform when the major venues closed for the summer. Almost every show at Ck was sold out. The tradition will continue next week, starting August 25, at Mystic Circle Cafe. At a private party last night at Georgia's apartment in Avida, the baton was officially passed to Kennedy Morgan. More on this event later today.
Tomorrow is Tuesday. That means you can go to Hyden Custom Furniture between noon and 4 pm, and pick up Free hardwood pieces for your pizza oven, fire pit, or next craft project that may require a chunk of parota, or some skinny pieces to make a stretcher. Check out the showroom while you are there and look for me. I will be interviewing owner Sacha Cantor.
Next Wednesday is International Toilet Paper Day. I was surprised to learn that's a thing, but super-volunteer Dale Bouayadi is requesting that toilet paper be dropped off at El Granero on Francisco Madero from noon until 4 pm. Mothers of elementary school kids have to remember to include Tp with lunches, as the schools do not provide it. So, help take one thing off their long list of stuff to remember. Dale will see that the rolls are distributed as needed. I will remind you again next Monday!
My amazing herbalist, Ricardo Mazcal, is offering 20% off all his tinctures this week. Over 150 different types are on sale, so go stock up. Find Ricardo on the Isla at his year-round market on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, and weekly by appointment.
To our extraordinary community, I love you, From Here.
