My 75th Birthday is today; I am honored to be here, still relatively healthy and as happy as can be. I will let you know next week how the bday plans worked out!
With so much going on for Day of the Dead, Patrice and I joined Deborah Cole for her condo building's street party at the top of Pulptito. Folkloric dancers filled the stage set up by the funicular, and gorgeous altars lined both sides of the street. Music was everywhere, and painted faces colored the night. We caught the end of the parade on Olas Altas as we made our way home.
The Gay+ Mixer was held at Coco Cabaret last Tuesday. More than 260 people watched one another and a live preview of some of the Palm and Coco's upcoming shows. Patrons also met with Tamale Ringwald in the Coco Lounge, where Tamale's paintings of some of Vallarta's entertainers adorn the walls. Patrice and I left the Mixer a bit early and headed up to Anonimo to celebrate Spencer Daily's Birthday on that lovely rooftop. Anonimo owner Bryan Stocks joined us, along with Gouda Gabor, Sargento Dan, and Gabe Arciniega. I love Vallarta's crazy mix of personalities and celebrity entertainers, and I'm so happy to call them my friends.
Our Scrabble Tournament went according to plan until it didn't—first game: Sharon Gerber Scherer; second: me. The third one went sideways, and the crown landed firmly on Sharon's head for a change! As she would say, Mazeltof! My wretched luck continued all through Bingo for Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic at Nacho Daddy. Ugh, it has been months since I have won a thing!
Patrice and I wandered a block over to Il Pesce, where we indulged in decadent fettuccine in truffle oil. If you haven't had the pleasure of their food, take advantage of their Wednesday 2-for-1 menu. Superb food and lovely service always.
We left Il Pesce for La Catrina Cantina and spent about 50 minutes with Angeloo. Next week, a bunch of us are heading to Guadalajara to hear Angeloo sing Dimash songs and the next day to see Dimash in person. Happy Birthday to me, continuing!
Our very long day finally wound down with Musical Dreams 2 at Coco Cabaret. This Disney frolic was the second year of students who spent the summer learning all about being on stage under the tutelage of Sebastian Coronel and Chris Lopez. I was impressed with the ensemble cast and costumes. Everyone rehearsed well, and all seemed comfortable in their own skin, which added to the company's overall cohesiveness. Well done, students and teachers!
My Ozone Therapy is finished! Ten brutal sessions, I have to say with delight, are over! Next week we start peptide treatment that, my dear Doctor Irving Ramirez has assured me, is pain-free! Ozone Therapy has reduced the inflammation enough to introduce the peptide and continue the long, slow rebuilding of soft tissue.
The second Rat Pack show at The Palm was a family affair with parents and children of the stars in the audience. The concert reenacts the early days of Las Vegas, when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin formed a formidable quartet, each becoming uber famous in their own right, but together were called The Rat Pack. Produced by Chris Lopez, the visuals include vintage footage of some of the antics the superstars got up to. The songs are as classic as tuxedos, tempered with jazzy piano, champagne, and a bit of whiskey. The smiles never left the faces of Nacho Granados, Alexis Macias, Roy Cruz, and Armando Chakam, even when they all pointed their fingers at me, introducing 'The Lady is a Tramp'!. They clearly love and support one another, delivering a fast-paced, nostalgic return to the early 1960s and the beginnings of 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.' The only complaint I heard was that the show wasn't long enough.
We left The Palm buoyed by the show's energy, thinking to get an early night, we passed York Pub on Olas Altas and saw a sign that Monaco was playing upstairs. We heard a couple of notes and fairly flew up the stairs to hear more. Of course, we snagged the one table open right in front of the band, ordered French fries and a couple of strawberry margaritas, and settled in for the evening!
Rob Burton and Jan Dorland picked up Patrice and me last Friday, and we headed north to our favorite patio and Italian food at Abbraccio Cusina. For the first time in my life, I heard 'Happy Birthday' sung in Italian. We shared and enjoyed the complimentary cheesecake. Thanks to Rob and Jan for dinner, the wonderful conversation, and all the love.
Patrice and I walked to Art Vallarta, met Deborah Cole, and enjoyed the First Saturday, ogling the magnificent altars and getting the backstory from Christian Yussel. Pierre Cutler and Gillian Parrillo joined us for a drink in the Art Travelers Speakeasy. A quick visit, as we had one stop to make before heading to the opening night of Boys on Fire.
Kennedy Morgan's Black Mirror was all set for his birthday celebrations when Patrice and I stopped by for a brief hug, with apologies that we couldn't stay. His darling space is so inviting and cozy. Be sure to check ShowMePV.com for Kennedy's upcoming entertainment roster.
Boys on Fire opened at Coco Cabaret for its sixth season with 'Villains.' Nacho Granados, as 'The Joker,' emceed and introduced the six gorgeous and sexy dancers as various nasty cartoon characters. I loved their Superheroes show a couple of seasons back, and Villains continues the light-hearted antics with beautiful bodies, superb costumes, artistic makeup, and set design.
A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the Olas Altas Street Band opened yesterday at the Palm Cabaret. This season, Mau Jimenez has a new band and new graphics, but brings his charming interpretation of The Boss, whose music he clearly loves and admires. The audience sang along, clapped, and cheered through every blockbuster hit. Even with a generational gap and completely different countries, Mau captures that from-the-heart truth that catapulted Springsteen to international stardom.
The second and last performance of Dia de Muertos of the season unfolded last night at Coco Cabaret to a full house. This show mixes traditional song and dance with a roving documentary style, with snippets of filmed dialogue sharing the history of this glorious Mexican event that celebrates death. Outstanding performances by Ale Matus, Nacho Granados, and Sebastian Coronel will remain emblazoned in our hearts.
Last but not least in a very busy day and week, was the new Madonna Tribute starring Waleska Rondon and the Star Boy dancers. I lost track of the costume changes that happened with lightning speed. Waleska had the entire audience wound around her Material Girl finger every second of the performance. She is a delight to watch and listen to.
Tonight we have dinner plans and the opening of Steven Retchless's new show 'Vampire' at Coco Cabaret at 7 pm. Birthday hugs are happily accepted through the end of November! Be kind and love one another, From Here.
