The first Summer Series Concert took place at the Mystic Circle Cafe and Lounge last Tuesday, to a full house. Newcomer David Garcia gave us his heart and soul in ballads and boleros for over 90 minutes, including a short intermission. The space is well suited, was gorgeously lit up by candles, and a few Opening Night glitches and misqueues came and went - it is the nature of the beast. At the end of the evening, there were hugs all around, and I will be there tomorrow for Miana Melendez at 6 pm.
Chris Lopez was Luis Villanueva's guest at La Catrina Cantina on Wednesday. The two of them romped on the stage, shared a few duets, piled on the Sam Smith tunes, everyone enjoyed, and we got to make requests; that was a great idea! My table mate Gillian Parrillo stayed with me to listen to Angeloo's first half of his show. Angeloo invited me to pick my fave Dimash songs!
The next day, Tom Bernes and Jamie Alexander filled La Catrina Cantina with their interesting seminar on the future of Vallarta tourism. As my friend and new dad of my baby pineapples, Herschel Weisfeld, pointed out, the choir was there in full force. Of course we were; we all want to help, do our part, and keep Vallarta at the forefront globally as a first-class destination. One thing we can do personally is never leave the house without a plastic bag and pick up garbage as you go through your day. Jamie pointed out our Season is three months long - January, February, and March. It needs to be longer so each of us has to promote our city (and pick up the trash). Tom Bernes said that more Canadians should and can be courted to come to Vallarta, but our dollar buys way less than the American one. Many things to ponder. Both gentlemen put an amazing effort into their respective speeches, and we were grateful.
As I mentioned, Herschel planted about 15 baby pineapples that I had started rooting months ago. He is creating a hillside edible garden.
Game On with Christian at La CC last Friday was a fun ride through relationships, including La Catrina Cantina owners Juan Alvarado and Bill Williams. Lots of unexpected answers created loads of laughs. The Password Game is up next in two weeks.
The International Toilet Paper Day drive went extremely well, according to Dale Bouayadi. The drive raised 34,459 pesos through in-person and online donations and collected 4,387 rolls, totaling 1,668,256 sheets. Eleven primary schools received toilet paper, and more will be delivered this week. Thanks to the dozens of volunteers who helped.
Go tomorrow to Hyden Custom Furniture to load up on free hardwood scraps to fuel your next camping trip or feed your pizza oven. The scraps aren't contaminated with paint, glue, or hardware, and they're smallish in size. Go from noon to 4 pm and check out the beautiful work in the showroom that emerges from the formidable wood pile at the entrance.
My great herbalist, Ricardo Mazcal, is offering 20% off all herbal formulas this week, like Ashwagandha and Horny Goat Weed. Find Ricardo on the Isla Cuale just past Le Bistro at his weekend Market every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and during the week from 4 to 6 pm.
Cafe des Artistes created an absolutely gorgeous evening to honor pianist Salvatore Rodriguez's 50 years as a pianist, many of those years entertaining guests at Cafe des Artistes. Everyone was dazzling in black-and-white as we lingered over conversations in the P'yote Bar. The Gala unfolded over an elegant six-course dinner, and an extraordinary concert took place at the same time. Brilliant singers wandered between tables, bestowing the odd rose and delighting diners to the point of distraction. I was so happy to hear tenor Jorge Echeagaray again, who traveled from Mazatlan to sing for Salvatore and his guests. What a pleasure, what a voice! The night was magic from beginning to end: here's to the next 50, my lovely Salvatore.
That's it for August. Enjoy September, if that's not oxymoronic. Be kind to one another and share hugs because you can, From Here.
