Recap: Good Morning, From Here, January 31 – February 07
Monday
Less than two years ago, Mark Rome, Entertainment Director at The Palm Cabaret, suggested I see Chris Lopez’s Sam Smith Tribute. I said, “Who is Sam Smith?” He replied, “Exactly what I said to Chris when he suggested he wanted to do a tribute.”
To that point, I knew Chris Lopez primarily as a producer at The Palm of tribute shows like Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Rihanna, as well as a self-taught videographer and backup singer for Maru’s Lady Gaga. Nothing could have prepared me (or anybody else in that audience) for his first Sam Smith Tribute show – it was so beautiful. The hubbub that surrounded that Opening Night rippled for days around town.
A year later, when he announced his second tribute to Sam Smith, I was surprised but delighted to be able to see it again. Not at all. It was a brand-new show, better than the first, which I was convinced would be impossible.
Chris Lopez has struck solid gold with his third homage to Sam Smith. Everything about this extravagant production at Coco Cabaret was over the top – the budget just for footwear must have been astronomical. Sequins, silver lamé, faux red fur bolero jackets for all six dancers (that was only one costume change), and an enormous black fur dress for Chris that I wanted to pat. That wasn’t even his most oversized dress! The red one shimmered like shantung silk and, I swear, took up a quarter of the stage floor space.
The backup singers, Nacho Granados, Eva Jimenez (Pink), and Armando Chakam, all good friends, and each starring in shows this season, were outstanding. Their harmonies soared, enriching the overall production performance and elevating each song to new heights.
The Starboy Dancers moved non-stop with complicated choreography and were smiling or aloof as the script dictated. Their energy was electric, adding an extra layer of frenetic movement that made it impossible to look away.
And there was Chris Lopez in the middle of it, singing his best, showing off his incredible vocal range á la Sam Smith and the stunning costumes. Brilliantly done, Chris. It was captivating from start to finish, with nary a flaw. Sound, lights, video, audio, everything came together like a dream sequence.
I left Coco Cabaret exhilarated and astonished, marveling at how Chris has continuously pushed the boundaries of his own performances and that of his other tribute shows in Puerto Vallarta. It’s clear that he pours his heart and soul into each production, making every show he touches an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
This third tribute to Sam Smith was not just a performance; it was a celebration of music and artistry, of dance and voices and collaborations that captivated every single one of us.
To each person that took part in this show and surrounded and supported Chris with your talent, take an extra bow and be showered with congratulations. And for Chris Lopez – there will never be enough applause for this outstanding performance.
Tuesday
The First Saturday Fiesta at Arte Vallarta Museo was packed as it usually is, with people listening to live music, drinking wine, and eating freshly made tacos with all the trimmings. A wonderful new exhibit called “Line + Color” by artist David Jones was officially opened and will remain displayed at the gallery until early summer.
Happily, David Jones was there and did me the honor of pointing out the differences between ‘line’ and ‘color’ and how he applied those principles to create specific pieces. He was totally enamored with QR codes when they were first introduced, not for the information they contained but rather for their form. He traced the first one he ever saw and reproduced it in color and various ways to honor its systematic geometry.
David Jones’s work is clean and sleek, always moving with intersections and changing directions. Fascinating, seemingly simple at first glance, but inextricably complicated. And precisely wonderful.
I left the fiesta at the height of the party and made my way to Coco Cabaret for the Opening Night of ‘Cinematic,’ Branden and James’s latest concert.
This artistic duo chose their favorite music from the movies, made some film clips to jog our memories, and even added a sing-a-long toward the end of their show, with the lyrics displayed on either side of Coco’s stage. Danny Zelibor “classica-fied” the theme music from Barbie on the piano and James’s haunting cello backed Branden’s magnificent tenor voice. An homage was made to American composer John Williams, whose film scores include Star Wars, Jaws, Close Encounters, ET, and dozens and dozens more.
Branden, James, and Effie Passero, collectively known as CelloVoci, will be cruising the Greek Isles in the first week of September if you are hunting around for something creative to do to bid summer goodbye.
For the next three Mondays, prepare for something completely different at Nacho Daddy when the music from GLEE will break forth and make you remember your high school never sounded this good! Musical Direction is by Mark Hartman and David Maiocco, just not at the same time, and stars Gouda Gabor and Sargento Dan.
Last night’s opening was fun and full of, well, glee. The best part of the show was listening to Sargento, who was 15 when Glee first appeared on TV in Mexico and was obviously deeply moved and influenced by the show. His role in this jukebox musical comedy at Nacho Daddy is to give back to an outstanding series that played a pivotal part in his life. And to laugh and sing with his friends onstage and in the audience.
Rancho Santiago today for the Hall and Oates Tribute show at 5:30, then Open Mic at Nacho Daddy at 7:30; I have become a Gouda Gabor Groupie From Here.
Wednesday
I walked all the way to Paso Guayabo yesterday afternoon to see the Hall & Oates Tribute show at Rancho Santiago. The #04 bus was ahead of me on the other side of the river just as I passed Hueco Colectivo. I crossed the bridge, figuring I would take a taxi that are always in abundance around the old El Rio BBQ location, but it was not to be. So, from Centro to Rancho Santiago, if you need to get your steps in, and have no choice but to walk, will take you 40 minutes. The Tribute was well-received and went overtime, much to the delight of the dancers. Again, I made it to Nacho Daddy just in time for the start of Open Mic.
Gouda Gabor easily hosts the blend of professional and amateur talent, with Mark Hartman at the piano. Patriz kicked off the evening looking lovely as always, followed by Delilah Beaucoup and Broadway veteran Susan McCollom. Sarah Joy hit the stage twice, and Open Mic had two rare stand-up comics. I am enjoying funnyman Jordan Parker and hope he continues to appear weekly. Sargento and Gouda treated us to a piece of their Monday night triumph, Glee, Steven Retchless promoted his Britney show at Coco Cabaret, and we heard from Gene Berube, Miana, Nia, and the darling of every Open Mic, the winner of 2024 RISE finale, 11-year-old Angeloo. I blew him a kiss last night, he smiled, caught it in midair, and planted it on his cheek without disturbing a note of his song.
If you are lucky enough to have VIP tickets to this year’s RISE contest, you will enjoy a preshow with Angeloo and Sargento. No line-ups either; you get whisked from the front door of Teatro Vallarta to your seat – the best in the house an hour before showtime. A welcome drink awaits, plus gift certificates from some of Season 4’s sponsors. There are only a few of these choice seats left. Contact Lisa Manoogian on Facebook and reserve your VIP package.
Tournament Scrabble at 12:30 today at Qulture and tonight at 6 pm, the first round of Mr Vallarta at Coco Cabaret. See you there, From Here.
Thursday
The Third Annual Mr. Vallarta kicked off yesterday at Coco Cabaret with 11 hopefuls onstage and an appreciative audience. Vallarta’s only ‘beauty’ pageant dealt with just that: How do you look in jeans and a button-down shirt? Round Two: just the jeans and everyone’s favorite part, Round Three, a mere speedo. A vast amount of flesh, most of it hard-earned muscle from the gym. If I had been counting tattoos, I would still be counting…
Interspersed between rounds was entertainment by Ada Vox, the three Divas, and co-host – with Sebastian Coronel – Nacho Granados offering up some Tom Jones.
Three contestants were eliminated, and the final eight will return next Wednesday at 6 pm to see who will emerge as Mr. Vallarta 2025. A couple of contestants were crowd favorites, including Aussie Woody Fox, the latest addition to Airotic’s aerial team. That show followed Mr. Vallarta with loads of patrons hanging on to their coveted front-row seats. My personal favorite – thank you for asking! – for Mr. Vallarta was Diego, a massively built Colombian. Come back in a week, and I’ll tell you who won!
All proceeds from this event and next week’s final are slated for Vallarta’s Gay+ Community Center – a most deserving non-profit.
I finally saw Chris Lopez, fresh from his epic Sam Smith Tribute at Coco Cabaret, to deliver long-overdue hugs. Three more shows have been added to Coco’s roster for February, so don’t miss it.
I am heading to the Palm this afternoon at 5 pm for a Santana Tribute. I had the pleasure of seeing Carlos Santana in Canada years ago. He was born just south of Vallarta, in Autlan de Navarro, Jalisco, in case you didn’t know; a full report on this one-off show in the morning. Back to the Palm on Saturday to catch the delightful Zoe Lewis, also at 5 pm. How I adore these early time slots.
Scrabble went well; the crown still fits me. Take good care of our tourists; they are our life’s blood. See you in the morning, From Here.
Friday
A week today is St. Valentine’s Day! Chocolate is celebrated here in its country of origin, and what better way to take the herbal tinctures you need than to eat infused chocolates! Dark, rich and healthy chocolates that are handmade by Ricardo Mazcal, our local wizard of plant medicine. I use a number of Ricardo’s products daily; these herbal-infused chocolates are the best-tasting things he makes, hands down! Visit his Market on the Isla Cuale every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, and stock up on Valentine’s Day gifts (I like the ginkgo biloba for my brain, please!)
What a beautiful noise hit the Palm Cabaret yesterday afternoon with a Santana Tribute, “Evil Ways,” featuring nine musicians! The only one I knew was Edgar Bernache on the keyboard; he was, of course, perfect! The opening number grabbed our attention for, I swear, ten minutes before they caught a breath, and we, as the audience, could start showing some appreciation. It’s difficult to pick favorite Santana songs in a career that spans more than 50 years, but the very, very faves like Europa (1976), Samba Pa’ Ti (1973), Smooth (1999), and Black Magic Woman (1970) were played to perfection.
Lucero Zamora of Colectivo Hueco from the sound booth was on stage afterward, helping to break down the enormous amounts of equipment to clear the stage for the next show, told me the band would have a couple of dates at Coco Cabaret. I hope that’s soon because I will go and listen to them play again, and I will let you know when; you do not want to miss this glorious representation of Santana’s finest hits.
From the front row, I had the best view of Mario Osama’s fingers and have a greater understanding of why most guitarists don’t even try to play Santana. For one, his feet were almost as busy as his hands punching buttons on the stage floor with his toes. Santana is fast and so very precise with his fingering; you know his music in three notes because they are crisp with truth. There is never a slide into the next note; each one is picked with fierce intent. So, bravo, Maestro Mario. The three percussionists were busy every single song, congas, bongos, timbales, and drums. The undertones were visceral.
A superb homage to Carlos Santana’s gifts of music to the world, thank you, Evil Ways, From Here.
