Recap: Good Morning From Here, October 19 – 25
Monday
This’ll be a two-cup column with two reviews, Freddie Mercury and Madonna; two birthdays, Jordon Carnegie and Bri Bott; and two Musical Directors, Salvatore Rodriguez with vocals by Sargento and David Duvall and his very own jazzy voice.
Freddie Mercury – The Legend, stars Roy Cruz in his fifth season debut (I believe) last Friday. Roy has added choreo, new songs and videos, and new costumes for all the players – himself and his three dancers – Mary, Brian, and Paco. The latter perform a pas de deux that is heartstoppingly beautiful. Roy’s energy and enthusiasm for portraying Queen’s lead vocalist has not dwindled over the years; he continues to push himself hard. Every single show is a tour de force, and Roy channel’s Mercury like it’s his last dance; it never gets old. Roy graciously meets with fans after the show, poses for photos, and treats everyone like old friends. If you think you have seen Freddie Mercury at The Palm, think again; this show is brand new, as is every show upcoming at The Palm.
As I was right around the corner from Garbo’s after Roy’s premiere, I walked over to listen to Salvatore Rodriguez on piano, accompanied by Sargento singing “old lady songs” and a little Jose Jose. I also wanted to see Rob Burton, who recently returned from 2.5 months of gallivanting all over Europe. Rob and his partner Jan Dorland were holding court while Sargento sang and bantered with Salvatore. If you love Broadway musicals, you must be at Garbo’s every Wednesday night, starting at 10 pm for Sargento’s Singalong. No worries – he will provide all the lyrics!
I can’t remember the last Surprise Party I participated in, but the one this past weekend will go down in the memory files and stay forever. Richard Carnegie wanted to do his husband Jordon’s 40th birthday up right. He schemed with actor Chris Manly at Chris’s new house and a couple of dozen friends with culinary skills like John and Pamala Sheppard, who made tons of Jordon’s favorite Greek cuisine. The margaritas flowed as we counted down the time, anticipating being dead quiet until the front door opened.
We succeeded, and the gorgeous blush of surprise hit Jordon from his feet to the top of his mohawk. He was quickly engulfed by us en masse, covering him with hugs, kisses, and well wishes. Richard could finally relax after his weeks of covert planning finally came to a successful end. On top of the surprise was entertainment by the sassy Karma La Perra and an equally sassy stripper from La Catrina Cantina. It was a fantastic party! Thanks for the invitation, peanut butter cookies, roasted Greek lemon potatoes and brownies!
I crashed for a quick 50-minute nap then walked to the second birthday party of the evening on the rooftop of Avida to wish Bri Bott many happy returns.
Bri and I met at the Vallarta Garden Club Gala a couple of years ago and became fast friends. He is very much involved with the Garden Club and the Vallarta School for Girls. A few friends and neighbors gathered over a sumptuous spread of nibblies, great cocktails, and even better conversation. No live entertainment and no strippers, so we were able to concentrate on one another, a perfectly balanced day of birthday parties. Georgia Darehshori dropped in with her daughter Sara as I was on my way home after a long, deliciously enjoyable day. See if I can sleep after all the sugar I consumed!
David Duvall kicked off the season premiere of his Composers Series at a new venue – Arte Vallarta Theatre, just up the hill from the Andale and left on Pilitas. Oh, oh, and another birthday, David’s wife Penny! And more cake. Chocolate, and delicious.
In one of the most cosy, intimate settings of any venue in town, the Theater at Arte Vallarta was like being in Duvall’s living room except for the cantilevered seats. Janathan was on lights and sound (you will remember him from Colina Bingo at Nacho Daddy and Incanto); David and his piano faced the audience the entire concert for a change of pace! Duvall’s first show was a refresher course on his last season – I think I missed only one and found the two hours fascinating and lovely to listen to.
The Composer Series will be every third Sunday at Arte Vallarta Theater; remember to check VallartaCalendar.com for more information and to buy tickets. There is a subscription available!
I walked home in the blazing sun, enjoying seeing all the families out, walking together, eating ice cream, and drinking lots of beer. A power nap, dinner, then another walk back to the Palm to meet Kathleen Palmer and see Madonna starring Venezuelan superstar Waleska Rondon. This powerful show has improved across the board – hard to do with a Chris Lopez production. The costumes are extravagant and highly detailed, all like Madonna’s designers made them. The sound and lights (I love the lasers!) were terrific, with Lopez and Colectivo Hueco collaborating on the design. The dancers, all gorgeous to look at, superbly synchronized throughout the rigorous choreography, fairly flew across the stage.
Waleska’s vocal coach, in the front row, just down from me and Kathleen, sang along, danced, clapped and cheered the hardest, was none other than Maru Prado Conti, aka Lady Gaga!
For Madonna fans, a splendid treat is in store, and if you aren’t a fan going in, you will be coming out, bravos all around.
One week today, my sister Patrice arrives for her annual winter escape; my life just got busy From Here!
Tuesday
A year ago this week, I stood at one of those proverbial crossroads everybody faces in life. On the morning of October 26, 2023, I received an email that the PV Mirror was ceasing publication. The enormity of the decision is still having a ripple effect.
The first thing that crossed my mind was that I HAD to see Allyna immediately. Her sporadic but relatively recent responses to my queries about how she was feeling suddenly loomed large. There was only one reason she would stop publishing the paper, which had literally become her life, and that was because she could no longer manage it herself.
One of her caregivers let me into her house, took me to Allyna’s bedroom, and then left us alone to have what I knew would be our last conversation.
She was a one-woman show from the get-go with the PV Mirror after a dozen years as the first English-speaking (one of her languages) editor at the Vallarta Tribune newspaper. Combined, she had spent over 25 years sharing Vallarta with the world. Especially important for those who weren’t lucky like she was to live here.
I couldn’t let that stop.
Allyna and I were friends for 30 years. While I was working at the Vallarta Tribune, she teased me and asked when I was going to start writing for her. I replied the same way for years – soon, Allyna, soon.
Then, ‘soon’ became now.
I left her side an hour after I had arrived with the future of the Mirror newspaper/magazine tentatively and figuratively tucked under my arm.
I said these words to Allyna then and offer them to anyone reading today, “Thank you. I love you,” From Here.
Wednesday
“Aaaand… that’s a wrap!” The imaginary curtain came down in the living room at Casa Karma last night, closing the Summer Season celebrating live music. And, big bouquets go to Georgia Darehshori, who threw open the doors to her magnificent villa in Conchas Chinas and flew in the face of convention by daring to suggest that musicians can make a living in the summertime in Vallarta.
Tangolero was sold out. The name is a blend of tango and bolero that Dabit Azofeifa and Ale Matus, aka Tromba Vetusta, also aka fabulous, both love to sing and play. The evening began with our two stars in black sequins telling stories in two languages about the songs they chose to share with us.
And then, the violinist was introduced, creating a softness that swelled around Dabit’s accordion.
And then, Dabit proudly introduced his 13-year-old accordion student, who he has been teaching for four months. The two of them created a delicious combo of Carnaval meets sacred music.
And then, Ale introduced Isa Zuleta, a pianist and vocalist, and her partner Jacob Ordoñez Rodriguez, an accomplished classical (and plugged) guitarist.
And then came the tango dancers: she, tall, slender as a willow in the wind and as flexible; he, buttoned-up tight and starched right down to his spatterdashes, firmly pushing, nudging, lifting and asserting his considerable strength through every single movement. It was glorious to watch these (two-time) Mexican National dance champions. Wowza.
Music has the magic to pull us together and is at the center of our reunions when we finally joyfully return home. Welcome-back-hugs go to Sharon and Rob Scherer, Dra Simona Pop, Pretty, and Starla Sondra Kaye. To Georgia Darehshori, a million thanks for having us over From Here.
Thursday
I won all day yesterday – the day was crazy busy (read: no time for a nap!) but fluid and exciting enough to keep me going. Scrabble at Qulture welcomed Maureen back from a long absence, and Sharon was, once again, across the board from me, often wishing she was elsewhere throughout our three games.
Kathleen Palmer, Sandy Lopez and I made our way to Nacho Daddy to support Colina Spay & Neuter Clinic at their charity bingo. I have added yet another 250 peso gift certificate to my stash from Langostinos restaurant on the beach. Langostinos is owned by Colette Zarry, who co-founded Colina and donates a percentage of all her sales to helping dogs and kitties. She even brought a mama cat with her three babies to bingo and one was adopted by Nimmi Solomon! Nimmi will take possession of her new baby, appropriately named Bingo, after the necessary trip to the vet in a couple of weeks.
I walked down Basilio Badillo to The Palm for the debut of Daniel Celis’s show, celebrating the songs of Elton John in a reprise of past seasons and introducing Billy Joel. It was a happy singalong with a fire-wielding, saxophone-playing Alonso with his Tiny Dancer partner filling the spaces when Daniel underwent monumental costume changes. Otherwise, they were done on the fly.
Daniel’s voice was perfectly rich and vibrant, as was his piano, guitar, and harmonica playing! Soooo much to remember! The hits from both superstars kept coming, with Dani walking through the audience (not with those glorious wings!!), engaging everyone with his considerable charm. If Elton John and/or Billy Joel are not quite your style, how about an evening with ABBA, the Eagles or Fleetwood Mac? See all of these fabulous Daniel Celis Productions at the Palm Cabaret or coming soon to the sister cabaret – Coco.
Sol Reyes, the Voice of Vallarta, stars in a solo show at HDA Gallery tonight at 8 pm. See you high up overlooking the city 402 Miramar From Here.
Friday
In 72 hours, my baby sister will be here; there is much prep work to be done; it’s a good thing I work better under pressure! And, by my calendar, Rainy Season is over! Today marks the passing of Hurricane Kenna 22 years ago. While Nora and Lidia, our most recent hurricanes, were dreadful, the name Kenna has been retired. We should have blue skies from now until June 15 – woo hoo!
Last night, I walked up the hill to see Sol Reyes and Musical Director Alberto Montejano on piano at the trendy Lounge and Gallery Hacienda hda. Sol was the triumphant winner of the last Voice of Vallarta in 2023. The former Miss Colombia has had a passion for Mexican music since she was a child and presented a lovely rendition of the bolero Besame Mucho.
I was so happy to see Joe Liimatta, Sol’s Canadian husband again, and Jessi Valente from Voice was in the audience. Soprano Sarah Joy Heckbert and her husband, Adam, were also on hand, and Warren from Jardin Cafe Lounge brought friends. Matt Karimi and hubby David swooped in with Effie Passaro to listen to one song, then flew off to see Diego Guerrero at Casita & Garden. David Sabella joined Sarah, Adam, and me just before the show started and kindly walked me home afterward; we live two blocks apart.
Sabella has been working with Sol weekly to improve her English diction. I was shocked at the difference and commented to David. He told me she has been working hard, which has made a remarkable change. Her beauty and sweetness remain purely Sol. She sang an eclectic mix of languages, genres, and cultural traditions. I will let you know when her show will be at Act2PV.
I am off to The Palm tonight for the season opener of the Chris Lopez production of the Rihanna Tribute Show starring the incredible Cecille. A full report on Monday morning.
Tomorrow, October 26, marks my first anniversary as editor of Vallarta Mirror. Thanks go to the butterfly, aka Allyna, From Here.
