Recap: Good Morning, From Here, September 07 -13
Monday
In grand style, the City of Vallarta celebrated pata salada painter Javier Niño’s 74th birthday. The Presidencia was full of friends, family, representatives from the mayor’s office, and the cultural department.
Javier’s wife, Nathalie Herling, Director of Arte Vallarta Museo, gave a short speech in Spanish, after which we all descended to eat awaiting cakes from Pie in the Sky bakery and toast Javier’s latest painting, “Jaguar Queen.”
Many happy returns, Javier, and thank you for making Vallarta even more beautiful with your colorful, creative canvases.
The next day was the First Saturday of the Month Fiesta at Arte Museo. The weather was cranky and kept most people at home, but those who ventured out enjoyed wine and lovely company, comfortably sitting beside the bar for a couple of hours. I left early in Sylvie’s bright orange VW bus to go to Nacho Daddy’s 16th season opener starring Lady Zen.
Zen, who lives in San Miguel de Allende, is a powerful performer who creates incredibly diverse vignettes for us to marvel at whenever they come to town, only a couple of times a year. I would need a list a meter long to list their formidable accomplishments in just the last five years. Every show is markedly different, right down to set design! Zen’s new album is up for a Grammy, and the film they wrote and starred in last year won dozens and dozens of prizes internationally at festivals. Zen is constantly creating, changing, writing, and altering how their words are presented. Wherever you are in the world, see Lady Zen at every given opportunity; you will come away changed by the love.
Another Gloria Fiona Production sold out in the living room at Casa Karma last night. Weeks of hype “Who is Alicia Keys?” were answered with the literal unveiling of pianist and singer Isabel Zuleta, who will star in a full-blown tribute to the American R&B singer-songwriter coming at the height of season in Vallarta.
I will be back at Casa Karma tonight for the sold-out performance of Empress and the Crown Jewels—full report on that in the morning.
This just in from Sunny Rossi. The Vallarta Garden Club Gala, “Blooming Together,” will take place on January 23, 2025. It’s always the best party of the year. More on that as details spring up From Here.
Tuesday
Empress and the Crown Jewels Band’s sold-out performance last night at Casa Karma covered much musical ground. There was soul music, a lot of jazz, a little three-part harmony choir practice, a conga line, audience participation, rock n’ roll, and dancing. The food was delicious and plentiful. I had to leave before the cake and champagne were served, but CK’s owner, Georgia Darehshori, promised to save me a piece.
Quite a few people slept over at Casa Karma following the concert, taking advantage of Georgia’s low cost per night, further enhancing her Summer Series of Live Music. What a gorgeous morning those people are waking up to in that remarkable villa on the beach in Conchas Chinas.
I saw three people at the event I had not seen in a very long time – Kimberley Bennett, Chris Jacobs from Pasitos de Luz, and Julie Ann. It was wonderful to catch up somewhat between songs.
If you are a performer, please send your bio and a couple of fabulous photographs to be included in Artist Spotlight at VallartaCalendar.com
Next up at Casa Karma are the Golden Tenors in Noche Mexicana on Friday the 13th at 6:30 pm, Viva Mexico, From Here.
Wednesday
What a storm yesterday afternoon! Happily, I had no place to be so I spent the entire day with Bogie, grateful I was not outside in the weather. I had a growing “to-do” list, waiting for a quiet day at home, and sat down with it last night for a review. I could not cross off one damn thing! This meant I futzed and accomplished a bunch of teeny things, got some editing done, and that’s it.
Today, I will go to Centro gym and to Qulture to play Scrabble, and so far, nothing else requires my attention. A quick perusal of VallartaCalendar.com has given me some ideas, maybe Sargento at Garbo’s for later in the evening; it’s good to be/have time to be fluid From Here.
Thursday
I am enjoying being a slug, two nights in a row without an event! In no time, however, we will be up to here in brand-new shows.
My absolute favorite Mexican celebration is coming up this weekend. The Grito de Independencia (Cry for Independence) will ring out from every city and town at around 11 pm. I am SOOO jealous of my Vallarta Mirror/Calendar-partner Kevin will be in Mexico City, where AMLO, President of Mexico, will ring Father Hidalgo’s actual bell (I wonder what they will use in Dolores, Hidalgo, where Cassandra Shaw will be?) It will be the sixth and last time Andres Manuel Lopez Obredor, offers his cry for freedom; next year, a woman’s voice will be heard shouting ¡Viva, México! for the first time in history.
Because everybody rallied to a decade-long war of independence against Spain, nobody wrote down the precise words spoken by Father Hidalgo. So, there is some wiggle room for mayors across the nation to add their city’s name after the final three ¡Viva México! cheers. Wait for the “¡Viva, Puerto Vallarta!”
The crowd, as they say, goes wild!
Following the screaming is the Mexican National Hymn. It is always referred to as a hymn, not an anthem – elevated in Mexican hearts almost to the realm of Sacred Song. Everybody knows every word – little kids stop squirming, stand tall, and sing with all their hearts. I have watched old men stand in reverence with tears pouring down their weathered faces.
Fireworks that rival New Year’s Eve precede dancing in the streets well into the wee hours of the morning.
There are tens of thousands of people in the Main Square and the Malecon, peacefully wandering. Nearby, OXXO’s will run out of beer, and passed bottles of raicilla, and brandy will amicably be shared if you are of a mind.
Go. You will love it. Be there around 10 pm at the latest to get a good place to stand or sit on the edge of the Malecon. The Grito is around 11 pm on Sunday, September 15. The next day is a National Holiday, so you can sleep in. !Viva México ¡ From Here.
Friday
Of course, it’s Friday the 13th! I didn’t need a calendar to warn me as I had a full day yesterday preparing for bad luck. “Bad” is the wrong word. We could just stick with a simple NO.
I had five tentative “maybe-we-can-get-together” plans. One by one, as the day went by, the tentatives became a definite NO. At around 5 pm, I started chopping up a lovely, bright peach chiffon gown to make a jacket. The back and both front panels are super, with enough fabric left over to make ONE sleeve. Not giving in to panic, I started looking through bins of fabric, sure I could find something for sleeves. Nope, nothing. Then my final tentative for dinner crashed like a wave on the beach, so I carefully put down my very sharp scissors, had a quick bite to eat with my adorable kitty, Bogie, and was safely in bed by 7 with a softcover book that wouldn’t kill me if it fell on my face.
A quick perusal of VallartaCalendar.com has The Golden Tenors at Casa Karma at 6:30 tonight, celebrating the music of Mexico. Have a superb weekend, everybody. See you at El Grito, From Here.
