Good Morning, From Here, November 15 – 21
Monday
‘Tease’ returns to Coco Cabaret for a second season, with a new, mindblowing show. A few elements from their first shows at Industry three or four years ago remain – the bathtub, fingerpainting in an entirely new (black) light, and others that remind us of the fantastic skills this company of acrobats possesses.
The international team of gymnasts consists of four men and one woman of varying heights, but all are perfectly constructed – well-muscled to be super strong and supple, but they clearly can get through life without bones. No regular human can bend the way these athletes do, seemingly with no effort. They scamper up to the 6-meter-high ceiling of Coco on fabric and, from there, become geometric shapes, perfect squares in the air, then plummet down at the speed of light and lightly touch the stage with a toe to end the perilous flight. How on earth do you practice this stuff?
The bathtub scene is erotic and fun, and not nearly as drenching as it was at Industry. The stage at Coco is deep enough for two boys to play in the water with only a modicum of splashing that involves the audience. The gymnastics that occur while holding onto soaking wet surfaces – the bathtub itself and the two bodies – is breathtaking.
I don’t like ‘spoiler alerts,’ so I won’t even mention a couple of the most astonishing features. You need to see this production with your own eyes and re-gift yourself the genuine awe of childhood.
Another Coco Cabaret production worth seeing more than once is Dia de Muertos, which is suitable for all ages. It is more than ‘suitable’ – it should be required viewing for everyone who still believes death is the end of life. Costumes and makeup get high, high marks in this production, and because host Nacho Granados shares his duties with Roy Cruz (Freddie Mercury tribute artist at the Palm Cabaret), I may have to see this at least one more time this season.
If there are any families out there reading this, pack up your kids and/or grandchildren and head to Coco to see Dia de Muertos and learn how Mexicans traditionally look at death. This one tricky, hard-to-deal-with element of being human is deftly, succinctly, and lovingly handled. And, it’s set to lively music and dance in two languages.
Come back tomorrow morning for a rundown on Tonny Kenneth’s first significant production at Coco Cabaret, Zoe Lewis’s return to the Palm Cabaret, and Sargento holding court at his early Broadway singalong show at Garbo’s Bar.
Tomorrow night has us seeing Roy Cruz star as Freddie Mercury: The Man, The Voice, The Legend at The Palm Cabaret at 5 pm. Following that is Out & About Puerto Vallarta magazine’s Gay Mixer at Coco Cabaret from 6 to 8 pm, topped off with Come Blow Your Horn, Open Mic, starring Gouda Gabor at Nacho Daddy at 7:30, From Here.
Tuesday
Coco Cabaret was full of friends, supporters, sponsors, and fellow performers for the premiere of ‘Rock at the Opera’ last week. Finally, dear and sweet Tonny Kenneth, under the Music Direction of Edgar Bernache, stood before his peers on stage and brought the house down. A little Simon and Garfunkel, Metallica, and more, mixed in with Puccini’s ‘O Mio Babbino Caro.’ Wow! A highlight was Mexican countertenor, Freddy Othelo, and Tonny in a duet from Phantom of the Opera. The entire audience lined up after the show to personally congratulate Tonny on a superb show. I have never seen anything like it – nobody just left the theatre – that speaks volumes.
Irrepressibly optimistic Zoe Lewis was in fine form at the piano or playing her guitar and the guitar’s ‘baby’ ukulele at The Palm Cabaret. This mishmash of her former shows will have to do for her myriad fan base until January, when she will unveil new works.
Zoe is funny and poignant at the same time. She writes as easily and with the same passion about hummingbirds (she travels with a feeder) as she does about Fabuloso, a highly scented, liquid cleaning product originally from Venezuela that has flooded the Mexican and US markets. Zoe surrounded herself with fine musicians and friends, including Zoe Wood on guitar, David Linares on percussion, David Maiocco, who was occasionally pulled from the audience to play the piano, and Fernanda Hernandez, who contributed vocals toward the end of the show. Everyone who has the pleasure of seeing this troubador vaudevillian will leave the theatre with joy in their hearts; she is a marvel.
Patrice and I, and our two friends who are visiting from Canada, met up at Garbo’s Bar after Zoe Lewis’s show to listen to our friend Sargento Dan belt out Broadway classics.
Sargento has two shows a week at Garbo’s Piano Bar. His early show at 8 pm on Sundays features a Broadway singalong to tracks.
His late show starts at 10 pm every Wednesday, and he is joined by maestro Bing Young on piano. Sargento encourages patrons to sing along with him and provides lyrics via a QR code on their smartphones. Sargento’s ‘Whitexican’ sense of humor is blossoming, and if he ever tires of singing, he’ll be a shoo-in as a stand-up comic. To be in this young man’s company for two hours, singing some great old songs together in an extraordinarily comfortable bar, is delightful! Sargento’s coaches, mentors, and most prominent supporters were in the audience: Jan Dorland and Rob Burton. Patrice and I are having dinner with them tomorrow night after we turn them on to the new bar on Morelos Street called White Rabbit Lie, and their stellar Old Fashioned cocktails. Local band The B34st will be playing at this exotic marvel of a bar masquerading as a laundromat. Full report on those shenanigans in good time.
Tonight, we are seeing Freddie Mercury at 5 pm at The Palm Cabaret, the Gay Mixer at Coco Cabaret, and Open Mic at Nacho Daddy (whew!) From Here.
Wednesday
A month or so ago, right after his 2025-26 opening of his show at The Palm, I asked Roy Cruz if, after five years, he was getting tired or bored with Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen in his twice-weekly shows. He said, ”The more I research him and his life, the more honored I am to sing his music.” I have seen many tribute artists comment after a solo about how hard it is to reach and hold that final high note, or how exhausting the dance routine is while singing. That never happens when Roy is channeling Freddie Mercury. I always sit in the front row so I can watch the eyes, see if the entertainer is calling in his performance or living it.
Cruz is so comfortable in his/Freddie’s skin, he can branch out of the script and make a fuss as he did last night with Vallarta’s finest monumental sculptor, Jim Demetro, who was in the audience celebrating his 83rd birthday with his wife Eva and daughter Christina.
The Demetro family and I go back decades to when Jim was first preparing his ‘Vallarta Dancers’ sculpture, which now stands at the foot of Guerrero Street on the Malecon extension. I didn’t get a chance to hug them after the show, but I will try to visit with them soon.
The four of us left The Palm after hugging Roy and his fabulous dancers, and made our way across Zona Romantica to the sister club, Coco Cabaret. From a block away, we could see crowds of people outside on the sidewalk. There wasn’t room inside! Out and About Puerto Vallarta magazine publisher Jerry Jones wrote me this morning that people started arriving early for the Gay Mixer at 5:30 and were still showing up at 7:45. The fact that there was a show at 9 pm finally put a halt to the revelry. Over 400 people stopped in to try to buy a drink and get to know someone new. Wowza. Next Gay Mixer is at Daiquiri Dick’s. We’ll see you there next Tuesday at 6 pm.
Open Mic at Nacho Daddy last night reunited pianist Derek Carkner and Gouda Gabor from their days performing together at Incanto. Derek is another of those naturally funny people who could leave their current professions and careers and leap into stand-up comedy! His rendition of ‘Poisoning Pigeons in the Park’ by Tom Lehrer, written in 1959, actually shocked some of the audience members! Sargento Dan sang as did Nick Rogers, promoting his upcoming show at The Palm – the music of Josh Groban – and Diana Frances put on the skintight, plaid pantsuit and became ‘Match That Snatch’ host, Gene Gayburn, to promote that show coming to Nacho Daddy on December 01. This show was a smash hit last season, so get tickets quickly for the season premiere or their second (only!) show on December 08.
Scrabble at The Q today at 12:30 and White Rabbit Lie at 6 pm, From Here.
Thursday
Another lovely friend of mine has passed away. Alicia Partida’s ashes were to be spread yesterday at the Botanical Gardens; however, some family members want to be here for that, so it has been rescheduled for a later date. Patrice and I are headed that way this afternoon for lunch and to say hi to Curator and Founder Bob Price and his wonderful staff that keep that gorgeous project alive and well. Alicia sold me a bunch of her dresses more than 20 years ago and is 100% responsible for my love of floral-patterned fabric. I wish I could thank her again; I had planned to see her this coming Tuesday at a get-together at Sandra Bradley’s house. Perhaps I will find her amid the flowers and the hummingbirds at the Garden instead.
Patrice and I walked over to Morelos Street late yesterday afternoon and caught a photo of our giant Catrina on the Malecon with her head surrounded by some cool clouds.
We arrived at the new laundromat aka White Rabbit Lie, and after some seconds of trying to open the door, the owner Andrea, swept the door open with a flourish and a laugh. I looked for the camera that I know is there but like White Rabbit Lie itself, nothing is quite what it seems. Our front row seats were reserved in advance or we would have been standing! Evidently, the B34st has an enormous following. Band members were squeezed in tightly on the center stage in a diamond fashion so that nobody’s back was toward the audience, and we were happily ensconced in front of one of the finest drummers we have seen in a very long time. Wow – he was terrific. Lead singer and bass player Wario was in fine fettle.
Jan Dorland and Rob Burton joined us, enjoyed a flute of complimentary champagne (I love the stemware!). Then we ordered a round of WRL’s signature Old Fashioneds. They are fabulous – just bourbon and bitters and a splash of sweetness mingling with a chunk of ice – a superb cocktail.
Our adventure out to the Botanical Garden will start around noon today; if you have not been, go! It is truly one of the finest public gardens in the world and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. Tomorrow we will visit Madeline Milne at her new Living Room Bookstore Cafe in 5 de diciembre, then we will take in the early show at The Palm for Celine Dion: The Power of Love, at 5 pm. Amy Armstrong returns to Nacho Daddy at 7:30 pm on Saturday with ‘Mimi’ on guitar and Eugenia on violin. Her voice is sufficient cause to fill any room, but her sense of humor and comedic timing are off the charts with spontaneous outbursts of dialogue that seem to just pop out of her mouth. She is outrageously hilarious. Nacho Daddy is always a good time. Until tomorrow, take good care of one another, From Here.
Friday
I have been writing my column ”From Here” for a dozen years or so with slight variations in the title and for different publications, but it has always been written From Here, from my heart.
2026 will mark 40 years since Puerto Vallarta cast an indelible spell on me, and after spending two weeks here in 1986, my life was rerouted completely and utterly, and in February of 1991, I moved here permanently. When I started writing my column, it was for all the people like me, who I used to be, trapped in a cold environment, planning a vacation to this amazing city.
Fast forward from eight years of writing a weekly column with a 750-word count for the Vallarta Tribune that abruptly stopped publishing, then switching to PV Mirror until it teetered on the edge of oblivion two years ago, when founder and publisher Allyna Vineberg, in deteriorating health, could no longer physically do the work.
And now, two years later, neither can I.
On December 31st, 2025, the Vallarta Mirror and its weekly companion, the Rearview Mirror, will cease publication – that is to honor obligations to my advertisers. My contributors, all who have lives, will be fine.
And I will continue to do what I love above all else – writing about Vallarta and particularly about our thriving entertainment industry. From Here will continue to be published in VallartaCalendar.com (Around Town) and on Facebook exactly as it is now. It is all the other stuff not created by me that will drift away.
Let me be clear – I have a chronic neck condition that is exacerbated by hours in front of a computer screen. Not life-threatening, just life interrupting. So, I am open to talking about the future of Vallarta Mirror if there is/could be/should be one. Perhaps there is someone who wants, no, not wants, someone who can afford to revive the PV Mirror’s printed persona.
I have lived a fabulous life thus far, and frankly, it pisses me off that I cannot physically do whatever I want anymore. My body has given me a clear and firm warning – do only what gives you utter joy, or I will shut you down.
My utter joy is seeing and listening to Vallarta at play, then writing about that.
Trying to convey in mere words to those who could not be with me at the concert or a pick-up singalong in a restaurant, the vibrant colors of the voices, the bodies, the souls laid bare of our exquisite artistic community, bursting with love of their craft, having to share parts of themselves with me personally and with you, my dear readers by happy default. That’s what I have to/want to do with the rest of my life without pressure.
Thanks for reading; I feel better already, From Here.
