Recap: Good Morning, From Here, September 13 – 19
Monday
¡Viva, Mexico! ¡Viva! Practicing for tonight’s Grito at the Presidencia at 11 pm! To me, this celebration is the single most defining Mexican ritual that I can think of. It brings together all age groups and occupations, singles, couples, and entire families, joining as one voice to shout their love and deep respect for their homeland. If you have never been, take a nap, and get downtown to not only witness this love fest but also join in giving thanks to this city and country, where we feel so blessed to be.
There’ll be spectacular fireworks and dancing in the streets.
I met up with Sharon Gerber Scherer last night at La Catrina Cantina to see the first show featuring the recent winner of La Voz de Catrina, Mitchell Rivadeneyra. Mitchell and I will sit down soon for some chit chat – I am dying to know why he stopped doing drag! Just prior to Mitchell taking the stage, Sharon and I enjoyed the tail end of the weekly Catrina Cantina Sunday show, sadly missing Tonny K but catching Alberto Ponce in fine voice and countertenor Freddy Otelo unleashing his inner Motown goddess while we ate delish popcorn.
Mitchell is young, slender as a reed, freshly gorgeous to look at, and so at home on the stage and mingling with his audience. He reminded both Sharon and me of a 1940s-era black and white movie star, or a young, wide-eyed Cuban Desi Arnaz.
Mitchell’s first full-length show was packed with dance music with lots of Lady Gaga, whom Mitchell had perfected in his Karma La Perra persona. I must say, I prefer Mitchell out of a dress, although his taste was exquisite and he was lovely in sequins, but it’s nice not to have so many layers between the star of the show and the audience. I am itching to sit down with him and talk!
Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing some heavy hitters in the audience, whom I hadn’t seen since last Season. Notably, Jordon Carnegie, the star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a brilliantly executed rock musical that should return to either the Palm or Coco Cabaret soon. I will let you know the details. Jordon’s handsome husband Richard was there as well – I rarely have the opportunity to see them together.
No stranger to La CC, Gloria Fiona and her wife, Good Irene, were tucked into a corner deep in conversation early on with tremendously talented artist Hector Belloc, who has his fingers in so many artistic pies…I have a feeling he may be involved in something related to Gloria’s upcoming Halloween Burlesque show. Stay tuned for more on that revelry!
I am feeling a change in the temperature and the growing tension in town: The anticipatory tension of Season. It happens every year when we are caught at the end of the rains with the energy-draining heat and humidity and the knowledge that the tourists are coming back…our life’s blood, From Here.
Tuesday
Happy Birthday/Independent Mexico! Last night’s festivities on the Malecon were soggy and quieter than I have ever experienced before, but the show must go on, right? And it did.
A very good band was set up at the opposite end of the Malecon, next to the lighthouse. They kept the wet crowd dancing and happy. I was so pleased it wasn’t pouring rain, but even with the steady shower, more than once I thought about racing home to my dry bed!
Vallarta’s Mayor, Luis Munguia, did a fine job of reciting the Grito and waving the flag, once it was freed of its cover. The fireworks were fabulous; I really have to learn how to photograph them. All I get are blobs of color against an inky and wet sky.
After Bingo at Awaysis Rio, during which time the ferocious electrical storm began, and the rain, of course, I wandered along the river back towards downtown and did not meet a soul. Or a dog, or a cat, or a car. Just me walking in a gentle rain. I had time to peruse the houses as I walked by them on the sidewalk. It seems like parts of that road were raised (a lot) long after some of the riverfront houses were built, so that their steps go down to their front door, from prime waterfront property to living in Vallarta’s Underground.
I walked over to see the new Bar Frida 4.0 on Francisco Madero, and to raise a glass of fine tequila with owner Tom Finley and to hug Mike Laking. They are so happy with their new digs. There is more space, and their dedicated patrons have followed them, clearly, into their warm, inviting bar.
John Car as Frida was resplendent in a new frock, and greeted everyone when they arrived. I sat next to John’s mom, close to the front door, and said hi to the entertainment as they drifted in. Nick Rogers and Jordon Carnegie were up first, but I had to get downtown for the Grito. In retrospect, with every raindrop that trickled past my umbrella and ran like ice down my back, I was sorry I didn’t stay at Bar Frida longer. Next time!
I have meetings all this week with uber interesting people from diverse backgrounds that I am eager to get to know better. Some I’m looking to pick their brains, while others I’m interested in finding out what’s coming up on stages around Vallarta. You will be the first to know!
A big military parade is starting imminently this morning. Traffic will be a mess, and the buses will likely only come into town as far as Casa Ley.
I can’t imagine the high emotions of El Grito last night in Mexico City: For the first time in the history of this country, the ¡Vivas! were led by a woman. Enjoy this day of rest, From Here.
Wednesday
Scrabble and doggie Bingo today, but first a look at what’s coming up at The Palm and Coco Cabarets, starting next month. I sat down with Mark Rome, who oversees scheduling for both entertainment venues, over smoothies at the Vallarta Factory. It would be a nightmare job for most people and sometimes for Mark when he is juggling hundreds of people’s schedules (sorry, the bass player has another gig that night), to personality conflicts mixed with complicated artists who are, by nature, different from the rest of us human beings. Five of them sent texts while we were enjoying our smoothies.
Mark and I traded a few Canadian vacation tidbits – he from Ontario, me from southern Alberta. Neither one of us chooses to go back often, with our remaining respective family members coming down here to visit rather than the reverse.
Two updated favorites from seasons past return to kick off the Palm and Coco Cabarets 2025/26 season, starting October 16. At 5 pm, at The Palm, Daniel Celis brings his exuberant Elton John tribute back with his superb Monaco Band. At 9 pm, Eva Jimenez stars as Pink at Coco Cabaret. You’ll have time for dinner, somewhere in the neighborhood, and easily make both shows. Ticket prices remain, for now at least, the same as last Season.
Drag shows will feature heavily at both venues, with some of the world’s best performers clamoring to perform in the arguably gayest entertainment beach resort globally. A few of the gurls returning include Kevin Levesque as Miss Conception, Hedda Lettuce, and Mama Tits.
Perennial favorites Roy Cruz and Maru Prado Conti star as Freddy Mercury and Lady Gaga, respectively, in new shows and concepts. Every month, Chris Lopez will reprise his brilliant tribute to Sam Smith, and Gloria Fiona her touching tribute to Adele. Seventy shows and counting. That includes The Soul Brothers, newcomers to Coco Cabaret, who will have that venue jumping with their wild antics as they channel the late great John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. I have seen these two brothers from Ontario perform multiple times; they are fabulous! Look for them in the New Year.
After Mark Rome left to fetch his cat, I met up with Irene Jimenez (Good Irene) and Gloria Fiona, also for smoothies. They gifted me a jar of sacred cacao that I am looking forward to trying with a bit of honey.
As I suspected, artist Hector Belloc will bring his artistic and formidable organizational abilities to Gloria Fiona Productions for several projected ”affairs of the heart.” Some will be public, while others are private and still in the planning stages, but they will be seriously HOT! Speaking of hot, the Halloween show at La Catrina will star Gloria with guests, AND will have an art exhibit and a fashion show of sexy clothing. And that’s still a month away, so stay tuned for what other adventures may pop into that heady mix!
Gloria Fiona Productions is also hard at work building the first women-only music festival, collaborating with ‘Maria Felix,’ Angel Macias, slated for March, From Here.
Thursday
Game day yesterday…hours of Scrabble followed by hours of bingo. I had the pleasure of playing both with Carmen Griggs, a new member of our tiny Scrabble club, who also joined me at Nacho Daddy for Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic bingo.
Our first Scrabble game dragged on, with the last five turns spent deciding where to place one letter at a time. It was brutal – look at the board! A huge mess! We managed to play two more games that were far more civilized.
Bingo was more of the same. Read into that that neither Carmen nor I won a thing, but we were close every game, which just pisses me off! I thought I should show you some of the great prizes that are available to win (ay, there’s the rub!). Bottles of wine, dog and cat goodies, candles, jewelry, gift certificates for stores and restaurants, and so much more. If you are a business and would like to participate, it’s easy. You could donate a T-shirt, a hat with your logo, gift certificates for drinks and/or food if you have a bar or restaurant. Tickets to shows if you have entertainment. You can donate puzzles that you have completed, and know all the pieces are there.
The most beneficial thing you can do is give money directly to this vital charity that spays and neuters 20 cats and dogs for free every Saturday without fail. That has been going on for 13 years! That’s a lot of preemption, considering each dog and cat can produce hundreds of offspring if left to their own devices, and then factor in their offspring having babies. The numbers exponentially rise into the millions!
So, money first, that’s critical. Vets have to be paid, medicine has to be bought, and there are expenses like rent, electricity, etc. You can volunteer to help with the weekly surgeries, and you can come and play bingo at Nacho Daddy every other Wednesday. Check VallartaCalendar.com for dates.
If you’re looking for a great beach restaurant to enjoy dinner and watch the sunset, consider Langostinos, owned by Colette Zarry, a co-founder of Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic. Colette donates 10% of all sales to her clinic, so you can eat and drink with your toes in the sand, knowing you are playing a significant role in stopping the spread of unwanted kitties and puppies on the streets of Vallarta.
And, if you fall in love with a beach dog or cat and would love to take it back to Canada or the States, Colina is happy to help you with that. Flight angels are always needed to accompany adopted animals flying north, and it won’t cost you a thing. The good karma associated with that will last a lifetime for you and the animal that flies with you to a better home, From Here.
Friday
Did you get your copy of the Rearview Mirror this morning at 7? If you are scratching your head or don’t know whatthehell that is, I’ll tell you! Besides this column, Vallarta Mirror’s content is contributed by a number of writers who cover a wide range of topics, including deep sea fishing, herbal remedies, tropical plantings, spirituality, and more, all of which are added daily. The Rearview Mirror takes those weekly articles into a bundle and ships them off every Friday morning to your inbox, like a newspaper or magazine, so you can start your weekend off right. There is no charge, and subscribing is as easy as clicking on this: https://vallartamirror.com/rearview-mirror-signup/
Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting down in an old, old Vallarta house a block or so up from the river and chatted with Bryan Stocks, his husband, Roger Allen, and their dog. The dog said little as he was recovering from a health issue, but he was loving and kind to this dedicated cat person.
This couple has lived in Vallarta for eight years and has already made so many contributions to our community, starting with their latest venture, which is where we sat and talked for an hour – The Vallarta Social Club, a fascinating bar from top to bottom.
Oddly enough, some of their friends from the US comment how ”New York” the place is but, with the exception of a few chairs from Guadalajara, everything on the walls and the floor came from Vallarta, and a lot of it from Elizabeth Taylor’s estate, including relics from Night of the Iguana that she was not in but was certainly around for the filming of it back in the early 60s.
Roger hopes to mark those special items with brass plaques one day. Vallarta’s recent history may not be old, but it is certainly colorful and newsworthy!
Within two weeks of their arrival in Vallarta, Roger and Bryan bought Bar Anonimo, and after that, they opened the upscale One Six One bar next door on Rodolfo Gomez with their new friend, who I have not yet met, Brian Kent. These three new friends also opened a breakfast place on Amapas across from the Tropicana Hotel called The Porch Cafe. When the vacant (for decades) building housing Vallarta’s only speakeasy became available, Bryan and Roger opened the Tunnel Bar first, partnering with Tamale and Sugarbaker, which opened in March 2023, then added The Brick Oven pizza place in May of this year. The Social Club has been wowing the populace since November 2024. What shenanigans are planned for their first anniversary, that’s quickly coming up?
With jazz being the basis around which the entertainment swings at the Social Club, there will be some very cool additions this coming Season. As owner, Roger Allen says, ”Where jazz meets the circus!” Stay tuned for more.
I am meeting Mitchell Rivadeneyra for mango smoothies and finding out all kinds of goodies from this shapeshifting magnet of an entertainer. See you back here Monday morning, From Here.
