Round One of RISE Competition
Sunday is the new Saturday, with dance class at noon at the International Friendship Club, taught by Deborah Darr. Even though this is non-impact stuff, I am grateful for the end where we are on the floor on cushions relaxing; I do that best!
Round One (of two) of Season Four of the So, You Think You Can Rise? talent competition took place at Coco Cabaret. Prescott Seymour hosted the event, which featured eight vocalists. The uber-animated Sargento translated everyone’s English comments into Spanish. Sargento finished second in last year’s contest after then-ten-year-old Angeloo scooped first place.
Different protocols this year – the four judges face the audience with their backs to the performers, and the contestants’ names are withheld until after the judging a la ‘The Voice.’ Coco Cabaret’s second tier over the main stage was perfect! The audience recognized friends, of course, made some noise and alerted the judges to listen hard. It was exciting when two (or more) judges vied to become the coach of the aspiring singer. There were some surprise entries; this show gets better and better every season, culminating in the Grand Finale on February 23 at Teatro Vallarta. The four vocalists going to the finale are: Mitch Kushner, Jason Mathis, Vizente Cañas, and Warren Wesley Weir. They will work hard for the next month with their respective judges and now coaches: Luis Villanueva, Maru Prado Conti, Roy Cruz, and Kevin Anthony.
Next Sunday at 2 pm, Richard Lucas, aka Gouda Gabor, will host the second and final round of eight contestants – no singers; these will be dancers, acrobats, jugglers, magicians, and more; we will have to wait and see what the variety portion of the show brings us. Coco was packed, so get your tickets and yourself to the theater in good time next Sunday for the 2 pm start.
I had lunch with David Boz at the Vallarta Cigar Factory yesterday. It has been five years since he’s been here with his piccolo trumpet in hand, playing Bach; we had a lot to talk about! The sound of this baroque horn echoing off the hallowed walls of our Guadalupe church is the definition of h-e-a-v-e-n. His concert is this coming Friday, January 17th, at 8:30 pm. If you love classical music, then do not miss this FREE concert; just get there early, as there is no reserved seating. The concert also stars the gorgeous soprano Vanessa Amaro and concert pianist Aquiles Morales playing the organ and taking a break from his Vallarta Symphony Orchestra job as conductor. Boz has been offering these fabulous free concerts since 2013 and is delighted to be back picking up these musical threads and spreading the magic of Bach, et al, once again. There will be a donation basket passed with 100% of the funds given to the Church.
The next day, Saturday the 18th, is the first anniversary of the Vallarta Gay+ Community Center. There is an Open House at the Center from 2 to 5 pm, Morelos 1021, Local 3B. See you there and everywhere.