A Night Of Burlesque
I have been watching Gloria Fiona since the day she appeared in the now (sadly) defunct Voice of Vallarta. Over the 12 years since placing second in that contest, she has grown exponentially more integral into the fabric of entertainment in Vallarta.
She arrived from Italy on vacation, and that thing, that bewitchment that Vallarta is wont to do to some of us, befell her, compelling her to stay here. For that, we will be forever grateful to have this woman in our midst.
She learned to speak English and Spanish, flirted heavily with rock and roll music, slid into sequined gowns, and commandeered the largest concert hall in the city, paying tribute to Adele. She married the girl she loved on the beach south of town, has painted with a boa constrictor, reconnected with her spirituality, and took over La Catrina Cantina twice with blackout curtains and soft whips.
Last Friday, Gloria unveiled Burlesque – Tied Up, to a sold-out, spell-bound La Catrina Cantina audience. Her voice was spectacular, and she easily and kindly thanked each of us for being there with her and her guests.
Aldonza Della Callabazza stripped off just enough to be able to play a smoking rendition of Fever on her violin. Alejandra Matus and Dabit Azofeifa, the magical clown couple, Tromba Vetusta, from Costa Rica, had Dabit balancing, stripping, and juggling all pretty much at the same time, which was breathtaking to say the least! Vallarta’s favorite puppy, Sargento Dan, was in fine form, but the action went sideways when a volunteer from the audience was tied up by a gorgeous masked bodybuilder on stage.
The fun ramped up when Gloria innocently challenged anybody else to join the lucky woman, clad in black, already on her knees onstage. A surge of young women caught Gloria and us by happy surprise, and the gentle melee that unfolded before our eyes was proof enough that lots of people in Vallarta apparently enjoy S and M!
It was enlightening and fun, with 
being the safe word. It may or may not have come in handy later on Friday night. Again, Gloria triumphed as the fearless woman that she is, singing or silent, she is formidable and so loved.
I learned this weekend of the passing of Jean-Guy Comeau in Montreal, Canada. His partner, artist Petru Voichescu, is sadly going through papers and planning the funeral. He has not had a chance to think about a Celebration of Life for Jean-Guy here in Vallarta. Please send Petru healing energy to get him through this most difficult and heartbreaking time.
Jean-Guy touched so many of us with his infectious smile and deep love of music. His joie de vivre was so evident every time he sat in front of a piano, barely able to keep himself from bouncing up and down in anticipation of the next note and the even richer note to follow. To watch him play was to know Joy. Rest in Peace, lovely ‘Jay Gee.’