La Voz Winner: Mitchell Rivadeneyra
¡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 Otello 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.