Sips, Songs And A Toast To Curtains Up
Stepping right back onto the sand at El Solar, Sandra Bradley and I, snifters of mezcal in hand, made a beeline for a small clump of gorgeous men – Sebastian Coronel, Alejandro Barron Ortiz, and Daniel Celis. Dani’s show, a spectacular tribute to Elton John, ”The Rocketman Concert,” opens The Palm Cabaret‘s 26th season, at 5 pm, on October 16, and continues every Thursday. Daniel’s band, Monaco, is extraordinary, and you’ll have a tough time staying still in your seat.
Just as we walked up, Daniel was finding out from Sebastian and Alejandro that ”The Superheroes” debuted LAST season: Daniel was all excited to see the show. Well…he will see parts of it when Boys on Fire, headed by Sebastian, open Coco Cabaret with the Best of Boys on Fire, at 9 pm, October 15th. The B of B on F will highlight the juiciest parts of the past five seasons. I am so looking forward to that opening.
Alejandro asked which of the three new shows he and his compadres in Boys on Fire I was most looking forward to seeing. I answered ”Humans,” having seen some of the steamy rehearsals. That debuts at Coco at 9 pm, October 19th. Their third show, “Dia de Muertos – Traditions of Life and Death,” debuts at 5 pm on October 18, also at Coco Cabaret.
After that performance, I will stop at La Catrina Cantina to see how the game show is unraveling with Christian Manly. From there, a short walk up to The Palm for the fourth season opener at 9 pm of the new tribute to Lady Gaga. Maru Prado Conti stars in “Mother Mayhem,” featuring her hard-working dancers, not her adorable puppy, which is with her everywhere, and occasionally on stage.
And, speaking of dancers, my favorite in the city walked up, drink in hand, and a big smile, for hugs. Francisco Guizar Martinez Dosart, aka ”Paco,” was as charming as ever, fit as ever, and exuding that undefinable edginess he can barely contain. (Whew, I need a minute…). Happy Birthday to you, Paco, in a couple more days!
We ended our conversations with Nacho Granados, who raved about a recent concert in Ajijic put together by the irrepressible Steve Balfour, starring himself (Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra), the Birthday Boy, Chris Lopez (Sam Smith), and Roy Cruz(aka Freddie Mercury). They sang music from the ’60s and ’70s and brought the house down, according to all reports. Not only will this remake of ”Remake” from a couple of seasons ago make a comeback here in Vallarta with this fantastic new trio, but Nacho is teaming up with Armando Chakam for a Sinatra/Michael Buble blowout that will be fabulous. Stay tuned here for news on dates and locations.
The beautiful and talented Laura ‘Sol’ Reyes, former Miss Colombia and the last winner of Voice of Vallarta, was on the beach with her wonderfully supportive husband Joe Liimatta, originally from Victoria, Canada, wishing with the rest of us another spectacular turn around the sun for Chris Lopez.