Listening to Heaven
Our Lady of Guadalupe filled up after Mass last night for a fundraising concert for the Church led by David Boz, a Victoria, Canada trumpeter. David has been putting together these free classical concerts annually for over a dozen years. A difficult task from an organizational standpoint – different countries, languages, and conflicting schedules.
David was joined by coloratura soprano Vanessa Amaro and organist Ruben Real, and while David and Vanessa had worked together in previous years, the two had only a couple of days to rehearse with the organist. The Church’s new organ sounded wonderful!
The music began with Handel, continued with Johann Sebastian Bach, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Mozart, et al, and ended, 90 minutes later, as all David’s concerts do, with fellow Canadian Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.
Vanessa was in fine voice, singing in German, Italian, Spanish, and English; she has never sounded better.
Next month, another classical concert will take place at the Church. I will keep you informed as the date approaches.
Tonight, the biggest party of the year unfolds at Oscar’s on the Isla. The Wonderland Gala, brought to you by the Vallarta Garden Club and spearheaded by President Sunny Rossi, starts at 6 pm with cocktails on the lawn, then dinner inside, and dancing later to Daniel Celis’ band Monaco. They were a huge hit last year. The spectacular setting of Oscar’s restaurant – incidentally, the first place I ever had dinner in Vallarta, way back in 1986 – becomes even more beautiful with decorations and flowers. Pictures in the morning, along with a full report on the shenanigans.
Bella Vox presents Ava Nicole Frances tomorrow at The Palm Cabaret. I have heard nothing but fabulous reviews about this singer. That’s at 7 pm.
A Teatro Vallarta fundraiser on Sunday for the Vallarta School for Girls, organized by Mary Porter, is from 4 to 6 pm and will showcase every single performer in Vallarta who is not on stage elsewhere during those hours! Don’t forget Mary Porter’s show at The Palm on Monday. Mary will be reprising her New York debut at 54 Below for one night only. Her guests include singer Enrique de Allende, violinist Geo Uhrich, percussionist Hamlet CV, bass guitarist Jared Garcia, all under the musical direction of the dapper Derek Carkner. Mary will be donating all proceeds from her show to the Girls’ School.
See you all tonight, down the rabbit hole, From Here.
