Musical Energy
Happy Monday, Happy March and to the hundreds of friends who took the time to comment on my February 28 thank-you note/love letter to Vallarta on my 35th anniversary of moving to Mexico, thank you. The only negative consequence of living in Vallarta is that time passes in ‘Vacation Mode.’ Two weeks sitting behind your desk goes waaaaay slower than two weeks sitting on a beach drinking mango margaritas! There, I have lodged my singular complaint!
Celebrating Sunday yesterday, as it should always be, with song at two venues, beginning with The Palm Cabaret and another fantastic Chris Lopez Production, ”Stronger Together.” This concert was a fundraiser for the Gay+ Community Center and was underattended due to another conflicting fundraiser. It was a terrific show, and hopefully it will appear again, maybe during Pride in May? It was a first: these performers on the same stage at the same time. Everyone was a star in their own right, and the summation of their voices nearly removed the roof at The Palm Cabaret. Get this lineup: Chris Lopez, star of his Sam Smith Tribute and producer of the show; Maru Prado Conti, Lady Gaga; Nacho Granados, tributes to Sinatra, Tom Jones, and costarring in the upcoming Rat Pack (also produced by Chris Lopez); Armando Chakam, tributes to Michael Buble and the Rat Pack (Armando is looking very Elvis Presley-circa 1958-ish lately!); Eva Jimenez, superstar in her Pink Tribute at Coco Cabaret; Mau Jimenez, Eva’s big brother, who is indeed, The Boss in his Bruce Springsteen show; and Steven Retchless, the perfect Britney Spears; and last but not least, Alexis Macias, pianist and vocalist in the Roxsand Band, and soon to be part of The Rat Pack opening one week from today at The Palm Cabaret at 7 pm. All out of their comfort zones, without costumes, singing together, everyone had at least one solo, and from the look of things, a helluva good time! This super energetic performance was right up there with Live Aid; all that was missing was you!
From The Palm Cabaret to Teatro Vallarta for Kevin Anthony‘s six-months-in-the-making, ”Elevated” concert. My Danish friend Lars Sundberg offered me a fortuitous ride from my house to the theatre in his car, which was so very kind of him. I met Deborah Cole at the door – Kevin Feltner and hubby Rob Dornan, of VallartaCalendar.com fame, sat right behind us. The aforementioned Roxsand Band was joined onstage by the entire Vallarta Symphony Orchestra. Headed by illustrious conductor Aquiles Morales, the blending of a kick-ass rock-and-roll band with an enormous orchestra created a loud, beautiful noise.
Kevin’s two guest stars were the lovely Kim Kuzma and hard-rock singer (but not often enough!) Diego Guerrero.
Kevin was delighted with last night’s turnout despite ”Elevated” being moved ahead a week due to ‘The Troubles’ (a grand Northern Ireland euphemism for ‘violent protests’) last Sunday. Anthony is beginning to plan next year’s extravaganza, which he promises will be bigger and better, given the extra time he has to spend on infrastructure. For now, my friend, bask in the glory you created testing the ”Elevated” waters, From Here.
