Another Sold Out Performance at Casa Karma
In grand style, the City of Vallarta celebrated pata salada painter Javier Niño’s 74th birthday. The Presidencia was full of friends, family, representatives from the mayor’s office, and the cultural department.
Javier’s wife, Nathalie Herling, Director of Arte Vallarta Museo, gave a short speech in Spanish, after which we all descended to eat awaiting cakes from Pie in the Sky and toast Javier’s latest painting, “Jaguar Queen.”
Many happy returns, Javier, and thank you for making Vallarta even more beautiful with your colorful, creative canvases.
The next day was the First Saturday of the Month Fiesta at Arte Museo. The weather was cranky and kept most people at home, but those who ventured out enjoyed wine and lovely company, comfortably sitting beside the bar for a couple of hours. I left early in Sylvie’s bright orange VW bus to go to Nacho Daddy’s 16th season opener starring Lady Zen.
Zen, who lives in San Miguel de Allende, is a powerful performer who creates incredibly diverse vignettes for us to marvel at whenever they come to town, only a couple of times a year. I would need a list a meter long to list their formidable accomplishments in just the last five years. Every show is markedly different, right down to set design! Zen’s new album is up for a Grammy, and the film they wrote and starred in last year won dozens and dozens of prizes internationally at festivals. Zen is constantly creating, changing, writing, and altering how their words are presented. Wherever you are in the world, see Lady Zen at every given opportunity; you will come away changed by the love.
Another Gloria Fiona Production sold out in the living room at Casa Karma last night. Weeks of hype “Who is Alicia Keys?” were answered with the literal unveiling of pianist and singer Isabel Zuleta, who will star in a full-blown tribute to the American R&B singer-songwriter coming at the height of season in Vallarta.
I will be back at Casa Karma tonight for the sold-out performance of Empress and the Crown Jewels—full report on that in the morning.
This just in from Sunny Rossi. The Vallarta Garden Club Gala, “Blooming Together,” will take place on January 23, 2025. It’s always the best party of the year. More on that as details spring up.