A Murder Mystery and Armando Chakam

On the agenda: Scrabble Tourney, Bingo, and the Opening Night of Vaude-Villains this evening at Act2PV. Restful compared to yesterday’s offerings that began at the crack of 8:30, shopping in Coapinole for a few choice pieces of clothing and a stop at my fave seed store for flax and chia.

I wanted Patrice to see Buenos Aires – A Tango Murder Mystery at The Palm. I saw the Sebastian Coronel production on Opening Night a few weeks ago and was impressed then, but I was blown away by the improvements and tweaks in the storyline. The football portion has been expanded – so fun; I swear I could see the ball passing between the three players. Tango is serious dancing with zero frivolity for the most part, so truly enjoyed the portrayal of the other Argentine passion! If you love exquisite, precision dance, Buenos Aires should be at the top of your list of shows to see.

Patrice and I hung around after Buenos Aires, walked to Zumo to peruse the menu and plan our next dinner there, had a quick tour of the now-open, gorgeous Tryst Hotel down the street from Zumo, and returned to The Palm to line up with a close to sold-out house for the Opening Night Tribute to Michael Bublé.

What a triumph for Armando Chakam in his first solo show. With help from Matt Karimi and Chris Lopez, the production value bar was set as high as it could go. With a Big Roxsand Band led by Musical Director Alexis Macias – eight musicians onstage with two back-up singers and two dancers. The whole package was picture-perfect. Armando’s voice with that kinda scratchy Rod Stewart longing behind the notes and the sweetness of his gentle personality oozed out of every pore and filled the Palm with love, tenderness, and a soft joy that lingered for hours afterward.

Armando was presented with a surprise bouquet of sunflowers at the end of his show – an appropriate choice to celebrate a concert full of sunniness and light. I think if Michael Bublé had been in the house, he would have delivered the flowers himself.