Island Transformation in Puerto Vallarta and More

Have you been watching the transformation of Le Bistro on the Isla Cuale? It used to be the only great restaurant in Vallarta in the old days, and it will reopen very soon. The Group that owns La Palapa and El Dorado Restaurants will reignite that gorgeous spot on the river and restore it to its former glory and then some. A delightful way to test the waters and do a good thing at the same time will be to join the Vallarta Garden Club at Le Bistro on December 13 for our annual Welcome Back Membership Drive. This cocktail party is always a great big reunion with returning snowbirds getting in touch with permanent residents who all share the same goal – finding ways to make Vallarta more beautiful naturally. I will have more delicious details as the day approaches.

Out & About Puerto Vallarta Magazine had another over-the-top successful Gay Mixer last night at La Catrina Cantina. Patrice and I stopped in briefly to say hi to owners Juan Alvarado and Bill Williams and to chat with O & A publisher and my dear and savvy friend, Jerry Jones. All of these Mixers make me happy that I live where I live. The next one will be at Daiquiri Dick’s on the beach next Tuesday, the 26th, from 6 to 8 pm.

There are times when I run out of superlatives. It’s rare, but so was last night’s performance at Coco Cabaret. It was the third time I had seen this tribute to Pink, starring Eva Jimenez. Of course, with its soaring ceiling, the new venue allowed Eva to add more work – exciting stuff that she aced with glorious grace and ease. Her voice, hair (thanks to Joshua Breau), costumes, sound, light, dancers, and aerials were perfect and I so do not like that word because nothing ever is – except for last night’s show. Spontaneous standing ovations were so common throughout the performance that the audience exercised nearly as hard as Eva!

And she did so effortlessly, her smile rarely leaving her lovely face. She engaged everybody, high-fiving the front row, dancing among friends and family (her proud mom and big brother Alejandro were behind us cheering), and genuinely giving Pink fans a show they will remember forever.

There is an energy at Coco Cabaret that crackles when the stage is empty. Add four enthusiastic dancers, a pop-up duet with co-producer Losanna Diaz, and a superstar like Eva Jimenez, and you have E=MC2. Oh, the beautiful power.