A Pianist’s Legacy and Game Nights In Vallarta
Welcome to the first full day of Fall. I was going to leap into my column this morning, but saw I had a message from Petru. He had forwarded a lovely video made about his partner and my friend Jean-Guy Comeau. I have shared it on Facebook. Seeing the year he was born, 1958, gave me pause. I am seven years older and have so much more to do and say in this fragile existence of life. As I am sure Jean-Guy had and did not have the opportunity.
I often wrote about Jean-Guy’s exuberance as he played the piano, as he could barely sit still in anticipation of playing the following note. Once at Incanto, I think it was, he played a very moving piece. He was still as could be, eyes closed, intent on barely brushing the keys to hold that music softly. I wrote the next day that he was the only pianist I knew who could ”make a piano whisper.” He thanked me later, saying it was the highest praise he had ever received. Rest in Peace, amigo. We will meet again.
Something wild and crazy took place at La Catrina Cantina over the weekend: ”Game On! With Christian” Manly, a trivia game show to a very nearly packed house!
Several teams competed for significant prizes, all of which went to the winners. Around 500 USD’s worth of goodies! I loved how Christian introduced the prize donors throughout the two-hour show and talked about each one, often having used the product or service himself. That made it very personal, great marketing, and should encourage businesses to contribute to the cause!
A high-tech production that will be dialed back somewhat in future shows because it was fraught with timing issues, it was, however, the first trial run, so everybody learned a bunch of lessons! Overall, it is a great idea, pulled from TV shows of the past, and something Christian did before COVID struck. He is a good host and will look into incorporating some Scrabble! I know who might be on a team!
The trivia questions were difficult for me, as I don’t watch TV or pay much attention to today’s current affairs, so I was impressed by the answers from the crowd. And, the bonus round had the entire bar on high alert. It was actually quiet in there while teams planned their wagers and plotted their answers. The ooohs and aaahs were loud and long as one by one, the teams were eliminated, and the victors, aptly named ”The Winners” took the stage and received their grand prize(s).
The testing ground will have two more shots to convince La Catrina Cantina owner, Juan Alvarado, that it’s something his patrons want to do on a regular basis. Stay tuned for exact dates and times as they grow nearer, but it will be every two weeks for the trial run. The next game show up will be ”Name That Tune!”
Come back tomorrow to learn all about Mitchell Rivadeneyra.