Author: Marcia Blondin

Last weekend was rich with diverse musical genres, from Cabaret to Bach Cantatas and back to Cabaret. But first, a Grand Opening of a new shop in a section of Vallarta undergoing a rebirth at Los Mercados. Tashara Smith Santana cut the ribbon at the front door of Usawa with her husband on one side,…

Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic Bingo at Nacho Daddy was good, broke my losing streak, and won the second game – Langostinos; here I come (again!) for vegetarian pasta. This weekend is full of great things to do and listen to, including: Tonight, Friday, is the Grand Opening of Tash Smith Santana’s (yes, that Santana!)…

There is something incredible about being out of the city, right by the Rio Cuale with green mountains in the distance shining in the late afternoon sun, and some of the best music of your life being sung mere feet away by a tremendously talented musician. And so it was, last Tribute Tuesday, out in…

Sargento is funny and doesn’t have to tell jokes to make people laugh. He just has to step into a room or step on a stage; he requires attention like the perfect extrovert he is. In return, you will laugh and be joyous because that’s how Sargento flies through life. He is meticulously coquettish, and…

Sunday is the new Saturday, with dance class at noon at the International Friendship Club, taught by Deborah Darr. Even though this is non-impact stuff, I am grateful for the end where we are on the floor on cushions relaxing; I do that best! Round One (of two) of Season Four of the So, You…

To Adele, a Tribute by Gloria Fiona at Teatro Vallarta was… Grand. From the sequins glittering like stars under the intense lights to the string quartet, it was a concert played at Vallarta’s highest possible level. Gloria’s voice soared over the stage and was touched with emotion that ran high all evening. Her musicians were…

For the first time in years, I heard from an old client and friend from Vallarta Tribune days, Kassiano Smith, a Jamaican-born, internationally famous singer, entrepreneur, environmentalist, healer, and dad. He wanted me to know about the launch of his daughter’s new storefront. I first met Kass’s daughter, Tashara, about 10 years ago when she…

The highly-anticipated season opener of Airotic at Coco Cabaret finally materialized last night. Every new, plushly upholstered club chair was filled. This show, originally from the men’s club Industry that lifted its ban on women for Airotic’s run for the past two seasons, has found a new home at Coco Cabaret. The expansive, six-meter-high stage…

It rained for about a minute this morning around 6:15; I hope that’s not a preview for the rest of the day. Do you have your tickets for Blooming Together, the annual Vallarta Garden Club Gala? It’s three weeks tomorrow, January 23rd, at Oscar’s, and after our last board meeting on Monday, it is shaping…

My multi-talented dear friend Deborah Darr, painter, ex-Broadway dancer, singer, and snowbird for three months every year, is also a certified N.I.A. teacher. Her classes are held at the International Friendship Club across from the Municipal Market every Sunday at noon. The fee, 120 pesos, is a donation to the IFC. The workout is gentle,…

Does everybody have a nice big chunk of Rosca, Three Kings bread, with coffee this Epiphany morning? (Don’t break a tooth on baby Jesus.) I read that Mexico City residents will spend 4 billion pesos on gifts for their kids today; Christmas just keeps on giving. The Palm Cabaret has premiered a new show called…

I had the best time at Casa Cupula last night at Out & About Puerto Vallarta Magazine’s Gay Mixer. I was met at the door by owner/publisher Jerry Jones and his whole crew there to greet everyone, photograph the absolutely gorgeous surroundings overlooking the city, Bay of Banderas and every now and again, a naked…

Yesterday, I wandered over to Nacho Daddy to play bingo for the Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic because I thought it would be quiet, and I needed to see if my voice would still function after not seeing humans again for a couple of days. Did I ONCE get a chance to yell “Bingo!”? Of…

How was your night? Intimate and warm? Raucous, noisy and fueled by alcohol? However you decided to greet the New Year, I hope you are home safely reading this. Welcome to 2025! I think it’s going to be wonderful start to finish with new projects, a whole passel of new people who are bright and…

The last day of the year and I have two key things on my agenda – buy broccoli and see my doctor at IMSS. Just to order annual blood work; I am a few months overdue. I have said this before – if you want to fill every seat in your venue, bring in Effie…

I heard yesterday that Peter Oudman sadly passed away in Calgary on Saturday. If you ever attended any Pasitos de Luz Riverfest celebrations over a dozen years at El Rio BBQ Bar, you would have met him at some point. He and his wife Teena, were responsible for building Casa Connor, the castle-like rehab facility…

Ten days ago or so, I had the real privilege of auditing an improv class at the Arte Vallarta Theater. The class was led by two very funny Canadians, Karen Parker and Diana Frances, fresh off their sold-out run – Leave it to Cleavage – at the same theater. Eleven students took part in the…

Day Three of Solitude and work, and except for the water delivery guy, I have not been face to face with another human since Monday. I have gotten so much done. Lots of editing and scheduling articles for Vallarta Mirror. Lots of food. I am overflowing with abundance and gratitude for all of it. I…

I can hear wrapping paper being torn apart from here! Not really, but Merry Christmas everyone! My neighborhood is blessedly quiet this morning after a monumental posada last night that went into the wee hours of the morning. I think that’s why Mexicans celebrate on the 24th so that they can sleep all of the…

So, one more week remains in this entire year. They do go by fast, don’t they? And, the older we get, the faster time flies because we are rapidly running out of it. That’s a reminder to do everything mindfully in case it’s the last time I get to put rum in Santa’s egg nog!…