Author: Marcia Blondin

Prepare yourself for an evening where the boundaries between reality and illusion dissolve before your eyes. On August 22 at 6:30 PM, master illusionist Mauricio Andrade will take the stage at Casa Karma, a stunning venue nestled on the southern end of Conchas Chinas Beach in Puerto Vallarta. For just 800 pesos, guests will be…

The Dirties threw a pop-up rock concert last night at Bonito Kitchen. Wowza! Bonito Kitchen, the covered part, is tiny and was full of very happy people who ate, drank and didn’t bother with conversation because who goes to a rock concert to talk? It was perfectly loud, with lead singer Diego Guerrero in fine…

How was the weekend? It went by so damn fast I’m not sure there was one! I spent some time over mango smoothies with David Duvall on Friday. He is an incredibly good writer, and I am cajoling him to let me publish some of his spoken word videos. Stay tuned! Freddy Otello Pacheco, backed…

Another weekend on the horizon, enjoying voices at opposite ends of the vocal scale. Tonight, Freddy Otelo, a Mexican countertenor, and Sunday, Andrew Sands, an American baritone/bass. Both are in the comfy living room at Casa Karma, accompanied by maestro Bing Young on piano. A full report on Monday! Yesterday morning was spent on the…

Act2PV Theater is closed tonight but will reopen on Friday. Davids Maiocco and Sabella’s Classical Connections is rescheduled for 7 pm, Friday, August 23. This week’s Greatest Show was hosted by Broadway veteran Brent Barrett, in fine form, and will be back in season to sing with some other serious NYC stars. David Duvall had…

Boleros are thoughtful pieces of music, and the first in a series to celebrate them unfolded last night at Casa Karma. Kimberly G. greeted the guests and presented me with my ticket, which was worthy of a photo and a program! Another thoughtful piece of the Bolero puzzle. Musical Director Bing Young told me he…

Are you a singer, dancer, acrobat, guitar player, clown, drummer, magician, comedian who performs in Puerto Vallarta? If yes, then send an email to vallartacalendar@gmail.com with your bio, a few great photos, and links to all your social media accounts. As your shows are added to VallartaCalendar.com, your Artist Spotlight page will include all your…

This morning, a gorgeous pale blue sky after some inches of rain fell last night. The day and week seem full of promise; let’s see what happens. Mango smoothies are always the right choice these days, in the peak of season, and made more enjoyable with dear friends like Sandra Bradley. Our mutual friend, Georgia…

A comfortably full house at Mary Ann’s Ovations Piano Bar had almost everyone enjoying dinner while awaiting Vaude-Villians to begin. The food from Yamada Sushi looks deelish! David Maiocco, virtuoso pianist, and Cate Valcic sang and told stories, many centered around Ohio in general and Cedar Point amusement park in particular. Cate unleashed a torrent…

You can always tell when I have lost a Scrabble Tournament – it takes me forever to have to sit down and actually write those words. But now it’s done, bravas to Sharon, who bribed me (again!) with fresh lemon/blueberry sourdough bread for winning two out of three. I will not mention the first game,…

A Scrabble game or two is in the offing if it’s Wednesday. And, because it’s the first one of the month, it is a Tournament. Come out to Qulture today at 12:30, the gloves come off, the clocks start ticking, and three or four games later, we will have a winner. You are welcome to…

I had a great pizza and mango smoothies (of course!) at Vallarta Factory with Georgia Darehshori yesterday. Georgia is hosting a feast of summer entertainment in the living room at Casa Karma ranging from live theatre to acappella choirs, tribute shows (Yes, Adele is coming back!), to a magic show! All the details can be…

Before we start, get more coffee. I had a busy weekend! First up, Sargento’s one-man show, The Mentiras Experience, with Salvatore Rodriguez on piano, exploded into life in the Living Room at Casa Karma. Mentiras el Musical opened in Mexico City in 2009 and is still running! Sargento condensed the storyline of four women in…

I stopped by La Catrina Cantina last night to give Marco Camacho a big hug just before his final show. He returns to Kansas today and will be missed. I caught the tail end of Happy Hour with Jacob on guitar and Isabel singing and playing piano in Mary Ann’s Ovations Piano Bar with some…

Happy first day of August; we are galloping toward the end of the rainy season, er, I mean summer. No hurricanes yet, and not much rain down here on flat land but loads up in the mountains, judging from a raging Rio Cuale last night carrying gigantic trees out to the fishies in the deep…

Gloria Fiona reprised and unplugged her sold-out The Palm Cabaret Adele Tribute last night at Casa Karma. The chill living room was full of friends, fans and supporters of Gloria and her dreams. She has secured Teatro Vallarta for her Adele Tribute in January; tickets will be available soon. Last night’s intimate concert began with…

I am looking at a very dark, foreboding sky this morning. Even the birds are sleeping in, giving me an idea to do the same. Maybe I will, but my darling Bogie needs to be fed first. He is sitting at the window waiting for something to fly by in the air or run on…

Puerto Vallarta has always been a safe, welcoming place for everyone. More and more ex-pats fall in love with the exuberant energy and find ways to settle on our shores, bringing their life stories to date, scattering those tales to the wind, and then learning who is listening. In that quiet time, friendships are solidified,…

Another weekend awaits just around the corner. Are we staying at home being quiet? Hell, no! First thing tomorrow, right after a visit to my Herbalist Ricardo Mazcal at his Weekend Artisan market on the Isla Cuale, I will attend #4 Voice Workshop at Act2PV Theater, led by Maestro David Sabella. Then, I am going…

Whoa! Christmas is five months today! We will be bundled in sweaters and complaining about the chill in the air. Remember our summer months then with affection if you can! Anyone watching Sharon Gerber Scherer and I play Scrabble together would think we really didn’t like each other much. Each game is such a fight…