Author: Marcia Blondin

Pizza is an excellent way to kick-start the week, so Georgia Darehshori and I met at the Vallarta Factory to share one of those, along with mango smoothies. Most of our chatter centered around The Arts in town and what will happen at her spectacular villa, Casa Karma, this summer. (Check VallartaCalendar.com daily for more…

For nearly five years, I have been saying the same thing, “That was her best concert YET!” after every performance in Vallarta, and the consensus is the same. Nobody argues and says, no, no, last week at The Palm Cabaret was better because…blah, blah, blah. However, that may change in a year, and the fan…

Ah, Gloria Fiona. Last night’s concert was one of those gentle rarities when all the energies mixed in perfect chemistry, creating one of the most intimate, loving concerts ever held in Act2PV‘s Casa Karma Red Room. Her voice, stories, gestures, and gorgeous smile welcomed the audience into her very soul, open and honest with tears,…

Another Greatest Show last night at Act2PV, another notch in performer Cate Valcic’s Producer’s belt. Every week, the show gets a little tighter, with different singers performing solos and duets that are unusual genres, genders, genuinely interesting, and sometimes hilarious. Last night’s duet “Suddenly Seymour,” from Little Shop of Horrors, with Sargento and Andy Sands,…

It is a picture-perfect morning – not a cloud and no humidity. The beaches will be packed; drink lots of water, people! Singer Marco Camacho (La Catrina Cantina and Garbo’s) and I went to the tianguis in Coapinole and spent more than 2 hours hunting for treasures. Marco found a couple of designer casual tops…

It’s Tuesday, and it’s not raining, so Coapinole Tianguis, here I come! I haven’t been since Patrice returned to Canada, so it’ll be fun and interesting—a full report in the morning. Last night, I walked over to Casita & Garden to catch the Lovers Duo, which consists of just two of the band’s mates –…

What a perfectly glorious morning with an almost clear sky and no rain last night. Today should be the actual start of rainy season, where we have a knockdown drag-out, terrifying storm, with rain so hard you can’t see across the street. Right now, it doesn’t look like the sky could sneeze politely. Check back…

The elevator fund for Act2PV got a boost last night from Enrique de Allende and Derek Carkner, who donated their time, energy, and talent to make Act2 accessible to everyone. It was fitting that the two came together again, as Derek accompanied Enrique on piano at his first show in Vallarta at Incanto about five…

Yesterday was jam-packed with so many cool things starting with a great walk to and from Central Gym and a workout and veggie shopping in between the to and from. Then, I met up with Mark Rome, Entertainment Director of The Palm Cabaret AND the new Coco Cabaret, scheduled to open in November. We had…

On my walk to Casita & Garden last evening, I was covered by a perfect – and at one point – a double! – rainbow! It caused quite a sensation on the streets, and I felt quite blessed to be outside in that rare, bright display. I was going to C & G to listen…

When my sister Patrice was here in November last year, she bought me a large daytimer from Office Depot for my birthday. I really needed the extra space to jot notes for appointments, shows, meetings (lots of meetings!) and reminders. For the first time in 2024, I have a pristine page. I had nothing to…

I hope everyone’s Fourth of July was as fun as mine. Act2PV was festooned with balloons, barbeque and great music. But before I get into yesterday’s festivities, I have to report that Sharon Gerber Scherer is not just the Air Fryer Queen, the Queen of sourdough bread making in the city, she is also Queen…

Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends. I will be joining the barbeque festivities at Act2PV this afternoon and then tonight, the fabulous Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue, starring David Maiocco as Liberace at 7. Gloria Fiona had her second Burlesque-ish show last night at La Catrina Cantina. It was completely different…

I was so happy last night, walking home in the misty rain and seeing so much water under the new bridge. Running fast toward the ocean, the Rio Cuale, thick as chocolate milk and the same color, is loaded with nutrients for all the fishies in the sea. I came from another splendid classical music…

By my crude measurements, we had about five inches of rain in the night, with some attendant thunder and lightning and, lucky me, an extended party in the neighborhood with non-stop banda. A nap is in my near future! Strange (but good!) things happen in Vallarta all the time and those of us who have…

Happy Birthday, Canada! A 157 years old today. There are lots of parades going on in celebration and tons of poutine, perogies, and beer to be consumed – enjoy my beloved ‘Old Country.’ The second bingo in Act2PV history took place last Saturday. From start to finish, all we did was laugh between and during…

The most important thing about today is that it’s my sister’s birthday; there aren’t many people who remember the day she was born. At four, I was so excited to get to have a baby sister; she was a delight then and now. Happy Birthday, Patrice! Yesterday I walked through town and up that damn…

The sun came out yesterday and made me so happy. My patio and comfy chair beckoned – even my kitty Bogie requested some sun time. But there was Scrabble to lose to my excellent opponent, Sharon, who has decided to create the best sourdough bread in Vallarta. In exchange for being her willing guinea pig,…

What a night at Casa Karma, sitting on the labyrinth under a cloudy but dry sky, nibbling some lovely canapes, and watching Nahuales unfold at the edge of the sea. The dancers/acrobats are all strong, lithe and completely without bones, wrapping themselves around one another in complicated choreography with a few strength moves that were…

It has been raining for hours, steadily, with no pyrotechnics. It should stop when the sun comes up; I see the Church clock is broken again and wonder how long it will be 9:08? Yesterday was auspicious for the Florida Panthers and their first Stanley Cup. I was hoping Edmonton would win, but hockey is…