Celebrations of Life
Nearly every chair at Qulture was filled last Friday afternoon with family, friends, acquaintances, and supporters of Chaz Manacsa, who died unexpectedly in mid-January in Tahiti, while sailing around the world on the Odyssey.
We were there to support Alex McLauchlan, Chaz’s partner, at this intimate and extremely emotional Celebration of Life. Alison Lo emceed the event and called on the speakers to say a few words. In between, we watched videos and saw photos of Chaz from his childhood through 2016, when he first came to Vallarta, and beyond, around the world on board the ship that had become his home. A lot of people who were sitting at Qulture were also on the screen, remembering good times spent with their friend and how precious those memories are now that Chaz is gone.
I was surprised by the overwhelming sadness that lingered among us, and in retrospect, it still isn’t clear why. Chaz – young (compared to most of us there), handsome, as artistic as they come, loved by everyone, living his dream life with his best friend, Alex, by his side through every adventure, and seemingly in perfect health until he wasn’t. If that old saying, ”only the good die young” is true, then Chaz is a poster child. And that’s well and good, but meanwhile, we who are left on the earth no longer have Chaz’s kindness and goodness around, leaving us with less.
I dearly trust that our combined tears and hugs will give Alex some comfort and strength; all we can do is keep moving forward. Together. Rest in peace, dear Chaz.
A black and white-themed 65th birthday party was in order for Hacienda Herchito on March 14th. Herschel Weisfeld and his twin, Sheldon, celebrated their birthdays with what appeared to be a couple of hundred dearest and closest friends! We congregated around the pool while waiters ran to fill our glasses with whatever we wanted. A talented guitarist played over the hum of conversation on a perfectly lovely evening. An outdoor long table covered in cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit was a prelude to a late supper. Happy Birthday, Herschel. I hope your next 65 years are as abundant and kind as the first. You are loved.
Tomorrow’s Gay Mixer, brought to you by Out & About Puerto Vallarta magazine, will be from 6 to 8 pm at Bar Frida. Do try Bar Frida’s house tequila; it is sensationally smooth. Open Mic follows at Nacho Daddy at 7:30. The night is also a fundraiser for Angeloo, Vallarta’s 12-year-old singing sensation, who is going to ”America’s Got Talent” if he can raise the funds necessary to get him to Los Angeles.
Wednesday this week has Scrabble at The Q at 12:30, Bingo at Nacho Daddy at 4 pm, and Kim Kuzma’s sold-out 20th-anniversary of performing at The Palm Cabaret at 7 pm.
Please take care of our tourists and offer help if you see them stopped on the sidewalk staring at their phones. They may be waiting for an Uber, or you may make a great difference in their day, From Here.
