Coapinole Deals, Elvis, and Puerto Vallarta Talent
Yesterday started with the great tianguis in Coapinole, Sharon and I wandered and dug through piles of clothing and came out the other end with three choice pieces each: sum total spent, 180 pesos between us! We also stocked up on beautiful veggies for about half the price of “in-town.” From there we went to La Comer for more exotic veggies and Costco for things only they provide our community. We had never seen La Comer so busy; funny for this time of year. Our nearly five-hour shopping spree ended at 1, time for lunch, nap, then I was on the road to Paso Guayabo on the bus at 4 pm.
The bus dropped me right in front of Rancho Santiago. I could hear the band, but a voice, not Kurt Sinner’s, stopped me in my tracks. Yup, it was Elvis Presley— Perros del Rio sounded extra special! Matt Cage, still in shorts, joined the band for a tune or two, adding to the delight of the early afternoon crowd.
Talking to Tribute Artist Matt Cage, after his debut with PdR and before he ‘suited up’ as Elvis, we determined it was Matt’s eighth year in Mexico and his fourth or fifth with Kurt Sinner. The memories flooded the space and the dancefloor for everyone in attendance who had a favorite song or something special that happened to them during the late fifties and sixties. Thanks, Matt and Merv Buchanan, who has been delivering these amazing tribute shows to Banderas Bay for over a decade. The Beegees arrive next week, and Tribute Tuesdays conclude on March 18, with Neil Diamond.
The bus from Paso Guayabo to Nacho Daddy for Gouda Gabor’s Open Mic took just 20 minutes. Mark Hartman at the keys, with Richard Lucas, Gouda’s alter ego, kicked things off with a song from Grease. Patriz, beautiful as ever, promoted her upcoming show, as did Robert M. Ryan, whose lovely pianist Michael Ferreri is finally back in Vallarta. Joelle Rabu – remember her Piaf show? – her handsome son Nico Rhodes and newcomer Buwa are at The Palm Cabaret. Delilah Beaucoup’s Jazz run closes tonight at Act2PV. A new show from her is expected soon, so stay tuned.
Dashs Robles played guitar for an unknown singer in a skull mask, and Aldo played his guitar and sang a clever original song, then tore the roof down with Gabe Arcienega, taking Mustang Sally for a ride through the crowded house. Tonny K and Sargento Dan appeared, and several tourists in town on vacation dropped by to entertain us. A long, tall, dazzling drag queen with taller hair than Gouda’s, sang and danced and was looking for work. I would bet she finds it.
Scrabble today at Qulture at 12:30 and PuRR Project Bingo at Nacho Daddy at 4.