Cuban Treats, Bea Arthur and Tina Turner!

The new Rio Cuale Wellness Center in El Caloso was inaugurated last Friday with Cuban food, drinks, dance, live music, and an exhibition of the works of painter Rogelio Perez. Lots of happy people trekked up the stairs and enjoyed the quartet and the spontaneous crush of people doing what Vallarta does best – play. Zoe Lewis popped in; it is always lovely to be in her exuberant energy.

From El Caloso, across the bridge, and a straight line to La Catrina Cantina to listen to Nacho Granados. My date, Sandra Bradley, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his rendition of the Resurrection Shuffle” as covered by Tom Jones. What a powerhouse!

Saturday, the 14th, celebrated Saint Valentine – one day worldwide, but Mexico reveres Love and Friendship for the entire month of February. Another reason I love this country! I ate chocolate handmade by my herbalist, Ricardo Mazcal, at his Weekend Market on the Isla. Vallarta was full of red balloons, festive heart garlands, and flowers everywhere.

I went to see Jason B. Schmidt, a Bea Arthur impersonator, at the Casa Karma Red Room on Saturday night. This cleverly written show blends onstage props with videos of Bea’s achievements on stage, on various television appearances, and in candid interviews. Jason has perfected Arthur’s deep, throaty voice, echoing it more than parody.

Schmit is very fast on Bea Arthur’s feet, remembering names of audience members from the beginning of the show to the end – a feat I have seen mastered by only one other performer, Michael Walters as Dame Edna. That talent turns the audience into one big happy family, posing together onstage after the show. It was a fun night.

Chris Lopez Productions has done it again. The premiere last night at The Palm Cabaret of ”Tina,” starring Diana Villamonte, delighted a full house jammed with screaming fans. The Stargirl dancers were not only lovely but also delivered exhaustive choreography that let me sleep like a baby the second I got home!

Diana, who now lives in Mexico City, joked that she and Chris had built the show via WhatsApp! They clearly had a very good connection. The two have worked together to create the highly successful and long-running Whitney Houston Tribute. Diana had no problem matching Tina Turner’s voice and her energy.

This coming Friday, the legendary Kassiano Smith takes over Teatro Vallarta, for the fifth time, filling it with big band sounds mashed with reggae, jazz, and classic favorites to deliver a concert like no other. Thirty+ years of living in Mexico have given Kass a second language, a family, recording contracts, and eager followers who love his blending of native Jamaican rhythms with traditional Mexican melodies and his creation of new, exciting works. He has toured much of the Caribbean, the United States, and Europe, with upcoming tours planned for Africa. This truly charismatic singer is mesmerizing to watch and listen to. There are some seats left for his Friday 8 pm concert, so go and feel the power, From Here.