Farewell Lunch, Bruno Mars, David Bowie, and More
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who reached out with congratulatory words on winning an award from We Are Puerto Vallarta.
I said goodbye to my Canadian buddy, Brian O’Malley, who headed back to Winterpeg, Manitoba, last week. We put our heads together over lovely quiche and salad at Vitea at the edge of the sea, close to the Vallarta Dancers sculpture. He will have his hands full with work, getting his summer cottage ready to live in, which did not receive the official notice that Spring had arrived last month. I will see you back here, Brian!
I so enjoyed Victor do Espirito’s debut Tribute to Bruno Mars, that I leapt at the chance to see it again last week at Coco Cabaret. If you are a fan, you will recognize every gigantic hit after hit. My fave, “The Lazy Song,” comes complete with dancing primates. During our weekly Scrabble game at Qulture, I listened to an entire hour of Bruno Mars’ greatest hits and realized Victor’s voice is better, with more resonance and color. Do not miss his next show on April 15th!
Gloria Fiona Productions has done it again – found a community need, and created an event to inspire and delight at the same time. Prima Petra: Fifth Element took second-hand clothing, a runway, fabulous jewelry, outstanding makeup, lovely models, and put them together with Stevie Hart (Steven Retchless‘s alter ego) presiding as host and auctioneer, creating an afternoon at Coco Cabaret we will remember for a long time. The entertainment between the four elemental parts of the show featured Tromba Vetusta, Boys on Fire, a violinist with Middle Eastern dancers, and the only female aerialist in Airotic, who dazzled us with her artistry as she flew over the stage on silk ropes. The Charity, Edin, A.C., Puerto Vallarta, benefited from this (hopefully) First Annual event, which will help them to continue to offer programs for kids with autism and Down Syndrome.
I arrived at Galleria Dante to be among the first 200 guests of Out & About Magazine’s weekly Gay Mixer. I got to hug publisher Jerry Jones and most of his hardworking staff. The largest gallery in Vallarta wasn’t quite shoulder-to-shoulder with people admiring the artwork and one another, but it was still close and chummy!
Rick and Monica Miller had their first pop-up party of 2026 in their gorgeous penthouse overlooking Banderas Bay, complete with Patriz performing. Everyone (more than 60!) brought food, drink, and lots of love; Rick made an out-loud comment that he may have to look for a larger place to live!
Jordon Carnegie interpreted David Bowie’s lexicon of songs to a SRO crowd of Bowie fans at Coco Cabaret with a fine band and Yoalli Guerrero on backup vocals and shenanigans filling the stage! His next show will sell out, so get your tickets fast for Wednesday, April 22, 5 pm.
I went to La Catrina Cantina directly after Jordon’s show with Georgia Dareshori, who had decided to join me for The Dirties at Awaysis at 7:30, so we had time for one quick drink. We arrived to find Alison Lo and her bestie, Effie Passero, ready for some rock and roll from their good friend, lead singer Diego Guerrero.
A very fun and chi-chi party at the Hyden furniture factory/showroom of designer Sacha Cantor, interspersed the piles of lumber with local artist Roberto Blanco’s bold paintings. The crew from Out & About magazine was there filming the former fruits-and-vegetables warehouse, and now dedicated to hand-crafting local hardwoods into solid, gorgeous pieces of furniture. Stay tuned here to learn more about Sacha, his work in Vallarta, the industry’s byproducts, and how they may help you!
The New Voice of Vallarta opened last night at Coco Cabaret. Four singers were eliminated, leaving Ale, Wendy, Luca, Joby, Neothy, Ninett, Mel, and Michelle going forward to next week. Luis Villanueva hosted the proceedings with judges Richard Lucas (Gouda Gabor), Sargento Dan, and Kevin Anthony. The audience ranked each performer, and vote counters Art and Angela Curley told me the audience and judges’ votes were nearly identical.
Spencer and Todd debuted their new show at La Catrina Cantina at 6:30 last night. They have left the country and western realm and will be presenting a new genre every week. Last night, Spencer crooned Jan Dorland and me!
Sore, scratchy throat from Springtime allergies or laryngitis? See Ricardo Mazcal this week on the Isla Cuale for his Dragon’s Blood cure. It’s 20% off until Sunday!
O & A’s Gay Mixer tomorrow is at Let’s Pho from 6 to 8 pm. Angeloo’s tribute to Dimash and others, La Catrina Cantina on Wednesday, 8 pm, after Scrabble at the Q and Colina Spay & Neuter Clinic bingo at Nacho Daddy. The Pata Salada Festival starts Friday, April 17, and runs all weekend long from 10 to 10, on the Isla Cuale, From Here.