Freddie, Friends and Full Houses
A month or so ago, right after his 2025-26 opening of his show at The Palm Cabaret, I asked Roy Cruz if, after five years, he was getting tired or bored with Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen in his twice-weekly shows. He said, ”The more I research him and his life, the more honored I am to sing his music.” I have seen many tribute artists comment after a solo about how hard it is to reach and hold that final high note, or how exhausting the dance routine is while singing. That never happens when Roy is channeling Freddie Mercury. I always sit in the front row so I can watch the eyes, see if the entertainer is calling in his performance or living it.
Cruz is so comfortable in his/Freddie’s skin, he can branch out of the script and make a fuss as he did last night with Vallarta’s finest monumental sculptor, Jim Demetro, who was in the audience celebrating his 83rd birthday with his wife Eva and daughter Christina. The Demetro family and I go back decades to when Jim was first preparing his ‘Vallarta Dancers’ sculpture, which now stands at the foot of Guerrero Street on the Malecon extension. I didn’t get a chance to hug them after the show, but I will try to visit with them soon.
The four of us left The Palm after hugging Roy and his fabulous dancers, and made our way across Zona Romantica to the sister club, Coco Cabaret. From a block away, we could see crowds of people outside on the sidewalk. There wasn’t room inside! Out and About Puerto Vallarta magazine publisher Jerry Jones wrote me this morning that people started arriving early for the Gay Mixer at 5:30 and were still showing up at 7:45. The fact that there was a show at 9 pm finally put a halt to the revelry. Over 400 people stopped in to try to buy a drink and get to know someone new. Wowza. Next Gay Mixer is at Daiquiri Dick’s. We’ll see you there next Tuesday at 6 pm.
Open Mic at Nacho Daddy last night reunited pianist Derek Carkner and Gouda Gabor from their days performing together at Incanto. Derek is another of those naturally funny people who could leave their current professions and careers and leap into stand-up comedy! His rendition of ‘Poisoning Pigeons in the Park’ by Tom Lehrer, written in 1959, actually shocked some of the audience members! Sargento Dan sang as did Nick Rogers, promoting his upcoming show at The Palm – the music of Josh Grobin – and Diana Frances put on the skintight, plaid pantsuit and became ‘Match That Snatch‘ host, Gene Gayburn, to promote that show coming to Nacho Daddy on December 01. This show was a smash hit last season, so get tickets quickly for the season premiere or their second (only!) show on December 08.
Scrabble at The Q today at 12:30 and White Rabbit Lie at 6 pm.