Gay Mixer and Open Mic
With an hour left to go, Sanctuary PV, was pushing that magic 300-head count. That’s a lot of cocktails to serve in two hours. I had never been to the space before that keeps on going up and up to two more outdoor terraces. I am looking forward to making the Monday evening Comedy show. Sanctuary has a large raised stage on its first level.
Comedy is something Vallarta does not have. I wonder why? We have some funny people living here. Okay, maybe not that way funny, but still! Maybe it’s because we don’t live in fear. People laugh the hardest at the things that scare them the most. We do have to be careful of tide changes and to be wary of bartenders who overpour their shots. Maybe the last is a bad example. Anyway, I wish Valerie Branch luck with getting the humor off the ground and into Vallarta’s mainstream entertainment mix. I ran into singer and realtor Kevin Anthony, Richard Lucas (Gouda Gabor‘s alter ego), Richard Di Via, curator of Arte Vallarta Museo, Cassandra Shaw, who was chatting with Selena Luna, and bon vivant around town Herschel Weisfeld. I met Brad, the new owner, who took a second away from the bar to chat briefly. More on this recently reopened, refurbished gay bar on Venustiano Carranza soon!
Open Mic was hosted by Broadway star Seth Sikes, who had never done such a thing in his life before. And did just fine, I might add. When I saw Enrique de Allende AND Effie Passero lined up to put their names on the list with Lydia Damato, I settled in for the night. Neither one sang, however, for whatever reason, timing most likely. The talented voices we did hear, except for one, were outstanding, on key, in perfect pitch. A Vallarta debut by Camden Scifres impressed everybody, and Venezuelan singer Alejandro Arraez was the best I have ever heard him. Two outstanding voices.
Bing Young accompanied Delilah Beaucoup on the piano as she sang a number from her Annie Lennox tribute currently running at Coco Cabaret. Robert Ryan has a show coming up on January 13, at Casa Karma and treated us to a taste of ”Here’s to the Ladies.” ”Plastic Jesus” from 1957 was revived, especially for Lydia Damato, who, incidentally, will be calling the balls today at the Bingo fundraiser for the Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic at Nacho Daddy at 4 pm. Bingo today follows the first Scrabble Tournament of 2026 at Qulture. I will let you know who won tomorrow!
So much to do and see, and then there are the house parties, the quick coffees that take an entire afternoon, lunch with optional day drinking, and long, conversation-laden dinners for two on the beach.
Life is good in Vallarta. Very, very good.
Coming up this week, debuting at Bar Frida, an old friend returning for the season. I’ll tell you who it is later, From Here!
