Midweek Magic at The Palm Cabaret
Another classy and sassy Chris Lopez production – That’s Life – has The Palm Cabaret and Bar close to sold out, mid-week at 5 pm. Last night, backed by Musical Director Alexis Macias on piano, his son on standup bass, and Diana Luna on saxophone that added a bit of smokin’ sexiness, Armando Chakam and Nacho Granados presented Sinatra and Buble. There is only one more presentation of this show at 5 pm on Christmas Eve, when a couple of seasonal tunes will be added to the playlist of these two crooning, powerhouse legends.
Nacho and Armando were both gorgeous in tuxedos and took turns singing solos, and closed the show with a duet. Lots of chair dances and people happily singing along to tunes their parents adored.
What I love about the Palm is the cabaret intention; the performers invite the audience to be onstage, and the audience, in turn, welcomes the performers to sit alongside. The intimacy when the lights are up a little, eyes can connect across the short space, and everyone in the room becomes included in the performance.
Both Armando and Nacho perform in various venues around town, and so many of their friends attend their shows, no matter where they are, to show their support and love. These two versatile singers are happy to croon or break out into serious rock and roll; to their endless credit, they embrace whatever genre they’re in wholeheartedly and with such style. Bravos, gentlemen. And thanks to Chris Lopez for yet another blockbuster!
After the show, Sandra Bradley and I walked down the Malecon and watched the city workers finally decorating for Christmas. The tree is huge and beautiful! Santa was in residence, and we would have stopped and placed our orders for next week, but we were on a mission.
Fernando Tomasini, Chef and founder of the restaurant-bar Puro Peru, was laid to rest yesterday. Sandra and I joined the new owners and old friends of Fernando’s, David Brandell and Charles (Charlie) Vandeputte. We had a tour of Fernando’s house, which became the restaurant Puro Peru about six years ago, just up from the Malecon on Aldama and Guadalupe Sanchez. A few colorful stories unfolded over some delish vegetarian spring rolls, as the history of a deep and warm friendship was told by David and Charlie, who are now the proprietors of Puro Peru. Their story about Puro Peru and its acquisition, and their long friendship with the founder and owner, Fernando Tomasini, almost mirrors my relationship with Allyna Vineberg, the owner and founder of the PV Mirror. David and Charlie are respectfully carrying on the traditions and flavors originally prepared by Fernando for Puro Peru, while learning the various ins and outs of running the restaurant and the attendant idiosyncrasies. They have an excellent new chef, Jesus Cabo, who worked closely with Fernando, and the balance of the staff remains in place. The welcoming energy that prevails is Puro Fernando and Friends, From Here.
