Phone Woes and Kim Kuzma
Cell phone numbers must be registered in Mexico by the end of June, or your phone service will stop working. I made a point to be outside Telcel’s office before they opened yesterday morning. I attempted to register online earlier, and everything went swimmingly until it didn’t, and at the very end of the process, an error message prompted me to start over…Why I headed to the main office early. The exact same thing happened at the office. More than five times, the friendly and helpful staff tried to complete my registration for hours to no avail. My girl finally asked me to return another day, as the system was overwhelmed. I will try to wake up in the middle of the night soon and focus on getting it done online.
On a more positive note, time well spent was Kim Kuzma’s 20th Anniversary celebration at The Palm Cabaret last Wednesday. Kim’s fave musicians: Eduardo Leon, guitar, Luis Rascon, cajon and cello, and Roberto Falcon on the bass, joined Kim onstage for 90 minutes of walking down memory lane.
Kim spoke kindly of the Entertainment Director of The Palm and Coco Cabarets, Mark Rome, who hired her 20 years ago to perform at The Palm. I have lost count of how many concerts I have seen her in since then.
Kevin Anthony was pulled (not quite kicking and screaming, lol!) onto the stage for a duet; their voices entwine so beautifully, always. Film footage running on the big screens marking the passage of friends and musicians, expats who have passed in the 20 years Kim has lived in Vallarta. All were familiar faces and many dear friends who spent time making music with Kim and others.
Costumes hung from mannequins around the stage, adding a touch of glitter to the absolutely jam-packed theater. So many people were turned away at the box office that a second show has been added! Tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, at 5 pm, Kim and her fabulous musicians and guest stars will reconvene at The Palm to share this joyous celebration once again.
As our season winds down, a couple of events I will attend for sure include the opening art exhibit tonight, up high on the hill at HDA Gallery on Miramar, featuring artists Daniel Paul Smith and Ulises Banales Torres, from 6 to 9 pm. It is one of my favorite galleries in Vallarta.
On Sunday at The Palm Cabaret at 5 pm is a tribute to Simon and Garfunkel, starring Nick Rogers with Canadian guitarist Serge Gamache. I coulda used some ”Feeling Groovy” yesterday!
Then, on Monday, a very special ”dress rehearsal” will take place at Nacho Daddy from 7:30 to 9 pm. Tickets will go fast, as Mark Hartman accompanies Effie Passero on piano, as they preview the show they will present soon at 54 Below in New York City.
As our visitors and snowbirds pack up to head home to their real lives, we can give them all the best last few days here in our blessed city of Vallarta by remembering and practising the words of my new friend, David Friedman’s wonderful song, ”We Can Be Kind,” From Here.
