Pride in Puerto Vallarta; Luis Villanuva; Artist Reception
Happy Pride, everybody! Edition 12 kicked off last Saturday, which started as a quick concert, then home, and it morphed into the rest of this column! But first, there was a super interesting artist reception up the Olas Altas hill on Pilitas at Arte VallARTa to celebrate Cuban printmaker Joaquin Bolivar Thomas. He was brought to Vallarta by Kimberley Bennett, who had met Joaquin in Cuba eight years ago and was intrigued by his work. Joaquin taught an in-depth workshop at Arte VallARTa that had the students excited to learn the intricate processes and learn how to use the press that Kimberley provided. Local artist Romanian Petru Voichescu may continue in Joaquin’s footsteps when the latter returns to Cuba this summer. I was impressed by the student’s work and loved the dense textures on some pieces.
Saturday, Sandra Bradley and I met up at La Catrina Cantina to listen to Luis Villanuva’s new show called Bridging Borders: English Hits for Spanish Hearts. Luis translated some major hits from English to Spanish. No mean feat for somebody from Chiapas who, nine years ago, didn’t speak a word of the language. It was a good challenge for him and his live band. This show will return – I hope – with some tweaks (he asked for feedback!), and he made a significant point: we are in Mexico; voices should be heard in Spanish. My suggestion to him is he translate a verse or two of his favorite Spanish-language songs, Basta, for one, into English to mash it up a bit.
After Luis’s show, Sandra and I dropped in next door to look at the menu of Tacos Now, owned and operated by Michael Robles who decided to blend his favorite Tex-Mex food with his colorful canvases. He shares the walls with his husband Jack’s paintings. Of course the place is a riot of colors and unexpected angles, and the food was sublime. Mini renovations are still underway, but don’t let that stop you!
An enormous Idaho potato, baked, then smothered in imported salted butter, sharp white cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Condiments on the table included sour cream, hot sauces, and a dish of chopped white onion and cilantro; a couple of those disappeared in a hurry. The result: a re-entry to childhood cookouts, every bite a reminder of basic, perfect comfort food. It was glorious. A warning here – the spuds are gigantic and perfect to share. There are other things to eat on the menu than potatoes, but why would you?
We bumped into local monumental sculptor Jim Demetro and his wife Eva on our way out of Tacos Now; we have been friends for more than 25 years. It’s lovely to see them always.
I dropped Sandra off on her corner to make her way home and was headed that way myself BUT, heard my name, stopped walking, and started chatting with Derek Carkner. He convinced me to join him at the new extension of his employer, Ryan Donner and Associates. Up the stairs we climbed into a hub-bub of the first event to kick off Gay Pride! The theme, There is No Future Without Memory, is an accumulation of photos and citations of the pioneers for gay rights in Mexico and Vallarta. Remembering the past – Los Balcones, SETAC, and so many more, and the people behind them. You can still see the exhibit until Friday.
The Third Annual Pride Pet Parade is at 6 pm at Parque Lazaro Cardenas. Look for Derek Carkner and his beloved Coco and Herschel Weisfeld with his eight Xolos. I will see you there.