Sol Reyes at Hacienda:hda

In 72 hours, my baby sister will be here; there is much prep work to be done; it’s a good thing I work better under pressure! And, by my calendar, Rainy Season is over! Today marks the passing of Hurricane Kenna 22 years ago. While Nora and Lidia, our most recent hurricanes, were dreadful, the name Kenna has been retired. We should have blue skies from now until June 15 – woo hoo!

Last night, I walked up the hill to see Sol Reyes and Musical Director Alberto Montejano on piano at the trendy Lounge and Gallery Hacienda hda. Sol was the triumphant winner of the last Voice of Vallarta in 2023. The former Miss Colombia has had a passion for Mexican music since she was a child and presented a lovely rendition of the bolero Besame Mucho.

I was so happy to see Joe Liimatta, Sol’s Canadian husband again, and Jessi Valente from Voice was in the audience. Soprano Sarah Joy Heckbert and her husband, Adam, were also on hand, and Warren from Jardin Cafe Lounge brought friends. Matt Karimi and hubby David swooped in with Effie Passero to listen to one song, then flew off to see Diego Guerrero at Casita & Garden. David Sabella joined Sarah, Adam, and me just before the show started and kindly walked me home afterward; we live two blocks apart.

Sabella has been working with Sol weekly to improve her English diction. I was shocked at the difference and commented to David. He told me she has been working hard, which has made a remarkable change. Her beauty and sweetness remain purely Sol. She sang an eclectic mix of languages, genres, and cultural traditions. I will let you know when her show will be at Act2PV.

I am off to The Palm Cabaret tonight for the season opener of the Chris Lopez production of the Rihanna Tribute Show starring the incredible Cecille. A full report on Monday morning.

Tomorrow, October 26, marks my first anniversary as editor of Vallarta Mirror. Thanks go to the butterfly, aka Allyna.