Tag Archives: Sinaloa

Young Local Dancers Off to Florence—With your help

Espacio del Verbo
CONGRATULATIONS to the 24 dancers, from 10 Mexican states, who are among the 15th graduating class of the  Escuela Profesional de Danza de Mazatlán (EPDM). They have been invited to attend—on scholarship—the very prestigious OPEN FLR intensive dance lab in Florence, Italy!
This invitation is a huge coup for these young dancers, as it provides them the ability to work with other internationally acclaimed teachers, to meet premier dancers from all over the world, and it provides wonderful opportunity for future work. Not to mention that it showcases Mazatlán and México on the world stage!
They will graduate on July 1st, and the very next day they hope to fly to Florence—the dance lab takes place July 2-20. The organizers of the internationally acclaimed intensive saw the group perform their self-choreographed “El Espacio del Verbo” in December at the Encuentro Nacional de Danza. The invitation came shortly afterwards.

However, the young dancers need our help! Once they arrive in Florence, they’ll be on scholarship to the dance lab, and they will also be given housing. They will need to pay their airfare to get to Florence, and they only have 45 days.

The graduating class has already held a bazaar to raise funds, and they are planning a dinner. They’ve also set up a fundraising page, at which it’s very easy to donate any amount from 50 to 5000 pesos or its equivalent. The page is in Spanish, but I believe it’s intuitive to use even for non-Spanish readers. We’ve already made a contribution, and we hope you will, too!

If you’d like more information, you can email the group at elespaciodelverbo@gmail.com. You can also follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/espacio_verbo
We are so blessed to have the internationally award-winning Delfos Contemporary Dance troupe based here in Mazatlán. Claudia, Victor and Omar are a blessing to our community. Back in 1998 they founded the Escuela Profesional de Danza de Mazatlán (EPDM), and today we reap the fruits of their efforts, in the incredible dancing we are able to affordably witness here. Congratulations to the young dancers, and to their able teachers! We are very proud of you!

Body Painting at Baupres

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Fatima models Adrian’s art

First, let me tell you that my photos (Thru Di’s Eyes) are now on exhibit at both Baupres Gallery and Galería Libertad #312. Prints of digital photographs are available on acrylic, trovisel, paper mounted on foam core and matted, or in postcard format. I trust you’ll check them out. I am so very excited! Below are a few photos of the opening during ArtWalk last night. Click on any photo to enlarge or view a slideshow.

Me, Dory and Salvador
My photo of two Mayo Yoreme dancers, and other photos below, on acrylic
Some of the gang for ArtWalk
Dory, Martha and Salvador
Some of the photos printed on paper, mounted on foam core with matting

You may remember that I’ve studied photography with Salvador Herrera (1, 2). He’s a consummate professional and a terrific instructor. He teaches and exhibits at the gorgeously renovated historic building that houses Baupres Gallery, owned by the incredibly talented artist, Dory Perdomo.

Last night for ArtWalk, two of Salvador’s friends from Mexico City, Alexander ojodelince (ranked third nationally) and Adrián Art (national champion), who are in Mazatlán for a national body painting competition that takes place today and tomorrow at the Hotel Playa, demonstrated their art for us as part of Art Walk.

Have you ever watched body painters at work? It’s amazing! These two gentleman are true artists in every sense of the term! They have to paint on a three-dimensional, moving surface, attend to the human moods and needs of the “canvas,” and paint so the finished product looks good in both normal and black light.

Last night at Baupres, those attending ArtWalk were able to watch the artists and their models in action. The artists had actually started painting at 11 am, but when we got there about 4:30 they still had a couple hours to go. One of the models, Fatima, is a dancer, and the other, Kiana, is a model. Once they were finished, the models demonstrated the finished product to us, and the artists fielded questions. I so admired the models’ patience! I could never sit for eight hours while someone painted on me, and then another hour or more while other people photographed the result! Fatima, the one I talked to the most, seemed thrilled with the whole process. She is such a delight. She joked about not washing it off and walking around Mazatlán like that to see how people reacted. I wish she would!

Two artists and their paints and brushes
Alexander ojodelince
Airbrushing
Painting with a brush
“Before” of the turtle on her back
The tools of the trade; note the drawing as well.
An airbrush, one of the most important tools
Taking a break and getting some air
Airbrushing
Getting some neon lipstick
She loves the mask she gets to wear
Placing the mask
Fielding questions from a happy crowd

After the presentation, the two models proceeded upstairs, where by now it was dark, and we could light up the gorgeous body painting with black lights and take photographs. Salvador placed all the lights, so those of us with cameras were incredibly blessed. Even with a cell phone, the models and artistry were so well lit that the photos turned out incredibly well! Thank you, Salvador! What do you think of the results?

This is the second time Baupres has hosted body painting. They’ve also conducted classes in both body painting and photographic lighting. Be sure to get on their mailing list (via their Facebook page) so you don’t miss future such events. And most definitely visit the upstairs photo gallery there and at 312 Libertad! Thanks!

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Are We Blessed or What?

12650991_10208208775554212_2260076847104623997_nWhat an honor to go to the Temporada Gordon Campbell concert today with my friend Jessica, who is a total groupie of Maestro Cambell’s. She was beyond thrilled when I introduced them, she couldn’t believe she actually got to have a conversation with him, and then—the cherry on top of everything—she got to get a picture with the Maestro! It is such a complete pleasure when we are able to bring joy to our friends’ lives. Especially, perhaps, when it’s something simple, as we all know that the Maestro is very down-to-earth, approachable, and so very passionate and committed to his audience.

Last season we published a series called “Behind the Chamber,” in which we conducted interviews with the Maestro and his wife, Guianeya Román. I was so very happy to have Gordon tell me that Daniela Liebman, the then-12-year old piano sensation, had been able to obtain first-class representation in part due to the article we wrote about her. Love it when good things go around and come around!

This season’s line up is also magnificent. I don’t know where Gordon gets his incredible creativity from, but the ideas just seem to flow from him. The season is already half over, so be sure to get your tickets now for the remainder of the schedule. The season resumes after Carnavál, on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.

The “Gordon Campbell Season” is a series of six concerts on Sundays at noon. As the program always takes place during Carnavál, there is one concert that is held in Casa Haas instead of in the Angela Peralta theater. Due to the smaller size of the venue, two showings are scheduled that week, at noon and again at five.

Today was that concert, and it was completely sold out, standing room only. And my oh my was the music good! Performers were Cuarteto Ventura from Culiacán, and to say they played Mexican boleros is a huge understatement. Their classical guitars (including a small one called requinto), congas and incredible harmonies resurrected the original arrangements of music from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema—that era of bad movies and wonderful songs. During the set they also played one Cuban son, and, after the standing ovation, they played a ranchero as an encore. Other than that, the event dripped romanticism as you’ve rarely heard it. We so very much enjoyed ourselves! I kept both the official program list of the songs they intended to play, and the list of the songs they actually played, and I’m planning to put together an online playlist of this gems of Mexican romantic music.

Click on any photo below to view it larger or see a slideshow. My apologies, but I only took my cell phone this time. People recently get very cranky when I take a camera to an event; a bit of NOB mentality impinging itself in our paradise…

Last week’s concert was also incredibly cool. Tiempos Pasados, an antique music ensemble from Guanajuato, performed using instruments that were breathtakingly gorgeous works of art mostly handmade by the group’s Artistic Director, Armando Ávila, who played a different instrument for nearly every song the group played. He is an incredibly talented gentleman—a physicist, instrument maker and musician! Lord knows what else he does in his spare time.

He played a different instrument every song
LOVED this instrument!
Hand carving
Gorgeous handcrafted instruments

The last three events of this season look to be outstanding as usual. I love how Gordon speaks in both Spanish and English, educating us to the things we might miss without his narration. His rapport with the musicians, and the ear he has for bringing to Mazatlán unique events, are a true gift to our city. Be sure to get tickets (at any Angela Peralta outlet—theater or Rico’s Café) and take advantage!

 

Miss Universe Carnavál Mazatlán

5442_1701570033394960_4368600050915917126_nIf you support diversity, particularly LGBT causes; if you would feel good about helping a talented eight-year old girl who is very sick; or if you’d just enjoy a terrific old-fashioned drag queen show and contest, you are in for a treat! It’s part of what Carnavál is all about!

Miss Universo Carnavál Mazatlán will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 2nd, starting shortly after 8:30 pm. The pageant will take place at Castillo de LuLu, Aquiles Serdán 60 (the same street Immigration is on, the salón is just farther down the street, off Carnavál).

LuLu

I attended this event last year, and we had a whole lot of fun! The people are wonderful, and it’s for a great cause. A lady will sell sodas at the venue, but the good news is that the event is BYOB: bring any drink you’d like and enjoy!

The group Belleza con Causa/Beauty with a Purpose does charity work and teaches acceptance, tolerance and diversity. Of course I LOVE what they do! They conduct this annual event and dedicate the proceeds to charity. In 2016 the money will go to help eight-year old Vidacsi, who is very ill and who, I am told, will sing at the event. According to Susie Morgan, “They have the biggest hearts of anyone I know. PLEASE come and show your love and support!”

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/SRITABARRIOSMISSUNIVERSOCARNAVAL
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/SRITABARRIOSMISSUNIVERSOCARNAVAL
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/SRITABARRIOSMISSUNIVERSOCARNAVAL

I am honored and excited to have been asked to be a judge tomorrow night. The event usually includes a couple of performances, and the pageant itself includes the queen aspirants modeling both cocktail and evening dresses, and answering a question. Three queens will be crowned: Miss Universo, Señorita, and Rostro Carnavál/Face of Carnaval. Miss Universo Carnaval Mazatlan 2015, Fany Hernandez, and Miss Barrios Mazatlán 2015, Hanya Montiel, will be present.

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Tickets cost 50 pesos and are available at the door. I hope to see you there! Please know that Belleza con Causa is also available for parties and events; yet another option in our very talented city.

Go Venados! Mexican Champions!

12592409_1072415836134049_2505605241908316075_nBy now everyone knows that our hometown baseball team, the Venados, won the championship series against Mexicali and will be representing Mexico in the Caribbean League World Series in the Dominican Republic February 1 – 7. CONGRATULATIONS! We very much enjoyed the cheering every time the team won a home game, and the fireworks were spectacular.

Can you believe they’re doing the series during Carnavál? What’s up with THAT?

Like the great hometown team they are, the new champions held a parade (after a Mass in the cathedral) around downtown and then down the malecón, ending at the Saenz Venados baseball player statue right in front of our house. It was awesome to see! The bus and two flatbeds full of players, coaches, and their families stopped ocean-side while heading north, gave out free shirts and caps, and spent well over an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with everyone. It cracked me up to see how everyone wanted to hand their baby up to players on the truck to take a photo. Do they think the baby has any clue who the guy is? One thing that puzzled me, however: where was the trophy??? I would have thought they’d be holding it up high and proudly!

The players and the coaches all looked so happy! I loved that the Carnavál lights were up and lit, adding to the festivities. Here are a few pics (you know I can never take just a few). Click on any photo to enlarge it or view a slideshow.

There had to be about 1500 people gathered in front of Olas Altas Inn, and I can only imagine how many hundreds more had lined the parade route and attended Mass. Patas Saladas do love their team! Especially when they win 😉 There were a few bands, one of which got down off the flatbed to set up on the malecón, and all of whom added to the merriment. Vennie was there, eager to take photos with the kids, engaging in his normal antics. Guys were selling flags and banners, the Pacífico girls strutted their stuff, and there was a killer sunset. All in all, not a bad way to spend an hour on a Monday afternoon!

Once the parade stopped so the team could greet the fans, the fireworks guys who lead parades here walked down to the beach, and from there they lit a good 15-20 minutes worth of fireworks. You know how they hold the bottle rockets in their hand, much braver or more foolhardy than what I think is safe? I was able to get some very cool shots of the fireworks blasting up from the beach, with our islands and the setting sun in the background. I hope you enjoy them.

As usual, we had a stunning sunset that served as a backdrop to this wonderful event. We are so blessed to live here. With the ships, ferry, tour boats and private boats out in the bay, it was a glorious sight.

I should also mention that it’s not the existing Venados team that plays in the Serie del Caribe. They assemble a sort of All Star team, with some of our players and other star players in the league. I loved that the sign in the front of the bus said, “Venados de México”!

Muchas felicidades, Venados!!! Thank you for loving us back! And éxito in the DR!!!