Welcoming Spring with Music!
By Christie Seeley
Vallartasounds.com
Last Saturday kicked off the 26th Annual Jazz Festival and Celebration of Spring at Cuates y Cuetes Beachside Restaurant and Bar in front of the pier in the Zona Romantica. The celebration goes on until Sunday the 27 of March, and as always, it's a free event.
Every year at this time, hundreds of people from Puerto Vallarta and visitors to the area gather to immerse themselves in some of the best music Puerto Vallarta has to offer, including guests from around Mexico and abroad, friends from over the years of owner and organizer of the event, Doña Teté. Every year she invites us to celebrate with them the anniversary of the opening of the restaurant and jazz venue. Enchanted by jazz as a young woman, she has devoted her efforts to promoting the music here in Puerto Vallarta and has, in the process, introduced us to many extraordinary young talents as the years went by. This year is no exception, with around 20 different groups playing over the nine days.
Saturday night, the opening act was the Sam Dávalos Trio made up of Sam on fiery percussion, Torben Pederson from Canada giving an excellent performance on piano and Damien Aiken just in from Australia playing an inspired saxophone. They warmed the large crowd with various hot pieces—a perfect beginning.
Brazilian Brian Macedo's outstanding group Trem de Minas followed with incredible interaction between Brian on guitar and voice, Roberto Falcon on bass and San Dávalos standing in for Gary Flores, who could not attend. The exciting and original work of the group was outstanding and thrilled the fortunate listeners. The evening was a total success, with attendees promising to be back for the following day's performances.
Doña Teté was thrilled with the crowd's reception. She told us of the exciting new bands she has on the schedule for the rest of the week, including many new faces and combinations, sure to make for a special nine days of music and camaraderie. Teté reminded us, "we were not just a group of people from many different countries but a group of human beings united by music." Judging by Saturday night's program, this might be the most exciting festival yet.
Also, on the horizon, the new museum of ArteVallarta in Romance is holding a First Saturday party on April 2 from 6-8 in the evening. This will be a free, open air celebration in the park across from the new museum. One of my favorite groups, Media Luna, will play for the event. There will be refreshments and all, including children, are welcome. Nathalie Hurling, head of this non profit arte project hopes to continue hosting the event every month to introduce the new museum to a wide audience. See their website for more information.
By Christie Seeley
Vallartasounds.com
Last Saturday kicked off the 26th Annual Jazz Festival and Celebration of Spring at Cuates y Cuetes Beachside Restaurant and Bar in front of the pier in the Zona Romantica. The celebration goes on until Sunday the 27 of March, and as always, it's a free event.
Every year at this time, hundreds of people from Puerto Vallarta and visitors to the area gather to immerse themselves in some of the best music Puerto Vallarta has to offer, including guests from around Mexico and abroad, friends from over the years of owner and organizer of the event, Doña Teté. Every year she invites us to celebrate with them the anniversary of the opening of the restaurant and jazz venue. Enchanted by jazz as a young woman, she has devoted her efforts to promoting the music here in Puerto Vallarta and has, in the process, introduced us to many extraordinary young talents as the years went by. This year is no exception, with around 20 different groups playing over the nine days.
Saturday night, the opening act was the Sam Dávalos Trio made up of Sam on fiery percussion, Torben Pederson from Canada giving an excellent performance on piano and Damien Aiken just in from Australia playing an inspired saxophone. They warmed the large crowd with various hot pieces—a perfect beginning.
Brazilian Brian Macedo's outstanding group Trem de Minas followed with incredible interaction between Brian on guitar and voice, Roberto Falcon on bass and San Dávalos standing in for Gary Flores, who could not attend. The exciting and original work of the group was outstanding and thrilled the fortunate listeners. The evening was a total success, with attendees promising to be back for the following day's performances.
Doña Teté was thrilled with the crowd's reception. She told us of the exciting new bands she has on the schedule for the rest of the week, including many new faces and combinations, sure to make for a special nine days of music and camaraderie. Teté reminded us, "we were not just a group of people from many different countries but a group of human beings united by music." Judging by Saturday night's program, this might be the most exciting festival yet.
Also, on the horizon, the new museum of ArteVallarta in Romance is holding a First Saturday party on April 2 from 6-8 in the evening. This will be a free, open air celebration in the park across from the new museum. One of my favorite groups, Media Luna, will play for the event. There will be refreshments and all, including children, are welcome. Nathalie Hurling, head of this non profit arte project hopes to continue hosting the event every month to introduce the new museum to a wide audience. See their website for more information.