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Nov. 4, 2005 - Issue #64
News and Features about Puerto Vallarta on Mexico´s Gold Coast
Tips and Topics on Living in Your Own Dream Location
[Go to the Archives]
CONTENTS:
• THE SEASON HAS STARTED & DAY OF THE DEAD TRADITIONS
• CULTURAL NEWS
• A LESSON IN HISTORY
THE SEASON HAS STARTED
November is one of the busiest months of the year in Puerto Vallarta, with the beginning of the famous Art Walks, the Gourmet Festival, the Film Festival, the Fishing tournament, and lots of openings of new businesses that have been preparing for the season. Dia de los Muertos was the first event of November, with a display of about 50 altars created by students of our local CUC university all along the Malecon on the night of Nov. 1st, as well as altars around city hall. This is a great way of preserving a Mexican tradition through the young people of our city.
Here is an excerpt from an article on Day of the Dead by Nacho Cadena:
"Death has brought great artistic inspiration to Mexicans. The same altars to the dead have served for this day to witness the construction of true works of art, ephemeral, fleeting, that only last a few days while they are being exhibited, but that last forever in the heart of spectators. For example, the ones set up by Frida Kahlo, Dolores Olmedo and José Luis Cuevas were famous. In poetry, there are great works by Mexican poets like Amado Nervo, and presently, the great Jaime Sabines and Jalisco´s own poet, Dante Medina. In music, genial songs like those of José Alfredo Jiménez who sings of death in a thousand ways. In painting, in the graphic arts, all must know the fabulous work of José Guadalupe Posada, who, through his painted calaveras generally brought death to a level of art that reaches all social classes. Among his paintings, the one called "La Catrina" the beautiful woman wearing a plumed hat, elegantly dressed to cover her skeleton, "goddess of vanity" has crossed borders, bringing this popular Mexican feeling to the whole world. The Day of the Dead is the Day of the Living, one more of the beautiful Mexican traditions."
The International Friendship Club is busy again, welcoming newcomers to join this group to meet new friends and to participate in important charity activities. There will be a meeting and pot luck at the Clubhouse on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. and a charity brunch at Nikki Beach, 11 am-2 pm on Nov. 10. Ticket sales 222-5765 or 228-0050.
The annual fundraiser for Make a Wish Foundation will be held at Outback Restaurant on Nov. 29th. Tickets are $250 pesos including dinner, 1 beverage, auction raffles etc. Call 222-9111 for reservations.
CULTURAL EVENTS
The Old Town Art Walks are being held every Wednesday night from 6 to 10 pm, so all of our visitors will have an opportunity to see the great creations of our Mexican artists at the 17 participating galleries. Maps are available at all hotels and the tourist department. They are also available in many of our local publications, such as the PV Tribune English newspaper, Inside Vallarta, Bay Vallarta, and the Official Tourist Guide magazine. Or visit Puerto Vallarta's liveliest website, http://BanderasNews.com, to download a 2005-2006 Art Walk map in PDF format.
Galeria Vallarta celebrated the season opener with abstract oils by Jesus Real Ruiz from San Miguel de Allende. On Nov. 9 we'll be presenting large impressionist and abstract oils by Steve Fischer, ideal for decoration of your homes and condos. On November 23, Galeria Vallarta welcomes Guillermo Saldaña and Jorgé Garcia from Mexico City for a joint exposition of their new works. Guillermo shows his works in New York City and promises us some great new paintings. This will be the 16th anniversary of Galeria Vallarta and we hope you will all join us for the cocktail inauguration and a look at our newly remodeled gallery, now at Juarez 265 instead of #263. On Nov. 4th, Galeria Dante opened a show for Rogelio Diaz and Alvaro Zardoni. Saturday, Nov. 5th is the opening of a new gallery "Angeles and Demonios" located at Iturbide 261, just 2 blocks above City Hall.
PUERTO VALLARTA FILM FESTIVAL
Puerto Vallarta - Steeped in a tradition of great filmmaking, the Pacific Mexican coastal city of Puerto Vallarta mexico will host the 2005 Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas from November 7-12, 2005. Showcasing contemporary full-length films and documentaries from North and South America, the city's annual Film Festival draws movie stars, producers and film makers from around the world - making for some interesting people and movie watching.
This year's festival will pay tribute to independent filmmaker ROGER CORMAN, [http://www.banderasnews.com/0503/nb-corman.htm ] who having produced more than 550 films and directed fifty others is arguably one of Hollywood's most gifted film makers. Puerto Vallarta is also extremely excited to welcome special guest of honor, Academy Award nominated actor Peter O'Toole and filmmaker JON FITZGERALD, [ http://www.banderasnews.com/0508/nb-filmfest.htm ] who will assist in overseeing the film festival as well as in procuring major studio films and inviting celebrity guests.
In addition to Fitzgerald and Levine, other members of the 2005 Film Festival programming committee include Alan Franey, executive director of the Vancouver Film Festival; Paula Astoraga Riestra and Michel Lipkes of the Mexico City Contemporary Film Festival and Robert James Roessel, executive director of the Puerto Vallarta Film Festival. The 2005 Puerto Vallarta Film Festival promises to be a star-studded affair with movie stars and filmakers competing for awards named after Hollywood movers and shakers who have impacted Puerto Vallarta; the John Huston Maverick Awards for Best Film and Best Director, the Richard Burton Thespian Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, the Elizabeth Taylor Humanitarian Award and more. Don't miss it!
PUERTO VALLARTA GOURMET FESTIVAL - NOVEMBER 10-20
The International Festival Gourmet Vallarta, a popular culinary event that takes place in Puerto Vallarta every November and hosts distinguished Master Chefs from all over the world, will celebrate its 11th anniversary this year from November 10th-20th. The brainchild of Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, Heinz Reize of Coco Tropical, and Sivan Muller of Nestle, the first annual Gourmet Festival was held from November 18-26, 1995 with the participation of six five-star hotels and six independent restaurants. As the festival has grown over the years, so has the number of participating restaurants.
This year's Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival will showcase 28 Puerto Vallarta restaurants offering a spicy blend of culinary talents, as local chefs invite guest chefs from internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels from around the world into their kitchens to experiment and exchange culinary secrets. Invited chefs will prepare special menus for the host restaurant, and every night during the 10-day festival the local and guest chefs will jointly prepare the creative delights and specialties featured on the customized menus. Fourteen of the 28 restaurants will hold Chef's Table nights, while others will feature special menus, events and live music.
Don't miss the highlight of the festival, the Expo-Forum, which includes cooking classes, specialized food seminars, a gourmet food fair introducing the newest and most creative Epicurean products available, Tequila Madness and much more. Other Gourmet Festival happenings include gourmet brunches, cooking classes, wine and cheese classes, tequila tastings, invitational cocktails and the traditional Gala Dinner that concludes the week of festivities. Since 1995, the Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival has been attracting around 35,000 attendees each year, and the organizers expect the numbers to increase significantly in 2005 for the 11th anniversary of this successful festival. For more information visit the Festival Gourmet website: http://www.festivalgourmet.com
A LESSON IN HISTORY "LAUS DEO"
A little history lesson you may enjoy: I thought that you and others may like to see this. One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments, etc... this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less, but these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say, "Praise be to God!" Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.
It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant... a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state?
Separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings, the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items, including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy "One Nation, Under God."
Remember to visit our website: www.galeriavallarta.com to see artworks by our major artists which you can easily order online. Please send an email to webart@galeriavallarta.com for photos or other items you may want. If you would, like to submit an ad or article, please contact Barbara Peters at webart@prodigy.net.mx or webart@galeriavallarta.com.
SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION:
About Living Your Dream is by free subscription to our own mailing list. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to WebArt@GaleriaVallarta.com with "subscribe or unsubscribe to Dream" in the subject line. If you would like to place an ad or submit an article, please contact Barbara Peters, Galeria Vallarta, Juarez 263, (322) 222-0290 or at WebArt@GaleriaVallarta.com
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