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Dec. 5, 2004 - Issue #53
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:
· HOLIDAY EVENTS AND FUN
· THE VIRGEN OF GUADALUPE
· PEREGRINATIONS
· ART SHOWS
· CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
· SPECIAL NOTES
HOLIDAY EVENTS AND FUN
Happy holidays to all! As usual there are so many events planned for December that it is hard to attend them all. The month starts with the First International Tequila Festival from Dec. 6 to 11th at the Hotel Sheraton. Jalisco is renowned for it´s production of tequila, so the biggest producers, such as Cuervo, Herradura, Sauza, Don Julio, Pura Sangre, San Matias and Arete will get together to offer tastings and show their products, with experts assisting visitors to know the various Mexican liquors. In addition there will be gastronomical shows, exhibitions of typical dances and the famous Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra will present their concert on Wed. Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Patio Las Gaviotas.
Art shows featuring typical Mexican scenes and tequila themes by some of our best artists are scheduled at the Sheraton, the Quinta Real and Premiere Hotels. The Vallarta Ambassadors Cup Gold Tournament will also be held this week.
Also on Monday, Dec. 6 the Spotlight Players, our wonderful local theater group, will hold a fundraiser at the Hotel Krystal. Stardust Memories will feature numbers from past Spotlight shows, entertainment by special guest stars and will introduce the Spotlight Chamber Orchestra. Vallarta´s best restaurants will provide samples of their special dishes, and there will be a dance floor. All food, beverages and entertainment included for $375 pesos. Reservations at 221-5157. The fundraiser is for costs of producing this season´s shows and since Spotlight Players is a non-profit organization, profits from the upcoming shows will be donated to local charities.
Art Walk dates are Wednesday, Dec. 15 and 29th. See the Art show article for details. Watch the PV Tribune, Vallarta Today and Ambito for more events as they are announced. There will be lots of musical presentations in Los Arcos open air theater during the month.
THE VIRGEN OF GUADALUPE PEREGRINATIONS
The pilgramages to our crowned Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe are in progress from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display on the 12th. Groups representing the various colonias and businesses of Vallarta dress in white, carry candles and gifts to the church, chanting the Guadalupana song. Also there are Aztec dancers, mariachis, and floats participating in the parades. The traditions of the the Virgen of Guadalupe began in 1531 when an Aztec Indian who had recently converted to Christianity and was baptized Juan Diego saw a vision of a beautiful brown-skinned woman in an aura of blazing light, calling his name. She revealed to him that she was Holy Mary, the Mother of God and asked him to tell the bishop to erect a shrine in her name in the spot where she stood. Juan Diego related the story to the archbishop, who skeptically asked for a sign to prove the reality of his tale. He went back to the original site and the Virgen caused roses to bloom in the dead of winter where roses had never bloomed before. Juan Diego brought them to the bishop in a thin cactus cloth, and when he unfolded the cloth, a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary appeared on the cloth, which still exists intact today even though this type of cloth usually deteriorates quickly. It can be seen in Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City which was built on the exact site indicated to Juan Diego in 1531, and was formerly the site of the Aztec temple to Tonanzin, the earth goddess. Thus the Virgen of Guadalupe is identified with the earth goddess and the mother of humanity. The Basilica in Mexico City is visited by over 10 million faithful, making it second only to the Vatican among religious sites. These peregrinations are a very special event in Vallarta and something not to be missed.
ART SHOWS
Galeria Vallarta presented the first art show of December at the Kiosko of Plaza Marina on Friday, Dec. 3, featuring the festive art of Manuel Zardain from Veracruz. His colorful paintings in oils and mixed media portray mariachis, salsa bands and singers in his own special impressionistic style, and he creates in a variety of sizes from miniatures to huge canvases, all at very reasonable prices. The show will continue until Dec. 11 and after Manuel´s art will be available at Galeria Vallarta, Loc. E-6 in Plaza Marina and downtown at Juarez 263. Javier Zaragoza´s show, "The Soul of Mexico" continues in our central gallery until Dec. 14, with some of his impressive works to be shown at the Tequila Festival. New works by surrealist painter, Jaime Cabrera, just arrived from his successful show in Guanajuato. The themes are " Looking for the Sea and other artifacts", in large oils on canvas.
The next Old Town Art Walk on Wed. Dec. 15, 6-10 p.m. will feature unique jewelry at Galeria Vallarta, bringing together several of Mexico´s best jewelers fromTaxco, Mexico City and Vallarta to present their one of a kind creations. Designs by Fabio Rizzo, Fabio Vanin, Lozano, Stefano, Don Thompson, Alejandro Mateo, Caroline Bartlett, Robin, Laurie and Barbara Peters will be included. Manuel Valles Gomez, our famous Mexican muralist, will bring new paintings and masks for Galeria Vallarta´s Dec. 29th show.
At other Old Town galleries you will see works by Cinthia Corona at Arte Latinoamericano on Dec. 15 and Yolanda Marroquin and Jose Guerrero on Dec. 29, Oscar and Ali Zamarripa, on Dec. 15 and Esau Andrade on Dec. 29 at Galeria Uno, Manuel Morales Gamez on Dec. 15 until Jan 6 at T.Fuller Galeria, Paloma R. Prendes on Dec. 15 and Mizraim Cardenas on Dec. 29 at Galeria Corona. Please check with Galerias 8 y Mas, Galeria Corsica, Galeria Pacifico, Leonardo Galerias, Galeria de Ollas, Sergio Bustamante and Galeria Arte Popular Mexicana for their scheduled events. Maps for the Art Walks are available at all participating galleries and in the major hotels.
PV Art is presenting "Shapes and Colors" until Dec. 19 at the Palm, 508 Olas Altas, featuring artists from Brazil, Ecuador, Chile and Mexico.
From Dec. 1 to 13, T. Fuller Galeria, Hidalgo 424, features art works on the theme of The Virgen of Guadalupe, with proceeds from sales going to the Make a Wish foundation.
The Municipal Cultural Dept. presents encaustic paintings by Cecilia Bojorquez in the patio of the City Hall starting Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Claudia Nery will show her paintings at the Quinta Real Hotel on Dec. 6, as part of the Origens Tequila festival.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
There are so many unique and wonderful gifts to select from in Puerto Vallarta, so instead of fighting the crowds at the malls, spend some time browsing through the unique shops, especially on the inside streets above the Malecon, and in Olas Altas.
Collectors love the whimsical metal and paper mache sculptures by Felguerez, portraying children at play and sports figures. A small bronze golfer statue is ideal for the golfer in your family. The beautiful figures of the Virgen of Guadalupe, angels and saints done in Verstone with antiqued finish in gold leaf by Veracruz artist Max Hervella make ideal gifts. These are all available at Galeria Vallarta, Juarez 263, as well as a fantastic collection of unique jewelry in all price ranges.
Candles in many shapes, including angels, are available at Galeria Vallarta´s Plaza Marina location. Art always makes a wonderful gift, from originals to prints on canvas or posters. If you can´t decide which piece to select, you can always choose a GIFT CERTIFICATE from Galeria Vallarta.
SPECIAL NOTES:
The date for the BECA Charity ball has been changed to Saturday, March 5, 2005. Mark your calendar and plan to get your tickets as soon as they are available. More information at mjellis@prodigy.net.mx.
Be sure to check the following website for lots of special discounts. www.puertovallartafun.com.
The local Museum of Anthropology is scheduled to reopen on Dec. 20, due to the cooperation of the City Dept. of Culture and the National Institute of Anthropology. This is an important step, since we have many historic ruins and artifacts in this area.
The International Friendship Club home tours are in progress on each Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Please meet at the Posada Rio Cuale Hotel on Aguiles Serdan just over the south bridge at 10 a.m. to get your tickets to see these spectacular homes. Proceeds go to Vallarta charities.
Also be sure to make donations of toys or money to buy them, for the annual King´s Day gifts of toys for the poor children of Vallarta at the International Friendship Clubhouse, up the stairs behind the Fuente del Puente restaurant on Insurgentes. You will make a child happy with your donations.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS|
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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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