The Mazatlan Grapevine

Mazatlán’s most acclaimed musical prodigy, Enrique Patrón de Ruedas, reaffirmed his position as Mexico’s most distinguished orchestra conductor with his recent return to the prestigious Bellas Artes theater in Mexico City to once again conduct Puccini’s beloved opera Tosca, inaugurating an upcoming national tour. The last time he conducted Tosca there, in 1984, legendary Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo topped the bill. The Mazatlecan maestro has expressed his regrets that this production will not be coming to the Teatro Angela Peralta, but will visit the Sinaloa capital city of Culiacán April 10th and 11th. Said the famed musician, “Such masterpieces as Tosca will always be there, for they express with sounds the essences of human passions. As long as there are people on the planet they will seek the music which offers a marvelous mirror in which is reflected who we are and what we feel”.

On a rather different note, hundreds of nostalgic roc’n’rol fans crowded the Club 30-60-90 on Thursday March 13 to groove and pay homage to the trailblazing band that brought that sensational new musical form rock and roll to Mazatlán back in 1960. after 48 years of playing gigs and evolving, two of the original members still front the combo: Gregorio Chávez and Carlos Gutierrez. They have over the years recorded six vinyl LP’s (remember those, old timer?) and some of their big hits include Mi Chamaquilla, Lo Sé and Mi Pueblito.

Speaking of old rock bands, Help! (a world class Beatles tribute) is coming to the angela Peralta Theater on Saturday, March 15. Three brothers, Marco, Sergio and  Paco Montero, portray Ringo, John and George, respectively, and Raul Palma is the walrus, that is to say, Paul. There will be two shows, 7 and 9:30 PM. 

The world’s largest shrimp fleet is taking a break after a disappointing season. The “veda”, or off season, begins the first day of spring, March 21, and will remain in effect until September. While the previous season’s harvest was bountiful, the same ocean currents which brought Mazatlan its coldest winter in recorded history also conspired against the shrimpers for the ’07-’08 season. Most of the boats have already been docked for a while, awaiting better luck in the fall. 

As promised in our last edition, Mazatlán Transit police have initiated a Cero Tolerancia (Zero Tolerance!) policy in a crackdown on traffic offenders. As well as observing the speed limits and stop signs, motorized vehicles and drivers must conform to the letter of the law regarding seat belts, tinted windows, valid permits, plates and licenses, etc. Motorcyclists must wear protective helmets (Bike Week attendees take note!), and a failed breathalyzer test means an impaired driving arrest. Director of the Transito Municipal Trinidad Tirado Olivera explains succintly, “The law does not make exceptions, it’s a case of obey and obey.” 

The 11^th annual Feliart Book Fair (Feria de los Libros) which dominated the Plaza Machado for 10 days, ended on Sunday March 9 after another successful run. Mazatlán mayor Jorge Abel Sanchez was on hand to lead the ceremonies, as well as local writers Juan Jose Rodriguez, Sergio Navarro, Book Fair founder Jose Franco and others. During the course of the event, some of Latin america’s prominent literary figures appeared for presentations, notably former Mexican Foreign Secretary, maverick presidential candidate and intellectual author Jorge Castañedas. You never know who might show up next year!

Well known local artist Blas Nayer, proprietor of the Nautilus Gallery a half block off the Plaza Machado, is traveling north again to show half a dozen of his paintings at the Jadite Gallery in New York City March 17-29. He has previously toured the USA and Canada to participate in art shows, and is particularly excited about this upcoming exposition. “It is an opportunity that I have to make the most of! There (in New York) they focus on an artists work, not so much on his name or career.” Good luck, Blas!

The Mazatlán Lion’s Club (Club de Leones) continues to find new ways to benefit the Mazatlán community. Last week, in conjunction with 8 Lion’s Clubs from Minnesota, free eye exams and over 3,000 pairs of eyeglasses were given away to needy folks aged 4 to 80…Keep up the good work!

That’s all for now! Drop me a line if there is something you think is noteworthy!