Week of November 17

Colunga Brothers Featured at Gallería Dante
In a rare opportunity, three members of the very talented Colunga family of artists – Alejandro, Gabriel and Bernardo – will exhibit their sculptures together for the first time in many years at Gallería Dante. Alejandro Colunga is best known to those who visit our city for the memorable chair sculptures he created for Vallarta’s Malecón in 1997. The second youngest of eight children, Gabriel Colunga is a self-taught sculptor of figures real and imaginary. Eldest brother Bernardo Colunga is better known as a composer, having presented recitals of contemporary music worldwide. In recent years, he decided to divide his creative activities and try his hand at sculpting. The opening of the Colunga show will take place November 29, from 6 to 10 pm.

Whale-Watching Season Officially Begins
Humpback whale season officially begins in Vallarta during the last week of November and continues through March. Over 270 specimens travel from the American western coast – as far as Alaska – to Banderas Bay once a year to mate. A protected species, the whales that can be spotted around the bay during this time average 12 – 13 meters in length and can weight up to 31 tons. Several activity providers endorsed by the National Wildlife Protection Agency (PROFEPA) organize whale-watching tours after undergoing training and certification.

Revolution Day Parade Well Attended
Revolution Day was celebrated all over Mexico this past week for the 93rd time. In Vallarta, over 3,500 students participated in a traditional parade. The well-attended event also included members of the local naval and military corps and other members of civil services.

Celebrity Cruises’ Mercury Makes Maiden Voyage to Vallarta
Celebrity Cruises began a new 10-day cruise along the Mexican Riviera. Departing from Los Angeles, the cruise makes stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo. Three additional arrivals will take place before year’s end with 15 trips during the remainder of the high season. The 77,000- ton vessel can carry 1,750 passengers plus 853 crew. Celebrity Cruises is relatively new to Vallarta with only two previous arrivals.

Week of November 10

Vallarta Comes Alive with Cultural Choices
As snowbirds’ return becomes increasingly noticeable, Vallarta’s new high-season cycle begins with increased optimism on the part of local business owners, who already anticipate better revenues as compared to last year’s. With myriad cultural events taking place on a daily basis, these days there is something to do for just about anyone who favors Vallarta as a winter destination of choice. El Centro art galleries have successfully begun their Wednesday bi-weekly Old Town Art Walks, while other similar venues, such as Gallería Dante, plan similar events on other days of the week. By month’s end, two new books by local authors (Gil Gevins’ “Refried Beans” and Cherie Sibley’s “Locals Guide to Puerto Vallarta”) will become available. “I’ll Think About It,” a new bilingual children’s book by “Vallarta Voice” contributor Cynthia Beare will make its local debut in December. A newly restored print of John Huston’s “Night of the Iguana,” donated by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, will be shown as part of the upcoming Tribute to John Huston. Those interested in music and performing arts can benefit from the many free performances offered through the Arts Festival currently in progress. Several performers, such as cabaret singer/dancer Edie from New York (currently at The Palm Lounge) are making their first local appearance. Meanwhile, traditional favorites such as D’Rachel and Spotlight Productions, Vallarta’s community musical theater troupe, can be seen at Archie’s Wok and The Jungle, respectively. Many other current and upcoming choices are detailed in our events calendar, which is updated on an ongoing basis. For those interested in Vallarta’s cultural scene, the best of this year’s high season is just beginning.

Vallarta Awards Six Airlines
Executives from six airlines (Aeromexico, Mexicana, America West, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Continental) will receive an award from the city of Vallarta this week in recognition for their continuing service, having operated daily flights to our destination during the past 10 years. Vallarta Mayor Ignacio Guzmán will present the award during his upcoming final address. Aviation in Vallarta began when Mexicana (then Mexicana de Aviación) landed its first plane here on November 11, 1954.

Bianco and Los Xitomates Received Five Star Diamond Award
Restaurants Bianco and Los Xitomates received The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ Five Star Diamond Award this week. This prestigious award is offered to restaurants and other hospitality providers – hotels, airlines, etc. – worldwide for their outstanding commitment to excellence and quality of service. Other Puerto Vallarta restaurants that have received this important award include Café des Artistes and Trío.

Vallarta Will Host First International Tequila Festival
An ambitious international tequila festival to take place next fall in Vallarta was recently announced by representatives of the organization Mexico al Día. The event will have two additional locations (Guadalajara and the town of Tequila) and will eventually tour 15 cities in Mexico, USA, Canada and Europe. This promotional effort will be produced in conjunction with Hotel Marriott CasaMagna. Tequila, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented and distilled sap of the agave (also called maguey), is recognized worldwide as an icon of Mexican nationality, pride and culture. Archaeologists say the agave has been cultivated for at least 9,000 years. Today, most of it is made in our state, Jalisco.