Back-to-back evenings at a couple of my favorite South Side venues – The Palm Bar and Santa Barbara Restaurant and Playhouse – had me in stitches. Both spots offer lots of really good entertainment, changing frequently to keep things interesting for us locals.

Sporting buttons and bows, sateen and chiffon, the “Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet The Kinsey Sicks,” at the Palm for a two-week run, is not only hysterically funny, but also seriously talented. Make no mistake, this is gay humor, along with the bouncy music of a much more innocent time.

The January 9 dress rehearsal for Theater Vallarta’s latest production, “Move Over Mrs. Markham,” a farce about relationships and mistaken identities that runs until February 28, also had me laughing aloud. Another nice thing about an evening of theater at Billy and Gary’s Santa Barbara is that it includes a really good dinner beforehand. The current play is their fourth of the season – “On Golden Pond” and “Joy to the World” presented by Spotlight Productions and “The Vagina Monologues” by Tencha Avila also delighting audiences. And keep in mind that playing charity bingo here – also a hoot with fabulous prizes – means you are contributing to worthy local causes such as AIDS education.

Artist Francisco San Miguel’s opening January 7 at Cathy von Rohr’s artist co-operative was a real pleasure to attend. His unique, uplifting work was beautifully presented in the large airy space, which is located just enough off the beaten path to make it feel exceptionally relaxed. Consequently, guests seemed especially at ease and chatty as several popular local musicians entertained. Watch for each of the five artists in this co-op to have openings this season, including Sheila Devine.

Attendance at the weekly Puerto Vallarta Writers’ Group is growing with the influx of snowbirds that spend their winters here. The core group of locals welcomes their fresh input, which keeps things lively. Stop by Las Brazzas restaurant on the Isla Cuale any Saturday at 10:30 am and meet some interesting characters – both on the page and in the flesh.

An article in a recent issue of the “Vallarta Express” strikes me as not unexpected. As I’ve previously mentioned in this column, former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani has been hired at a fee of $4.3 million USD to help Mexico City police tackle escalating violent crime – just as he did successfully during his political tenure.

An American investigator has discovered a plot by Columbian rebels – in cahoots with Mexican drug cartels – to kidnap Giuliani when he comes to this country. Duh! I mean, isn’t this exactly the kind of thing he’s been hired to battle? The article goes on to say “While a comprehensive investigation by the FBI and the New York Police Department is well underway, there is little visible activity in Mexico … mainly due to the culture of impunity that allows many crimes to go unpunished.”

In other words, the lack of co-operation he can expect from the Mexican police is already all too apparent – the police chief has nothing to say, and his spokesman shrugs off the danger by saying it’s just a rumor.

Perhaps it is. But considering the violent history of both Mexican drug dealers and Columbian rebels, I wouldn’t be so cocksure. This battle may be too big for even Giuliani, who has his work cut out for him regardless. And perhaps it’s best he know right off the bat that his efforts may be in spite of the police, rather than in cooperation with them. That way he can put his personal affairs in order prior to landing in the world’s biggest city.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.