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Category Archives: New and Happenings
Valentines in Romantica Zone Puerto Vallarta
February 14 – Friendship Day (Día de Amistad – Valentine’s Day); in Mexico, is not just for lovers, but friendship, as well, and is celebrated on February 14. Special menus in most the local restaurants and live music to dance in different latino ambience night clubs. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to reserve in advance if you don’t want to wait for hours for a table and get into a fight with your fiancee :-).
Everything about Puerto Vallarta lends itself to romance: The blue water and green mountains, the cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, the brilliant colors and music. So planning a romantic Valentine’s Day in Vallarta is amazingly simple.
Galleria Dante Artist Reception Jan 27th
Galleria Dante Presents
Juan Carlos Navarro
Friday Jan. 27 2017, 6-10pm
Come meet this exciting artist!
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Quick and Tasty Food at New Food Park
The Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone has a new culinary attraction on Ignacio L. Vallarta street, a few steps away from the Lázaro Cárdenas Park: Los Guapos Food Park.
This recently inaugurated, open-air venue offers the city a new experience as it features an interesting array of fast food stalls in repurposed shipping containers. Los Guapos Food Park also features a terrace and a dining area on the ground floor where guests can enjoy their favorite dishes and the ambiance of the place.
Music, food, cocktails and a setting featuring an industrial exterior design and pop culture elements, make from this park a must-visit attraction in the area.
The following are the culinary options available at the food park:
Mozzarella Pizza
Featuring some classic pizzas such as the Margherita, Hawaiian, Pepperoni and Veggie specialties, as well as other signature recipes such as one called Bahía—featuring salmon, cream cheese, red onions and pesto—and another one named Muy Guapa—featuring artichoke, serrano ham, black olives, fresh basil and mushroom.
Burger Station
A wide variety of burger recipes to pamper everyone’s palate!
Tacos o Pacos
Enjoy Mexico’s most representative dish: Al Pastor, asada, adobada and chicken tacos available!
Bar
Featuring the essential beverages for a Saturday night. Whether you enjoy a soft drink or a tequila cocktail, a glass of draft beer or a vodka drink; Los Guapos Food Park has you covered.
For more information about Los Guapos Food Park, please visit its Facebook Page.
Fantastic Oaxaca Painted Mexican Animals
The Alebrijes are brightly colored Oaxacan Mexican Folk Art sculptures of fantastical creatures. They seem to strike a universal chord with our shared human experience. Colorful and whimsical. The first alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares. In the 1930s. Over the past 20 years this style has evolved dramatically from colorful and whimsical folk art into fine contemporary art. It is sought out worldwide by very passionate collectors who can’t seem to get enough.
JULIA FUENTES, From San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca. Daughter of renowned artisans Epifanio Fuentes and Laurencia Santiago. Julia Fuentes began painting at her parent’s workshop in 1989 when she was only 13 years old. A few years later she began her art education at the School of Fine Arts where she graduated as Art Instructor in 1989. Julia and her husband Juan J. Melchor started their own workshop in 2001.
Julia’s paintings are characterized by colorful geometric shapes on copal wood figures that her husband carves which she decorates with traditional spikes combined with Zapotec details, in a fusion of the past and the present thus adding a new level of depth to Mexican folk art.
Brothers Armando and Moises Jimenez are the grandsons of the master woodcarver Manuel Jimenez, of Arrazola, Oaxaca. Manuel Jimenez is generally acknowledged as the father of Oaxacan woodcarving, who turned the small farming village on the slopes of Monte Alban into a boom town. Armando and Moises work with their wives, Antonia Carrillo and Oralia Cardenas, and their children. They carry on the tradition of sensitively observed naturalistic carving and colorful but restrained painting mastered by their grandfather.
The story of Manuel Jiménez is now part of Oaxacan folklore. He struggled out of poverty to become one of the world’s most reknown woodcarvers. His early work focused on animals and people and he continues making realistic animals. Occasionally, he will add a twist or contortion to their forms.
Isaac and Rosario Fabian are two of the better known popular artists. Using wood from the copal tree, figures are carved, sanded, and painted by hand. They usually use marble eyes in their works.
The carving of a piece, which is done while the wood is still wet, can last anywhere from hours to a month, depending on the size and fineness of the piece. Often the copal wood that is used will influence what is made, both because of the shapes the branches can take and because male and female trees differ in hardness and shape. Carving is done with non-mechanical hand tools such as machetes, chisels and knives. The basic shape of the creature is usually hacked using a machete, then a series of smaller knives used as the final shape is achieved. Certain details such as ears, tails and wings are usually made from pieces separate from the one for the main body.
After the carving, the figure is then left to dry for up to ten months, depending on its overall size and thickness. Semi tropical wood such as copal is susceptible to insect infestations, and for this reason drying pieces are often soaked in gasoline and sometimes baked to ensure that all insect eggs have been destroyed. As the figure dries, it is also susceptible to cracking. The cracks are filled with small pieces of copal wood and a sawdust resin mixture before painting. The painting is generally done in two layers, with a solid undercoat and a multicolored designed superimposed.
THE BEST place in Puerto Vallarta to see all of this and much more is Peyote People and Galeria Colectika . Traveling around Mexico buying for Peyote People and Colectika, owner Kevin Simpson has had the unique opportunity to visit recluse villages, participate in ancient rituals and have befriended a number of different artists and their families. You will find a great assortment of art at all price ranges!
Peyote People Juarez 222 Col. Centro
Galeria Colectika corner of Calle Guadalupe Sanchez and Calle Allende
Galleria Dante Artist Reception Nov 18th
Come meet this exciting artist!
Thanks to his keen sense of self promotion and his undeniable talent, Marc soon found himself a place in art galleries in Montreal, Quebec city and the Eastern Townships.
Puerto Vallarta Gay Mens Chorus Dec. 15
Celebrate the holidays as PVGMC presents HALLELUJAH!
The Puerto Vallarta Gay Men’s Chorus (PVGMC), directed by Alfonso López, presents its annual holiday musical celebration at 8 PM on December 15 and 16 and at 4 PM and 8 PM on December 17 at Act II Stages
The PVGMC develops and shares the vocal skills of gay men from Mexico, the United States, Canada and around the world. They perform choral music that entertains, enlightens and unifies the audience, as well as its members, while building bridges of greater understanding, acceptance and love between communities, cultures, families, and friends. They are warmly embraced by the local Mexican and Ex-Pat communities, as well as tourists of both cultures.
This time of year brings back recollection of some of the most memorable times spent with family and friends. Buy your ticket today online at http://actiientertainment.com/
Puerto Vallarta pride 2017
“Together with Pride” is the theme for Vallarta Pride 2017!
Puerto Vallarta is Still VERY SAFE!
The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board deeply regrets the events that occurred this week in one of the city’s restaurants and confirms that no tourist was involved or affected in this incident. As an immediate safety measure, security has been reinforced in Puerto Vallarta to ensure that residents as well as tourists can continue with their normal activities.
Puerto Vallarta’s La Leche Restaurant was the scene of a particular kidnapping of the son of el Chapo this past Monday. The incident was very specific and the people who did it came into the city for this specific and only reason. They left with what seems to be 3 people, including the son of el Chapo.
Puerto Vallarta was not affected at all by this as it happened at 1 am and the restaurant was closed and everything is as it always is in PV. All hotels are open and with visitors and all tours are working as normal.
The Governor of the State of Jalisco, Aristoteles Sandoval, announced earlier that an investigation involving different security forces on the Federal, State and Municipal, levels was launched, as well as the authorities of the neighboring state of Nayarit, to find those responsible. Early findings from the investigation led by the State Attorney of Jalisco, Eduardo Almaguer, stated that in a first examination, the victims and perpetrators belong to criminal groups from another region of the country, confirming the likelihood of this being an isolated case.
“As representatives of the tourism community of Puerto Vallarta, a city recognized by the warmth of its people and the ease with which visitors enjoy the destination’s diverse offerings, we do not tolerate violence of any kind,” said Agustin Alvarez general director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “We are following the instructions by the different government authorities and encourage the community to do the same; as well as pay attention to information and facts solely communicated by the authorities in charge, in order to dispel false rumors and avoid confusion that do not represent the actual situation in Puerto Vallarta and ensure we do not compromise the security of our residents and tourists.”
It is important to note that the authorities are taking the necessary measures and Puerto Vallarta is fully operational with all tourism services and attractions open and following their regular schedules without any interruptions.
We hope that this isolated and unprecedented event has minimal impact in our city. We are committed to proactively providing accurate information from official sources in a timely manner in order to keep our industry, residents and travelers informed, safe and well taken care of at all times.
In the 15 years I PERSONALLY have been going to PUERTO VALLARTA – I have ALWAYS FELT SAFE! I can not stress this enough!
Gay Marriage LEGAL in Puerto Vallarta NOW
Jalisco has now became the fourth Mexican state to legalize same-sex marriage, following Chihuahua, Coahuila and Quintana Roo; the capital, Mexico City, also recognizes same-sex marriages.
For the fourth consecutive year, Puerto Vallarta will be hosting the annual LGBTTIQ pride festival this year, scheduled to take place May 16 to 30, under the motto, “We are one family.” The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board will join local civil associations, private companies and Puerto Vallarta’s local and international lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex, and queer community in this , which aims to honor and promote the culture and respect for sexual diversity.
The Costa Sur Resort & Spa in P.V., a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, marked the news of the legalization by offering free wedding packages. Couples who make a booking of 10 rooms or more for a minimum of two nights will receive a complimentary wedding banquet, centerpieces and four hours of open bar. On the night of the wedding, the couple’s room will be decorated, and the couple will be treated to complimentary chocolate-dipped strawberries and sparkling white wine. Prices for the package start at $135 per person, per night, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy.
“Puerto Vallarta has over 22,000 hotel rooms with more than half of those in 5- and 4-star hotels, including the Pacific Coast’s first [AAA] 5 Diamond property, the Hotel Mousai,” a spokesperson said. “The destination’s downtown, where Puerto Vallarta’s ‘gayborhood,’ the Zona Romantica, is located, is home to over 70 businesses targeting the LGBT consumer. The past six months has seen the zone increase its infrastructure with the opening of three new hotels — Casa Kimberly, Garlands Del Rio and Almar Resort Luxury All Suites & Spa — which are all LGBT-friendly.”
For a full list of hotels, resorts and activities in Mexico that are LGBT-friendly, visit the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association at www.iglta.org.
CALL AND BOOK WITH DAVE @ DONAVAN TRAVEL! 1-800-942-1280
Puerto Vallarta Romantic Valentines Get Away
Everything about Puerto Vallarta lends itself to romance: The blue water and green mountains, the cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, the brilliant colors and music. So planning a romantic Valentine’s Day in Vallarta is amazingly simple.
February 14 – Friendship Day (Día de Amistad – Valentine’s Day); in Mexico, not just love, but friendship, as well, is celebrated on February 14.
For great gifts for your special someone visit Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates in the Romantic Zone for sinfully delicious handmade treats, Jabonarte on Lazaro Cardenas for seductive massage and bath oils or Diamonds International for jewelry on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon.
Couple’s massages and spa treatments are another great way to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Puerto Vallarta with your sweetheart. Ohtli Spa at CasaMagna Marriott is certain to spark the romance.
Most of the restaurants in Puerto Vallarta will be offering special dinners for two for Valentine’s Day and some of the more famously romantic spots include: The River Café, Trio, Le Kliff, Porto Bello, Café des Artistes, No Way Jose, Barcelona Tapas, Michel, and The Swedes. You need to reserve in advance if you don’t want to wait for ages!
And of course, no romantic evening in Puerto Vallarta is complete without a stroll along the Malecon watching the sunset and the fireworks lighting up the sky over Banderas Bay.
The beautiful heart artwork in the photo is just one of the amazing Retablo’s Crafted by the world-famous Peruvian artists the Jiménez Quispe family. For them, the making of retablo art is a family tradition. The third and fourth generations of this family, with are world-renowned artists with pieces in dozens of museums including the Smithsonian, Folk Art Museums in Sante Fe and San Francisco and many others. This family is originally from Ayacucho, high in the mountains. Both Colecktika and Peyote People carry these and other amazing pieces of affordable art!
Puerto Vallarta Free Trip Contest
The start of winter in Puerto Vallarta is cause for celebration as December marks the beginning of the whale watching season, traditional pilgrimages in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, free daily guided Artwalks in historic downtown, culinary treats all around town, the International Pro Am golf tournament, the release of baby sea turtles, perfect weather with temperatures in the low 80’s and a calendar full of holiday festivities and free activities.
The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board is inviting everyone to join in the celebration with the launch of a mega “12 DAYS OF WINTER” (#12DaysOfWinter) promotion and participate for a chance to win daily prizes during the first 12 days of December, including artworks, bottles of tequila and raicilla and trip getaways, with the top prize being a 12-day all-expense paid vacation for two in Puerto Vallarta.
To participate register at visitpuertovallarta.com/12daysofwinter and tell the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board what you would do on a 12-day all-expense paid holiday for two in the destination. All registrants will have a chance to win one of 12 prizes. Drawings will take place every day from December 1st to 12th. Following are the details of the prizes that will be awarded:
Winners of the getaway prizes to be awarded between December 5th through 12th will also receive a choice of 2 activities in Puerto Vallarta courtesy of Vallarta Adventures and Dolphin Discovery.
ENTER!
Puerto Vallarta Escapes Hurricane
Puerto Vallarta is fully operational with 100% of its hotel and restaurant facilities open, as well as its International Airport (PVR), marina, cruise port and Convention Center. All domestic and international airlines as well as buses, taxis and other ground transport companies have resumed their normal service schedule.
All tourists who were transferred to shelters and hotels outside of Puerto Vallarta as a precaution measure yesterday have now been safely returned to Puerto Vallarta and enjoying a day of clear skies and sunshine.
Southwest Airlines scheduled two recovery flights from PVR to Houston (HOU) and Phoenix (PHX) to help with getting people home.
No changes to the cruise schedule have been made. Disney’s Wonder cruise ship, carrying 2,400 passengers, will arrive in Puerto Vallarta as scheduled on Monday October 26, 2015; and Norwegian’s Jewel and the Ruby Princess will make their scheduled call on Wednesday October 28, 2015 as planned.
No human loss or infrastructure damages have been reported as a result of Hurricane Patricia.
Day of the Dead Week Puerto Vallarta
¡Come and join us celebrate the Day of the dead Festival at Puerto Vallarta!
From October 28 to November 2 in Puerto Vallarta celebrates the most representative tradition of Mexico and has prepared a series of activities for you to learn more about this unique celebration which will be held in different venues around the city.
Enjoy a delicious Pan de Muerto while walking through art galleries and get to see the traditional altars and flower carpets.
Find below the program:
Wednesday October 28th
5:30pm – Venue : OPC – Art Galleries Tour and welcome cocktail
Venue: Art Walk – Tour no guiado de galerías de arte
Venue: Café Des Artistes y OPC -Live music, flower carpets, murals and visitors guide distribution.
Thursday October 29th
5:00pm – Venue: Del Refugio Church – Introducing the Camerata Orchestra School of Puerto Vallarta
6:00pm – Conference “The History of Death in Ancient Mexico”, Los Muertos film festival presents “Macario”
7:00pm – Special menus at restaurants
9:30pm – Visitors guide distribution
Friday October 30th
9:30am – Venue: Different spots across the city
Flower, sawdust and sand carpet exhibit.
10:00am .-Venue: Lázaro Cárdenas Square – Interactive Altar Openning
Altar tour Downtown Vallarta
Altar tour Downtown Malecón
Restaurant altar tour
Decorated boats in honor of deceased captains
7:00pm – Venue: 5 de Diciembre Cementery- Music and Beer Festival
Saturday October 31st
10:00am – Venue: Cuale Island – Paint your Calaverita
12:00pm -Screening “La Leyenda de la Nahuala”
4:00pm – Face painting for récord Guinness
5:30pm – Venue: 5 de Diciembre Cementery -Catrinas and giant puppets parade
6:30pm – Venue: Hidalgo Park – Mixcoatl folkloric ballet from Aguascalientes
7:00pm – Venue: Muelle Street – Silence walk ” Catrinas y Catrines”
Music and Beer Festival
11:00pm – “Catrinas” Post party – Prizes for the best costumes
Sunday November 1st
10:00am – Venue: 5 de Diciembr Cementery – Religious ceremony
4:00pm – Venue: Lázaro Cárdenas Square- Little angels party, Pan de muerto exhibit and gathering
7:00pm – Xiutla folkloric ballet exhibit
Music and Beer Festival on Muelle Street
8:00pm – Screening “El libro de la vida”
Monday November 2nd
11:00am – Venue: Armas Square – Exhibit “Las Catrinas de Lupe” by Karla Moreno Producciones
11:30am – Venue: 5 de Diciembre Cementery – Parade “La Caravana de la Muerte”
7:00pm – Venue: Local Market – Gathering “Una noche de muertos en Puerto Vallarta”
7:30pm – Xiutla folkloric ballet exhibit ” Día de Muertos Special”
9:30pm – Catrinas contest award ceremony
10:00pm – Festival Closure
11:00pm – Fireworks
Costa Sur Resort & Spa Gay Wedding Deal
PLOOKING FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING?
COSTA SUR RESORT & SPA WILL PAY FOR IT!
Puerto Vallarta’s Popular Wedding Resort Splurges on Guests with Free Wedding with Booking
Costa Sur Resort & Spa has launched its “All Inclusive Free Wedding Package” giving away most elements of a wedding with a 10 room booking.
Located in Mexico’s Pacific Coast destination of Puerto Vallarta, is one of the destination’s most popular wedding resorts, already hosting hundreds of weddings year-round, including over 200 LGBT ceremonies.
The property has a full in-house wedding staff and able to provide not only a secluded beach-front wedding but all the amenities needed for a world-class wedding.
The hotel’s wedding package promotion is based on a 10 room booking for a minimum of 2 nights; Costa Sur will give the happy couple a complimentary wedding banquet, Costa Sur Resort & Spa special table setting with round tables and Tiffany chairs and 4 hours of open bar, including a sparkling wine toast.
In addition, the couple will also receive 2 Nights All Inclusive complimentary accommodations, Upgrade to suite and a full wedding coordinator for any additional needs.
On the night of the wedding, the couple’s room will be decorated with the resort’s signature romantic setting rich with chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling white wine.
Puerto Vallarta has the sun, the beach, and the beautiful blue ocean year round. It’s the perfect mix with plenty of romantic beachfront backdrops, as well as a very fun, charming local Mexican village, just 10 minutes from the resort.
For reservations please visit www.costasurpuertovallarta.com
Walk Down Calle Basilio Badillo
In 1982, Basilio Badillo consisted of 3 small hotels and one or two businesses.
In 1988, Basilio Badillo was known for three restaurants, Roberto’s Puerto Nuevo, Pizza Joe and El Tucan (run by Memo who later opened Memo’s Pancake house) . These restaurants were so successful that more restaurants and other businesses started to relocate to this area.
In the mid-90’s there were 12 restaurants on the 200 block of Basilio Badillo, so for years it was known as “Restaurant Row,” or La Calle de los Cafés. Some restaurants closed, and fine shops started to take over. Now in 2015, there are more than 100 businesses in 5 short blocks of Basilio Badillo. There are 28 restaurants, 5 coffee shops, plus 5 specialty shops: chocolates, ice cream, crepes, 2 bakeries. 31 shops which include fine art and folk art galleries, clothing and jewelry. There are two great theatres! There is a hospital, yoga studio, dental offices, 4 pharmacies, 8 massage parlors and more. And for more than 30 years Alano which offers several 12 step programs in English. As a result, the area has been known for some years as the best place in town to hang out. Check out this VIDEO by WeDidYourHomeWork Venura Orozco.
Day of the Dead Puerto Vallarta
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
DAY OF THE DEAD
Most people who are not from Mexico, think the Day of the Dead is a day full of sadness, freight, and other horrible feelings. It is not; Day of the Dead is a beautiful ritual that is performed happily and lovingly, to remember all the loved relatives and friends that are no longer with us, through festivals and lively celebrations. Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Day of the Dead celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. On Day of the Dead, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.
Although Day of the Dead is usually a private holiday celebrated among family members, for example, Cemetery in the 5th of December Colonia is the site of traditional Day of the Dead observance for private celebrations, it is also a celebration of the whole town, and therefore Asociación Vallarta Centro prepares an Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival, a celebration that promises to be magnificent. This celebration includes the display of conventional altars and Catrinas, pan de muerto tastings (a sweetened soft bread, often decorated with bone-like pieces, that’s traditionally baked during the days leading up to El Día de los Muertos), and other traditional Day of the Dead activities. It also includes folklore dancing dedicated to the dead, a parade, singing, dancing, Mariachi music, and a firework display. All in all, besides enjoying the natural beauty of Puerto Vallarta, it’s beach, sun, water activities, and tourist attractions, you will also be able to enjoy its cultural side through the famous Day of the Dead, one of the most important celebrations in the whole of Mexico.
OCTOBER 31 :: The souls of those that were killed or died of unnatural causes are remembered.
NOVEMBER 1 :: The souls of the children are honored with special designs in the altars, using the color white on flowers and candles
NOVEMBER 2 :: The souls of the adults are remembered. Schools and some offices and businesses are closed in Puerto Vallarta.
These are the days when art, religion, life, death, sadness and humor all come together in bright colors, tears and music. The dead are visited (or visit) and the living take the time to decorate and elaborate the past. The afterlife opens to the present. The graves are cleaned. The souls are refreshed.
The City of Puerto Vallarta is also sponsoring an altar competition with the entrants to be displayed on November 1 & 2 at the City Square at the Presidencia.
Display of Altars and parade starting at the Malecon heading to the Rio Cuale Municipal Market, ending with a folk festival with Charros, Catrina contest and fireworks.
The festival will also include a film festival, a food tasting and a series of concerts, folkloric ballet and a presentation of a series of photos on the theme of death, as it is viewed by popular Mexican culture.
Organizers will also try to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of Catrinas in one place, the playful visualization of death was made famous by Jose Guadalupe Posada, and has received notoriety across the US and Canada as of recently.
When: October 27th – November 2nd, 2015
Place: Malecon and Municipal Market
Watch this short video about DAY OF THE DEAD.
(left : Jose Guadalupe Posada’s original ‘La Calavera Catrina,’ circa 1910. Jose Guadalupe Posada’s original “La Calavera Catrina,” circa 1910. credit: Courtesy Mexican Museum)
La Calavera Catrina (‘Dapper Skeleton’, ‘Elegant Skull’) is a 1910–1913 zinc etching by famous Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada. The image depicts a female skeleton dressed only in a hat befitting the upper class outfit of a European of her time. Her chapeau en attende is related to French and European styles of the early 20th century. She is offered as a satirical portrait of those Mexican natives who, Posada felt, were aspiring to adopt European aristocratic traditions in the pre-revolutionary era. She in particular has become an icon of the Mexican Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Catrina has come to symbolize not only El Día de los Muertos and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself, but originally catrina was an elegant or well-dressed woman, so it refers to rich people. Death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end. Sometimes people have to be reminded.
Many shops in Puerto Vallarta sell various versions of Catrina. Some wonderful examples of her can be found at Galeria Indigena. (See more on the Gallery HERE)
And Colecktika and Peyote People. Both the same owners, both have contemporary Mexican Folk Art that will make you look a some very old traditions in a whole new way. Colecktika has more fine art – while Peyote People has a variety of affordable arts and crafts.
One of their specialties is art by the Huichol Indians. Deep in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Western Mexico live the Huichol Indians. Very little is known about the exact origins of the Huichol, but today they are clinging to a set of customs and beliefs that make them one of the best preserved Pre-Columbian tribes in the Western Hemisphere.
“Since 1997 we have been traveling up to the ancient Huichol Indian Ceremonial Center of San Andres Cohamiata where we have followed a number of Huichol families through their daily lives and have documented the ceremonies that set them apart from the rest of the world. Through this web site we will give you a never before seen look into the Huichol Indian ceremonial cycle and will be marketing their art for the money they need to host their traditional rituals and ceremonies.”
Peyote People is a fair trade co-operative based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that provides most of the carvings to our artists as well as new iridescent glass beads that are imported exclusively by us into Mexico for our artists to use in their art. We have been recognized by the Huichol Indian Traditional Government of San Andres Cohamaita for not only promoting their artwork but also for our commitment to the preservation of their customs and traditions through what we call CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY:
“Cultural Authenticity may be an invisible quality but it is what separates the ‘urban’ Huichol from those who actually live in the Sierra and are actively involved in the preservation of their cultures traditions.”
Galeria Indigena Mexican Art and Sale Oct 12
We are very excited for this coming October 12th when Galeria Indigena celebrates their 29th anniversary! This place is amazing with 5000 square feet of arts and crafts from all over Mexico! If you have never been to this gallery, watch the video on their Facebook page!
(PHOTO: Incredible CATRINA “FRIDA”
Beads on bees wax on clay.
Beaded By; Hilario Jimenez
Grandson of the medicine men (Shaman).
Enjoy complimentary drinks and discounts all day on October 12th!
“Thanks to all our customers and friends who over the years have favored us with their shopping, and at the same time we commit to continue offering quality products with attractive prices and better services, ” say the owners!
The Phantasmagorical World of New Age Oaxacan Wood Carvings
There are a couple of versions on how one of the most fascinating & intriguing examples of Mexican indigenous crafts evolved, namely that of the delightful hand carved & brightly painted wood creations begun by Pedro Linares in Mexico in the 1930s (although he began with papier mache).
The one version that appears most probable is that it was born from one of his dreams induced by an illness, but in any case the Mexican artisan is known world-wide for his or her rich imagination & in some indigenous groups, like the Huichols, with their fantastically colorful & complex beaded designs, this imagination is egged on by the ceremonial ingestion of “magic” plants like peyote, which contain mescaline. (Read Aldous Huxley’s classic “Doors of Perception” about the author’s pleasant experience with the drug.)
Out of Linares’s succession of zoomorphical illusions in a dream came an “exhibition” of fierce dragon bodies, scary bat wings & jaguar’s teeth all married to the world of reptiles, birds, insects & mammals. These figures, big & small, can be seen at most Mexican craft outlets, however the discerning art lover will quickly recognize that the examples offered at Galeria Indigena are extraordinary to say the least: here the artists have taken this art form to the nth degree with more outlandish sculpture & minutely painted detail using fine haired brushes, thus qualifying to be categorized as “New Age Oaxacan Wood Carvings”.
Galeria Indigena’s wonder-inspiring Alebrijes are another example of an art treasure that will thrill your family & friends back home.
THE DELIGHTFUL, WHIMSICAL ART OF NAUI
“The Night is Always Young” for these attractive, chubby angels who always bring a smile or two to its viewers.
Created by renowned Mexican artist “Naui”, each signed & numbered painting is a unique combination of acrylic
on canvas and finely-painted, moon-shaped ceramic faces. One satisfied client wrote: “To bring a sense of joy and humor to visitors at my new home, I placed several Naui paintings of these “Ladies of the Night” in one of my bathrooms & what a positive reception I received!” A unique work of art placed in any part of your home, make a wise choice: choose a Naui painting and take back a Mexican art treasure of true lasting value.
Retirement in Puerto Vallarta
When it comes to retirement options outside the United States, Puerto Vallarta has consistently been featured in lists produced by different important media outlets, worldwide.
The latest mention comes from the Huffington Post
In their US Edition, the Huffington Post featured The 21 Best Places to Retire Overseas in 2015, an entry posted on July 24, 2015 by Associate Editor, Yagana Shah. The 21 featured destinations included remote locations, such as Languedoc, France; Medellin, Colombia; and Hua Hin, Thailand. Two destinations in Mexico were highlighted: Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende, in second and 14th place, respectively.
Shah also makes reference to a recent article by Kathleen Peddicord, founder and publisher of Live and Invest Overseas. “Retirement overseas begins as an infatuation,” wrote the former editor and publisher of International Living. Then, backing herself by three decades of journalistic coverage and research, she makes strong case for the aforementioned list.
Both articles, along the very useful content about Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas located within this website, along with our sister publication, mlsvallarta.com, are highly recommended for anyone considering Mexico’s Pacific Riviera as a retirement destination.
Source: Virtual Vallarta
Gary Gates, a demographer with the UCLA Law School’s Williams Institute, a think tank dedicated to sexual orientation and gender-related law and public policy, theorizes that “baby boomers were the first generation to really have a visible LGBT community, and of course, they’re starting to retire now” and for many, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to invest their pink pesos with an eye towards future resort-style retirement living.
A recent study concluded that while the LGBT community has a median household income of $61,500 compared with $50,000 for the average American household, they are concerned about not outliving their money and maintaining lifestyle in retirement. Now savvy LGBT investors are turning to Puerto Vallarta to couple fabulous lifestyle with a much lower cost of living and affordable housing costs.
Looking to retire here? Contact TIMOTHY REAL ESTATE for buying and renting options.
