Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus Fundraiser

This past Monday No Way Jose Restaurant was the host to the first benefit to raise funds for the newly formed Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus.  It was a great evening and plenty of donations came in so that the Teatro Vallarta was now able to be reserved performing their first ever show in December 2012. Based upon what we saw that evening, it will be a fantastic show!
The entire restaurant was sold out and the special limited menu donated 25 pesos per entree and 10 pesos per drink to the organization.  Then a raffle was held for about 25 more donated prizes and since it was Jose the owners birthday, a 50 pesos donated cupcake could be purchased.   The evening opened with about 12 of the chorus members singing a tune which was followed by 3 soloists that really demonstrated the abilities of the members.  Wow!  By the end of the evening well over 25,000 pesos was raised.  This just happened to be the amount that the theater required as a deposit for the event in December.
If this was any indication of the beginning by Joyce Ericson and Robert Bruneau just a short 2 months ago, this will not only be the first Gay Men's Chorus in Latin America, it will be one of the best around the world.  Tune in their website www.pvmenschorus.org to keep informed about the upcoming events and probably more fundraisers.   This will not be a group to be missed!  With already 40 members auditioned and ready to go, the chorus is certainly still looking for members.  Do you have a singing voice that you wish to share?  Then join the Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus and I look forward to seeing you at their first performance in December!

Battered Women Fundraiser

The Rocky Horror Picture Show became the focal point of a fundraiser last night by the PV Battered Womens Shelter.  It had been many many years since I religiously went to the 12 midnight showing in Denver at the Odgen Theater.  So when my friend told about the showing for 2 nights only, I had to jump on board.  The event was held at the Palms nightclub where so many shows are taking place now and the 100 pesos donation went to the charity.  They are close to building their own facility as none exists here in Puerto Vallarta and I was amazed at the statistics of how many women are victims of abuse in Mexico!
With raffles, door prizes, and of course the infamous movie it was a fun night.  I saw there were quite a few of the 'die hard' Rocky Horror Picture Show fans with all the accutrement including the toast, spray bottles, newspapers, confetti, rice, etc.  that I so fondly remember.   The lack of attendance at the event was the only downside and maybe they will have a better crowd tonite at the 1000pm showing?   I hope so as it is a worthwhile cause and a lot of fun to boot!

PEACE Benefit

Last evening I attended an event at the Rivera Cuale a new condo development right on the Rio Cuale up from the Romantic Zone. It is a spectacular property as it was built with nature in mind at its location right next to the river. From the saline swimming pool, to the use of natural materials in the landscaping and design, to the use of native plants....it provides a tranquile setting in the middle of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The event last night was a benefit for a group that supports and finances spay and neuter of pets in the Puerto Vallarta area. After a social hour that included complimentary wine and beer, a tour of the models, lite hors d'oeuvres, and spectacular sunset; we watched an outdoor movie called "Home". It was a documentary that showed the destruction that humans have wielded on the planet Earth. While is was sad, it was a great eye opener to our plight and that of planet Earth. I have to admit the breeze was quite cool from the mountains behind us, but watching a movie outdoors with the Rio Cuale rushing was neat!