Annual Event, Band/Musician, Souvenir

BEST ANNUAL EVENT

EL CARNAVAL

With its seemingly endless music, unlimited cerveza and days and nights full of fun, Mazatlán’s annual Carnaval celebration was your hands-down choice for the Best Annual Event. (Props to the fall Cultural Festival and upcoming Moto Week, too.) You get a double dose of parades and fireworks; pageants, galas and coronations every night for a week or more; big-name concerts all over town and masks, tiaras and jester hats for all. Here, everyone attends some part of Carnaval – it’s a family-friendly event and many businesses close for a long weekend. The streets of Olas Altas become party central day and night, with multiple stages of live music from 4 in the afternoon till 4 in the morning, and while there are thousands of folks out having a good time, you’ll find more smiles and good cheer than problems. Oh, and the cost? Just $20 – and that’s in pesos.

BEST SOUVENIR

TEQUILA LOS OSUNA

What’s your favorite Mazatlán souvenir? “A hangover” made me chuckle (who hasn’t been on the flight home trying to sleep off the night before?). Other answers included humorous T-shirts (lucha libre, anyone?), colorful woven tablecloths and those handbags made from metallic gum wrappers (or whatever they are). The clear and obvious winner, though, was tequila – and Los Osuna 100% Agave Azul in particular. Grown and produced at a blue agave ranch about an hour north, this adult beverage (ahem) cannot use the denomination “tequila” – hence the name “agave azul.” Los Osuna is smooth and delicious, a far cry from the harsh, brings-tears-to-your-eyes tequilas you may be used to. But don’t take our word for it - the ranch is open to the public and yes, tastings are included. Go on your own or on a tour, or just buy your own bottle at local stores and taste for yourself. And, because it’s not available in the U.S., Los Osuna carries a big-time “wow” factor when you pull it out of your luggage.

BEST BAND/MUSICIAN

BANDA EL RECODO/ ROB LAMONICA

The music scene in Mazatlán is a complex tapestry that spans all genres, from classical to rock, blues to banda; no wonder it was hard to pick just one favorite. And so we have a tie between two very different types of sounds: the driving rhythms of Banda El Recodo de Don Cruz Lizárraga and the melodious keyboard of Rob Lamonica. El Recodo, one of the best-known banda groups in the world, has entertained millions since 1938 with its lively and unique “100% Sinaloa” sound. In fact, it was awarded a collective “King of Happiness” crown in this year’s Carnaval. Experiencing an El Recodo concert is a must for your Mazatlán memory book – the group’s shows are high on energy, big on flash and musically astute down to the tiniest details. Keyboardist/ vocalist Rob Lamonica plays with a variety of bands and musicians all over town, and his music is well-known and loved by our ex-pat community. He’s the bandleader behind Open Mic nights at Canucks, able to make the most of our (ahem) sometimes paltry attempts at musicianship. Whether it’s blues, jazz or rock, Rob can play it all, and his warm, friendly demeanor has garnered him both fans and friends. - BK