This month, music is in the streets

Put Wednesday, June 9 in your calendar: You won’t want to miss the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gordon Campbell at the Angela Peralta Theater. This evening of glorious music, sponsored by Cultura Sinaloa, is created and produced as a fundraiser to support Dia de la Muscia 2010 (Day of the Music) on Saturday, June 12. (See “Coming Up” for details). Spearheaded by Proyecto Centro Historico, promoted by Vivace Productions, and sponsored by a variety of businesses and corporations, this annual event – now in its seventh year - encourages people to get to know Centro Historico. Every year the “music stations” change, so visitors can explore new streets, sights and sounds.

Veronica Rico has been a key player in Proyecto Centro Historico for more than three years and is a witness to the success of this day - it’s not just about great music, it’s also about the revitalization of Centro Historico. Money raised by the Sinaloa Symphony evening goes towards improving Centro – installing underground cables, retrofitting lighting, exterior painting of historical buildings. The funds also pay for the evening of music which is free for everyone; last year more than 10,000 people attended.

Your favorite British tenor, Robert Howes, is maintaining his regular Cabaret Karaoke gigs all through June. You’ll find Robert and Diane at Hotel Las Flores Mondays & Tuesdays with a “continual” Happy Hour from 6- 10 pm; Wednesdays & Fridays at Gringo Lingos from 7-11 pm; and Thursdays at Heather’s Place from 6:30-11pm. Robert’s voice will knock your flip-flops off.

Rob Lamonica and his Mexican mutt, Leslie, are heading to mid-west Canada where Rob will hook up with his long time partner, Phil Neville. But don’t panic; once Mazatlán cools down, Rob, Nacho, Daniel and Sergio, along with singer Cheryl Gaudet, will be back at Pedro and Lola’s on a regular basis. They have other spaces scoped out for their band too; it’s all a secret for now.

What isn’t a secret is Rob’s attitude. He says, “My stage is always open,” meaning anyone can jump in and contribute. That’s how he got his start seven years ago in New Orleans, on the keyboard. Rob has never forgotten that opportunity that launched his career. His musical influences are Elton John, Bill Joel, Pink Floyd, Ray Charles and Jimmy Smith.

While Rob is on the road, Cheryl Gaudet will be backing up the Lori Davidson band at Pedro and Lola’s on percussion, blues harps and vocals. Cheryl arrived in Mazatlán last year from Nova Scotia and says her time here has been “a love story, it’s a dream come true.” Her musical influences, not surprisingly, are James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bonnie Raitt. She wrote her first song when she was 11 years old and hasn’t stopped since.

Al Dieste and his jazz flugehorn are playing around in June. He says, “Watch for an old gringo jamming with kids” in the Plazuela Machado.

Cultura Mazatlán brings many wonderful performances to the Angela Peralta Theatre and other venues, but did you know they have a grass roots program for poorer neighborhoods? It’s called “Sembrando Cultura” – literally, planting seeds for culture – and events are set for June and July in many neighborhoods. This two-year-old initiative has truly taken culture to the streets – for free.

Elina Chauvet is possibly one of the best known artists in Sinaloa. Born in Casa Grandes, Chihuahua, Chauvet has been living in Mazatlán for more than 10 years. Right now the paint is positively flying in her studio. She’s preparing for not one, not two, but five art shows including the Frida Kahlo Gallery in Culiacan and the Cultural Museum in Chihuahua.

Her mixed media paintings have won two prestigious grants from the Culture and Arts Commission of Sinaloa. She competed with 67 other artists and is now a two-time winner of this financially rewarding purse. Her paintings are not of seashells and sunsets; they’re political, and represent what’s on her mind right now.

Elina never used her degree in architecture; instead, she applied that knowledge toward her paintings. Before I knew Elina was an architect, I could actually see the structure in her jewelry. Creating unique jewelry is just one way she relaxes. She also loves to fish and spend time with her family on Stone Island. You can see some of Elina’s work at her shop in Centro, on Sixto Osuna just up from the Plaza Machado, or at www.elinachauvet.com.

Sheila Madsen began her career as a travel writer, and then spent 25 years working for advertising agencies in Toronto. She retired and now lives in Mazatlán where she is active with Hospice Mazatlán. To read more of Sheila’s work, go to www.helloboomers.com

Artists, musicians, dancers, actors! Tell Sheila about your next event! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it