Galeria season kicks off
La Manzanilla’s favorite out-of-town artist, Efren Gonzalez opened the Galeria’s Meet the Artist series with a packed house on December 2. His work, as always, was as delightful to view as he and his beautiful wife Reina were to chat with, and he does excel at the art of meet-and-greet.
Efren brought 35 new paintings with him for the reception and painted five additional scenes of La Manzanilla after he arrived. Judging from the number of red dots on his various pieces, fans were interested in more than just looking. These works will be featured at the Galeria until their January 6 show, featuring Elizabeth Skelsey.
Known primarily for his dazzling oils and watercolors, Gonzalez is also a talented ceramicist. During the summer he taught a ceramics workshop at the Art Center in Ashland, Oregon, and conducted a series of lectures at Medford schools. “I always learn more than I teach when I work with students,” he said. Efren also admitted a fascination with the American Northwest, and hopes to ‘spend more time up there.’
But he enjoys his beach time, too. So much so that a short-list of La Manzanillans will have an opportunity to learn directly from the maestro after the first of the year. Five lucky students can attend Efren’s watercolor classes on January 18 to 21, for a cost of 2,600 pesos per person. February 1 to 4, he’ll hold oil painting classes, limited to 10 students, for 3,900 pesos per person. The cost includes all materials. The location is to be announced, so please visit the Galeria or call owner Abigail Ramirez at (315) 351-7099 for details. Abi says the Galeria has other upcoming workshops available, as well.
Eileen Zack of Eileen’s La Manzanilla catered the munchies and June Nery, www.visitlamanzanilla.com, handed out chilled cervezas and her refreshing Sangria during the four-hour season opener. Galeria La Manzanilla is located on Calle Perula #83, a block and a half behind Palapa Joe’s restaurant. See their Web site, www.artinmexico.com, for hours and upcoming events.
Fire destroys palapas
A child playing with ill-gotten fireworks accidentally torched two and a half rooftop palapas in downtown La Manzanilla and caused 70,000 pesos in damages to a new business scheduled to open later in the week. No one was injured in the November 28 fire at Playa Blanca #40, but it completely gutted the 2nd-floor billiards bistro owned by Janiero Requena.
The fire destroyed half of the palapa over Don Raul’s beachside restaurant before it spread to the adjacent palapa roof of the tienda and upstairs residence facing the street, both of which received smoke damage. An exploding tinaco may have helped extinguish that fire, but not before it jumped next door to Requena’s, where it quickly consumed the new palapa and billiard table, bar, wood tables and chairs overlooking the street, and everything on the walls. Fortunately, no liquor was on the premises to add to the conflagration, although the flames did come perilously close to a propane gas tank on the roof of the house next door.
Given the preponderance of palapas topping La Manzanilla, this could have been a real disaster story. However, quick-thinking witnesses saved the day. Some formed a bucket brigade to douse the flames with sea water, one resident attacked Requena´s from the street below with a fire extinguisher, while others braved the heat on the burnt rooftops to hose down hot spots. An hour later, when the bomberos (fire department) showed up from their post approximately 10 miles away, locals had the situation under control.
The Muncipio de Cihuatlan responded to my Tamarindo pot-hole issue by filling it in, sort of. Perhaps this coulda-been catastrophe will spur our municipality, La Huerta, to provide more services, such as timely fire and police protection, for La Manzanilla, the golden egg in their tax-base basket.
Artists at Café de Flores
Café de Flores continues their tradition of showcasing the work of local artists throughout their popular two-story restaurant. November 27 marked their first hanging of the season. Between the talented artists and Mary and Alex Mayberry’s scrumptious complimentary hors d’ourves, the event drew a festive crowd.
This month’s featured artists are: Annie Olson, Annie Popma, and Sue Siskin showing water colors; Patti Wagner and Rennie Holley with oils; Ani Mac’s collages and Mazinka Rutherford´s mosaics; and a collaboration between Joanie Marlowe and Mario on acrylics and patates. Their work will be available to view and buy through the end of January, when it’s time to gear up for the January 29 La Manzanilla Art Walk.
Café de Flores, on Playa Blanca, is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Bruno Mayberry and Jerry Foreman provide an eclectic selection of live music every Wednesday, starting at 6:30.
Drop-in and learn Spanish
Last year’s drop-in classes were so successful, La Catalina Educational Foundation (LCEF) is again offering this easy, convenient way to boost your Spanish-conversation confidence. Intermediate-level speakers are welcome every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m.; classes for advanced skills are at the same time every Thursday. No reservations are required for the 90-minute classes, which cost 120 pesos each. Just show up – on time, please – with a notebook and a pen, and a Spanish/English dictionary if you wish.
LCEF also offers weekly, intensive 15-hour Spanish classes for beginners and a new “Get the Basics” immersion course. Details are available at www.lacatalinaschool.com. The school is located on Calle Perula, just up from Galeria La Manzanilla.
Art openings and painting classes, live entertainment (to which some of the local characters contribute much), Zumba, Yoga and meditation sessions, an unofficial count of 50 restaurants in town, more unique shopping opportunities than ever … for such a tucked-away little town, La Manzanilla sure is happening already this season. And there’s plenty more to come!