An impressive catch

On Thursday, December 19, four Canadian and U.S. friends went fishing on Hakuna Matata, captained by Gerardo Kosonoy out of Melaque, and came back with a blue marlin weighing in at 302 kilos. 

One year ago, creative local entrepreneurs and nature lovers, Jesus de la Cruz Acero from Melaque and 20-year-old Donovan Andre Luna Deveoux from Guadalajara, launched an initiative – titled Eco Working on Tires – to give used tires a second life by turning them into art, planters, garden decor, pet beds and other items.

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Events

• Stop by the Galeria in the Hotel Tropical in Barra to buy an ornament to hang on the Angel Tree. All proceeds go to help people in need. For more information, contact Linda Bello Ruiz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-331-3684.

• Movie Night at the Cenac in Melaque is held each Sunday at 7 p.m. The 50-peso suggested donation goes to pay for art classes for children and families in the community. For more information, contact Cenac Centro de Arte y Cultura on Facebook or call 315-105-1778.

• Interactive group music classes with Rich Glauber are held Fridays 10 a.m. at the Cenac in Melaque. Donations are accepted to help pay for the space.

• The Pastorela Christmas Play takes place at the Jardín in Barra Sunday, December 22, 8 p.m. Bring a chair. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Celebration of life

Friends and neighbors are invited to a celebration of life for local celebrity and dancing scholar Lem Browne at the Sands Hotel in Barra de Navidad on Saturday, December 21, 2 p.m. This will be a potluck. 

Music

Chido Rivera Band plays Tuesdays at Simonas Restaurant in Barra; Wednesdays at Mokekes Restaurant in Barra; Thursdays at Bogavante Hotel in Barra; Fridays at Albotros Bar in Melaque; Saturdays at Simonas Restaurant in Barra. All shows from 7-10 p.m. For more information, contact Ricardo Hazael Gutierrez Martinez on Facebook. 

Viva Maria 1910 in Melaque presents Alfredo Garcia (“The Wolf Blues Man”) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2-6 p.m.;  Jaime Perez on Thursdays and Sundays, 6 p.m.; and Paco Renteria on Saturday, December 21, 8 p.m. For more information, contact Roberto at 315-107-1073 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

La Taberna, Benito Juarez 51, Melaque, features Geovas & Aldo on Fridays, 9 p.m.; Christan Vega on saxophone on Saturdays, 9 p.m.; Acoustico Verde on Sundays, 6 p.m. followed by Señor Fausto, 9 p.m.

Restaurant Andres, Av. Veracruz 72-84 in Barra, showcases Emerson Magaña on Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; and Sean Erickson on Thursdays, 7 p.m. For more information, contact Restaurant Andres on Facebook. 

Backstage Bar and Bluewave Cafe, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi 200b  in Barra, presents its Open Mic and Music Jam with Doug Woelfle Saturdays, 7 p.m. (except December 21), and Donny and friends with Sean Erickson and Scott Pettigrew, 8 p.m. Game Day is on Wednesdays, 3 p.m. For more information, contact Backstage Barra on Facebook. 

Lucy’s Paradise, Av. Veracruz 63 in Barra, presents Frida & Adrian on Tuesdays, Donny & Friends on Fridays, Dave Spinks & Marveen on Saturdays. All shows at 8 p.m. For more information, contact Lucy’s Paradise on Facebook. 

Mokekes Restaurant in Barra presents Frida & Adrian on Tuesdays, 7 p.m. For more information, contact Alfredo Ayala on Facebook. 

New patriots 

A new generation joined in Melaque’s recent community parade celebrating Mexican Revolution Day.

Barra de Navidad is ready for a new season. Restaurants are opening each day with their delicious fare, and the streets and local hangouts are filling up – especially at sunset.

Keeping up

• Galeria Amiga presents artist Julian Portilla from Ecuador through April 5.  Next exhibit – de Manos Mexicanos – runs April 11 to May 30 and features artists from Colima, Melaque and Barra de Navidad.

A reason to party

Every day there is a reason to celebrate being alive and the Costalegre is here to help!

Carnival celebrations started off with amazing dancing, music, and food and continued with fabulous fireworks, parades, and more good food.  Every evening you could venture to the jardin in Melaque or Barra and find people enjoying the party.  This year, the buildup to St. Patrick’s Day overlaps Carnival and there is a noticeable increase in people and energy.  In the jardin at night and down the side streets there is a mix of local families, tourists and extranjeros, all enjoying the live entertainment, the local food and the carnival.