Coming up this September two musical acts will make appearances at Banditos, out by the Sandy Beach resort area in Rocky Point.

Known as the home away from home for Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Banditos was a big part of the most recent Circus Mexicus. Recently, Austin Texas based Shurman has played as part of a first ever Friday headliners show. Shurman plays a blend of country rock that showcases their talents as a live band.

The groups lead singer Aaron Beavers will perform solo on Saturday September 27th. The group is currently putting the finishing touches on their next album, so expect to hear some new music. Aaron starts the evening over at Beach Bums on the Malecon for a set as the sun goes down.

Also this Saturday September 13th, Sassy and the Sneak Attack come down from Phoenix bringing a night of Funk, neo-soul, and a touch of theatrics. Music starts after the Mayweather / Maidana fight.  Check out Banditos on the weekends, the home of Riband classic Rock trio and Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine Tequila.

September 16th is Mexico’s biggest and most important holiday. As we get closer to the date, you will see more and more vendors setting up shop on street corners, selling flags and banners, all in the red, white and green of the nations flag. Mexican Independance Day marks the moment that began the countrys break from Spain.

The call to arms from Padre Miguel Hidalgo in 1810 become known as the Grito de Dolores, and is re-enacted every year. Lead by Mexico’s President, mayors throughout the country address the crowds with a speech that leads to calls of “Viva Mexico”. Followed by fireworks at midnight, the 16th is an all out fiesta.

An extra day off means Rocky Point and other resort towns are busy, with hotels full and celebrations happening in public places and at home between family members. Always about food, sometimes cooks will take the extra step and prepare a dish that has become associated with this holiday.

The red, white and green of the flag are reflected in Chiles en Nogado. A variation on stuffed chiles rellenos, this dish was invented to celebrate Mexican Independence, which was finally realized in 1821. Green Poblano chiles are stuffed with picadillo (a chopped meat and vegetable mix), covered in a white sauce made from walnuts, and the garnished wth pomegranete seeds.

Around town, restaurants will be serving Chiles en Nogado. Not many, because it s not easy to make. If you find it, rder it. You will be tasting a part of Mexicos’ history.

Regulars to the Rally know Mogollon. The Arizona band has played a few Rallys, and their mix of country and rock is just about the perfect mix to motivate the crowd to dance, party, and what have you. That’s what they’ll be doing at the Saturday night Beach party, a real highlight of the Rally.

Up and coming country star Matt Farris takes the stage Friday night at Puesta del Sol Restaurant. And Thursdays opening to the Rally will have the outdoor stage at Banditos working overtime, as various groups will perform.

The count down to the Rally continues. With just weeks to go till things kick off on Thursday November 6th, excitement is building in Rocky Point. Come down and experience The Greatest Motorcycle Fiesta Just South of the Border.

Seaside Reservations is proud to be a Gold sponsor for the 2014 Rocky Point Rally.

 

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The group that helped start the popularity of Cumbia throughout Latin America, Sonora Dinamita, will be coming to the Rocky Point Convention Center Saturday, September 27th.

Hits like “Mi Cucu” and “Amor de Mis Amores” brought Columbian Cumbia to a worldwide audience starting in the 1980’s. The latest incarnation of the group is still on the road, and September’s event will help local charities through the sponsorship of the Rotary Club International.

At a recent press conference, club President Eduardo Vallejo Vazquez and members of the Puerto Penasco Mar de Cortez Rotary Club announced the event. After a long history here, the Rotary Club had been dormant for a number of years. Re-accredited just his Summer, the local Rotarians are wasting no time organizing an event for the benefit of the community. Proceeds from this event will be put to good use helping the local general hospital.
Saturday, September 27th will be a night for dancing. The opening act is Los Venturas de Caborca. Tickets for Sonora Dinamita are $200 pesos, $250 at the door.

 

Take a little break from the sun this Labor Day Weekend at the Mermaids Market, happening in the lobby of the Sonoran Spa Resort. One Saturday every month, the local artists and crafts people who make up the Mermaids Market bring a varietry of handmade products for sale.

Jewelry, clothing, art made with found objects from the beach, even homemade fudge, they are all on display. Did I mention home made fudge?

You can enter and park through the resorts main gate, or walk up from the beach.

The Mermaids Market is this Saturday, August 30th from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

 

While October is still a ways off, you might want to start planning now for the next appearance of singer/songwriter Mark Mulligan in Rocky Point. For the second time this year he will be entertaining fans at the Carribean Parrot.

While a show by Mark is a near perfect way to get into that laid-back beach vibe, this next show will be offering something special. Mark will be joined by singer/guitarist David Sheehy out of Phoenix. The two will make the night less of a Mark Mulligans greatest hits, and more of a sing-along.

Well known songs by the Eagles and other favorites from the 70’s will be the focus, so be ready to raise a glass and have a great time Friday, October 10th at the Carribean Parrot located just off of the Mirador (near Capone’s). There is NO cover, but as the proceeds go to local charities (as in all Mark Mulligan performances), please donate at on your way in at the door.

by Richard Scott

Blvd. Benito Juarez re-opens

The main road into Rocky Point has been under construction for a while, but now is open to through traffic. Driving into town will now be a bit more direct. Coffe Point, the premier coffe shop in town, has finished it’s remodelling to co-incide with better street access to their business.

 

La Tomasa Ska Band

This group from Mexicali was here for the Summer Beach Fundraiser earlier this year. Full of energy, this band is for dancing, no matter what language you speak. You can catch them at Pikaros Bar on September 5th.

 

Paint the Sunset at Colin’s Cantina, try out-of-this world Pancakes too

Sure it’s easy to find a place to hang with a cold drink and enjoy the sunset in about 5 million places in Rocky Point. Want to take things up a notch? Take a class and paint your own sunset, while sipping on something cool.

Painter and teacher Jenny Kirgis-Henkhaus brings her love of painting for the second time in an event sponsored by Colin’s Cantina. Have a glass of wine and let your creativity flow on September 26th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the clubhousse at La Pricesa Resort on Sandy Beach.

Hit Colin’s Cantina any morning but Wednesday (when they are closed) and you can enjoy their crowd pleasing breakfasts. Not content to rest on their laurels, the kitchen that brought you bacon blueberry-pancakes (sounds good? tastes BETTER!) are unveiling the new Jalepeno-Pecan Pancakes. It is a combination that makes you say “why didn’t I think of that?”

Colin’s Cantina is just inside the entrance to the Princesa Resort, offering great casual dining for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

 

by Richard Scott

 

Now it was the teachers turn to learn. Seated at tables in the ballroom were thirty or so of Rocky Points’ best educators. They had come to pick up new tools, and to hear about a philosophy where the science of how people learn is combined with respect for the individual. For more than 10 years, Star Shine Academy has been making this vision a reality for the children of Phoenix.

“Do all of you have water for the kids in your classrooms?” Trish McCarty is the director and Founder of the Academy. She leads todays’ orientation that includes lots of interaction with the local teachers. Big things and small can have an impact on classroom learning. “Studies show us that without enough water, the brain will not be in the mode for learning, it just won’t happen.”

Nuts and bolts details about how to make sure a day at school is always a day of learning, are mixed with examples of the beliefs that Starshine feels makes a better classroom, and a better world. At the Starshine Academy in Phoenix, children work in a community garden, and make decisions about what they want to learn, and help each other acheive their goals.

“Music is a BIG part of the program” says Steve McCarty. A successful musician, Steve and his wife Trish are tireless advocates for improving the lives of children through education. “So much research shows that music is a universal language. It can be used in so many ways stimulate the learning process.”

The McCarty’s are regular visitors to Rocky Point, and are excited to share what they do with the local community. “This orientation will help us identify the educators that we want to work with” says Trish. “The goal is to bring the Starshine principles here, and document the improvement in the outcome for local children.” If we succeed, we we can get the support we need to have a regular presence here.”

This event was hosted by the Sonoran Sky Resort and took place in their Los Volcanes Ballroom. Want to learn more about Starshine? You can go check out their website at www.StarShine.org, or at their Facebook page.

By Richard Scott

 

This week, the city of Rocky Point opened a Visitors Information Center on the Malecon. Walk in for help in English or Spanish, and take a look at the material that is available from the hotels, tour companies, and others in business of appealing to vacationers. The Center is in the stone building across from Portofinos Restaurant at the start of the Malecon.

High powered viewing binoculars have been installed on the Malecon too, and you can see in detail everything out to the resorts on Sandy Beach. Is that our condo? Did we really leave the Mini Mouse beach towel hanging on the railing? Oh well.

While you are looking, see if you can spot where the sea turtle nest is. Earlier in July, a Pacific Olive Ridley sea turtle came ashore to lay a clutch of eggs, now buried on busy Sandy Beach. Look for the protective orange mesh that has been set up around the nest to shield them. An environmental official from the Mexican government is there monitoring the safety of this protected species.

Not a regular event like it is down south in the state of Nayarit, the nesting of a sea turtle happens once in a while around Rocky Point. In about twenty more days we should see the baby turtles make their mad dash into the surf. The question is, will they stop for a selfie first?

Art events are popping up around town in the form of movie nights, photography shows, and dance events. In the past week, the Plaza de la Madre has hosted two of these. Plaza de la Madre is the public park next to the baseball stadium, and is dedicated to mothers (there is a statue of a drowsy mom cradling one baby while reading to another child. Way nicer than a soldier on a horse or a politician).

On Sunday, the monthly Cultural Corredor brought together painters, photographers, and musicians by the old fashioned Kiosk at the center of the park. The Soundsets, piano, bass, sax, and vocals, played Jazz with a pop touch.

Wednesday night saw the second in an on-going series of events to be held here. Music from the duo of Vania and Heber (known to regulars of the Mare Blu restaurant) accompanied a show of low-rider customized bicycles. Ballet was performed by the Mariana Zatarain Dance troupe, and body painting was realized by Izreal Garcia with make up from Lourdes Rivera.

Watch the Seaside Reservations blog for more about the events and activities you can find when visiting Rocky Point.   by Richard Scott

 

 

Founded 87 years ago, Rocky Point has become a very different place then it was even 10 years ago. The development of the tourist industry can be seen everywhere. Even so, the town and it’s residents still retain a lot of the original qualities and attitudes of a town built around the fishing industry.

For an 87 year old, the town is livelier than ever. The Malecon has always been the place for the people of Puerto Peñasco to come together. This Saturday, July 19th, local artists throw a kind of birthday party with ‘Por Ti Puerto Peñasco’. Photographers, Painters, and more will show their work along with he sounds of live music.

*Tijuana’s Cumbia Columbia will play

*Featured artists are photographers Jimmy Maldonado and Cesar House, sculptor Roberto Ledesma, and painter Izrael Rios.

*Por Ti Puerto Peñasco is free

*This Saturday, July 19th from 7:00pm

*The event is a colaboration of the 21st Ayuntamiento of Puerto Penasco and Accion Civica y Cultural