The Funky Business Beach Ball Tournament roars into town this weekend. What is it? Funkalicious is the Phoenix volley ball league that knows how to party. Twice a year since 2009, Rocky Point has been the site for their most anticipated tourney.
The Sonoran Sun Resort is the location this time around. Courts are set up on the beach right in front, with taco stands and drink specials available during Saturdays’ tournament play. Friday and Sunday offer free play, open to those registered to stay through Seaside Reservations. (The Sonoran Sun is fully booked. Bella Sirena and the Sonoran Sky Resort are suggested as nearby alternatives).
Volleyball Magazine places this event on its list of top tourneys for Spring 2014. Known for being well organized with competitive play at all levels, Funkalicious starts the fun with the Opening Party at Banditos. Mexican Moonshine Tequila will be presenting $5 Margaritas, and none other than Roger Clyne will be playing an acoustic set! Saturday nights post tourney party will be at Wrecked at the Reef.
Come on down and enjoy superior volley ball at the beach, starting this Friday, April 11th. Visit the Funkalicious website or facebook page for more details.

by Richard Scott

The word was out. Rumour had it that Roger Clyne would be taking over The Hut, a popular watering hole along Rocky Points’ Sandy Beach. Confirmation came from the Mexican Moonshine page on Facebook . . .

Ladrones, libertines, lushes and lovers,

For those who seek
high spirits, positive vibrations & good medicine
in the finest company:
come slip away and steal some time for yourself,
find shelter in the shade with party-going peacemakers in our prodigious palapa,
come relish Mexican Moonshine margaritas,
revel in mirth, music and merriment!

Where “the good guys and the bad guys never work past noon,”

we’ve a place for those who “do the don’ts & don’t the do’s,”

when you “gotta go a little loco to stay sane,”

while you let “your heart and your cup overflow,”

and delightfully declare that

“life is grand, love is real, and beauty is everywhere!”

We offer refuge and refreshment,
a respite for the rebel soul!

Come tip big with pesos and besos
at our humble hide-out,
our second home,
which we will name simply
and simply name,

“Banditos”

Here’s to Life!
~RC

Clyne and the Peacemakers have played here before, from Circus Mexicus to solo sets by Roger (see the recent article). With stages inside and out, Banditos promises to be a focal point for live music in Puerto Peñasco. Banditos big palapa roof is easy to spot when staying in Rocky Point.

by Richard Scott

Jerry Cañez is a busy guy. His catering business, Jerrys’ Banquetes, prepares the food for a lot of the weddings in Rocky Point. Well known as a teacher, his

University courses in Culinary Arts share his skill and creativity with those looking to make a career in food service. And then there is Players’ Sports Bar. On Benito Juarez, Players has a clientele devoted to the hamburgers, served on homemade bread.

Jerry provides service for more intimate events for those spending some time in Rocky Point. At a recent small get together for family and friends at Sonoran Resorts, everyone enjoyed a four course meal on the patio, overlooking the city lights. It’s a great alternative to going out.

For those reserving their stay through Seaside Reservations, Jerry is currently offering a 10% discount on his catering services.    By Richard Scott

Jerrys’ Banquetes 638 115 0983
Jerrycanez@hotmail.com

Olympia Watson carries a notebook with ‘All you need is love’ printed on the cover. “This is my philosophy” she tells me. As Event Planner for the Sonoran Sky Resort, her love for creating just the right setting for an anniversary, a wedding, or any get-together is neccesary for success. So is being really organized.
“Can you be playing when the guests walk in?” She asks the sax player while posing for a publicity photo. We stand next to the elegant leaded glass doors of the Los Volcanes Salon, inside the Sonoran Sky. “This is an intimate dinner party for Valentines’ Day,  just a few tables. But we can have receptions for 200 people here, plus a band.”

The Girl from Ipanema plays as people take their seats. Candlight and gold table cloths, champaign glasses and waiters in black and white. A pleasant murmur of conversation as a full moon rises outside the tall arched window.

“My work as planner is free for clients using Sonoran Sky Events” says Olympia. “We offer great packages for beach weddings right here at the resort”(see the offer for Seaside Mexico Reservation clients below).
Chocolate covered strawberries complete the dinner, and the guests head to the elevators. Olympia leads the way. “Oly” someone asks, “what’s next?” Pressing the ground floor button, she smiles over her shoulder “A surprise.”

The swimming pools glow neon blue in the night as we pass them on our way to the beach. A strong ocean breeze, not there before dinner, tries to push us back into the lobby. This is not the surprise Oly had in mind.

Two helpers struggle to hold the orange paper ballon, as another flicks a lighter over and over, trying to light the candle that will make it fly. “Play something please.” Touching the arm of the sax player as she goes, Olympia casually walks to where the guests gather. Quickly she gets one, and then a second balloon lit. Disaster averted.

A toast! Glasses raised to a wonderful time at a beautiful place. Everyone ‘ooohh’s as the glowing balloons slowly rise. Up above the lights of the Sonoran Sky Resort, the moon waits to meet them. As if it was planned.

by Richard Scott

You can reach Sonoran Sky Events at 01 638 108 2107

 

Saturdays at The Hut are usually busy, during Spring Break even more so. Tonight, a casual announcement in Facebook fills every inch of the place with RCPM fans. Roger’s in town, and has decided to mosey on down to the bar and light the place up with an acoustic set..

Three songs in and you would think this is a family reunion, not a bar gig. Everyone sings every word to every tune. “I usually won’t play ‘Mekong’ ’til later in the show. . .” The palm leaves shake in the roof as the crowd roars back. Seated with his guitar, Roger looks into the audience right in front of him. “but when young fans find our music, we like to make them feel welcome.”

 

 

 

Arms in the air, standing on chairs, singing at the top of their lungs, the crowd is no match for Roger Clyne. Even after playing it a thousand times, he seems intent on making this the definitive live version. “…for fifteen thousand miles” shouts the crowd, as if maybe they agree that it is.

Peacemaker fans in Rocky Point may be hearing more of their favorites as, rumour has it, Roger looks to be taking over The Hut in the near future. At the very least, the two recent spontaneous appearances show how important the town is for his music, and for him personally.

 

“Has anyone got some Mexican Moonshine? I promise to make it up to you.” Between songs, Roger takes a moment to recharge, tell stories about the music, chat with fans, and toast those who are celebrating their birthday. Up steps a fan with a caballito full of Clynes’ trademark Tequila. Raising the glass high, Roger begins “..here’s to..” “LIFE” yells the lady at the table next to me. It’s a lyric and a sentiment shared by everyone tonight.

by  Richard Scott

I hate ’em. Oysters. Put ’em on a cracker, put hot sauce on ’em, it won’t help. Have you looked at them? Like something out of Steven King. Some people love them. They tell me Oysters are high in zinc, protein, omega 3 . . . oh, and they’re an aphrodisiac. To who, I wonder, other Oysters?

They also tell me that the best ones, the freshest you can get anywhere are from the oyster farm east of Rocky Point. One weekend I have friends in town who have always wanted to go. Never one to be a party pooper, I jump into the SUV along with everyone else. I’m sure I can keep a straight face and eat three or four of them. They have beer don’t they?
We pull off the highway at a hand written sign that says “ostionera”. Bouncing down the washboard road we squint into the afternoon sun. “That was quick”says my friend as the estuary suddenly spreads out before us. The shallow water spreads out to the high dunes by the sea, sparkling with light. A small flock of birds takes off as we pull into the dusty parking area. In the shallows are a dozen square boxes that house the oysters, looking like a miniature condo project.
Estero Morua is one of the unique estuaries that dot the coast along the northern Sea of Cortez. Created where the Rio Sonoyta enters the ocean, the mixing of waters creates a place full of life. Most noticable are the birds. A major stop during migration, the estuary is also the nesting site for a threatened species of Tern. Piles of discarded shells have been found that date back hundreds of years. The Hohokan were here, fishing and taking shells back to what is now Arizona to trade. These days Arizonans still fish at the mouth of the estuary, and kayak in the shallow waters taking photos.
An old man with weathered skin and a Dodgers baseball cap greets us at the palm roofed ‘restaurant’. We have the place to our selves, and take up a picnic table center-pieced with bottles of hot sauce, limes and salt. “Now you just want to kind of slide them off their shell into your mouth, and not really chew them, just sort of..” “Larry” I say, “I got it, I know how to eat them.” For me, eating them means a dash of hot sauce, a squeeze of lime, and a good amount of feigned non-chalance.
I switch to straight beer drinking sooner than the others, but it wasn’t bad. These oysters had a very mild flavor. I’m sure that’s why they have such a good reputation with seafood lovers. Still, I don’t love ’em. And three beers later, I’m still waiting for the aphrodisiac effect to kick in.
“Man, that was great, we should come again tomorrow” says my friend. The group enthusiastically agrees. And who can blame them. As the sun starts to set, the pink at the edge of the horizon mirrors in the water. You hear the faint flutter of wings as a flock of birds circle low, almost ready to settle for the night. “I want to come back too” I say. “You?” says Larry, “Oysters are good, huh?” “No. I’m going to leave you guys here while I kayak.”

Head East out of town on Freemont Blvd. Within a mile or so you will see signs on the right announcing ‘Ostionera’ (Oyster Farm).     By Richard Scott

“The idea is to bring many artists together. A lot of artists together can make an event that draws more of the public.” Nacho Ortega directs the Cultural Corridor, a gathering of local talent. Along with organizing the event, Nacho plays acoustic bass with the Jazz ensemble Soundsets, always participating at the Corridor.

  

Always holding the event at a different place gets art into every part of town.
Sunday afternoon, April 6th will find Rocky Points’ creative community interacting with the public at the Plaza Freemont near Freemont and Sinaloa Blvd.       by    Richard Scott

  

    

Sunday is family day in Mexico. In the evening as the sun sets, everyone heads to Rocky Points’ Malecon to enjoy the breeze, take a walk, and people watch.   A Malecon is a public space found in seaside towns at the waters edge, full of food vendors, benches for sitting, and Bandas (a type of brass band). Skate borders and dog walkers stake out their own areas as couples hold hands, watching thier toddlers explore.

    

 

As the choo choo train takes off with a load of kids, a young guy tips fifty pesos to the singer. He takes his girl in his arms, and a drum roll brings the Banda to life. Two trombones, three clarinets, a singer, drums, more horns of some type, and a tuba. A tuba with a microphone down inside it! The sound is like a love ballad being played by a marching band. Fast or slow, Banda music is for dancing. More couples join in as I take photos. I feel a touch on my elbow, and a young boy with a Motley Crue t-shirt asks if i can take one for him. OK. He leads me over to a bench where I find his Mom, Dad, Grandma, and two Sisters, smiling and posing. They have been watching me, and know a picture of them would be just right for a story about the Malecon. Because it’s their Malecon.  By Richard Scott

  

“Una mas?” Chico asks. Hand on a bottle of fine Tequila, my bartender lifts his eyebrow and shoots a look at my empty caballito. “Gracias, but I’m calling it a night.” I say. “Beddy-bye time. Just gonna’ stop for tacos or something first.” “Hang on a minute, I’ll go with you.” says Chico “where you want to go?” Chicos’ bar is at the top of the hill, with a view of the city lights stretching all the way to La Cholla. Looking down, I consider the options. “Well, there’s Erics’ Burgers. Tacos Diego is good too. Oh hey, what’s that place that puts nacho cheese on the french fries…?” Having folded his white towel into a perfect square and drapping it over the bar rail, Chico reaches for the row of light switches. “Just follow me” he says.

A night on the town in Rocky Point is not complete without a plate of Carne Asada tacos covered in guacamole, a cheese quesadilla in homemade corn tortillas, or a hotdog wrapped in bacon. Drive around, you’ll see little places all over. Tables with plastic chairs, bowls of different salsas, pickled onions and cilantro. A TV showing reruns of todays’ soap opera (telenovela). Here are three places that have become regular stops.

El Jefe

The owner greats you with a booming voice, and there always seems to be a crowd at this popular hotdog stand. Bacon wrapped, the dogs are served with a side of fries. Along with the catsup and mustard, there is a squeeze bottle of nacho cheese. Nice. Ask for grilled onions. One block off of Benito Juarez where it crosses the railroad tracks.

El Poblano

Pull up to the curb and you smell the chile, clove, and pineaple marinated pork cooking on the rotiserie, like Greek Gyros. Said to have originated with Lebanese immigrants to Mexico, Tacos al Pastor as served by El Poblano come smothered in guacamole. Squeeze a lime wedge over it and enjoy. This is the reason Coka Cola was invented. At the corner of Boulevard Sinaloa and Simon Morua.

Tacos Chuy

Grilled beef is Carne Asada. It comes to your table folded in a tortilla, nothing more. Now it’s up to you. There is always a red salsa made with roasted chipotle peppers, and a green with bright tasting serano chilies, white onion and cilantro. On the side, sliced cucumber waits for lime and a dash of salt. Horchata, a creamy sweet drink made of rice water and cinnamon, perfectly soothes the chile from your toungue. Tacos Chuy is on Boulevard Josefa

By Richard Scott

Coming up March 30th is an event to help Rocky Points’ kidney Dialaysis Center. Toma Color is not a race. Everyone can cover the 5 kilometers from Sams’ Club to the Malecon as fast or as slow as they would like. Along the way volunteers will douse you with colored powder, turning you and your nice white t-shirt into a one of a kind souvenir!

Registering by March 15 gets you an official event shirt. Cost is $200 pesos. Stop by Puerto Viejo coffee shop in the Old Port to register (located next to Thrifty Ice Cream).

Look for the Seaside Team to be there helping this great cause. Toma Color is for the whole family!