Superb Weekend of “Charity, Culture and Champagne” Benefits Asilo San Juan Diego and SPCA-PV

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by Wayne McLeod

The Hacienda Palo Maria this past Sat., Mar. 26 was the site for the SPCA-PV/Asilo San Juan Diego old folks' home benefit "Gala Dinner," just part of a super weekend that also included a concert, a gourmet brunch, and a late night beachside V.I.P. party. The funds raised will go toward construction of an animal shelter, a longtime goal of SPCA-PV's Janice Chatterton.

The 300-plus crowd Saturday at Phil Stewart's southern shore palatial hacienda had payed 1,900 pesos each to dine on an exquisite menu by restaurateur Joe Jack (of PV and San Francisco, CA renown), which included a pyramid (the centerpiece of each table of ten guests) of fresh seafood – flown in from France the day before.

The preceding Friday evening concert at Teatro Vallarta, the newly-built worldclass auditorium featured Jalisco native tenor Jorge Jimenez and soprano Anna Maria Kaufmann. Alberta native Anna Maria Kaufmann is a mega-star in Germany, where she played the female lead in "Phantom of the Opera" at over 500 performances (the soundtrack sold more than 1.9 million copies). She also sang the composer's Music of the Night and Think of Me. In Yvonne's honor, she performed two of Yvonne's father Emmerich's arias Just shy of a sell-out in the 960 seat concert hall, the musical event created a critical "Bravo!" that continued all weekend.

Following the concert was a cocktail reception with open bar, canapes El Dorado Restaurant, Bar & Beach Club on Playa Los Muertos in the Southside area of Puerto Vallarta.

Saturday's elegant Gala Dinner Party and Auction – with a host of entertainers including the folkloric dance troupe "Fandango," opera's Jorge Jimenez and Anna Maria Kaufmann, Mariachi la Joya de Mexico, and the country rock Mark Odom band from San Antonio, TX – had guests enjoying the fruits de mer platter, roasted beet salad, seafood chowder, cucumber-melon sorbet (to cleanse the palate), and ancho braised short rib (accompanied by a trio of early spring vegetables and mashed potatoes), and finally a succulent dessert (with handrolled cigars for those who desired). With a finale of fireworks, guests had a plethora of visual and sensual delights to savor.

To close the "Charity, Culture and Champagne" weekend, a Sunday Brunch was held at Casa Yvonneka, where 200 guests enjoyed a wonderful view of Puerto Vallarta while being entertained by the classical popular favorites by the Peregrino Quartet. The astronomical offering by casa owner Yvonne Kalman included international specialties, Champagne and Patron Tequila. Her father was famed German opera composer Emmerich Kalman.

Coupled with the ongoing Fandango and the recent Frida production, Puerto Vallarta now has world-class theater to offer its residents and visitors in a comfortable large auditorium.

Funds raised from this event will benefit the SPCA de PV and Asilo San Juan Diego. The SPCA is a private non-profit organization dedicated to promote sterilization, adoption and pet care with the goal of eliminating the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals. Asilo San Juan Diego's Mission is to build a comfortable quality retirement home for the needy elderly of Puerto Vallarta.

Anna Maria Kaufmann

Jorge Jimenez