The Riviera Nayarit’s hippie chic enclave offers visitors art, sports, sun and sand under the banner Film, Music, Spirits & Surf; think pairings, a surf tournament, movies, concerts and much more; highlights include the band Dirty Heads and surf pros.

The Festival Sayulita is back, bringing its trademark Film, Music, Spirits & Surf from January 14-18. Now in its second year, it’s upped its activities roster and added something for everyone.

A perfect mix of art, sports, gastronomy, sun and sand make for an all-inclusive ambiance in the Riviera Nayarit's hippie chic enclave. This dream made its debut a year ago and is now coming into its own.

"This was a decision made amongst a small group of individuals in order to promote our town," explained Gabriel Villarubia, one of the founders. "Each of us had separately wanted to do a tequila festival, a film festival and a music festival, so we basically decided to do it all together. It was a small gathering last year and it was very cool; this year it's going to be even better. Plus we had a lot of support from the Riviera Nayarit CVB and the authorities."

One of the standout novelties this time around is the special Friday list of activities just for kids and teens. They’ll be able to enjoy a kid’s rock band, as well as view the movie “Box Trolls” and enjoy a chat with one of the producers who will be on hand to explain the art of stop motion. There will also be a friendly surf tournament where they can share the waves with the pros.

Another new activity is the 5-10K Fun Run, which will take place Thursday morning, the first day of the festival.

Regarding the Longboard Surf Tournament, Villarubia announced it’s the largest in Latin America and will include the participation of local notables such as Fernando Stalla and Javier “Bicho” Jiménez, as well as the Riviera Nayarit crew and international stars such as Alex Knost, among others. The tournament will be held on Saturday with a prize of $10,000 USD.

Event goers will have access to tequila, beer, mescal and Mexican wine in order to support domestic producers. Of course, the regional gastronomy is a must, holding court on Thursday night with a Wine Pairing and on Sunday with a Master Tasting during the surf awards ceremony.

And, per tradition, there will be film presentations in different spots, with a place of honor held by the big screen right on the beach.

The Dirty Heads will headline Saturday’s big concert (pun intended). There’s a lot going on so click the link to visit the official event page and take a peek at the entire schedule: http://www.festivalsayulita.com/.

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The glitter and glow of the 2015 Mardi Gras season has officially begun.

MEXICO CITY — Julio Scherer García, a newspaper and magazine editor who created a school of critical journalism that unmasked Mexico’s political corruption and helped lay the groundwork for the country’s democratic transition, died here on Wednesday. He was 88.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal. One thing the organizers of the IV Vallarta International Grand Award 2015 have in mind, is to support the Red Cross and other organizations similar to it. The event will be taken place from January 29 through February first.

Walk The World Without Caring About The Weather Tomorrow

There are quite a number of places to visit in this large gem in the North America and you’ll have to spend years to travel if you do not have clear directions. I’ve do you a favor and sorted out the 10 best spots you must not miss. Hope you love this A-list.

On his official Twitter account (@alexoficial), the singer known as “El Potrillo” displayed a gorgeous sunset in Punta de Mita, where he welcomed the New Year before heading off on his 2015 tour. Mexico’s ex-President enjoyed the evening at Vallarta Gardens in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

The Three Wise Men Day (Dia de Reyes)

After New Year's Day, Mexican families still have a very special date to commemorate and enjoy. On January 6, most of the Hispanic world celebrates El Dia De Reyes, the Epiphany, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.

She was once crowned the Sexiest Woman In The World by FHM.

And it definitely wasn't hard to see why as Jessica Alba sunned herself on holiday in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico last week with her husband Cash Warren and their daughters Honor, six, and Haven, three.

The Sin City actress flaunted her seriously toned figure and washboard stomach in two simple yet flattering bikinis.

Jessica showed off her natural beauty and enviable figure in a simple black and white printed string bikini on Friday.

The star wore her ombré locks down loose and went for a fuss-free make-up look on the beach.
Ten years after they first met on the set of superhero film Fantastic Four, Jessica and Cash's chemistry is still evident.

Jessica Alba Shows Off Her Killer Figure in Two Sexy Bikinis During Family Holiday in Mexico

The latter half of the year was full of articles in top US publications that showcased the luxury of the hotel infrastructure, the natural beauty and the culture of the Riviera Nayarit for hundreds of thousands of potential visitors.

Whether derived from a FAM trip organized by the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), a hotel that brought in a group of tourists to promote the region or by initiative of the magazines themselves, the Riviera Nayarit managed to maintain a constant presence in print media in the United States.

Dailies including the New York Post, Latin Trends, Austin Monthly, USA Today, The Boston Globe, Daily Beast, and the Huffington Post have filled their pages with articles touting the luxurious hotel infrastructure, the amazing natural scenery and the complex cultural offerings of Mexico’s Pacific Treasure.

The most recent article revolving around the beauty of Punta Mita and Sayulita was published in The Boston Globe, an top publication in Massachusetts with a circulation of more than 274 thousand, that was sparked by a visit by journalist Chris Muther organized by the Four Seasons.

Mark Rogers, a guest of the Riviera Nayarit CVB, continues publishing articles in USA Today (representing 23 million impressions) as well as in Travel Age West among others. He’s already written a total of 10 articles all stemming from the same trip.

Latin Trends, a bilingual medium with over 80 thousand followers, wrote a special report on a “yoga paradise” dedicated to the Riviera Nayarit. The New York Post wrote about the many details that make Imanta a top luxury hotel.

The Huffington Post enumerated 17 places that make Mexico one of the prettiest places on Earth. The list, of course, included Playa Escondida.

Canada has also published several articles. Iberostar recently hosted Christina Newberry, who published a story in Ageless Living Travel, a Canadian publication that dedicated its lines to the Marietas Islands. Another Canadian daily, the Vancouver Courier, wrote all about Nayarit’s Huichol art.

Below please find links to some of the aforementioned articles and others that eloquently express just how the Riviera Nayarit truly is paradise on earth.

huffingtonpost

huffingtonpost

bostonglobe

firsttoknow.

nypost

thedailybeast

As in years past, Los Mangos Library has just announced their annual Art Auction, to take place on January 29. The event’s goal is to raise funds for the landmark center to continue offering a broad variety of cultural programs and events for the community at large.

This popular event brings together local and visiting visual artists, who are encouraged to donate their works in support of the library, and art collectors, who flock to the venue for the unique opportunity to purchase a new work of art while helping raise money for a good cause.

Those interested in donating their work can do so online until January 7. Artists are given the choice to determine the percentage of their proceeds they wish to contribute.

Los Mangos Public Library offers a variety of courses, workshops, lectures, film screenings and much more. To learn more about this very important Puerto Vallarta cultural center, feel free to browse their website, bibliotecalosmangos.com.

[readon1 url="http://virtualvallarta.com/puertovallarta/news/local/los-mangos-library-announces-art-auction-1412241.shtml"]Source:virtualvallarta.com[/readon1]

Photo of Las Palmas, Vallarta Gardens courtesy of Oyster.com

Some of the finest dining to be experienced in La Cruz may be “off-limits” for some of you due to the fact that the restaurant facilities are located on private grounds. Or more likely, you just didn’t know about them.“Hunh?!” you ask…Well, the fix may be chumming up to a “connected” resident of said facilities or simply using this handy guide to gain you entry.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (and you may not have realized they were):

Las Palmas at Vallarta Gardens- All you need to do is tell the security guards you’re going to the restaurant and they will instruct you where to park to have a golf cart shuttle you to the restaurant located on the beachfront of this lovely resort. Some people wander up from the beach to enjoy a casual breakfast or lunch. Dinner by reservation only. In La Cruz on the Highway across from the OXXO/Subway.

Masala at the Punta Esmeralda Beach Club- Yes, you have to drive through the security gates of PE by informing them you are going to the restaurant. Good luck finding parking that isn’t someone’s dedicated space…Unlike their restaurant on calle Coral, THIS Masala serves breakfast and lunch and is very reasonably priced. The ambiance is awesome and depending on the occupancy of the resort/residences, may be peaceful or ridiculously noisy with children screaming around the pool. Off Highway 200 on the way to Bucerias.

Raixes at Puerto Bahia- This is far and away the biggest sleeper, most unknown restaurant in La Cruz. For starters, you have to know how to get there and they don’t make it easy. The access road to Puerto Bahia features a huge cement sign with landscaping on the highway just off the ramp/overpass from highway 200. You follow the road up the hills to the inevitable security gate where they will instruct you to park and wait for the requisite golf cart shuttle. This will take you to the upper entrance to Raixes which is perched on top of a hill affording an unforgettable view of La Cruz and the Bahia de Banderas. Food is pricey and very good. Call it an “occasion” destination.

Sandzibar at the Alamar Beach Club- This is an exception in that it is a public restaurant that also serves as the “snack bar” for the private Alamar Beach Club. Dining does NOT gain you pool access. However, Sandzibar is arguably the most exclusive gourmet experience in La Cruz (Masala and Frascati fans will claim otherwise). The “off-putting” security gate at the entrance off of the Playa Manzanilla road (which continues across the arroyo to the end of calle Coral) may be the reason more people don’t visit this wonderful restaurant or maybe it’s the steep prices...Beautiful grounds and service.

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC (access only to residents and their guests):

Frascati at Rio del Mar Beach Club- The lucky residents of the exclusive Rio del Mar development enjoy the amazing food provided by Frascati Restaurant at the Beach Club and the only way you will too is to hitch a ride with a resident of RDM. I could drop some names, but then I might not get invited myself…Highway Punta Mita at west end of town.

Oso’s Oyster Bar at the Alamar Jungle Club- Fans of Oso’s will have to content themselves with the Marina Mercado del Mar location unless they have a buddy who lives in Alamar. The Jungle Club is the pool and palapa facility located up on the hill between the two towers of Alamar. Highway Punta Mita at Manzanilla Beach.

FYI- Most of these restaurants will be participating at TASTE OF LA CRUZ on Saturday Jan. 24th at the Marina Riviera Nayarit 3-7PM.

[readon1 url="http://insidelacruz.com/articles/1480-hidden-dining-treasures-in-la-cruz.html"]Source:insidelacruz.com[/readon1]

Sylvia Rempel immigrated to Canada and started sewing at an early age, making clothes for her dolls. After she married, she sewed her husband’s suits, ties and shirts. Eventually, she started her own company, Sun Ice Ltd., with her eldest daughter, Angela (Rempel) Grams.