• Selena Gómez heads the list of celebrities that traded the red carpet for the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit; other notables include actor Mircea Monrow and Iron Chef Penny Davidi.

The Riviera Nayarit continues to position itself as a luxury nature destination for celebrities and sports figures who have chosen Mexico’s Pacific Treasure to enjoy its fun in the sun attractions, as well as its formidable infrastructure and unique gastronomy.

22-year-old actor and singer Selena Gómez is currently one of the most-followed celebrities in the industry. She recently caused a stir on social and traditional media during her stay with a group of friends at Casa Aramara in Punta Mita, which has become a preferred hotspot for A-listers. Her Twitter account alone has over 28 million followers.

Villa La Estancia welcomed actor and model Mircea Monroe, who has graced dozens of silver screen movies and TV shows in the United States.

Chef Penny Davidi, winner of the Iron Chef America Competition, also chose to stay at Villa La Estancia. During her visit she created a special menu for dinner with her friends, which was prepared by La Casona’s Chef Polo Cortés.

Veteran basketball player Nazr Mohammed, currently playing with the Chicago Bulls, was spotted enjoying a delicious meal at Tuna Blanca Mita.

Model and sports commentator for Televisa Deportes, Marisol González, celebrated her birthday at the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Marisol, who won the Nuestra Belleza México contest in 2013, took time out while visiting to tape a promotional video for the hotel.

Alex Sirvent, currently starring in the Mexican soap opera La Sombra del Paraíso and who was part of the now-defunct boy band, Mercurio, stayed at the villas in Vallarta Gardens in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

The variety of celebrities visiting the destination is such that the current player for Guadalajara’s Chivas Rayadas, Ángel Reyna, spent a few says at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, while ex-soccer world champion for Mexico and one of the best goalies in the history of the game, Oswaldo Sánchez, was seen dining at Fascati La Cruz.

The domino effect continues as more and more celebrities and A-listers show their preference for the Riviera Nayarit.

Alex Sirvent, Celebrity, Marison González, Mircea Monroe, Narz Mohammed, Oswaldo Sánchez, Penny Davidi, Selena Gómez, Ángel Reyna

The only all inclusive festival in Mexico.

The 2nd Annual Pulpito Drag Derby will take place Thursday, May 21, transforming Calle Pulpito and the Pinnacle stairs into a Drag Race Track and giant block-party featuring music, laughs, entertainment and another amazing (drag) race.The Vallarta Pride Organizing Committee has confirmed the Pulpito Drag Derby as one of the events during Vallarta Pride.

The pre-party gets underway with music and entertainment as comedy drag M.C.'s Tracy Parks and Chaz Weathers - specially flown in from Greater Tuna - warm up the crowd and introduce Drag Derby contestants in all their sequined splendor. Everybody gets a chance to place bets on their favorite drag queen, sample Pulpito Punch, and buy Drag Derby 2015 t-shirts.

Winning bets will get three times the face value (100 pesos, 200 pesos, or 500 pesos) in Pulpito Pesos, redeemable as payment for food, beverages and other services (but not tips!) at participating Pulpito Drag Derby Sponsors.

Derby contestants will cross the starting line at 7:30 pm, hair and makeup permitting, and run the comedy obstacle course. The competition will climax with the award of First (5,000 pesos), Second (2,000 pesos) and Third Place (1,000 pesos).

But every contestant will be a winner, receiving 10% of the bets placed on her!

The music and fun continue non-stop as the Vallarta Pride Opening Party officially kicks off the weekend with a DJ, great music, special entertainment and surprise guests.

It's great fun for a good cause - all profits go to the Amapas Neighborhood Association and SETAC.

Visit Facebook for more detailed information about the Drag Derby.

For more information about Vallarta Pride news and updates, please visit Vallarta Pride or the official Facebook page.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal. - Vallarta’s citizens will be the guest of honors in the fifth issue of ‘Poems by the Sea: International Meeting of Poetry and Art’, which this year is counting with the presence of Krystyna Lenkowska (from Poland) Coral Bracho (Mexico), Mara Lee (Sweden) and Patrick Quiller (France).

With the intention of starting a tradition that represents a new activity in Puerto Vallarta, a group of enthusiastic proactive citizens are inviting you to El Centro on Tuesday April 14 at 7:00 pm to start the project "Callejoneada - Musical Walk" which adds to the efforts to give life and movement to the historic center of this tourist destination.

Organizers report that the Callejoneada is a musical walk through the streets of Downtown Vallarta.

Attendees will be entertained by the Rondalla (group of serenaders) of Puerto Vallarta on a route that starts from the Main Square to the Church of Guadalupe Hidalgo and continuing on the streets of Galeana, Morelos, and Corona until reaching Casa Mascota at Juárez and Aldama.

The tour will be in a festive atmosphere that invites residents and visitors to join us walking and being serenaded on the streets.

We will end the tour at the popular Casa Mascota where typical snacks and drinks will be offered.

After the success of the Thursday "Musical Patterns" now we invite you on Tuesday for "Callejoneadas."

We invite you to share this invitation to this new event with friends and family and attend to support a new proposal that will undoubtedly become an attraction for locals and tourists.

On May 10th this year, mothers in many countries around the globe will be rejoicing in a celebration created to recognize the special bond between mother and child. Honor the mother in your life, whether it be your own or the mother of your children, in a way that only those who have visited the lovely city of Puerto Vallarta would understand. Spend the day showing her just how much you care by treating her to one, or all, of these incredible experiences.

A Shopping Spree in the Heart of Puerto Vallarta

Whether heading out for the perfect souvenir or searching for a unique piece of jewelry, downtown Puerto Vallarta has just what you’re looking for. Treat your mom to an experience she’ll love, after all, what woman doesn’t love to shop? Visit the Municipal Flea Market next to the Rio Cuale for traditional handmade Mexican crafts or peruse the countless boutiques along the Malecón for a unique gift that will let her know that this is going to be the best Mother’s Day ever!

Dine In

There is no better way to start the day than by indulging in a delicious feast without ever having to leave the bed. Call for room service or prepare a hearty meal in your suite’s kitchen.  With all the fresh ingredients available in Puerto Vallarta, breakfast in bed will never have tasted so good. For a really indulgent act of pampering, you could enjoy the private chef service offered at Garza Blanca.

Tour the Bay in a Private Yacht

It sounds lavish, but there is no better way to enjoy the pristine waters of the Bay of Banderas than in the privacy of a luxurious yacht. Set sail for a sun filled day on the water or head out for a special sunset cruise. Whatever time of day you choose, one thing’s for sure, you’ll be embarking on an experience she’ll never forget!

Relax at Spa Imagine

Invite her to spend a few hours, or the entire day, being pampered by the professional staff at Spa Imagine. The stunning setting, relaxing ambiance and incredible spa treatments will have her feeling like a queen and remembering just how lucky she is to be a mom. You could also reserve treatments in the VIP therapy suite, which has a large sofa and extra space for you to accompany your mum as she indulges in her treatments.

Enjoy a Picnic on the Beach

If you’ve ever been to Puerto Vallarta then you’ll understand that spending time on the beach can be one of the most rewarding things you do. Grab some delicious treats for a picnic on the beach and let her enjoy the sweeping vistas and gentle ocean breeze in the company of her favorite people. It’s the perfect time to kick back and admire the beauty of being a mother!

Puerto Vallarta, Jal. - With the start of April, the office of Integral Family Development (DIF) of the State of Jalisco, together with “Trompo Magico” Museum, has scheduled 105 specific activities for children and teen agers, from across the State, to get to know and to practice exercising their rights, in a fun and interactive way.

The Assistant Director of “Trompo Magico” Museum, Ana Estela Garcia Cortez, presented the individuals and the activities that will be representing each one of the rights, such as the right to good health and education, to preserve their identity, to express their opinion and their rights to entertainment and recreational activities. All those rights will be duly identified in different areas. There will also be several other activities that will reinforce the theme.

"We will have two musical groups whose work is to create music about children’s rights. ‘Patita de Perro’ is coming from Puebla, and from our town, Luis Delgadillo will be performing”, she said.

The photo exhibit "Vertical and horizontal" is currently opened outside the Museum. Children and teen agers are there to respond to different questions. Special activities surrounding the celebration began Thursday, April 2 and will continue until Sunday, may 3. Closing Monday, may 4 with a great celebration in the Guadalajara Zoo.

The Museum Deputy Director explained that the last week will be a very intensive week of activities. From Tuesday, April 28 to Sunday, May 3 there will be some highlight new features as an open forum of expression for young people with the freedom of identity, the topic being: What do you like most about you?; a geek party, the opening of a gastronomic laboratory, 13 shows, nine interactive workshops, there will be a Conference: Would to children play in....? Plus two exhibits: Archaeology of a Sonic monument: the national anthem, and trunks with wings and roots.

The trunks with wings exhibits were judged by children from all over Mexico. Children chose the topic they wanted to decorate their trunks with, or for local or regional artists to do that trunk. They also chose the items going inside the trunks; items representing their State" said Garcia Cortez.

The invitation is open to children and teen agers throughout the State. Families wishing to attend may approach the municipal DIF office, which will provide logistics and scheduling activities. Just as a reminder: general admission is 40 pesos. It is free for senior citizens and people with disabilities; same as for children two years old younger. It is free for everyone, on Thursdays.

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

Welcome to modern celebrity dating—vacationing with your (almost) ex-wife and then jetting off to vacation with your hot new main chick. Also, welcome to the life of Chris Martin.

Hollywood's notorious know-it-all Gwyneth Paltrow vacationed with her soon-to-be-ex and Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin in Mexico last week with their two children. The couple who "consciously uncoupled" almost exactly a year ago looked like they were getting along quite well in Puerto Vallarta despite their impending divorce.

Then, the moment Martin got off the plane from the Gwencation, it seems he couldn't wait to jet away with America's sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence. While Martin, 38, and Paltrow, 42, are working to hash out the terms of their divorce, C-Mart was getting hot-and-heavy with JLaw, 24, in New York this past weekend.  The on-again, off-again couple was seen on a romantic date in Central Park. In case you were wondering, she reportedly had the roast beef (another reason I love her), and he had Eggs Benedict. After the meal, the two walked off flirtatiously, smothered by their bodyguards and selfie-hungry fans.

 The couple was "talking softly to each other throughout the meal. As they left, she changed shoes and her sweater, and she was overheard telling him she wanted to take a walk through Strawberry Fields, and they left holding hands,”

Martin and Jennifer were then photographed boarding a private jet together Sunday at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The weekend marked the first time the couple were seen in public since January.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. - Those who attended the Concert for Puerto Vallarta’s children were requested to bring a toy to the concert.  The concert was organized by the Family Integral Development (DIF). Iris Ulla Godliness, director of the institution, said that the toys were going to be donated to children in the city’s most vulnerable areas. These toys will bring a smile to those children’s faces, she said. The Arcane Group played for the concert that took place at the jetty’s light house this past April 3.

Iris Ulloa, said that this talented group joined forces with Puerto Vallarta DIF donating their time for this concert, which turned out to be a very special evening and left the attendees satisfied and happy. This event will also serve as an instrument to make many children who do not usually get toys, because of lack of resources, very happy they will have something to play with, thanks to our generous people.

Ulloa thanked everyone who participated in the event. The price of ticket for the concert was a toy; so besides having fun, people also contributed to good cause.  By working together, she said, we all had fun, and we also made children happy with the toy they got.

Modules for reception of toys were installed around the concert area.  Toys will be delivered on April 26 by the Puerto Vallarta’s DIF. What a beautiful and unforgettable evening, and what a nice way to contribute with a toy!

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

MAKING GOOD THINGS HAPPEN:

The International Friendship Club (IFC) just spent $138,000 pesos on making good things happen. Our Home Tours has had a very successful season showing visitors and residents some of the lovely homes here and part of the program’s revenues have now been allocated to our Education Committee to improve the lives of local Mexican residents who need help.

There's a new market in town!

The Marsol Hotel at Los Muertos Pier in Old Town Vallarta is opening up their large lobby every Friday during the 2014-2015 season with the Marsol Market.