Mar 11, 2015
Festival de Guitarra Culiacan 2015, guest post by Colin
The 7th Festival that I have attended
A great learning time and listening time, plus the meeting and discussing with the great masters.
I arrived in Culiacan and just off the main highway from Mazatlan my car broke down – dashboard said “engine low power” I tried to gain control but gave in at a Pemex, shutting it down. I needed Policia to help push it to a stall infront of an Oxxo store. There it sat. A Sunday with no mechanicos around. I was ill prepared; had no phone number for Heriberto, my Maestro friend whom I would be staying with and had no address of his home. I knew the way to get there, that is all. Cell phone – heck! who carries that these days? – not me. Spanish -Yes I have been studying. So up pulls a police car and I explain all this to them. They say get in and away we go, to Heriberto’s home. I had a map with his street pinpointed on. Through red lights, listening to Led Zeppeline I am in the back seat holding on while the co pilot is working on his iPhone doing personal things. A half hour normal ride done in 12 minutes. At Heriberto’s we/I explained and I offered a tip to the police- no thanks, so Heriberto sat on the curb and played guitar for them. They were more than thrilled and appreciative just like the Pemex guards with the AK 47s who were sitting in our motorhome Nov. 2012 as we headed to Mazatlan that year. Heriberto is a master of the guitar and likes to give impromptu concerts. Back to my car, after several back and forths to my car-unloading, mechanico checks etc. my car is in the shop. Problem- a rock from the Isla Road I suspect, came up into my aircleaner, knocked a hole in it and broke my sensor re fuel/computer/control for the engine. The mechanico just disconnected it. Can’t get those parts easily in Mex. It drives fine, uses little more gas and hard shifts. I have an appointment at home to have it repaired.
Back to the purpose of going , The Festival. There were concursos, seminars, competitions, master classes and concerts. The concerts were given by:
A Russian lady Anna Likhacheva 21 years old – her talent incredible; she started guitar at 3 1/2 years old Check out this utube (9 years old)
Then we had Zoran Dukic, Croatia, one of the worlds great masters Check this utube
We had Mauro Zanatta, Italy, who plays early music instruments. He had 2 standing ovations. His music expression with great feeling and flawless technique. Check out his incredible utube video
Andy McKee, USA very famous from a U-tube video 7 years ago, look at this. Andy has unique guitars – notice the slant of the frets, and he changes the tuning on almost every song.
Oman Kaminsky, Mexico, who won the competition last year, played with the Culiacan Symphony this year. Here he plays a very difficult Leo Brouwer modern piece
Few hours of sleep. In 6 days a total of 23 hours. The water truck came by at about 7 or 7:30 am and I could not sleep after that. The rest of the house got up around 9am. Some afternoons I slept in the theatre splayed out over a few seats. Each day we had morning classes, lunches, afternoon master classes, evening concerts, late night after concert diner parties at a special restaurant and guitar the playing started again at Heriberto’s after midnight with Heriberto playing, Isela singing and me playing and Lulu playing and singing …. then at 2 AM cheese quesadillas were on the stove. A blast, a learning time, and the greatest friends in the world.
Thank you to Heriberto, Isela, Vinicio, Anaid, Rodolfo, Heri, Lulu, all the maestros, all the students, the Policia of Culiacan, and special thanks to Heriberto’s mechanico Edel, a brilliant mechanic who is also a lawyer that has a very big heart.
I met Heriberto on the beach in Guasave many years ago and he invited me to come to the festival and live with his family for the week.
A special man with a special family.
I take photos for the festival which help in it’s international promotion.
Photos to follow, includes a photo of the new classical guitar group “The Mop Heads” who provide music for Las Margaritas Diablas
Policia who drove me to Heriberto’s home
Anna Likhacheva, 21 years old
Winners of competition, from right to left, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Andy Mckee
Oman and Conductor Gordon Campbell
Winner of competition, next year plays with the Culiacan Orchestra (OSSLA), as below
Zoran Dukic, me, and Mauro Zanatta
Famoso Mop Heads
Me and Anna Likhacheva
Vinicio, Zoran and Vinicio’s wife Anaid
Great student guitarist, came in 3rd in competition
Andy Mckee, Heri (Heriberto’s son) and his novia Lulu
Heri with Andy’s guitar, notice the frets
Lulu, Mauro, Isela
Me, Heriberto, Anna, Zoran and Isela
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Nice post, Colin! I feel like I already know more about guitar playing just by watching it.
Thanks and a very enjoyable commentary too!! Judging by the reported lack of sleep, it looks like you had a great time!!!
Thanks for the write up, Colin! Sounds like you had a blast despite the car troubles. Long white hair is not a good look for you, though. 😉
I can’t get over how helpful the cops were!
Colin, I enjoyed reading your post as much as I enjoy talking to you, at least for a few days, every year. (I didn´t know about the policia part) You and Contessa are such an amazing people, we are so fortunate to have you in the Festival, your contribution is very helpful.
Good luck with your Kono, and hope to see you soon.
Big hugs for you and Contessa from Anaid and I.
Such a great time you had, and excellent post, thanks for sharing !
Hi Contessa and Colin,
Just read the fascinating story of Colin’s. It is funny, interesting and a joy to read. What an experience every year. It could have been problematic but it always turns out into a positive happy event.
23 hrs. Of sleep in 6 days. Was that a record?
What great people musicians are. Colin , what a multi talent you are.
Tank´s Colin. It is great. Very much excellent photos and text.
Hugs to Contessa and doggies.
Compade Heriberto
Wonderful friends and a great time! What’s a little car trouble! A great post, you should do it more often!
Wow Colin, looks like you had a blast! Well worth the trip. The only disappointing thing was that you didn’t post a video of yourself playing your wonderfully fantastic music on that guitar of yours! Maybe the Mop Heads will make a video for future viewing.
Increible Colin, parece que pasaste bien el tiempo (muy chido). Valió la pena para hacer el viaje. La unica decepcíon es que no pusiste tu video tocando la musica mas bonita en Mazatlan, la tuya con la guitarra sonante. Ojalá los mopheads graban un video en el futuro!