Mar 12, 2016
Culiacan was a blast
A very large city indeed, it is the capital of Sinaloa. It is host to many Universities and is very cosmopolitan. It is also one of the main drug cartel cities. It even has a Narco cemetery that I wished we had had time to visit. Next time for certain, I want to see these condos built for the dead.
But the main focus of my visit was to attend the Wednesday concert featuring David Russell. As I mentioned in my last post I had met him and his wife Maria four years ago and seen him perform then.
David’s music was superb. I heard music and sounds that I never have heard before from a guitar. The concert was incredible and he did receive a few standing ovations.
We all trooped back stage for the tributes and congratulatory hugs. Some of the students had David sign their guitars 😀 I can’t imagine Colin ever having someone sign his precious guitar. He never lets any one play it 🙄
The honored musicians and invitees headed out for a celebratory meal at an Italian restaurant. I can’t say how many we were. That is Isela and Heriberto, 2nd and 3rd from the top left. I certainly never spent anytime with them. Colin is staying at their home so he is seeing them daily.
There were five featured guitarists at the Guitar Festival this year. Four of them currently live in Spain. In fact David has taught three of the in the past. Rather amazing. It was an extremely festive dinner with lots of conversation and fun.
The lady on the left of Colin is Mabel Millan, she is 21 years of age. She is from Barcelona and performed Monday evening. Mabel has been playing since she was eight and had just finished recording her first CD. Marco Socias is on Colin’s right and performed Tuesday evening. That is Zoran Dukic on the far right and he is from Croatia and also resides in Barcelona. Zoran first met David Russell when he was thirteen and started taking lessons from him. David says that he knew way back then that Zoran had that special something. Both Mabel and Marco have had some instruction from David. They all loved being in the same place together for almost a week.
Zoran, myself and Rodolfo, a good friend of ours. We enjoyed New Years Eve at the Plazuela Machado a few years ago with Rodolfo. Colin also took the photo of him that is on the cover of his latest CD. He is the artistic director for the Festival this year.
Myself with Anahid, she is the wife if Vinicio, the Presidente of the Festival this year. Such a beautiful smile despite being on the go from 7 AM until 2 or 3 AM six nights in a row. Colin did their wedding photos here on the Isla a few years ago.
David, myself and Zoran leaving the restaurant around 1:30AM. We were all staying at the same hotel.
It was fun to have breakfast ( which was included in the room rate ) surrounded by several of the guitarists, one of the judges of the student competition and one of the students.
It truly was enjoyable and I only worried periodically about the girls. I do believe that I could leave them again next year. Likely I will as it was whispered to me that my boyfriend Ricado Gallen 😳 will possibly be one of the featured artists.
We never know what the future holds for us. It is so important to live each day to the fullest.
Colin remains in Culiacan making memories.
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What a fun time! How true – your last couple of sentences – we agree – live each day to the fullest! Enjoy your day!!!????
Looks like such a very good time!!!
That looks like a great time had by all.