Zihrena Systems Newsletter March 2005

Another Day in Paradise March edition is now on-line at the new website, http://www.adip.info, with lots of good information, articles about local activities, Mexican food, regional fishing, news, travel - you name it, everything you ever wanted to know about our slice of paradise. The website also hosts archived versions of all past editions of the magazine since it began publication in 1999!!

A large, fun and live auction will be held this coming Saturday, March 12 for the final fundraiser for the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival 2005, which is coming up SOON, from April 3 through 10. The fundraising auction will be hosted by our favorite auctioneering team, Dewey and Victor. Rick of Rick's Bar has donated his locale for the event, which will start at 5 p.m.

ADVANCE SALES OF GUITARFEST PASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE, SO GET YOUR PASS NOW AND COME PREPARED!

Gold Passes $500 MN - Unlimited Entry to All Regular Live Music venues from April 4-8 (i.e. All bar shows ) ** Gala Dinners, Special Events and Concerts require additional cover charge.

Platinum passes $1000 MN - Unlimited entry to all festival events, Bar Shows, Gala Dinners, Concerts, Special Events, Fund Raising Events: Cover Only (Reservations must be arranged seperatly)

A lot of great products and services have been donated to the cause by a number of local stores and service providers. The list includes the following:

1.Small oil by Arementa Rodriguez - VALUE: 1200 pesos - well-known local artist - oil painting of palm leaves with coconuts

2. Larger oil by Arementa Rodriguez - VALUE: 2400 Pesos - Local artist – oil painting looking out from palapa roof to bay

3.Framed Original Lithograph - VALUE: 1000 Pesos - on hand-made amate paper by Nicolas de Jesus - “floated” in glass in distressed wooden frame

4, Watercolor by J. Weng - VALUE: 500 Pesos - Original Framed watercolor of sailboat on Zihua Bay

5. Dichroic Glass pendant - VALUE: 1750 Pesos - Beautiful dichroic glass pendant on silver chain from Elisabeth Ashe of Glass Act Imports

6.Amber Necklace - VALUE: 500 Pesos - From Nacho’s Ixtapa Jewelers – Amber beads interspersed with silver – Original design with unique silver front open/closure and amber tassle pendant

7.Turquoise necklace - VALUE: 500 Pesos - From Nacho’s Ixtapa Jeweler’s - turquoise necklace with silver and amber Beads and a hanging “shell” pendant

8.Silverbracelet– VALUE: 300 Pesos - From Pancho’s – beautiful contemporary design - sterling silver bracelet – 16 Grams – 9.25 silver

10. Zoe Kyak Tours – VALUE: 1750 Pesos - A 4-hour kayak tour for 2 of Laguna Potosi – transportation, fruit and beverages Included – A nature lover’s dream

11. Zoe Kyak Tours – VALUE: 1750 - Another trip for 2 – exactly the same as item #10 above

12. Vltava Sunset Cruise - VALUE: 1450 Pesos - Tickets for 2 – sunset cruise on the Windjammer sailing vessel, Vltava sail from Zihuatanejo Bay to Ixtapa and back – beverages/hors d'oeuvres included.

13. Delfiniti Ixtapa – VALUE: 1000 Pesos - For 1 person – an encounter and swim with the dolphins – Offer good through end of March only

14. Fishing trip for 2 – VALUE: 2000 Pesos - Private fishing boat out of Ixtapa – hor’s doeuvers, beverages, fishing gear Included – call for available times

15. Fishing trip for 2 - VALUE: 2000 Pesos - Private fishing boat out of Ixtapa – hor’s doeuvers, beverages, fishing gear Included – call for available times

16. Dinner at Carpachio’s - VALUE: 500 Pesos - For 2 people in a beautiful, lush courtyard - in Centro Zihua next to the church

17. Dinner at El Mediterraneo - VALUE: 500 Pesos - For 2 people – wonderful food on Paseo del Pescador

18. Dinner at Rick’s Steakhouse - VALUE: 400 Pesos - For 2 people – Upstairs at Rick’s – 2 steak dinners with A bottle of wine – Steaks are all at least 1 pound!!!

19. Ladies Basket – VALUE: 850 Pesos - 6 different fragrances of “ Victoria’s Secret” body splash spray; cloisonné box by Monet and a certificate for a manicure/pedicure from Lavender & Roses Salon in Ixtapa and a basket

20. Tequila Basket – VALUE: 250 Pesos - One bottle of Tequila, 2 hand-painted ceramic bowls for lime & salt; 2 shot glasses in hand-tooled leather from Mario’s leather shop and the basket

21. Leather French Book Bag - VALUE: 2000 Pesos - From Mario’s Leather Shop – a beautifully crafted leather book bag. For many uses, including a laptop!!!

22. Leather Purse & Wallet – VALUE: 1000 Pesos - From Cielito Lindo in Ixtapa – finely crafted ladies leather purse with zip closure on top – wallet has many compartments for coins, bills, credit Cards and more

23.Leather wallet - VALUE: 400 Pesos - From Cielito Lindo in Ixtapa – finely crafted leather wallet – spaces For coins, bills, credit cards and more

24. Luxury Ixtapa Villa - VALUE: 9500 Pesos (minimum bid of $300 US) - 3 days/2 nights - From Richard and Gloria Bellack – a beautiful villa Condo - overlooking Marina Ixtapa Golf Club. 3 bedrooms/3 baths with Maid’s room and bath; Swimming pool - Must be used before October 15, 2005 - call for reservations

25. “Our House” Bed & Breakfast - VALUE: 1750 Pesos - From Cecil & Karen Koch – 2 people/2 nights at “Our House” B&B on Playa Blanca at Barra-de-Potosi – relaxed, family- style atmosphere. Televisions, Ceiling fans, (AC available at extra cost) Breakfast provided.

26. Ceramic serving dishes - VALUE: 600 Pesos - 3 – handpainted assorted dishes from Guanajuato, MX. Painted in a sunflower pattern

27. Villa Chefs - VALUE: 3000 Pesos (Minimum 1000 Peso bid) - What a deal – take your pick – A 5-course gourmet dinner for 4 (includes hors d’oeuvers, soup, salad, entrée and dessert) OR Hor’s doeuvers Cocktail Party for 12 at home, office or hotel – high-end type of foods. From Linda Fox of Villa Chefs

28. Guatamalen Sweater - VALUE: 2000 Pesos - From Gloria Bellack – beautiful hand-woven Guatamalen Sweater, Original designs and brilliant colors – size Medium

29. Massage - VALUE: 400 Pesos - From Lavendar & Roses salon in Ixtapa – one full hour of a Relaxing, body massage

And the latest PRESS RELEASE regarding Guitar Fest has come out with the line-up of musicians who will be regaling us with their fine music this year... and here they are! (full press release is available HERE )

Mark Selby & Tia Sillers ( USA ) - A multi-faceted and multi-talented duo with a great range of stellar songs under their belts. Mark is a guitarist/ singer/ songwriter and recording artist on Vanguard records whose songs have been nominated for and have helped win Grammys. Tia is an incredible singer/ songwriter who with the song "I Hope you Dance", has won every award possible (BMI, Billboard, ACM, CMA, Grammy, NSA) for song of the year. Both members of this duo have put out four #1 records for the country, rock and blues charts.

Bebo Whitehead ( USA ) - A 15+ year veteran of Nashville , TN , Bebo has done the circuit with the likes of Bo Diddley and James Cotton, The Amazing Rhythm Aces and Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. His latest CD, "Whisky, Cigarettes, Guitars and Train Songs," was produced by Wayne Neuendorf.

Juan Gaspar (Mexico) - A native of Puebla, Mexico , Juan’s music studies began with violin at the age of seven in New York ’s Julliard School of Music. He later changed to guitar and continued studies through the 1970’s and into the mid-80’s in the Puebla Conservatory of Music. Gaspar has given recitals all over the Mexican Republic and in various U.S. cities.

Steve Denyes (USA) - Steve, with a blend of American roots music, "one part Woody Guthrie, one part Steve Earle, one part Johnny Cash," is a North American Folk Alliance Showcase Artist, a six-time NACA Showcase Artist, a two-time San Diego Music Awards "Best Acoustic" nominee and a San Diego Reader "Best Country" nominee. Steve was with us during the Inaugural Guitar Festival 2004 and we couldn’t be happier to have him back again.

Josie Kuhn ( USA ) - Singer/guitarist/songwriter Josie Kuhn writes from the heart, whether she is writing about the joys or pain of love, Mexican cantinas or the plight of the Native Americans. Having toured extensively and shared bills with Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Steve Forbert, Eric Anderson and many other notables, Josie has just put out her special "Zihuatanejo" theme CD. Josie, too, was with us during the Inaugural Guitar Festival 2004.

Goh Kurosawa (Japan) - Having interest in various genres such as Latin, Classical, Jazz, Asian, Brazilian, Tango, North Indian, Free Improvisation, Rock and Afro-Beat music, has led Goh to become equally versatile on acoustic and electric guitars. In recent years, the music of the Balkans has had deep impact on Goh. His music blends the Oriental with the Western.

Richard Smith and Stephen Trovato ( USA ) - A Full Professor and Chair of the Studio/Jazz Guitar department at Thornton School of Music at USC, Richard Smith has built a strong reputation as a jazz sideman and session guitarist with the likes of Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun and Dan Siegel. His own records have established him as a veteran of the contemporary jazz world - with strong chart action and critical success. Studio/Jazz Guitar Department colleague Steve Trovato has an exciting career in several facets of the music industry. As a multi – stylist, Steve is versatile and highly knowledgeable in all popular genres of guitar music.

Kelli Ali ( England ) - Kelli Ali is on a musical journey. With two solo albums under her belt and a fistful of sparkling collaborations with such stars as Bootsy Collins, Marilyn Manson and Linkin'Park, Kelli Ali is a singer/songwriter who manages to stay out of the spotlight, preferring to follow her unique musical vision in to shadows. Her songs speak of love, dreams and betrayal and much more.

Nelson Graham ( USA ) - plays acoustic guitar and sings with a rich, baritone voice highlighting original music in a variety of American styles of grassroots/country/folk. Graham combines a mixture of songs from his experiences of country and city living. Subject matter covers humorous, serious, inspirational, realistic and fun themes.

Jenny Kerr & Phil Milner ( USA ) - Returning to join us for our second year, Jenny Kerr's musical roots were laid down during the heyday of San Francisco 's sound explosion. Always driven hard by her muse, Jenny has honed her skills on finger-style guitar, claw-hammer banjo, harmonica, piano and Dobro to a sharp edge. Talented musician partner Phil "Philbillie" Milner is a fiery, soulful guitarist and singer and dynamic showman whose style was forged in the beer Halls, roadhouses and nightclubs of California and Hawaii .

Peter Byrne (Ireland) - Lead vocals and guitar of "The Glass Onion Band," Peter is a self taught guitarist whose varied influences have been James Taylor, the Beatles, Stones, Neil Young, Dylan and John Martin. Originally from Dublin , Ireland , Peter is delighted to have been asked to play at this year’s festival and hopes you all enjoy the music and party on....

Steve Glotzer ( USA ) – has opened shows for a wide range of artists such as Delbert McClinton, Blues Traveler, Dr. John, Larry Coryell and David Grisman as well as being featured in movies and TV. "Steve offers the listener a world tour of guitar styles from sambas to jazz, blues to classical, bebop to folk, and almost everything in between..." Frank Rubalino, Cadence Creative Music.

Nick Vigarino ( USA ) - Nick Vigarino is an award winning singer/ songwriter/ guitarist whose music is fast, hard and fun and gets people up dancing. Nick wooed the crowds with his strings at the Inaugural Guitarfest 2004 and promises to do the same once again!

Gypsy ( Canada , of S. American heritage) – Gypsy guitar trio plays rumba, flamenco and new flamenco. The group has played festivals across Canada , the US , Japan and Korea to enthusiastic crowds.

Ricardo Peña (USA and Mexico) – plays a variety of acoustic guitar based musical styles including Bolero (Cuban-Mexican), Son (Cuba), Trona Yucateca (Yucatan), Blues, American Folk, with influences from Mexico, the Caribbean and America’s Jazz, Blues, Folk and Bluegrass.

Tom Freund ( USA ) – Travels the world and brings music to people. He recorded a duo album with Ben Harper and was part of the Silos for five years. Talented, versatile (he plays most of the stringed instruments and piano) and critically acclaimed, his solo americana roots rock CDs have won global praise, “Along with Lucinda Williams, Freund is the best singer/songwriter operating today.” – Graham Parker

Kathleen Haskard ( USA ) – Blues, folk, rock singer/songwriter/guitarist based in London , England . Her publisher is BMG Music and she is currently working on her second album.

Jim McCormick ( USA ) – Americana , folk, country, blues singer/songwriter /guitarist and regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, with 3 solos CDs in the last three years and current songs on records from Warner Bros., MCA and Curb.

Curley Cooke (USA) – Seasoned blues musician with 35 years in the music business, Curley was a founding member of the Steve Miller Band and has performed and/or recorded with such greats as Chuck Berry, Jerry Garcia, Ben Sidran, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Freddie King, Boz Scaggs and many others.

2nd Annual Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, a week of live music in Zihuatanejo - April 3-10. A great music filled week benefiting music education in Zihuatanejo. www.zihuafest.info for more information.

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