Launch Party Kicks Off 16th Season at The Palm Cabaret and Bar Gary R. Beck - Beck's Best
November 25, 2015

Puerto Vallarta’s favorite Argentinian singers, married couple Luis Lujan and Andrea Mottura of Bohemia Viva! launched The Palm's 16th season [can you believe it?] with their Latin rhythms and harmonies. Their popularity in the Bahía de Banderas has grown, making their's a presentation all of us must see. Once the duo started their first song, I was bouncing from happiness and love to feeling like my eyes could not hold back the liquid. They are home and the crowd was totally supporting them, showing their great appreciation of them having witnessed nights in last season's run. "You are my family!" shouted Andrea in excited, energetic fervor.

Luis plays guitar fantastically and both sing almost as one voice. They have performed together for five years and are meshed. If one takes the lead, the other supplies beautiful harmony, seemingly effortlessly. I am amazed at their ability to reach those notes, hold them seemingly forever and then sink into your heart the softness of their love. They are two massively talented people.  

Bohemia Viva! hosted this opening extravaganza introducing Mikki Prost in a tribute to Patsy Cline. She sang beautifully with Luis on guitar "Crazy," a signature song. Mikki enjoyed this performance without any backup tape, enabling her to sing as she wanted. The Palm has secured her for weekly shows all season.

Luis and Andrea sing throughout the night in English, Spanish and Italian. Their rich and clear voices are not dependent on any language. They sing cool, honest notes, soaring to the heights, one a bit higher than the other. Andrea owned the stage with movements of a slim, young, beautiful actress, all the while singing to perfection.  
    
Next, on stage bounced our lovely Kim Kuzma who first appeared here ten years ago. She brought two of her very hot band and the guitar background flowed with her fantastic voice. Kim has a new CD, "Acustico II" which she introduced on this stage November 22. The crowd roared and applauded seeing her after a summer absence.  

After a short break to allow our next guests to set up instruments brought from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle just for this show, Luna Rumba took our wind away rocking the room with "Besame Mucho" and "Dance With Me." All of us await their return to The Palm November 27 and will introduce their new CD "At The Palm" with fantastic cover work by our own artist Francine Peters.

Bohemia Viva! returned for more stunning presentations. Their melodious voices propel you to a higher plane replete with love and adoration. We were mesmerized by the intense closeness shown between the pair. Many of us were thrilled she included a highlight of last season's run, "Don't Cry For Me Argentina." She reflected on former first lady of Argentina, Eva Perón, that her song should be sung in Spanish, naturally. She displayed in very soft tones this beautiful song springing forth patriotism of her people. We were blessed with several of their friends from Argentina listening from the front row and proudly cheering the duo.

An intriguing entry from their CD was "Remolino" which means Twister and you could feel in their voices the swirling in circles of the mind and love matters. It was delightful. The pair also sang, in their own interpretation, well-known songs "These Boots Are Made For Walking" and "You're the One That I Want" while a video played behind them of their earlier days uniting on stage and during play times.
   
They have recorded their first CD/DVD, "Bohemia Viva, Acoustic Session" which is on sale at the front desk after the show. Bring some extra pesos to give yourself a year-round treat, since our friends are not here all year. Last year they toured part of Italy and Andrea related how marvelous it was to sing in front of six hundred Italians. This past summer, they spent pleasing the population of San Miguel Allende, Mexico with Tracy Parks, manager of The Palm and the man we thank daily for securing so many top thrilling upcoming acts, arguably the best in the cabaret's existence. Peruse The Palm's lineup as I have and you will realize how often you will be entering the cabaret this season, and leaving very pleased and happy.

Andrea sang the stunning Italian love song, "Caruso", recorded by many famed singers. Her voice soars to the upper regions then plaintively softens to the mid-range. Luis supplied his complimentary harmonies at appropriate occasions.

Show over, then after hugging and conversing with our lovely duo, I seemed to stumble home, then realized I was on Cloud Nine. That was one very special evening showcasing a portion of all the talent which will be at our fingertips this full season. Or should I say "eartips"?

Check out their fine website, with music at Bohemia Viva.

In addition to their own show, scheduled throughout the 2015-2016 season, our friends will collaborate with Amy Armstrong in her new music and comedy show of Amy Armstrong - 'Spanglish' - With Bohemia Viva from December 22 through February 28.

The Palm is located on Olas Altas Avenue 508, Vallarta’s most popular entertainment and restaurant strip on the south side (also known as Zona Romantica), The Palm Cabaret and Bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy world-class live entertainment and superb drinks and service. With two shows nightly during the high season, The Palm brings you the finest entertainment with guest artists, musicians, comedians, performance artists and live theatre from Mexico, Canada, the USA and beyond. Visit The Palm Cabaret to see the detailed lineup and reserve your seats online today! Reserve early as shows often sell-out. Our Box Office opens at 11:00 am daily, telephone is (322) 222-0200. Have a drink on our open air sidewalk patio before the show!

Photo credit to TripAdvisor