La Ventura quartet at the Angela Peralta Theater

 In 2019 we were treated to a wonderful concert by this very talented quartet.   At that performance they were joined by a wonderful young singer.  The quartet originates from Culiacan and is also part of the Culiacan Rondalla singers.  The Rondalla is all composed of members of the education system in Culiacan. We hope to see another Rondalla performance in the future as well.

Gordon Campbell who hosts the winter concert series introduced the quartet and mentioned that they are better known here in Mazatlan and also France than they are in their home town of Culiacan. As far as I remember the two on the right are brothers or cousins and the other two are unrelated. 

As you see from the program the concert was to be sung in many different languages.  Marco Vinicio on the left did most of the announcing as he is fluent in English.  The others spoke as well but only in Spanish.  They are a very warm, funny talented group and a pleasure to watch. 

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Here we are on the bus and yes we are wearing masks.  So far we haven't been sick this year.  No covid, flu or colds so far.  The buses are very crowded and there are nationals and some North Americans who wear masks as well.  Each to their own! 

Here we are coming onto the Malecon and the bus is packed with standing room only and almost full.  You can see that the malecon is very busy as well.  Since covid has calmed down Mazatlan is busier than ever. 

On the right you can see on of the Carnival figures.  Very large and colorful and made of paper mache.  I did not travel the malecon during Carnival so this is my first trip downtown for a while. 

Coming along Aguiles Serdan which passes the Plaza Machado or large market.  

We got off the bus on Constitucion and walked down to the Plazuela and the Angela Peralta theatre.  

The concert starts at noon and the theatre was filling up.  By the time it started it was full on the main floor, first and second balconies and even lots of people on the third balcony. 

Here is Gordon introducing the quartet. 

I do wish they had introduced themselves individually and given us a history of the quartet. 

The two on the right are Bernal's and have spectacular voices.  From the right Leoncio, Alfonzo, Mario and Marco.  Alfonzo is the guitar virtuoso as well.  

As they played there were rounds of applause and clapping in time with the music where appropriate.  They laughed and joked among themselves as they played and you could see they were having a wonderful time.

The very talented Bernals.  They did mention that their concerts in Europe contain mostly Mexican music and it would seem they were enjoying the diversity of the round the world songs.

Mario on the left is the base player, back up singer and announcer.  Mario on the right is also a lead singer, percussion and guitar. 

The concert was a real joy to listen too and the audience was very appreciative.  At the end a standing ovation brought a final extra song and then there was another standing ovation to show our appreciation.  Just Wonderful!!

We headed down the street for lunch and ended up at our usual stop Chon's.  Today it was packed but we did manage to get a seat.  I did not take pictures as I felt uncomfortable being touristy in the very small restaurant.  I did try to sneak a photo of the man you see but he caught me doing it!  In years past we have chatted to him on many occasions as he speaks very good English.  He wasn't in the restaurant last time we came but he is usually here with his wife on Sunday afternoons.  Eric stopped to say hi and he said" I remember you and I am so glad to see you again!"  He always has a huge lunch.  Ceviche, soup and an entree!  He stopped  to chat to us on his way out as well as a few other tables.  He had everyone in gales of laughter.  A really nice man.  We had burritos, tacos and beer and it was all good as usual.  It is a restaurant that has been operating since 1946 and there is still an oriental owner in the restaurant.  The kitchen is upstairs and they hike all the supplies up the stairs and all the food down the stairs.  It's too small to have the kitchen downstairs.  The young waitress was a bit stressed but she handled it all very well.  Everyone is very relaxed and happy to have a drink and wait.  We have never seen it this busy

Just down the street another beautiful old building. 

Here we are in back of the market on Benito Juarez waiting for the green bus that will take us home.  We got home around 4pm and we were tired.  A short nap, a couple of beer, a few crackers and cheese, TV and bed.  A very, very good day and we look forward to next weeks concert. Life is good!