Sunday 5 January 2014

Update: A Shameless Plug for the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival


You may be interested to know that the ZIGF organizing committee was successful in meeting its fundraising commitment, earning over $10,000 in pledges by Thursday, January 23rd, with TWENTY hours to spare!  Thank you for reading, sharing or participating in any way to ensuring this small community festival continues to thrive!

Once again, if you are looking for a wonderful, warm winter destination and have a great love for music, particularly guitar music, you will not be disappointed by attending this wonderful festival, which brings together world class musicians from across the globe.  Whether you spent 3 hours or attend every single event over the 10 days, it remains one of the best deals we have yet to come across.  The City of Zihuatanejo, while offering every kind of tourist accommodation imaginable, has managed to retain all the charm of a true Mexican community.  It's sister City, Ixtapa, has it's own charm.

Adios Amigos



 

Perhaps you read my March 2013 blog post on how I spent my winter vacation?  I went to the beautiful resort community of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo to enjoy two sun-filled weeks sipping margaritas, exploring the community and beyond and be entertained by world-class musicians from around the world at the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival (ZFest). 

 
Night after night, we listened to flamenco, classical, blues, folk, jazz, rock and everything in between, performed by exceptional musicians from Mexico, Poland, Spain, United States, Japan, Brazil, Cuba and Canada.  I know I've missed a few countries; sometimes we forget where they hale from but one can never forget the music they share so willingly).  One would think this would be an expensive endeavour but one would be dead wrong.  There are 2 three-hour sets each weekday for $10 each plus an opening and closing gala for $15US. 
 
Last year, the opening gala was located on lovely Madera Beach, attended by 600 which was BY FAR the largest venue.  For the most part, venues were open air  (because it NEVER rains in Zihua in March), seating about 150 to 200 people.  Seating is restaurant style and, while you are enjoying the music, you can also enjoy a meal and beverage or two.  If you're really really lucky, you might even get the opportunity to do a little dancing!
 
 
IF you are considering a winter vacation this year (and, if you live in Canada I can't believe you aren't!) and IF you are a lover of great music, then I ask that you take a look at the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival website:  http://www.zihuafest.info/ .  There is also a Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/ZGuitarFest?fref=ts
 
This festival is not about making money.  There are no professional concert organizers, agents, event coordinators; instead, you will find is a very dedicated group of hard working volunteers offering thousands of hours of time and effort, as a means of raising the profile of tourism and culture and enhancing the lives of the children of this wonderful community.  And yet, musicians from around the world clamor to volunteer countless hours and be a part of this dynamic little event, simply because it is so rewarding and satisfying. . . (and being held in Paradise doesn't hurt either).
 
As part of its fundraising strategy, ZFest is offering a steal of a deal:  full passes for all venues at $100 per person. In fact, there are a number of enticing packages which might be of interest.  I have opted for the $250 package, along with a guitar signed by all the musicians for the 'man cave'.  But there are opportunities, large and small, to fit every budget; for example, if you want to rub shoulders with the musicians, there's even a package for that!
 
IF, by chance, you choose to visit the wonderful community of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo this winter, or at any other time in the future, let me suggest you check out my earlier blog, How I Spent My Winter Vacation:  Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo at http://hpdsinc.blogspot.ca/2013/03/how-i-spent-my-winter-vacation.html for tips on places to see, along with the contact infor for the perfect guide to get you safely there and back, all while regaling you with interesting facts and customs of the country. 

 
There is a reason why they call this corner of the earth Paradise.  Perhaps you should find out for yourself what that reason is.  And if, by chance you are there during the first weeks of March, perhaps we'll see you in Paradise and at ZFest!
 

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