Valentine’s Day

There are many choices for your special Día del Amor y Amistad in La Paz and Todos Santos…

Celebrate a ‘Valentine’s Eve Flight Night’ at La Bodega de Todos Santos, Monday night from 5 pm to 8 pm. They will be serving tasty Baja red wines and chocolate treats.

Corazon Cafe logo, La Paz, Baja, MexicoStart Valentine’s Day with a Breakfast Buffet at Corazón Café in the La Paz historic district. The buffet is available from 8 am to 3 pm. Reservations are recommended, call 128 8985. All month long, come with a party of 7 and the 7th person is free! Visit any time and present their ad in this issue for a 10% discount on your meal.

La Encantada Valentine's menu, La Paz, Baja, MexicoEnjoy a special Valentine’s Dinner at La Encantada, just one block up from the malecon in La Paz. Start with a choice of ensalada La Encantada or tomato bruchetta, followed by meat lasagna or grilled fish, with cheese, ate and fresh strawberries with Damiana honey or vanilla ice cream with fresh and caramelized fruits for dessert. $250 pesos per person.

Emanuela Gardner Photography, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoCaffé Todos Santos is hosting an Art Opening and Reception ‘Baja Dreams’ featuring photography by Emanuela Gardner. A Valentine’s day celebration – a perfect day to share good wishes and beautiful art. Works will be displayed February 7 through March 7.

Hotel Guaycura in the Todos Santos historic district is offering a Special Lover’s Menu and live music by Angel Miguel–saxophone and piano, latin, jazz and pop. For reservations call 175-0800 or email: Reservations@guaycura.com.mx

Join Living Love Cuisine at Pura Vida Organic Health Food Store and Deli and experience a taste of the Divine. Enjoy a candle light dinner with a complimentary glass of Argentinean wine and four courses of all raw delicacies created with local organic produce and love. Living food is known to create harmony in the body mind and spirit and ignite the senses.  RSVP to reserve your spot with chef Katie Kusala, livinglovecuisine@gmail.com, 612 133 2851

Chef Carolen of Wind and C’s at Suki’s and La Santena’s own Chef Tony are collaborating on a very special Valentine’s dinner at Hotel Casa Tota. Reservations made by February 13th at 5 p.m. will be entered into a drawing for a free night’s lodging at Hotel Casa Tota following dinner. Winners to be notified on February 13th, so you’ll have time to pack. $600 pesos a couple, for a starter, main and dessert. Tax, tip and beverages are not included. Wind and C at Suki’s will be open on Valentine’s Day and serving their regular delicious menu. For more information or reservations: HotelCasaTota@gmail.com or 145-0590

For latest on area events and information, keep your eye on our blog and follow JournaldelPacifico on Facebook!

Artists’ Open Studio Tour

by Mike McAllister

Artist Erick Ochoa, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

Erick Ochoa

On February 12 the public is invited to peek behind the scenes and see what goes on in over 20 local artists’ studios in the art destination town of Todos Santos. Several of the studios will be open to the public for the first time. Painters, potters, photographers, printmakers, glass workers and sculptors will be demonstrating their work and explaining it to their visitors from 10 am until 5 pm. A preview of the participating artists’ works will be on display in Visions Gallery at Cafélix beginning on February 9.

Artist Emanuela Gardner, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

Emanuela Gardner

Tickets for the Open Studio Tour are on sale at Hotel Casa Tota, Hotel Guaycura and Cafélix. Tickets will be available the day of the event at Cafélix starting at 9 am. Tickets are 150 pesos and each visitor will receive a distinctive identifying wristband and a detailed map with information about each artist for an easy, self-guided tour. Children under 10, accompanied by an adult, are admitted free. No pets please. Visitors without proper identification will be required to purchase a ticket prior to entering any of the studios. All proceeds will benefit the art programs of the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C.

Artist Chris Gafford, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

Chris Gafford

As in previous years, visitors will see studios of every description from simple outdoor spaces to dedicated studio buildings. Several artists will be showing work in more than a single medium and may show works created just for this tour. Works will be for sale, with some artists offering special prices on the tour day.

Todos Santos, one of Baja’s premiere art destinations for many years, is enjoying a lively revival of all of the arts and is home to an estimated 75 visual artists and fine art craftsmen. Studios which will be open include well-known artists Erick Ochoa, Diane Knight, Chris Gafford, Eric Durazo, Emanuela Gardner, Tori Sepulveda and Gloria Santoyo Ruenitz. Emerging artists Vincent Lamote, Steve Thurston and several others have also joined the list of open studios.

Artist Eric Durazo, Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico

Eric Durazo

Proceeds from this event will be used to support and expand children’s art programs. Presently, over 30 children are enrolled in the Palapa Society’s weekday and Saturday art classes. Each of these classes is taught by a practicing professional artist who volunteer their time for this important aspect of childhood education. To learn more about the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C.  Artists’ Open Studio Tour click on www.artistsoftodossantos.com  or watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMAl-CX8wiM. For more information on the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. and their programs visit: http://palapasociety.org/

The Palapa Society Artists’ Open Studio Tour is organized by ARTS, an informal group of volunteer artists and art lovers who offer their time and talents to help support a vibrant visual arts community and to inspire and grow visual arts talent in Todos Santos.

For more information contact Michael McAllister at heronsnestbaja@earthlink.net

Festival Issue

Cover of Festival 2012 issue of Journal del Pacifico, Baja, MexicoThe new Festival issue is being delivered this weekend featuring Jill Logan‘s painting of “María Félix, La Doña” for this year’s Festival de Cine Todos Santos poster. You can view the painting at Galería Logan and place a bid, minimum bid $1,500 USD. All proceeds from this auction support the “Youth In Video” educational program.

This year’s Art Festival will include a parade on Sunday, February 5th, starting at the east entrance to town and traveling to the plaza where it will end with a four hour performance.

The Superbowl also takes place on Sunday, February 5th. You can catch the game at Shut Up Frank’s in Todos Santos.

The 3rd Annual Artist’s Studio Tour takes place February 12, and the 18th Annual Historic House Tour on February 26. Look for our articles in this issue.

The 9th Annual Festival de Cine Todos Santos begins February 23rdin Todos Santos with the opening night film, ‘La Lección de Pintura’(The Painting Lesson) with special guest actor Daniel Gimenez Cacho. The festival then moves to La Paz at galería galería for two nights and the historic Teatro Juárez March 1 through 3. For more information, see our feature article, click on “Events” or visit www.todossantoscinefest.com

February 26th, The Hotel California will host a special Oscar Night party and fundraiser for the “Youth in Video” program of the Film Festival.

Westcoast Recording is a professional recording studio in La Paz. Available for group or solo recordings, composition and arranging services, plus more. Over 40 years recording and play experience!

The Corazón Café in the La Paz historic district has a valentine special for the month of February –come with a party of seven for dinner, drinks or just desert and the 7th person is free!

Petros cristales, piedras y metales has two locations—in Todos Santos and at Jalisco #87 between Abasolo and Belisario Dominguez in La Paz. They stock a large selection of stones and everything that you need to make jewelry.

Pintoresco has added a second location at the corner of Juárez and Hidalgo streets in Todos Santos. Both their new location and the shop across from the Hotel California have Mexican folk art and regional eco-organic products.

Baja Bell restaurant ‘Coco Loco’ at Los Cerritos is open for breakfast and lunch, Tuesday through Sunday. Menu choices include omelets, pancakes, burritos and more, at economical prices.

Carlito’s Place in Pescadero creates unique fusions that include all of the world’s great cuisines including: Asian, Latin American, Spanish, French, and Italian. They are open from 1 to 9 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Tsegyalgar West is a non-profit Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center of the Dzogchen Community located in the San José mountains of San José del Cabo. This beautiful and wild 3,000 acre land has natural springs, granite boulders, grand vistas and deep quiet perfect for retreat. Their mission is to preserve the Dzogchen Tibetan Buddhist teachings and preserve this special natural environment for spiritual practice. Look for their event and workshop listings in this issue and on our blog. For more information contact: tsegyalgarwestsecretary@gmail.com or visit http://bajagar.blogspot.com

AH & Associates is pleased to announce that local architect Sylvia St. Clair has again been voted Best Architect in the Best of Baja annual contest.

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Fur Ball

Graphic from Fur Ball 2012, Todos Santos, Baja, MexicoThe 9th Annual Fur Ball is this Saturday at at the Hotel California. The fun begins at 3:00 p.m. with delicious appetizers and a no-host bar.

There will be a raffle for many treasures and a live auction of exquisite art from local artists as well as live music and dancing. Dinner, appetizers and dessert all included in the ticket price.

A benefit for the ongoing spay/neuter program of dogs and cats throughout the year in Todos Santos. Tickets 280 MN and available at the Hotel California, El Tecolote Bookstore, and at the door. For more information, contact: Angelique, bajakitties@yahoo.com, 145-0250.