By Chloe Johnson

Kev'n Kinney at the First Todos Santos Music Festival, photo: Claude Vogel

Excitement, exhilaration, exhaustion, these three words pretty much some up how we all feel following 3 weeks of the first ever Todos Santos Music Festival.  The festival was the brainchild of Peter Buck of the band REM. What started out as a small idea quickly sprouted into something that was so special we filled the entire town plaza of Todos Santos.  With less than 90 days of planning we actually managed to make this happen.  The final night started with an appearance by Todos Santos’ own Guaycura Band out in the audience.  The amazing audience was treated to a set by local favorites, Flashback.  That set was followed up by Chuck Prophet who started solo acoustic and finished his songs with the backing of Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey and Bill Rieflin.  We were then mesmerized by The Elected, a project of Blake Sennett from Rilo Kiley.  Their lush pop tunes very quickly won over the audience.  Of course Peter again stepped in to add some extra flair to the band.  Kev’n Kinney really got the crowd going with his electric brand of Southern Rock.  His set definitely had the audience dancing and singing.

Erick Ochoa of the Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C., photo: Lynne Cummings

Then before headliners, The Minus 5, we stopped for a few moments to recognize what this evening was all about, The Palapa Society of Todos Santos, A.C.  Palapa Society President, Erick Ochoa gave a speech thanking everyone for their support and Peter Buck followed that with a speech he gave entirely in Spanish.  Peter explained that the city of Todos Santos was part of his heart and that we were all here so that the children of Todos Santos would be exposed to the same opportunities as Peter’s children.

Peter Buck sign check at the First Todos Santos Music Festival, photo: Claude Vogel

He then signed a ceremonial check representing his contribution to the event.  The local Delgado, Arturo Martínez Villalobos, (mayor) of Todos Santos was on hand as was the minister of tourism for Baja California Sur.  It was an incredible moment for all of us who worked so hard to make this event come together.  Following the pomp and circumstance The Minus 5 put on a blistering set that included an interlude of music by Argentinian rocker Fernando Viciconte.  It is easy to believe

Fernando Viciconte at the First Todos Santos Music Festival, photo: Claude Vogel

that Fernando Viciconte will be remembered here long after this event.  Another highlight of the Minus 5 set was the appearance of local music teacher Tofito and his young band of horn students joining all the musicians on stage for an amazing rendition of Alone Again Tonight by Love.  The local people were all quick to recognize and respond to their beloved “professor” and his students on stage.  The night finally ended with a foot stomping, crowd pleasing sing a long of Kev’n Kinney’s Straight to Hell.  What a way to end the night!  Except, much to our surprise, a local patron offered to make a $10,000 USD donation to the Palapa Society if The Minus 5 would play just one more song.  They were, of course, happy to oblige by breaking out a few more tunes.  It was the perfect end to a beautiful night.

The first ever Todos Santos Music Festival was a HUGE success.  For three weekends in a row we packed the Hotel California and treated both the locals and many friends and tourists who came to join us from all over the world to a rocking good time. Peter Buck played all three weeks starting with the The Baseball Project (Peter Buck, Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey and Linda Pitmon), Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 (Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey and Bill Rieflin) and The Minus 5 (Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, John Ramberg and Bill Rieflin). They were joined throughout the three weeks by many of Peter’s musician friends including Mike Mills, Kraig Johnson, Chuck Prophet, Blake Sennett and The Elected, Kev’n Kinney, Fernando Viciconte and Dave Depper. Two of the more memorable evenings for locals were a duet by La Paz teenager, Cosima Rose and Scott McCaughey sing the Decemberists’ Shankill Butchers and the night Profe. Tofito and son joined The Minus 5 for a number.

Crowd in the plaza at the First Todos Santos Music Festival, photo: Claude Vogel

We will be forever grateful for the generosity shown and are pleased to share with you that over $47,000 USD was raised in just 3 weeks, and the donations are still arriving. This never would have happened without the hard work of many people and the generous sponsorship of The Hotel California, Pacifico beer, The Journal del Pacifico and all of the Palapa Society volunteers who volunteered so much of their time to make this event happen.  And of course, we must thank YOU, the audience, who came out night after night to support the musicians as well as an important cause.  The incredible energy and joy experienced by both the musicians and everyone attending came directly from the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd.  We cannot thank you all enough for being a part of this.  We are looking forward to and are beginning to plan the Todos Santos Music Festival 2013 for next January.  If we pulled off this event in less than 90 days, just imagine what we can plan with one whole year. We sure hope to see all of you here again next year!

To view more of Claude Vogel’s photos of the entire event, visit MexSense.zenfolio.com

Follow the Todos Santos Music Festival 2012 on Facebook.

Thanks to all for the compliments and comments we received on our first issue of “Journal del Pacifico—La Revista de Baja California Sur” and helping to make us the favorite magazine in Baja. Look for our new issue, Holiday 2011 / 2012 on the streets now!

Thomas A. Ireton provided our beautiful cover photo. You can still catch his exhibit with Gary Batha, “The Image Makers” through January 3, 2012 at the Bagel Shop y galería on calle Belasario Dominguez between 5 de Mayo and Constitución, in La Paz. In February 2012, Tom will be participating in a photography exhibition at the Central de Artes on 5 de Mayo and Madero in La Paz.

Congratulations to the Hotel California. December 20th is their 9 year anniversary! The Hotel California Tequila was also named one of the top 10 tequilas of the year! The Tequila Spectator (www.tequilaspectator.com) awarded 90 Points to the Blanco and 93 Points to the Reposado.

The Todos Santos Music Festival with Peter Buck of REM starts January 5 at the Hotel California and will end with a free concert in the plaza in Todos Santos. Check out our feature story on how this event came to be. Click on “Music Festival” on the menu for all the latest information about this event including band bios. Look for the posters around town. ¡Bienvendidos to all our visitors who will come to listen to some great music!

Looking for a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast in the Todos Santos/Pescadero area? The Hotelito on La Cachora Road is close to the beach and town. Surfers and beach lovers enjoy staying at the San Pedrito Surf Hotel near the San Pedrito surf break and Villas de Cerritos Beach at Los Cerritos beach in Pescadero. On the “otro lado” of Todos Santos, you can lounge by the pool or take a short walk to the beach at Serendipity or Flora del Mar. Casa Rancho offers economical rooms and a sparkling pool and Villa Santa Cruz is a boutique hotel near the La Pastora surf break. Closer to town, Casablanca B&B and Los Colibris on the La Poza hill have stunning ocean views.

Looking for a gift for that special woman in your life? Nomad Chic will be at Casa Dracula through Christmas Eve. Along with Joella Corado, they will be presenting a fashion show at Casa Dracula. The after party will be across the street at La Esquina. Contact Linda Hamilton for more information.

Zatar Gallery has opened in two locations in Todos Santos—on calle Centenario next to Caffé Todos Santos and on Calle Obregón next to Hotel Casa Tota.

You may have noticed a new Ricardo Amigo sign on the Milagro Real Real Estate building at Juarez & Topete in downtown Todos Santos. Dale Townsend and Milagro (and all listings) have joined Ricardo Amigo. Drop in and say Hello!

Fonda “El Zaguan” is now open for breakfast Monday through Saturday until noon. They also accept all major credit cards.

Need new facturas, business cards, banners, or magnetic signs to advertise your business? Expresión Gráficas in La Paz, provides high quality design and printing services with fast turnaround time.

Petros on calle Obregón between Rangel and Cuauhtemoc has crystals, a large selection of stones like amethysts and quartz and everything that you need to make jewelry.

Due to popular demand, dentist Dr. Ángel Hernández has increased his office hours in Todos Santos. He is now open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Plaza Antigua.

We are sorry to report that The Gemini Deli in downtown Todos Santos has closed. We always enjoyed Vicky’s great food.

You can always follow us on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/JournaldelPacifico

Marlina and Flor at Escuela Pacifica

by Jennifer Power

Marlina Manuel Ambrosio is 10 years old and has an 11 years old sister, Flor. Marlina and Flor attend Escuela Pacífica, a non-profit, bilingual elementary school in Todos Santos. Marlina is in third grade. She loves school, reading, art and yoga.

Marlina needs scholarship sponsors to help her continue in the 2011-2012 school year. Patricia Baum and I made a video about Marlina’s family’s desire to educate their daughters so that they can be self-sufficient in a society that requires both Spanish and English. Manuel and his wife Virginia escaped from the tomato fields, a life of poverty and insecurity. Manuel now enjoys a more independent life as a gardener here in Todos Santos. You can view the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXVUopy1ZIY

Escuela Pacífica (EP) is a non-profit school that was started three years ago by a group of parents who believed strongly in a bilingual, multi-cultural education. The school provides first through sixth grade education for 20 students—50% are Mexican, 40% are multi-cultural and 10% are American. The cost for EP is $2,600 pesos per student, per month. Parents that pay the full tuition absorb the costs of scholarship and work for trade students. A little less than half of the enrolled children receive partial, full or work for trade scholarships. The students’ parents are teachers, gardeners, contractors, environmentalists, care takers, shop keepers, dentists, architects and grandparents raising their grandchildren.

The morning program at Escuela Pacífica follows the Mexican government format mandated by SEP (The Secretary of Public Education). Math, science, history and culture are taught in Spanish by Maestra Jackie (Jaquelin Pavia Espinoza). Graduates of Escuela Pacífica receive an official SEP degree–required for entrance into Mexican Junior High school. The afternoon English class is taught by Serena Saltzman who also teaches English at the Palapa Society of Todos Santos A.C. There are also extra classes taught in English–art, music and physical education. Students are exposed to books in both languages and during their recess time you hear them laughing and talking easily in both Spanish and English.

The growth in reading, writing and overall confidence for both Marlina and Flor is so uplifting. They speak English now with an assurance that wasn’t there a year ago. They show and explain the books they are reading with light in their eyes. That light in their eyes, which also reflects their future, is what motivates me to help keep them attending Escuela Pacífica. If you would like to help with Marlina’s scholarship for this school year, please contact me at powerful3@roadrunner.com

Contributions can also be made directly to the school via their website: http://www.escuelapacifica.org. Click on contact and you will be directed to the school’s PayPal account. All contributions are welcomed, no matter the size. Suggestions from people familiar with grants specific to helping a child’s education are also appreciated. Sponsors will receive email progress reports with pictures of Marlina, unless you would like to remain anonymous.

Escuela Paciica students, teachers and mural.

We welcome you to visit Escuela Pacífica and see the beautiful mural created by the children and architect Alfonso “Pancho” Hernandez Segovia. The school is located across from the baseball stadium on calle Villarino in Todos Santos.