There’s no denying that by mid-May, Sayulita’s high season is behind us and the quiet season of summer is coming our way. As much as we worry about the upcoming low season and its financial strain—no tourists equals no money here in Sayulita– and possible flooding—Sayulita had its worst flood in 80 years just three years ago–we do like how green and lush the jungle grows after the dry, dusty months that precede the rain. And the rainstorms are a gas to watch, what with all the thunder and lightning.
But hey, the rain isn’t here yet, there are still quite a few visitors around, weddings are still going on, and surfers are still arriving on the hunt for waves. It’s quieter, but lively enough, and for those of us who live here, there are always events or concerts or fundraisers of one sort or another—events to which all visitors to town are of course welcome. So if you’re considering a spring visit, go for it. There’s plenty to do, the water temperature is perfect, and if you’re a surfer, the south and southwest swells are coming every week.
And the nights are often lively as well. On this past Thursday evening, for example, Sayulita’s social action moved to the north side of town, with a couple of friendly gatherings which brought out most of the local population as well as an assortment of visitors who happened to be passing by the right place at the right time.
Celebrate the Beat
First, the annual Celebrate the Beat (Celebrando el Ritmo) performance, featuring kids from the local elementary schools, both public and private, took place on the grounds of the primary school on the north side. This dynamic annual event is funded primarily by the Tang Family Foundation and the Punta Mita Foundation, with some financial assistance from Costa Verde, our local private school. It turned out to be one great dance show put on by all the kids and their dance teachers, with live music from our local rockers Alyssa and Jess Edmonson from Los Tikkyliches, back by a hot professional rhythm section of Mario Garcia and Roberto Godinez from the Guadalajara band Los Mezcales Locos.
We live across the street from the school, and so we know that Alyssa and Jess have been diligently playing music with the kids for a couple of hours a day, a couple of days a week, getting ready for the big show. Pretty much the whole town turned out for the performance, and as you can see in the photos, everybody had a good time.
Based in Colorado, Celebrate the Beat is part of the National Dance Institute, a non-profit founded to further dance as a means of self-expression for kids. It’s wonderful that the program has made its way down here to Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico, and in the hands of the fine dance teachers and musicians involved, turned into an integral part of the educational experience for all Sayulita school kids. Rock on!!
Casa Clu Fundraiser
Next, for those who were still in the socializing mode and/or feeling philanthropic, there was a fundraiser at Club Camaron, our favorite beachfront tiki bar, on the north side beach, right in front of the left surfing waves. There wasn’t much surf out there, but there was another gorgeous Sayulita sunset, beautiful and talented dancers performing on a pair of long banners dangling from a palm tree, and a fine gathering of local folk and visitors to support Casa Clu, the Centro Ludico de Recreacion y Aprendizaje de San Ignacio (Play and Recreation Center of San Ignacio) a clubhouse and play space for kids in our neighboring town of San Ignacio.
San Ignacio is not on the beach, and therefore does not exactly draw a lot of tourists or have the cachet of Sayulita (or the money). But it is a sweet little town and our neighbor down the road, so Sayulitans are happy to help out however they can. In this case, helping to fund Casa Clu for the San Ignacio kids. Organized by Nathalie Mignot of Pachamama, the fundraiser was a good beach party, a chance to learn about what’s going on at Casa Clu, and as always, to meet and mingle and dine with friends, visitors, and everybody else on the beach at sunset, the most beautiful of all the beautiful hours on Sayulita Beach.
Again, the photos tell the story: a lovely performance, a tranquil and inviting temporary dining set-up, and plenty of people around to share the evening.
