Photo by: Beverly Fairfax
The New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at Luna Lounge in Bucerias was a sold-out, spectacular event. It featured award winning, Canadian singer, Kim Kuzma and her band with their incredibly popular, best selling show, Acustico.
Kim Kuzma is no stranger to Bucerias and the Luna Lounge, having performed there over the years as both a solo artist and with her band. Her fame and notoriety in Puerto Vallarta have continued to increase as people have become more familiar with her music and the gifted and talented musicians that accompany her.
On a personal level, I became a Kuzma fan, about 7 years ago, when Kim was performing at The Twisted Rose, before Hugh and Simon opened Luna Lounge. What Kim has accomplished professionally and musically in that time with sold-out shows, an incredible new band and 3 new CDs is most remarkable. To say that she is Puerto Vallarta’s best known and most loved singer, would not be an exaggeration!
So getting back to New Year’s Eve, after a scrumptious 4 course dinner that started the evening at Luna Lounge, Kim and the band enthusiastically took the stage performing their hit show, Acustico. Kim was joined by band members, Eduardo Leon on guitar, Fernando Gonzalez on rhythm guitar, Roberto Falcon on bass, Jeronimo Guido Martinez on drums, Bob Tansen on flute and special guest Diego Mondragon on violin.
They began with the high-energy song, “My Life,” from their new CD, Acustico II. This song featured dueling guitars with a spicy flaminco flair. They moved on to the sensual, “Windmills of Your Mind,” from the movie, The Thomas Crown Affair. Next, I loved the Sade number, “Nothing Can Come Between Us.”
She then told the audience a very funny story about singing in Australia and being asked by a Japanese gentleman to perform, “Earrings, Nothing More than Earrings,” which she later figured out was “Feelings, Nothing More Than Feelings.” Kim’s quick wit, spontaneity and funny side stories and comments are always an amusing part of her shows.
Kim and the band continued with Cher’s “Dark Lady” which the band went crazy with and then followed up with the lighter, “Autumn Leaves.” I loved the Sting favorite, “Fragile” and the Dolly Parton signature tune “Joline” that they kicked up several notches.
Then Kim and the boys performed a mashup of a new Sam Smith song followed by Lou Rawls’, “You’ll Never Find, Another Love Like Mine.” And from the original Acustico CD, they sang their version of Abba’s “Fernando.” James Brown’s, “It’s A Mans World” was a thrilling number as well.
Fernando took the lead on Luis Miguel’s “Contigo” and the band continued with the Spanish songs, “Un Dos Tres” and a mashup of the Gypsy King’s “Bamboleo” and “I’m The Only Girl In The World.”
After taking a break, they returned to the stage at midnight with their version of the Jennifer Lopez song,”Sway” followed by the Eurythmics’, “Sweet Dreams.” The boys then performed an incredible interpretation of the Al Jarreau’s,”Spain.” Kim ended the night with a prelude of “La Vie En Rose,” followed by Edith Piaf’s beautiful, love song, “If You Love Me,” which is my FAVORITE SONG from her Acustico II CD.
Special thanks goes out to guest violinist, Diego Mondragon, for brilliantly accompanying Kim and the band and to Hugh Gaffney and his partner Simon for hosting this fabulous New Year’s Eve celebration.
For those who missed this performance, you’ll be pleased to hear that Kim will return to the Luna Lounge stage on Thursday, Jan 28th. She and the boys will present anotherAcustico show, featuring music from her recent CDs and other new songs as well.
Kim and the band perform their Acustico show each Sunday and Wednesday at 7 pm at The Palm Cabaret in Puerto Vallarta. Starting Thursday, January 22nd, Kim begins a new solo show with piano accompaniment at The Palm. This show will feature songs by Shirley Bassy, kd Lang and Barbra Streisand, just to name a few. More shows will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for Kim’s PV performances can be purchased at The Palm or through www.vallartatickets.com.
On Friday, January 23rd, Kim and the boys head to Ajijic to perform Acustico at the Auditorio de la Riberain. Tickets for this event can be purchased at www.lakesidetickets.com.
More news about Kim Kuzma:
Kim Kuzma and Acustico is the big star of the show
Kim Kuzma returns to The Palm for her 10th season
Kim Kuzma and Lorena Peril join together for Heroes’ Calendar Release Party
Photo by: Beverly Fairfax
The New Year's Eve Extravaganza at Luna Lounge in Bucerias was a sold-out, spectacular event. It featured . . .
