Bisbee’s Kickoff Welcomes Big Events Back to Los Cabos
Yesterday’s kick-off of Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Charity Fishing Tournament marked the beginning of big events season in Los Cabos, post Hurricane Odile. The relatively short interval between the devastating storm and the area’s first large-scale event – only 34 days – is a testament to the remarkable clean-up and recovery efforts by local residents, with strong support from Mexican military and federal police.
Bisbee’s charity efforts and local fishing tournaments are providing a big boost to Los Cabos as the area recovers from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Odile.
Bisbee’s, with three-decades’-plus worth of big-game fishing tournaments in Los Cabos and on the East Cape, has also been a major player. Not only did Bisbee’s show a great deal of faith and regional loyalty in refusing to move or reschedule their two October tournaments – the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue – but it has spearheaded a Cabo Hurricane Relief Fund, and spurred local industry with a generous Charter Hook-Up program. The latter is an attempt to reinvigorate the charter fishing fleet by having anonymous benefactors cover the $5,000 entry fee for up to 50 teams in next week’s Black & Blue, AKA “the world’s richest fishing tournament.” In short, the move ensures local captains and crew get back to work, and that prize money remains as high as ever for the yearly marlin fishing competition.
While the two Bisbee’s tournaments are the highlights of the October events calendar – the Los Cabos Offshore wraps up tomorrow, while the Black & Blue starts Tuesday, October 21, and finishes on Saturday, October 25 – much more is in store for November visitors, most notably the Los Cabos International Film Festival and a new expanded Sabor a Cabo (Flavors of Cabo) food and wine festival. And racing aficionados will remember that November also means revving up motorcycle, buggy, custom car and truck engines for the legendary off-road Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.
Here’s the short list of major November events:
3rd Annual Los Cabos International Film Festival
The Los Cabos International Film Festival is set to return Nov. 12 – 16, 2014.
The Los Cabos International Film Festival dates back to 2012 (when it was known as the Baja International Film Festival), and the inaugural event featured many screenings at the newly built convention center, as well as a host of luxurious, A-list parties at select locations in San José del Cabo and Puerto Los Cabos, the latter an upscale development from festival benefactor Eduardo Sánchez Navarro.
Last year, the event showcased a significant shift in tone, with less glitz and more emphasis on the festival’s ultimate goal: fostering communication and collaboration between Mexican cinema and that its North American neighbors, Canada and the United States Yes, there were still red carpet premieres and celebrity appearances, but more focus was on the business of film, as well as the promotion and education of young Mexican filmmakers.
This year, festival goers can expect more of the same: a mix of gala premieres and parties, international screenings at the Pabellón Cultural de La República and Cinemex Theaters at Puerto Paraíso in Cabo San Lucas, and programs and forums (including a new dedicated environmental stories section) designed to promote sustainable collaboration on productions in Canada, México and the U.S.
Highlights are expected to include the international premiere of Words With Gods, an ambitious project consisting of nine short films by acclaimed directors from around the world, including Mexican director Guillermo Arriaga. Canadian director Atom Egoyan will also attend the 3rd annual festival, providing a master class on the making of his latest film, the revenge thriller Remember.
2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000
Although Los Cabos took the brunt of Odile’s punishment, many other areas of Baja California Sur were affected, including the state’s capital. Those wishing to support economic recovery efforts in La Paz should try to catch the finish of the peninsula’s most iconic off-road race. The competition dates back to 1967, when it was run under the NORRA (National Off-Road Racing Association) banner. This year’s point to point race covers approximately 1130 miles, from Ensenada to La Paz, and is, like the film fest, scheduled for Nov. 12 -16. Although ultimate way to experience this epic adventure is by registering and running the race (you’ll need at least $2,420 U.S. in fees for the cheapest class, plus an eligible vehicle), the easiest is by showing up for the awards celebration and after party at Malecón Plaza in downtown La Paz, which starts Saturday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m.
The 9th annual edition of Sabor a Cabo, or Flavors of Cabo, is expected to be the biggest and best yet, with appearances by renowned international chefs and musicians.
9th annual Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival
Sabor a Cabo, the annual fête organized by CANIRAC (the local restaurant association), has seen remarkable growth in recent years. The foodie fest now draws thousands of guests each year (many from the U.S. and Canada), and in addition to showcasing the best local chefs, regularly features top culinary talent from around the world. This year’s extravaganza promises to be the biggest and best ever, with the major tasting and party preceded by smaller events such as a country food and wine tasting, a sunset Taittinger cruise, a beer fest, a wine and art walk, and celebrity chef “dine around,” with international kitchen artisans pairing their delicious creations with Mexican wine (much of it from Baja’s own Valle de Guadalupe). The big event is scheduled for Dec. 6 in the sculpture garden at Puerto Los Cabos, just outside San José del Cabo, and will include food and wine tasting, as well as jazz, opera and pop music from a variety of renowned musical guests. All proceeds will benefit local firefighters.