After taking a year off due to Hurricane Odile, the Cabo Comedy Festival returned for its long awaited second edition last weekend, with over 75 stand-up comedians performing at Desperados and La Divina nightclubs in downtown Cabo San Lucas.
The 5-day festival was produced by the L.A.-based Zaring Group and Wind Entertainment, and sponsored by the Los Cabos Tourism Board, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting DIF Los Cabos, a charitable organization which supports children and families in need.
In addition to performances, parties at Baja Junkie and Mango Deck, and Q&A panel discussions about the business of comedy at Tesoro Los Cabos, this year, for the first time, the festival partnered with Levity Entertainment Group and Sirius/XM to produce a show for Sirius/XM. Called “Best of the Fest”, it was broadcast to more than 28.4 million subscribers.
A rising star was also crowned in the Jack Rollins Breakthrough Talent Competition, and Elayne Boosler was honored with the Giant of Comedy Award.
It was a strong second act for the Cabo Comedy Festival, and a great kick-off for high tourist season in Los Cabos. But don´t panic if you missed it. More entertainment focused events are on the way, from the 4th installment of the Los Cabos Film Festival to two music festivals in nearby Todos Santos.
Los Cabos International Film Festival
Since its spectacular debut at the newly opened Los Cabos Convention Center in 2012, The Los Cabos International Film Festival (formerly the Baja International Film Festival) has been a strong force for collaboration between North American film industries.
Or, as festival director Alonso Aguilar-Castillo says: “Due to the synergies achieved over the last 4 years, we can proudly say that we are a platform for filmmaking in México, the USA and Canada, awarding prizes worth important amounts to winners thanks to our partners who make these awards possible.”
This year more than $425,000 is up for grabs across multiple categories, including four new prizes: Cinemex awards for best Mexican film ($15,000), best film of the competition ($15,000), and audience favorite ($10,000); and a CIT award to the best project at the development stage. And an eagerly anticipated biopic of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs from Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle, and The Social Network scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin, will make its Mexican premiere at the festival, slated for November 11 – 15, 2015.
For information on tickets, screenings, and red carpet events, click here.
Todos Santos International Guitar Festival
Six-string enthusiasts rejoice: over 100 guitarists from around the world will be in Todos Santos from November 27 – 29, 2015, performing at Hotel Guaycura´s oceanfront El Faro Beach Club as part of the town´s inaugural guitar festival. The three-day event will showcase performers across virtually every musical genre–rock, pop, jazz, blues, flamenco, Americana, classical, and fusion…among others–all to entertain visitors and raise money for local orphanage Hogar del Niño A.C.
Gala dinners and cocktail parties are also on the festival itinerary, with tiered ticket prices ranging from $10 U.S. for a sandy beachside serenade to a $125 all-access VIP pass that assures prime “Gold Circle” seating at all concerts, as well as invitations to all artist and gala events. Tax-deductible contributions are also appreciated. For more information, go to www.tsigf.com.
Todos Santos Music Festival
The line-up was recently announced for the next edition of the Todos Santos Music Festival, former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck´s annual event to benefit children´s charities in the peninsula´s first pueblo mágico. Alt-rock favorite Death Cab for Cutie is the most significant addition for the 5th outing, which is scheduled to take place January 14 – 16, and 20 – 23, 2016.
Death Cab for Cutie joins returning acts Old 97’s, Drive-By Truckers, The Jayhawks, and Torreblanca, as well as The Autumn Defense (featuring Wilco members Pat Sansone and John Stirratt), La Santa Cecilia, Filthy Friends (a collaboration between Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney and Peter Buck), and Tigira for two weekends of concerts at the historic Hotel California (and at the town´s plaza principal).
“The Todos Santos Music Festival has grown from a few friends playing for a few people into an incredible event featuring well-known bands and bigger crowds, without losing the intimacy or impromptu spirit,” said Peter Buck. “The opportunity to bring artists together to support the Palapa Society’s educational mission, along with other worthy local charities, is extremely gratifying for all of us.”
Tickets for the Todos Santos Music Festival go on sale October 15. Visit todossantosmusicfestival.com for additional information about dates, times, and tickets.