By Nigel Pitman

If you have ever spent any time in the bars and hotels of Huatulco, you will almost certainly have heard the unique singing voice of Gabrielle Guzmán. For the last five years “Gabz” has been one of the most popular singers in town as a solo artist, duet or with the bands Criminal Minds and the Funking Bros. Renowned for both her powerful singing voice and energetic performance, she has often been dubbed “tiny Tina Turner.” It is a well-deserved epithet and people seeing her perform for the first time are often amazed that such a voice can come from a diminutive frame.  Continue reading Finding Your Voice →

By Deborah Van Hoewyk

One of Huatulco’s most fun events is the annual carnival put on by The Bacaanda Foundation (El Sueño Zapoteco) to raise funds for its work with the rural schools in the areas surrounding the tourist development of Huatulco. (Another fun event is Blues on the Beach, see elsewhere in this issue.)  The carnival is called the “Dream Festival” because Bacaanda’s mission is to help children in rural villages achieve their dreams. Continue reading Annual Dream Festival for Rural Schools ―Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, January 26 →

By Kary Vannice

In Mexico, 21,000+ people are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Eighty percent will die waiting. In the United States, 20 people a day die awaiting a transplant. Canadians in need of organs face a similar fate, made worse due to a very low donor rate in that country.   Continue reading Xenotransplantation →

By Marcia Chaiken and Jan Chaiken

Pig products are a major ingredient in many traditional Mexican dishes. Tlayudas and frijoles refritos are made with lard, as are many other popular dishes.  Pozole is usually made with pork. Charros often have diced bacon.  And then of course there are many recipes calling for jamon (ham).  But observant Jews and Muslims and other people originally from the Middle East are prohibited from eating pork products.  Continue reading The Prohibited Pig →