This week’s Rocky Point Weekend Rundown brought to you by: Giuseppi’s (Blvd. Freemont)
By Shandra Keesecker-Rivero
Shrimp boats touting fresh layers of paint line up along city docks, awaiting the official launch of shrimp season. This year, smaller boats will be able to start their search on Sept. 6th while those headed for deeper seas won’t set out until September 15th (SAGARPA). Picking up on what was once a yearly tradition that fizzled out about 20 years ago, right around this year’s launch of shrimp season there will be a community festival down by the docks to celebrate the “pink gold” roots of Puerto Peñasco. If you happen to be in Rocky Point on September 11th, come join the festivities as local fishermen ready themselves to head out to sea!
Let’s head into the Weekend Rundown! If you’re looking for ways to keep cool this weekend, we recommend a trip out to the Schuk Toak Visitors Center (yes, with AC) of the Pinacate and Grand Desert of Altar Biosphere Reserve. The fully self-sustaining building where the Visitors Center is housed is an impressive spot in itself, not to mention the petrified lava flows on which it sits. Last weekend’s rains closed down some of the inner roads within the Pinacate Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage Site), though the Visitors Center (open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) will be able to provide you with information on which craters are open for viewing.
Other cool ideas around town
- September 5th – Environmental Movie Night at CEDO. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (This is part of their First Thursdays series, where they present a FREE movie every First Thursday of the month)
- Movies – CitiCinemas Select Puerto Peñasco from the landing page, and then “cartelera” to see what’s showing. (Dob) = dubbed in Spanish, (Sub) = usually in English with Spanish subtitles
- Music, music, music! Inside and out – look for local music groups chilling out and heating up the night at popular watering spots. Our amigos from Agua de Coco are spreading their salsa groove around town, now Thursdays at Wrecked at Rick’s (formerly Sunset Cantina), while RoJo usually takes over the intimate outside stage at El Tapeo wine bar, also generally beginning from Thursday on.
- Eco-tours! Whether it’s CEDO’s NaturArte Ecotours, a trip to Bird Island, or a day of kayaking…hitting the water is still one of our favorite ways to cool off. On September 6th, CEDO provides a chance to Discover the Tidepools (7 a.m. – 9 p.m.) and on Monday, Sept. 9th, Explore the Morua Estuary with CEDO from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Don’t forget, every week they offer Natural History Talks (Every Tuesday, Natural History Talk: 2 pm in English/ 4 pm in Spanish, FREE & Every Saturday, Natural History Talk: 4 pm in English/ 2 pm in Spanish, FREE).
Coming in September!
Sept. 10 – Uncommon Women on Common Ground (5:30 p.m.) is taking over Beach Bum on the Malecón with a special tribute to Barb & Mark Olszewski. Barb & Mark are known around town for their many charitable efforts, including most awesomely their work with Adopt-a-Classroom, Los Rolling Rockies, and La Esperanza para Nueva Vida Community Center. Please bring school supplies for Adopt-A-Classroom. PLEASE NOTE: RSVP to Judy Orlinsky: jtorlinsky@yahoo.com
Sept. 11 5 p.m. Celebrate the Day of Fishermen and the launch of Shrimp Season with a community fest at the docks!
Sept. 12 Grand Mexican Celebration & fundraising event for Esperanza para los Niños children’s shelter. Mauricio Ruiz, originally from Altar, Sonora will enliven this night of Gran Velada Mexicana VIVA!
Sept. 15 Join in the Independence Day celebrations! Local resorts and restaurants are planning special dishes and fiestas, complete with mariachi and fireworks in some cases, so be sure to don your best red, white & green and join in! To really join in the Independence Day spirit, head down to City Hall for traditional music, dishes, treats, and more leading up to the 11 p.m. Grito de la Independencia. We hear there’s a small parade in the works for the evening, starting around 10:30 p.m. from near the intersection of Calle 13 and Benito Juarez, which will march down to City Hall with historic Independence figures leading the way. VIVA!
Sept. 16th MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Planning for Fall
October
4th – Mark Mulligan in concert for one night only at the Caribbean Parrot
4th & 5th – Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are coming to town for one night out at JJ’s and another at Wrecked. Limited tickets available: www.circusmexicus.net
5th – JJ’s One Club Open in Cholla Bay
6th – Pelicanos Cycling Club 5th Anniversary Race
8th – Unveiling of contestant work in the Altered Ropa contest (at the Uncommon Women on Common Ground gathering) Baja Cantina Hotel
11th – 13th 5th Jazz & Arts Festival at Peñasco del Sol Hotel
11th – 13th Angler of the Year – Phase III – JJ’s Cantina
12th – InSANDity Beach Obstacle Course with some proceeds going to local DIF
12th – 13th AZ Multihull Fleet 24 & Tucson catamaran Rocky Point Challenge
18th – 20th Rocky Point Times El Golfo Run – Reservations needed – Contact Rocky Point Times for specific information rockypointtimes@yahoo.com
26th – Dirty Beach Mud Run
26th – OTL Softball on the sands near the Reef. Contact John Fowler of the Santa Claus club for details and to register. 602-840-1528
November
2nd – OuttaTownProductions and Hard Driven present Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) themed beach volleyball tournament providing fours and twos for all levels! Plus, they’ll be hosting a Day of the Dead DANCE PARTY at Playa Bonita, open to all!
4th – Fall Fashion Show – featuring winners from the Altered Ropa clothing challenge!
7th – 10th 13th Annual Rocky Point Rally!!! Keep up on all official details at www.rockypointrally.com and on Facebook at: Rocky Point Rally.com
9th – Funkalicious Volleyball hits the beaches of Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort for # X!
20th Mexican Day of the Revolution (Monday, Nov. 18th is a bank holiday)
Day after Thanksgiving – It’s the Patti Springer Art in the Park in Las Conchas!!
Looking for upcoming events in Rocky Point? Check out our Event Calendar! If you have information you’d like to add, please let us know at info@rockypoint360.com or cell: 638 380 8849, or from the US: 480-282-4226 For weekend rundown announcements, please get them to us one week in advance (preferably)…though the earlier the better! Don’t forget to subscribe to RockyPoint360.com to get all our articles and announcements and/or Like us on Facebook at Rocky Point 360.