Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - 'Tis the season to be jolly indeed... and how! With the end of another good year rushing in, festivities are in the air in our party-town, Puerto Vallarta. Our Public Library, La Biblioteca Los Mangos (BLM) is already abuzz with activity, and is excited and proud to present a host of musical events to commemorate:

• Biblioteca Los Mangos' 18th Anniversary with the Autumn Classical Youth Concert on Friday, November 23, 2012;

• followed by a performance by the Orquesta Escuela on Friday, November 30;

• and culminating with a New Year Gala Benefit Concert on Thursday, December 27, with an Open Bar at 6:00 pm and the Concert at 7:00 pm in the stately salons of the Sheraton Bougainvilias Resort.

Under the generous sponsorship of the Sheraton, and with everyone eagerly celebrating the holidays throughout the Banderas Bay area, our BLM has just this very special event of events to round off good ol' 2012 and greet the dawning New Year!

Featuring piano, classical guitar, voice/double bass, and conga, this unique Gala Concert promises to be a dynamic mix of eclectic works - solo and ensemble, classical, Latin 'n jazz, etc. - all blended together in rich Cuban flavor.

You'll enjoy the musical works of Franz Liszt, J.S. Bach, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Mauro Giuliani, Heitor Villa Lobos, Leo Brauwer, and Astor Piazolla, as well as original jazz duet and trio arrangements, all exuberantly performed... not to mention the hot virtuosic pianist's own high-octane improvisations.

So, who are these cool performers? In residence here in town, and certainly a gem of a find, a young charismatic and charming Cuban couple - composer/teacher and virtuoso concert pianist, Maestro Anibal Cruz Cesar, and his beautiful, gifted wife, Maestra Irisley Luis Gomez, one of the most lyrical classical guitarist/singer/teacher around - are both enthusiastically gearing up to make this year end / New Year spectacular event the most enjoyable and unforgettable!

Adding to this celebratory note, the Sheraton is graciously offering all concert goers pre- concert and intermission cocktails and canapes at the Open Bar/s outside the concert hall at a 20% discount. The Hotel's two restaurants, Las Gaviotas or Villitas, will also offer the 20% discount on dinners before or after the show, upon presentation of one's ticket stub... so hang on to them!

An exceptionally high-caliber musical performance celebration, in fitting New Year's style and panache that supports our library, the cultural hub of the entire Banderas Bay region, makes this a "must see" sensation that's not to be missed! Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased from:

• Biblioteca Los Mangos - Av. Francisco Villa #1001, or Angelica at (322) 224-9966

• Hotel Belmar - Insurgentes #161, (322) 223-1872

• Old Town Farmers' Market - Pino Suarez between B. Badillo and V. Carranza on the South side of Vallarta, Saturdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm

• Cecilia at (322) 223-4606 or Irene/Carl at (322) 222-1319

Ticket Prices: $300 pesos in advance or $350 pesos at the door, Students: $200 pesos in advance or $250 pesos at the door - get yours TODAY!

We hope you will all join us for the New Year Gala Benefit Concert on Thursday, December 27th at 6:00 pm. As always, we would like to remind you that Biblioteca Los Mangos is not "just a library," it is a cultural and learning center. Music, culture and art all go hand in hand with literature and reading. As a Non-Profit Organization, Los Mangos Library & Cultural Center is a gift to everyone of all ages in Puerto Vallarta, and relies on donors and fund raisers like these to keep the doors open to this valuable community resource.