Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Did you know that there's an artist 'extraordinaire' right here in town who's not only a national celebrity but also one of international fame as well?

Probably not. Unless you're familiar with last season's Cartelera Escénica Friday evenings dance performance series at the CECATUR theater, which dancer/choreographer/promoter Melissa Castillo Caviedes developed to showcase and provide opportunities for the many artists, acrobats and actors that have set foot on that stage while collaborating with musicians and poets, such as Ricardo Castillo, Rubén Cham and Fernando Vigueras... her sheer talent and drive would be to most awe- inspiring - a born dancer perfectionist blazing to the stars!

Melissa's ambitious accolades speak for themselves - forging ahead in her own creative journey from the School of Fine Arts of the University of Guadalajara, she earned a Degree in Performing Arts to perform in famous stages within Mexico - not only in Guadalajara, but also in the Extremadura in Monterrey, the Cervantino in Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, and the Mayan Xcaret.

Attaining international acclaim in Granada, Spain, Melissa became a leading edge performer combining contemporary dance with choreographic composition and theater. And having eagerly absorbed the classical Butoh dance, she earned her place in the famous Japanese Taiku Dance Company, and emerged as creator of aesthetic choreographic projects and performances of indescribable beauty.

Always thirsty for new teachings, Castillo spends a considerable amount of time travelling to other cities and participating in important workshops with other choreographers.

Then in a three-year 'recess,' talented Melissa, inspired by a three verse "haiku" composed by Vallarta's own Rubén Cham, she worked, explored and imagined this new lofty project... and how!

"Foot on firm ground
Scanning the heavens
Taking flight"

In the grand finale half of this evening's program, Melissa places herself in the spotlight featuring in one of her dearest and most meaningful productions - her immortal "Scanning the Heavens" or 'Escudriñando El Cielo' in 4 distinct scenes creating pure magic in this top notch 'Thing of Beauty' with a contemporary ballet montage with fellow dancer, Elvia Lizette Ornelas, fusing movement, music and voice into one organic transporting masterpiece. The evocative music is by local band Agavezzound and voice by Conny Celis, a truly beautiful and most uplifting homage in loving memory of her late mother in her own transcendental flight towards Infinity.

Foot firmly residing in Vallarta however, another of Ms Castillo's numerous absorbing initiatives has to be her weekly Taller de Baile (Dance Workshop) at the beloved Biblioteca Los Mangos, our popular cultural and community center where she tirelessly teaches to both children and teenagers while raising the level and quality of this important branch of the performing arts in our city.

The Biblioteca Los Mangos is thus excited and proud to present this Spring 'La Magia de la Dance' on March 26 at 8:00 pm in the Exposition Hall, under the generous sponsorship of the grand Sheraton Buganvilias Resort Hotel of Vallarta.

This performance starts in the first half of the program (before Intermission) with 'Seeds of the Sun' or 'Germen de Sol' her own production and choreography with a fresh and dynamic outlook exploring the poetic choreographic expressions in the origins of movement and their 'genuine intentions.' "There is no movement for the sake of movement without a meaning to it, and thus it's essential to get to the source of the true impulse of any movement from the simplest to the most complex," Melissa explains.

Performing this diverse triptych will be Melissa's intermediate level dancers whose ethereal yet virtuoso movements highlight the 'luminous intent' of each of the these choreographic frames...

• First Light / Primer Rayo de Luz
• Sunflower / Tornasol
• Sun Breeze / Brisa de Sol

...with the descriptive music of Stoa, Yann Tiersen, Alex Sirvent and René Aubry.

As always, our community is committed to promoting excellence in literacy, art and culture at the ever evolving and expanding Biblioteca Los Mangos, while encouraging such impassioned local artists of caliber as Melissa to continue enriching the quality of our beloved PV.

Before the performance at 7:00 pm, let's meet up for cocktails at the elegant Hotel's cash lobby bar, (also at Intermission). After the show, you can enjoy savouries and/or dinner at any of the Hotel's attractive restaurants, and receive a 20% discount on food and beverages on presentation of your hot event ticket.

Why, with this unique double deal opportunity, dear friends and visitors alike, let's go celebrate this glorious season, and support one of the most worthy good cause in town! Tickets cost just $350 pesos in advance or $400 pesos at the door, and are available at Biblioteca Los Mangos, Av. Francisco Villa 1001, Col Versalles, 224-9966 (credit cards accepted); Hotel Belmar on Insurgentes: 223-1872; or by calling Cecilia at 223-4606.