Its relatively easy to celebrate Christmas in December. The lights, the decorations, Christmas music resounding everywhere!
But Christmas in July? Really?
Thats how it felt in Calgary this past summer, when Brenster Productions hosted the first ever Mazatlan Stampede Fiesta during Calgarys annual western ride 'em show the 102nd Calgary Exhibition and Stampede! There were lights and decorations only it was country music resounding everywhere!
Joined by SECTUR and The Mazatlan Hotel Association, the signs of something special happening were all over the place. Over 150 travel agents, representatives from WestJet, Stampede dignitaries and dozens of invited guests (read huge Brenster and Carrum fans here!) descended on the Ramada Hotel in downtown Calgary for a lively glimpse of Mazatlan, and all she has to offer.
Special guests included Mario Lopez Valdez, Governor of Sinaloa; Carlos Felton, Mayor of Mazatlan; Francisco Cordova Celaya, Secretary of Tourism; Carlos Berdegue, President of the Mazatlan Hotel Association and Julio Birrueta, Mazatlan Promotion Office Chief Executive.
-One of the Sinaloan dignitaries told me during the Fiesta, that he couldnt ever recall having all of those people in the same place at the same time before,- says Brenster. -It was quite an honour to be a part of it all.-
Both the Governor and the Secretary of Tourism rode horses in the Stampede Parade, accompanied by the float from Mazatlan, which also won 1st prize as Best Cultural Entry.
One of the most thrilling highlights of the event featured Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi as he presented the Mexican guests with white cowboy hats, the highest recognition of friendship the City of Calgary bestows. A very special gift indeed?just like Christmas!
-We had a great team of people working with us up in Calgary to make it all happen and I will be forever grateful to them all,- says Brent.
-We are all working very hard to build a relationship between Mazatlan and Calgary and are in the process of organizing and coordinating for the Calgary Stampede Show Band to be in our Carnival Parade either this year or next. The Show Band just recently won, for the 3rd consecutive year, the World Champion Show Band competition in Brazil.-
The Brenster and Carrum Show is generating so much interest from both the US and Canada, that many travelers are now choosing Mazatlan as a holiday destination to see some of their favorite Country music stars perform during the winter season. With hundreds of extra room nights already booked for this seasons shows, both SECTUR and the Mazatlan Hotel Association are seeing that the results of the sponsorship and support they have provided to this one-of-a-kind show are paying off.
-I am so proud to be working with Dr. Francisco Cordova and the rest of the SECTUR team to promote Mazatlan,-says Brent. -I deeply appreciate all the hard work he and his staff are doing to get people here to see all this great city has to offer.-
This years Brenster and Carrum Christmas show will showcase Brenster and Tanya singing songs of the season and, of course, some of your favourites from all different genres. They are also very excited to now have their first CD available
-It includes 19 songs that people request to hear the most at our shows,- explains Tanya, -including the title track and our signature song ?-I LIKE YOU SO MUCH- , written by Brent and Cheryl Gaudet. We recorded it while we were up in Canada this past summer, and we are so pleased with the way it turned out.-
It is available at Diegos on Tuesdays during Brensters Beach Bash, (1pm to 6pm), Wednesday nights from 7pm to 10pm at Tanyas show at La Catrina and at the end of every Brenster and Carrum Show performance at the Hotel Playa Mazatlan.
-We are very excited about this upcoming seasons special guests. The Jan 16th show with Michelle Wright, Beverley Mahood and Patricia Conroy is one you cant see anywhere but here in Mazatlan. Having these three superstars all on one stage at the same time is a dream come true, for not only me but for a lot of country music fans, -adds Brent.
Together, these three ladies have accumulated over 100 country music awards, and will put on a show that will be remembered in Mazatlan forever.
-Tanya and I, along with all the staff at Brenster Productions, would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and the very best in the New year, and remind you to -MAKE IT A PLAN TO VISIT MAZATLAN-!
