Author: Allison Nevins

Dance of the Flyers and Birdmen vs. MayPoling and Pole Dancing

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Cinco de Mayo, the USA Holiday Sponsored by Margaritas and Cerveza

Posted on May 1, 2019May 14, 2019 by Allison Nevins

Mexican flag statute at the site of the Battle of Puebla.

Cinco de Mayo has always been an excellent excuse to get together with my friends in the Texas springtime to eat Mexican food and drink margaritas. For years I thought that Cinco de Mayo was a celebration of México’s Independence Day. HA! Try September 16th! I was way off. Evidently loads of Americans make that mistake, too.

A few months ago, my journey through México landed me right smack dab in the birth canal of Cinco de Mayo …Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza in Puebla, México. If you haven’t been to the city of ‘Puebla’ in the state of Puebla and you hate churches, don’t go to Puebla! There is literally a church on every corner. Seriously, everywhere you turn there is a freaking church. ***Preacher’s Kid Alert***

Touristy Puebla sign with mi amiga, Gaby Garcia de Betts! Over my left shoulder, a church. | Photo TexMex Fun Stuff

Other than the clamor of constant bell-ringing between all the churches every 10 seconds, Puebla is a beautiful city which is super clean, full of great people and amazing ceramics and food. It is also where the Battle of Puebla took place on May 5th, 1862.

Seriously, how many churches can you count in this one picture?! | Photo TexMex Fun Stuff

You may have already put two and two together that May 5th and Cinco de Mayo are one and the same. The celebration that we Americans love actually commemorates México’s victory over the French invasion during this famous battle in Puebla in 1862. I wanted to learn more about this Mexican situation/holiday that I’d been celebrating with margs and beer in the US since college!

While asking the locals where exactly the enormous Cinco de Mayo fiesta was going down, I was met with strange looks and shameful head shaking. I was genuinely startled to discover that Cinco de Mayo isn’t celebrated in México at all (outside of downtown Puebla, which is where battle reenactments still take place!).

ABSOLUTE ASTONISHMENT! Was this another made up holiday?! Like when Hallmark invented Valentine’s Day or Santa invented Christmas?! Just kidding-ish.

It occurred to me that my “research” was going to require a lot more than fajitas and a sturdy liver. I had to do actual historical homework. Damnit! So with a red solo cup full of margarita on the rocks in hand, I headed to the exact site of where the Battle of Puebla took place on May 5th, 1862.

I jumped in a taxi and in my best/worst Spanish said, “Take me to where the Cinco de Mayo Margarita Fiesta was invented – at once!” My completely unimpressed taxi driver drove me to the Northeast section of town…down cobblestone streets (past a few hundred churches), up the Heroes of Cinco de Mayo Boulevard and dropped me at the top of one of the tallest hills in the city.

Cinco de Mayo battlefield in Puebla Mexico. — The view from where the taxi dude dropped me off. Sadly, no margaritas for purchase up here. I Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

There is this whole amazing city park up there that gives you a 360 degree view of Puebla! The ‘Centro Civico Cinco de Mayo‘ park includes two old forts (Los Fuertes), a gondola/funicular ride thing and lots of grass, fountains and multiple museums. I was particularly interested in the lovely gold plated museum!

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Was this really where the Battle of Puebla took place over 150 years ago? As luck would have it, the gold plated museum is called the Museum of the Battle of Cinco de Mayo. BINGO! I knew someone inside would help me understand the significance of this Battle/American/Mexican/Poblano holiday. Sure enough, the entrance to the museum was FREE that day (as most museums in México are) and a delightfully bilingual guide was assigned to assist me in my historical journey for a very small propina (tip)!

The Battle of Puebla museum in Puebla Mexico. — RESEARCH CENTRAL! The Interactive Museum of the Battle of Cinco de Mayo | Photo TexMex Fun Stuff

What is the Battle of Cinco de Mayo and Why Should We Give a Shit?

So my super informative guide tells me that “La Batalla del Cinco de Mayo” is also known as the “Battle of Puebla” and it lasted only 1 day! 6-8 hours to be exact – depending on who you ask. Here’s the backstory: In the mid-1800’s, Mexican civil wars, the US Civil War, general political chaos and fending off foreign powers (Remember the Alamo?) had more or less bankrupted México.

On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juaréz declared a suspension on all debt payments to foreign countries for 2 years to get the budget back on track. Specifically holding off payments to France, Britain and Spain. Well that pissed them off and the 3 countries immediately sent troops to the shores of Veracruz (located on the Gulf of México) demanding payment.

“In this place the glorious Mexican weapons fended off the First Army of the World.” Fort Loreto Circa:?
I Photo: Angelopolis.com

Britain and Spain successfully negotiated with the Mexican government and withdrew their forces, but those pesky French didn’t. French intentions clearly had little to do with a default on a loan. There are two schools of thought as to why:

1. Napoleon III (nephew of THE Napolean) wanted to topple the Juárez government to access Mexico’s resources and, in particular, to take advantage of the instability in the United States, then embroiled in its own civil war and unable to stop a French advance. Ooooooorrrrrrr….

2. The French were in bed with the American Confederacy and together, they figured that if France could take over México, the French and Confederates could have a whole slave-owning empire from the Mason Dixon line all the way down to Guatemala. So Napolean III used this debt deferment as an excuse to invade and overtake México to make all of his slave-owning dreams come true.

Either way, Napolean III directed 6,000-7,000 troops to march from Veracruz to Puebla to take over the city. The grand plan was to then head into the capital…the big beast…México City, for the ultimate takeover.

When invading México City from the beaches of Veracruz, one must conquer the one thing in the way…Puebla. I Photo: Mapquest and TexMex Fun Stuff

In response to this absolute shit ton of troops headed to “Puebla de Los Angeles” (as it was called then), President Juaréz rounded up just 2,000 troops to defend it and most of them were just untrained locals. Hey, they were bankrupt after all.

The very well dressed and organized French army began their assault on the two forts in Puebla. The Fort of Guadalupe and the Fort of Loreto (as I mentioned earlier) sit on top of the tallest neighboring hills in town. The 2,000 Mexican troops were split between these two forts with some hiding in churches throughout the city of Puebla.

The odds didn’t look so fabulous for México, but there were 4 things that Napolean III didn’t take into consideration: Tunnels, churches, deception and rain.

Puebla is also known for miniatures and this is one of the Battle. You can see the two forts on their hills. |
Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

Here is where tunnels, churches, deception and rain come into play: Fort de Lareto and most of the churches in Centro were all connected by underground tunnels that the French troops were unaware of. In fact, these tunnels in total are 6 miles long (and had been forgotten about, but then just recently re-discovered in 2014). They are tall enough and wide enough to ride horses on through the whole system. PERFECT!

Back then, nuns, priests and soldiers used these tunnels to get around the city quickly without a whole lotta hubbub or the hot Mexican sun. The Mexican soldiers were easily able to run through these tunnels to and from Fort de Lareto with supplies and reinforcements from multiple churches.

One of the tunnels recently discovered underneath the downtown of Puebla. I Photo: AtlasObscura.com

The French were focusing on Fort de Guadalupe, so the Mexican soldiers defended it by adding a steady stream of troops and supplies from the tunnels under Fort Lareto to attack from the outside. The French forces assumed that they were battling waaaaaay more soldiers than just 2,000. They were surprised and intimidated. The Mexican army was playing the perfect game of deception, literally underground.

The last important influence on the outcome of the battle was rain. May is the beginning of rainy season. Anyone who has spent time in México during rainy season knows when the rain begins every day…the afternoon.

The French made 3 surges throughout the day, but didn’t start the first one until late morning. #LAZY #BigMistake. The second and third attempts to take over the Fort of Guadalupe happened in the afternoon.

By the time the French made their 2nd attack on the Fort de Guadalupe, the pouring rain made the climb to the top impossible, let alone to be able to conquer the damn thing. Luck was a lady for México and after the 3rd unsuccessful and soaking wet attempt on the fort, the French forces accepted defeat and retreated back to Veracruz.

The Mexican forces were victorious in less than 6-8 hours under General Ignacio Zaragoza. BTW, Zaragoza was born in Texas when it was owned by Mexico – that makes him TexMex! He and his troops had successfully defended the Fort of Guadalupe and ultimately the country of México against 6,000-7,000 French troops. So the Prez renamed Puebla “Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza” (Heroic People of Zaragoza).

So, Why is Cinco de Mayo so Popular in the United States?

In the US of A, Cinco de Mayo has turned into a major American tradition and a minor holiday for Mexican-Americans to celebrate their heritage. Massive parades and fiestas commemorate the Little Mexican Army that Could that fateful May 5th in 1862. The fiestas always include a boatload of Mexican food, badass mariachi music, papel picado decorations galore, and of course, boozy treats.

In an in-depth book by David Hayes-Bautista titled ‘El Cinco de Mayo, An American Tradition’, he explains that the holiday in the United States isn’t Mexican at all. It was created by Mexicans living in California after the word spread up to the north of the victory in Puebla, but it has evolved over the years.

“Cinco de Mayo has shifted over time—it embodied immigrant nostalgia in the 1930s, U.S. patriotism during World War II, Chicano Power in the 1960s and 1970s, and commercial intentions in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, it continues to reflect the aspirations of a community that is engaged, empowered, and expanding.” – David Hayes-Bautista

I can speak from experience after working for a beer/wine/liquor distributor in Dallas that today in the United States – bars, restaurants and beer/wine/liquor companies continue to spread the “nostalgia” of Cinco de Mayo. Por que? Because any excuse to celebrate a victory means money! And Corona and it’s parent company, Grupo Modelo are all over that!

Claro que si! That means, Of Course! I Meme: SomeEcards

Here is a bit of boozy history: In 2012 the Anheuser-Busch and InBev clan bought Grupo Modelo, making it a powerhouse booze conglomerate. The US Department of Justice sued the corporation for anti-trust reasons citing more or less that they were creating a beer monopoly. The AB/InBev/Modelo guys had to sell off the Mexican beer ‘USA marketing and imports rights’ to Constellation Brands (who are marketing monsters) to fend off the feds.

You wanna know why America loves Cinco de Mayo? Because Constellation Brands decided to make a shit ton of money every spring. Seriously, they’re worse than Hallmark! Truth be told, as Hayes-Bautista mentioned, the “nostalgia” had commercial intentions leading back as far as the 80’s so I guess I can’t blame Constellation Brands entirely. Just a lil’ bit.

#AmIright? Constellation Brands actually calls the holiday “Corona de Mayo” Ayayay.

OK, soap box moment over. I finished the tour of the museum and headed to the forts to see if they had a bar in one or both of them. They did not. #LucilleBluthEyeRoll. The sun was setting over the always-smoking volcano, Popocatépetl and the city lights were coming on in the city below.

I called an Uber and headed down the Heroes of Cinco de Mayo Boulevard with a way greater appreciation for this town and the brave people (puebla) of Mexico. Now if they can turn a few of these churches into cantinas, I’d be a happy girl!

Papel picado in a restaurant in Puebla city. — Colorful papel picado in a cantina ready for Cinco celebrations in Puebla, Puebla, México | Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

National Geographic said it well…”For Mexicans in Puebla, as well as Mexican-Americans in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a complex symbol of Mexican culture, resilience and character.”

So Cheers and Salúd to Puebla, México; to Cinco de Mayo and to the unyielding Mexican soldiers of the Battle of Puebla. Also, gracias and thanks to the Garcia family who showed us around their gorgeous city and set us straight about Cinco de Mayo! Ustedes son fabulosos!!

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Dance of the Flyers and Birdmen vs. MayPoling and Pole Dancing

Posted on April 22, 2019April 24, 2019 by Allison Nevins

The Danza de los Voladores performing in Puerto Vallarta.

The Dance of the Flyers (Danza de los Voladores) is NOT MayPoling (or A-Holing, like I first thought). Okay, it’s obviously not A-Holing, but it rhymes with MayPoling and that’s funny. We’ll get to MayPoling in a moment, but first indulge me as I stumble down Amnesia Lane…The first time I can remember seeing the Dance of the Flyers was in the small border town of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico over 20 years ago.

The crazy fun border town of Reynosa – circa 1990’s I Photo: OnTheRoadIn.com

Reynosa is just across the border from McAllen, Texas and it used to be my old stomping grounds. Me and my gal pals would get our Mexican culture on by singing in cantinas for free beer and/or shots. The town was debaucherous, yet safe and fun for this little 18-20-something to wander around in search of a good time. Plus it was a 10 minute walk across the border – sweet freedom!

One dusty day in Reynosa, I was 2 or 7 hours into a Cantina Crawl when I turned the corner and saw 4-5 dudes performing an act that I had never seen before. I’ll never get that sight out of my head. I know what you are thinking. It wasn’t that….Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty.

*1 Flutist and 4 Flying Non-Maypolers in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico | Photo:* TexMex Fun Stuff

If you were to combine: 1. Dancing around a Maypole without the ribbons and 2. The pole being about a million feet tall with 3. Men dressed in colorful, feathery costumes swinging upside down with ropes tied to their waists and 4. A high probability that someone was going to fall off and die, then that would partially describe the Dance of the Flyers (or Danza de los Voladores in Spanish). And then, of course there’s the flute blowing and drum banging.

Needless to say, I put my Cantina Crawl on hold and wondered if the 8 tequila shots had officially kicked in while I watched this Mexican ceremony unfold in front of me. I didn’t know what I was looking at, but it was pretty badass and nobody died…that day. Some other guy did though, but I’ll get to that in a second.

Fast forward 20 years (OK, it’s closer to 28) and I find myself wandering around México in search of a good time again. This time I was in Chapala, Jalisco strolling down the Malecón (boardwalk) looking out over Lake Chapala when the flashback of that first Dance of the Flyers hits me – hard. There were 4 dudes spinning through the air in majestic feathery outfits with ropes slowly lowering them 50-ish feet down to the ground on the shore of the lake while one stayed on top blowing the shit out of an old school flute and beating a drum he must have picked up from a toy store. Luckily my spouse had his trusty GoPro on him. Check it….

Lots O’ Informative Captions Inside Video I Video cred: Todd Nevins!

This time witnessing the Dance of the Flyers felt more peaceful and super cultural. It was the perfect combination of a timeless Mexican tradition with just enough danger to keep the crowd riveted. As I do in situations like this, I bought another oversized margarita and decided to learn more about this whole ritual that I had been referring to as “Mexican MayPoling, not A-holing”. Because neither one is correct. Who knew?

The Dance of the Flyers (Danza de los Voladores) tradition started in Papantla, Veracruz to appease the Gods.

*Veracruz is one of the 31 United States of Mexico and home of the Flyers! | Photo:* TexMex Fun Stuff

The Dance of the Flyers was first known as ‘The Papantla Flying Men’ which had started in Papantla, Veracruz as a way to offer gratitude to the Gods of Sun, Spring, Fertility and Rain, and an all around expression of love for Mother Earth. Versions of this were a big religious deal for at least 3 native Mexican tribes in central Mexico in pre-Columbian days.

Now it is mostly associated with the Totonacs. They are/were an indigenous tribe who lived in Veracruz, Puebla and Hidalgo and who used to be the world’s main producers of vanilla!

As usual, Wikipedia has to weigh in…”According to Totonac myth, at least 450 years ago there was a severe drought that brought hunger to the people. The gods were withholding the rain because the people had neglected them. The ceremony was created, to appease the gods and bring back the rains. In some versions of the story, the ritual is created by the old men of a village, who then chose five young men who were chaste (aka virgins!). In other versions, the five men themselves create the ritual. The tallest tree in the nearby forest is cut down, with the permission of the mountain god, stripped of branches and dragged to the village. The trunk is erected (erected!) with much ceremony. The youths climb the pole and four jump off while the fifth played music. The ritual pleased the rain god Xipe Totec and other gods, so the rains began again and the fertility of the earth returned.”

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Anyhoo, when the dirty evil Spaniards invaded Mexico they tried to expunge this tradition from Native Mexican history since it is soooooo not Catholic – literally they destroyed records about it because they thought it was pagan. As if.

The Totonac people of Veracruz practiced in secret (on a 30 meter pole?!) and kept this tradition alive. Now it doesn’t serve so much as offerings to multiple gods as it is used for entertainment and to teach the Mexican youth about their mixed heritage. Plus, it is now an actual J-O-B, like you can make some coin…”Makin’ it rain!”

The Ritual Ceremony of the Voladores of Papantla was officially recognized as an Intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2009 marking its significance in Mexican history and helping the ritual survive and thrive in the modern world.

Me and a Flyer in Puerto Vallarta. Before and after every performance one or two of them collects tips from the crowd of viewers – I gave him a tip alright 😉 | Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

There are now Dance of the Flyer demonstrations all throughout northern and central Mexico and even down into Guatemala. For example, (pic above) on the clear opposite side of the country from Veracruz is me in Puerto Vallarta with a Birdman just after here was lowered back down to Earth next to the Pacific Ocean. Nice guy. Always 1 or 2 of the crew walk throughout the crowd asking for a few pesos after each performance and happily pose for pictures. Can’t say what the guy up top blowing his toy flute and drum does with his time, but he probably gets great cell reception up there.

The Flyers intricately wrap their ropes around the top of the pole so as to not die.

*The Flyers “wrapping the pole” above Lake Chapala while I drink a giant margarita. | Photo:* TexMex Fun Stuff

It goes like this: The Flyers climb up the pole, called the tsakáe kiki, carrying their ropes. Poles range in height from 50 to 100 feet depending on if it is an actual tree trunk or made of metal. When they are at the top they sit on the sketchy looking wooden square frame and start wrapping the pole. They do this by slowly turning the wooden square clockwise around the top of the pole while each rope is wrapped under the next one securing each others’ rope. “Don’t go dyin’ on us!”

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After they fall backwards, the wooden top slowly rotates in a counterclockwise direction with their weight spinning the wooden frame and their ropes slowly lowering them to Earth. Some pretty solid engineering that’s been successfully tested for generations. As long as they stay completely still…nothing will go wrong!

The Flyers are also called Birdmen.

I have no idea what I was doing then. Pretending to be a Birdwoman? I Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

The flyers, much like birds, climb up towards the sun and then fall off of their perch spinning through the sky each representing a parrot, macaw, quetzal and an eagle. The legend also mentions the flyers representing a butterfly, crow and an owl so either way, they are spinning Birdmen. They spin 13 times around the pole (representing 52 years in the Aztec calendar round) upside down with their legs and arms specifically positioned so they look like birds flying through the air. They remain completely still throughout their descent until they grab their ropes and turn themselves right side up just as they touch the ground.

They end up landing like you do when you’re skydiving and haven’t fucked up your descent. Or the wind hasn’t yanked you on your ass with your parachute like it did to me that one time. I would not be a good Birdman or woman for that matter. It’s a good thing too, cuz…

Females were not allowed to be Pole Flyers until the early 1970’s.

*Pretending to play the flute that the Birdman at the top of the pole is actually playing. I Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff*

Once upon a time (the early 70’s), a man by the name of Jesús Arroyo Cerón taught his 4 daughters to be Flyers in Puebla…pretty progressive dad! But proving this isn’t the safest hobby/job you can learn, Jesús plummeted to his death during a cultural festival in 2006 at the age of 70. Eek.

Some traditionalists (and even some of his family members) claim that this was divine retribution for teaching ladies to do a ‘man’s’ job. For generations only men were allowed to be flyers. This shitty sexism still exists today since the school for flyers in Veracruz has two criteria to be accepted into the program: The student must speak Totonac and be male. Total bull crap.

At least we can say ‘Salud!’ to Jesús Arroyo Cerón for trying to empower his daughters by teaching them an art form, religious ritual and solid Mexican tradition in a male dominated profession. Bust through the glass ceiling of the Dance of the Flyers – Vamanos Girl Power Voladores!!

Little girls dancing around a MayPole – THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED POLE DANCING! I Photo: Mother Nature Network

Girls trapesing around a pole has traditionally been associated with MayPoling. Just to clarify again that MayPoling is a totally different thing from the Dance of the Flyers AND regular pole dancing. VERY DIFFERENT. Since I made the mistake for so long and since May is upon us, I want to clarify the difference between Pole Flying, Pole Dancing and MayPoling – I’ll spare you the A-Holing…for now.

According to the Mother Nature Network, “The first of May is a contradiction as far as days of observance go. It’s a holiday suffering from multiple personality disorder; one identity dedicated to strike and protest, the other embracing all things spring and frolicsome.

May Day (May 1) is probably best known now for the medieval tradition of ‘dancing the maypole dance,’ a custom that continues to be practiced. Fair young maidens circle the decorated pole weaving together patterns of ribbons in the process. Hawthorne and lily of the valley are traditional flowers used for garland. Similar ribbon dances were performed in pre-Columbian Latin America and were later incorporated into Hispanic ritual dances.”

See how we brought that full circle?! I knew I wasn’t completely that far off. Both customs have always reminded me of the movie musical, “Camelot” when Vanessa Redgrave frolics around singing “The Lusty Month of May!” while loads of young women wrap their ribbons around the Maypole. Lusty indeed.

So some advice this May Day for all you young ladies out there (all you broads too, I suppose)…when someone tells you to stay off the pole…you just tell them to be more specific!

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Paper papel picado flags for all occasions.

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Finding La Sirena and The Little Mermaid Under the Sea

Posted on April 5, 2019April 5, 2019 by Allison Nevins

The first mermaid I ever saw in ‘real life’ was Daryl Hannah in the movie “Splash”. Yes, I realize that she wasn’t an actual mermaid, but my 12 year old brain was absolutely certain that she was ‘the real deal’ and I was enchanted!

‘Madison’, as Daryl was called, was a beautiful woman with flowing blond hair that always managed to cover her boobies and as soon as she hit the water she turned into a beautiful mermaid. One thing that never made sense to me even as a kid (cuz it was straight up bullshit) is the fact that she was only allowed out of her ‘Under the Sea World’ for 7 days with Tom Hanks. Total bullshit. Anyway, she’s my mermaid muse…for now 😉

Daryl Hannah the first famous mermaid. — Daryl Hannah NAILING IT as the 20th Century smokin’ hot mermaid, IMHO | Photo: Splash 1984 Image Gallery

As it turns out I wasn’t the only one entranced by mermaids, or ‘sirenas’, as they are known as in Spanish. The first tales of mermaids were told in ancient Assyria over 3,000 years ago when (allegedly) a goddess named Atargatis transformed herself into a mermaid out of shame. She accidentally killed her human lover and was so upset that she flung herself into the sea – possibly attempting suicide. But since she was a goddess and suicide isn’t really their thing, this was the punishment that she forced upon herself. Tough broad.

The La Sirena corner marker in Merida Mexico. — La Sirena corner intersection sign in Merida, Yucatan – Hair not covering boobies | Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

In early Greek mythology, mermaids were associated with tragic events like floods, shipwrecks and drownings. Sirens (sirenas) would lure in unsuspecting sailors with their sexy music and sensual voices that floated with the winds across the waters. When the sailors redirected their ships to investigate further, they found themselves slamming into rocky islands, sinking their ships and generally experiencing a shit ton of peril. These sirens were talented, clever and a little crazy, like me.

The first historical reference to sirens/sirenas/mermaids was in 1493 when Christopher Columbus was exploring the Caribbean islands. He noted that he saw three ‘female forms’ rise high out of the sea. Now of course, The History Channel wants to make this whole event seem a lot less sexy by throwing “facts” into the mix. Here’s what they say in 3 short and shitty paragraphs…

That dastardly CC! Also, we sell piñatas 🙂 I Photo: Shoeboxblog.com

“Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, sees three ‘mermaids’ – in reality manatees – and describes them as “not half as beautiful as they are painted.” Six months earlier, Columbus (1451-1506) set off from Spain across the Atlantic Ocean with the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, hoping to find a western trade route to Asia. Instead, his voyage, the first of four he would make, led him to the Americas, or ‘New World.’

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Mermaids, mythical half-female, half-fish creatures, have existed in seafaring cultures at least since the time of the ancient Greeks. Typically depicted as having a woman’s head and torso, a fishtail instead of legs and holding a mirror and comb, mermaids live in the ocean and, according to some legends, can take on a human shape and marry mortal men. Mermaids are closely linked to sirens, another folkloric figure, part-woman, part-bird, who live on islands and sing seductive songs to lure sailors to their deaths.

Mermaid sightings by sailors, when they weren’t made up, were most likely manatees, dugongs or Steller’s sea cows.”

This is soooo not Daryl Hannah! I Photo: Creative Commons

MANATEES and SEA COWS? SEA COWS?!?! How dare The History Channel!! Back to historical fantasy now…

The infamous 18th Century pirate, Blackbeard (whose real name was Edward Teach – lame right?) wrote in his journal that he instructed his crew to avoid certain charted waters known to be ‘enchanted’ with mermaids looking to bewitch ships and steal their bounty of riches…something Blackbeard was not going to tolerate. Not even from hot chicks.

Blackbeard wasn’t afraid of much, exceeeeeept, MERMAIDS! | Photo: Pirates of the Caribbean

It took writers and historians another 100+ years before mermaids were considered enchanting and waaaaay less dangerous than pirates thought. In 1836, Hans Christian Andersen penned the now well-known fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid”. The book depicted mermaids as sweet and loving non-thieves who just want to become human. This tale has since been depicted in operas, paintings, books, comics and of course, films. Yes, THAT Little Mermaid is THAT old.

The Little Mermaid and La Sirenita papel picado at TexMex Fun Stuff. — La Sirenita = The Little Mermaid en Español! I Photo: Walt Disney Pictures

In 1989, Walt Disney Pictures released their full-length animated film based on Andersen’s tale. The appropriately titled “The Little Mermaid” movie was “Splash”-level cool for 3 reasons:

Ariel wore a kick ass purple seashell bikini top. I have tried this and failed since 1984.
All religious references from the original tale were removed from the film, including the mermaid’s quest for an immortal soul, because that would interfere with the comedy, cuteness and romance with the Prince.
The lead character was a gorgeous, independent and rebellious young woman. Typical red head.

Allison Nevins and Julie Bienke shopping in Guadalajara. — 3 Gorgeous, Independent and Rebellious Women / Possibly Mermaids in Guadalajara, México | Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

I know there was a 90’s Mermaid movie with Cher and another teen queen one with Emma Roberts or some shit, but those don’t count. If we’re talking about the most epic portrayal of mermaid-ness in a movie since “Splash” that would, of course, be “Zoolander”.

Ben Stiller strikes his ‘Blue Steel!’ underwater pose as a MerMAN to deliver cinematic greatness! “Moisture is the essence of wetness and wetness is the essence of beauty.” Truer words were never spoken. Check it…

“MerMAN, Pop!! “| Video: Zoolander

Classic. “I got the black lung, Pop. (Cough)” OK, no more digression. I hear there was a 17th installment of “The Pirates of the Caribbean” that involved some mermaid on merman shit, but who’s got the time? Not Johnny Depp.

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The last point about mermaids/sirenas that I want to address is the iconic La Sirena image that belongs to the classic Mexican ‘bingo-like’ game called La Loteria. You have seen this image many times, but probably never assumed the image (or the game for that matter) had much significance. Well, it’s significant as shit and here’s why…

The REAL Loteria card, the new Millenial Loteria ® version and our new La Sirena Papel Picado!

Direct from Wikipedia, yo…”Lotería is the Spanish word for lottery. The game originated in Italy in the 15th century and was brought to New Spain (México) in 1769. In the beginning, la lotería was a hobby of the upper classes, but eventually it became a tradition at Mexican fairs. Now it is played by many Mexicans at home or in cantinas.

It is a traditional game of chance, similar to Bingo, but using images on a deck of cards instead of plain numbers on ping pong balls. The deck of cards is composed of a set of 54 different images, each one in a card. To start the game, the caller (cantor, or singer) randomly selects a card from the deck and announces it to the players by its name, sometimes using a riddle instead of reading the card name.”

#6 would be La Sirena. Here is the calling of the card…

Numero Seis! La sirena! (the mermaid) “Con los cantos de sirena, no te vayas a marear.” = Don’t be swayed by the songs of the siren (In Spanish, sirens and mermaids and their songs are synonymous). So don’t be swayed.

My new MerMAN muse, Channing Tatum will soon hit the big screen shouting, “MerMAN, Pop!! ” I Photo: Digital Spy

Finally, my boyfriend, Channing Tatum has committed to an Imagine Entertainment produced “Splash” remake where the leading roles are reversed and he is a MerMAN leaving his Under the Sea world to go find his childhood non-swimming lover girl in NYC. This proves the importance of Mer-People if he is investing his time, energy and beautiful face for this mission. God bless him. And Ron Howard. Coming to screens 2020-ish.

And I’m sure my sweet Channing will sing the immortal words of the Jamaican crab, Sebastian ….

“Under the sea! Under the sea!
Darling it’s better
Down where it’s wetter
Take it from me!”

MerMAN and Mermaid on the boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico I Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

So with all of the Splashy Mermaid obsession going on, we decided to collaborate with our papel picado artists in Puebla to create both paper and plastic The Little Mermaid / La Sirenita papel picado! Get your choice of material and color schemes for your next Fish Fry, Cinco de Mayo event or kid’s birthday party!

Experience México every day with this Mermaid Inspired Papel Picado! Buy Yours Here…

Kick Ass New 2 Packs of Mermaid / La Sirenita Papel Picado Fun! Available in Paper and Plastic I Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

Shop the TexMex Fun Stuff Papel Picado Collection

My Lucha Libre Experience – Laughing, Crying and Screaming

My Story / The Actual History of Papel Picado Flags

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What’s the Deal with these Badass Mariachis?

Posted on March 15, 2019March 15, 2019 by Allison Nevins

The badass all-female mariachi band Flor De Toloache.

Mariachis are a combo of Western movie outlaws, Mexican folklore and a little bit of rock and roll with polka and waltz mixed in. These musicians are always in groups of 3-10 and dressed up in emblazoned costumes ready to kick ass and look and sound FABULOUS doing it. You know, like Lucky Day, Dusty Bottoms and Ned Nederlander?! #thethreeamigos!

“IN-FAMOUS! That means ‘More than Famous!'” I Photo credit: HBO and Orion Films

The first time I was introduced to the concept of mariachis was the 1986 movie, ‘¡Three Amigos!’ and I’ve never been the same. Freakin’ Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short in their matching charro outfits, huge sombreros and musical mastery had me laughing and singing along wondering where the hell the writers got the idea from. “MY little buttercup, has the sweetest smile…..”

OK, so they were more of a comical crime fighting team than a true mariachi band, but the classic scene at El Guapo’s birthday was performed by a group of real mariachis that kill it! Aayayayayayayay!

They’re not the best looking group of musical outlaws, but their sound is perfect!

This scene (as well as “Blue Shadows on the Trail”) prompted me to check out good old Wikipedia for more info on these classical Mexican musicians. I learned that…

‘Mariachi’ is a style of music and musical group performance that dates back to at least the 18th century, evolving over time in the countryside of various regions of western Mexico. It has a distinctive instrumentation, performance and singing style and of course, clothing. To say the least.

Armed with trumpets, violins, cellos, guitars, crazy high voices and charro suits, these bands are torn from the pages of Mexican history books, turning any event into a raging Mexican fiesta. As a matter of fact, in 2011 UNESCO recognized mariachi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The listing cites that: “Mariachi music transmits values of respect for the natural heritage of the regions of Mexico and local history in the Spanish language and the different Indian languages of Western Mexico.” And you don’t dick with UNESCO.

A Mexican mariachi band dressed in traditional charro costume perform in front of the Santo Domingo de Guzman Church November 5, 2013 in Oaxaca, Mexico. | Photo paid for in full 🙂

The term ‘Mariachi band’ is also a redundant term for a Mariachi because the word ‘Mariachi’ itself in Spanish implies a group of musicians playing Mariachi music. The music originated in center-West-ish Mexico. Most claims for its origin lie in the state of Jalisco but neighboring states of Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacán have also claimed it. However, by the late 19th century, the music was firmly centered in Jalisco.

And guess where I was now living?! YEP. In the birth canal of Mariachi-dom…Jalisco, Mexico. Time to start tracking down some bands and getting some answers to the question…How did this musical genre get to be so badass? When you hear it…all you can think of is Mexican westerns and Cinco de Mayo parties. I stepped out my front door and started searching…

Hanging out in the first natural place to look. I Photo credit: TexMex Fun Stuff

Clearly my first stop was the Plaza De Los Mariachis in Guadalajara, which is a pedestrian-only plaza in the historic center. This plaza has over 100 years of tradition, but was officially dedicated to Mariachis in 1962 by the then President of México, Adolfo López Mateos. The plaza got a second resurgence in 2009 when Gustavo Ruiz Velasco Nuño invested $7 million pesos (about $350,000 USD) to revitalize the facades, arches and the colonial homes facing the plaza.

Allison Nevins boss lady at TexMex Fun Stuff in the Plaza de los Mariachis. — Caption Not Needed | Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

Today, these former homes have been converted into restaurants, musical supply stores and clothing/accessories shops for mariachis to buy their unmistakable costume gear. There’s even a tequila and “tequila paraphernalia” store which is where I I presume they stock up and where I certainly stocked up for later.

One thing that I didn’t find on this Sunday in the plaza were actual mariachis playing music. Weird right? Maybe Sundays are their day to drink tequila and cerveza and spend time with their families? Oh well. The plaza was adorned with colorful papel picado flags decorating the sky so I was okay listening to them flutter in the breeze instead. Plus, I had tequila so it was going to be a Sunday Funday with or without mariachis!

Allison Nevins in the Plaza De Los Mariachis in Jalisco. v2 — Super cool shot in the plaza taken with my hubby’s GoPro, yo. | Photo: TexMex Fun Stuff

?? Shop for Papel Picado at TexMex Fun Stuff on Amazon ??

My next research stop was none other than the town of Tequila, Jalisco – the birth canal of tequila. It’s only a one hour car drive or a 2 hour train from Guadalajara, so why the hell not. Two great tastes that taste great together! I needed to interview an insider and if there weren’t any inside the Plaza of Mariachis for God’s sake, I figured there HAD to be some in Tequila!

I wasn’t wrong (as per usual ;). Here is what I discovered as I stepped off of the Jose Cuervo Express train…or as I like to call it, “Allison decides to drink booze before 9am because it’s all inclusive”:

Forgive my throaty drunk voice. It’s not sexy and it WAS trouble.

IMMEDIATELY as we stepped off the train, these dudes started playing. And playing hard. I was already wasted as you could probably tell from the video so I wasn’t in interview mode at the time. I decided to just record and commentate instead.

This mariachi band’s secret weapon were the two adorable boys in the front. I don’t even like kids (as I mention in the video), but I was ready to take them both home if they promised to never ever talk and only play mariachi music. Instead of kidnapping them, I opted for the Jose Cuervo distillery tour because I was getting thirsty. Again.

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My day in Tequila went something like this….Tequila, mariachis and singing, Jose Cuervo distillery tour and singing, super filthy cantina and singing. And then back to Jose Cuervo’s agave field with dancing and more singing. I was thinking that what these mariachi bands really needed was a female singer (aka me), but what I discovered next was even better…

(After waking up from day drinking in Tequila) I continued my quest to discover how mariachis became synonymous with pretty much all fun things Mexican. In my mind, I’ve always pictured mariachis as these hombres with cool mustaches, machismo costumes and these booming voices projecting Mexican folk songs to party goers. My mind was blown when I discovered an article from the NY Times from 2013 titled, “An All-Female Band, Making Its Way in the World of Mariachi.” Holy fuck, GIRL POWER MARIACHIS!!

“There’s something about putting on a mariachi suit that makes you feel like a badass.” – Mireya Ramos, Founder Mariachi Flor De Toloache

All-female badass mariach band. — Como se dice ‘BAD ASSES’ en Español? | Photo: GRAMMY.com

The New York-based, GRAMMY award winning and all-female mariachi band, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, was founded by Mireya Ramos in 2008 as a way for women to join forces in a safe environment and create and perform mariachi music. They have gone on to win the Latin Grammy Award for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album and are the most diverse mariachi group in the world. The members hail from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Columbia, Germany, Italy and the United States!

Although only one of these ladies is Mexican, these worldwide badasses took a musical genre that for generations had been steeped in Mexican machismo and owned it as a path to empowerment, diversity, strength and fame. Y’all know I dig that. #TheFutureIsFemale

Their most recent single was released on Valentines Day, 2019. Besos De Mezcal – ‘Kisses of Mezcal’ was produced by Camilo Lara, who produced all of the music for Pixar’s “Coco” (and I do love me some Coco!).

Mariachi Plaza in Santa Cecilia where Miguel gets advice from a REAL Mariachi! | Photo: Disney’s Pixar Studios

So basically, after all that tequila and web surfing I didn’t get a whole lot of information that Wikipedia hadn’t already told me, BUT I did get rip roaring drunk and made a pretty neat girl power discovery! So saludos mis amigas! Now I’m going to go find me a kiss of Mezcal and celebrate. Again. Ayayayayayayay!! BTW…this here below is a little bonus!

Bonus Material! Tequila…it’s like beer.

I would like to dedicate this post to Ashlei Mars Austgen and Becky Fabra Beach for reasons they know.

?? Experience México every day with this Mariachi & Coco Inspired Papel Picado! Buy Yours Here. ??

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My Lucha Libre Experience – Laughing, Crying and Screaming