House Of Spirits

Spirits of Mexico Returns to Old Town San Diego

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) June 24, 2011

The Spirits of Mexico Festival, the largest, oldest and most comprehensive forum of its kind in North America, will be held September 11 through 18 this year in Old Town San Diego at the location of California’s birthplace, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park . Last year’s Spirits of Mexico Festival was awarded proclamations from the City & County of San Diego, commendations from the Mexican Consulate and Old Town Chamber of Commerce, lauded as an ‘A List’ event by San Diego Magazine and noted as ‘one of four festivals not to miss’ by ‘O’, the Oprah Magazine.

Tequila, Mezcal, Sotol and Bacanora, each with its own denomination of origin and all distilled from the juice of the ancient agave plant, have quickly captured the hearts of the American consumer. The festival celebrates these spirits and their heritage. Cuisine, paired and infused, cocktails, educational seminars, a tasting competition and the resultant awards ceremony, live and silent auctions are all in this year’s festival recipe. Where better than in the nation’s No. 1 marketplace for consumption of these spirits? Old Town San Diego .

The Festival makes living history every year as well. Of the more than 150 brands and 400 styles that have participated in the past eight years, 25 percent have exclusively launched at this festival—a singular accolade. This year will see the debut of Tequilas El Decreto &Montoro and Vitzo Bacanora.

The 2011 Festival launches with a new event, the Tequila Trail on Sunday, Sept. 11, sponsored by newcomer Vitzo Bacanora Cream and 91x radio station, which makes stops at 9 of Old Town’s world-renowned eateries. Barra Barra Saloon, Café Coyote, Miguel’s Cocina, Old Town Mexican Café, El Fandango, The Cosmopolitan, Casa Guadalajara, La Pinata and Rockin’ Baja Lobster will offer up tastes of their signature dishes paired with Herradura, Chinaco, Milagro, Arta, Fortaleza and 1519 Tequilas; Scorpion, Maria, Mijes and Oro de Oaxaca Mezcals; Casa ZG Sangrita, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur and, of course, Vitzo.

The Book Nook: Review: The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

The novel begins with the del Valles and the story of two beautiful sisters, Rosa and Clara.  Rosa is tragically killed when mistakenly poisoned.  The story then follows her fiance, the very troubled Esteban Trueba, as he builds his life around accumulating power and vengeance.  He marries Rosa's sister Clara and has three children.  Esteban's furious and unforgiving nature shapes the lives of all in the family. I really enjoy Allende's language and writing style.  She writes long languid sentences that turn into very long paragraphs.  The sentences draw you into the drama and emotion of the family's story.  She writes with a real earthiness or lust for life.  The women in the novel carry most of the story and most of the readers sympathy.  Clara, is the dominant force in her family, despite the fact that her husband Esteban is ferocious in his appetites and lust for power.  Clara has clairvoyant and telekinetic powers.  She opens the doors of their luxurious home to a host of spiritual, artistic and free thinking types.  Her many charitable works and causes form a legacy that her daughter and granddaughter continue.  The novel does seem a bit long at times, but while encompassing so many lives, it remains perfectly coherent.  All of the characters are distinctive and are developed believably.  The ending is dramatic, very moving, and for me, more than made up for, what felt like at times, too many pages.  I will continue to work my way through as many  Allende novels as I can.  She is an imaginative storyteller whose writing is beautiful and passionate.

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Isabel Allende's House of the spirits trilogy, narrative geographies

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The House of the Spirits: Shmoop Literature Guide