We created San Miguel LIVE! to promote the rich talents of our culture and entertainment industry, a hallmark of the magical city of San Miguel de Allende. Fittingly, the idea was born in music, as Media Luna performed at Paprika while my wife and I enjoyed an evening with friends. We realized visitors and newcomers often missed out on great performances because they were unaware of the wealth of choices and where to enjoy live performances. We felt a dedicated web-based digital platform with an easy-to-navigate listing of venues and performances would bring acts and audiences together.
After retiring to San Miguel, my wife Leslie and I were immediately welcomed by deeply generous friends and neighbors. I had no intention of starting another business. In ways great and small the warmth and willingness to help that I have encountered at every turn has made this new venture a pleasure. As a newcomer to San Miguel, I could not have built a network that connects the creative community without the combined talents, ideas and energies of so many performers, entrepreneurs and business owners. In a long career in the arts, entertainment and promotion, I have never produced anything else from such a spirit of joy. Creating San Miguel LIVE! is an act of collaboration, celebration and gratitude for a place I have embraced as home.
My collaborators and advisors include Camie Fenton of the San Miguel Walking & Shopping Guide, Lou Christine of the San Miguel VIP Club, local venues and entrepreneurs supporting the performing arts like Francine Llano Lory, owner of Paprika, and so many musicians and live entertainers. I am also proud of the fact that this new business reflects so much local talent, beyond the arts. Tania Paillot’s innovative and creative designs give our logo, brand and website a distinctive appeal. Camie Fenton, who I am pleased to say is my strategic alliance collaborator, has drawn on 14 years of business wisdom and deep connection to this community with her Guide, as well as an extensive advertising background, to provide invaluable guidance to San Miguel LIVE!  Others throughout the city embraced this venture enthusiastically.
I understand the business side of the arts because I enjoyed a diverse career as a national television producer and director of the performing arts for PBS, Showtime and CBS Cable. I also ran corporate communications companies in New York City serving Fortune 100 clients and served as an executive at Disney, where I co-created the Disney Institute for lifelong learning. My projects often involved strategy and implementation to weave the arts and education into programs that advanced both nonprofit and for-profit companies.
So, as I developed San Miguel LIVE!, I recognized what we needed to do but I also saw opportunities to do things in new and better ways. For example …Performers and venues directly update their information themselves. From a practical standpoint, this means listings are timely and accurate. However, it also gives performers an added measure of respect and ownership, honoring their voices.
San Miguel LIVE! charges no fees to performers, venues or users seeking live entertainment. Our work is entirely supported by sponsor and advertiser revenue, so please support our advertisers, as well as the performers and their venues.
The arts represent a special conversation. An energy is exchanged between performers and audiences. Similarly, I hope San Miguel LIVE! also grows through exchange and engagement.
The artistic expression all around us in San Miguel is a point of pride. It is a pleasure and an honor to support artists and introduce them to our extended family, friends and new fans.
