Entertainment Spotlight - Diego Guerrero

Casita & Garden has entertainment nightly and this month we are highlighting Diego Guerrero, an amazing Mexican musician and singer and someone we’re proud to have as a performer at Casita & Garden.

Born in Guadalajara into a musically gifted family, Diego started singing at age 6. His Dad, a singer, and guitarist, had his own band that included Diego’s godfather who played bass. Interested in performing, Diego sang with his dad’s band and turned “professional” at age 15 singing with other bands and performing at events.

Diego decided to study classical music at university but the urge to perform was strong. While at university, he accepted a job as a singer with Rio Resorts and decided to move to Puerto Vallarta. Eleven years later he still loves living in Puerto Vallarta. Today, Diego sings, writes music, lyrics, and poetry, and plays the piano and guitar, performing at venues across Puerto Vallarta.

What was it like when you first moved to Puerto Vallarta?

It was great to be performing again and I loved living in Puerto Vallarta. I was singing mainly 80’s and 90’s pop music and I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do long term, but it felt good to be performing again. Music is my passion and working at the resort, performing started to feel more like a job.

What did you do next?

After my contract with Rio was over, I supported myself by giving music lessons and didn’t perform professionally for over a year. But then a friend introduced me to Rafa Martinez (one of the partners of Casita & Garden), who was in a rock/metal band. I auditioned and soon was performing with the band. It was great to be performing again and it was in a new music genre for me (rock/metal) so it was fun and interesting.

I heard you had a Cirque du Soleil experience, can you talk about that?

I was with Rafa’s band for over a year but then had the opportunity to audition for a workshop sponsored by Cirque du Soleil. I was accepted to be in the workshop in Mexico City, along with about 40 other people from 10-12 different countries from the Americas. It was my first time in Mexico City and the experience was great. It made me want to travel and further explore Latin American music. I ended up in Colombia looking for projects and performing on the streets.

But eventually, you came back to Puerto Vallarta?

Yes. While I was in Colombia, Rafa and Francie opened Bonito Kitchen in Versalles. Not knowing what I really wanted to do next, I started working as a bartender, waiter, anything they needed.

And how did you get back to music?

In 2017 I auditioned for Avenue Q at Act II and won the part. Diana Villamonte saw me perform and asked me to perform as a backup singer for her. Next Mama Tits also asked me to perform for her as her backup. I loved performing with both of them and I was excited to be in music again. And I was always thinking about creating my own music, my own show.

What was your first big show on your own?

I started doing online shows with Derek Carkner, who is a great collaborator, for Incanto which eventually led to a show that I’m really proud of, my Nina Simone show, “Good Night, Miss Nina.” The audience reaction to the show was positive and I loved performing the music.

And now you’re performing weekly at Casita & Garden. What’s it like performing there?
Casita & Garden is very special to me. Momo and I got married at Casita & Garden. Francie and Rafa have been incredibly supportive of me, both as an artist and as a friend. I love performing there because I get the freedom to try new things and the audiences are extremely generous in their support of music and artists. People love the setting at Casita and Garden, and it’s a great venue to entertain people. There’s a level of intimacy between the audience and the artist that feels great!

What’s next for Diego?

I’m going to continue writing my music, songs, and poetry. I want to put together another show but with my own music. Puerto Vallarta is one of the kindest cities I’ve visited and it has such a strong artist community. We all support and collaborate and it’s a great place to be creative, so I’m confident, I’ll put together a show of my music.

But first...I’m competing in the Karaoke World Championship. If I win in Vallarta, I will go to the national competition in Veracruz. And then if I win Nationals, I’ll go to the world championships in Finland. It’s a great opportunity and I’m excited about it. I would love to travel to Finland.

Thanks, Diego for spending time with us. Best of luck at the Karaoke World Championships.
You're welcome! And don’t forget, if you’re in town on May 3, I’m having a birthday bash at Casita & Garden at 7:30. In addition to great music, food, and drinks, friends like Gina Ramirez, Mama Tits, Gloria Fiona, Alison Lo, Tonny Kenneth, Kevin Anthony and Yoalli Guerrero will be joining for the celebration. It’s going to be an amazing night!!!