55th Birthday (March 18th 2020)

My 55th birthday was planned to be celebrated at Duende, the restaurant I co-owned in Oakland. But just days before March 18th, 2020, Covid shut down travel and gatherings across the world. The theme would have been "Metal" — strong, enduring, and resilient. In the end, that resilience was tested in ways none of us could have imagined. Duende closed its doors June 30th, 2024 after more than 11 years of operation.

60th and final gathering - Guadalajara, Tequila and Lake Chapala Mexico

For my 60th birthday, I gathered 110 friends and loved ones from all over the world in the beautiful state of Jalisco, Mexico, for a celebration that spanned an entire week. The festivities kicked off on Friday night with a welcome dinner at La Tequila in Guadalajara, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable journey. Saturday was spent exploring the colorful streets and shops of Tlaquepaque before all 110 guests came together for the main event — a spectacular rooftop dinner at Bruna, a night I will carry with me forever. On Sunday, we ventured out to the Tequila Valley for a day at the Fregon distillery — no small feat to arrange on a Sunday. Monday brought the celebration to the shores of Lake Chapala, where guests enjoyed an afternoon tequila tasting at Universo Tequila followed by dinner and dancing at La Fiesta. Tuesday was a free day to rest and explore before the grand finale — an evening at the private yacht club Nimue, with all guests seated outside under the stars as the incredible Edwin Origel serenaded the celebration to a close.

A huge thank you to Gabriella Canedo, who spent over six months helping me plan the entire week of festivities — from transportation and access to a tequila distillery on a Sunday, to securing lodging for my guests at two private clubs, Nimue and La Reserva. And to every one of the 110 people who traveled from across the globe to share this milestone with me — thank you. Your presence was the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. The theme was "Water," flowing through every moment, connecting us all, and reminding me that the best of life is shared.