The annual Northern Lights Music Festival in Ajijic is in full swing, with a brace of concerts and other events spread over two weeks (February 16-March 1).
But for those readers comfortably ensconced in Guadalajara and unwilling to brave the Chapala carretera, two free satellite concerts are being held in Zapopan, both featuring esteemed classical performers from North America.
Friday, February 23, 8 p.m., a pair of violinists, accompanied by piano, will perform at the Pierre Faure School Theater (Tezozomoc 170, Colonia Cd. del Sol), repertoire TBA. On the violin are Grace Park and Brendan Speltz, both accomplished musicians. Park has shared stages with luminaries such as Yo-Yo Ma and Itzak Perlman, while Speltz has performed with, to name a few, the Mark Morris Dance Company and the American Ballet Theater. On piano is James Parker, who holds a PHD in music from the Julliard School of Music and is currently the chair of piano performance at the University of Toronto.
Parker is also a member of the Gryphon Trio, who perform Sunday, February 28, 8 p.m., at the Constitucion Auditorium (Manuel Dieguez 369, Colonia Constitucion). With almost a quarter-century together, this Canadian trio (composed of Parker, violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon and cellist Roman Borys) is no doubt a well-oiled machine. The repertoire will include music by Haydn, Clarke and Mendelssohn.
For more information, go to festivaldefebrero.com.