The mural
Don’t miss the public dedication of the Lake Chapala Society Children’s Art Program mural on Saturday, March 3, noon, on the back patio of LCS. Dignitaries have been invited and mariachi music will make it a real celebration.
The mural has been designed and executed by local artists Javier Zaragoza and Jesus Lopez Vega.
Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome. Entrance is free.
Paintings
An exhibit of paintings from the private collection of Dr. Jose Ainza opens Friday, March 2, 7 p.m. at the Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center in Chapala. Included in “Petalos y Espinas” (Petals and Thorns) are works by distinguished Jalisco painters Jose Fors, Lucia Maya, Alejandro Colunga, Miguel Garcia Rulfo, Carlos Larracilla and others.
ASA
Fresh off of the great success of their Open Studio Tour last week, members of the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) will meet Monday, March 5, 10 a.m. at La Bodega Restaurant (Calle 16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic). The speaker this month will be artist Javier Zaragoza, who will demonstrate mixing color, the use of color value and perspective.
ASA is a large group of local artists and artisans who gather regularly to exchange ideas and promote art in the Lakeside area. Get to the meeting at 9:30 a.m. for coffee. All are welcome.
Sensual
VIVA la Musica! presents a Latin Dance Show featuring Danza con Clase on Thursday, March 8, 6 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago.
The program, directed by Fernando Serna, includes a panorama of dance with dramatic interpretations of cumbia, salsa and tango and a voyage around the world illustrating the roots of Mexican danzon (Cuban dances, Spanish and Flamenco, English country dances and French minuet influences). The show will be hot, hot, hot.
Tickets are 250 pesos for VIVA members and 300 pesos for non-members. They are on sale now at the Lake Chapala Society Tickets, Etc. booth on weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon and at Diane Pearl’s Colecciones and the Auditorium.
Photos
Karen Spencer opens an exhibition of her original photos of the Lake Chapala area at Lori Truly’s new Art & Soul Creative Arts Studio (Colon 16, Ajijic) on Saturday, March 10, noon to 7 p.m.
Spencer, who is spending her third winter in Ajijic, worked as a graphic designer and art director for advertising agencies in New York City, New Orleans and Fairfield Country, Connecticut. Since turning to photography she has been captivated by the color and textures of central Mexico. For more information call the gallery at 766-1597.
Hebrew
Violist Madalina Nicolescu and pianist Timothy G. Ruff Welch present a concert entitled “Hebrew Melodies: A Musical Journey Through the World” at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Saturday, March 10, 4 p.m.
Storytellers
Authors or well-known narrators will read stories on a range of subjects at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) on Tuesday, March 13, 4-6 p.m.
Of particular note, David J. Bolick will read one of Jim Collums’ funniest tales, “Adventures of JJ & Flim Flam.”
These popular monthly programs raise money for the Jim Collums Education Fund through contributions from the audience. Storytellers organizers say that they are delighted by the writers and narrators who share their time and talents, as well as the generosity of the audience. The proceeds are distributed in Collums’ name by the LCS Aid to Education.
All are welcome. There is no admission fee and the cash bar opens at 3:30 p.m.
Los Cantantes
Los Cantantes del Lago is in rehearsals for what is shaping up to be an exceptional 10th Anniversary Spring Concert.
Proceeds from “Prisms” will help to pay the way for the young Mexican members of Los Cantantes on the choir’s July trip to the Kathaumixw Choral Festival in Powell River, British Columbia. These young musicians will have the opportunity to interact with people from around the world and to compete as solo artists in the competition.
Look for tickets to go on sale soon.
Raffle
Los Cantantes del Lago Raffle for the Arts to benefit the Pro-Auditorio project now has more than 30 prizes with more coming in.
Tickets cost 200 pesos and all prizes have an equivalent value of more than 400 pesos – many are worth between 2,000 and 3,000 pesos.
Tickets are on sale at Diane Pearl’s Colecciones. Prizes include theater tickets to My, My, How Nice! Productions, Lakeside Little Theatre, MAS Musica concerts, art pieces, a homemade quilt, private entertainment for your parties, and much, much more. The drawing will be held Wednesday, March 28, directly after the Los Cantantes Spring Concert.
CASA
The January meeting of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) was lots of fun with the categories of competition being Cajun/Creole Main Dish and Valentine Desserts. The featured speaker was Ruth Baker, who discussed the history and different varieties of chocolate. Judges for the competition were Barbara Passarello, Tina Jones and Karen Lee, all with excellent background in Cajun/Creole cooking and baking.
Annie Green took the first place in Category A for her crab, sausage, shrimp and chicken with coconut milk. Second place went to Pat Carroll for his P.J.’s jambalaya and Howard Feldstein took the third place for his shrimp and Andouille cheesecake with Creole mustard and tomato coulis.
The winners in Category B were Ginger Perkins in first place for her nemesis au chocolat, Alex Gordon in second place for her bombe au trois chocolat and Mary Ann Waite took the third place for her cark chocolate cranberry torte.
Anyone interested in joining CASA should contact President Pat Carroll at 766-3144 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also visit the CASA website at www.ajijiccasa.org.
After the Tour
Ken Gosh opens up his El Gallo Gallery (Guadalupe Victoria 30, Ajjijc) for an “After the Open Studio Tour Sale” from March 3 to 7, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Look for art by Varn, Ken Gosh, Dan Williams and Kathy Fallon – all priced to sell. For more information call 766-4171.