For the last few weekends, Lakesiders have had a chance to see acts not normally offered here. El Piano Rojo is bringing in acts from north- and south-of-the-border that are a bit beyond the normal entertainment fare.

The Scotiabank Northern Lights Music Festival, Lakeside’s iconic musical event, is entering its second decade with yet another outstanding program.

Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) went out on a limb to stage what was billed as a “drama with lighter moments” in Bill Barker’s “Best Wishes.” The play is just one step ahead of a vignette of glimpses into the interaction of the siblings of a large family, some of whom have returned to their Kansas roots for the funeral of their mother. Each of the characters comes with his or her own perspective of the truth of family life and baggage filled during what appears to have been a difficult and dusty Kansas upbringing. From the get-go it appears that few of the siblings enjoy the company of the others (some even refuse civil greetings) and now, the thread that held them together has gone to her reward.

The town of Mezcala de la Asunción hosted an ample program of special events running November 20 through 25 to mark the 200th anniversary of the outbreak of insurgency against Spanish rule in the Lake Chapala region.

Bill Barker, the author of “Best Wishes,” Lakeside Little Theatre’s third production of the 2012-2013 season, will be present for opening night on Saturday, December 8.

“The Fantasticks,” one of musical theater’s most beloved hits, is now on the boards at the Plaza de la Ribera (formerly Sol y Luna) theater, located at Rio Bravo 10 on the west end of Ajijic.  Five more shows are scheduled from November 24 through December 2.