Caroling
Don’t kid yourselves. Christmas is fast approaching and the Lakeside Carolers have set December 16 as the date for making the rounds. Belva McIrvin de Velazquez and Kay Borkowski are putting it all together.
This is a “rag-tag” pick-up singing group that doesn’t rehearse – unless you count the warm-up carol or two in the Wal-Mart parking lot before traveling to the first home. There are no membership fees and a caroling schedule that allows participants to pick times to suit themselves.
Groups that do practice are welcome to join in or perform some of their own songs. Carolers sing at two homes in the morning and two in the afternoon, with a lunch break at someone’s home, a food court or a restaurant. Traditionally, the last caroling location is the Abbeyfield rest home, where carolers who choose to stay bring nibbles and drinks to join residents for their 5 p.m. “Happy Hour” on the veranda.
Contact Borkowski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you want to sing along … and in the meantime, spread the word.
Painting guild
The newly formed Lake Chapala Painting Guild is looking for more members. The group is focused on brush and palette wall art created with oil, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, encaustic or mixed media.
Their mission is to create juried show opportunities for members. The guild is open to all painters living in the Lake Chapala area (full or part time). The next two meetings will be Friday, November 18 and December 2, 2 p.m. at La Nueva Posada. Annual dues are 200 pesos. Paid members may enter their work in the December juried show at the Ajijic Cultural Center. For more information attend the meetings and/or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Maryann Linhart at 766-4084.
Double duty
Galeria Sol Mexicano is hosting an artists’ reception for two artists on Tuesday, November 15, 4-6 p.m. Judy Dykstra-Brown’s show, entitled “the Artist’s Tongue,” will feature her retablos and found object art. Master sculptor Robert Burns Wilson will exhibit his fine bronze sculptures and his high-temperature fired ceramic work. The artists will be present and there will be refreshments available. The gallery is located at Colon 13 in Ajijic.
Blas Galindo
The Music Appreciation Society (MAS) will present the Blas Galindo Orchestra in concert on Tuesday, November 15, 7:30 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago in La Floresta.
The first half of the program will feature Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Opus 21.” The second half will include “Rapture in the Harem, KV 384” by Mozart and “Concierto Andaluz for Four Guitars” by Joaquin Rodrigo.
Blas Galindo was one of Mexico ’s greatest composers. He was born in Jalisco at the beginning of the 20th century and is famous for creating a series of symphonic compositions based on the worlds of poet Pablo Neruda.
The Blas Galindo Orchestra was started in 2005 as the Chamber Orchestra of Zapopan under the direction of Guillermo Salvador. One of Galindo’s special Neruda-based compositions will be played as an encore.
Tickets are 300 pesos each and on sale at the Lake Chapala Society and Charter Club Tours. For more information call Kathleen Phelps at 766-0010.
VIVA bus
There are still a few seats on the bus to enjoy the Live from the Met opera “Satyagraha” on Saturday, November 19 at Teatro Diana in Guadalajara. Call Marshall Krantz for more information at 766-2834.
The VIVA bus trips to programs of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra will continue on Saturday, November 20, for Elgar’s “Cello Concerto” and Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 2.” The program on Sunday, November 27 will be Rasgado’s “Fanfare” and Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto.” Tickets are 250 pesos for VIVA members and 350 pesos for non-members. Again, contact Marshall Krantz at 766-2834.
VIVA la Musica’s Christmas Concert will be held on Thursday, December 1, 7:30 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago. The featured artist will be soprano Dolores Moreno, accompanied by the Northern Lights Youth Ensemble. Tickets are 250 pesos for VIVA members and 300 pesos for non-members.
Feria Maestros del Arte
For the first time in its ten-year history, Feria Maestros del Arte will feature local artists. These artists were all students in the Neill James Children’s Art Program. All have gone on to make their way as professional artists. The fair will run from Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20 at the Chapala Yacht Club. Among them will be (back L-R) Victor Romero, Antonio Cardenas, Daniel Palma, Javier Ramos, Bruno Mariscal, Jesus Lopez Vega, Juan Olivarez (fron row L-R) Antonio Lopez Vega, Javier Zaragoza, Lucia Padilla and Jose Abarca. Not pictured are Efren Gonzalez, Luis Enrique Martinez and Juan Navarro.
Bandstand
Brush off your bobby socks and your poodle skirts and head to La Bodega on Thursday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. for an all-out American Bandstand event. Hear all of your faves from the golden oldie days. Call 766-1002 for reservations.
Auditions
Promoters are on the prowl for character impersonators to lip sync songs sung by Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley. The program is a fund-raiser for La Ola Children’s Shelter scheduled for December 1, 2 and 3. The auditions will be held on Friday, November 18, 3 p.m. at the Backstage Theatre, El Jardin Restaurant on the Ajijic Plaza. For more information contact Tina Hite at 766-4546 or (cel.) 331-471-4039.
Los Cantantes
Los Cantantes’ 10th anniversary seasonal concert will be named “Christmas through the Years” and is set for Tuesday, December 13, 7 p.m. and Wednesday, December 14 at 4 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago. Director Timothy G. Ruff Welch has crafted this year’s concert, which will feature many old favorites and a few new pieces, including a somewhat risqué version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Tickets are 250 pesos each can be purchased from any Los Cantantes member or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They go on sale at the LCS Tickets, Etc. booth on December 1.
On the plaza
The Ajijic Society of the Arts will be out in force on the Ajijic Plaza on Sunday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured artists will be Julie Hensley, Flo Rhodes, Gwynne Lott, Barbara Philleo, Bonnie Sifferling, Bobby Lancaster, Veronik Van Ouwerkerk, Ken Gosh, Barbara Passarello, Janel Campbell, Socorro Salazar, Janey Marquez, Deb Fry and Mimi Gula.
The Ajijic Society of the Arts promotes sculpture, painting, jewelry design, fabric art and the broad panoply of artistic endeavors found at Lakeside. Don’t miss it.
Auction
Artist Efren Gonzalez will be wielding the hammer at an art auctionon Friday, November 18, 3:30 p.m. on the Ajijic Plaza. Nearly 40 works of art by local artists will be on the block. The proceeds are earmarked for the cancer treatment of Carlos Gonzalez’s wife Monica. Come along for the fun, the great art, the tequila and the snacks.