VIVA Christmas
Guadalajara soprano Dolores Moreno will headline the Christmas Concert for VIVA la Musica! on Thursday, December 1 at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago.
Moreno is the director of the Lutheran Polyphonic choir and performs regularly with the Camarata Guadalajara. Her repertoire is wide ranging, from Gregorian chant to contemporary music, all interpreted in her bright, lyrical soprano voice.
She’ll be accompanied in the Christmas concert by the Northern Lights Youth Ensemble, formed last year by Christopher Wilshere to give his talented students performance experience. Three of the members of the ensemble are scholarship students of VIVA la Musica: cellist Areli Medeles of Ajijic, violist Willy Arellanos and violinist Diana Laguna.
Tickets to the concert are 250 pesos for VIVA members and 300 pesos for non-members. They are available at the Lake Chapala Society, daily from 10 a.m. to noon, Diane Pearl’s Colecciones, Charter Club Tours and the auditorium.
Gardens
It was all about “Celebrations” at the annual Lakeside Garden Guild’s floral design show held on November 11. A sold-out crowd admired 29 individual guild member displays in a dramatic Lakeside home. The displays ranged from a floral guillotine representing Bastille Day by Bonnie Newman to a 50th wedding anniversary centerpiece of delicate yellow roses and garden-hued chrysanthemums by Karen Lingo.
Walking away with the first prize was Kenee Campo’s baby shower tablescape, that had its own friendly stork decorated with 50 silk flowers and a baby crib with a cuddly bear. The choice of subject matter was an easy one for Campo because of the arrival of her first granddaughter.
The Celebrations committee included Leslie Martin, Barb Color, Maureen Downes, Joyce McNiven, Kari Higgins, Sharon Smith and Carol Ann Gougere. The original artwork for the show poster and program was painted by local artist and Guild member Celina Haramis.
The Lakeside Garden Guild participates in projects to benefit the local community, most recently to assist with eliminating graffiti. To see photos of this year’s floral designs see www.lakesidegardenguild.org.
Hot, hot, hot
Salsa Latina lessons are going on at the original Posada Ajijic and everyone is invited to hop in. Four salsa teachers (two men and two women) from Guadalajara’s hottest Latin dance club, the Salon Veracruz, come to Ajijic every Thursday at 4 p.m. for 90-minute lessons. The fee is just 50 pesos. You don’t have to be young, skinny, partnered or even a good dancer. It’s great therapy for what ails you (hard to be depressed when you’re shaking your booty). Check it out!
Author
Bill Sanders has completed his book “Crossing Borders (and other Boundaries): A Journey the Length of the Western Hemisphere.” The 278-page tome includes 85 maps and photos, and sells for 250 pesos at Diane Pearl’s Colecciones, The Bagel Shop, La Nueva Posada and American Legion Post Seven in Chapala.
Learn to paint
Learn to paint or continue your studies at the Salvador Ortiz Gallery in Plaza Bugambilias. Classes are taught in oil and acrylic paints. Nancy Gray is the instructor. She has painted and taught in Ajijic for several years and has 25 years experience, overall. Students work on individual projects in fun, supportive atmosphere. Beginners are welcome. For more information contact Gray at 766-3156.
Dancercise
Experience the joy of moving to music while improving your fitness with Jaime Barbiery’s cardio dance class that incorporates a variety of movement styles. The dance is designed to use up those calories and you’ll never be bored with the workout.
The one-hour classes are held on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon in front of the Ajijic Cultural Center under the trees on the main plaza. The music is anything from Britney Spears to Celia Cruz. It’ll help you tone muscles, increase balance and develop core strength.
Bring water and sports shoes and wear comfy clothes. The cost is 50 pesos per class. Just show up!