The Nutcracker
Instituto Loyola de Chapala will again present its abbreviated version of the Nutcracker ballet on Friday, December 16, with two performances at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago in La Floresta at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
This annual tradition has become a much anticipated event of Lakeside’s Christmas season. School director Wayne Palfrey is the designer of the production and teachers are the choreographers of the various colorful scenes.
More than 200 students will participate in the 45-minute production. Tickets with assigned seating are available at the door for 50 pesos.
As Loyola families receive complimentary tickets, you are advised to arrive a little early for performances that are traditionally sold out. Seeing all those kids happily moving to the beautiful music is sure to put a holiday feeling in your soul.
Puss in Boots
Steve Cross (top) and Fernando Gomez, owners of the Casa Flores B&B, treated 88 kids and teachers from the Lakeside School for the Deaf and Children with Special Needs to a movie, popcorn and a coke on December 13. From the giggles and the excitement, it was clear that the kids loved “Puss in Boots.” For several of them, it was their first time in a movie theater. Cross and Gomez are regular contributors to child-oriented organizations at Lakeside. They are currently collecting toys, scarves, socks and other gifts for kids from three to 12 years old. Donations can be dropped off at the B&B located on Zaragoza between Juarez and Aquiles Serdan.
Claudia Nery
The spectacular show of paintings by Guadalajara-born artist Claudia Nery is still mounted at Sol Mexicano Gallery (Colon 13, Ajijic).
Formally trained as an architect, Nery has exhibited her work in Mexico, the United States and Europe. Her themes reflect her life and thoughts, sometimes portrayed in mysterious faces camouflaged under moons or suns in an allegory of femininity charged with spirituality.
Sol Mexicano is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The telephone number is (376) 766-0734.
VIVA membersThe VIVA la Musica! membership party will be held Sunday, December 18, 4-6 p.m. at the home of Tony and Roseann Wilshere.
Friends and non-members are welcome for an entry fee of 200 pesos. Champagne and hors d’ouerves will be served and entertainment will be courtesy of the CREM senior orchestra. VIVA offers a four-concert season in 2012. The concerts are scheduled for March, September, October and November, along with bus trips to the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra and the “Live from the Met” opera simulcasts in Guadalajara, as well as concerts in other cities.
Malt Shoppe
“Malt Shoppe Memories,” a new production by My, My, How Nice! Productions, plays for six performances on consecutive Thursdays and Fridays in the first two weeks of January.
The show features songs from the Beach Boys, ABBA, The Platters, Buddy Holly, Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis and many more (30 songs in all).
Two couples from Canada who form “The Satiniques” have been doing the show for several years on their home turf to sold-out houses.
Dates are Thursday and Friday, January 5 and 6, 7:30 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday, January 12 and 13, 7:30 p.m. Matinees will be held on January 6 and 13 at 3 p.m.
The venue is Plaza Riberas (formerly Sol y Luna) at Rio Bravo 10 in west Ajijic.
Tickets are 200 pesos and are on sale at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s Boutique or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The bar and an art show will open one hour before the performance.
Show tickets are a great holiday gift.
Art on the plaza
The Ajijic Society of the Arts will be out in force December 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Ajijic Plaza. Expect to see all kinds of arts and crafts, including painting in every medium, photography, jewelry design, pottery, fabric art and more. Featured artists will be Barbara Passarello, Dorothy Munson, Frank Howell, Luz Preciado, Suzy Wright, Janey Marquez, Julie Hensely, Marion Leith, Jaime Barbiery, Sascha Frowine, Gwynne Lott, Veronik, Socorro Salazar, Gary Westmorland, John McWilliams, Kate Schomp, Bobbie Rush, Ken Gosh, Diane Roux, Anita Lee, Deb Fry and Benjamine. It’s a great chance to find the perfect gift for a friend or yourself.
Tango
Dancers Juan Rosa and Anita, both well-known to Lakeside audiences, will bring some special cheer to Ajijic with their new “Go Tango” show on Tuesday, December 20, 6 p.m. at the Exotica Club behind the El Jardin Plaza restaurant.
Tickets are priced at 150 pesos if purchased in advanced or 200 pesos at the door. They are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones, El Jardin Restaurant or by calling Joyce Lawrence at 766-1804. For those interested in kicking up their heels, there will be dancing to Latin rhythms after the show.
Posthumous
A display of 130 paintings by the late Virginia Harris will be up for sale at the Tarahumara Christmas Party, scheduled Sunday, December 18, 4 p.m. at Ocampo 98-2 at Seis Esquinas in Ajijic. All monies raised from the entry fee of 100 pesos (includes snacks and drinks) and the sale of paintings will go to the Tarahumara Project to help buy food for the indigenous people of Copper Canyon. Questions? Call 766-1167.