The beach
Ken Gosh opens his El Gallo Gallery (Guadalupe Victoria 30, Ajijic) on Saturday and Sunday, February 11 and 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an exhibit of paintings created by his students during a recent workshop in Melaque.
Works by Deborah Chaps, Cindy Thompson, Varn, Deena Hafker, Kathy Fallon, Margaret Dixon, and Janis and Dennis Meloche will be on display. Come and enjoy these spectacular works and munch away on your favorite refreshments.
Authors
Local artist Maya Van Ouwerkerk has organized a sale for Lakeside authors at her home at Ramon Corona 15 in Ajijic (across the street from the side entrance to the Lake Chapala Society) on Sunday, February 12, between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Authors present will include David Bryen, Robert Drynan, Margaret Van Every, Bill Frayer, Mel Goldberg and James Tipton. Van Ouwerkerk’s own hand-crafted and unique art will also be available for sale. This is a perfect occasion to pick up a book for your sweetheart (or yourself) and to have it signed and inscribed.
New album
The Tall Boys Band will hold a release party for their new album, “On Your Own,” on Sunday, February 12, 6 p.m. at the old Banana’s Club next to Absolut Fenix in San Antonio Tlayacapan. They will perform numbers from the album and will be carrying on in their particular style all evening long. The cover is 50 pesos. Show up for drinks, food, fun and frolic.
Collective
Five artists, Victor Alcazar, Jaime Barbiery, Cecilia Sanchez, Berennu Hernandez and Cecelia Rodriguez will open an exhibition of their varied forms of art on Saturday, February 18, 4 p.m. at the Ajijic Cultural Center. There will also be a presentation of the book “Unknown Aspects of Benito Juarez by Carlos Sanchez and moderated by Abel Ramirez Trevino. A dance performance by choreographer Veronica Acevedo will follow the book presentation. Botanas and light refreshments will be served.
Storytelling
The Storytellers groups tackles the theme of “Love and Lust” in a tribute to Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 14, 4-6 p.m. at the Sala of the Lake Chapala Society.
Lakeside writers and performers will present original works that will entertain lovers (and strangers) of all ages.
Storytellers events raise money for the Jim Collums Education Fund that provides money to help local kids stay in school. Contributions of any amount are welcome. Show up and have a loving time. The cash bar opens at 3:30 p.m.
Afghanistan
Galeria Quattro (Colon 9, Ajijic) opens an exhibit of 50 black-and-white photographs by Terry Pitzner on Saturday, February 18, 4-7 p.m.
The images were taken during Pitzner’s seven years in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he served as head of the United Nations’ office for repatriation, which provided durable solutions for refugees and Afghan communities.
The photos of a war-ravaged nation offer a unique historical record and a compelling glimpse into Afghan culture. The portraits of young and old show a people living daily on the edge of hope and despair.
The exhibit will be up at Galeria Quattro for a month.
Bus trips
VIVA la Musica! is running Saturday buses to operas being simulcast from the New York Metropolitan Opera to the Teatro Diana.
Up next is Wagner’s “Twilight of the Gods” on February 11 (Note: the bus departs at 9:30 a.m.). Coming up is Verdi’s “Ernani” on February 26, Massanet’s “Manon” on April 21 and Verdi’s “La Traviata” on April 28. Tickets cost 300 pesos for VIVA members and 400 pesos for non-members. Payment must be made two weeks before each opera because VIVA must purchase the tickets in advance. Contact Marshall Krantz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
A Latin beat
VIVA la Musica! presents a Latin dance spectacular on Thursday, March 8, 6 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago.
Fernando Serna, dancer and choreographer, returns with Danza con Clase and the Ballet Neo Clasico from Guadalajara to perform an anthology of danzon, tango, salsa, cumbia and son. Tickets will be available from February 20 at the Lake Chapala Society, Diane Pearl’s Colecciones, Charter Club Tours and the Auditorium. They cost 250 pesos for VIVA members and 350 pesos for non-members.
Elvis lives!
Bringing back the King of Rock, at his best Las Vegas style, will be Ricardo Razo with all your favorite Elvis tunes, Saturday, February 18, 7 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago in La Floresta. Tickets are 200 pesos and on sale now at the Auditorium.
Luis Enrique
Folks interested in helping 19-year-old artist Luis Enrique pay for his studies at the University of Guadalajara might like to help by purchasing his work. You’ll find him at the Mexican National Chili Cookoff on February 10, 11 and 12, sharing a vendor’s booth with John McWilliams. Stop and say hello. He’ll be thrilled.
FDR
The January 29 celebration of the 130th birthday of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Democrats Abroad was a big success. Among those in the appreciative audience was the chairperson of the Puerto Vallarta chapter. She asked that the original play performed at the event by local writer Ed Tasca, “FDR: The Man who Gave America its Future,” be reprised for the upcoming Democrats Abroad International Conference in Puerto Vallarta in May.
Tasca is lengthening the play and is looking for a few people to replace cast members who won’t be able to travel to PV. Those interested should contact Lois Schroff at 766-5606 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..