Ajijic arts festival
Be sure to make time in your schedules to visit the second annual Festival Cultural Sangre Viva, a three-day program of art and performances derived from Mexico’s indigenous roots.
More than 100 arts and crafts vendors will present their wares on Ajijic’s malecon from Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. The music will run the gamut from the pre-Hispanic to ska and reggae-fusion. You’re bound to find something interesting.
Drawing contest
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente or PROFEPA) is holding its seventh consecutive National Art Contest for children and teenagers. The art must reflect the plight of the environment and is divided into two categories: drawing for kids aged six to 10 years old and posters by young people aged from 11 to 15.
Contest winners on the state level will receive 2,000 pesos and on the national level, the first-place winner will receive 10,000 pesos and second place 5,000 pesos.
All work must be submitted by Tuesday, April 3. See the website www.profepa.gob.mx for more details.
Artists meet
The Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) meets Monday, April 2, 10 a.m. at La Bodega Restaurant (16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic). Coffee is on at 9:30 a.m. Come early and meet friends. The speaker for the meeting will be a local artist. All are welcome.
Plaza restoration
Everyone is invited to help the Ajijic plaza remodeling project. Those donating 5,000 pesos or more will have their – or their organization’s – name inscribed on a plaque installed in the plaza.
Local artist Federico Enciso Ramos won the competition for the plaza’s new design. Federal and state authorities awarded a grant of 1.6 million pesos to cover non-design materials only and the Chapala municipal government is supplying the tile layers.
However, costs for the additional expenses of artisan labor, special tools and other materials need to be covered by voluntary contributions from the Lakeside community. Donations of any size are most welcome.
The fund-raising committee is composed of Velia Ramos, Ricardo Mora and Francisco Angulo. To make a donation or for more information contact Ramos at (cel.) 331-313-8758. Donations may also be made at Bancomer Ajijic to account number 2909134743.
Exhibition
Galeria Sol Mexicano (Colon 13, Ajijic) opens its last major exhibition of the season on Saturday, April 14.
The show features six young artists from the Guadalajara area: Humberto Ramirez, Bernado Ramos, Daniel Rodriguez, Miguel Castellanos, Marita Terriquez and Odilia Mezquia. Each will display three to five pieces of work.
The reception will be from 2-6 p.m. and there will be the usual refreshments.
Galeria Sol Mexicano is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The telephone number is 766-0734.
Elections
Pat Carroll was elected for a fifth two-year term as president of the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) at the annual general meeting held on March 21.
As well as the hotly contested race for president between Carroll and challenger Barbara Clippinger, the race for secretary saw Peter Luciano defeat Mary Anne Molinari.
Other officers on the board of directors are: 1st Vice President Emma Bergh-Apton, 2nd Vice President Garry Peerless, Treasurer Kevin O’Byrne, Facility Manager Trish Conner, Production Manager Win McIntosh, Past President Georgette Richmond and Publicity Manager Phil Shepherd.
Next season
LLT has announced the plays for its 48th season, which opens in September.
They are: “Quartet” by Ronald Harwood, directed by Ann Swiston; “I’ll Be Back before Midnight” by Peter Colley, directed by Roseann Wilshere; “Best Wishes” by Bill Baker, directed by Peggy Lord Chilton, assisted by Kathleen Neal; “Too Soon for Daisies” by W. Dinner and W. Morom, directed by Sally Jo Bartlett; “The Drowsy Chaperone” by Martin, McKellar, Lambert and Morrisson, directed by Dave McIntosh and “Not Now Darling” by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, directed by Shirley Appelbaum. Season ticket sales will be held in the middle of September. You might be able to purchase them any time that the box office is open between now and then. Season tickets cost 1,000 pesos for the six shows. Such a deal!
New York Met
VIVA la Musica! still has a few seats available for the Saturday, April 21 opera bus trip to the Teatro Diana in Guadalajara to see Massenet’s “Manon” streamed live from the New York Met.
And there are still some seats available on a second bus going to Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Diana on Saturday, April 28.
Tickets are 300 pesos for VIVA members and 400 pesos for non-members, Payment must be right away. Email Marshall Krantz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to the LCS ticket booth.
VIVA is also taking a bus to the post-season Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) concert on Sunday, April 29. The musicians will be interpreting Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” overture, Rodrigo’s “Guitar Concerto de Aranjuez” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4.” Those wishing to go on this trip should contact Marshall Krantz.
VIVA help
VIVA la Musica! is looking for members who are willing to spend a couple of hours selling tickets at the Lake Chapala Society. If you’re interested, contact President Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801.