Songs for benefit
Enjoy the recital “Object of Desire, a Musical Odyssey” on Sunday, May 20, 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar.
This fund-raising event is to help the Mexican choristers of Los Cantantes del Lago participate in the summer tour to British Columbia.
The recital will feature baritone Eduardo Munoz Zuniga and pianist Tim Welch. Tickets are 180 pesos and are on sale at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s Boutique. Purchase them by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ajijic artists
The Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) meets Monday, May 7, 10 a.m. at La Bodega Restaurant. The coffee is on at 9:30 a.m. Get there early and schmooze with your artist buddies or make new friends with this gathering of local artists.
ASA meets each month to exchange ideas and promote art in the Lakeside area. All are welcome.
Art bargains
Artist Ken Gosh opens his El Gallo Gallery (Victoria Guadalupe 30, Ajijic) for a “last chance” sale of his and his students’ paintings. Many works are priced at half off the original cost. A portion of all sales will benefit Anita’s Animals and the Spay and Neuter Center.
The sale runs from Saturday, April 28 to Tuesday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (376) 766-4171 for information.
Jewelry benefit
Jewelry artist Joyce Simmons held her fourth annual show and sale at her home studio in Ajijic on April 12. She donated half of her proceeds from the sale to the Love in Action Children’s Center in Chapala.
Simmons also serves as a guest jewelry artist at ArtZ Gallery in Amery, Wisconsin. She creates unique custom jewelry using raku, semi-precious stones, pearls, Swarovski crystals, Venetian and dichroic glass, turquoise and other components that she gathers from around the world.
After visiting Love in Action five years ago, Simmons decided that a one-woman show could raise money, as well as publicity, for the shelter. She thanks her clients for their generous purchases and her assistants who have helped her over the years. Look for Simmons’ sale in 2013.
Home cooking
Well, cooking about our Mexican home, anyway.
Manuel España Ramos, founder and chief chef of Ajijic’s Manix Restaurant (Ocampo 57), is launching a series of hands-on cooking workshops focusing on local cuisine and ingredients. He’ll teach in English or Spanish and at times agreed upon by interested parties.
Reserve your spot by calling España at 766-0061, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by stopping at the restaurant.
Full house
It was standing room only at the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) annual “Applause” party on April 21.
The party hosted anyone and everyone who had volunteered time and talent in any capacity – on stage, back stage, under the stage, in the office, box office, make-up rooms – during the theater’s 47th season.
Folks dressed up as their favorite characters and the food and liquid refreshment flowed. They had lots of fun remembering their triumphs and glitches from the six productions in the 2011-2012 season.
Those productions were: “The Kitchen Witches,” “No Clue? The Stage Play,” “Greetings,” “How the Other Half Loves,” “A Taste of Broadway” and “Sex Please, We’re Sixty.”
Congratulations to all on another successful season at LLT. For more information about the theater and about how you can become involved, go to www.lakesidelittletheatre.com.
Painting exhibit
The Lake Chapala Painting Guild had a successful opening on April 21 at Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala. The 12 painters displayed their best works and the collective show was remarkable in its variety of styles and media.
Do stop by the center (old Chapala train station) Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Book launch
Ilsa Picazo has published her long-awaited book (in Spanish), “Mujeres de Trece Lunas” (Women of the 13 Moons). The official release and book signing is set for Saturday, April 28, 6 p.m. at Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo (old train station) in Chapala.
The book, actually in two volumes, is about how mature women (those over 40) can live full lives.