Cultural center
The Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center (old train station) in Chapala is hosting the Orquesta Tipica de Autlan with 40 kids and adults playing typical Mexican instruments such as marimbas, harps, percussion, brass and strings. The concert is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17, 7 p.m. Admission is free.
A Latino ensemble made up of folks from the Lakeside area will interpret various genres of Latin music on Friday, July 27, 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and admission is free.
Dogs
Club Canofilo de Zapopan is sponsoring a “breeded” dog show and competition on Friday, July 20; Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22 at Hotel Montecarlo in Chapala.
For fans of the famous Westminster Dog Show in the United States, this will be just for you.
Judges will be from the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico. Call 01-33-3344-2271 for more information.
Naked stage
The Naked Stage Readers’ Theatre presents “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me,” written by Frank McGuinness and directed by Collette Clavadetscher, on July 27, 28 and 29, 4 p.m.
The play (not for kids) focuses on the trails and tribulations of three men, Edward, Michael and Adam, who are kidnapped and held hostage by unseen Arabs in Lebanon. As victims of political action, powerless to initiate change, what can they do? As the three men strive for survival they also strive to overcome their personal differences. The audience is made witness and accomplice to a humor based on something apparently ghastly – the loss of rationality. The cast includes Mark Bennett, John Ward, Michael Warren. Dick Yanko is the narrator.
The Naked Stage is located at Rio Bravo 10A in west Ajijic, behind the San Pedro Restaurant. The donation is 80 pesos. Reservations are recommended. Call 766-5986 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Coming up for Naked Stage is “Picasso at the Lapin Café” on August 24, 25 and 26 and “A Thousand Clowns” on September 28, 29 and 30.
Contemporary
Artist Antonio Lopez Vega will lead a workshop in contemporary painting at the Ajijic Cultural Center starting on Monday, July 23. The workshop will deal with abstract painting using pre-Hispanic symbolism of Mexico. Participants will receive intense instruction in abstract painting techniques over a two-week period, learning composition, direction, color, textures and more. Material instruction will include working with acrylics, oils and asphalt.
The workshop will be held every Monday and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is 700 pesos per person, not including materials. A small fee will be charged at the first class to cover the cost of texturing materials. Take your own canvas, brushes and the art supplies with which you feel the most comfortable.
To sign up, contact Lopez Vega at cel. (045)331-116-1962.
Special recital
Lyric tenor Francisco Bedoy, who is receiving support from VIVA la Musica! to help him study at the University of Kentucky, will give a special recital for VIVA members on Thursday, August 9, 6 p.m. in the Capilla del Rosario on the plaza in Ajijic.
Donations will be accepted at the door. The program will include operatic arias and popular pieces.
Those who are not members but wish to join VIVA should contact President Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801 or Membership Chairperson Ann Barry at 766-2942.
VIVA auditions
Scholarship auditions will be held on Monday, August 20, 1:30 p.m. at the home of John and Rosemary Keeling.
Contact Rosemary at 766-1801 if you would like to attend. So far seven new students have applied and more may do so. They are competing for limited funds.
In the fall
Thursday, October 11, the great Russian baritone Anton Belov will present a concert that includes Schumann’s “Liederkreis,” and Italian, French and Russian operatic and choral works at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church at the new time of 7 p.m.
The Jalisco State Choir will be unable to perform for VIVA in September, as planned.
Volunteers
VIVA is again asking for help in filling a board and volunteers position. They are in need of a volunteer to take care of the hospitality function at events and a graphics designer. If you or someone you know is interested in either of these positions, call Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801.