Storytellers
The Storytellers group is looking for new submissions of short fiction by Lakeside writers. The group is about to begin a new season of monthly readings by the authors themselves or experienced readers, that will take place at the Lake Chapala Society. Stories can be as short as 500 words. The theme for September is “Survival.” Future themes being considered are “Things That Go Bump in the Night,” “Turn It On” and “Mexican Christmas.”
Storytellers events benefit the Jim Collums Education fund. All funds raised by donations go toward helping Mexican children stay in school.
Submit stories to Larry Reeves at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Quince festival
The nearby town of Atotoniquillo is all geared up for the annual Membrillo Festival to be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12 beginning about 10 a.m. each day. There will be lots of music, Tequila stands, a quince queen, tons of products made from quince (including a dynamite punch), good food and lots of fun. Admission is free.
To get there, take the Santa Rosa turn off from the Guadalajara-Chapala highway and follow the signs. It’s about a 20 minute drive from the turn off. If you have questions call Maggie Osborne at (cel.) 331-047-8260.
Auditions
Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) is holding auditions on Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to noon at the theater. The play is “I’ll Be Home Before Midnight” by Peter Colley and will be directed by Roseann Wilshere.
The story is about geologist Greg Sanderson and his wife Jan, who is just recovering from a nervous breakdown. They rent an old farmhouse from a local farmer, who lends the comic relief in this suspenseful thriller. Everything seems to go wrong (including murder) when the geologist’s sister, Laura Sanderson, shows up.
Wilshere will be looking for two men and two women. Rehearsals begin on September 1 and will run from Monday through Friday. Performance dates are November 2 to November 11. Prospective auditioners may contact Wilshere at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for scripts in advance of the auditions.
People auditioning for roles at Lakeside Little Theatre must be members of LLT. Memberships will be on sale at the auditions.
Big sale
Popular jewelry designer and local businessman Jose Melendrez is running a huge sale on nearly everything in his Addiction shop on the Ajijic Plaza on Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All of his jewelry, special pickles, jams and jellies, organic soaps and such will be sold at nearly 50 percent off of their usual retail value. The sale is to pay for his grandfather’s hospital bill incurred when he was treated for burns he got during a recent house (Jose’s) fire in Guadalajara. The sale is an opportunity for great bargains and to help Melendrez, who is always quick to help others.
In rehearsals
The upcoming musical comedy, “The Fantasticks,” being produced by My, My, How Nice Productions, now has a cast. They are Marie Claire Figadere as “Luisa,” Eduardo Munoz Zuniga as “El Gallo,” Christian Garcia Duran as “Matt” John Ward as “Belamy,” Fred Koesling as “Huckabee,” Roger Larson as “Henry” and Valerie Jones as “The Mute.” Roger Larson is also directing and the music director is Timothy G. Ruff Welch. Look for the show on the boards in the fall.
Los Cantantes
Twenty-seven members of Los Cantantes, Lakeside’s own professionally directed choir, participated in an international choir competition in Powell River, British Columbia last month. Everyone had a great time, billeted with local families who really rolled out the hospitality. They gave four concerts in Powell River, participated in daily mass choir rehearsals, participated in the closing ceremonies, took a four-day tour of Vancouver Island and presented concerts in Parksville, Duncan, Gabriola Island, and Victoria.
They are home now and will soon be planning their always active local concert schedule.
Schubert, Ives, Strauss
Famed mezzo-soprano Kimball Wheeler will sing at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church accompanied by the distinguished Spanish pianist Javier Vasquez Grela. The program of Schubert, Charles E. Ives and Richard Strauss work is set for 4 p.m., Sunday, August 12. Admission is free.