Soprano
Coloratura soprano Katia Iran can be heard in concert at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Sunday, October 21, 4 p.m., in an event staged by My, My, How Nice Productions.
A member of the Jalisco State Choir, the Guadalajara native is a popular soloist. Her voice has been termed “exquisite” and the concert features operatic arias that are sure to please.
Tickets cost 200 pesos and are on sale at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s Boutique, or just email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Book signing
Longtime Ajijic resident Gudrun Jones presents her book, “The Dream is over, the Nightmare Begins,” on Sunday, October 14, 2-6 p.m. at Paseo de Colina 27 in upper La Floresta.
The World War II drama is a fictionalized version of Jones’ mother’s life in Germany.
Paseo de Colina is the first street parallel and north of the Carretera. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Lakeside Spay and Neuter Center.
Painted stuff
An reception for featured artist Dana Douin will be held Saturday, September 29, 5-8 p.m. at Sol Mexicano Galeria Del Arte (Colon 13, Ajijic).
Originally from Augusta, Maine, Douin is a recent transplant to the Lakeside area. He has been a ceramics instructor for many years after attending the Las Vegas Interior Design Institute. One claim to fame is his facility for creating faux surfaces. This exhibition, however, will center on Douin’s elaborately and artistically stunning painted furnishings.
While you’re there, take the opportunity to view the “Go Figure” exhibition of nudes that has found a new home at this gallery.
Instruments needed
VIVA la Musica is on the lookout for no-longer used but loved and usable musical instruments that can be refurbished and passed on to young and aspiring Mexican musicians at Lakeside.
Whether it’s a violin in your closet, a guitar or a trumpet … please give it up to encourage musical appreciation and performance for kids. So many talented students want to play but have little or no access to instruments.
Contact VIVA President Rosemary Keeling at (376) 766-1801 or Mike Brown at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to donate.
ASA meets
The Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) meets Monday, October 1, 10 a.m. at La Bodega Restaurant (Calle 16 de Septiembre 124, Ajijic). After a short business meeting, Sascha Frowine and Barbara Passarello will present a program about the art of personal adornment, covering everything from hair and make-up to jewelry, clothing and decorating one’s space.
ASA is a gathering of local artists who exchange ideas and promote art in the Lakeside area. All are welcome. Coffee’s on from 9:30 a.m.
Art about Mexico
The Ajijic Society of the Arts opens a special exhibition, “Mexican Rhythms,” Saturday, October 6, 4-7 p.m. at the Ajijic Cultural Center located on the Ajijic Plaza.
The exhibit will showcase jewelry, photography, paintings in all media, sculpture and surprises. Show up and enjoy some of the best art at Lakeside, have a glass of wine and a snack. This exhibit will be in place until October 18.
Auditions
Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) holds auditions for its production of “Best Wishes ”on Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, 9:30 a.m. for registration.
Director Peggy Lord Chilton will be on the lookout for four women and two men who can play folks in the 40s to 60s age group and one man and one woman for 20- to 35-year-old roles.
The story by Bill Barker is about a typically dysfunctional family who have gathered to honor their recently deceased mother. We see only six of the 18 children in the family on stage, but like all large families there are conflicts and issues. The play is both dramatic and funny at the same time.
Performance dates are December 8 though December 16. LLT welcomes all those wishing to participate in open auditions.
Closet doors
Marcia Lavender’s new book, “Behind the Closet Doors,” explains the rules and balances for dressing and hair cut styling.
The book shows how 100 percent of the retiree’s closet stares at them every day, although they only wear about about 20 percent of the clothes. The book explains the personality connection with dressing and how to ease the clothing selection process.
The first run of the book will be on sale at the Women’s Health and Beauty Fair on Tuesday, October 16 at Hotel Real de Chapala. After models from the Gloriosa Salon show off clothing from various establishments around Lakeside, Lavender will sign copies of her book at a special reduced price just for the fair.
Congrats
Congratulations to local rockers Bryan James Band on their new video. They already have thousands of views on YouTube.
Check it out. Just type “Sone con un Angel” into YouTube’s search bar.
Bryan James Band’s new CD is out and will be in Mr. CD stores in Jalisco soon.
CASA
Featured at the September 17 meeting of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) were Mexican Main Dishes for Category A and Mexican Desserts for Category B. Speaker Ernest Ricco Kabande gave an interesting talk on the history of Mexican cooking and how it has been influenced through the centuries by many other cultures.
First place in Category A was awarded to Wayne Palfrey for his Chilis Anchos Stuffed with Pork Rinds. Second place went to Sally Myers for her Munchumanteles de Oaxaca and third place to Annie Green for her Camerones Diablo con Arroz.
Winners in Category B were Diane Pretti in First Place for her Capirotada. Tied in second place were Anita Caldwell for her Capirotada and Pam Ladd for her Tarta de Chocolate. Kenee Campo placed third for her Flan Blanco con Chabacano. The People’s Choice awards went to Maureen Martin for her Chicken Mole in Category A, and, again a tie between Anita Caldwell and Pam Ladd in Category B.
The judges were Lupita Moreno Rosales, Lupita Arrayga and Antonio Pinto.
Anyone interested in joining CASA should contact President Pat Carroll at 766-3144 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit the CASA website at www.ajijiccasa.org.