Dance festival in Ajijic
A celebration of dance will be held Friday, April 29, 7 p.m., at Ajijic’s Centro Cultural as part of an extended program put together in conjunction with International Dance Day.
Naked Stage
The Naked Stage Reader’s Theatre is presenting: “The Cocktail Hour” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Dick Yanko, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 29, 30, and May 1.
A winner of the Lucille Lortel Award as Best Off-Broadway Play and a long-run New York success, this witty, perceptive play blends mordant humor with moments of affecting poignancy.
“It makes for a deliciously funny and also occasionally touching evening, as Gurney’s family sit around raking over old coals and settling old scores with a quite new and beguiling freshness.” —NY Post.
The Naked Stage is located at Hidalgo (carretera) 261 across from the Catholic the mountain side. The Dog House Bar is being run by animal welfare groups and all profits from the bar go to the animals. Any ticket profits for the readings are donated to Cruz Roja.
LLT Playhouse series
The Lakeside Little Theatre offers two special HD screening presentations via its affiliation with London’s Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. April 30 and May 1 features The Royal Opera House’s presentation of Richard Eyre’s “La Traviatra,” with music by Giuseppe Verdi; and May 14 and 15, the National Theatre Live’s HD screening of “Everyman,” a new adaptation by Carol Ann Duffy with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role.
Show times are Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday: 3 p.m. Tickets, 200 pesos, are available at the LLT box office Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon or one hour before curtain. Seats can be reserved at time of purchase. The Angel Terrace Bar is open one hour before show time and during intermission.
San Cristobal crafts show
Women in the south shore village of San Cristóbal Zapotitlán are preparing for an exhibition of the hand-crafted figurines, artificial flowers, baskets and other attractive decorative ítems they make from dried corn husks and palm leaves, to be held Sunday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the town’s Centro Artesanal. The village is situated on Highway 15, about four kilometers east of San Pedro Tesistán. The craft center is located about two blocks south of the highway, just off Calle Zaragoza.
Ajijic Arts Society
Longtime Ajijic Society of The Arts member Gravy Graves presents Ajijic globo (tissue paper balloon) expert Lalo Palma as the speaker of the group’s monthly meeting Monday, May 2, 10 a.m. at La Bodega Restaurant.
Graves and Maestro Palma will spearhead the ASA venture to give members the opportunity to form teams of five to fund and launch the traditional individualized, hand-made balloons during the annual Regatta de Globos on Saturday, September 10. Palma will have photos of some of his various globo designs so that the ASA balloon crews can select their favorite design and color combination. Then, in July, the teams can sit back while his crew completes the difficult tissue paper work.
Palma, creates balloons in his auto mechanic shop at Cinco de Mayo 2 in Ajijic.
He has spent lifetime perfecting the delicate skill of gluing the balloons’ tissue paper layered seams. Kerosene soaked rags provide the fire power to heat the air that allows the balloons to take to the sky. Palma says that he has lifted up to 50 balloons each year, all without setting himself or a crew member on fire. .
What a great concept and innovative way for ASA members to break out of their boxes, promote ASA and the names of individual artists.
Music in Chapala
A series of musical happenings are on the May calendar at the Centro Cultural González Gallo, Chapala’s former railway station. Ensamble Azul will appear Thursday, May 5, 7 p.m., to play elections from the group’s latest album, including jazz, swing and huapango pieces, free entry. The Cuarteto de Cuerdas string quartet will perform a concert of Mexican tunes on Sunday, May 8, 4 p.m., admission 100 pesos. Pianist Rosa Navarro is on for a recital of classical compositions, featuring works by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, F. Schubert, Edvard Grieg, Claude Debussy and Manuel M. Ponce, free entry.
Musical Cruise
Children from the youth orchestra in San Juan Cosala have been invited to participate in a ten-day summer music camp in Huntsville, Alabama. Four children have applied to attend, but must raise their own funds.
The second and last fundraiser to send Jasibe, a member of the orchestra, and her chaperone to the music camp will be a two-hour cruise of Lake Chapala held on board the Batur, which is moored just offshore by Bambu Restaurant on the carretera just east of San Juan Cosala. You can park in the Bambu lot and enter the boat next to the restaurant.
The Cruise boards Friday, May 6, from 5 to 6 p.m. and launches at 6 p.m. The Children’s orchestra and chorus of San Juan Cosala will be your entertainment. Tickets, 120 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl. (One free drink is included with your ticket.)
If you cannot attend, your donation is appreciated. To donate or for further information, contact Judy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (387)761-0281.
Sculpture in the limelight
Luz y Sombra (Light and Shadow) an exhibit of sculptures made from wood, clay and recycled materials opens Friday, May 13, 5 p.m., at Casa Luna, Ocampo 22, Ajijic. The show includes three-dimensional creations by Rigoberto Navarro, Betto Rock and other lakeside artists.
Harp Fest date set
Mark your calendar for the main event of Chapala’s 14th Encuentro de Arpas, Salterios y Más, to be held Wednesday, June 8 at the Centro Centro Cultural González Gallo. The extended Harp Fest program will encompass other performances by musicians from different parts of Mexico at various venues throughout the second week of the month, details to be announced.