Galeria Sol Mexicano
Rosa de Ruiz Rojo presents an exhibit of her handmade jewelry in the form of animals at Galeria Sol Mexicano February 3-5.
They include the jaguar, held sacred by many Mesoamerican cultures, and the snail, symbolizing the infinity of the universe. Others are Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, and birds such as the quetzal. The animal figures are complemented by gemstones such as rock and quartz crystals, lapis lazuli and turquoise, jade and coral, with glints of silver.
The exhibit runs Friday, February 3 to Sunday, February 5, noon to 4 p.m. at Galeria Sol Mexicano, Colon 13 in Ajijic.
The next artists’ reception at Galeria Sol Mexicano will feature the photographs of Karen Spencer, the pottery of Rob Miller and also a variety of art from the collection of notable artist, Georg Rauch.
Rauch and his wife Phyllis lived in Jocotopec for 30 years before he passed in 2006. Those that may not be familiar with his work, should not miss this opportunity to see some of the extraordinary and world renowned art he created. The exhibition opens on Thursday, February 9, 4-7 p.m. with the artists and Phyllis Rauch on hand to talk about the art.
Jewish film fest
The 8th annual Ajijic Jewish Film Festival continues Sunday, February 5, 11:30 a.m. with a screening of “Baba Joon” (2015, Israel). This family story of Jewish Iranians explores the age-old conflict between a father and his young son who wants more than to inherit the family turkey farm.
Presented by the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation, the festival features a film on each Sunday through the end of February at Cinemas del Lago in Plaza Bugambilias. All the films begin at 1:30 p.m.
Other upcoming films are: February 12; “Bottle in the Gaza Sea” (2011, France/Canada/Israel) February 19; “My Mexican Shivah” (2007, Mexico) February 26.
Tickets are 60 pesos, available at the cinema. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Mision San Pablo.
LCS films
As part of the Lake Chapala Society’s continuing free Spanish-language films open to the public, this month’s offerings are: “Stuart Little” on Friday, February 10; “Ni Chana, Ni Juana” starring India Maria on February 17; and “Grandes Amigos” starring Robert Redford on February 24. All start at 7 p.m. at the Wilkes Biblioteca on Calle Galeana near the LCS campus.
English-language films are also shown Thursdays at 2 p.m. to LCS members (bring your card). On February 9 the featured film is the Oscar nominated “Toni Erdmann,” (2016, Germany), a maturely crafted and emotionally wrought psychological comedy that is a treatise on the enduring theme of child-parent relationships.
Free Public Concert
Ensamble Azul presents their new album, “Blanco Sobre Blanco” (White on White), at a free public concert, Thursday, February 16, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural González Gallo in Chapala.
JPO bus trips
Viva la Musica hosts bus trips to the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra concerts in February.
Sunday February 5: Gershwin’s piano concerto “Porgy & Bess” and Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” Thursday, February 9: Shostakovich piano concerto No. 1 and Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1”. Sunday, February 19: “The Piper of Hamelin” with the Ballet de Jalisco. Sunday, February 26: Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique.” Thursday, March 2: Brahm’s “Symphony #1” with the Percussion quartet; Sunday, March 12: Latin rhythms and Lalo symphony with A. Olivo solo violin: Thursday, March 16: Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” and a clarinet concerto; Sunday, March 26: Old Testament themes including Bernstein’s “10 Commandments,” “Nabucco Overture” and “Samson and Delilah.”
Bus tickets, 450 pesos (550 for non-Viva members), are available at the Lake Chapala Society on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon.
Giclée presented at ASA
Richard Tingen will be the featured speaker, presenting the process of Giclée printing, at the next meeting of the Ajijic Society of the Arts, Monday, February 6 at La Bodega Ajijic. Coffee is served 9:30 a.m.; the meeting begins 10 a.m.
Giclée is a high resolution digital scan of original art or photographs printed onto either canvas or fine art paper. Tingen is a partner with Lupita Cano in The Art House in Chapala, where this service is offered, which includes certificates of authenticity for the art.
Naked Stage Auditions
The Naked Stage Readers’ Theatre will hold auditions for “Dry Powder,” a lacerating, timely and funny new play about the world of private equity firms by Sarah Burgess, Tuesday, February 7, 11 a.m. at theater, located at Hidalgo 261 (on the Carretera) in Riberas del Pilar. Performances of “Dry Powder,” directed by Phyllis Silverman, are March 31, April 1 and 2. For scripts, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dozen Divas
That’s Entertainment Ajijic presents “The Dozen Divas Show” starring Dorothy Bishop Thursday, February 9, 6 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera.
Bishop was a finalist in Season Four of America’s Got Talent. She has thrilled New York audiences for years with her incredible voice, glamorous costumes and wicked sense of humor. The Dozen Divas has been nominated for two Broadway World Awards.
Tickets are available at Diane Pearl, Jose Melendrez, Wildes or online at vallartatickets.com. Reservations can be made at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Classical guitar
The duo Quetzal, with Eddie Lara and Sofia Ramirez, will play works by Beethoven, Rodrigo, Albeniz, Lara, F. Chopin y Keith Jarrett Thursday, February 9, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural González Gallo in Chapala. Entrance is 100 pesos.
Collective exhibition
“Paisaje Urbano” a collective exhibition of painting by Ajijic and Guadalajara-based artists, will be up at the Centro Cultural González Gallo in Chapala, Saturday, February 11, 5 p.m.
Northern Lights
The Festival de Febrero (Northern Lights) kicks off Sunday, February 12 with a concert by the Quartetto Gelato at the Auditorio de la Ribera 7 p.m. This band is known for virtuosic showpieces, romantic tenor arias, pyrotechnical solos, blazing gypsy performances, multi-instrument mastery and a World Accordion champion.
Performances by top level Canadian and U.S. musicians range from chamber orchestra concerts to more intimate recitals and jazz concerts almost daily through February 25. Six concerts will be held at the Auditorio de la Ribera with tickets priced at 400 pesos for side seats and 500 pesos for center seats. The Salon Series recitals are held in some of the area’s finest homes. Premier Events are scheduled Monday, February 20, 4 p.m. at Casa Contenta 7 in Las Brisas (tickets 1,000 pesos); and Saturday, February 25, 6 p.m. at La Nueva Posada (800 pesos) when the offering will be hot jazz and dinner. Tickets are available 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday at La Nueva Posada. For reservations and information on ticket sales, contact Maureen Welch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 108-1407 between 4 and 6 p.m. For more information, see www.festivaldefebrero.com.
Jay Shuffle
A memorial for Jay Shuffle, who passed away on February 14 last year, will be held at La Bodega in Ajijic, where he played with The Great American Songbook.
Songbook musicians Paul Brier, Francis Dryden and Jimmy Barto, who has joined the band in Shuffle’s stead, invite everyone to join them Tuesday, February 14, 7:30 p.m. to commemorate his passing. Call La Bodega Ajijic at 766-1002 for reservations.
Concert for Lovers
Tickets are going fast for the Rondalla de Chapala’s annual Concierto para Enamorados (Concert for Lovers) set for Friday, February 17, 7 p.m., at the Auditorio de la Ribera, La Floresta.
The all-male voice and acoustic guitar ensemble will perform a repertoire of romantic Mexican tunes, with a guest appearance by the Rondalla Voces y Guitarras de San Juan Cosalá also on the bill. Side seats, priced at 120 pesos, are still available at the auditorium box office. A portion of proceeds will be set aside for Niños Incapacitados del Lago.
Live from the Met
Viva La Musica sponsors Saturday bus trips to Teatro Diana in Guadalajara to view productions of Live from the Met. Operas screenings are February 25, “Rusalka” by Dvorak; March 11, “La Traviata” by Verdi; March 25, “Idomeneo” by Mozart. April 22, “Eugene Onegin” by Tchaikovsky, and May 13, “Der Rosencavalier” by R. Strauss.
Bus tickets, 400 pesos (500 for non-Viva members), are available at LCS on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon.
Singers needed
Los Cantantes del Lago are in rehearsal for their next concert, “Spring Fever.” The choral group will sing live music with piano, drums and trumpet. Enjoy singing disco, Beach Boys and a lot of other period music. Only two rehearsals per week (Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m.) and two exciting concerts. See loscantantesdellago.com to join or contact director, Tim Welch, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Lake Chapala Chorale
The Lake Chapala Chorale is issuing an open invitation to local singers to audition for a chance to join the already highly successful vocal ensemble.
There’s no need to read music, according to director Cindy Paul, since all the parts are online for comfy home study. Everyone auditioning is welcome to come before any rehearsal between 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. on Fridays at the Little Chapel, just east of the Chula Vista Golf Club on the highway.
CREM music school concert
The CREM music school presents a concert by the Duo Petrof and their student Saul Ulises Ibarra Ramos (right) Saturday, February 4, 6 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at the Auditorio, Diane Pearl and from Friends of CREM. All proceeds go to the CREM scholarship fund.