Naked Stage
“Private Lives” by Noël Coward, directed by Fred Koesling, is the next presentation at The Naked Stage Readers’ Theatre Friday to Sunday, September 22-24, 4 p.m.
This classic and hilarious 1930s comedy was Noel Coward’s greatest success and marked the peak of his career. Amanda and Elyot, a flamboyant and dazzling divorced couple discover, while honeymooning with their mousy new partners, that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Old sparks fly and their perpetually stormy relationship reignites ... much to their current spouses’ dismay.
Coward’s biographer, Philip Hoare, wrote: “Of all Coward’s plays, ‘Private Lives’ remains the most pristine, elegant example of his art … one whose dark amusements still ring as clear as a chilled Martini today.”
The cast includes Pierre Blackburn, Liz White, Rosann Balbontin and Don Beaudreault.
Calendar launch
Belva and Enrique Velazquez host the launch party of their 25th annual “Our Beloved Mexico” bilingual calendar at their studio/gallery Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23, 4-8 p.m. Live music and refreshments are on tap. The address is 16 de Septiembre 7, in Ajijic.
Chamber orchestra
The Mozaretta Camara Orchestra presents “Mexico de Antaño” Friday, September 22, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo (old train station) in Chapala.
LLT
“Ripcord,” by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Collette Clavadetscher, is the next production of the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT), with show dates September 29 through October 8.
Set in an assisted living facility, the play centers around Abby, who takes pride in her residence in one of the most coveted rooms in the rest home. Things turn sour quickly when she must take in a new roommate to share her precious space. In a satirical conflict of territory and control, “Ripcord” spins a benign, typically mundane setting into an absurdist, colorful battleground. This high-stakes comedy examines our expectations of what it means to grow old in 21st century America, and what happens when a sense of possession collides with a mania of obsession.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at LLT’s box office, 10 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday and Thursday and one hour before curtain; via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by calling 766-0954. Evening shows are at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 3 p.m. The first Saturday and both Sundays are matinees.
Singers wanted
Los Cantantes de Lago, the premier community choir of Lakeside, is accepting new singers for their annual holiday concert, December 5 and 6. Los Cantantes will perform holiday classics, as well as Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with orchestra and a children’s choir. The choir is also preparing for a Showstoppers concert to be held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church October 22, 4 p.m.
If you are interested in singing with Los Cantantes, see loscantantesdellago.com and click on the “Come Sing With Us!” tab and then click on “Join Us” Rehearsals for this choir, with members of all ages and many nationalities, start September 26.
Tickets for Showstoppers #15 and the Viva Vivaldi Holiday Concert, 250 pesos, are on sale at Mia’s Boutique and Diane Pearl or at loscantantesdellago.com.
Auditions
The Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) holds auditions for “Calendar Girls” September 29 and 30. Registration is 9:30 a.m. and auditions start 10 a.m.
Calendar Girls was written by Tim Firth and will be directed by Candace Luciano. This play is a slightly risqué comedy based on a true story of Women’s Institute members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for leukemia research. Although the play takes place in Yorkshire, England, British accents are not required (or encouraged). Calendar Girls will “strip down,” both onstage and or the actual calendar that will be produced in conjunction with this show. The suggestion of nudity will be discrete and undercover of strategically placed clothing, props and other actors. LLT is Looking for ten women and four men and encourages anyone interested in acting, whether new or experienced, to attend. Show dates are December 8-17. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for script information.
Opera bus trips
Viva La Musica hosts Saturday trips to HD live screenings of Live from the Met opera at the Teatro Diana in Guadalajara. Buses depart at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets, 450 pesos for members and 550 for non-members, are available at the LCS ticket booth on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, or by calling Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801.
October 7: “Norma” by Bellini,” with Sondra Radvanovsky as Norma and Joyce DiDonato as Adalgisa.
October 14: “The Magic Flute,” by Mozart with Golda Schultz as Pamina and Kathryn Lewek as Queen of the Night.
November 18: “The Exterminating Angel,” by British composer Thomas Ades, based on a famous surrealist movie, with Audrey Luna as Leticia Maynar and Amanda Echalaz as Lucia de Nobile.
Zombies
Rehearsals for the Thrill the World Ajijic 2017 zombie dance fundraiser continue each Saturday, 1-3 p.m., and Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., at the Centro Cultural Ajijic through October 27. No zombie or dancing experience is necessary. This year, Tepehua Community Center and the School for Special Needs will be the recipients of the funds generated by this fun event.
For more information, contact Val Jones or Dee Grant 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..
Themed art show
The Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) continues its annual themed show “Shades of Blue” daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through September 30 at the Centro Cultural Ajijic.
Orchestra bus trips
Viva La Musica is sponsoring bus trips to Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara. The bus leaves at 4:30 p.m. with a stop at a good restaurant. Tickets (premium orchestra seats), 450 pesos (550 for non-members), are available at the LCS ticket booth on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, or by calling Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801.
Thursday, October 19: “Hungarian Impressions,” conducted by Marco Parisotto, features “Suite” by Kodaly, “Piano Concerto No.1” by Liszt, with Daniela Liebman on piano, “Hungarian Dances” by Brahms and “Mandarin Suite” by Bartok.
Thursday, October 26: Saint-Saens’ “Organ Symphony No. 3,” conducted by Marco Parisotto.
Art Masters
Mexico’s best artisans and craftsmen will be showing their collectable pieces at the the Feria Maestros del Arte November 10-12 at the Club de Yates de Chapala. For more information, call 765-7485 or see www.mexicanartshow.com.