LLT
“Ripcord,” written 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.
Photo exhibit
“Hechizo del Lago” (Magic of the Lake), an exhibition of photographs by Victor Casillas Romo, opens Friday, September 29, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia in Chapala.
GALA awakens memories
Galeria al Aire Libre Axixic (GALA) inaugurates a new photography display titled “Ajijic: Memories of a Pueblo” on Saturday, September 30, 5 p.m., at the open-air exhibition space wrapped around the garden area of the town plaza.
GALA was created in 2016 and is curated by local photographer Xill Fessenden. Her exhibits have focused on local themes aimed at relating to the townspeople. The most successful shows thus far have been “Generations: Families of Ajijic” and “Existimos: Mountain Wildlife.” These unique exhibits are supported by citizens and the Centro Cultural as part of the effort towards making Ajijic a Pueblo Mágico.
“Memorias de un Pueblo” comprises images of village life captured during the 1940s and 50s. They were collected from local inhabitants and relatives of people who lived here during this period. Photographers include Jacque Van Belle, Haig Shekerjian, Beverly Johnson and José Hinojosa, among others.
Lake Chapala Chorale
La Bodega Restaurant in Ajijic last Sunday filled its downstairs garden level with theater-goers, who enjoyed the opening of “Singing on a Star,” a Broadway musical revue. The Lake Chapala Chorale put on a happy, tour-de-force collection of classic hits in a fast-moving show full of fun, variety and talent.
“Our group is Lakeside’s choir of the people,” says director Cindy Paul, “and our aim is to spread joy through the power of vocal music.”
The Chorale will give three more Sunday matinee performances on October 1, 8, and 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets are 150 pesos in advance at Diane Pearl’s or Mia’s Boutique, or 200 pesos at the door.
Debut in Ajijic
The Cuerdas Revueltas String Quartet makes its local debut Monday, October 2, 6 p.m., at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic. Bar service opens at 5 p.m.
The quartet was formed in 2009 to explore the chamber music genre and develop a repertoire of compositions from different eras and varied styles. The musicians include Diego Rojas and César Huízar on violin, Manuel Olivares on viola and Yalissa Cruz on cello. Rojas, an Ajijic native son, Huízar and Olivares are all members of the Jalisco Philharmonic, while Cruz is a principal with the Orquesta de Camara de Zapopan.
The program for the quartet’s Ajijic concert will include Estrellita by Manuel M Ponce; Cuarteto 1 sol mayor, by Domingo Lobato; Tango Lavalle by Fernando Baldana; and Cuarteto Virreinal by Miguel Bernal Jiménez.
Tickets, priced at 150 pesos, are on sale at the Lake Chapala Society, Diane Pearl, Fiaga Boutique, the Ajijic Delegación office and the Centro Cultural Ajijic (the latter two on the plaza).
Artists group meets
Allan Stephenson will speak on pastel painting at the next meeting of the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA), Monday, October 2, at La Bodega in Ajiic.
Stephenson began working as a professional illustrator and magazine designer in London in the late 1960s. He continued in that field when he moved to the United States in the 1970s and eventually went into fine art as computer design took over from commercial design. Stephenson began making serigraphs and etchings before moving into the mediums of pastel and oils, painting landscapes.
“I am always looking for and attempting to communicate with the viewer that special sense of place that infuses some areas of the natural world with meaning, wonder and beauty,” he says.
Coffee is served 9:30 a.m., ASA’s meeting is at 10 a.m. and the 30-minute presentation begins 10:30 a.m.
Film aficionados
The Lake Chapala Society hosts a weekly film at the Sala, Thursdays 2 p.m., for LCS members. October 5 the Swedish film “Sami Blood” (2017) will be featured. Elle Marja is a reindeer breeding Sami (Lapp) girl. Exposed to the racism of the 1930s and race biology at her boarding school, she starts dreaming of another life.
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.
Mexican nostalgia
Enjoy “Compedio de Laberinto,” a night of Mexican songs from yesteryear, at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala Saturday, October 7, 6 p.m. Tenor Rogelio Velazquez Rodriguez and pianist Lynda Kim Arcila Aviles perform. Tickets are 100 pesos at the door. Proceeds benefit Juan Zuñiga.
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..
Orchestra bus trips
Viva La Musica is sponsoring bus trips to Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara. 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. The bus leaves at 4:30 p.m. with a stop at a good restaurant.
Thursday, October 26: Saint-Saens’ “Organ Symphony No. 3,” conducted by Marco Parisotto. The bus leaves at 4:30 p.m. with a stop at a good restaurant.
Sunday November 19: Gustav Mahler, “Resurrection Symphony,” conducted by Marco Parisotto, Nicole Heaston Soprano, Cassandra Zoe Velasco Contralto, with the Zapopan Municipal Choir directed by Timothy Ruff Welch. The bus leaves at 3:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. concert. No dinner stop.
Sunday November 26: Operatic Gala directed by Marco Parisotto, features pieces from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Bellini’s Norma, Puccini’s La Boheme and Turandot. Nicole Heaston, soprano, and Lorenzo Decaro, tenor, perform. Bus departs 10:30 am.
Showstoppers
Los Cantantes del Lago’s perennially popular concert Showstoppers 15 will be held Sunday, October 22, 4 p.m. (cash bar at 3 p.m.) at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar. This concert features members and friends of Los Cantantes performing solos, duets and small group numbers of Broadway and non-Broadway “showstoppers” with a bit of comedy, some drama and a lot of fun. The show features new and returning singers in all new songs. Emcee Barbara Pruitt will be on hand and the inimitable Maestro Timothy G. Ruff Welch will be accompanying the singers with style and wit. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at Mia’s Boutique, Diane Pearl, from any choir member or at www.loscantantesdellago.com.
Art Masters
Mexico’s best artisans and craftsmen will be showing their collectable pieces at the 16th annual Feria Maestros del Arte November 10-12 at the Club de Yates de Chapala. For more information, call 765-7485 or see mexicanartshow.com.