Artists’ reception
An exhibit by artists Paulina Carretero and Enrique Avilawill opens with a reception Friday, December 15, 3 to 6 p.m. at Galeria del Arte Sol Mexicano, Colon 13 in Ajijic.
New Ceramic Guild
Potters Rob Miller, Frank Howell, Denis Meloche, Steve Weckel and Jeanne Green comprise the new Lake Chapala Ceramic Guild. They will show their work, both decorative and functional, at the December 15 reception at Sol Mexicano (see item above).
Chorale
Pre-Hispanic roots
The music and dance group Corazon del Cielo perform Aztec and contemporary fire dances, accompanied by pre-Hispanic style instruments, in a free presentation on the esplanade of the Centro Cultural Ajijic, Saturday, December 16, 7 p.m.
Classical concerts
Bravissimo! is a four-concert series held over four months, featuring singers from Guadalajara, Mexico City and Lakeside.
Mireya Rubalcaba, a mezzo-soprano from Guadalajara with a “golden voice,” has performed in operas including Carmen, Faust, Turandot, La Boheme and others. She is a member of the Coro Municipal de Zapopan and has sung at the Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Teatro Degollado, Museo Nacional, Teatro Diana and Ex Convento del Carmen. Her concert, Luz de Luna, on Sunday, December 17, contains works by Agustín Lara and Georges Bizet, among others. Next up on January 14, 2018, will be local favorite Amaranta Santos with her concert Storytellers, with works by Kander and Ebb, Randy Newman and José María Cano. Santos was formerly a back-up singer for Shakira and has graced many Lakeside theater and musical stages. February 5 brings us tenor David de la Mora with Canciones del Mundo – Songs of the World. Finally, on March 18, tenor Ricardo Calderon, winner of several national awards brings a selection of composers from Spain.
Timothy G. Ruff Welch is the collaborative pianist for all four concerts. Welch is the director of the Coro Municipal de Zapopan, Los Cantantes del Lago and the Minister of Music at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. He has performed around the world as a pianist, chorister and director. Most recently he has directed the choruses for Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Otello” and “The Planets” at the Teatro Degollado. In 2017, Welch was the guest director for two operas at the Bellas Artes in Mexico City.
Tickets for these concerts may be purchased individually for 300 pesos, or as a series at 1,000 pesos for four concerts, at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique or 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.. All the concerts will be presented at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.
Mask Show Dance
Dance master Ricardo Gomez of Lake Chapala Dance and Fitness Studio and student Angela Ceja (above) will be involved in The Mask Show Dance, featuring swing, salsa cha cha cha and rock numbers with music by Grupo Latinitos, Sunday, December 17, 5 p.m. at the studio, (Carr. Poniente 7A, West Ajijic). Tickets, 200 pesos adults, are available at the studio. Call 331-574-2583 for more information.
Young talent
The chorus and orchestra of CREM, the lakeside music school, will offer a winter concert Sunday, December 17, 5 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera. The musicians and chorus are under the direction of Emmanuel Medeles. This year, more young students have made the jump from the children´s orchestra to CREM´s Victor Manuel Medeles orchestra. Together with the CREM staff, they will perform Arcangelo Corelli´s Concerto Grosso with soloists Mauro Ramos, Andrea Michelle Ochoa and Diana Medeles. Special guest is the Vox Ensamble, an a capella quartet, popular amongst local residents. The youth orchestra and the choir will perform a holiday repertoire, including some lovely Christmas carols. Tickets, 200 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, the auditorio box office, CREM students, Dental del Lago and Notaría 2.
Art on the plaza
The Ajijic Society of the Arts will hold an art show Sunday, December 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Ajijic Plaza. Featured artists include Kim Eagles, Gwynne Lott, Ardelle Holden, Norm tihor, Mimi gula, Marilyn King, Maggie Heard, Roy Quiriconi and Maya Van Ouwerkerk.
Naked Stage
“Love, Loss and What She Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron is next up at the Naked Stage Readers Theatre, Friday, December 29 to Sunday, December 31, 4 p.m. Rosann Balbontin directs the cast of Phyllis Silverman, Maryanne Gibbard, Roseann Wilshere, Anne Drake and Susan Quiriconi.
Written by the authors of “Sleepless in Seattle,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “You’ve Got Mail,” and based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, this show is a fast-paced scrapbook of stories about unfortunate prom dresses, the traumatic lighting in fitting rooms, high heels, short skirts and the existential state of having nothing to wear. Accessorizing these tales — which are mostly comical but often sad or sentimental too — are the mothers who disapprove, the men who disappear, and the sisters who’ve got your back.
Tickets, 100 pesos, are available at the box office and reservations can be made by email 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.. The box office and bar open at 3 p.m. The Naked Stage is on the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar, across from the Catholic Church and in front of the Baptist church, where parking is available.
Romantic evening
Mac Morison presents his sixth annual benefit concert of romance and jazz standards, “I Wish You Love,” Wednesday, January 10, 7 p.m. at The Cave in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
The show also features vocalists Judy Hendrick, Cindy Paul and “Roxie” Kristine Moily. Special guest singer Mike “Scatman” Fortier is also on the bill.
This show benefits the technical upgrades and renovations to Lakeside Little Theatre. Tickets, 350 pesos, are on sale at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique and Jose Melendrez. The Cave is located next to Fenix Real Estate on the Carretera.
Mariachis
Featured groups at the Lake Chapala Society’s third annual Mariachi Festival on Saturday, January 6 are Estrellas de Chula Vista from San Diego, California (above), Grupo Bella and Real Axixic. The presentations will be in two shows: one at 11:30 a.m. and another at 3 p.m. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at the LCS office, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.