Last call
The Lake Chapala Chorale performs its final holiday concert Friday, December 22. The special dinner show at at La Bodega runs from 6-8 p.m.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available from Diane Pearl, and include the concert, dinner and a sing-a-long.
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,” and “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.
Mariachi
Featured groups at the Lake Chapala Society’s third annual Mariachi Festival – scheduled Saturday, January 6 – include Estrellas de Chula Vista from San Diego, California, Grupo Bella and Real Axixic.
Two shows are planned: 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.
Country style
Flip Nicholson, formerly of The Tall Boys, is debuting a new band, The Country Boys, at the Cave, Saturday, January 6, 8 p.m.
The band includes Gary Trego on pedal steel, Don Pratter on lead guitar, Treavor Armstrong on bass, Jim Baker on fiddle and J.J. Bernard on drums. Cover is 50 pesos.
The Cave is located next to Fenix Real Estate on the Carretera in San Antonio.
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.
Morison croons in a baritone that will remind you of Sinatra, Damone, Torme, Bennett and others.
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.
For more information, call Barbara Clippenger, 766-2489.
Classical concerts
Bravissimo! is a concert series featuring singers from Guadalajara, Mexico City and Lakeside.
On January 14, local favorite Amaranta Santos will perform 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 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, showcases a selection of composers from Spain.
Timothy G. Ruff Welch is the collaborative pianist for all the concerts.
Welch is the director of the Zapopan Municipal Choir, 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 Guadalajara. 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.
Lip Sync
The Ajijic Lip Sync show, a benefit for the Auditorio de la Ribera, began in 1982 and claims to be the largest and longest running lip sync show in the world.
The show features 25 songs this year — an eclectic mix spanning the years 1792 to 2017, in Spanish, English and German.
Director Michael McLaughlin encourages audience members to bring their cameras to the shows, leave their cell phones on and have a good time.
Master of Ceremonies again this year is man-about-town John Ward, who will introduce 30 acts, all of whom are performed by your Lakeside friends and neighbors.
Performances are Thursday, January 18, and Friday, January 19, both at 4 p.m.; Saturday, January 20, 7 p.m. and Sunday, January 21, 2 p.m. All are held at the Auditorio de la Ribera.
Tickets, 250 pesos for center seats and 150 pesos for side seats, are on sale at Mia’s, Yoli’s and Diane Pearl, as well as at the Lake Chapala Society, from January 2-9, 10 a.m. to noon. Reserve tickets via 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..