LLT playhouse series
Lakeside Little Theatre presents “Follies,” by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim, an HD recording of the live production at the National Theatre in London, Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30, 4 p.m.
In Sondheim’s dazzling showbiz musical, Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies. Featuring a cast of 37 and an orchestra of 21, it’s directed by Dominic Cooke. The show captures the glamour of the golden age of music halls and revues with gorgeous showgirl costumes bedazzled with Swarovski crystals.
“One listens in wonder. The score is so rich that no sooner has a certain number registered as a favorite, another comes along to supersede it,” said the New York Times.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to noon, at the LLT box office or one hour before curtain.
Spotlight Club
Us Two play classic rock and pop Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29, 7 p.m. at The Spotlight Club in San Antonio.
Naomi and Danny are like a super-charged, Mexican version of Sonny and Cher with gorgeous harmonies, great choreography and outstanding accompaniment from the band. Enjoy familiar numbers such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Eye in the Sky,” “Piano Man” and some Abba and Aerosmith hits, along with more of the best music from the 1960s through the 90s. Only 100 tickets will be sold; available at Diane Pearl, The Spotlight or stables86@hotmail for group reservations.
The Ol’ Country Boys break out the steel guitar Friday, October 6, 8 p.m., The cover is 80 pesos.
Exhibition
La Cochera Cultural presents “Entre Manchas y Lineas II” showcasing the works of Salvador Rodriguez Friday, September 28, 5 p.m., Javier Mina 49 in Ajijic. Live music by the Jazz Duet of Juan Castañon and David Perez.
Yazkara Godin
“Memorias de la Melancolía” is the title photographer Yazkara Godin chose for her first solo show, now open at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia de Chapala.
The display in the ground floor gallery at the corner of Avenida Madero and Hidalgo will showcase 20 digital portraits that play on light and shadow to convey sentiments of melancholy.
‘The Gin Game’
The Naked Stage puts on a fundraiser for Mac Morrison with their production of “The Gin Game,” Friday through Sunday, September 28, 29 and 30, 4 p.m. The 1978 Pulitzer Prize winning play was written by Donald Cobern and is directed by Don Chaloner. The cast features Ed Tasca and Diana Rowland.
This will be the last show by the Naked Stage until they reopen as The Naked Stage at LLT in the fall of 2019 in the splendidly renovated auditorium at Lakeside Little Theatre.
Visual and auditory arts
The local version of 100 Thousand Poets/Artists for Change will be hosted at two locations, one in Ajijic and one is Riberas del Pilar. Both will include readings by some of the areas best writers on Saturday, September 29, 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to readings, Pat Apt’s Studio, Ramon Corona 5-B, will have an exhibition of paintings by members of the Lake Chapala Painting Guild.
In Riberas del Pilar at Casa Michin (corner of San Diego and Los Angeles) there will be music in the gallery by the Muñez daughters, followed by a guitar recital by Richard Royce, and then readings by Mel Goldberg, Rachel McMillan and others. Information: 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..
Collection highlights
Chapala’s Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia continues a special showing of works drawn from its permanent art collection. The display in the Miguel Miramontes Gallery, located on the second floor of the former town hall building, will include selected paintings, photographs, ceramic figures and mixed media creations acquired from artists who have participated in the center’s shows over the past three years.
Art classes at LCS
The Lake Chapala Society is offering two drawing classes for members starting Monday. Introduction to Basic Drawing begins October 1 and Introduction to Portraits October 2. Both classes are limited to ten students. Sign up via e-mail: 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..
Film Aficionados
Lake Chapala Society members can take advantage of Film Aficionados screenings each Thursday, 2 p.m. On October 4, “October Sky” (1999, USA) will be screened. This is the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son who was inspired by the Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father’s wishes. The movie launched Jake Gyllenthal’s career; well supported by Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. (108 minutes).
Jazz Fest
La Cochera Cultural sponsors an International Improvisational Jazz Festival Friday to Sunday, October 5-7 at various venues.
Three bands will play Friday, October 5 at La Cochera Cultural, Javier Mina 49 in Ajijic. Ameneyro from Chiapas begins its set at 6:30 p.m., with Trialogo from Ajijic at 7:40 p.m. and and The Watershed from France at 9 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. to enjoy food by Alex Pasta Bar and Casa Domenech, beer by Corazon de Malta and cocktails by Katapulta.
Saturday, October 6, the Joe Farnsworth Trio plays at the Auditorio de la Ribera, 6:30 p.m. The Joe Farnsworth Trio will play at the Auditorio de la Ribera Saturday, October 6, 6:30 p.m. as part of the Festival Internacional de Jazz Ajijic 2018. The group is comprised of Farnsworth (United States) on drums, Alex Terrier (France) on saxophone and Israel Cupich (Mexico) on double bass. Doors open at 5 p.m., beer by Corazon de Malta and cocktails by Katapulta.
Sunday, October 7, Cienfuegos (Guadalajara) plays the Explanada at the Centro Cultural Ajijic, 7 p.m.
Tickets for these shows are 300 pesos in advance (550 pesos for two concerts) and 350 pesos at the door and are available at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique, Jose Melendrez, Auditorio de la Ribera, Centro Cultural Ajijic, La Cochera Cultural and Casa Domenech.
Calendar party
Enrique and Belva Velazquez invite the public to the 26th annual opening of their “Our Beloved Mexico” calendar Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, 4-8 p.m., at their gallery at 16 de Septiembre 7 in Ajijic.
The original paintings used in the calendar will be on display and for sale and calendars will be signed by the artists.
Afternoon at the Movies
The Lake Chapala Society will be airing “classic” movies at 1 p.m. in the LCS sala on the first and third Saturdays of October and November. The theme for October movies is horror. October 6, LCS will air the classic “The House on Haunted Hill” (1959).
A small snack bar will be open prior to the movie. LCS members only. Show your LCS membership card for admittance to receive a movie ticket.
Theater
Potter Productions presents “Spoon River Anthology” at the Spotlight Club, Friday to Sunday, October 12-14, 4 p.m. The play was written in 1915 by Edgar Lee Masters and adapted and arranged as a theater production in 1963 by Charles Aidman.
Via musical interludes, the audience is introduced to the ghosts of those who were inhabitants of the fictional town of Spoon River, Illinois, whose secrets have gone with them to the grave. There are 37 characterizations and vignettes in this constantly interesting entertainment, which offers an amazingly varied array of roles and impersonations, from young lovers and preachers and teachers to the poignant chronicle of the attorney, who, ostracized by his wife, ends up buried next to his dog. Both the somber and humorous sides of life are portrayed, with fetching ballads and the free verse form of Edgar Lee Masters.
“Spoon River” is directed by Rosann Balbontin, with musical direction by Don Beaudreault; the cast includes Terry Gibbard, Cindy Paul, Sharon Lowry and Michael Warren.
Tickets are 100 pesos at the door. Seating is limited; reserve at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fall Viva bus trips
Viva will make eight trips to performances by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), the Ballet de Jalisco and a live opera presentation.
October 7: Piazolla’s “Four Seasons” (JPO); October 14: Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 (JPO); October 25: Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (JPO); November 4: Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 (JPO); November 27: Live opera, “Turandot” by Puccini, featuring Oksana Kramereva, Riccardo Massi and the Zapopan Municipal Choir and JPO; December 9: JPO puts on a Baroque Fest with music by Vivaldi, Geminiani, Gabrieli, Bach and Lully; December 13: Ballet de Jalisco performs the “Nutcracker.”
Information on times and ticket prices available at the LCS ticket area, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon, or by calling Rosemary Keeling, (376) 766-1801.
Viva also plans three “Live at the Met” bus trips to see opera on the big screen at the Teatro Diana Saturdays in Guadalajara.
October 13: “Aida” by Verdi; November 3: “Samson and Delilah” by Saint Saens; and December 15: “La Traviata” (The Fallen Woman) by Verdi.
Tickets, 450 pesos for members, 550 pesos non-members, are available at the LCS ticket area, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon or by calling (376) 766-1801.
Portrait artist to speak at ASA
“Study of Mexican boy” by Tracy Gardner, owner/operator of the MidLake Art Studio in Douglasdale, Alberta, who will be the speaker at the Ajijic Society of the Arts monthly meeting Monday, October 1, 10 a.m. at La Bodega (16 de Septiembre, Ajijic). Gardner paints most of her work in oil on masonite and by painting several thin layers is able to achieve a smooth, translucent look. She finds portraits to be her true passion. “It’s my way of connecting with people. To try to capture the mood behind the expression is one of my primary goals. A painting is something physical that makes us really look at things and contemplate, unlike an image in a book or on a computer screen; an original great work of art can move a person to tears.”