Artist Salon
The 360 Xochi Quetzal Artists and Writers Residency program holds a monthly Artists Together salon celebrating visiting artists and writers, Friday, August 11, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Garden of Dreams Boutique Hotel, Constitucion 105, Ajijic.
This month, silk and felt artist Meridee Smith and batik artist Keith Smith, both of Auburn, California, and digital and acrylic artist Sharon Smith of Portland, Oregon, will be featured.
Evening of Art & Music
The Lake Chapala Fine Artists Guild and the Festival del Lago are joining forces to bring you an “Evening of Art and Music” Saturday, August 12 at the Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera (Auditorio de la Ribera).
From 2 to 8 p.m., you can enjoy an exhibition of fine art in a variety of mediums featuring some of the best-known Lakeside artists, plus three talented young artists from the LCS Children’s Art Program (the Guild supports this important program).
A special “Meet the Artists Event” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring guest artist Enrique Velazquez and live music. A raffle for some art will be held during this event. Admission to the art exhibition is free.
At 8 p.m., the Festival del Lago presents a “Rising Stars Concert” where the talented students of Festival del Lago take center stage. Witness their exceptional skills and passion as they showcase their musical prowess. Tickets for the concert are available at festivaldellago .com.
A preview exhibition of art only will be held on Friday, August 11, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
The Guild’s art exhibitions feature only established, professional artists. Membership is purposely kept small, is by invitation only, and new artists who want to join are vetted for the quality of their work.
Jazz
• The Agua Dulce Ensemble performs at la Cochera Cultural Sunday, August 13, 6:30 p.m. The lineup is Chen Quintero on guitar, Juan Manuel Ayala on bass, Guillermo Nuñez on drums, Cuervo Gonzalez on piano and Eleazar Soto on sax. Tickets, 350 pesos, available 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.. Javier Mina 49, Ajijic.
BRAVO! Bravura
It’s time for pure entertainment fun!
BRAVO! Bravura is a collection of “bravura” performances all in one show.
The line up is: Songs by Wanda White and a duet with Jayme Littlejohn—as performing puppets; a performance of the short play “I’m Herbert” with Roger Larson and Roxy Rosenblatt that will leave you with a belly ache from laughing so hard; “The Three Pigs”—a touch of Shakespeare with Mark Donaldson as narrator/wolf and handmade pig costumes (a la Wizard of Oz if you saw it) on three adorable pigs—identities withheld until showtime; an energy and talent filled dance number by the “meant to be on stage” Roy Haynes with his “girls” Tanya Beede and Maritza Freyslinger.
Interspersed through the program will be hilarious and touching real letters from real people including Helen Keller, read by Ken Yakiwchuk, Amy Stackhouse, Kathleen Morris and Sally Jo Bartlett.
Tickling the ivories will be the fabulous Timothy G. Ruff Welch.
All of this at BRAVO! Theatre, August 19, 20, 22 and 23. Tickets, 350 pesos, are available at Mia’s Boutique, It’s Kinda Bazar… and mymytickets@ gmail.com.
Art Market
The Artists Alliance of Lake Chapala (formerly Ajijic Society of the Arts) will hold its monthly Art Market Saturday, August 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garden of Dreams Boutique Hotel, Constitucion 105, Ajijic.
Meet some 50 local artists, get bargains on arts and crafts, listen to live music by Juan Castañon, the Groobeaners and the Sofia Ramirez and Gil Rios Jazz Duet, and enjoy food and drinks in the hotel’s beautiful garden setting. This month the featured medium is photography.
Dance
The Centro Cultural Ajijic is celebrating its 18th anniversary with a variety of performances, including these dance groups:
• Ballet Folklorico del Ayuntamiento de Chapala, Saturday, August 19, 6 p.m.
• Dance Academy Aerea Bave, Sunday, August 20, 6 p.m.
• Polynesian Dance Heimana Ballet, Tuesday, August 22, 6 p.m.
• Desperanto Dance Academy, Wednesday, August 23, 6 p.m.
• Ballroom Dance presentation by Ocodance Academia de Baile, Thursday, August 24, 6 p.m.
• Ballet Folklorico Ixtlacateotl, Sunday, August 27, 6 p.m.
Dinner concert
The Crem choir and ensemble will present a live concert in conjunction with a three-course dinner at Casa del Sol Inn, Thursday, August 24. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the concert at 7 p.m. 880 pesos. Reserve at 376-766-0050.
Bare Stage Theatre
From the true master of bitter-sweet and poignant comedy/dramas like “The Good-bye Girl” and “Barefoot in the Park” comes Neil Simon’s “Chapter Two. This funny, yet thoughtful play reflects the unmistakable Simon touch of lightning-quick repartee.
Chapter Two is driven by four brilliantly penned characters: George, a recently widowed novelist, Jennie, a level-headed actress, Leo, George’s garrulous but loving younger brother; and Faye, Jennie’s utterly clueless but enchanting friend. The plot focuses on George, who has still not moved on from the untimely death of his wife. Meanwhile Leo and Faye are navigating the troubled waters of their own marriages. The connection between the characters is the kind of rocky road journey of quick-witted zingers and compelling plot twists an audience expects from a Neil Simon play.
Neil Simon (1927-2018) is an American playwright, screenwriter and author who wrote more than 30 plays and nearly the same number of screenplays. His brilliant play “Lost in Yonkers” won him a Tony award and a Pulitzer Prize in 1991. He also won a Tony award in 1975 for Best Playwright for the highly acclaimed “The Odd Couple.”
Taking on the challenge of bringing this production to Bare Stage Theatre is Sharon Jarvis, who is no stranger to producing theater here and in her native Canada. Her cast includes Mark Donaldson, Ron Mikulicic, Maureen O’Hearn and Devin Van Domelin.
Show dates are Friday, August 25, Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. Tickets are 200 pesos to join in the fun. Reserve now 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.. Bare Stage Theatre is at 261 on the mountain side of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar across from the Catholic Church. Door and bar open at 3 p.m. All bar proceeds go to Operation Feed. Seats are held until 3:50 p.m. Auditorium curtains will be open for air flow.
Information at facebook.com/barestagetheatre2018, but use the gmail address above for reservations.