An enthusiastic group of high-energy folks – Lois Cugini, Aurora Michel, Sharon Smith, Nancy Creevan, Tod Johnson, Joyce Lawrence, Pat Doran, Hal Forsythe, Beth Cathcart and Karen Blue – are putting together a Fiesta Latina extravaganza on Saturday, February 4, from 2:30 p.m. until dark.
The event is bound to get your booty shakin’ and your taste buds bangin’ but best of all, while you’re dancing to that Latin beat, you’ll be helping fill the coffers of the essential Lake Chapala Society Education Fund.
Roberto’s restaurant has agreed to provide a buffet with national dishes from several Latin American countries, starting off with appetizers of coconut shrimp or potato or chorizo empanadas. The main dishes include the exotic Yucateca Tikal chicken in banana leaves, Peruvian whitefish croquettes, pork with chilies and dried fruits, oven-baked plantain and yams, black beans and rice and Roberto’s mango mousse with a cookie for dessert. A complimentary drink comes with each ticket.
The main entertainment will be provided by Orquesta Tipica de Chapala, founded and directed by Javier Raygoza. The 50-piece orchestra includes three generations of musicians (the youngest is eight years old). Most of those in the orchestra do not read music but play “by ear,” especially the familiar Latin tunes from the 1920s and 30s.
Professional dancers Juan and Anita from Guadalajara will dance the tango and Alberto and Graciela will perform salsa moves. Another couple will interpret cumbias. Guests can join them after dinner with dancing in the gazebo.
The event will feature a silent auction of upscale items, including three golf packages, dinners and stays at various luxury venues, catered dinners, a flat-screen television set, a solar water heater and many works of art.
This gala event will also see the official unveiling of the new mural created by Javier Zaragoza and Jesus Lopez Vega. The mural is located in the rear of the LCS campus where the children assemble each Saturday for their art training. This is the first local public mural to be created and painted by two artists and funded by LCS and the Ajijic Society of the Arts.
The important LCS community education programs include the Spanish-language reference, research and reading library at the Wilkes Education Center (the only one in Ajijic), classes of English as a Second Language (ESL) for local kids and parents, the Children’s Art Program and computer classes. The LCS Student Aid Program has helped more than 300 students finish their university and college courses. Students receiving this aid must maintain a minimum of an 8.5-grade point average and are screened as to their interest and viability as successful students.
Tickets for this not-to-be-missed event are 400 pesos and include the spectacular dinner, the entertainment, the dancing and a really hot time. They can be purchased at the Lake Chapala Society, Diane Pearl Colecciones and Opus Boutique.