They say there are only two kinds of people in the world: the Irish and those who wish they were. 

Organizers of the 2015 Mexican National Chili Cookoff in Ajijic went out of their way to ensure that visitors were kept entertained with a variety of top-class acts, along with plenty of audience participation.

Jacque and Carol Bouchard, long-time masters of the Cookoff’s daily raffles, lined up more than 100 prizes this time around.

Sunday’s entertainment program featured a demonstration of sensuous Danzón moves.

Lake Chapala Ballroom and Dancefit got the audience up and shaking.

David Cordero, lead singer of Psychostasia, rocked out for the event’s closing act.

Young dancers from Ajijic’s Ballet Folklorico Xicantzy charmed spectators.

Chef Oscar Pérez Nafarrete from El Jardín de Ninette claimed the first place cooking prize at the 37th annual Mexican National Chili Cookoff, while the team from Just Chillin’ led the field in this year’s Margarita mixing contest.

Playing to an excited and packed house, the final concert of the 13th Scotiabank Northern Lights Music Festival provided a fitting end to two weeks of exceptional music. A resounding success, the event was also tinged with a little sadness as it marked the close of this year’s marvelous and diverse program. 

New to this season’s Sunday Movie Series, Democrats Abroad, Lake Chapala chapter has added a short post-movie discussion period.  The initial discussion proved to be quite successful and comments were heard from those participating including, “We enjoyed the moderated discussion as much as the movie itself.”    

Big Band Jazz of Guadalajara, comprised of the students and graduates from the University of Guadalajara Music Department, will be the featured entertainers at Viva Las Vegas, a gala benefit for Niños Incapacitados. 

The event celebrates the “glamour capital of the world” and takes place Thursday, March 12, with botanas served at 5:15 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala in La Floresta. The buffet stations will be open at 6:15 p.m. 

A live auction follows with opportunities to purchase a one-week stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, an impressive water feature for the garden, great dinners and parties set in lakeside’s most gorgeous homes. A silent auction will have an impressive array of items at every price point. 

After the auction, attendees can dance to the traditional sounds of jazz, swing, blues, funk, samba, all within the infectious big band sound. 

Tickets are 450 pesos each and tables for ten are available from Linday Hendy at (376) 106-1281. Single tickets are available at Cugini Boutique, Mostly Chocolate, O’Rourke & Associates and Century 21.