Electricity is in the air when it comes to talking about Ajijic and the arts. Have you experienced that signature dry crackle that lets you know something is happening?
Stop for a moment to consider the new Ajijic Museo del Arte, the under-construction performance arts center and, especially, the new leadership at the Lakeside Little Theater (LLT).
The LLT is benefitting from the surge of enthusiasm from Brian Mattes, recently elected president of the theater’s board of directors. He previously served as the as development director, embracing that role just as the pandemic was in its initial stages.
In a recent interview, Mattes expanded on those times, and the tasks facing him moving forward.
“It was a challenge to undertake a fundraising position during Covid, with a dark theater,” he said. “However, we created a matching gift initiative and it raised enough money to keep the theater in operation through the pandemic. Thankfully, it was very successful.”
A permanent resident of Ajijic, Mattes retired here from Palm Springs, California, and lived previously in Bethesda, Maryland, where he worked as a lobbyist in Washington DC.
When talking all-things LLT, Mattes’ face lights up with the optimism and confidence of a man with a plan.
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