Mardi Gras madness takes over Ajijic on Tuesday, February 17 as  townsfolk let off steam in a last blast of pre-Lent frivolity. A full day of rowdy festivity begins with the spectacular Desfile de Carnaval, featuring fanciful floats, costumed revelers, marching bands and charro equestrians that head out from the east end of Constitución between 10 and 11 a.m., for a straight run across town to Seis Esquinas where it doubles back to the plaza via Hidalgo. Spectators know that the parade is approaching when they spot a throng of kids scurrying to escape the masked Sayaca dancers who generate mirth and mayhem by pelting on-lookers with fistfuls of flour and confetti.  

Skarnaval 2015, the fourth annual alternative music fest geared for the younger set, will be held in the open air forum at the Ajijic Malecón, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with assorted bands cranking out ska, punk and hip-hop tunes.

The action continues with the Carnaval Nocturno Desfile, departing from the corner of Galeana and Constitución around 7:30 p.m, to roll along the same route as the morning parade. The evening caps off with a dance party at the plaza where a live band churns out saucy cumbia and mambo rhythms.

An exhibition of sacred art, tied in with nine collateral events, is scheduled for February 14 through March 12 at Chapala’s Centro Cultural González Gallo (CCGG). 

Ajijic administrator Héctor España has drawn up a blueprint for turning five central village streets into one-way thoroughfares as a tactic to help remedy traffic congestion that has become a common vexation for local motorists. 

With local Carnaval festivities shifting into high gear this weekend, Chapala and Ajijic are bracing for their own distinctive brands of Mardi Gras mayhem. 

Chapala’s jammed packed celebration calendar kicks off Friday, February 6, with the traditional after-dark sunset street parade on Avenida Madero starting around 7 p.m., followed by the grand-opening party at the Cristiania Park fairgrounds featuring the Coronation of the Rey Feo, the explosive Burial of Ill Humor, the Reina de Carnaval pageant and dancing to the tunes of Banda Caña Verde. 

Thereafter, daily activities are concentrated in late afternoon and night time hours, cranking up from 4 p.m. and running well after midnight. Admission at the gates is free of charge on the first evening, with a 30 peso charge for adults and 20 for children on all other dates. Two locations for visitor parking are set on the north side of the park adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant and at the opposite end across from the Acapulquito restaurant row.

Program highlights 

Special attractions programmed for this year include the Gran Circo Vazquez Hermanos, a three ring circus featuring monster trucks doing tricks on wheels as its lead act. Free entry is included in the general admission price. Two performances will be presented on weekend dates, with a single one all other days, show times not available at press time. 

Other freebies include Chapala Fest 2015, with a big line up of DJs, rap, reggae, ska and rock groups, Sunday, February 8 from 6 p.m.; Mariachi  Gala with Los Toritos de Alberto Ibarra,  Monday, February 9, time unlisted; Comedy night starring TV funny man Toño Banderín, Wednesday, February 11, 9 p.m.; an entertainment show for kids, Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m.; the traditional Carnaval parade making a full loop on Avenida Madero, Sunday, February 15, 10 a.m.; and mechanical rides at no cost for children on Monday, February 16.

The big magnets for local folks are the raucous banda music shows and dance parties held in the park’s enclosed pool, tend to run into the wee hours. On the bill for this year are Banda AG and La Inolvidable Banda Agua de la Llave, February 7, 9 p.m.; Festival Bandero GB with Pura Caña, February 10, 6 p.m.; Banda San Miguel and Chuy Lizárraga with Banda Tierra Sinaloense, February 13, 9 p.m.; Banda La Teco and Grupo Gala, February 14, 9 p.m.; and the all night closing bash, with various groups appearing prior to the headline performance by Banda Sinaloense MS, February 17, 9 p.m. All of these concerts require purchase of special tickets on top of admission to the fairgrounds.

There is also an extra cost for entry to the Bikini Car Fest, set for Sunday, February 15, 11 a.m. and the AAA Lucha Libre show, on Monday, February 16, 6 p.m.

On top of all that, a series of traditional jaripeos (bull-riding contests) pumped up with live banda music will be held at Chapala’s Lienzo Charro arena located opposite the Pemex station. Events are set for February 8, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, starting at 4 p.m.

Ajijic lets loose

Ajijic is also falling into the throes of Mardi Gras merrymaking with the Fiestas Taurinas sponsored town’s association of charro horsemen under way since last Sunday. Lively jaripeos similar to those held in Chapala are scheduled for Sunday, February 8 and daily from February 14 through 17 at the Lienzo Charro arena on Calle Revolución.  Events start at 4 p.m, with admission prices ranging from 50 to 100 pesos (kids free), depending upon the entertainment line-up.

The warm-up for each jaripeo is the Toro de Once, a madcap street parade led by a unruly band of cross-dressing Sayaca masked dancers who tear through the streets, chasing after taunting children and showering on-lookers with flour and confetti. The antics start on Calle Galeana behind the San Andres church around 11 a.m., winding around the center of town before ending at the bullring for a quick round of calf-riding for young cowpokes. 

Afterwards crowds congregate at the Malecón, 1 p.m, for the Recibimiento, a courtesy reception honoring of ranchers who bring livestock for the afternoon’s man versus toro encounter. The welcome parties involve booty-shaking music by Astro Norteño, enhanced by free-flowing booze. 

Ajijic festivities will peak with the customary wild and wooly Carnaval parade on Tuesday, February 17, starting around 10 a.m. The route runs the full length of Calle Constitucion-Ocampo to Seis Esquinas where it loops back to plaza via Hidalgo. 

Note: All of the above events are subject to last minute changes, cancellations and extremely flexible starting times. Expats accustomed to strict punctuality are advised to stay loose and go with the flow.

Lorna Luft is making a first time lakeside appearance as the innovative three-concert Trilogy series produced by Mark Rome draws to a close with a Tuesday, February 17 concert at the Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago. 

“Accentuate the Positive,” features Luft and her band as she presents the standards and favorites passed on by her mother, the incomparable Judy Garland. Between songs Luft likes to share family stories and fascinating background tales of the tune on the program. She appeared with her sister Liza Minnelli as a special tribute to their mother during last year’s Oscar presentation.

Opening for Luft is local violinist Victor Garcia Rodríguez, who will be making his big solo stage debut at the auditorium. The coordinating dinner for this Trilogy concert will be held in Restaurant Four. Tickets are available on Thursday and Friday in the Ajijic plaza store of Jose Melendez.

Two local Bed and Breakfast hotels have earned high marks in the TripAdvisor 2015 Traveler’s Choice Award finals.