Back after the summer break, Los Cantantes del Lago is already hard at work rehearsing for its annual fundraiser, the ever popular “Show Stoppers” – its ninth edition!
Raising money to defray the choir’s running costs, including the expenses of major concerts and the rising costs of using the Auditorio de la Ribera, the show takes place at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, in Riberas on Sunday, November 2, 4 p.m. The bar opens at 3 p.m.
It promises to be even more exciting this year, as there are an even larger number of choristers involved than ever before and more instrumentalists too.
Director Timothy G. Ruff Welch reports that Mexican members now represent some 25 percent of the 58-strong choir, aged between 12 and 84. He and the choir’s board are delighted as this takes Los Cantantes a long way towards fulfilling its long-held ambition to be a genuine community choir.
There will be a wide range of musical offerings: from a song of the Garrick Gaeties, via Guys and Dolls, Brigadoon and Toy Story, all the way to Spamalot and right up to date with Wicked, to name but a few. Guest musicians will also take key roles in the evening’s proceedings.
After performing by special invitation, with flute, piano, violin and voice at the Teachers’ Conference in Mexico City, 12-year-old Georg Esteban Ramírez Oetling is back at Show Stoppers this year, by popular demand. This time playing a piece from Toy Story.
Seventeen-year-old Hugo Ramos’ exceptional basso profundo voice belies the fact that he’s only been receiving formal singing lessons for six months. His version of Rick Besoyan’s song, “You’re the fairest flower,” from Little Mary Sunshine, is certain to be well received.
Well known local composer, guitarist and cellist José Eduardo (Lalo) García Espinoza is also taking part and will be playing a piece from Corcovado, that he has adapted especially for Show Stoppers 9.
It is going to be a fun event – one song alone has ten performers! Jayme Littlejohn reports that the most they’ve ever had before is four. There are so many well-known Cantantes members taking part and the ever popular Ken Yakiwchuk, as emcee, has the unenviable task of keeping everyone on track.
Book soon, this event sells out fast. Tickets are 200 pesos available from Diane Pearl Colecciones, Mia’s Boutique, from any Cantantes member or via the Los Cantantes website at www.loscantantesdellago.com.