The Centro Cultural Ajijic (CCA) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a series of special activities scheduled every weekend through the end of August.
The program kicked off on Tuesday, August 5, with a musical serenade performed by the Mariachi Juvenil Axixic and Mariachi Los Correcaminos from the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Events resume on Saturday, August 9, 6 p.m. with a colorful performance of Mexican dances by the Ballet Folklórico Ayuntamiento de Chapala, marking the troupe’s own 25th anniversary.
On Sunday, August 10, 1 p.m., the opening cocktail reception will be held for a collective art exhibition featuring works by some of the most talented and representative local artists, including Javier Zaragoza, Javier Ramos, Efrén González and family, Antonio and Jesús López Vega, Daniel Palma, Juan Navarro, Isela Martínez, Enrique Velázquez, and Rigoberto Navarro.
On Saturday, August 16, 4:30 p.m., author Luis Gómez Villaseñor and CCA director Claudia Miramontes will give a bilingual presentation of the short story collection “Luces en el Lago” (Lights on the Lake). A recital by dancer Leonor Zertuche and pianist Kristina Trejo will follow at 6 p.m.
Two art workshops are scheduled for Sunday, August 17: Ceramics Decoration led by Mario Roldán from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Abstract Drawing with Maureen Brown “Momo” from noon to 2 p.m. Both workshops are free of charge and include materials.
On Saturday, August 23, 6 p.m., the Escuela de Danza de la Ribera will present a performance by its classical and contemporary dance students.
Two events are scheduled for Sunday, August 24: a ballroom dance show at noon by Ocodance Academy, directed by Alejandro Ortiz, featuring both Mexican and foreign dancers; and a performance by Ajijic’s Xikantzy Ballet Folklórico, directed by Judith Olivarez, at 6 p.m.
On Friday, August 29, 6 p.m., the girls and boys of the Xikantzy Children’s Folkloric Ballet will demonstrate how they are helping preserve traditional Mexican dance in a heart-warming performance.
The anniversary celebration will wrap up on Sunday, August 31, 7 p.m. with the traditional closing show of Ballet Folklórico, directed by Carlos Rayo.
All events and activities are free and open to the public. Most will take place on the outdoor esplanade in front of the CCA, located on the north side of the Ajijic plaza.