Thursday and Friday’s very different concerts by Jeffery Straker, in aid of Niños Incapacitados, were enormous fun and extremely well received. Audiences were even persuaded to join in, clapping in time and copying various sounds sung by Straker, which they did with gusto at Ajijic’s Auditorio de la Ribera.

Wednesday’s recital by guest organist J. Neal Biggers at Ajijic’s San Andrés Church was extremely well supported, as was the request for food contributions and/or donations in aid of the Villa Infantil Orphanage, which is entirely dependent on such private support.

Canada’s foremost musical triad, the celebrated Gryphon Trio, opened the 13th annual Scotiabank Northern Lights Music Festival in great style with its dynamic “Love Triangle” concert at the Auditorio de la Ribera on Monday. 

“Everyone has one good book in them,” according to bestselling author John Grisham. The number of writers at lakeside with one or more books on the shelf and in process seems to prove Grisham’s point. How do they do it? 

Eight films will be featured in this year’s Sunday Afternoon at the Movies, a fundraising program sponsored by the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico.

“Too Big to Fail,” a dramatic story about the economic collapse of 2008, will be the first movie in the series on March 1.

Other films in the series are:

 “Freedom Writers,” March 8; “A Better Life,” March 15; “Citizen Koch,” March 22; “Pride,” March 29; “Greenfingers,” April 5; “Girl Rising,” April 12; and “Iron Jawed Angels,” April 19.

All shows are at 1:30 p.m. at Cinemas del Lago, Theater #1, Bugambilias Plaza, Ajijic.  

Tickets are 50 pesos each at the box office.  Films are open to the general public.

In a new feature this year, there will be moderated discussions following the showing of “Too Big to Fail” and several other films in the series.

Net proceeds are used to help defray expenses for the organization’s Lakeside voter registration program for all U.S. expats, regardless of political affiliation.

For more information, call 766-3274 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Lakeside Little Theatre has taken on quite a challenge with its upcoming production, “The Night of the Iguana,” the 1961 drama based on Tennessee Williams’ 1948 short story that revolves around the complex mix of personalities and emotions at the Costa Verde Hotel, in (imaginary) Puerto Barrio on Mexico’s West Coast, during the summer of 1940.