Music festival
All the indications suggest that the Scotiabank Northern Lights Music Festival will see larger audiences this year. More folks than ever have purchased “Patron” packages but a few are still left for those who would like to be included in this privileged category. Contact Patron chairperson Judy Parker for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Though individual tickets for flutist Susan Hoeppner’s concert at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church have sold out, her talents can still be enjoyed at the Opening Gala, when you can hear her play the lyrical “Concerto for Flute and Strings” by distinguished guest composer Christos Hatzis. A special treat will be the composer’s talk to the audience at 7 p.m. before the concert. The doors will be closed for the talk and reopened 20 minutes later for the concert. All of this will take place on Wednesday, February 22 at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago.
Another special festival guest, world-renowned pianist Anton Kuerti, will perform twice during the festival: the first time on Thursday, February 23 in an all-Beethoven concert and in the Mozart concerto at the Closing Gala on Thursday, March 1.
Tickets for these events and more are on sale at the Lake Chapala Society Tickets, Etc. booth Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to noon and at Charter Club Tours at Plaza Montana, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Artpark
A group of artists – Victor Alcazar, Jaime Barbiery, Cecilia Sanchez Berennu Hernandez and Cecilia Rodriguez – going under the name “Artpark” open an exhibition Saturday, February 18 at the Ajijic Cultural Center.
The opening will be preceded by the presentation of “Unknown Aspects of Benito Juarez,” a book by Carlos Sanchez Chavez. Juarez served as Mexico’s president on five occasions between 1858 and 1872 and is generally regarded as the nation’s most influential 19th century leader. Moderating readings from the book will be Abel Ramirez Treviño.
The book presentation begins at 4 p.m. with a dance performance by Veronica Acevedo following. The reception for the collective exhibit is set for 5-8 p.m. at the Cultural Center located on Ajijic’s principal plaza.
50 artists
An opportunity to view the work of local artists inside their own studios is being offered by the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA ) on Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The passport to enter “behind the gates and into the studios” is actually a brochure showing a photograph of one of each artist’s creations, the address where they are showing and their assigned number. The centerfold map indicates where all of the open studios are located.
A brightly colored sign featuring the ASA logo, the location number and the names of the artists showing there will be displayed on the gates or door of each location.
The passport brochures will be sold for 20 pesos each at various locations, including the Lake Chapala Society Tickets, Etc. counter, Diane Pearl Colecciones and others. They will also be on sale at a preview show to be held in conjunction with ASA’s February Ajijic Plaza show and sale on Sunday, February 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Broadway at Lakeside
Don’t forget that Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) opens “A Taste of Broadway,” its musical production of the 2011-2012 season directed by Barbara Clippinger, on Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.
This will be a red carpet opening, so be sure to wear your Broadway best. Tickets are 250 pesos each and go on sale Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon at the LLT box office. The box office will be open at the same time during the run of the show (except Sundays) until March 5.
Watercolor masters
The exhibit “Maestros de Acuarela” (Masters of Watercolor) opens in artist Efren Gonzalez’s gallery (Marcos Castellanos 7, Ajijic) on Friday, February 26, at 3 p.m. Among the ten artists showing are Emilio Galindo, Luis Eduardo Gonzalez, Jorge Monroy, Francisco Medina, Efren Gonzalez and Enrique Velazquez. Refreshments will be served.
Hebrew melodies
My, My How Nice Productions will present a concert featuring violist Madalina Nicolescu and pianist Timothy G. Ruff Welch on Saturday, March 10, 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar.
The title of the event is “Hebrew Melodies: A Musical Journey Through the World.” The program will also include Argentine tangos by Astor Pantaleon Piazzolla.
Tickets are 200 pesos and can be purchased at Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s Boutique or bey emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The cash bar opens at 3 p.m.
The mural
Everyone is invited to the celebration and dedication of the Lake Chapala Society Children’s Art Program mural on Saturday, March 3, noon.
There will be mariachi music and refreshments, and many former students of the program that the mural honors will be on hand.
The mural was painted by Jesus Lopez Vega and Javier Zaragoza, both well-known artists and students of the Neill James Children’s Art Program, which began in 1956. Since then, it has engaged thousands of Mexican children in the exploration of their creative talents.
The mural honors three women who enriched the lives of so many young Mexicans. Neill James was a writer and philanthropist from the United States whose interest and generosity allowed many students to develop their fine arts skills. Angelita Aldana Padilla taught reading and art in the public library started by James. Mildred Boyd, a 25-year resident of Lakeside, rejuvenated the Children’s Art Program under the auspices of the Lake Chapala Society in 1990 and continued to lead and expand the program until 2010.
The mural was made possible through a generous donation from the Ajijic Society of the Arts and the creative collaboration and time of Lopez Vega and Zaragoza.
For the arts
Los Cantantes del Lago is throwing a fundraiser for the Pro Auditorio (auditorium renovation) fund. The raffle has more than 30 prizes, all of them valued at more than 400 pesos and many worth more than 1,000 pesos.
Prizes range from restaurant gift certificates to Go, Two Spoons, Panzo and Ajijic Tango, to event tickets for Lakeside Little Theater and MAS Musica, as well as a round of golf for four at the Chapala Country Club.
Tickets are 200 pesos and can be purchased from Diane Pearl Colecciones and Mia’s Boutique or from any Los Cantantes member. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dance
Ballet Folklorico Ixtlahuacan, five-time winner of the national Rafael Zamarripa Dance Prize, takes to the stage of Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago on Sunday, March 4, noon.
This exemplary dance group, directed by choreographer Salvador Luna Pena, is recognized nationwide for its practice of interpreting original regional dances and using authentic costumes.
The show on March 4 will emphasize dances performed as they were during the 19th century in various areas of Mexico. A central theme will be the differences in the lives of the rich and the poor.
The troupe is highly trained and practices a minimum of 16 hours a week when preparing for a performance. Tickets cost 120 pesos and are on sale at the auditorium and SuperLake Market.