Collective
Three artists share the limelight when Centro Cultural Ajijic opens a new show with a reception on Saturday, January 12, 4-8 p.m.
Sala I of the center hosts “Amor de Lejos,” a display of abstract acrylic paintings by Patrick Kemal. Up in Sala II will be “Relatos Oniricos,” magic realism oil paintings and acrylics by Jesus Lopez Vega, along with some of his etchings. Watercolors, acrylic paintings and etchings by Jesus Eduardo Lopez Garcia (Lopez Vega’s son) are also showcased in Sala II.
Studio sale
Ken Gosh opens his El Gallo Gallery and home for a sale of his paintings, folk art and mystery books on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, January 12, 13 and 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery is located at Victoria Guadalupe 30 in Ajijic. The telephone number is 766-4171.
Naked
The Naked Stage Minimalist Theatre opens its production of “The Exonerated” by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen on Thursday, January 25, 4 p.m.
This is a powerful, true story about six people convicted of capital crimes in the United States. They all spent years on death row before being exonerated. It’s well known for eliciting an intense emotional level from the audience.
The director is Lynn Phelan and the cast includes Ron Knight, Dick Yanko, Greg Clarke, Russell Mack, Don Chaloner, Patteye Simpson, Allen McGill, Roseann Wilshere, Graham Miller and Betty Lloyd Robinson.
The Naked Stage is located at Rio Bravo 10A in west Ajijic. behind Daniel’s Restaurant (open for lunch and dinner). A no-host bar will be available. Make reservations at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (376) 765-3262.
Auditions
Auditions for “Not Now Darling,” written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman, will be held at Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) Friday and Saturday, January 18 and 19. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. with auditions beginning at 10 a.m.
Director Shirley Appelbaum is seeking five men and six women for the 1960s-style fur salon farce that is filled with suspicious wives, philandering husbands, mistaken identities and scantily clad girlfriends, delivered in a saucy, sophisticated style.
Performance dates are March 23 to March 31.
Further information and scripts are available from Appelbaum at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Membership
VIVA la Musica holds its annual VIVA Membership Gala party on Sunday, January 20 to celebrate new and renewing members. There will be champagne and hors d’oeuvres and a recital featuring pianist Rodrigo Leal playing works by Bach and Mozart.
The party is free for members and you can take a guest for 100 pesos. The event will be held at the home of Roseann and Tony Wilshere, Nicolas Bravo 35 on the lakefront in Ajijic. Park on one of the side streets near the Lake Chapala Society.
Dance party
Dust off your white buck loafers, peggers and poodle skirts. It’s time for the Doo Wops Dance Party on Tuesday, January 22 at La Bodega Restaurant (16 de Septiembre 124, Ajiijc), with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. Relive the songs from the American Bandstand of the 1950s and 60s. Make reservations at (376) 766-1002.
Expressions
Master painter Javier Zaragoza stages an exhibition of his latest works, entitled “Expressions,” at Centro Cultural Ajijic (on the main plaza), kicking off with an opening reception on Saturday, January 19, from 4-7 p.m. This will be the first time Zaragoza has exhibited in the popular arts center.
The artist’s career began at age 16, painting an allegory of the life of St. James in the church of Ixtlahuacan (which he enhanced and restored 40 years later) while his father held the scaffolding. He had a long career as a painter of billboards in the United States and returned to Ajijic about 12 years ago.
Though he swore he’d never pick up another paint brush, Zaragoza was back at it in a few weeks. His many public works include the striking historical mural along the curves just west of Chapala. He is also in great demand to paint murals in private homes.
This exhibition will focus on the artist’s astonishing ability to capture the facial expressions of his Mexican neighbors.
Jewish Film festival
The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation’s Fourth Annual Jewish Film Festival continues through February 10 at MovieSpace Cinemas in the Centro Laguna Mall, located at the corner of the Carretera and the Libramiento.
“The Human Resources Manager” will be shown on January 13; “The Roundup” on January 20; “Europa Europa” on January 27; “Nora’s Will” on February 3; “Hava Nagila the Movie” on February 10 (this is the Latin American premier).
All films begin at 3 p.m. with the exception of “Nora’s Will,” which will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are 60 pesos and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tepehua Centro Comunitario (Community Center) in Chapala.