Mariachi bash
What better way to get into the swing of the upcoming Fiestas Patrias than catch the International Mariachi Festival extravaganza scheduled for Sunday, September 1 in Ajijic. The festive matinee gala showcasing three of the festival’s participating mariachi bands will be held at La Huerta events salon, located on the highway at the western outskirts of town, starting at 3 p.m.
The program also includes the appearance of a local ballet folklorico dance troupe and an audience participation rebozo fashion parade. Guests may also avail of the no-host bar service and nosh on an array of typical Mexican antojito snacks fresh from the kitchen.
The price of admission is 200 pesos person, including a free welcome cocktail to wet the whistle. Proceeds from the event will go into the kitty for Cruz Roja Chapala. Advance tickets are available at Yoly’s Unisex Beauty Salon, Mail Boxes Etc., Alfredo’s Galeria, the tourism office at the Chapala’s Malecon and lakeside’s Chamber of Commerce office, Aldama 4-A, Ajijic.
‘Survivors’ unveiled
“Los Sobrevivientes” (The Survivors), the magnificent sculpture gifted to Ajijic by Miguel Miramontes Carmona, will be officially unveiled at a celebration on Friday, September 6, 5:30 p.m. at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic (CCA).
Now in his mid-90s, Miramontes is widely recognized as a living legend in Mexico’s art scene. Born in Guadalajara, he trained at Mexico City’s San Carlos Art Academy, later returning to his native city for a 30-year stint as a professor at the University of Guadalajara’s School of Plastic Arts. During his long and illustrious career as a master sculptor he rubbed elbows with the all-stars of 20th Century Mexican art such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Following retirement from teaching, Miramontes and his family settled in Chapala, where he continues his artistic endeavors. His legacy includes more than 50 sculptures that grace public spaces in the Guadalajara metro area, as well as works found in Puerto Vallarta, Houston and Chapala’s Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo.
CCA director Efren Gonzalez spearheaded the community fund-raising campaign to pay for the bronze casting of the original plaster model of “The Survivors,” a life-size piece depicting a family escaping a rainstorm. The finished work weighs in at nearly 300 kilos.
Storytellers
Everyone is invited join Storytellers at its first event of the fall season – “Mixed Emotions” – on Tuesday, September 10, 4 p.m.
Some of Lakeside’s best writers will read their own original fiction on the back patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS). On the program are Jim Tipton, Margie Keane and Zofia Barisas. Arden Murphy will read one of Jim Collums’ funniest stories.
The event is free but a hat will be passed around, as usual. All donations and bar proceeds are in honor of the Jim Collums Education Fund (JCEF). This money is given to the LCS Student Aid Program for distribution. Currently, the JCEF is proud to have a part in sponsoring 40 college students.
The bar opens at 3:30 p.m.
CASA
The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) monthly meeting and competition held on August 19 featured Lebanese Main Dish in category A, and Lebanese Dessert in category B.
Every year the ultimate goal for a CASA member is to obtain three first-place wins, which will give that cook a BING award. It is not an easy goal to reach. However, in August there were two members who achieved BING awards: Mary Ann Waite and Nancy Traill. Congratulations!
Winners in Category A were: Mary Ann Waite (first place) for her Lebanese Meatball Salad with Garlic Sauce, Monica Molloy (second place) for her Kibbeh with Caramelized Onions and Pomegranate Drizzle and Sally Myers (third place) for her Lebanese Seafood.
Winners in Category B were: Nancy Traill (first place) for her Baklava, Karen Blue (second place) for her Harissah Coconut Cake and Maureen Martin (third place) for her Orange Yogurt Namoura.
People’s choice awards went to Candace Luciano in Category A and Maureen Martin in Category B. Winners for best presentation were Mary Ann Waite in Category A and Karen Blue in Category B.
CASA has opened its membership to welcome new members. If you enjoy cooking and want to expand your knowledge of the “art of cooking,” email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call President Annie Green at 766-5243.
The next meeting/competition for CASA will be at Min Wah Restaurant on Monday, September 9, 4 p.m. For more information visit the CASA website at www.ajijiccasa.org.
Pottery classes
Love the feel of clay and want to learn how to manipulate it? Master potter Frank Howell is offering beginning and intermediate classes in pottery. Both hand-building and wheel work will be covered.
The six-week course begins September 11, and includes a weekly two-hour class, afternoon open studio work time, 25 pounds of clay and the glazing and firing of the students pieces. For a small fee you can do a Raku firing. Classes are small, no more than four people.
If you are interested, take a look at the website www.FrankHowellPottery.com or call (376) 765-5221 to sign up.