Jesus Alejandre, the talented young photographer who created the magnificent Spirit of Michoacan collection put on display in conjunction with last weekend’s Purepecha Festival, will be conducting two full-day workshops for local shutterbugs interested in honing their skills.
The first session, entitled “From the Camera to the Photograph,” will encompass theory and practice geared for beginning and intermediate photographers. It will take place Saturday, December 21, running from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a 1,000 peso per person tuition fee. The second offering for intermediate and advanced level students is “Secrets of Light and Composition,” scheduled for Saturday, December 28, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is 1,500 pesos per person.
The workshops will be held at the Ajijic plaza and its immediate surroundings. Alejandre is looking for a minimum of 10 people to sign-up for each class. For reservations and further details contact him at cel. 459-106-1366 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
El Piano Rojo
Dueling Drag Divas - alias Chi Chi Rones and Joanna – have teamed up to bring their all holiday show to Ajijic’s El Piano Rojo this weekend.
See these two great entertainers as they battle it out with back to back comedic impressions of Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt, Cher, Madonna, Patsy Cline, Amy Winehouse, Marlene Dietrich, Adele, Anne Murray, Billie Holiday and Tina Turner. A side-splitting duet with Karen Carpenter and Mama Cass is now an audience favorite and stops the show.
Every show is different and ever changing. Joanna and Chi Chi Rones first met working the same venue in Puerto Vallarta a few seasons back. Last season, they decided to put together a show titled “The Taco Belle and the Dairy Queen” but changed the title at the last minute to “Dueling Drag Divas.”
The show will play at El Piano Rojo on Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21, 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 22, 5 p.m. Tickets are 150 Pesos. Reservations recommended. Call El Piano Rojo at (376) 766-2876.
Students of Susanna Chavez (second from right) gathered at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic on December 14 to open the exhibition of works created in her gold and metal leaf gilding classes. Chavez offers instruction in the ancient craft every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For enrollment information, contact her at La Una Restaurant; Marcos Castellanos 9, tel. 766-2072, cel. 333-128-4993 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Naked Stage
The reading at the Naked Stage Theater on Friday, December 27; Saturday, December 28, and Sunday, December 29 is “The Voice of the Turtle” by John van Druten, directed by Jim Lloyd.
A romantic comedy set in New York during World War II, this charming and intelligent play highlights people who have made young and foolish relationship decisions but learn how to right those wrongs.
The Naked Stage is located at Rio Bravo 10A in Ajijic, about two blocks behind Daniel’s Restaurant. The box office opens at 3:15 p.m. and the shows start at 4 p.m.
Reservations guarantee a seat; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Michelle: 765-6408.
Mexico from the Heart
Mexico desde el Corazon is the title of the recital by tenor David De la Mora and classical guitarist Raul Molina de Anda to be presented Saturday, December 28, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic. Organized under the auspices of Colectivo Cultural LagoGris, the program will feature a selection of romantic and traditional songs of Mexico. Admission is set at 60 pesos.
Number Four
Restaurant Number Four hosts a “casual” Christmas Eve show featuring the Galen Trio on Tuesday, December 24, 6 p.m. Diners can then enjoy a three-course prix fixe meal, with roasted free range turkey for 330 pesos, or classic U.S. prime rib for 400 pesos.
And Number Four’s says its New Year Gala on Tuesday, December 31 will be the “hottest ticket in town.”
The 350-peso cover price gets you music from the Galen Trio at 6:30 p.m., dancing to rockers Dirty Black Beans from 8 p.m., classic organic tomato brochetta, hats and other noisy things, confetti bombs, a glass of Brut at midnight and 12 grapes (Mexico’ traditional new year custom).
Diners can choose from a snack menu priced from 100-200 pesos that includes carpaccio, spring rolls, coconut shrimp, etc., or a dinner menu (200-600 pesos), with oyster, lobster, rack of lamb, prime rib, duckling, fois gras, etc.
Number Four is at Donato Guerra 4, Ajijic. reservations at 766-1360.
Painting Guild
The Lake Chapala Painting Guild opens its next exhibition, “New Work,” at the Ajijic Cultural Center, Saturday, January 4, from 4-6 p.m. Everyone is invited to the opening reception. If you won’t be around, do not worry as the show will be up until January 17.
All paintings entered have been juried for acceptability. This jurying process is the Guild’s stated mission, and its aim is the growth and constant improvement of the quality of work by its members.
Members participating are Betty Petersen, Carol Ann Owers, Geraldine Classen, Lois Schroff, Steve Achs, Varn, Winnie Hunt, Cynthia deBois, Ina Gieysztor, Helen Marie Krustev, Nancy Gray, Anita Lee, and Maryann Linhart.
To join the Guild and view examples of paintings by the members, please see www.LakeChapalaPaintingGuild.org.
ASA
The Ajijic Society of the Arts holds its first meeting of 2014 on Monday, January 6, at La Bodega Restaurant in Ajijic (16 de Septiembre 124). The business meeting starts at 10 a.m. and the presentation begins at 10:30 a.m.
The presentation will be given by Nancy Greenheart, who will discuss research for regional and cultural subjects, and demonstrate a painting in progress. Greenhart works in acrylics and over the last 40 years has painted visionary images and intuitive portraits across the United States. Greenhart has become fascinated with Aztec goddesses and folk dancers. She has studied various indigenous groups in central Mexico and painted many revered goddesses and notable group members. In addition, she has also been commissioned to paint landscapes, portraits and murals.
Going, Going, Gone?
It’s getting down to crunch time to acquire tickets for next month’s two-day Jazz Greats concert series at the Auditorio de la Ribera. At press time only 20 seats were still available for the January 11 evening show at 7:30 p.m., while 75 spaces remained open for the January 12 matinee, 2:30 p.m.
The admission price for the stellar appearances of the Guido Basso Quartet with guest vocalist Molly Johnson is 300 pesos per person. For immediate booking information send email inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. After the holidays unsold tickets will be up for grabs at the auditorium box office January 6 through 10, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.