Art shows and exhibits
Ajjic Society of the Arts (ASA) continues its 2018 Judged Art Show at the Centro Cultural Ajijic through March 22, showing the works of member painters, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, and artists of various mediums.
The ASA will also hold court at the Lake Chapala Society with 12 artists featured Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Trips to the opera
Viva La Musica! holds its final trip to see live opera telecasts from the New York Met at the Teatro Diana in Guadalajara.
Saturday, March 10: “Semiramide” by Rossini. This masterpiece of dazzling vocal fireworks stars Angela Meade as Semiramide, Elizabeth DeShong as Arsace, and acclaimed Mexican tenor Javier Camarena. The show runs four hours. The bus departs at 10:30 a.m. for the noon show.
Trips to the opera are 450 pesos (550 for non-members), available at LCS ticket booth Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon, or by calling Rosemary Keeling 766-1801.
Folk dance
The Ballet Folclorico Ixtlahuacan, five-time winners of the Jalisco “Rafael Zamarripa” medal, performs at the Auditorio de la Ribera Sunday, March 11, noon. Tickets, 150 and 200 pesos, are available at Superlake, Diane Pearl and Pancho’s Deli (next to Bar Co).
Baroque music
Ariel Guerrero (Baroque violin) and Alejandro Jenné (laud, tiorba) present a concert of European dances, fantasies and improvisations, Sunday, March 11, 5 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala. Tickets 100 pesos.
Art auction
Lakeside artists come together to join with the populace of Ajijic to help fund the production of the Passion of Christ presentation this year. An auction featuring the works of well-known local artists will be held Wednesday, March 14, 3 p.m. on the Ajijic Plaza.
Later, traditional Mexican food will be prepared and served by passion play actors in the main square and finally, a Mexican traditional dance will be held.
Tickets, 250 pesos, are available from Diane Pearl, Efren Gonzalez Gallery, Dario Marquez Studio, Ajijic Real Estate, Have Hammer Will Travel, Teocintle Restaurant and Tepetate Restaurant.
40th anniversary concert
Lakeside’s Auditorio de la Ribera commemorates the 40th anniversary of first concert held there in 1978 with a celebration concert by Saul Ibarra on piano, the CREM music school Orchestra and Auditorio ballet school Thursday, March 15, 5 p.m. Free admission is limited to 425 persons who obtain tickets in advance, available only at the auditorium front desk Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The auditorium debuted 40 years ago with a gala performance by the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra (GSO). Internationally acclaimed soprano Lucila Sabela appeared as guest soloist, giving birth to what is still the community’s premier venue for cultural and civic events.
Lake Chapala Chorale
The Lake Chapala Chorale has put together an exciting new array of 25 top Broadway hits and fun surprises in the form of a two-act dinner show, complete with “musical appetizers,” on La Bodega de Ajijic’s brand new stage. You get to eat dinner and watch the whole event from your table for only 300 pesos (or 350 pesos if you wait until the day of the show)
Show dates are March 16 and 18 at La Bodega. Advance tickets, 300 pesos, include both dinner service beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the show, and are available at Diane Pearl.
Outdoor scenes
The Plein Air Painters of Jalisco show new works of landscapes and street scenes at Galeria Sol Mexicano, Colon 13 in Ajijic, Friday March 16, 3-6 p.m. Refreshments and music will be on hand, as well as the artists.
Bohemian night
A night of live music, dance, poetry and theater involving more than 20 artists on the set will be held Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia in Chapala. Tickets, 200 pesos, include one drink. Proceeds help fund the Chapala Scenic Arts Company.
Folk dance
The Ballet Folclorico Contemporaneo de San Juan Cosala performs at the Auditorio de la Ribera, Saturday, March 17, 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the Auditorio, Yoly’s Estetica, Centro Cultural Ajijic and Galeria Efren Gonzalez.
Theater at LCS
Potter Productions reprises its first offering, “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” Sunday, March 18 and Sunday, March 25, 3 p.m., at the Lake Chapala Society.
Written by Nora and Delia Ephron and directed by Rosann Balbontin, the play is based on the book by Ilene Beckerman. “Love, Loss and What I Wore” is a fast-paced scrapbook of stories about unfortunate prom dresses, the traumatic lighting in fitting rooms, high heels, short skirts and the existential state of having nothing to wear. Accessorizing these comical and poignant tales are the mothers who disapprove, the men who disappear, and the sisters who’ve got your back.
LCS’ doors open at 2 p.m. Use the side entrance (same as for Open Circle). Admission is 100 pesos. Liquid refreshments and snacks are available. Email your reservation requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include your preferred date and number in your party.
Painting workshop
Efren Gonzalez will hold his last paining workshop of the season, Monday to Thursday, March 19-22. One painting will be done each day. All materials are included. Call 331-703-3942 for more information
Gala dinner dance
White Nights … White Lights, a dinner dance fundraiser for Niños Incapacitados, is scheduled Thursday, March 22, 5-10 p.m. at the Hotel Real de Chapala. Entertainment is by the Great American Songbook with Paul Brier on vocals and piano, Jimmy Barto on vocals, trumpet and flugelhorn and Francis Dryden on drums. Tickets, 550 pesos are available via Sue Williams at 766-0487 or 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..
LLT season finale
“The Clean House” by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Russell Mack, will take to the stage at Lakeside Little Theatre, March 23 to April 1.
Part telenovela, part fantasy, part social commentary, this tender comedy tackles love, life and death with audacious humor. A serious career-oriented doctor, Lane, has hired a quirky Brazilian maid. The only problem is that the maid, Matilde, hates to clean. Instead, she longs to be a comedienne. Lane is deserted by her husband, Charles, who leaves her for his mistress, Ana, a passionate, older Brazilian woman upon whom he recently performed a mastectomy. Ruhl’s enchanting play reminds us that there is humor and beauty to be found in life’s most unlikely messes.
The first Saturday and both Sundays are matinees, 3 p.m. and the evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at LLT’s box office, 10 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday and Thursday and one hour before curtain. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (376) 766-0954.
Painting Guild
The opening reception for the Lake Chapala Painting Guild will be Friday, March 23, 5-7 p.m. at Gallery Calli, Ocampo 30 in Ajijic. For details, contact 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..
Ajijic Cultural Fest
A spring cultural festival will take over the streets of Ajijic March 23 to 25. Ballet folclorico, flamenco, concerts of son and cumbia and son jarocho are just some of the presentations planned. Children will be able to join in art workshops and an exposition and sale of regional crafts will take place as well.
In the culinary realm, the Feria de Capriotada, that special Lenten Mexican bread pudding, will be held Saturday, March 24 from 3 to 8 p.m., on the Malecon, organized by Lee Hoper.
Naked Stage
The Naked Stage Readers’ Theatre will present “The Quality of Life,” directed by Alicia Madrid, March 30-April 1. The cast is comprised of Ken Yakiwchuk, Diana Rowland, Damyn Young and Jayme Littlejohn.
In this dramatic comedy, playwright Jane Anderson explores a myriad of ethical, religious, and moral beliefs, as well as personal rights issues concerning life and death. This remarkable and completely engrossing play won the 2008 Ovation Award for Best Play. Itn is filled with compassion, honesty and humor.
Cost is 100 pesos. The box office and bar open 3 p.m.; all shows are at 4 p.m. Reservations at 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..
The Naked Stage is on the Carretera in Riberas, across from the Catholic church and in front of the Baptist church. Parking is available in the parking lot of the Baptist church.