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.
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 andwatch the whole event from your table. Tickets, 350 pesos, at the door. Show dates are Friday, March 16 and Sunday, March 18 at La Bodega. Dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m.
Bohemian night
A night of live music, dance, poetry and theater involving more than 20 artists will be held at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia in Chapala Saturday, March 17, 7 p.m. Tickets, 200 pesos, include one drink. Proceeds help fund the Chapala Scenic Arts Company.
Mosaic workshop
British mosaic artist and author Martin Cheek, who pioneered the use of hand-made glass fusions in mosaic art, will offer a two-day workshop Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ajijic Cultural Center. See the artists work at martincheek.co.uk. To register, or for more information about this workshop, email 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..
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.
The cast is Phyllis Silverman, Maryanne Gibbard, Roseann Wilshere, Sue Quiriconi and Anne Drake.
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.
Opera and Zarzuela
Tenor Ricardo Calderon will be accompanied by pianist Timothy G. Ruff Welch at a concert “called Amores … A España,” as part of the “Bravissimo” concert series, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Sunday, March 18, 4 p.m. The program is a tribute to all things Spanish, with a set list that will mix the operatic form of Zarzuela with compositions by known quantities such as Manuel de Falla. Tickets, 300 pesos, are available at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutiqueor online 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.. For more information on Calderon, go to his Facebook page (Ricardo Calderon Tenor).
Jeffery Straker
Singer-songwriter-pianist Jeffery Straker will give two performances of his “88 Keys” show at the Auditorio de la Ribera, Wednesday, March 21 – a matinee at 3 p.m. and an evening show at 7 p.m.
Straker is in constant demand as a performer, doing more than 100 shows a year across Canada, the United States and abroad. One of his music videos reached the top 10 in Canada. He was a student of the Royal Conservatory of Music and Trinity College in London.
Canadian Musician Magazine has called him “very much an artist to watch” while the Chicago Free Press has written, “Rufus Wainwright, as well as K.D. Lang are among the Canadians making essential and beautiful music. Add the name Jeffery Straker to that list.”
For more information, see jefferystraker.com. Tickets, 300 and 400 pesos, are available at Jose Melenrez, Diane Pearl and The Dildoria. Group 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..
LLT season finale
“The Clean House,” written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Russell Mack, will take to the stage at Lakeside Little Theatre, Friday, March 23 through Sunday, 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 cast is Amaranta Santos, Patteye Simpson, Candace Luciano, Peter Luciano and Tracy Foy.
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, 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, Friday to Sunday, 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. It 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.
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.