Will Durst
U.S. political satirist Will Durst performs live at the Lakeside Little Theatre Friday and Saturday, February 1 and 2, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 3, 4 p.m.
A five-time Emmy nominee and host/co-producer of the PBS series “Livelyhood,” he is also a regular commentator on NPR, CNN and C-SPAN, and has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime. His show is billed as political comedy for people who don’t like politics.
Tickets, 500 pesos, are available at the LLT box office one hour before curtain. Also 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..
LCS Blues Fest
Guadalajara-based band La Avenida del Blues takes center stage at the Lake Chapala Society’s First Annual Blues/Rock Festival, Saturday, February 2, 2-6 p.m. There will be a cash bar and food for purchase. Tickets, 150 pesos in advance (180 pesos at the door), are available at the LCS office.
Spotlight Club
Sutton Lee Seymour, known as “the Robin Williams of Drag,” presents his Dragflix show Saturday, and Sunday, February 2 and 3,.
The legendary music icon Luis Gasca and his All Star Band, featuring Canadian Juno award winner, vocalist Johnny Favorite, plays Wednesday and Thursday, February 6 and 7. The band, including Gabriel Hernandez, Diego Flores, Adrian Flores, Gasca and Favorite, will present a tribute to Miles Davis and Carlos Santana
All Spotlight Club shows are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 331-845-1523.
Jewish Film Fest
The Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation presents the 10th annual Ajijic Jewish Film Festival, with screenings Sundays at 1:30 p.m., through February 24, at the CineMagic.
“Abe and Phi’s Last Poker Game” screens February 3. It’s never too late for life – after moving into Cliffside Manor, Dr. Abe Mandlebaum forms an improbable relationship with gambler and womanizer Phil Ncoletti. Woody Allen’s American, Jewish and worldwide film classic – a multiple award winner – was voted funniest screenplay of all time.
Tickets, 100 pesos, are available at the theater. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a Lakeside charity.
Shakespeare workshop
“Will Power or Something Wicked This Way Comes” is a workshop on Shakespeare looking at the Bard’s works with a director’s eye, led by Lynn Phelan.
A series of three hands-on workshops will look at the many and varied choices a director can make, and how those choices affect the audience’s experience and the very meaning of the play itself. The workshops are Sunday, February 3, 10 and 17 at the new Bravo! Theatre. Information: 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..
Saying goodbye to El Pili
An homage to Chapala musician Rafael Terriquez Rodriguez “El Pili,” whose Big Band was a Lakeside favorite before he passed away in November last year, will be presented Sunday, February 3, 6 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia in Chapala.
ASA
Fiber artist Gail Heinze, from Halifax, Canada, will be demonstrating the art of wet-felting at the next meeting of the Ajijic Society of the Arts, Monday, February 4, 10 a.m. at La Bodega.
Heinze uses dyed merino wool roving, silk, and soap and water to create both wall art and wearable accessories. This is an ancient art form originating in eastern Europe, where it has been used for generations to create warm articles of clothing, rugs and tents. The magic of wool has recently gained popularity in North America, where she has worked with international teachers for the past three years to enhance her skills.
Film Aficionados
Lake Chapala Society members can take advantage of Film Aficionados screenings each Thursday, 1 p.m. On February 7, “Happy as Lazzaro” (2018, Italy) will be screened. This is the tale of a meeting between a young peasant, so good he is often mistaken for simple-minded, and Tancredi, a young nobleman, cursed by his imagination. (123 minutes.)
ASA art walk
Admission booklets for the Ajijic Society of the Arts’ 8th annual Open Studios Art Walk are now on sale.
The Art Walk sees more than 75 local artists display their work at some 30 locations and takes place Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10.
The booklets, 50 pesos, admit one person to all of the locations, and include maps to the studios and sponsors. They are available at Diane Pearl, the Ken Gosh Gallery (Guadalupe Victoria 30), Superlake, Nomad Furniture (Hidalgo 81 in Riberas del Pilar) and the Lake Chapala Society. LCS ticket counter sales are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon and noon to 2 p.m. at the LCS café.
World-class performers
The 17th edition of Ajijic’s vibrant music festival, the Northern Lights Festival de Febrero, is slated for February 9-24 at ten venues in Ajijic and Guadalajara. The festival offers concerts with renowned international musicians, workshops, collaborations and classes for young music students.
Among festival favorites returning this year are David Fung, Susan Hoeppner, Amalia Avilan, The Gryphon Trio, the Manhattan Chamber Players, Patricia O’Callaghan and violinists Grace Park and Luke Fleming. New blood includes conductor Bradley Thachuk, virtuoso guitarist and arranger Raffi Altounian and cabaret singer and songwriter Bryce Kulak.
A special event for the first time this year is the Rising Stars Concert featuring the Walden Trio and the Janus Quartet, which are made up of students from The Festival del Lago, an intensive two-week summer academy for advanced students. They will be in residence during this year’s Festival, receiving coaching and lessons from international star musicians.
Individual festival tickets went on sale January 21 at La Nueva Posada Hotel, 3-5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and you may reserve them in advance 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..
Packages are available from Louise Morel, the Patron’s Chair, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (376) 766-2680.
For more details about the performers and concerts, see festivaldefebrero.com.
Beatles anniversary
El BarCo will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Beatles first performance in North America on the Ed Sullivan Show, Saturday, February 9. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and is a fundraiser for the Niños Incapacitados program.
No cover, donations only. DJ Carlos will play music by the Beatles and two U.S. bands that influenced them: the Beach Boys and the Four Seasons. Reservations: (376) 766-0452.
Cabaret show
The Freedom Chorale – Cindy Paul, Jim Barto and Starfire – presents a one-hour live “Cabaret! Dinner Show” with music, dance and comedy on Thursday, February 14, 5 p.m. (Valentine’s Day) and Sunday, February 17, 3 p.m. at La Bodega in Ajijijc.
This is a fundraiser for The Ranch Animal Rescue Center. Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or La Bodega, (376) 766-1002.
Community Orchestra
Rehearsals have begun at the Lake Chapala Community Orchestra for the Spring Concert slated for March 31 with a theme of music of the movies. Conductor Michael Reason extends an invitation to orchestral instrument players of all levels to join the sessions at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Riberas del Pilar, every Saturday, 2 p.m.