Plein Air exhibit
This unique art genre will be on display at Galeria Sol Mexicano March 15 to April 10. Plein Air, a phrase borrowed from the French, describes the act of painting outdoors, where the painter reproduces the actual visual conditions seen at the time of the work. This is very different from studio painting in which an artist may slowly develop his painting from photos in order to create a certain predetermined look. Plein Air tends to be more direct and visceral as the artist may have only two to three hours to attempt to capture the overall mood, feeling or essence of the scene. If done well, the painting can literally vibrate with the energy of life! The opening is Friday, March 15, 4-6 p.m.
Cancellation
The exhibition of works by 11 female photographers – set to open Saturday, March 16 at the Centro Cultural González Gallo in commemoration of International Women’s Day – has been canceled.
Ukuleles
Club Ukulele de Laguna, together with the Academia de Ukuleles de la Ribera, present A Community of Music, Saturday, March 16, 4 p.m. at Casa Libertad restaurant on the highway in San Antonio Tlayacapan, next to Century 21.
Billed as “Ukulele Bringing People Together,” this is the first joint concert by the lakeside adult and children’s uke groups. Featuring players aged from 8 to 80, this event is part sing-along, part concert. There will be old familiar tunes, rock and roll tunes, and perhaps even an Irish tune or two in deference to the date.
Admission to the event is free. A collection will be taken to benefit the children’s program – the Academia de Ukuleles de la Ribera.
Folk dance
The Ballet Folklorico de Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos performs with mariachis Sunday, March 17, noon at the Auditorio de la Ribera. Tickets at Diane Pearl, Pancho’s Deli and the Auditorio.
Judge the artists
The Ajijic Society of the Arts will hold its 36th annual judged show Saturday, March 16, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Ajijic on the Jardin. Meet the artists and participate in voting for the people’s choice award. The showing will be up through March 28, with ASA hosts attending from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More Centro Cultural
Coxala Grafica presents “Versiones y Diversiones” and “Punta Norte,” two shows by graphic artists at the Centro Cultural Ajijic. A cocktail opening is held Saturday, March 16, 6 p.m. The show is up through April 17.
The Spotlight Club
The Kinsey Sicks, the United States’ favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, bring their Naked Drag Queens Singing show to lakeside Sunday March 17, 6 p.m. and Monday, March 18, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
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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.
Painting with oils
Efren Gonzalez offers the last of his oil painting workshops of the season Tuesday to Friday, March 19-22. Paint one canvas each day. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All materials are included in the $US400 fee. Information: 331-703-3942.
Ballet auditions
Maestro Hector Hernandez will hold auditions for scholarships to the School of Classic Ballet at the Auditorio de la Ribera Wednesday, March 20, 4:30 p.m. .
Hernandez is the father and teacher of Isaac Hernandez, currently a principal dancer with the English National Ballet – and considered the top male dancer in the world – and Estaban Hernandez, a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet. This audition is an incredible opportunity for young people in the Chapala area to obtain a scholarship to this prestigious school. The auditions are open to girls and boys age 7 to 16 and take place at the at the Auditorio. Preregistration is required at the Auditorio office or with Hilda Alvarez, 331-895-6316.
Film Aficionados
Lake Chapala Society members can take advantage of Film Aficionados screenings each Thursday, 2 p.m. On March 21, “La Noche de 12 Años” (2018, Uruguay) will be screened.1973- Uruguay is governed by a military dictatorship. Three Tupa Maro political prisoners are taken from their cells in a secret operation. The order is precise — “As we cannot kill them, let’s drive them mad!” (115 minutes).
‘Sweet Charity’
Barbara Clippinger directs a cast of thousands (well, it seems that way) in Lakeside Little Theatre’s production of “Sweet Charity,” Friday, March 22 through Tuesday, April 2. Written by Neil Simon, with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, this Bob Fosse musical has exhilarating dance numbers and will surely sell out quickly.
Patteye Simpson is the music director and the choreography is by Alexis Hoff, Val Jones, Cortlandt Jones and Barbara Clippinger.
“Sweet Charity” follows the romantic trials and tribulations of Charity Hope Valentine, “a girl who wanted to be loved.” Charity is a taxi dancer, a dance partner-for-hire at a seedy dance hall in New York City. Though the job may be decidedly undesirable, Charity’s hopeful romanticism and unfailing optimism lift her out of her circumstances and help her reach for a life beyond. In the past, she’s been strung along and hung out to dry by a series of bad relationships and lousier men. When she meets Oscar, a neurotic, shy actuary seemingly from another world, will she finally find true love at last?
The first Saturday and both Sundays are matinees, 4 p.m., and the evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at the LLT 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.
Duo
Guadalajara-based musicians Rene Pelayo Garica (above) and Marco Mondragon Alvarez interpret a program of classical guitar music Saturday, March 23, 7 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala. Tickets 100 pesos.
Cantantes del Lago
Los Cantantes del Lago present a spring concert entitled “Roots: Folk Music of North America,” Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m. and Wednesday, March 27, 4 p.m. at the Auditorio de la Ribera. Guest artists are Mariachi Real Axixic. Tickets, 250 pesos are available at Diane Pearl, Mia’s Boutique, the Auditorio and at loscantantesdellago.com
‘Chapatti’
Fred Koesling and Roseann Wilshere comprise the cast of the next Bare Stage Theatre production, “Chapatti,” a romantic, poignant and unsentimental comedy by Irish playwright Christian O´Reilly. “Chapatti” unfolds as a sweet and funny look at the lives of two lonely animal-lovers, Betty and Dan, as each quietly yearn for human companionship.
Directed by Rosann Balbontin, the presentation is Friday to Sunday, March 29-31. All shows are at 4 p.m. Bar and office open 3 p.m. Tickets, 100 pesos, are available at the box office on the day of the show. Reservations: 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 theater is at Carretera 261 on the mountain side in Riberas del Pillar.
Community Orchestra
The 40-member Lake Chapala Community Orchestra takes to the stage Sunday, March 31, 3 p.m. with “The Sound of Movies.” This cinematic journey across some of the best known film scores includes pieces from “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Good the Bad and the Ugly” and some of the most memorable James Bond movies.
Joining the orchestra on stage will be Daniel Arturo Medeles, who will perform the solo violin in John Williams’ haunting theme to “Schindler’s List” and also the beautiful love theme from Ennio Morricone’s score to “Cinema Paradiso.”
The Children’s Choir of the Orquesta Filármonica Infantil de la Ribera de Chapala will join the Community Orchestra in such favorites as “When You Wish Upon a Star” from “Pinocchio” and “Recuerdeme” (Remember Me) from “Coco.”
The concert takes place at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, San Jorge 250, Riberas de Pilar – just two blocks south of Mom’s Restauran
Tickets, 200 pesos (100 for students), are available from Diane Pearl and through orchestra members.