Open Circle
Música Para Crecer, under the direction of Maestro Dani Medeles, is blessed and honored to celebrate another holiday season with Open Circle.
On Sunday, December 13, 10:30 a.m., the choir will present a program of Mexico’s all-time favorite songs at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS). The program was carefully arranged to challenge the students musically and technically without departing from their musical roots.
Donations are welcome, since this is probably the last opportunity to keep the program in business for a while, due to the cancelation of other concerts. You can drop off donations at the LCS office this week and next. Checks can be made out to Musica Para Crecer, or for larger tax deductible donations benefactors might prefer to use the LCS Foundation.
In order to follow Jalisco safety precautions, attendance will be limited to 80 persons, use of a mask is mandatory and there will be temperature checks on entry.
Make your reservation and check the schedule at www.opencircleajijic.org.
During this period, we recommend bringing your own coffee or bottled water, and ask attendees to remove containers upon departure.
Christmas concerts
The Lake Chapala Baptist Church offers a celebration of Christ’s birth, “Advent of Joy,” with nativity readings and a singalong of traditional Christmas carols with the combined Baptist and Freedom Chorale choirs, at three concerts: Sunday, December 20, at American Legion Post 7 in Chapala; Thursday, December 24, at Mama’s Musical Bar in San Antonio Tlayacapan; and Friday, December 25, at the Lake Chapala Baptist Church in Riberas del Pilar.
All presentations are at 4 p.m. and free of charge.
Jewish Film Festival
Regretfully, the 2021 Jewish Film Festival will not be held in 2021 due to Covid-19.
Like many non-profits in Lakeside, this was a major fundraiser for the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation and has been held every January since 2009. Part of the proceeds from the film festival have been donated to local charities.
Organizers look forward to a healthier 2021 so that the film festival can once again be held in 2022.
Joco Xmas crafts fair
The third annual Christmas Artisan Fair will be held at the Jocotepec Malecon Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lakeside area craftspeople and those from other states will be showcasing and selling their wares. All appropriate sanitary measures will be taken. This event is sponsored by both the Chapala and Jocotepec municipal governments and the Chapala Artistic and Artisanal Advisory Board (Consejo Artistico y Artesanal de Chapala).
Chamber ensemble concert
The Lake Chapala Community Orchestra’s 12-piece chamber ensemble from members of the orchestra will present free Christmas concerts on Friday, December 11, and Saturday, December 12, 3 p.m. at Unitarian Fellowship/Bare Stage facility at Hidalgo 261.
The performances will feature seasonal music/readings and guest singer Laura Medina. They will celebrate the 250th birthday of Beethoven with a special arrangement of his “Fidelio Overture.” Reservations must be made in advance via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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..
Georg Rauch art show
A collection of works by the late Georg Rauch will be featured during a month-long exhibit at La Galería MC, located on the plaza in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The opening cocktail reception will be held Monday, December 14, 4 to 6 p.m., with face masks obligatory for those attending.
The show continues through January 17, with doors open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rauch was born February 14, 1924, in Salzburg, Austria. He settled in Jocotepec in 1976, living there with his wife Phyllis while producing hundreds of paintings, sketches, prints and kinetic sculptures until his death in November 2006.
Collateral activities to be scheduled by the gallery later this month include a presentation of Rauch’s World War II memoir, “Unlikely Warrior: A Jewish Soldier in Hitler’s Army,” and a guided tour of the artist’s studio on the Nestipac property overlooking Lake Chapala where his widow still resides.
Art show
Works by Chapala resident and internationally exhibited artist Conrado Angel will be on display at Arden Muebles in Riberas del Pilar, beginning Friday, December 18, with a cocktail and the chance to meet with the artist from noon to 4:30 p.m. Angel is an architect, painter, craftsman, sculptor, actor, cultural promotor and teacher. Originally from Mexico city, he has lived in Chapala since 1975.
Live music
FRIDAY: The Jazz Duet with Juan Castañon on guitar and David Perez on bass plays Huerto Café, beginning 11:30 a.m.
Javier Raygoza on harp and Chity on guitar and vocals will play traditional Mexican music at La Bodega Ajijic, 7 p.m.
Old Souls plays Scallions Ajijic Bistro, 6 p.m.
Traficantes del Ritmo plays the Iron Horse Saloon, 7:30 p.m.
Soul Train entertains at La Cima de Copan in San Juan Cosala, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY: Juan Castañon and his jazz trio play Pancho’s Deli Market, 6 p.m.
Next Wave rocks out at the Iron Horse Saloon, 7:30 p.m.
Black String play world music at Casa Linda, 5:30 p.m.
Black Safire performs jazz at the Ajijic Pub House, 7 to 10 p.m.
SUNDAY: Gary Lanz Band plays dance music at Scallion Ajijic Bistro, 7 p.m.
Aloha Rock lets you join in a Sunday jam at La Bodega, 6 p.m.
Blue Jay Slim and the Blues Machine, with Wayne Watson on trumpet, play on the rooftop bar at El BarCo, 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Mike Fortier and Thomas Banks perform at Oui Oui, noon to 3 p.m.