Virtual art show
Although Covid-19 restrictions have curtailed evening art events just as the season unfolds, the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) is holding Virtual Art Shows at the ASA Art Store (AjijicArtSale.com), where you can find works by local artists, review them and claim them online.
You can search by artist or by type of art and refine the search by a variety of details. Once selected, the artist will email the buyer to arrange payment and pick up. This is not quite as fun as a gallery opening, but if you first open a bottle of wine and prepare some bocadillos, it could be a fun way to choose to decorate your abode.
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.
Exhibit
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.
Bare Stage and BRAVO! theatres are offering an Acting Monologue Workshop with Bernadette Jones
Monologue workshop
The workshop, to be conducted via Zoom, will introduce acting techniques for stage and camera using a selected monologue from a play of your choice, or suggested by the instructor. Mastering this monologue will enhance your acting skills on many levels.
Each participant will receive specific input on how to develop the character’s intentions, relationships and the subtext (mining for the gold that is beneath the words). When learning how to connect thought and word to the intention, each actor will gain in confidence and begin to “own the role,” while developing the necessary skills for any future acting challenge.
A 35-year career veteran in the professional theater and film world, Jones brings a wealth of experience directing, coaching and teaching actors. At Concordia University in Montreal, where she graduated in Drama and English (1978), she studied several acting techniques from traditional to modern. Her post-graduate work included study in Los Angeles with the famed Michael Shurtleff, where she soon became his protégée and good friend until his death. Jones and many actors she has directed have been nominated for major awards.
Since residing at Lakeside, Jones has directed many highly praised productions at BRAVO! Theatre and Bare Stage Theatre. She is known to be “an actor’s director,” stemming from her vast experience as a teacher. Many of the local actors who have worked with Jones have commented that her direction felt more like a “master class” in acting.
Two groups with a maximum of six people are offered with eight hours in the group and one hour of one-on-one with Jones. The first group will be Tuesdays, January 12 to February 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second group will be Thursdays, January 14 to February 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The culmination of this Monologue Workshop will be a live showcase performance, when it is safe to gather as a group once again. The Showcase will be at either the BRAVO! Theatre or Bare Stage Theatre.
This could be a wonderful Christmas gift for a loved one with the acting bug!
For prices and registration, email 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..
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.
Catharsis rocks out at the Iron Horse Saloon, 7:30 p.m.
Black String play world music at Casa Linda, 5:30 p.m.
Go Bistro has live acoustic music 6:30 to 8:30 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 the Iron Horse Saloon, 3:30 p.m.
Mike Fortier and Thomas Banks perform at Oui Oui, noon to 3 p.m.
Traficantes del Ritmo at Mercado Del Lago, Ramon Corona 36 in Chapala, 3 to 5 p.m.