First Nativity
James Twyman - AKA The Peace Troubadour for the many peace concerts he has performed in war-torn areas such as Iraq, Bosnia and South Africa - is an Anglican priest and Franciscan friar.
The work of St. Francis of Assisi in beginning the tradition of nativity scenes in 1224 is a passion of Twyman’s and he will present a musical retelling of this amazing story.
“I always loved him and he was always the inspiration of the peace work I’ve done throughout the world,” Twyman says. “Three years ago I started performing a one-man musical based upon St. Francis’s life, and that’s when I wrote the Christmas musical, but have been unable to perform it until now. I’m thrilled to finally have the chance to share it here.”
The musical will be at Namaste Village, Angel Flores 5 in Ajijic Saturday, December 3, 4 p.m. and St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar December 4, 3 p.m.
All donations from the event will support La Ola Children’s Home in Riberas del Pilar.
LLT concert
Sunday, December 4, “Romanza,” a concert by world-renowned vocalist Enrique de Allende, is a tribute to the music of Andrea Bocelli and Michael Bublé.
“The interpretations of Enrique bristle your skin. It is an experience that penetrates your ears and connects you with universal contemporary music, with a romantic, classical style, but with a youthful touch. It’s the new Julio Iglesias, with a sweet and powerful voice,” says music producer David Foster.
This concert is a benefit for Lakeside Little Theatre held in the McIntosh Auditorium at LLT. Performances are at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets, 400 pesos, are available from LLT’s website and the box office one hour before curtain time.
ASA happenings
• Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) holds a membership meeting Monday, December 5, 10 a.m. at La Huerta de Serna Salon in West Ajijic (next to the SmokeHouse). ASA welcomes all artists or anyone interested in the artist community. A short business meeting will be followed by a presentation from two fabulous pastel artists, Judy Miller and James Andrew. To become an artist member of ASA, you must reside at Lakeside. Membership fee is 300 pesos, good through December 31, 2023.
• The ASA Art Market takes place Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Garden of Dreams Boutique Hotel (Calle Constitución 105) in Ajijic. Fifty-five member artists will show and sell their work. Enjoy live music, delicious food, beverages in a beautiful garden setting. This will be our fifth month at this location and we are thrilled! Please stop by and support your local art community!
Last Chance
At press time there were still a few tickets left for the Wednesday, December 7 farewell Christmas concert for Los Cantantes del Lago available at loscantantesdellago.com. Cost is 350 pesos.
Auditions at Bare Stage
Bare Stage Theatre holds auditions for its January and February 2023 productions, Wednesday, December 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plays are “Marion Bridge,” directed by Darlene Sherwood, and “Jonas and Barry in the Home,” directed by Sharon Jarvis. Show dates are the last full weekend of each month. Contact Roxanne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make an appointment time, request scripts/sides, or for more information.
Auditions will be held at Bare Stage Theatre, Hidalgo 261 in Riberas del Pilar.
Jazz concert
The Trialogo Quartet play a concert at the Casa del Sol Inn’s first Jazz Supper Club event, Thursday, September 8. Doors open 5:30 p.m. and the concert is a 7 p.m. Casa del Sol Inn, Javier Mina 7, Ajijic. RSVP: 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.. 376-766-0050.
Auditions at LLT
Auditions for LLT’s “Side by Side by Lakeside,” directed by Ann Swiston, will be held Thursday, December 8, 10 a.m. at LLT on the terrace. Registration is 9:30 a.m. and auditions at 10 a.m. She is looking for six-plus men and six-plus women.
The production show dates are February 17 to 28, 2023. For the audition song list and more information, contact Ann 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..
Lessons and Carols
• St. Andrews Anglican Church invites the public to their Advent Lessons and Carols musical event by the Church Choir, led by Rodrigo Leal Saturday, December 10, 4 p.m. at St. Andrews, corner of San Lucas and San Luis in Riberas del Pilar. Refreshments will follow.
• The LCBC choir gives three recitals of “Advent of Peace: Breath of Heaven,” a collection of nativity readings and music of the season: December 12, 4 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, free. December 16, Sol y Luna Hotel, 5 p.m., Dinner and show: 400 pesos. Fifty percent of the proceeds go to Mama Cleo’s Boys Home. December 23, 4 p.m. at LCBC, with a bring-and-share Agape Feast after the program, free.
Opera buffs
There are still tickets available for the free bus ride to Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas Met Live HD presentation in English of “The Hours” on December 10. To reserve your space, stop by the Chapala Opera Guild office Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hidalgo 421 in Riberas del Pilar (next to Puritan Poultry) and speak to Meridith Miller. Email Howard Willis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Ajijic Museo De Arte.
The Ajijic Museo del Arte holds a gala event Sunday, December 11, with a cocktail welcoming at 3 p.m. Maestro Israel Zepeda will open his new exhibition of paintings, “IntencionES”; the Urban Sketchers Ajijic present a new exhibition in memory of Peter Shandera; and Judy King presents her collection honoring the Virgin de Guadalupe.
LLT theatre
Lakeside Little Theatre will bring “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the stage, December 16 to 18, Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 4 p.m. Rosann Balbontin directs Graham Miller, Greg Custer, Jeff Kingsbury, Florette Schnelle, Barbara Pruitt and David Dennis in this live radio play by Joe Landry. The timeless tale of George Baily is given a clever twist when it is staged as a live 1940’s radio show. Tickets, 250 pesos, are available at lakesidelittletheatre.com or at the box office one hour before the show.
Christmas with Rachmaninov
The Lake Chapala Orchestra will present a concert of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 and Rachmaninov’s Piano Concierto No. 2. Staring pianist Saul Ibarra in concerto debut at Lakeside. While both concerts (December 16 and 17 at Lakeside Presbyterian Church) sold out quickly after being announced in October, there is a wait list. If you are on it, you will be invited to attend the dress rehearsal, Thursday, December 15, 1 p.m. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get on the wait list.
Jazzy Christmas concert
Moe Gonzalez quartet will give a jazzy touch to classic Christmas tunes Tuesday, December 20, 2 p.m. at Casa Domenech, inside the Lake Chapala Society. Tickets, 380 pesos, at paypal.me/rayvelvetpro.