Dia de los Muertos
Below are some Day of the Dead events scheduled in Lakeside communities.
A Día de Muertos Fandango party, organized by expat community liaison Héctor España, is scheduled for Friday, November 1, 4 to 7 p.m., at the Malecón amphitheater in Ajijic. The program features an presentation on how the dead are honored in different cultures, a ballet folklórico performance and music for dancing. The admission price of 250 pesos includes dinner. Proceeds go towards expenses for the November 2 parade (departing from the corner of Aldama and Consitución, 7 p.m., heading west along Ocampo and turning back at Seis Esquinas to head to the plaza via Hidalgo). Tickets for the Fandango party are on sale at Diane Pearl, Fenix Realty, Wilde’s Dildoria and Manix Restaurant.
Ajijic cemetery tours, with bilingual guide and a ballet folklórico performance are Saturday, November 2, with tours at 2 and 4 p.m. from the Ocampo entrance. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Lake Chapala Society November 2, 10 a.m. to noon.
The Dia de Muertos Festival at the Ajijic plaza is November 2, with memorial altars, colorful sawdust carpets and Catrina figures displayed around the square. A cultural program outside the cultural center will feature ballet folklórico dancers, live acoustic music and literary readings.
Later that evening, people will gather on Calle Marcos Castellanos opposite the Ajijic church to light vigil candles on the Efren González ceramic skull mural.
The centerpiece of San Juan Cosala’s Dia de Muertos festivities will be a giant memorial altar adorned with hundreds of marigold blossoms, paper flowers and candles to be displayed November 1 through 3 at the central kiosk. A November 2 cultural festival starting at 6 p.m. will feature a food and craft fair, a nighttime parade and live entertainment.
Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillo´s annual Day of the Dead Festival runs through November 3, with a huge program of day and night activities. A purse of more than 270,000 pesos will be split among the winners of different contests, including memorial wreaths on Friday; altars and Catrina impersonators on Saturday and colored sawdust carpets on Sunday. For information on guided tours available each day contact 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..
Jocotepec will celebrate Que Viva La Muerto festival Friday, November 1, in the main plaza from the opening of a gastronomic pavillion at 5 p.m., continuing fun and entertainment for the whole family from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Red Cross golf and auction
Don’t miss the Cruz Roja Golf Classic Thursday, November 7 at the Country Club de Chapala. A 9 a.m. shotgun start is scheduled. If you don’t play to play (only a couple of slots were open at press time) stop in to make a bid on the dozens of items in the silent auction from noon to 4 p.m.. This is the most important fundraiser for Chapala’s only emergency clinic and ambulance service open 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365 days a year.
British Luncheon
The Lakeside British and Commonwealth Society holds its monthly luncheon Saturday, November 2, 12:45 p.m. at Manix Restaurant, Ocampo 57 in Ajijic. Ric Connor has prepared a quiz: “Sounds of the World.”
Menu is a small salad, cream of mushroom soup, fish and chips, vegetarian pasta or a large salad with protein. Dessert is lemon tart. The cost is 180 pesos plus drinks and tip.
Contact Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Arleen at 376-766-1742 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance. Visitors welcome.
Open Circle
Sandy Britton will present “How and Why We Remember” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, November 3, 10:30 a.m. to noon, on the patio of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS).
We humans define ourselves in large part through our memories, to the point where loss of memory feels like loss of self. Our memories also play an essential role in our survival. While memory has been studied by philosophers and scientists for centuries, it’s only been in the last fifty years or so that researchers have learned how subtle and complex memory really is. Recent research has added even more insight into how memory works – and how it can work against us. Come take a journey through this fascinating aspect of the human mind, and learn the latest findings on how to improve your ability to remember.
Sandy Britton is from northern California. Her background is in software development but she’s always been fascinated by the computer between our ears. She combines her love of brain science and public speaking to bring you this talk.
Information: opencircleajijic.org.
TED Talks
At the next Ted Talk, Tuesday, November 5, noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Lake Chapala Society Sala, hear a lecture by sixteen-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg: “The disarming case to act right now on climate change.” Open to LCS members only.
In this passionate call to action, 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg explains why, in August 2018, she walked out of school and organized a strike to raise awareness of global warming, protesting outside the Swedish parliament and grabbing the world’s attention. “The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions,” Thunberg says. “All we have to do is to wake up and change.”
Hosted by Fred Harland.
Hot Science at LCS
Lake Chapala Society members can get the lowdown on new science, technology and medical news, each Tuesday in the LCS Sala, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Topics for November 5: The five: ways to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s; The universe Is Mmade of tiny bubbles containing mini-universes; Artificial intelligence system gives fashion advice.
Presented by Silicon Valley guy Richard Clarke.
LCS courses
LCS members can take advantage of a variety of courses and seminars.
• Beginners Gardening at Lakeside with Francisco Nava, Tuesday, November 5, 12, 19 and 26, 1-3 p.m.
• Intro to Creative Writing with Rachel McMillen, Wednesday, November 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2-4 p.m.
• Introduction to Lakeside. Topics include: banking, shopping, medical services, transportation, housing, utilities, maid and gardening services, social protocols, fiestas, holidays, and religious observations. Thursday, November 14, 9 a.m.
Check the LCS office or website for costs and to sign up.
Dine with the Shriners
The Lake Chapala Shrine Club will hold a fundraiser dinner at Adelita’s in San Antonio Tlayacapan, Thursday, November 7, 2 to 6 p.m. The 250 peso ticket price includes a choice of a half rack of BBQ ribs or a house salad with chicken or pomodora pasta or fish and chips. Reservations: 376-766-0097.
Tech classes at LCS
Michael Goss teaches tech classes Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. for LCS members.
Sign up for classes by email 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..
• November 7: Chromebooks
• November 21: Creating photo books
Every Thursday, noon to 2 p.m., Technical Help Desk for phones, laptops, tablets, TV questions, cell phone operations, email and everything else tech.
Bread for kids
Frederic and Isabelle of Pastisserie Francaise, the French bakery in West Ajijic will sell 100 loaves of Brioche bread at 100 pesos each. All the proceeds will go to Niños Incapacitados. The sale begins Saturday, November 9, 9 a.m. until they sell out.
Veterans Day
American Legion Post 7 Chapala will hold a celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, beginning with a ceremony at 10:55 a.m. all are welcome. A social hour starts at noon, with a pit-roast pig dinner plus all the fixings at 1 p.m. Entertainment by DJ Howard. Tickets (for the dinner only), 250 pesos, are available at the Legion, Morelos 114 in Chapala, 376-765-2259.
Remembrance Day
The Royal Canadian Legion, Lake Chapala, BR 182 will conduct a Remembrance Day ceremony Monday, November 11, 10:30 a.m. sharp on the property of the Hermanas Benedictimas de la Adoracion Perpetua del Santisimo Sacramento, located on Jesus Garcia Norte, across from Panino Deli in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The ceremony is in a covered and tiled facility 300 meters north from the highway just beyond the football field. After the ceremony a party with bar and music will be held. Tickets for the party are 250 pesos and available at O’Rourkes in Centro Laguna or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., tel. 331-758-0676.
Driving permits
The Lake Chapala Society PEP series offers classes to obtain a driver’s license. Sign up for any of the following classes: Monday, November 11, or December 2, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the LCS South Campus Board Room. Study the course for getting a license and go to Guadalajara to obtain your new or renewal license November 12, or December 3 at 7 a.m. Cost is 800 pesos.
Spanish at LCS
Introduction to Spanish is a three-week class taking place on Tuesdays, beginning November 12. These classes are open only to Lake Chapala Society members. Find out about dates, times and costs at the LCS office.
Starlit Paella fundraiser
The Lakeside Charities Grant Program is holding a fundraiser Starlit Paella multi-course dinner Wednesday, November 13, at Hotel Montecarlo. This program has funded more than 25 local community projects with some 600,000 pesos in the last few years. Tickets, 500 pesos during the month of October, are available via 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..
Canadian Passport Clinic
The Canadian Consulate in Guadalajara will hold a Passport Clinic at the Lake Chapala Society, Wednesday, November 13, 2 to 4 p.m. Learn about the new online payment tool and tips to consider regarding your passport application. RSVP Diana Haro: 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..
Bridge lessons
Catherine Gonzales will hold supervised bridge lessons at the Lake Chapala Duplicate Bridge Club every Wednesday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. beginning November 13. For more information, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Garden Guild Floral Show
The Lakeside Garden Guild’s Annual Floral Show is Saturday, November 16, 3-6 p.m. at the original Hacienda del Lago on O’Campo and Privada de O’Campo in Ajijic. Some of the Guild’s beautiful arrangements will be for sale at the show.
The proceeds will help fund the Guild’s 2020 Community Project. Tickets, 300 pesos — including a complementary drink and hors d’oeuvres— are available via Barb at 376-766-5452 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Leslie at 376- 766-2274 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..
LCS wine tasting
Fans of the vine won’t want to miss the Lake Chapala Society’s 4th annual Wine Tasting event Saturday, November 16, 2:30-5:30 pm. Wines from Chile, Argentina, Spain and Mexico will be featured with many varieties available for unlimited tasting and purchaseThis year for the first time LCS is combining wine with the arts. Artists from the Ajijic Society of the Arts will be exhibiting their work during the wine tasting, giving visitors a chance to meet the local artists.
Advance tickets, members: 160 pesos, non-members: 200 pesos are available at the LCS office. Tickets on the day of the event are 250 pesos. Appetizers and live music are included in the ticket price.
Insight Meditation
The Heart of Awareness (HOA) meditation center offers meditation sessions Sunday at 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m. All are open to the general public regardless of experience or affiliation. Chairs and cushions are provided and there are written instructions on meditation for beginners.
Wednesday, November 6, the meditation period will be followed by a reading from “Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom” by Joseph Goldstein. This week the topic is “ What is the Path?”
A yoga class is offered on Thursdays from 9-10:45 am. Mats and blocks are provided. The class is suitable for students at all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Website: heartofawareness.org. The HOA center is at Guadalupe Victoria 101.