Open Circle
Nayaswami Premdas & Susanne Sims present “Paramhansa Yogananda: An Indian Mystic in Lake Chapala” at the next meeting of Open Circle, Sunday, March 5, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Paramhansa Yogananda is the author of “Autobiography of a Yogi,” one of the best-selling spiritual biographies of all time. In 1929, Paramhansa Yogananda came to Mexico. He met with then president Emilio Portes Gil and visited Lake Chapala. While in Chapala, Yogananda wrote a poem dedicated to the lake. During this time an iconic photo of him aboard a sailboat was taken. This photo has circulated across the world. Yogananda’s time spent in Lake Chapala happened during a critical turning point in his life.
Guest speaker Nayaswami Premdas is from Ananda Village in Northern California. He will share his insights and reflections as to who Yogananda was, and why his presence in the West is so important.
DA Film Festival
Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala continues its 10th annual “Movies That Matter” Film Festival on March 5 and March 9. Both screenings start at 1:30 p.m. Buy tickets at the box office at Cine+Lago Theater in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic.
“She Said” (Sunday, March 5) is about the two New York Times reporters who helped ignite the “Me Too” movement—by shattering decades of silence on sexual assault in Hollywood.
Two shorter documentaries run Thursday, March 9: “Stewart Udall: Politics of Beauty” and “War on the EPA.”
Udall served as Secretary of the Interior during the JFK administration—and was a legendary advocate of social and environmental justice.
The second documentary shows how the Trump administration gutted the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as laws protecting human health, the environment and our understanding of climate change.
Proceeds fund Lakeside Voter Assistance programs. For details about screenings and season pass savings, email 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..
Heart to Heart
The Iron Horse Saloon is holding a benefit event Saturday, March 11, 2 to 6 p.m. for Corazon a Corazon, a community help group located in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
Music is by La Sopa, Mary’s Island, Old Souls and Daniel Cordero. The cover is 150 pesos or a donation of equal value. Corazon a Corazon is asking for medicines and medical supplies, furniture for doctors and dentists, backpacks and school supplies, clothing and blankets, shelves, tarps or large tents, items to sell in their bazaar.
The group focuses on teaching low-income residents to create their own jobs, by holding English classes for adults and children, classes on how to make ponche, snacks, jams for local folks to sell, among other courses, in their San Antonio office, as well as classes in cutting hair and makeup/nails in Santa Cruz.
Corazon works with the local government to provide low- or no-cost medicine and health services for low-income folks - and other services - at their office at Jesus Garcia 11. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information on their facebook page and with John Kelly, 331-578-0676.
Michi-Cihualli fest
The Cochera Cultural holds the 2nd annual Festival Michi-Cihualli Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18.
On Friday the festival begins with an opening ceremony. The Ce Ollin Pre-Hispanic dancers from San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by a children’s dance group and the Danzantes de Ajijic. The evening finishes with a screening of an experimental short film, “La Leyenda de la Michi-Cihualli” and a documentary, “Encontrando la historia de la Michi-Cihualli.”
Saturday, the Ce Ollin dancers perform with the children’s dance group from San Sebastian at 5 p.m.; poetry readings begin 5:30 p.m. and pre-Hispanic dance by Ce Ollin and music by the Ensamble Ceiba will be presented.
Art by Antonio Lopez Vega, Xiu Oceloti and work from the children’s painting workshop will be shown on both days. A cash bar and taco bar will open. All events by donation.
Wearing of the Green
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on or around Friday, March 17 are beginning to be mentioned at Lakeside. Manix will offer homemade corned beef with cabbage among other entrees that day. Reservations: 331-065-0725.
The Iron Horse Saloon is holding a St. Pat’s Day Karaoke party with DJ Heavy Goose beginning 6 p.m. Wear green for prizes and drink green beer. No cover.
The Garden of Dreams Boutique Hotel is the site of a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for Lucky Dog. Live entertainment, dancing, gourmet hor d’oeuvres and sliders will go down with wine, beer, margaritas and more. Both live and silent auctions and raffles will be held. Tickets are 500 pesos at Mias, Charter Club, Kinda Bazaar, Chick Boutique, Riberas Pet Store and Art Connection.
Online CFE account
Lake Chapala Society instructor Alfredo Perez offers a free workshop on how to set up an online CFE account Tuesday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the LCS sala.
You will learn how to create an account on the CFE website so you can get your CFE bill without relying on spotty home delivery. You can also pay your bill online (no more trips to CFE!), and even set up automatic payments.
Pre-register for the workshop in advance by sending an email to 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..
Paella fest
The third annual Festival de la Paella—a benefit for Poco A Poco San Pedro Itzican—will be held Saturday, March 25, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fracc. Constanza Residential Club in San Juan Cosala (above the Racquet Club). This event is a culinary competition, challenging the competitors to outdo each other by creating traditional and alternative forms of the well-known dish.
The 500-peso ticket price includes a welcome glass of beer or sangria, appetizers (gazpachos, Spanish tortillas, coca or fogasas valencianas), more than ten types of paellas, music by the Lakeside Jazz Trio, and a flamenco dance presentation by Danza Española and Pilar Villasante. A no-host bar with distilled spirits and beers will be available. No pets are allowed at this event.
Reservations are required and can be made with the event’s organizer, Francisco Romero, 333-139-4028, 333-106-8596.