LAKESIDE LIVING

 

Sandy Olson
Phone: 331-283-8529
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

February 2015

 

COMING EVENTS

 

READ THIS FIRST!

On February 7 and 8, just a couple of days from now, the Ajijic Society for the Arts is presenting The Fourth Annual Open Studios Tour. Here’s a chance to get into our artists’ studios and see them in their natural habitat.  Fifty-eight artists are represented and will be showing from West Ajijic to Riberas del Pilar.

Passes are available for 50 pesos and can be bought until February 6 at the ticket booth at LCS, Diane Pearl Colecciones and from members of ASA. This exciting event benefits the artists of ASA and the Children’s Art Program at the Lake Chapala Society.

JAZZ AND NO COVER CHARGE

Juan Castañón and the Blue Velvet Jazz Quartet will be playing at several venues in February.

 


Guitarist Juan Castañón

 

Every Tuesday at 7:30 at Jasmine’s Restaurant at the Ajijic Plaza

Every Wednesday at 7:30 at the Ocampo #71 Bar

Saturdays February 14 and 28 at 8 at Lago Café, Carretera Poniente #29

Friday, February 20 at 9:30 “playing the funk” at La Sangrita Bar, Morelos #12, Ajijic

NIŇOS INCAPACITADOS A GO GO

There’s still time to get tickets for the Jeffery Straker concerts. Jeffery is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter. His piano-based pop musical style has drawn comparisons to Elton John, Neil Young, and Rufus Wainwright.

 


Jeffery Straker

 

The dates are Thursday and Friday, February 12 and 13, 7 pm at the Auditorio.

Thursday will feature the launch of Jeffery’s new CD. Friday is “Niňos Para Niňos.” Jeffery will be accompanied by the CREM Children’s Orchestra and Choir.

A VALENTINES DAY TREAT

The Lake Chapala Painting Guild presents New Works,” a show that will be launched with a 4 to 6 pm reception on opening day, Saturday, February 14. The show is at the Ajijic Cultural Center, and will be on display through February 25.

 


Rinconito de Amour by Geraldine Classen

 

Members participating are Carolina Owers, Geraldine Classen, Lois Schroff, Steve Achs, Varn, Cynthia du Bois, Winnie Hunt, Nancy Gray, Maryann Linhart, Anita Lee, Efren Gonzalez, Marion Decker, Sonia Mocnik and Antonio Lopez Vega.

GET OUT THOSE DUSTY DANCING SHOES

The traditional Black and White Dinner Dance Gala for the School for Special Children makes its return February 20, 2015. Tickets are on sale for 600 pesos at Diane Pearl Colecciones and at Mia’s Boutique on the carretera. 

Reserve your table of eight or join friends for this incredible moonlit night on the lake with an elegant meal and big band dance music from the Fabulous Forties at Villa Encantada in Chapala.  For more information, contact Gala Coordinator Claudette Champagne at 766-1033 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NIGHT OF THE IGUANA

The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams opens at the Lakeside Little Theatre on February 20 and runs through March 1.  It is directed by Dave McIntosh. This classic drama is set in Mexico in the 1940s.

 


The cast from left to right: Jutta McAdam, Abril Iniguez, Bill McFadden, Roger Larson, Deborah Kloegman, Clay McAdam, Gabriel Casillas, Greg Clarke, Jose Gambino Madrid. Front and center: Kathleen Morris

 

Tickets are 225 pesos, and can be obtained by calling the box office at 376-766-0954, or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   The box office will be open from 10 am to noon on February 18 and 19, and at the same time each day except Sundays during the run of the show.

THERE’S SOMEONE FOR EVERYONE

The February Naked Stage production is Baggage, a comedy directed by Russell Mack.   It runs February 27, 28 and March 1.  Two difficult, single people, Phyllis and Bradley, both trying to heal from their respective disappointing relationships, get their luggage mixed up at the airport. After a very disagreeable first encounter, they eventually discover that while they may be too difficult for everyone else in the world, they are right for each other.  Cast members include Patteye Simpson, Rob Stupple, Neal Checkoway, Lynn Phelan

Naked Stage gives any profit from the previous year to Cruz Roja every January. Diana Rowland says, “This year we just wrote a cheque to them for 20,000 pesos!”

Naked Stage is located at #10A Rio Bravo. The box office opens at 3:15 and the show starts at 4:00 p.m.  The email address for reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Reservations guarantee a seat until 3:50, after which seats will be sold to those waiting without reservations.

FOR YOU RED HOT AND WILD READERS 

Vince Martínez will headline the “Red Hot and Wild” evening on Saturday, February 28, sponsored by Ajijic CARES.  Tickets are $500 pesos per person and includes the meal and gratuity, plus a contribution to VIHAS DE VIDA, an organization formed to help educate and bring awareness and compassion to those living with  HIV/AIDS. 

The cash bar opens at 5:30 with dinner to follow, at Arileo Restaurant (west of Ajijic, just past the overhead Jocotepec sign).  For tickets or more information contact Bobby Lancaster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 766-4267.

WRITERS--SAVE THESE DATES

The 11th Annual Lake Chapala Writers’ Conference is scheduled for March 11-13. The venue will be Danza del Sol in West Ajijic.

 


Committee members, left to right: Carol Bowman, Harriet Hart, Victoria Schmidt, Herbert Piekow, and Sandy Olson.

 

Six speakers/workshop presenters have been invited.  They include Diane Hicks-Morrow, a Canadian Poet Laureate, Dennis Stovall, winner of the prestigious 2015 Rittenhouse Lifetime Achievement Award, and best-selling author of The Midwife of Venice Roberta Rich,

Linda Joy Myers, president of the National Association of Memoir Writers, will also present, as well as our Lakeside resident Rachel McMillan, with her popular Da n Connor Mystery series, and respected New York editor, Sandi Gelles-Cole, will schedule one on one sessions for writers to have their manuscripts reviewed. (A visit with Sandi the “book doctor” requires preregistration by March 1).

Topics range from “Writing Basics” to “Publishing Demystified.”  Early registration, before February 28, is 1300 pesos. From March 1 on the cost is 1500 pesos.  The price includes two lunches and beverages during breaks.

Registration forms are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones, or at Hacienda Property Management and Rentals, Hidalgo 27A, Ajijic.

For further information, check on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-Chapala-Writers-Conference/, email Victoria Schmidt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

VIVA MUSICA SPRING SEASON 

Viva Musica plans a full line up of  events – three concerts, five buses to the Met Live, and six buses to the Symphony in the spring season.

 

 

The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra has just announced its spring season (January to April). Viva will not only organize buses to all of these concerts, but the price has been reduced to the ridiculously low price of 250 pesos (350 pesos for non-members). As always, the Friday trips will stop for dinner in a restaurant area in the Zona Rosa.

Sunday February 8:  TCHAIKOVSKY I:  Waldteufal: Skater’s Waltz; Wieniawski: Violin Concerto #2; Tchaikovsky: Symphony #1. The bus leaves at 10.00 a.m.

 Friday March 6: TCHAIKOVSKY  II:  Khatchaturian: Flute Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Symphony #5. The bus leaves at 4.30 p.m. with a stop for dinner.

 Sunday March 15: TCHAIKOVSKY III:   Revueltas: Sensemaya; Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto #1; Tchaikovsky: Symphony #6. The bus leaves at 10.00 a.m.

 Friday March 20: TCHAIKOVSKY  IV:  Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky Suite; Tchaikovsky: Symphony #4. The bus leaves at 4.30 p.m. with a stop for dinner.

 Sunday April 26: French Virtuosity: D’Indy: Symphony on a French Mountain Air; Ravel: Daphnis & Chloe (complete). The bus leaves at 10.00 a.m.

 Get your tickets at LCS Thursdays and Fridays 10 to noon; or to make alternate payment arrangements contact Marshall Krantz (766-2834, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Ingrid Goodridge (766-2194, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The buses depart from the carretera, just east of Farmacia Guadalajara in Ajijic.

VIVA CONCERT IN THE AUDITORIO

Thursday March 19 Three Sopranos. Berenice Barragan, Patricia Hernandez and Viviana Baez, with piano accompanist Gaby Zepeda, singia selection of operatic areas and classic Mexican songs. Back by popular demand. Auditorio,  7:00 p.m. Tickets are $200 and are available from Diane Pearl Colecciones, the Auditorio and LCS on Thursday and Fridays from 10.00 – noon  and at the door.

 


Soprano Viviana Baez


Bus trips to the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD

Saturday February 7 The Tales of Hoffmann by Offenbach, with the magnetic tenor Vittorio Grigolo as the tortured poet in the title role of Offenbach’s operatic masterpiece. Bus departs at 10:30.

Saturday February 14 Double Bill: Iolanta by  Tchaikovsky and Bluebeard’s Castle by Bartok, featuring breathtaking  soprano Anna Netrebko as the beautiful blind girl who experiences love for the first time;  followed by Nadja Michael as the unwitting victim of the diabolical Duke Bluebeard. Bus departs at 10:00.

Saturday March 14 The Lady of the Lake by Rossini with superstars Joyce DiDonato as the “lady of the lake” and Juan Diego Flórez as the king who relentlessly pursues her.  Bus departs at 9:30.

Saturday April 25, Double Bill: Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni and Pagliacci by Leoncavallo. Tenor Marcelo Álvarez rises to the challenge of playing the leading roles in opera’s most enduring tragic double bill. Bus departs at 10:00.

LET’S PUT FOOD ON THAT TABLE 

Villa Infantil Orphanage is in need of volunteers who can purchase, prepare, and provide a nutritious and appealing lunch for the 30 children who make the orphanage their loving home.  Their “Lunch Bunch” coordinator can tailor your volunteer experience to suit your needs.

 

 

It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the orphanage, practice your Spanish while the little ones practice their English, and you will be heartily thanked for your efforts by 30 of the most endearing smiles you’ll ever see.

For more information on the volunteer lunch program and how you might help, contact Connie Ondola at (376) 765-3839. Also, to learn more about Villa Infantil (its mission, location and vision) please visit www.friendsofvillainfantil.org.

 A ONE WOMAN SHOW

I, Claudia is a riveting, hilarious, and heartbreaking journey into the raw psyche of an extraordinary girl with a lot on her mind. It’s a one woman Canadian play and is directed by Lynn Phelan with Jayme Littlejohn as the actress. The dates are March 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15 and 20, 21, 22, Friday through Sunday (Sundays are matinees). .  For information please email Jayme Littlejohn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 


Jayme Littlejohn

 

​The venue is The Bravo! Theatre, the brainchild of our local and very talented Jayme Littlejohn, founder, producer, actor and singer.  It was built by a team of generous people at Lakeside, led by Russell Mack.

The address is Rio Bravo #10B.  It is directly across from The Naked Stage in the old Sol y Luna Complex.  The space will be the permanent home of My, My, How Nice! Productions, also created and administrated by Jayme. It will also be available for other theatrical, music, fundraiser and lecture events.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BEHAVE YOURSELF

For a mere 250 pesos (for padded center seats) and 150 pesos (for seating on the side rows) you can come out and see your friends and neighbors like you’ve never seen them before, at Lip Sync Seven. The show runs March 20 24 at the Auditorio.

You’re encouraged to bring your cameras, take all the photos you wish, make as much noise as possible and show your appreciation with whistles, cat calls, and tossed objects. You may even leave your cell phone on.

 


Howard Feldstein from Les Miserables

 

Producer Michael McLaughlin says, “We’re covering music from 1835 to 2011. This show is like no other. I’ve persuaded several choreographers and dancers to join us, so this show will include plenty of dance numbers. This year we’re going for a record number of songs--27.”

Tickets will be sold by cast members and LCS, Diane Pearl Colecciones, Casi Nuevo Thrift Shop, Auditorio Riberas, El Granero, Edith’s, Yoly’s, Charter Tours and from cast members. Mark your calendars. Lip Sync Seven is a Lakeside tradition not to be missed.

 

ONGOING EVENTS

 

GROW YOUR OWN….

…vegetables, that is. The Ajijic Organic Vegetable Growers meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 10 at the gazebo at Tabarka Restaurant, Rio Zula #7. The next meeting will be on February 11. Remember if it is cold, dress warm because it is an open venue.

New members are welcome. They can contact John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or by phone at 376-766-0620.

There are two websites that gardeners will find very informative: growingyourgreens.com  and  smilinggardener.com/introduction/why-grow-a-garden

SQUEAKY WHEEL READINGS

La Rueda (The Wheel), a coffee gallery in San Juan Cosala, stages monthly readings in English. They are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30.

The next reading will be on Wednesday, March 4.

 Writers who want to read, or those needing further information, can contact Judy Dykstra-Brown. Email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

ASA PLAZA SHOWS

Members of the Ajijic Society of the Arts will hold shows in the Ajijic plaza on February 14 and March 14, Sundays from 10 until 2.

 

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