Lakeside Living
By Kay Davis

Phone: (376) 766-4774
or 765-3676 to leave messages
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March 2009

      Events are listed by date, like a calendar. Some organizations offer multiple events or dates, and these items appear at the end of the column.

      Viva la Música’s membership party was held on Sunday, January 18. Music lovers enjoyed a concert by three of Viva’s current scholarship students. Iván Morales gave a piano recital, showing technical control and musical finesse. Emmanuel Medeles, bass baritone, sang a range of Italian and German arias accompanied by Joel Juan Qui. And the final performance by Willy Rentaría on the violin, also accompanied by Joel Juan Qui, treated the audience to the four Rumanian dances by Bartok.  Maestro Joel delighted the audience with a dashing Tarantella, followed by his own arrangement of Granada.


For VIVA, Emmanuel Medeles, Willy Rentaría and Iván Morales

      February 3 at 7:30 p.m. the Music Appreciation Society (MAS) presented Music for Two Guitars at the Auditorio de la Ribera. A transcription for two guitars was highlighted, featuring two Orchestral Suites based on Bizet’s opera Carmen with numbers from each suite: “Cordoba” by Albeniz, with its hauntingly beautiful melody; music by the renowned musician Astor Piazzolla of Argentina, doing The Four Seasons Porteno; and three Brazilian Pieces by Ernesto Nazareth expressing the musical soul of Brazil. The Medina-Gracian Duo has performed in Mexico, Spain, France, and the US, thanks to the originality of their repertoire, as well as the quality of their interpretation. To purchase a season ticket with excellent reserved seating for the remaining four concerts, $900 pesos, please contact Jim Parker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
      February 11 at the Auditorio in La Floresta, Gaynell Rose performed to standing ovations. Gaynell formed her band in the early 90s. Along with veterans of the top US acts in jazz, R&B, blues and rock, she added the Mexican Soul of Poncho Lopez of Chapala on trumpet. In her deep, smoky voice she sang such songs as Somewhere, Fever, Rhapsody in Blue. A percentage of the profits were donated to Centro de Desarrollo for domestic abuse and women’s health.


Gaynell Rose in concert

      Lake Chapala Society Sock Hop, scheduled for February 28 at the LCS pavilion had the ladies wearing their Poodle skirts and white bobby socks while the guys slicked down their hair and rolled a pack of cigarettes into one sleeve of their tee-shirts. It was time for nostalgia at the LCS Sock Hop. The DJ played dance hits from the 50s and 60s. Hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, cold drinks, beer and wine were served. There were movie reruns in the sala, and a photo-opt on a Harley. It was our era and it was great.
      March 1, 4:30 p.m., former Peace Corps volunteers are invited to join other former volunteers for a potluck meal to celebrate Peace Corps week. Each individual or couple is asked to bring a dish and a beverage of choice. A beautiful location has been arranged right on the lake shore in Ajijic. For details call 766-0267 or 766-4833.
      March 14-15, starting at 10 a.m. in the Super Lake rear parking lot, San Antonio, Casa de Ancianos will hold a yard sale. Getting old and being without adequate financial resources can be the final indignity of life. Casa de Ancianos, operated as a non-profit home for the elderly, is a safe port in a storm for those of limited or no means. Volunteers are needed to pick up donations. There will be drop off sites, for instance, the American Legion at 114 Morelos in Chapala. Watch for the big truck parked on the carretera that weekend, with signs. Please do not take donations to the Casa. There is no storage. For information, call 765-4412 or cell 333-171-5588  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., 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.


Dr. Rojas and patient at Casa de Ancianos

      March 15, 11-7, Artwalk Ajijic will feature sculptures, paintings, photography, clay figurines, stone carvings, engravings by more than 60 artists. City maps will be available at banks, restaurants and other public places. Artwalk Ajijic enables artists and the public to interact. Prices are lower than in galleries. This enjoyable walk takes participants around the center of town from one artist’s studio to the next. A whole block will be closed off in order to host more than 30 artists from out of town who have no local studios for their displays. Side shows will include a mime, a Mexican puppet show and other street artists. Food and drinks can be bought during the walk, and at the plaza the Art Society of Ajijic will have its own fair. TECA, the Tequila Education Club of Ajijic, will offer tequila tasting there as well. Parking may not be available near the center of town. This is a walking tour, so plan ahead, but come. This is going to be a major event!


By local photographer Jay Koppleman

      On March 17, 7:30 p.m. the Music Appreciation Society presents The New Pacific Trio at the Auditorio in La Floresta. Tickets are $250 pesos on sale at the LCS Tickets Etc. Booth March 2. The Trio, in residence at the Conservatory of Music, University of the Pacific, is quickly gaining recognition throughout the US. They are an amiable group of music professors whose playing, by turns intense and playful, sounds anything but academic. The ensemble includes celebrated concert violinist Ann Miller, Grammy-nominated cellist Nina Flyer, and award-winning pianist Sonia Leong.


New Pacific Trio

      February 28-March 10 is the next production at Lakeside Little Theater for Kiss Me Kate, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Individual tickets are $125 pesos, and performances begin at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. The box office will be open each day 10 - 12, except Sundays, and one hour before curtain time. Musicals always sell out fast, so get your tickets early or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Kiss Me Kate

      Lakeside Little Theatre’s Annual General Meeting will be held March 18. Members, including 2008-2009 Season Ticket Holders, will begin registration at 10 a.m. The meeting starts at 11. In addition to the Annual Report by LLT President, Pat Carroll, an election for positions on the LLT Board of Directors will be held. All members are encouraged to attend and vote. Membership renewals at the door.
      What’s Afoot?, an LLT fundraiser presentation of skits, music and laughs will be presented by Betty Lloyd Robinson and Jeritza McCarter, with Doug Livingston on piano. Show times are March 19-March 23. Evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Open seating tickets at $100 pesos will be sold at the theatre one hour before show time. This show is for adults only, not recommended for children. Come early and enjoy the Patio Bar.
      Lakeside Little Theatre’s final presentation for the 2008-2009 Season is Norm Foster’s Looking, directed by Bob Coull. Show dates are April 4-12. The cast includes Tom Britton, Ed Tasca, Diana Rowland and Randi Watkins. The box office at the theatre will be open for this show, April 2-12 from 10-12 daily (except Sundays) during the run of the show and one hour before curtain. Evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. For ticket information, contact Paula McTavish, Box Office Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
      Unusual clothing, especially period pieces, is gratefully accepted by the LLT wardrobe department, as are props, like tableware, silverware, etc. Donations may be left at the LLT stage door for pick-up.
      The American Legion greets the return of spring (March):
March 1, 8, 15 & 22, 12-3, the Legion Grill with the “best burgers Lakeside.” Regular $35 pesos, cheeseburger $40 pesos, all with salad and beans. Pie is available for dessert at $28 pesos.
March 4, 10-12, US Consulate and Social Security
March 6, 8-1, Legion Yard Sale
March 9, 4 p.m., cocktails and pot luck dinner
March 10, 11a.m., auxiliary general meeting – annual elections!
March 16, 10-1, pancake brunch
March 17, 4 p.m., cocktails and St. Patrick’s Day dinner
March 24, 11-1, post-life planning presentation
March 26, 3 p.m., Lone Star Club – call yourself a Texan!
For more information, contact the American Legion, Dan Williams 765 – 2259 or for matters re the auxiliary, contact Anita Wikum 765 – 4342.
      Open Circle at LCS on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.:
Mar   1         Bob Terry – Empowering Rural Women
Mar   8         Judy King – TBA
Mar 15         Jim Collums –Stories he has written
Mar 22         Louraisha Shaw – Using energy medicine, science,
                   spirituality & ancient wisdom to heal
Mar 29         Venerable Satguru Swami Savitripriya - envisioning
      March 23, 1-7 p.m. is Dine with the Shrine at La Tasca. Special Shriners’ meal will offer a choice from three entrees: eggplant parmigiana, grilled chicken breast in cream of mushroom sauce, or beef tenderloin with green salad. $100 pesos cost will be donated 100% by owner Roberto Cerda and family to the Shrine Club’s Transportation Fund for children and their parents to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Mexico City for specialized orthopedic and spinal cord treatment. Come support this charitable event in the beautiful lakeside gardens at La Tasca, have fun, and enjoy the food. For reservations, call 766-5269.
      March 24 at 12 noon, The Ajijic Writers Film Forumwill present Run Lola Run (1998) on March 24, 2009 at the Plaza Jardin Restaurant and Theater.  Doors will open for seating at 11:30 a.m.
Manni, a pick-up/drop-off aide for a gangster, is forced to call his girlfriend Lola to help him come up with a bag of missing money within twenty minutes. Lola rushes to the rescue. In three different scenarios, Lola makes choices that become life-altering decisions, underscoring the fine line between fate and raw instinct. An inventive confection that riffs on the art of storytelling.   
      Food and drinks can be ordered (not included in admission fee). After the movie, there will be a discussion period. Participation from one and all is encouraged. Ticket price is $50 pesos. Proceeds from the project will help fund a scholarship program through Los Ninos de Chapala y Ajijic A.C. for a Mexican creative writing student. Advanced tickets may be purchased from Pat Percival, Robert or Linda Mohr, at Writers Group meetings, or at the door. For more information, contact Victoria Schmidt at 765-5858.
      March 27, Cruz Roja sponsors one of Lakeside’s most popular events – fashion, food and fundraising.  Once again, the Hotel Real Chapala will be the place to be. An audience of 800 will be entertained with the Cole Porter musical theme, Anything Goes. This Red Cross show has enjoyed rave notices for its past two shows and promises that at this year’s performance, the fashions, models and ‘surprise skits’ will be even bigger and better. Music by Jimmy Barto. Cece Girling is show producer while Nicole Sergent keeps the back room organized. Cocktails are at 3 p.m., buffet at 4, show at 5. Tickets are $400 pesos. For more information, contact Pat Doran 766-2228.


Cruz Roja Fashion Show

     March 27-29 the VIVA bus for the San Miguel Baroque Festival leaves Friday morning, arrival in San Miguel early in the afternoon. The Hotel Posada De San Francisco is in the center of town so travelers can enjoy a leisurely lunch and sightseeing. The evening concert features concertos by Vivaldi, Bach, Telemann and Marcello (see the website: www.baroqueconcerts.com). The Saturday evening concert features Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. The music is performed on original instruments with musicians from six different countries. Sunday the bus arrives in Ajijic before dark. Package includes bus, hotel accommodation, tickets, transportation to Saturday concert and tips, $3400 pesos per person, double occupancy. This festival attracts large crowds; reservations must be made ASAP. Call Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801 or Marshall Krantz at 766-2834.
     Viva Summer Subscription Series:
June Concert: Unforgettable duo Christopher Wilshere on violin and Joel Juan Qui on piano.
July Concert: Returning baritones David Small and Luis Rodriguez from the University of Texas performing operatic arias with members of the University of Guadalajara vocal workshop, accompanied by virtuoso Jason Peterson.
August Concert: Internationally recognized Jose White String Quartet, all principals in the Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra.
September Concert: A “first” for Lakeside music lovers: Concert Opera “The Elixir of Love” by Donizetti conducted by Luis Rodriguez.
October Concert: Another romp with Cuauhtemoc Garcia Jazz Flute combo.
Concerts in the Auditorio, Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. Season ticket prices are $1,100 pesos to members and $1,250 pesos to non-members. Individual tickets for the Opera will be $300 pesos for members ($350 pesos for non-members). The remaining four concerts will be $250 pesos for members ($300 pesos for non-members).
     Xill Fessenden has many changes, a new studio address: Aldama #3b Ajijic tel: 7663703 and new work and directions. She will be exhibiting at the Gatherings, Ramon Corona #11, in Ajijic, on Saturday the 7th of March from 12 noon to 6 pm. Her show will run the entire month of March. During her exhibition she will be talking about photography, her changes, her directions, and the changes society, Ajijic and herself are encountering. As a long time resident in Mexico and Ajijic her vision has transformed many times.  Now she is working as an artist,as a  person and community member to align her life style to her vision. Art in the community, in the ecosystem of Chapala, in the personal life of the artist, will be discussed at the Gatherings. Come enjoy the art, drinks and food at this wonderful location Gatherings, see the artwork and hear the discussion of this long time resident artist.

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