Lakeside Living – December 2022

Kim LeMieux

Email: kimslakesideliving@gmail.com

The Lake Chapala Society host Open Circle every Sunday at 10:30am, a popular community gathering in Ajijic, to enjoy a diverse range of presentations.

Entrance by the side gate on Ramón Corona, opens at 9:30am. We recommend bringing a hat and bottled water, and please remove containers upon departure. Use of mask is optional.

Check their website for upcoming presentations, make your reservation if you want to attend and if you missed a past presentation, you could still enjoy it online: https://opencircleajijic.org/

DECEMBER PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE

December 4

Our First Step in Mexican Music

By Escuela de Mariachi Pedro Rey arises from the need to teach and spread to a new generation the real mariachi style and preserve Mexican traditions in this way to offer an alternative for the musical study focused on mariachi for children, youth, and adults from Ajijic and the lakeside.

Director, Daniel Medeles, who has great experience in teaching music for children, without a doubt a musical family legacy supports him as a person trained to perform this job.

From the hand of Pedro Rey, a legend in Mariachi music, Daniel Medeles, Mark Fogelquist, and the entire team of teachers perform the task of teaching and motivating each student for the correct execution of their instruments such as guitar, violin, trumpet, vihuela, guitarrón and children’s choir. Activities days are Mondays and Tuesdays and you can find the school in Constitution Street #147 in Ajijic, Jalisco.

December 11

UNIDAD: Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos documentary film screening and Q & A by Executive Producer Roland Palencia

Executive Producer Roland Palencia

The Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos (GLLU) organization was founded in 1981, GLLU was the greater Los Angeles area’s first major Gay and Lesbian Latino organization, and the UNIDAD film chronicles events surrounding GLLU at a pivotal time in the history of the convergent equality, feminist, and civil rights movements that shaped the destinies of GLLU’s multiple and overlapping communities for decades thereafter. GLLU was revolutionary for its time as it affirmed the multiple identities of being LGBTQ+, Latino, immigrant and undocumented, political and economic refugees, class and color, Latin American and U.S. Chicano heritage, while becoming trailblazing pioneers who empowered the blossoming Latino and Queer movements. The 40-minute film seeks to recount and reclaim this history and stories. Roland Palencia is a Professor at California State University Northridge (CSUN) Tseng College in the Diverse Community Development Leadership Master of Arts program. He is the Executive Producer of two documentary films: “TransVisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story,” and “UNIDAD: Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos,”

December 18

LCS Q&A

Steve Balfour and Luis Pacheco

December 25

Closed for the Holidays

Christmas with Rachmaninov 

3:00 Friday December 16 & Saturday December 17

The Lake Chapala Orchestra (LCO) continues to move forward in its musical development and concert presentations with its final performance of 2022.

Although concerts around this time of year tend to focus on seasonal music the orchestra is bucking the trend and presenting two of the most famous and popular works from the symphonic repertoire.

Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 subtitled the “Unfinished” opens the concert, but the real action happens in the second half where acclaimed local pianist, Saul Ibarra, joins the orchestra for Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2.

Saul Ibarra

Saul hails from Ajijic and is currently studying at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. When conductor Michael Reason asked him to perform with the Lake Chapala Orchestra Saul immediately said yes and that he would like to perform the Rachmaninov concerto. This concerto is considered one of the most difficult pieces for a piano soloist and the 21-year-old Saul will be making his concerto debut in Lakeside with this performance.

The Lake Chapala Orchestra

The orchestra is very grateful for Peter St. John, Joan Ward, and Caroline Jones for their sponsorship of Saul Ibarra’s appearance.

When the concert was announced at the end of October both performances were sold out within 4 days. The orchestra has initiated a waitlist and your name can be added to that list by emailing LCCOtickets@gmail.com. The LCO says that with sold out reservations this far in advance it is quite likely that there will be some cancellations making some tickets available to waitlisted people.

The “Christmas with Rachmaninov” concerts will be held at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 250 San Jorge, Riberas tickets are priced at $300.

ADVENT OF PEACE: Breath of Heaven will fill your heart and mind with joy and gladness. Sing favorite carols with the choir (words provided) and enjoy the ever-inspiring nativity story. Rediscover the essence of Advent through beautiful songs of the season and readings offered by the Lake Chapala Baptist Church Choir 3 nights and 3 locations:

Lake Chapala Baptist Church Choir

December 12, 3pm ~ Free concert at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church, San Jorge 250, Riberas del Pilar, 45920 Ajijic

December 16, 4pm ~ $400 pesos dinner show at Sol y Luna Hotel, Rio Bravo #10A, West Ajijic.  Doors open at 3pm, includes concert plus delicious entree options and glass of wine, 50% of proceeds goes to Mama Cleo’s Boys Home

December 23, 3pm ~ Free concert at Lake Chapala Baptist Church, Santa Margarita # 147, Riberas del Pilar

Email: LCBCchoir2@gmail.com for details.

Thursday, December 29th, Friday, December 30th & Sunday, January 1st. Curtain at 4:00 pm

Christmas at Pemberley imagines what the witty and vibrant Bennet sisters’ world might be like two years after the end of Pride and Prejudice. It’s December 22, 1815, and the plot focuses on the bookish middle sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.

“Droll and delicious, Christmas at Pemberley is a charming, confectionary celebration of fan favorite characters from Pride and Prejudice, multi-generationally honoring the legacy of Jane Austen’s humor, playfulness and wit in a warm-spirited holiday theatrical production.” DCMetroTheaterArts.com.

Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list twice including 2019/20. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I And You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award, among various other awards and prizes.

We’re welcoming back our Director, Lynn Phelan, whose last production here at Lakeside was The Book of Will, at Bravo! Theatre.

Due to the holidays and conflicts, Christmas at Pemberley’s dates are limited to three shows.  Tickets are $200 to join in the fun. Sales are brisk so RESERVE NOW at barestagetheatre2018@gmail.com

We are located at #261 on the mountain side of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar across from the Catholic Church. Door and Bar open at 3:00 pm. Seats are held till 3:50 pm. Auditorium curtains will be open for air flow. Please Like, Follow & Share our Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/barestagetheatre2018/ but PLEASE RESERVE using our gmail address above.

December 4 2:30 and 5:30

Enrique de AllendeROMANZA: A Tribute to the Music of Andrea Bocelli and Michael Bublé

A benefit for Lakeside Little Theatre

As part of the Concerts at the Lake series, Steve Balfour presents two live concerts by renowned singer Enrique de Allende, as a benefit for Lakeside Little Theatre. 

Enrique de Allende

Enrique has graced stages from Budapest, Munich, and Slovakia to Los Angeles and Puerta Vallarta. World-famous music producer, David Foster – who has trained and produced artists such as Josh Groban and Celine Dion – says this about Enrique: “The interpretations of Enrique de Allende bristle your skin. It’s an experience that penetrates your ears and connects you with universal contemporary music, with a romantic, classical style, but with a youthful touch. He’s the new Julio Iglesias, with a sweet and powerful voice.”

Born in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, Enrique de Allende has been singing and performing from an early age. He studied with the renowned Seth Riggs and Erik Vitro and is proud of his work with musician/director David Foster.

December 16, 17 and 18

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Shows at 4:00 and 7:30

Director, Rosann Balbontin

Celebrate the season with It’s a wonderful Life, a holiday favorite as you’ve never seen – or heard! – it before. The timeless tale of George Bailey is given a clever twist when staged as a live, 1940’s radio broadcast. Lakeside residents Greg Custer, Florette Schnelle, Graham Miller, Barbara Pruitt, Jeff Kingsbury and David Dennis give voice to all of Bedford Fall’s memorable residents – accompanied by sound effects created live onstage, and more sound effects created by J.E. Jack. Rosann Balbontin directs this show, which is adapted for the stage by Joe Landry. Suitable for audiences of any age, relive this timeless tale of a likeable fellow down on his luck and ready to end it all – until an Angel Second Class shows him life’s true value.

Purchase tickets online: www.lakesidelittletheatre.com Box Office: 376 766 0954

February 12-25th, 2023

Northern Lights Festival de Febrero

It’s with great excitement and optimism that we announce the 19th season. It’s been a long and difficult three years since we last gathered to celebrate some of the greatest music ever written. 

Ajijic will welcome some thirty internationally recognized artists from all over the world to the shores of Lake Chapala.  They will entertain us with fifteen eclectic blockbuster programs, featuring chamber music, jazz, tango concerts, east-coast fiddle music, opera singers, guitar, piano recitals, orchestral concerts and even some dancing. All this will be performed by some of the world’s most esteemed and sought-after artists.  Watch for the program in the January ‘23 edition of El Ojo del Lago. 

Please contact Louise Morel for more information on becoming a patron atnorthernlights2009@gmail.com or festival subscriber and please contact Carol-Lee Gordon if you’re interested in becoming a host for one of these amazing international artists at festivalhosting@gmail.com.  

David Fung continues to captivate audiences with Apollonian poise and Dionysian allure. “Nuanced, elegant, and deeply musical – a consummate artist.”
www.davidfung.com

More information soon available at www.festivaldefebrero.com

Donors Rally to Help FoodBank Lakeside Avoid Running Out of Money

But Need Still Exists to Feed Hundreds of Lakesides Needy in 2023

“Supporters, new and longstanding, have quickly responded to FoodBank Lakeside’s plea for donations. We are close to getting enough pesos to serve meals to impoverished children in 2023, and to continue providing basic food items to needy families, the elderly and disabled,” said Steve Taylor, co-chair of the One Million Peso Challenge.  The Challenge was announced September 22 after FoodBank Lakeside’s finances revealed the organization expected to run out of funds by the end of this year. FoodBank Lakeside’s One Million Peso Challenge to keep the essential local charity afloat financially so far has exceeded $400,000 pesos in donations.

To further explain FoodBank Lakeside perilous finances, representatives will speak at the November 13 Open Circle at 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society. The free presentation will feature first-hand accounts by FoodBank Lakeside’s Mexican Local Coordinators who dispense food monthly, as well as by those who receive food. “We still have so much more to do in helping to feed the hungry next year. You can learn more and, hopefully, we can win over more hearts at Open Circle,” Taylor said.

“FoodBank Lakeside needs to attain firmer financial ground. This would be a monumental achievement, led by Canadians and Americans to help our local neighbors meet their most basic, vital need for food,” Taylor said. The One Million Peso Challenge will continue through New Year’s Eve.

The charity provides monthly despensas to more than 700 of Lakeside’s poorest homes in seven local communities (Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Riberas, Chapala, Santa Cruz, San Nicolás and San Pedro).

It also provides food in partnership with Kids Kitchens to offer free, healthy lunches five days a week to about 700 young children in rural communities surrounding Lakeside who risk severe malnutrition and kidney disease. Further, it gives bags of dog and cat food to pet-owning families via Pet Food Bank Lakeside for pooches and felines who would otherwise go hungry.

FoodBank Lakeside’s leaders are all volunteers working at home, with no staff, office, or warehouse costs, so more than 95 percent of all donations go to feed families.

“Just US$18 or CAD$23 or MX$370 can help feed a family of four for a month,” Taylor said.

FoodBank Lakeside is recognized by the Foundation for Lake Chapala Charities, a 501(c)3 organization, allowing U.S. donors to make tax-deductible donations and receive tax receipts.

To donate, go to www.foodbanklakeside.org and click the “Donate” button. There also is a new Go Fund Me page; search for the “One Million Peso Challenge” at www.gofundme.com


For more information about Lake Chapala visit: www.chapala.com


Kim LeMieux
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