Kim LeMieux
Email: kimslakesideliving@gmail.com
March 2023
~ March 10th – 11th, Friday & Saturday 10:00am ~ 3:00pm
The annual two-day LCS Art Fair will be held each day in the gardens of the Lake Chapala Society, 16 de Septiembre #16A in Ajijic. This is the largest and last LCS art event of this high season – our Art in the Garden Shows will return in October. There’s free admission and ample parking on the lake front. Profits from the artist participation fees will benefit the LCS community outreach programs.
Because of LCS’ commitment to local community support, these shows highlight handicrafts and art from the Chapala and Ajijic area. The shows are also not restricted to members of local art groups, but exhibit art from all artists, and give a needed location for local Mexican artisans and artists who do not typically have opportunities to sell their art. There will be over 70 artisans and artists at this art event. Also, the LCS Children’s Art Program will be selling original art, plus their art cards featuring the kids’ work – this provides important income for the young artists and their families.
Please come to the show and support local handicrafts and art, as well as children’s art, during a pleasant day in the LCS gardens. You can refresh yourself in our café for a snack, a cold drink, or lunch. There’s also an on-site ATM for your convenience. Don’t miss out!
For more information, please contact Danielle Pagé at 333-808-0324
The Lake Chapala Society hosts 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/
MARCH PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE
~ 5th – “Paramhansa Yogananda: An Indian Mystic in Lake Chapala”
By Nayaswami Premdas
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 and is internationally known and loved.
Many expats here in Lake Chapala and local Mexican residents are aware of Yogananda’s visit to Lake Chapala and there is a natural curiosity as to why he came here. Yogananda’s time spent in Lake Chapala happened during a critical turning point in his life.
Nayaswami Premdas, our guest speaker from Ananda Village in Northern California, will share his insights and reflections as to who Yogananda was, and why his presence in the West is so important. This Open Circle presentation is the first in a series of events slated for “Yogananda Week in Ajijic,” March 5-10, 2023.
Nayaswami Premdas serves in various roles with Ananda Sangha Worldwide, a successful intentional community of 55 years founded by Swami Kriyananda and dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Indian Yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda. He has been a credentialed instructor of meditation and yoga for 30 years.
~ 12th – What LCS means to me.
By Alfredo Perez, Diana Ayala, Domitzu Medrano and Sandra Gutiérrez
Everyone has a different point of view and that diversity of opinions is something that enriches us as a community. We invite you to hear the vision of Alfredo Perez, Director of Education; Diana Ayala, Development Director; Domitzu Medrano, Communication Coordinator; and Sandra Gutiérrez, Spanish teacher.
Please join us and learn a little more about each of us and how LCS has impacted our lives.
~ 19th – Tales of an Accidental Expat
By Dale Palfrey
On a balmy afternoon in March 1973 Dale Hoyt and her spunky 83-year-old grandmother. stepped down from a second-class bus for a weekend visit Lake Chapala. Now 50 years later, Dale is still here. She will speak at Open Circle to share the story of why she ended up as an accidental expat, observations on how the lakeside area has changed over time and anecdotes about the people, historical events and experiences that have enriched her life. She will delve into her perspective on language hurdles, attitude adjustments and involvement in community activities that are crucial to overcoming the challenges of adapting to life as a foreign settler in this unparalleled spot-on Mexico’s map.
Daleunexpectedly found her calling as a bilingual journalist within a few years of putting down roots on Lake Chapala’s shores. In addition to contributing articles on Mexican history and culture to MexConnect.com and various print publications, she has made a mark over a quarter of a century as lakeside’s veteran news correspondent for the Guadalajara Reporter.
~ 26th – “Old age ain’t no place for sissies”
By Loretta Downs
The older I get the more I see how right Bette Davis was. Living in a community of elder and aged individuals, like me, we are constantly faced with the conditions that normal aging creates for ourselves and all the friends we make in Lakeside.
How do we prepare ourselves for the changes we can expect and those we can’t? Can we change our minds from fear and denial to acceptance, preparation, and even celebration? What are the skills we can master to adapt to the changes? How do we develop the capacity to be present for those we love as they experience aging and changing and dying before us?
Loretta is a gerontologist who has been working with aging and dying for over 35 years. She is an inspiring and uplifting speaker who is passionate about improving the end-of-life experience. She has published numerous articles, been quoted in articles and books, and interviewed for radio shows and podcasts. Loretta gives advance care planning workshops at LCS, speaks where invited, and offers her services as a death doula. This is her 11th Open Circle presentation.
~ March 31st – April 1st, Friday & Saturday, 3:00pm SOLD OUT
3rd show added ~ 31st, Friday at 7:00pm
The Lake Chapala Orchestra, Lakeside’s very own semi-professional orchestra, opens its 2023 season with another blockbuster program at the end of March.
Perhaps the world’s most famous symphony is the main event, Beethoven’s 5th. Everyone knows the famous opening to this revolutionary work, yet the entire symphony is a monumental emotional journey moving from the darkness of despair to the blazing triumph of victory. Michael Reason, the orchestra’s conductor describes the symphony as “one of the greatest works of art ever created and during our concert I will explain its importance, not only to the development of music but also to society as a whole.”
The other major work on the program will be Max Bruch’s ever popular Violin Concerto No. 1. The three-movement work is full of glorious melodies and a real tour de force for the violin soloist. The orchestra has invited the well-known violinist Chris Wilshere as guest artist for the concerto. Chris is well known to Lake Chapala residents being the Artistic Director of the Festival de Febrero which has now just completed its 21st season. “Chris is a truly consummate musician, both technically and musically, and will bring wonderful incite to Bruch’s masterpiece” says Reason.
Tickets to the added performance are $300 and can be ordered by emailing LCCOtickets@gmail.com. Just state the performance date and time and how many tickets you require.
The concerts will take place at the orchestra’s regular venue at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 250 San Jorge, Riberas.
~ 24th, 25th & 26th – Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 4:00 pm.
Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling
Directed by Rosann Balbo
One of the most popular and most performed plays since its premiere in 1987. It opened Off Broadway at NYC’s WPA Theatre & has since been performed all around the US & on international stages with great success. In 1989, the popular & the “oh so familiar” film version was released.
The play is set over 3 years of Saturday mornings at Truvy’s beauty salon where a group of friends meet to exchange recipes & gossip while having their hair done. We first meet them on Shelby’s wedding day & almost every significant gathering ‘day’ or ‘event’ that follows. We’ve all laughed & shed tears following their journey but as the title suggests, the “female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel”. And boy, ain’t that the truth!
Rosann recently directed our June, ’22, Scenes from American Life by A.R. Gurney & our 1st show after Covid, (12/21) It’s a Wonderful Life, A Radio Show. Her cast of fine local actors are Pamela Johnson, Val Jones, Pam Landon, Anne Swanson, Maxanne Swanson & Roseann Wilshere. Come and enjoy the ‘familiar’ with us.
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.
~ 24 March – 2 April – 33 Variations
Cast missing from the photos: Chris L’Ecluse, Jutta McAdam, Deborah Elder
One of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most enigmatic compositions is at the heart of “33 Variations,” a compelling and thoughtful drama by Moisés Kaufman. The play with music follows a musicologist who believes she will not live out the year but is determined to discover why Beethoven dedicated three years of his own declining life writing 33 variations on another composer’s mediocre waltz. On this, the 200th Anniversary of Beethoven’s composition, the play moves from the present to the past and back again as she discovers powerful truths about Beethoven, about herself, and about her relationship with her mysterious daughter.
~ March 12th, Sunday, 2 to 6 PM.
Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center is throwing a gala at The Garden of Dreams Boutique Hotel, Constitucion 105, Ajijic.
St. Pawtricks Day themed gala will benefit Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center by raising much needed funding to support the shelter and continue the extraordinary work that Lucky Dog does.
Tickets to the event are $500 pesos each and are available at local stores and restaurants: Mia’s Boutique, Charter Club Tours, Kinda Bazaar, Chic Boutique, Riberas Pet Store, Art Connection, and of course at our Lucky Dog office.
The gala will feature live music, including rocking realness by The Black Dogs from Guadalajara, dancing (naturally), great food, beverages, two bars, a raffle, a silent auction, and a live auction!
We’ll also have lots of other apawpriate fun such as a Paw-Reader Fortune Teller, a photo booth and a few surprises.
Need more details? Visit us at: luckydoglakechapala.com
MARCH 2023 HOLIDAYS
All are observances unless otherwise noted
~ 4, Saturday International Women’s Day Art Fair Volunteers and students will be on hand to help you learn about their services, sell you their handmade products, and take your donations for their worthwhile causes. Please come support and celebrate Lakeside girls and women. Sponsored by Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
~ 17th St. Patrick’s Day In 1997, on the 150th anniversary of the San Patricios Battalion soldiers’ deaths, Mexico and Ireland jointly released a postage stamp to commemorate the bravery of the soldiers, a Catholic battalion made up of Catholic immigrants from various countries. Many of the men were German Catholics. Nonetheless the Irish identity took hold and became the emblem of a cohesive unit throughout the war and carried over to their historical legacy. And every year on March 17, Mexico uses the holiday of St. Patrick’s Day to honor the men who bravely fought for their country. Mexico City, in the city’s San Jacinto Plaza, a plaque commemorates the “martyrs” of St. Patrick’s Battalion who gave their lives to the Mexican cause. www.smithsonianmag.com
~ 20th Benito Juarez Day (Mexican Federal Public Holiday) was born in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca, on March 21, 1806. He was a lawyer who later held many public offices including as state legislator, civil judge, government secretary, and governor. In 1854 he helped publish the Plan de Ayutla, which ended the dictatorship of political leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, thus convening a new Constitutional Congress.
In 1857 Juárez was elected president of the Supreme Court of Justice, a position he held until December of that year, when he became president. From then until his death in 1872, he led the government during historically significant events including the Reform War, the French Intervention, the Second Empire, and the republic’s restoration.
www.timeanddate.com/holidays/mexico/benito-juarez
- Lakeside Living – April 2023 - March 30, 2023
- Lakeside Living – March 2023 - February 27, 2023
- Lakeside Living – February 2023 - January 30, 2023
