Lakeside Living – November 2023

Don Beaudreau

Email: wbeaudreau@aol.com

COMMUNITY CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERTS, November 30, December 1, and December 2, all at 3:00 pm at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 250 San Jorge, Riberas

A Message from Ken Turner, Artistic Director, Las Voces del Lago:

We are absolutely thrilled at how well things are going with our newly formed Community Chorus, Las Voces del Lago. Our Premier Concert was a huge success and the future looks bright. We are currently in the process of planning for our 2024 Concert Season and beyond. 

We will present two major concerts a year.  Our Holiday Concert will spotlight Christmas, Hanukkah and Holiday music. This year’s concert will take place at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Riberas de Pilar on November 30, December 1 and 2 at 3pm.

In June 2024 we will present a variety of Classical, Pop and Broadway tunes.  Singers who have participated with Las Voces del Lago in the past will not need to re-audition.  It is not necessary to have note reading skills to be a member of this group but those auditioning must be able to match pitch and pass a fairly simple singing audition.  Our June 2024 concert will take place June 13, 14 and 15.  Auditions for the June concert will take place on March 12 and 13.  Contact Ken Turner for more information at kenturnertenor@gmail.com.

Nova Lux, our newly formed Chamber Choir is an auditioned group of choral music readers, are also members of Las Voces Del Lago. This group will perform at both major concerts and hopes to present at least one separate concert on a predetermined date.

The Feria Maestros del Arte is in its 22^nd year!

November 10-11, 9:30 to 5 pm and November 12, 9:30 to 4 pm, Club de Yates de Chapala, Ramon Corona #1, Chapala, Admission Price 100 pesos

Special Event: Experience Oaxaca: “Danza de la Pluma” and 9 Espiritus Mezcal and Kalakas Chile Licor. Charity Raffle.

Mexico’s folk-art traditions are disappearing at an alarming rate. Artisans need opportunities to sell their work and the Feria offers them a venue at absolutely no cost: no booth fee, no percentage of sales. We pay their transportation to and from the event and find them host families where they sleep and eat for the three days of the show. For some artisans, the sales they make at the Feria represent a major portion of their annual income.

The selection criteria for artisans is based on the merit and quality of their work, as well as their ability to continue to produce it. Traditional folk art reflects shared cultural aesthetics and traditions, however, for the purposes of the Feria, traditions are dynamic and traditional folk art can be both reactive to and innovative for the times. Indeed, we promote a wide range of Mexican folk art:  world class, up-and-coming, innovative, and traditional.

Having 85 artisans at the Feria offers the public the opportunity to see the work of some of Mexico’s finest artists, allowing each artist a place to exhibit and sell their work. Indeed, the Feria promotes the folk art of Mexico, while educating the public that such art is in danger disappearing forever.

We are a non-profit organization and are run entirely by volunteers.  For more information email:info@feriamaestros.comor  Marianne Carlson, Founder of the Feria, has provided this information from the Feria website.

The Lake Chapala Society hosts Open Circle every Sunday at 10:30am. This community gathering in Ajijic presents a wide range of topics. Entrance is by the side gate on Ramón Corona, opening at 9:30am. We recommend bringing a hat and bottled water. Check the website for upcoming topics, and make your reservation. If you missed a past presentation, you can catch it online at: https://opencircleajijic.org/

This Month’s Presentations:

November 5: “Co-Housing” by Laura Urrutia

Co-housing is a model which is basically created by people with the same interests who want to live in individual spaces, but share common services. The main intention is to avoid isolation and to give and receive support.          

But what happens when you cannot find your dream community? How do you start such a community?

Laura will discuss the advances in this extraordinary way of living in Mexico in an attempt answer your questions and to hear your own ideas.

November 12: “Charter Club Tours” by Rosie

Discover the wonders near Ajijic! Our charming Mexican town is your gateway to exciting destinations, all just a few hours away. Imagine a 4 to 4.5-hour road trip to Querétaro for natural beauty and tasty wines. Explore Guanajuato or Zacatecas to soak up the history and stunning colonial architecture, or to a beautiful beach town. You can even go on a day trip just 1 to 2 hours away to a hidden gem in the mountains, like Mazamitla or Tapalpa, or to Guadalajara’s surrounding areas like Tlaquepaque or Tonalá.

But that’s not all! Ajijic is super close to Guadalajara’s airport, from there you can make quick flights to unique places possible. For example, Chiapas and Oaxaca invite you to explore ancient sites and lovely colonial towns. Veracruz and the Yucatán Peninsula offer gastronomy, beautiful cities, and a rich history.

Ajijic is your starting point for a Mexican adventure. Countless opportunities await just a short drive or flight away. Your journey begins here, with endless chances to explore and uncover Mexico’s beauty.

November 19: Centro Regional de Estudios Musicales  (CREM)

The Centro Regional de Estudios Musicales (Centro Regional de Estudios Musicales – CREM), based in Ajijic on the shores of Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, has presented several times in past years at Open Circle. This innovative music education organization struggled to carry out its activities for the past few years because of Covid. They are very appreciative of their supporters. Please consider helping this valuable organization by joining us for this special presentation at this year’s Open Circle. We extend our thanks to all of you who have kept CREM alive. This program benefits the young people of the Lake Chapala region by allowing the continuation of their musical education and the positive human attributes that flow from their artistic endeavors

November 26: “The History of American Music” by Denning Chambers

From the slave ships to the 1970 popular music scene. A look at the origins and influences that created the purely American origins of Spirituals, Gospel, Camp Town, Folk, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, Big Band, Rock ‘n Roll, and Pop.

Denning Chambers began her career as a professional singer/musician in 1971. She has been an opening act for The Supremes, Kingston Trio, and Denny Doherty of the Mamas and the Papas. She received a BS in Music Education from the University of Bridgeport and a Masters Degree in Music Education SUNY Fredonia. She has lectured for the New York State Music Association on vocal timbre around the world, and written, produced and directed three musicals. She has been a music educator in public schools for over 20 years. She conducted the Lake Chapala Chorale for two seasons.

November 24, 25, and 26 at 4 pm (door and bar open at 3 pm)

7 STORIES by Morris Panych

Directed by Darlene Sherwood

Tickets are $200 RESERVE NOW at: barestagetheatre2018@gmail.com.

Imagine you are on the 7^th story ledge of an apartment building deciding to jump or not, when you are interrupted by a couple in the next window who are bickering about a wallet. Thus begins Bare Stage’s November production of 7 Stories by playwright Morris Panych.

The play centers on The Man on the ledge whose ruminations are interrupted by a string of eccentric neighbors who want to talk with him about their own daily dramas. Their seven stories lead to a charming and surprising ending.

Panych is a multiple award-winning Canadian playwright. His 7 Stories is a fast-paced dark comedy, full of energy, great one-liners and a wonderful parade of characters. It is his most-produced play.

Directed by Darlene Sherwood, the cast includes Mark Donaldson, Sharon Jarvis, Brian King, Chris L’Ecluse, and Tony Wilshere.

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 p.m. All bar proceeds go to Operation Feed. Seats are held until 3:50 p.m.

MAMA CLEO’S BOYS HOME NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

Mama Cleo’s is a home for children and adolescents who have suffered abuse or neglect. It is a non-governmental organization.

We accept our boys the way they are and make them part of our family, teaching them values to help them become good men who can support their community in positive ways. But we can’t do this work without your help! Currently we are in need of:

Construction of various aspects of our home, and cistern expansion of bio-digester or septic tank.

Financial support of our Annual Budget for the operation of the home.

Items to be sold in our bazaar.

Volunteers.

Note: Every Saturday there is a fundraising car wash and bake sale at Little Chapel #10 Carretera, San Antonio from 9am to1 pm.

Contact the founder of Mama Cleo’s Boys Home, Alex Bernardino at 331-118-8290 and/or mamacleosboyshome@outlook.com