Shelley Edson
ElOjoLakesideLiving@gmail.com
From the Lakeside Living Editor: Please send information for local cultural, civic, community, or charitable events to ElOjoLakesideLiving@gmail.com by the first day of the preceding month – for example, the deadline for the August issue is July 1. Thank you.
ANAVETS UNIT 19
Fundraising
Photo Credit: Manuel Vela
In May, ANAVETS, working with The Sons of the American Legion, supplied waterproof sealer to repair the school roof of Francisco Medina Ascencio School in Chapala (The Blue School) in advance of the rainy season. If you would like to be a part of a dedicated group of individuals who are making a difference in the community, we always welcome new members. You do not need to be a military veteran or a Canadian. Come join us at 12:00 Thursdays for Euchre and 12:30 for Fun Darts at Mama’s Musical Bar just down from Ishop in Riberas.
ASK AN EXPAT!
Tuesdays, July 1 and July 15, at 5 pm
Lakeside Info for Visitors and Newbies
Considering moving to Lakeside? Or recently arrived? Steve Taylor hosts “Ask an Expat” Happy Hour that offers lakeside information in one place, at one time, for those visiting, moving to, and living in Mexico. Steve leads a discussion on visitor questions and his “10 Expat Commandments.” Questions? Text +1 (512) 921-6150. Location: Casa Del Sol Inn, Javier Mina 7, Ajijic
BARE STAGE THEATRE
Friday, July 25; Saturday, July 26; Sunday, July 27; at 4 pm
Death of a Salesman
Photo Credit: Jack Volle
Don’t Miss the Unforgettable Death of a Salesman and experience the heart of Arthur Miller’s award-winning masterpiece. This iconic play, revived on Broadway six times since its 1949 premiere and adapted into ten film versions, proves its timeless power. Follow Willy Loman’s poignant struggle with identity, ambition, and the elusive ‘American Dream’ in a story. Cast: David Ellison, Chris L’Ecluse, Damyn Young, Greg Custer, Wayne Waterman, Brian Kaulback, Brad Felix, Roseann Wilshere. Directed by Rosann Balbontin.
Tickets are $200 p. Reserve by email barestagetheatre2018@gmail.com. Door and bar open at 3 pm. Seats held until 3:50 pm. Bar proceeds go to Operation Feed.
Location: St Andrews, San Lucas 19, Riberas. Now with A/C. Handicap parking available and general parking in adjacent lot.
The BRAVO! Theatre
Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19, at 7 pm
Eternal Flames: An Evening of Torch Songs
Love! The inspiration for poets and songwriters from the beginning of time. Unrequited and lost love, especially, have inspired some of the most beautiful, fun and heartfelt songs ever written. Join Amaranta Santos and Brian Mathers, two of Lakeside’s most popular singers, along with guest artists Laura Medina and Rev. Johannys Jiménez-Hartog for Eternal Flames – an evening of well-known and much-loved torch songs from musical theatre, the Great American Songbook, the pop charts, and more!
Tickets: $300 p. Reserve by email bwmathers@msn.com. For more information +1-712-223-0874. Location: Hidalgo 441, Riberas, just west of S&S Auto.
CENTRO CULTURAL GONZALEZ GALLO CHAPALA
Free concerts with very talented musicians are held most Sundays and occasional weekdays. Note tips always welcome. July concerts, which usually last about one hour, are:
Sunday, July 6, 12:30 pm
La Marea Fandanguera
Come be entertained by a musical group based in Guadalajara playing traditional jarochos music.
Sunday, July 13, 12:30 pm
Kamuel Zepeda, concert pianist
A talented Mexican pianist performs an exciting music repertoire.
Sunday, July 20, 12:30 pm
Christian Watcher, concert pianist
The very accomplished international pianist returns to play a concert recital that you don’t want to miss.
Sunday, July 27, 12:30 pm
Carlos Ivan de Leon, Flamenco
Experience the thrill of authentic flamenco rhythms!
For more information, check the Facebook group: Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo, or subscribe to the email list gonzalezgallo.sc@jalisco.gob.mx. Concert location: Av. González Gallo 1500, Chapala – the old train station.
LAKE CHAPALA ORCHESTRA
Friday, July 11 at 4 pm
Summer Series Concert
The second of the Summer Series Concerts features works by Haydn and Beethoven. Featured is Ghela Quartet: four talented young string players. This is the quartet’s last appearance before they travel to Italy to participate in a worldwide String Quartet competition.
Tickets are $300 p and can be reserved by email LCCOticket@gmail.com. Limited seating, so early reservations are recommended. The concert starts at 4:00 pm with doors open at 3:00 pm, so come early and enjoy a glass of wine in the church garden. Location: St. Andrew’s, San Lucas 19, Riberas which now has A/C. Handicap parking available and general parking in adjacent lot.
LAKESIDE LITTLE THEATRE
No performances are scheduled for July. Stay tuned for the August performance schedule.
LAS VOCES DEL LAGO
Tuesday, September 9, and Wednesday, September 10, 10 am to 2 pm
Auditions
Join Las Voces del Lago for a Magical Holiday Season and audition for its upcoming holiday concerts, December 11-14. New singers and returning voices are welcome to join the region’s vibrant choral tradition. Singers interested in performing with Nova Lux, our select chamber ensemble, are also encouraged to audition. Don’t miss this opportunity to make music and spread holiday cheer!
Email kenturnertenor@gmail.com to reserve your audition slot today! Location: St Andrew’s Church, San Lucas 19, Riberas.
LA COCHERA CULTURAL
Enjoy unforgettable performances such as jazz concerts and flamenco dancers at La Cochera Cultural. Nothing scheduled for July; but August is a Yes. Don’t miss out! Join their mailing list for upcoming performance schedules.
Mailing List: info@cocheracultural.org Location: Javier Mina #49, Ajijic.
OPEN CIRCLE – LAKE CHAPALA SOCIETY
Open Circle events are Sundays, at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic, 16 de Septiembre 16-a. Events are free, with donations appreciated, and open to all community members. Presentations are in English, however non-English speakers are encouraged to attend and learn from bilingual audience and staff members. Open Circle is always seeking new presenters for its 52-week programing. Information at www.opencircleajijic.org “Be a Presenter.”
Sunday, July 6, 10:15 to 11:30 am
Did Improvisation Save America? Benajmin Franklin’s Mission to France
In her 2006 book, A Great Improvisation, author Stacy Schiff draws from little-known sources to illuminate the least-explored part of Franklin’s life.
Presenter: Lillie Henley is a retired Unitarian minister with a passion for reading recent and revisionist biographies. On this Independence Day weekend, Lillie will recount how Franklin emerges as a clever, determined, and fully engaged leader.
Sunday, July 13, 10:15 to 11:30 am
Panel: To Whom It May Concern: Living with Memory Changes
Photo Credit: Elly Contreras
Join us as trained facilitator Elly Contreras guides a group of Lakeside seniors in sharing their experiences with aging and memory loss. Companion presenter Alicia Knox generates a real-time creative recounting of these experiences and shares with the Open Circle audience how the onset of memory loss is witnessed by those experiencing this challenge.
Presenters: Elly Contreras is a full-time resident of Lakeside and founder of Lakeside DayBreak Dementia Support. The scribe for this program is Alicia Knox, a photographer, digital storyteller, and guided autobiography instructor.
Sunday, July 20, 10:15 to 11:30 am
Live Performance Bare Stage Presents Death of a Salesman:
A Study in Self-delusion and Dementia
This Pulitzer Award dramatic work by Arthur Miller was first produced in 1949. Miller described the play as “the tragedy of a man who gave his life or sold it” in pursuit of the American Dream. Lakeside’s Bare Stage Theatre is presenting this play July 25th through the 27th. Here’s a chance to hear director Rosann Balbontin’s interpretive and directorial process in bringing this seminal work to life. Actors David Ellison and Chris L’Ecluse will present a scene that highlights their strained relationship and Willy’s growing separation from reality. Presenter: Rosann Balbontin, who trained at California’s American Conservatory Theater.
Sunday, July 27, 10:15 to 11:30 am
To be scheduled
OPERA DEL LAGO
Thursday, July 31, and Sunday, August 3 at 4 pm
Beloved Opera Duets
Michael Atkinson, center; Janeene Williams, far right
Photo Credit: Michael Atkinson
Do you enjoy opera and listening to beautiful duet singing? Then come to Beloved Opera Duets, and enjoy an afternoon of opera gems, presented by Opera del Lago, a group dedicated to the support of live opera around the Lake Chapala area. Sopranos Janeene Williams and Margaret Stricklett, along with pianist Robert Thieme and narrated by Michael Atkinson, present a program of opera duets known for their beauty and heartfelt emotion. Enjoy such beautiful duets as “The Flower Duet,” from Lakmé; “Mira o Norma,” from Norma; “Aber der Richtige,” from Arabella; “Ah Guarda Sorella,” from Così fan Tutte, as well as beloved opera duets by Monteverdi, Carl Maria von Weber, Rossini, Humperdinck and Bernstein. For updates, see Facebook Opera del Lago.
Tickets are $350 p. For reservations or more information, email
operadellagosings@gmail.com. Location: St. Andrew’s Church, San Lucas 19, Riberas. Handicap parking available and general parking in adjacent lot.
POCO SAN PEDRO ITZICAN
Saturday, July 26th at 4:00 pm
Summer Sizzle Gourmet BBQ
This fundraiser is to help 54 children, whom we helped get into school last year, and re-enrolled with the needed supplies and uniforms for the coming school year. We also need to raise funds to continue tutoring over 25 children so that they can catch up with their grades as we pay a primary school teacher and her assistant to come three mornings a week from Poncitlan. And finally, we want to get another 30 children enrolled in school for the first time in August 2025. The tutoring is needed year-long and includes children who have never attended school because of poverty and other difficult situations these children face.
Tickets: $1000 p contribution each, available at Fenix Realty in San Antonio and Kinda Bazar in Riberas. We will welcome you with a drink and wonderful food. Different chefs will be preparing the food for your delight. Cash bar. Location: The BBQ will be held at a private home in Chula Vista with great food and company.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteer at FoodBank Lakeside
Drivers needed to deliver food and meals; writers needed for the newsletter; and Partnership Coordinators/Ambassadors needed to cultivate relationships with other organizations. Minimum time commitment is three to four hours a month. English or Spanish speakers welcome; Spanish is not required but is a plus in certain roles. Work from home except for drivers, who drive assigned routes. For more information, foodbanklakeside.org, or email VolunteersFBL@gmail.com.
Volunteer at Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center
Volunteers needed to help with daily shelter tasks and dog walking, cuddling, or playtime. Dog walkers need a basic level of fitness; other tasks are less strenuous. Minimum commitment is as little as two to four hours each week. Lucky Dog is open daily from 9:00 to 1:00. English or Spanish speakers welcome. www.luckydoglakechapala.org/
Contact: Melanie Rosen melanierosen62@gmail.com or What’s App +52 332-824-4082. Location: Carretera Chapala-Mezcala #1100, 45944 Santa Cruz de la Soledad, on the main road between Chapala and Santa Cruz going east along the lake.
Volunteer at the Riberas Pet Store Cat Shelter
Volunteers needed for the cat shelter which is open for volunteers Monday to Friday 10:00 to 2:00, and Saturdays 10:00 to 1:00. The cat suites are shaded. Toys and chairs are provided. For more information call 376 765 5544. Location: Hildago 212 Riberas del Pilar.
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