Lakeside Living – January 2026

Lillie Henley

lillie.henley@gmail.com

4th, 14th, 19th

Democrats Abroad Lake Chapala

Sunday 4th – 10:30 am  Democrats Abroad presents “Vote from Abroad, Importance of Voting Early” at Open Circle at Lake Chapala Society”

Wednesday 14th 10:00 am Coffee and Conversation, email dmcdermeit@aol.com for location.

Monday 19th at 4:00 pm at La Bodega, 16 de Septiembre 124

Every 3rd Monday of month is membership meeting.

6th & 20th

Ask an Expat

Considering moving to Lakeside? Newly arrived? Have questions? Happy Hour Gathering. Start at Casa Del Sol, Javier Mina 7, Ajijic. 5:00 pm on Tuesdays 6th & 20th. Free! No reservations required. Cash bar available. For more information, contact Steve: U.S. +1 512-921-6150, email Newkidintown78624@gmail.com

January 10 – February 4

The Lake Chapala Fine Artists Guild

The Guild is opening a fine arts exhibition at Sol y Luna from January 10 through February 4. Join us for our opening reception Saturday, 10th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm—where wine, beer, and refreshing agua fresca will be flowing, and the restaurant will offer a special menu created just for the occasion.

Admission is free. On Rio Bravo 10A in West Ajijic. Visit the Guild’s website at FineArtChapala.com or Facebook page @FineArtChapala.

5th

Andrea Chérnier

The New York Metropolitan Opera’s production of Umberto Giordano’s passionate tragedy Andrea Chérnier. Showing Monday, January 5, at 4:00p.m.A poet speaks truth to power and suddenly romance becomes as dangerous as revolution itself. When passion burns in the shadow of the guillotine, the final choice is love — or silence forever.

8th & 9th

Auditions for Stephen Mallatrott’s theatrical spin-chiller, The Woman in Black, to be directed by Paul Kloegman, and performed April 3 – 12th. The play has a cast of 2 men, and 1 woman. For information and audition materials, email womaninblack@lakesidelittletheatre.com

16th – 25th

Florian Zeller’s The Father

The Father is the delightfully bewildering story of a very sharp man who is absolutely certain everyone else has lost their minds.

Director Neal Checkoway

Cast Left to Right: Rebecca Byberg, Chris Van Vliet, Ilena Spector, Dave McIntosh, M. A. Bruner, Mark Nichols

Matinees (Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesday) are at 4:00 pm

Evening shows (Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays ) at 7:30 pm

Reserve tickets are $400 pesos for The Father and $350 pesos for Andrea Chénier. Pleasereserveat  www.lakesidelittletheatre.com/tickets or at the box office before the performances. Patrons with a Mexican INE will receive a $100 peso discount at the box office or by making a reservation via tickets@lakesidelittletheatre.com

16th  – February 12th

The Art Space at La Estacion

Monday, January 16, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Exhibition opening for the works of Maestro en Bellas Artes from the University of Guanajuato Neal Smith Willow. Step into The Art Space at La Estación and experience RI (Real Intelligence) — Exploratory Visions

Hidalgo 75, Riberas del Pilar, San Antonio Tlayacapan. La Estación is open 9:00 am to 10:00 pm every day.

16th – 18th  & 30th and 31st

Double-Header at The BRAVO!

A Musical Tribute to Carole King

Carole King

A powerful musical tribute that offers the soul-stirring legacy of Carole King—her voice, her fire, her timeless anthems that shaped generations.

Songwriter Susanne Sims leads this live performance of King’s “Tapestry.” Joining her on stage will be vocalists Wanda White and Johannys Jimenez-Hartog along with musicians Gilberto Rios, Eleazar Soto, and Isael Angulo. This is a benefit performance for The BRAVO!

January 16-18, 4:00 pm, tickets $400 pesos

Next up will be professional stand-up comedian Carol Leifer. A longtime writer and producer for Seinfeld. She has written for Saturday Night Live, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Larry Sanders Show, and many of The Oscars. She won Emmy Awards for her work on Seinfeld and The Larry Sanders Show.

Friday, 30th at 7:30 PM and Saturday, 31st at 4 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are $500 pesos. Location is Hidalgo 441, Riberas Del Pilar

Tickets are available online at tickets@thebravo.org or in person at “It’s Kinda Bazar…and Kinda Not,”

20th

The Artists of Lake Chapala

Step into a world of creativity and craftsmanship at our originals only — Artisan Art Show — where every piece is made by hand, by heart, and by incredible local talent. Showing 10:00 to 3:00 every Thursday

Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera, Center for Culture and Arts of the Lakeside, La Floresta. Free Entry

22nd

FREETHINKERS

The Lakeside Freethinkers is the local affiliate of Freethinkers International; a worldwide online network. We meet monthly 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Yves’ Restaurant in West Ajijic. lakeside-freethinkers@googlegroups.com 

Topic this month: Ideas and technologies reshaping our world.

All are welcome to attend.  No membership fees.

29th

Poco A Poco San Pedro A.C. Itzican Golf Tournament Play with purpose — every swing makes a difference!

Grab your clubs and your big-hearted competitive spirit — this isn’t just golf; it’s community in action. The Poco a Poco San Pedro Itzican Charity Golf Tournament is teeing off to raise awareness and funds for the people of San Pedro Itzican, a community of 7,000 located about 20 km east of Chapala. San Pedro Itzican faces serious challenges — alarming rates of kidney disease, food insecurity, and limited access to education. Since 2017, Poco a Poco San Pedro has been committed to supporting residents through programs that promote health, stability, education, and dignity.

Event Registration

Thursday, January 29 at 8:15 a.m.

Chapala Country Club, Vista Del Lago

Maximum of 72 players — secure your spot early!

To register or sponsor, contact:

Doris Wakeman — doriswakeman@gmail.com WhatsApp: 332-259-0087

Kari Higgins — kariinmexico@gmail.com WhatsApp: 333-820-4927

Play golf. Change lives. One swing at a time. 

30th, 31st, Feb 1st

The Cemetery Club

Director Bernadette Jones

The Cemetery Club is as funny as it is deeply moving—a story packed with sharp humor, unforgettable characters, and moments that tug at the heart in all the best ways.

Cast: Linda Goman, Deb Kloegman, Roxanne Rosenblat, Rob Stupple and Roseanne Wilshere.

Shows: Friday-Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1, at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $300p and will be held until 3:50 pm.

Please reserve tickets at barestagetheatre2018@gmail.com

Location: 19 San Lucas, Riberas del Pilar

Door and bar open at 3:00 pm.

All bar proceeds go to Operation Feed.

Accessible parking in front; otherwise, please use our corner parking lot if possible.

31st

An Afternoon of Symphonic Passion

Brenda Galvan

Michael Reason, Conductor

Brenda Galvan, Violin Soloist

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon where raw emotion and majestic sound collide, led by the vibrant artistry of Maestro Michael Reason. Journey from Icy Fjords to Triumphant Peaks… First, be captivated by the breathtaking fire and ice of Jean Sibelius’s Violin Concerto. Brenda Galvan, our Principal Second Violin, steps into the solo spotlight to command this legendary work.

Then, be uplifted by the monumental power of Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 1. 

Saturday, January 31, 2:00 pm

Robert Kleffel Auditorium, Instituto Tecnologico de Chapala, Libramiento 200.

Tickets for the concert are $400 pesos each and can be reserved by email at LCCOtickets@gmail.com. More information about the orchestra can be found at www.lakechapalaorch.com

Season Tickets are now available — and discounted if purchased before January 31, 2026.

February 6th – 8th

ART WALKERS

2026 Carnival Third Edition

Art Walkers is far more than an annual cultural project — it’s a creative movement. Rooted in the community of Riberas del Pilar, Chapala, this multidisciplinary celebration invites the public to experience contemporary art up close, not tucked behind glass or confined to a gallery hush.

Representing over 50 bold and innovative artists — local and international — who call the Lake Chapala region home, Art Walkers transforms streets, studios, and cultural spaces into living galleries. Here, creativity isn’t observed from a distance. The mission is simple and vital: Connect people through art in a dynamic, open-door experience where visitors, creators, and cultural venues meet face-to-face. This is where curiosity becomes conversation, inspiration becomes collaboration, and new audiences discover that art belongs to all of us.

The third edition of the Art Walkers CARNIVAL event, scheduled for February 6th – 8th, will begin from Riberas del Pilar in Chapala and head west to Ajijic. The route will continue to expand and will also include the town of San Juan Cosala and its artists.

The tour will run from 10 am to 2 pm. Note: 10 am to 5 pm (Ajijic area) 10 am to 2 pm (San Juan Cosala area)

Ticket purchase is $50 pesos and includes a map of the walk and will be available starting the first week of January at the participating artists’ venues.

The full list is available at artwalkers2026.blogspot.com

No reservations required

February 17th Fundraiser

Don Beaudreau

Mardi Gras & All That Jazz! A Celebration of Rhythm, Soul, and New Orleans Magic

We’re bringing the spirit of Bourbon Street right here to Lakeside with an unforgettable Mardi Gras performance featuring: Don Beaudreau  world-traveled pianist, Sunshine Johnson  beloved local vocalist, and Horatio  drummer for The Street Dogs.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Doors and bar open 3:00 p.m. Concert begins 4:00 p.m.

19 San Lucas, Riberas del Pilar

Tickets $500 pesos

All proceeds support the St. Andrew’s congregation.

Reserve your ticket by emailing: wbeaudreau@aol.com

Pay at the door on the day of the concert

Recurring Activities Where You Are Welcome

Mon-Friday

Zumba, 8:00-9:00 am Instructor Rocio, 333-183-9356, Camino Real de Ajijic 100, Ajijic, $50 pesos a class. Close to the area where the horses reside!

Mon-Wed-Fri

Stretch & Balance, 9:00-9:50 am Back patio/south campus at LCS. Use front or back entrance. All abilities welcome.

Chair Yoga – 11:00-12:00 Instructor Reba, sablelady1941@gmail.com Inside the Ajijic Cultural Center on Plaza. All abilities welcome.  $50pesos a class

Warmup, Zumba, Stretches,  8:00 – 9:00 am, Instructor Ana, 331-304-1317, on Malecon by skate park. $50 pesos a class. All abilities welcome.

Tues-Thur-Sat

Ajijic Kayak Club, a boat-owning-members Club, a LCS activity on lake near LCS.

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8:00 am or by scheduling a meeting.

Meet the Club members for details: LCS restaurant, Thursday morning about 10:30 for breakfast. Ask for the Commodore (Michal) or the old guy (Chick)

Contact charles.twyman@gmail.com

Lucky Dog Rescue and Adoption Center

Needs Loving Volunteers to walk dogs; help socialize puppies; give them food and fresh water; and assist with kennel cleaning.

One volunteer’s experience: I began volunteering at Lucky Dog a little over a year ago after moving from Oaxaca City, and it’s been a true win-win for both me and the pups. It’s also a meaningful way to meet people and build community, particularly for those who are new to Lakeside.

Dean Michaels, Lucky Dog Rescue Volunteer

https://www.luckydoglakechapala.org

Jesus López Vega del Galeria de Arte Axixic

Step inside the private worldof renowned Ajijic artist Jesús López Vega for an intimate tour of his personal gallery. Enjoy rich stories of our pueblo—its art, its legends, its colorful characters—and the moments that shaped Ajijic’s creative soul. It’s a rare chance for conversation, discovery, and a deeper look into the history behind the canvases.

Reservations are required and donations are appreciated.

Galería de Arte Axixic, Río Zula 1, 33 11 038 380

All Non-Profits Are Welcome to Submit News & Information

To have your event included in El Ojo Del Lago, please note the following:

Deadline: The 1st of the month before the month of publication.

Required Information: You must include:

Event Name and Sponsor

Date(s) and Time

Cost (if any)

Photosare accepted in jpg format.

Send your information to me: lillie.henley@gmail.com


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Lillie Henley
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