The Guadalajara Reporter

Ribera arts review - February 7, 2014

Jocotepec hosts a Feria Artesanal Indígena from Monday, February 10 through Monday, February 17 in the town’s main plaza. Among the indigenous art and crafts on show and for sale will be pieces from the communities of the Wixarika, Otomí, Tzotzil, Chol, Purépecha, Nahua and Mazahua.

The Jocotepec Casa de Cultura opens exhibits by Milo Needles and Jose Vasquez with a cocktail reception on Friday, February 14, 7:30 p.m.  Everyone welcome. The show is up until March 12.

Triple header

The Centro Cultural de Ajijic (CCA) will mark the opening of three new workshop areas with a reception to be held Wednesday, February 12, 7 p.m. 

The third floor Sala de Cómputo is designed as a space where local school children will have access to computer equipment at no charge to carry out homework assignments under adult supervision.

Initially, the area will house ten computers and a printer provided by an anonymous Canadian donor, with second-hand furnishings contributed by Actinver Bank Ajijic adapted as kid-size work stations. CCA director Efren Gonzalez anticipates that 10 to 20 additional computers and several more printers will be accommodated before the end of this year.

The event also celebrates the opening of a new and permanent home for the Children’s Art Workshop, previously located at Gonzalez’s studio on Calle Marcos Castellaños, and the launch of  the Taller de Grabado (engraving classes) conducted by accomplished Ajijic artist Juan Navarro.

Fiesta

A spectacular Mexican fiesta featuring a presentation by the Ballet Folklorico Son de Mexico and an international dinner is planned for the Ajijic Plaza on Thursday, February 13, 5 p.m.

The proceeds will benefit this up-and-coming dance troupe, directed by Luis Guzman. 

The cost of the show and dinner, which includes one drink, is 250 pesos. Tickets are available at the Efren Gonzalez Gallery, the Centro Cultural Ajijic or Actinver Ajijic.

Art auction

An art auction with varied offerings in mixed media created by local and foreign artists is scheduled for the Ajijic Plaza on Saturday, February 15, 3:30 p.m. There will be snacks and tequila provided. Efren Gonzalez will be the auctioneer.

Funds raised from the auction will benefit the Ajijic Cultural Center.

Showstoppers

Showstoppers 8 performed by members of Los Cantantes del Lago will be presented on Sunday, February 16, 4 p.m. at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar.  The bar is open at 3 p.m.

This show of “showstopper” numbers has become one of the most awaited events at Lakeside.  Dave McIntosh is the emcee again (back by popular demand).  This concert promises even more fun with new performers, instrumentalists and of course the ever popular Timothy G. Ruff Welch accompanying on piano.  

This concert is a benefit to help Los Cantantes del Lago defray costs when they perform in local venues for free.  Tickets are available at Diane Pearl Colecciones, Mia’s Boutique, from your favorite Cantantes member or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Lakeside Little Theatre

Next on stage at the Lakeside Little Theatre is the musical “Hooray For Hollywood,” written and directed by Barbara Clippinger.  Alexis Hoff is choreographer and Judy Hendrick is music director.  With a cast of 20 singers, dancers and actors, you will not want to miss this show which opens on Friday, February 21 and runs until Tuesday, March 4.

Clippinger has created an original story around a young screenwriter trying to make a movie in Hollywood.  Her show includes wonderful songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood; songs that never won an Oscar …  in fact, they weren’t even nominated.  You will be surprised at how many well-known songs fall into that category.  Along with the singing and dancing, there will be film clips of memorable moments from some classic Hollywood films.

The box office is open from 10 a.m. to noon, from Wednesday, February 19 through the run of the show (except for the Sunday matinees), and one hour before curtain time for each performance.

New show, reception

Candis Flesher-Dodds, whose debut show at Galeria Sol Mexicano in Ajijic opens with a reception on Thursday, February 13, from 4-7 p.m., is an intuitive artist, who paints almost exclusively in acrylics. She loves the vivid contrast of light emanating through and from darkness and her subject matter is reflective of her immediate world.  It is often nature inspired and psychologically based.  She places great emphasis on the beauty of life, not the illusion of its lack of perfection.

Flesher-Dodds became committed to art in 2001 while living in San Miguel de Allende. She has presented her work in galleries in Ontario, Canada, and the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

Since moving permanently to Ajijic in 2011, Flesher-Dodds has found it to be the perfect place for “playing with paint.”

Flesher-Dodds says playing with paint, splashing color, and following where it leads,  is her greatest passion.   In Ajijic she has also ventured into watercolors, creating covers and illustrations for her husband’s books of poetry.

The show is up at Galeria Sol Mexicano (Colon 13, Ajijic) until March 2.

Rauch poster collection

The Art of the Poster, a selection of more than 30 prints dating back to the 1960-1980’s from the private collection of Phyllis and Georg Rauch, will be on display  this month  at Quattro Gallery, Colon 9, located a few doors south of the Ajijic plaza. The show opens Friday, February 14, 3 p.m., with a reception that will introduce guests to La Brecha Tequila Reposado, a heady brand made from 100 percent blue agave cultivated on Lake Chapala’s south shore.  The exhibit includes a number of posters the late Georg Rauch designed to publicize cultural events held in Guadalajara in conjunction with the 1968 Olympic Games hosted by Mexico.

Ajijic Art Walk

Twelve art galleries in Ajijic are ready to welcome you to their premises as part of the second monthly art walk about town (CaminARTE de Axixic or Ajijic Art Walk) on Friday, February 14, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

This event is held on the second  Friday of each month and showcases the wealth of artistic talent at lakeside.

Refreshments are offered at each of the participating galleries. Maps are available in many local stores, or just look for the red balloons that designate everyone on the list. 

For more information and to make comments go to CaminARTE de Axixic’s Facebook page.

Number Four

Number Four Restaurant’s Valentine’s Day feast on Friday, February 14 will feature the Guadalajara band Dirty Black Beans, playing rockabilly and jazz standards. 

The music begins at 8 p.m. with a 75-peso cover.  The menu features broiled Cuban lobster tails or organic rack of lamb.  There’s also a 350-peso prix fixe menu available.

Number Four is located at Donato Guerra 4. Reservations at (376) 766-1360.