The winners

The Lake Chapala Society will once again recognize the creative efforts of talented students in the Neill James Children’s Art Program.

This painting by 14-year-old Norma Luz Robledo garnered her first place and 300 pesos in the current Lake Chapala Society Purchase Awards contest among the kids in the LCS Children’s Art Program. Photo by J. Boyd.

First place and 300 pesos go to Norma Luz Robledo, age 14. Tied for second place and 200 pesos each are Victor Roman, age 6 and Adan Ramundo Flores, age 8. Tied for third place and 100 pesos each are Fabian Herida Perales, age 11 and Julio Alberto Marques, age 15.

Children from the program will show and sell their work during the Fiesta event.

All profits from the July Fiesta go for student aid for children. (See story page 18.)

Guitar and flute

As part of its Summer in the Village concert series, VIVA la Musica! will present guitarist David Mosqueda and flautist Nury Ulate Solis in concert Sunday, July 20, 4 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church in Riberas del Pilar.

Ulate is currently the principal flautist with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) and teaches at the University of Guadalajara’s School of Music. Mosqueda earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Southern California and has performed as a soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of the Conservatorio de las Rosas, the Nayarait Chamber Orchestra, the University of Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra and the JPO.

The program for July 20 includes solos for each of the players as well as duos of music written specifically for guitar and flute. Composers include Agustin Barrios Mangore, Stanley Myers, M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Astor Piazzolla and Isaac Albeniz, among others.

Tickets for the concert will be on sale at the Tickets, Etc. booth until noon on July 19 and at the door. Prices are 250 pesos for VIVA members and 280 pesos for non-members. For more information, contact VIVA president Rosemary Keeling at 766-1801.

Opening

The inauguration of an art exhibit entitled “Let the Wind Baptize Me” will open Friday, July 25, noon at the Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center (former Chapala train station) in Chapala. The exposition is the work of students from the city of Torreon, who, during a two-week workshop, read the poems of the poet Enriqueta Ochoa and then interpreted the poetry with extraordinary paintings and drawings. These works will be shown in the upstairs galleries of the Cultural Center through August 9.

Musical scenery

Pianist Rafael Najera will present a concert Thursday, July 31, 7 p.m. at Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center in Chapala. Najera will be accompanied by mariachi players and the music will depict images of beautiful scenes found throughout Mexico. What promises to be a very interesting cultural event will illustrate the history of sites that can be visited in various states in this country.

All events at the Gonazlez Gallo Cultural Center, Avenida Gonzalez Gallo 1500 in Chapala, are open to the public and are admission-free.

Be a stage manager

Those who have always had a yen for show-biz but are terrified at the thought of learning lines, learning dance steps or having to be able to sing and such, might find their niche in the theater by becoming a stage manager.

Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) is holding a Stage Managers’ Workshop Thursday, July 31, 10 a.m. to noon, just to give you a little taste of a critical theatrical position.

The workshop is free to members of LLT and just 50 pesos to non-members. Memberships will be available at the workshop. Season ticket holders for the 2007-2008 season are members. Current stage managers will be on hand for information and to answer any questions and to give you a tour of LLT’s back stage. Think about it. You could be LLT’s next backstage star!

Wardrobe

It’s your big chance! Miraculously, the position of Wardrobe Manager has just opened up at the Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT). It’s just the post for an enterprising person who cares about the artistry of costumes, clothes and design. Be an important part in the stage of LLT’s successful productions. If you’d like to see your creations on stage, your name in the program and possibly free coffee when you’re on the job, this could be the job for you. Experience is a good thing but not absolutely required.

Contact Don Chaloner at 766-1975 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Risky readings

Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT) will present the second in a new series of play readings on Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m. at the theater. The play is Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” directed by Keith Scott.

“The Crucible,” is set in the “burning times” when witch hunting was at its peak in the town of Salem. The play was written during Senator Joseph McCarthy’s House Committee on Un-American Activities hearings (for which Miller was called to testify in 1956) and, although the play is an historical allegory for the McCarthy era, its true power lies in its ability to be re-interpreted to fit any time period.

In the cast are Graham Miller, Meagan Taylor, Lily Barker, Kristine Moily, Ashley Taylor, Betty Robinson, Terry Pitzner, Natalia Velazquez, Denae Dobko, Paul Callens, Liz White, Allen McGill, Fred Koesling, Roseann Wilshere, Jim Parker, Don Chaloner, Norbert Reider, George Fee, Roberta Hilleman, Pat Carroll and Amy Friend.

On August 3, catch “What the Butler Saw” by Joe Orton, directed by Russell Mack; on August 9, see “The Perfect Alibi” by Michael Warren, directed by Bob Coull.

The bar will be open prior to the readings and during intermission.

Since the series is free to LLT members, please bring a proof of membership to the reading. Guests and non-members pay 50 pesos. Tickets will be available at the door one hour before the performance.

The program is coordinated by Roseann Wilshere, assisted by Bob Coull. Jane Isbell is the stage manager and Rubin Boatman is the lighting operator.

Exhibition

Efren Gonzalez will open an exposition of his works on Friday, July 25, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of Lloyd-Ajijic. He will present more than 70 paintings in oil, watercolor and pastel. Cocktails will be served.

The show will remain in place for public viewing Monday through Friday, July 28 through August 1, during regular working hours.