The Guadalajara Reporter

Ribera Arts Review - March 7, 2014

‘Mariachi Gringo’

There is a strong local connection in the next film in the Sunday “Afternoon at the Movies” series sponsored by the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad Mexico.

According to a New York Times movie review, the city of Guadalajara is the “real star” of “Mariachi Gringo,” a romantic film with a lot of music that will be shown on Sunday, March 9, 1:30 p.m. at Cinemas del Lago, Bugambilias Plaza, Ajijic.

The main story line in “Mariachi Gringo” involves a small town American boy who crosses cultural and geographic boundaries to become a mariachi singer in Mexico, where he falls in love with the country as well as a Mexican girl.  Much of the film was shot on location in Guadalajara and the New York Times calls the city “warm, diverse, and sensual.” 

All films in the eight-show series are open to the general public.  Tickets are 50 pesos each and are available at the box office.

Net proceeds will be used to support the organization’s voter registration program for expats living in this area.

More information may be obtained by contacting David Fields at 766-1658 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CaminARTE de Axixic

Twelve art galleries in Ajijic will offer a friendly welcome as part of their third monthly art walk about town – CaminARTE de Axixic.

This event is held on the second  Friday of each month and shows the wealth of artistic talent at lakeside. Special offers, raffles  and refreshments are among the offerings at the participating galleries. Maps are also available in stores, or just look for the red balloons that designate everyone on the list.

The next art walk is on Friday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  There is also a Facebook page – look for CaminARTE de Axixic and post a comment.

Rising stars in concert

Pianist Rodrigo Leal Murillo and violinist Juan Pablo Medeles, two rising stars in  the local firmament of musical talent, will perform a dual recital Saturday, March 15, 3:30 p.m., at Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church, San Lucas 19, Riberas del Pilar.

Admission to the event is set at 130 pesos per person, with a reduced rate of 70 pesos for students. Tickets are available in Ajijic at Fiaga Boutique, Morelos 7; El Ta-chihual, Colon 33; and LM@Com, Ocampo 32.

The recital is the first in a series of special events the two young musicians are planning as a first step towards fulfilling a mutual dream to polish their instrumental skills through study abroad.

Leal and Medeles are 17-year-old high school students and lifelong friends who first enrolled at the local Centro Regional de Estudios Musicales (CREM) in 2007. Just four years later they became founding members of the Orquesta Axixic.  Since 2012 both have been able to continue their artistic training under the wing Viva la Música scholarship program.  

Now the pair has teamed up to start saving funds for a joint three-month trek to Europe next year to explore options for pursuing advanced studies.  Auditions to qualify for scholarships at the Conservatoruim Van Amsterdam in the Netherlands top the list, but their itinerary will also include visits to prestigious institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Dance spectacle

Lakeside’s top notch dance troupe Internacional Ballet Folclorico Son de Mexico is booked for a special appearance Saturday, March 15, 6 p.m., at the Auditorio de la Ribera in La Floresta.  The 150-peso admission fee is payable at the door, 

The troupe from San Juan Cosalá is noted for its dazzling costuming, the showmanship of the performers and ingenious choreography by artistic director Luis Guzmán Zamora.

The program will open with the spectacular Danza de los Quetzales, derived from pre-Hispanic rituals practiced in the region of Puebla, followed by traditional dances of Michoacan, Guerrero and Veracruz. The second act will feature high-octane numbers including the daredevil Danza de los Machetes from Nayarit and Jalisco’s heart-throbbing Son de la Negra and Jarabe Tapatío.

Proceeds from the show will go towards defraying the company’s travel expenses to Canada next July to represent Mexico at the Mondial des Cultures of Drummondville, one of the largest and most renowned international folklore festivals held worldwide.

While the 20 dancers, nine musicians and the technical staff tapped to perform in Quebec have already chipped in 5,000 dollars out of pocket for a down payment on the airfare, they still need to raise triple that amount by mid-June in order to cover the entire bill. Lodging and meals will be provided courtesy of the festival organization.   

Jocotepec songster

Jocotepec singer-songwriter Fernando Zamora “El Terruño” will present his latest album at a live entertainment event set for Sunday, March 16, 7:30 p.m., at the town’s central plaza.  The new release, entitled “Recordando a Víctor Yturbe-El Pirulí,” is collection of the greatest hits recorded by one of Mexico’s most popular interpreters of boleros and romantic ballads.

Yturbe built up a successful career as a singer and composer in Puerto Vallarta during the 1960’s and 1970’s.  After putting out more than 15 albums during his long career, he was shot dead at his home in a suburb of Mexico City in 1987 in a notorious murder case that was never solved.

Zamora will introduce his own recording of favorite El Piruli tunes by performing with other local musicians specially invited for the occasion.

Tango Week Lakeside

Los Tangueros del Lago invites everyone to celebrate Cine Tango with a series of two intoxicating film presentations.

The screenings are on Monday, March 17 (“La Puta y La Ballena”) and Tuesday, March 18 (“Tango de Carlos Saura).” Both take place at El Piano Rojo and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Los Tangueros is also sponsoring an Argentine tango workshop and seminar from March 20 to 22 at Villa Montecarlo (Hidalgo 296, Chapala), with a brunch buffet included each day. This is a great chance to learn those sultry moves from an invited guest maestro from Colombia. The cost is 690 pesos for a one-day participation or 1,995 pesos for all three days. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. For reservations, payment and more information, email Joyce Lawrence at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Rock ‘n Blues Gala

When was the last time you enjoyed a fabulous dinner, an incomparable evening, great music, and were at a loss to describe it to your friends?  Maybe you punted and said “You had to be there!”  Such an occasion is coming up Saturday, March 29, when Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic (NCA) presents its Rock ‘n Blues Gala  featuring Lakeside’s own Mike and the Suspects.  

The Rock ‘n Blues Gala will be at the fabulously refurbished Montecarlo.  This event promises an elegant afternoon/evening with gourmet food, dancing and Lakeside’s best of rock ‘n blues.  The fun begins at 4 p.m., and continues until 8 p.m. or ...?   

The menu selection is either beef filet mignon stuffed with shrimp and demi-glace sauce; chicken breast stuffed with ricotta cheese, butter/amandine sauce; or vegetarian lasagna. All are served with mixed salad, baked potato with topping and tomato Provençal. Desert is flan Napolitano.

The gala will have a no-host bar with champagne, fine wines, signature margaritas (the drummer’s secret recipe), plus a 50/50 raffle.

All proceeds benefit NCA’s students.  NCA has almost 250 young Mexicans attending school, from primary through university level.  These youngsters are serious and bright (they maintain an average of 80 percent or better).  

Mike and the Suspects play to sold-out crowds every Friday at Adelita’s Bar & Grill in San Antonio.  All the band members are donating their time and talent free of charge to benefit Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic.  

Montecarlo has lots of attended and well-lit parking. Assistance for those with limited mobility is provided, also wheelchair access.  

Tickets cost 350 pesos each and are available from Los Niños Bazar in Riberas, across from the 7/11. or from Doug (331) 069-0084, Nancy 766-0848, Shannon 763-5145 or Amy  765-5454.

A table can be reserved for a group of eight.