06012015Mon
Last updateFri, 29 May 2015 4pm

Ribera Arts Review - May 29, 2015

Friday fundraiser

Canadian and U.S. artists involved in the current 360 Xochi Quetzal Artist Residency in Chapala are coordinating with several local artists to present a concert of their work at the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala. The Friday, May 29 fundraiser for the cultural center (located in the old train station) begins at 7 p.m. with a suggested donation entrance fee of 100 pesos.

Each of the following 360 Xochi Quetzal artists will present about 15 minutes of material:

Diana Spechler is the author of the novels “Who by Fire” and “Skinny,” and the New York Times column “Going Off.” Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, GQ, Esquire and the Wall Street Journal. She lives in New York City.

Sienna Dahlen is a vocalist and composer of original jazz and folk music. She has released five albums of original music and is currently signed to Justin Time Records. Dahlen received a Juno Award (Vocal Jazz Album of the Year 2014) for her work with guitarist Mike Rud and his album, “Notes on Montreal.” Dahlen resides in Montreal and Toronto, Canada.

Tanya Crane recently received her MFA degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied metalsmithing and jewelry. Originally from southern California, Crane draws inspiration from the many urban centers in which she has lived and worked. Her sculpture and jewelry use materials from both traditional metalsmithing and from her immediate surroundings.

Klardrøm means “lucid dream” in Norwegian and is a duo comprised of Marie-Hélène Brousseau (sound designer) and Dahlen, an extended vocalist. Brousseau hails from Montreal, where she has been a professional DJ for the past 15 years. Klardrøm takes the listener on a highly sensorial journey through deconstructed text and fragmented beat patterns.

ASA Reminder

Guest speaker Isabel DeBlanc will bring her favorite genre, plein air painting, to the members of the Ajijic Society of the Arts (ASA) during the Monday June 1, 10 a.m. meeting at La Bodega. The program begins at 10 :30 a.m. and includes DeBlanc’s explanation and demonstration of the technique of painting quickly at the scene of a work. 

DeBlanc is the founder of Ajijic’s Plein Air Group. Visit www.isabeldeblanc.com for more information. 

Guitar Series

Students from the University of Guadalajara School of Music continue their Thursday 7 p.m. presentations in the ongoing guitar series at the Central Cultural Gonzalez Gallo in Chapala. June 4: Paulina Aguilar, June 11: Diana Sanchez Cruz, and June 18: Eric Gonzalez. 

Free show

Grupo Nematatlín de Veracruz (one of the performers in the Harp Festival – see story right) is lined up to give a free performance Thursday, June 11, 7 p.m. on the Ajijic Plaza. 

Joven Ballet

There is still time to sign up for the Viva la Musica bus trip to attend the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” at Guadalajara’s Teatro Degollado on Sunday, June 14. The Joven Ballet de Jalisco is the only 100-percent professional dance company in Jalisco. 

Tickets for the bus and ballet are 400 pesos for Viva members and 500 pesos for non-members. Call Rosemary Keeling at (376) 766-1801 to reserve a spot on the bus. 

Benefit Gaining Speed

The benefit dinner and dance with music by the Tall Boys is gathering momentum as friends of popular local musician and songwriter Bill Vincent rally to help defray his medical expenses.

A Mexican buffet will be served on Wednesday, June 17, beginning at 6 p.m. at Mama’s Bar in San Antonio Tlayacapan.  Tickets for dinner and the night of dancing in the adjoining events hall are 200 pesos. Those who wish to have dinner, dancing and a night of unlimited drinks will pay 350 pesos. Call Mama’s Bar at (376) 766-3526 to make a reservation. 

There will be plenty of fun with raffles, silent auctions and the antics and music of the Tall Boys. 

The evening event is planned to allow members of the community to repay Vincent and his wife, Kitt, for their endless volunteer activities and support of others.

Art Xik Xik

Art Xik Xik is a new lecture series designed to provide art enthusiasts an opportunity to have an evening of intimate dialogue with local master artists. 

The monthly sessions in the Master Art Lecture Series are scheduled in provocative area settings. Each evening with an artist begins with a  cocktail reception prepared by a fine culinary establishment. Then the featured maestro (master) will present their work and then remain for a question-and-answer session with attendees. 

Art Xik Xik kicks off the season with a collection of work from some of Ajijic’s favorite artists including Pat Apt, Jesus Lopez Vega, Efren Gonzalez and Javier Zaragoza in Ajijic’s Casa de Cultura on Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. 

Exciting new pieces by each of the selected maestros will hang with a few older, traditional works. And works by the protégés will be displayed alongside those of their mentors.

The number of available tickets at 50 pesos each will be limited. They are available at the Casa de Cultura gift shop and Diane Pearl Colecciones.