Guadalajara Reporter

VIVA la Musica! stages its third concert of the season on Thursday, August 19, 7:30 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago in La Floresta.

The concert features two outstanding musicians: pianist Andres Sarre and cellist Issac Ramirez.

Both cultivated their passion for music at an early age, fortunately having been exposed to plenty of good music in their homes. At first, however, both pursued careers in the sciences and only continued their musical studies part time. Happily, they eventually chose to embrace their passion, becoming full-time musicians committed to sharing their talents.

Ramirez has been a member of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) since he graduated from the University of Guadalajara School of Music in 1999 and has performed with them as a soloist on several occasions.

Sarre began his piano studies at age 13, and after completing his college studies in chemical engineering, realized that music was his calling. He has continued his studies with former JPO director Guillermo Salvador, and has performed with the zarzuela  group Pepita Embil.

Both musicians see the development of their piano/cello partnership, formed in 2005, as a lifelong endeavor. They have already performed in many different venues throughout Mexico and been acclaimed for their musical prowess.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, August 9, 10 a.m. to noon at the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) and at the door on the night of the performance. The cost is 250 pesos for VIVA members and 300 pesos for non-members.

Remember, there is still time to become a member of VIVA la Musica! and support talented musicians. VIVA members receive discounts on all VIVA events, including bus trips to Guadalajara for special performances.

Drama opening

Don’t forget the Naked Stage production of the Marsha Norman drama “Night, Mother” set to run August 13, 14 and 15, 4 p.m. at the Pocket Theatre at the Sol y Luna Center. The box office opens at 3:15 p.m. The cast for the reading is Betty Lloyd Robinson as the mother and Marian Welman as the daughter. The narrator is Michael McGrath. The production is directed by Jeritza McCarter. Call 766-2044 for reservations or email thenakedstagegroup@gmail.com.

Strings

The Golden Strings/CREM (Centro Regional para la Educacion de la Musica) musical group presents a summer concert on Saturday, August 21, 6 p.m. at Auditorio de la Ribera del Lago in La Floresta. Tickets are only 80 pesos each. Please call Helaine or Marvin Harthcock at (376) 763-5093 for information and/or to purchase tickets. If tickets are still available, they can be purchased at the door.

Golden Strings provides deserving Mexican music students with free musical instruction and instruments for their use. Many have graduated from the program and have begun earning their livings as musicians. You’ll love the concert.

By the way, Golden Strings Foundation has a 501C(3) status so donations may be deducted from United States income tax. Email securetax@gmail.com for information.

Auction

An acrylic painting on canvas (32” X 58” without the frame) by DePaul Dunham is up for silent auction at Viva Mexico restaurant in San Juan Cosala. The artist plans to donate all the proceeds from the sale of the painting, called “Ballet, Flame of Life,” to the Son de Mexico folkloric ballet troupe, which is trying to gather funds to pay for airfares to represent Mexico at an upcoming cultural forum in South America. The painting would normally sell for about 20,000 pesos but the opening bid is just 3,000 pesos. Bidding increases in 200-peso increments. Stop by the restaurant to place your bid or call restaurant owner Agustin Vazquez at (045) 333-156-2245. The winner will be announced after the luncheon and dance presentation set for August 18 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Photoshop

Finally. Due to many inquiries, the owners of Quattro, photographers Jill Flyer and Luis Mancera McCormick, are teaching a class on Photoshop. The class will be held on three consecutive Thursdays at the Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center (old train station) in Chapala, starting on August 12. The class will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. If there is a large enrollment, they will start a second class to run from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. The course will cost 450 pesos.

The course is “beginners” Photoshop, starting with how to set up your photo files and how to access them. They will then explain the concert behind “layers,” and all the tools you will need to make your photos better or even into a work of art. Students will learn how to change the contrast, control light and dark and work with hue saturation. They will learn how to “burn and dodge,” how to clone images, how to sandwich two photos together, how to cut and paste, how to change colors, how to apply a wide variety of filters, how to deliberately distort photos and more.

It’s best if students already have Photoshop or Elements installed on their computers. The teachers will project what they are doing on a large screen so that students can follow along. Everyone will receive a practice CD, the same photo that will be used in the class. Those with laptops can work along with the teachers and make the same corrections. Those without laptops should bring paper and pen to take notes and re-create the examples on their practice CD when they get home.

For more information, call Flyer at 766-3025 or write to fotoflyer2003@yahoo.com.

ACCENT!

Congratulations to Jackie Thompson on the opening of her new home décor gallery in Plaza La Huerta last week. The hours for ACCENT! are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thompson will open at other hours by appointment. Call (045) 331-248-4865.

CASA changes

The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) announces amendments to the prize winners listed in this column last week. Because of a tie for first place in the Seafood and Fish category, Pat Carroll and Karen Rowell now share that honor, which places long-time member Joe DeLeon in third place. In the second category, Complimentary Side Dishes, first-time presenter Ginger Perkins won first place for her sweet and sour squash and Hazel Tash and Susan Hood shared the third place honors.

CASA meets the third Monday of each month. All who would like to join in learning about preparing and enjoying good food are encouraged to call President Patrick Winn at 766-4842. He would be delighted to invite those interested to be his guest at a meeting.

Coming soon

The work of a group of award-wining artists will be featured at a special show at the old Pedro’s Gourmet Restaurant space, Ocampo 71 in Ajijic. The opening reception is set for Sunday, August 22, 4 p.m.  Watch this column for more information.