Come to our presentations at LCS Gardens

Open Circle provides a supportive environment to gather for social interaction and to improve our understanding of ourselves, our community and our world.

Upcoming Presentation, July 13, 2025

PANEL PRESENTATION “To Whom I May Concern: Living with Memory Changes”
Join us (and bring your friends) as trained facilitator Elly Contreras guides a group of Lakeside seniors in sharing their experiences with aging and memory loss. The first such performance of this work (in Mexico) was held last April and the cast is reprising their presentation for Open Circle. Companion presenter Alicia Knox generates a real-time creative recounting of these experiences and shares with the Open Circle audience how the onset of memory loss is witnessed by those experiencing this challenge.
Presenters:
Elly Contreras is a full time resident of Lakeside and founder of Lakeside DayBreak Dementia Support, striving to make Lakeside a dementia-friendly and inclusive community. Elly studied several aspects of Dementia with the Wicking University of Tasmania and is creating Dementia related programs Lakeside. The scribe for this program is Alicia Knox, a photographer, digital storyteller, and guided autobiography instructor.

Upcoming Programs

Past Presentations

About Open Circle

For nearly 30 years, the Lake Chapala area has been honored to host Mexico’s longest-standing weekly English language lecture series. Begun in 1995 by volunteers under the title of “New Dimensions” and initially focused on various aspects of spirituality, in 2001 the program became “Open Circle” and was hosted in homes and restaurants. The Lake Chapala Society became Open Circle Ajijic’s permanent home in the early 2000’s and (since 20021) has become an official Lake Chapala Society program.

 

Mission Statement: 

“Open Circle Ajijic provides a supportive environment to gather for social interaction and to improve our understanding of ourselves, our community, and our world. Presentations span a wide range of intellectual, cultural, physical, and spiritual topics. We do not necessarily agree with the ideas and philosophies of our presenters. We encourage you to listen with an open mind and form your own opinions.”

 

LIVE PERFORMANCE “Bare Stage Presents Death of a Salesman: A Study in Self-delusion and Dementia”

Death of a Salesman is a renowned, Pulitzer Award dramatic work by Arthur Miller, first produced in 1949. Miller described the play as “the tragedy of a man who gave his life, or sold it” in pursuit of the American Dream. Lakeside’s Bare Stage Theatre is presenting the play on July 25-27. Here’s a chance to hear director Rosann Balbontin’s interpretive and directorial process in bringing this seminal work to life. Actors David Ellison and Chris L’Ecluse will present a scene that highlights their strained relationship and Willy’s growing separation from reality.
Description of Presenter:
Rosann Balbontin is a retired California educator who taught high school English, drama, and Latin. In 2005 she opened an independent bookstore, in Cambria, California. She also acted and directed with several community theatre companies, both in California and Ajijic. Rosann trained at California’s American Conservatory Theater.

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