Thursday's Art & Music Lineup

Thursday presents many options for visitors and expats to enjoy Costa Rican art and music, as well as works from Central American, Carribean artists. Start at 5 p.m. and enjoy for the rest of the evening. 


Music to Close the Afternoon - Teatro Nacional. 
The National Theater offers Thurs. early evening performances  for the low price of 1,000 colones. The Orchestra of the University of Costa Rica will perform from 5 - 6 p.m., and will be presenting the most notable and admired work by Italian composer, Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741): The four seasons. Guest violinist,  Eva Liebhaber will join the group in this important Baroque period performance. 


Art Opening, MADC, - La Esperanza (Hope)
The Museum of Contemporary Art will open its new exhibition this Thurs. at 6:00 p.m. Works of 28 artists from Central America and the Carribean will be on display exploring this very basic human emotion: Hope. We'll see an analysis of this concept, it's virtues, weaknesses and contradictions, stepping away from our everyday unilateral view of this simple, yet extremely complex experience. 


All Star Concert of Costa Rican Musicians - Jazz Cafe, Escazu
Again, I don't usually cover Escazu, but the occasional event warrants coverage due to its significance to overall culture in Costa Rica. 


Married musicians, Juan Carlos Ureña y Jeana Paul-Ureña will be performing songs from their new album, Space of Light. These 12 songs take a musical journey through sound, beyond political or geographical borders, are backed by some of Costa Rica's best musicians, and produced by vocalist, pianist and composer María Pretiz. 


The couple will be joined by many of the artists recorded on this CD including 2 time grammy winner Wálter Flores and standout guitarist Bernal Villegas. Also in the lineup are Gerardo Mora, Marco Navarro, Checko D’Ávila, Óscar López Salaberry and singers Rocío Morera y Elena Zelaya. 5,000 colones, 9:30 p.m.

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867

Friday Night 7/2 in San Jose, Costa Rica

Three fun things happening tonight in the downtown area for tourists and expats alike to enjoy. 


Jazz & Orchestra: USA meets Costa Rica in a fun jazz symphonic performance at Teatro Nacional. 8 p.m. 1,500 - 10,000 colones. The National Symphonic Orchestra will be joined by seven piece group, Combo Nuvo from the USA. This will be a nice chance to see the Orchestra move outside it's classical shows into the exotic world of jazz. 10 pieces will be performed.


Fundraising Concert for 'A Roof for My Country' Bands include Cortez Amarillo, Los Acetatos, Diesel, Raging Bull Leather Jacket, Moldo y Eclipse. The concert is 4,000 colones and will be at El Observatorio at 8 p.m.. 80% of the door will be given to the non-profit, committed to building homes for the poor throughout Costa Rica. 


Costa Rican Film, A Ojos Cerrados, by Hernán Jiménez opens in theaters tonight. This is in Spanish, but will be a great opportunity to see a film some are saying is the best made by a Costa Rican. Showing at 6:10, 7:45, and 9:10 at Mall San Pedro. 

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867

Movie, Art, Music & Theater This Week - San Jose, Costa Rica

Something for everyday, free and almost free!


Free Screening Italian Film - Barrio Escalante, Costa Rica: Monday showcases at the Spanish Cultural Center Y LA NAVE VA directed by Federico Fellini in 1983 will begin at 7 p.m. 

Contemporary Art Museum Opening - San Jose, Costa Rica: Tuesday gives us a new art opening at MADC, Esteban Piedra León. Estudios (2002-2010). Overall exhibition is an assembly of the artist's common themes throughout his work; fundamental elements for agitation and questioning. Room I: Architecture for unuseful, non fertile bodies Room II: Defined, permanent & concave Room III: No, no one else either. This museum is located in the beautiful Old FANAL (old guaro distillary) and the site alone is worth a visit. Opening is at 7 p.m. Runs thru July 13. 


Mozart at the French Alliance - Barrio Amon, Costa Rica: Wed. will offer a free recital by members of  the University of Costa Rica's Orchestra. Performing what some call Mozart's greatest work and written for his wedding, la Gran Serenata para Vientos K361. Begins at 7:30. I recommend an early arrival as this space is an old house and it will probably overfill. Parking is a half block east of the alliance.


Afternoon Guitar Quartet at National Theater: The quartet will be performing a set of songs written in 1886, Spain on Thurs. This is an affordable opportunity to see the theater at only 1,000 colones. 5 - 6 p.m. Admission might be more for non-residents. 


Opening Glenngarry Glenn Ross - Sala Garbo: The Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica opens this Fri. with the real estate scandal show, Glenngarry Glenn Ross. A topic many can relate to in Costa Rica, this one promises to throw a few curve balls. Starts at 7:30, adult language, 4,500 colones. Reserve online. 

String Quartets and Flutes This Week - San Jose, Costa Rica

Flutes take over this week in San Jose, while the Alma string quartet finishes things off on Sun. 

The 6th International Festival of Flutists starts today at 5 p.m. Flutists from 7 different countries will be performing Tues., Thurs., and Fri. at 5 p.m. in the foyer of the National Theater. These shows are 1,000 c. a nice price to see a show in Costa Rica's most beloved theater. Get your ticket early. You will not be let in after the show starts.

On Sunday you can enjoy free string quartet performances from ALMA. Their pieces will include Pavana, by Benjamín Gutiérrez, one of Costa Rica's most famous composers. This show starts at 5:30 p.m. in the gardens of the Children's Museum. I recommend arriving by car as the surrounding neighborhood is rough and will be abandoned on a Sunday evening. 

Photo from Teatro Nacional