Puerto Viejo to celebrate ArteViva festival

He may have recently chopped his shoulder-length mane of wild gray hair, but Youth and Culture Minister Manuel Obregón is still a rock star. He’ll prove it Friday, performing in the inaugural act at Puerto Viejo’s sixth annual ArteViva festival.

“Obregón has two heads,” said festival organizer Claudio Ambroso. “On one hand he is a minister, and on the other he is a wonderful pianist. He will be playing Calypso for the inauguration and he is probably the biggest act we have ever had at the festival.”

Started in 2006, Ambrosa began ArteViva as a way to promote Caribbean art and culture. It has grown over the years into one of the largest festivals in the southern Caribbean, bringing in local and international artists for free performances and exhibitions.

This year’s event will feature more than 13 live musical performances, skateboarding and taekwondo exhibitions, a movie screening and several art exhibitions. The National Theater Company will also perform on Saturday and Sunday nights. The performances mark the theater troop’s first-ever trip to the Talamanca region.

Approximately 1,000 people turned out for last year’s festival, and Ambrosa said he hopes for a similar turnout.

Nearly 150 local businesses are sponsoring the event, representing about 80 percent of all businesses in the region.

“The southern Caribbean has community participation that is really astounding,” Ambrosa said. “Most people in the world should envy us. This is what makes the festival great.”

ArteViva 2013 Program

Friday Sept. 27

11 a.m.

Basketball Tournament: at the basketball court in downtown Puerto Viejo, call Tom at 8980-9919 for more information.

7 p.m.

ArteViva Inauguration: live music, art exhibition and a buffet, at the Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro, call Stash at 8385-6887 for more information.

8:40 p.m.-10:40 p.m.

Live Music: at Plaza de las Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro in Puerto Viejo, 8:40 p.m. Los Rumberitios de Puerto Viejo, 9 p.m. Mumuti, 9:20 p.m. Edwin “La Voz,” 9:50 p.m. Sabor y Mas, 10:10 p.m. Manuel Obregón, 10:40 p.m. Junior Álvarez y su Calipso.

Saturday Sept. 28

6 a.m.-noon

Talamanca Produce Fair: next to the Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

Noon

Skateboarding exhibition: at the basketball courts in downtown Puerto Viejo, call Jeremy at 8616-9771 for more information.

Visual arts exhibit: at the Case de la cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro, until 10 p.m.

1 p.m.

Cultura Viva Parade: beginning at the Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro, and heading toward the beach.

1:45 p.m.

Live performances: community theater, dance, poetry and music, ending at 4 p.m. with the musical group Pholumbax, Plaza de las Culturas, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

2 p.m.

Recycled art workshop: workshop taught by Natalia Miranda, in the annex of the Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro, call Natalia at 8492-3161 for more information 

3 p.m.

Tae Kwon Do Exhibition: in Plaza de las Culturas, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

3:30 p.m.

Vocal Improvisation workshop: workshop taught by Patricia Savastrando, in the annex of the Plaza de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro, call Patricia at 8426-1096 for more information.

4 p.m.

Yoga: for both adults and children, Plaza de las Culturas, in the annex of the Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

5 p.m.

Movie screening: a screening of the Costa Rican documentary “The Vargas Brothers,” Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

7 p.m.

Theater: the National Theater Company presents “Calladito es más bonito,” for adults and children 12 and older, at Puerto Viejo Multicentro, 100 meters northeast and 50 meters west of the bus stop, call Sofia at 8302-4739 for reservations.

9 p.m.

Live music and dance: Jim Vick, Jimmy Mac y Los Rayos, Danza Aérea, B-One, Plan B and Lucho Calavera y La Canalla perform, at Plaza de las Culturas, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

Sunday Sept. 29 

10 a.m.

Vegetarian food tasting: A sampling of vegetarian dishes along with a presentation about medicinal plants, at Veronica’s Place, 100 meters southeast from the bus stop.

1:15-5:15 p.m.

Performance art competition: a juried student competition featuring juggling, puppet shows and a performance by the Limón Concert Band, at Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro.

3 p.m.

Organic agriculture workshop: workshop taught by L. Moreno, in the annex of the Casa de la Cultura, 150 meters north of the Clínica del Seguro, call Natalia at 8492-3161 for more information.

6 p.m.

Theater: the National Theater Company presents “Calladito es más bonito,” for adults and children 12 and older, at Puerto Viejo Multicentro, 100 meters northeast and 50 meters west of the bus stop, call Sofia at 8302-4739 for reservations.

9 p.m.

Jam Night: Arte Viva’s closing party featuring live music from all of the festival’s musicians, at Lazy Mon, across the street from the Diamante Supermarket between the bay and Salsa Brava.

For more information visit http://www.arteviva-puertoviejo.com