Costa Ballena Craft Beer Fest
Not long ago, “cerveza artisenal” was a foreign concept in Costa Rica. But today, the craft beer revolution is in full swing. The Costa Ballena Beer Festival gathers together some of the most exciting brewers in the country, from Treintaycinco to Costa Rica Meadery. For them, Costa Ballena means celebrating the fruits of their toil. For you, it means tasting lots of delicious pints and enjoying the good vibes of Uvita. For concerned parties, worry not: There’s a shuttle service, taxis will be readily available and designated drivers get in free. Try 15 varieties of beer and mead at this inaugural festival. Bottoms up!
The Beer Festival takes place Feb. 15 at Rancho DiAndrew, 2 km north of Uvita de Osa, Puntarenas. 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. $32. Info: Event website.
Fall in Love With Your City
Yes, you can get gaga for San José – especially when the Culture Ministry is sponsoring “Fall in Love With Your City,” a year-long celebration of art, culture and urban parks. Starting this week and continuing every Saturday through November, Enamorate de tu Ciudad kicks off with the Lubín Barahona Orchestra. Check back for games, workshops, presentations, and “surprise performances.”
Fall in Love with Your City takes place Sat., Feb. 15, in various parks in downtown San José. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. Info: Enamorate de tu Ciudad website.
Theater: “The Glass Menagerie”
Put together a Southern matriarch, an angry poet, and a tortured introvert and what do you get? Find out when The Little Theatre Group stages the Tennessee Williams classic at their new location in Verdeza.
“The Glass Menagerie” performs through Feb. 23 at Verdeza, Barrio Trejos Montealegre, Escazú. Fri. & Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: The Little Theatre Group website.
Dance: The Snipers’ Pedestal”
“Cold romance” is how Leonardo Aguirre describes his choreographic premiere. “The Sniper’s Pedestal” explores relationships and power struggle for three evening performances.
“El Podio de los Francotiradores” takes place Feb. 14-16 at Gráfica Génesis art space, Cathedral District. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡3,500 ($7) general admission, ₡2,500 ($5) students. Info: Gráfico Génesis Facebook page.
Theater: “100 Square Meters”
Sara has found the perfect property, except for one thing: If she buys it, the 70-year-old owner gets to stay until she dies. But will cigarettes and booze actually kill the old woman, or will Sara wait indefinitely? Find out during Juan Carlos Rubio’s stage play is, thanks to Spain-based TIKTAKProductions.
“100 Metros Cuadrados” performs through Feb. 16 at the Vargas Calvo Theater, downtown San José. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. ₡5,500 ($11) general admission, ₡3,000 ($6) students. Info: RedCultura site.
Have a Heart Fundraiser
Who doesn’t love mini-golf? Bolas Locas hosts this family fun day and mini-golf tournament – third in a three-part fundraiser for Amigos de la Educación, a scholarship program in Guanacaste. Stick around for a block party and live music.
Event takes place Feb. 15, Bolas Locas Mini-Golf, Tamarindo, Guanacaste. $20 adults, $7 children. Info: Amigos de la Educación website.
Theater: “The House of the Spirits”
Teatro Espressivo presents a theatrical adaptation of Isabel Allende’s classic novel, “The House of the Spirits.” This epic magic-realist story receives an inventive adaptation by Caridad Svich.
“The House of the Spirits” continues through April 13 at Teatro Espressivo, Curridabat. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡8,000-15,000 ($16-30). Info: Performance website.
Historical Cartoon Exhibition
How better for kids to understand history than through comic strips? Eighteen works illustrate the history of Costa Rica, thanks to a comics workshop hosted by the Juan Santamaría Historical Museum.
Exhibit continues through Feb. 27 at the Juan Santamaría Historical Museum, Alajuela. 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Free. Info: Museum Facebook page.
Envision Festival
The colossally creative Envision Festival commences next Thursday. If you’re only free for the weekend, visit next week’s calendar for details next Friday.
The Envision Festival takes place Feb. 20-23 at Rancho La Merced, . $265 (international), $125 (with valid Cédula card). Info: Envision website.