Sphere Festival
Sculpted from solid stone and flawlessly curved, the pre-Columbian spheres of Costa Rica are manmade wonders. The Festival de las Esferas celebrates Costa Rica’s cultural heritage in Osa de Puntarenas, where artisans, musicians, buskers, and folklorists will all congregate and ply their creative trades. Co-sponsored by the National Museum and gravitating toward the Finca 6 archaeological site, the festival is a chance to meet crafters, watch traditional performances and scour for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
The Sphere Festival takes place March 26-30 in Osa de Puntarenas. Various times. Free. Info: National Museum website.
Robert August Surf & Turf
Nearly 40 years after “The Endless Summer” hit cinemas, the movie remains the quintessential surf documentary. This weekend is an homage to one of the film’s protagonists: The Robert August Surf & Turf is both a three-day beach party and a benefit for community services in Guanacaste. Here you can enroll in Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, watch the golf tournament at Hacienda Pinilla, take in a bikini fashion show at Azul Profundo Boutique, and catch a screening of “Endless Summer.” There’s even a 1960s costume contest with prizes. Proceeds benefit the CEPIA Community Center, among other initiatives.
Surf camp, movie screening and 60s party take place March 21 at Tamarindo, Guanacaste, 5 p.m. Golf tournament takes place March 22 at Hacienda Pinilla in Tamarindo, 8 p.m. Bikini and fashion show take place the evening of March 22 at Azul Profundo Boutique, Tamarindo. Surfing and competitions take place March 23 at Witch’s Rock, 6:30 a.m. onward. Info and reservations: CEPIA website.
Music: “Love to Vote”
Whether or not you can vote in Costa Rica, Citizen Action Party (PAC) candidate Luis Guillermo Solís wants you to enjoy the electoral process – especially at this PAC-sponsored concert in San Pedro. Nine bands will play all afternoon and evening.
La Alegría de Votar takes place March 21 at Plaza Roosevelt, San Pedro. 3 p.m. onward. Free.
Music: “Mega-Concert” in Liberia
Six brass bands will gather in downtown Liberia to perform the works of Costa Rican composers Jesús Bonilla and Víctor Hugo Berrocal on Saturday. It’s an opportunity to see patriotic standards performed by 250 musicians at once.
The concert takes place March 22 in front of the Guanacaste Museum, Liberia. 7 p.m. Free.
National Dance Company
To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the National Dance Company is holding two weekends of innovative dance performances at the Museum of Contemporary Design (MADC). These performances assemble the company’s finest dancers and choreographers.
Anniversary performances take place March 21-23 and 27-30 at Cenac, Barrio Amón. Thu. – Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡2,000-4,000 ($4-8). Info: National Dance Company website.
International Clarinet Festival
This multi-day festival draws musicians from all over the world. See just how diverse clarinet playing can be.
The Clarinet Festival continues through March 29, various times and locations. ₡2,500-4,500 ($5-9). Info: Festival website.
Women Telling Stories
Readings by the members of the San Ramón Writers’ Collective.
“Mujeres compartiendo historias” takes place March 21 at the Ólger Viegas Cruz Gallery, San Ramón, Alajuela. 6 p.m. Free. Info: The José Figueres Ferrer Cultural Center 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.
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, thanks to Spain-based TIKTAKProductions.
“100 Metros Cuadrados” runs through March 30 at the Vargas Calvo Theater, downtown San José. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m. ₡5,500 ($11) general admission, ₡3,000 ($6) students. Info: RedCultura site.
Fine Art: “In the Woods”
The Museum of Costa Rican Art presents this haunting and beautiful series of landscapes by Gerardo González. See his unique vision of the rainforest.
“Bosque Adentro” continues through April 6 at the Museum of Costa Rican Art, La Sabana Park. Tue.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info: Museum website.
Enamorate de tu ciudad
Yes, you can get gaga for San José – especially when the Culture Ministry is sponsoring Enamorate de tu ciudad, or Fall in Love With Your City, a year-long celebration of art, culture and urban parks. Check back for games, workshops, presentations and surprise performances.
Fall in Love with Your City takes place on Saturdays in various parks in downtown San José. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info: Enamorate de tu Ciudad website.
