Mamma FIA!
Where do you start with the International Arts Festival? It can seem pretty overwhelming, with its hundreds of events in various venues throughout the capital, but FIA’s online schedule is comprehensive and well organized. If you don’t want to deal with Spanish, see our recommendations here. And definitely don’t miss the La Carpa Circus today. Costa Rica’s own circus troupe kicks off its first of many performances with a variety show – including acrobats, clowns, and fire-throwers.
“Varieté de Circo” takes place April 4 in La Sabana Park. 2 p.m. Free. Info: RedCultura website.
Craft Beer Festival
Massive daylong showcase of cervezas artesanales. Try samples from nearly all of the finest breweries in Costa Rica.
Craft Beer Festival takes place April 5 at Avenida Escazú. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ₡16,000 ($30). Info: Festival website.
Music: One Night with Gandhi
After 20 years, the spectacle-infused Costa Rican rock band is still going strong. Catch Gandhi’s multimedia FIA performance.
“Una Noche con Gandhi” performs April 4 at La Plaza de Soledad, downtown San José. 9 p.m. Free. Info: Festival website.
Film: KlimaTico Film Festival
Movies, art, live music, and even a storyteller converge at this film festival about climate change.
KlimaTico takes place April 5 at the Cenac auditorium, Barrio Amón. 8:30 p.m. Free. Info: Festival website.
Dance: “Second Act”
French company Dos à Deux reinterprets Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” as dance and physical comedy.
“2ème acte” performs April 4 – May 4 at the Dance Theatre, Cenac, Barrio Amón. 7 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: RedCultura website.
Music: UCR Symphony Orchestra Plays “Carmen”
Featuring 110 musicians, the University of Costa Rica Symphony Orchestra performs excepts from “Carmen,” the tragic opera by Georges Bizet.
Performance takes place April 4 in La Sabana Park. 6:30 p.m. Free. Info: RedCultura website.
El Amir Flamenco Sextet
Masters of flamenco play music and dance, including diverse interpretations of the traditional gypsy form.
El Amir plays April 4 at La Antigua Aduana, Barrio Aranjuez. 10 p.m. Free. Info: RedCultura website.
Magic: “Kabalök”
Magician Alejandro Nevas performs feats of illusion during his “Kabalök” show.
Alejandro Nevas performs in La Sabana (April 4, 3 p.m.), Antigua Aduana (April 5 & 6, 3 p.m.) and Pacific Station (April 8, 6 p.m.) Free. Info: FIA 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.
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.
Photography: Vía PanAm
Journey the Pan-American Highway with Dutch photographer Kadir van Lohuizen, part of the International Arts Festival.
“Vía PanAm” continues through April 13 at Antigua Aduana, Barrio Aranjuez. Admission is free. Info (in Spanish): International Arts Festival website.
Fine Art: “In the Woods”
The Museum of Costa Rican Art presents this haunting and beautiful series of landscapes by Gerardo González. Catch the final weekend of his rainforest paintings.
“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.
