“Mundosaurio” Dinosaur Exhibit
They may have died 65 million years ago, but dinosaurs still captivate human imaginations – especially among kids. The Children’s Museum presents its newest permanent exhibit, “Mundosaur,” which will appeal to every amateur paleontologist, from toddlers on up. Thanks to the museum’s motorized replicas and explanatory plaques, you can see how these colossal creatures lived, moved, and fed themselves in prehistoric times.
“Mundosaurio” takes place at the Children’s Museum, downtown San José. Tue.-Fri., 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Children ₡1,300 ($2.80), general ₡1,500 ($3). Info: Museum website.
Music: Bruce Callow, The Elephants
Bruce Callow performs acoustic covers of classic and alternative songs, followed by brand-new Costa Rican band The Elephants.
Concert takes place July 23 at Jazz Café, Escazú. 9 p.m. ₡3,000 ($6). Info: Jazz Café website.
Theater: “Los Okupas: The Resistence”
Music, visual art, and avant-garde performance converge at El Sótano. This potluck of different artists and collectives is the perfect way to survey San José’s creative underground.
Los Okupas continues July 18 & 19 at Bar El Sótano, Barrio Amón. 8 p.m. ₡1,500 ($3). Info: El Sótano Facebook page.
Dance: “The Trap”
The University of Costa Rica Dance Company presents a work of acrobatic modern choreography.
“La Trampa” will be performed July 18-20 at the Montes de Oca Theater, UCR campus, San Pedro. 8 p.m. ₡4,000 ($8). Info: RedCultura.
European Film Festival
Cine Magaly screens a diverse hodgepodge of European films. Read our preview here.
Film festival plays from July 16-31 at Cine Magaly, Barrio Escalante. ₡2,000 ($4) or ₡1,500 ($3) for students. Info: Cine Magaly Facebook page.
Music: “The Unauthorized History of Tango”
To celebrate the centennial birthday of Argentine musician Aníbal Pechuco Troilo, The Salaberry Tango Quartet performs a revue of tango masterpieces.
Concert takes place July 24 at Teatro Espressivo, Curridabat. 8 p.m. ₡7,500 ($15). Info: Teatro Espressivo website.
Art: “Mid-Hemisphere: Scenes from Costa Rica”
Lush oil paintings by Donald Voelker illustrate the landscape and people of rural Costa Rica.
Exhibit continues through July 26 at the José Figueres Ferrer Center of Culture and History, San Ramón. Free. Info: Center Facebook page.
Art: “Prelibri”
Abigail Reyes takes her inspiration from books, but her multimedia work is filled with clever twists.
“Prelibri” continues through Aug. 8 at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, downtown San José. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Residents ₡1,000 ($2), foreigners ₡1,500 ($3), students ₡500 ($1). Info: MADC website.
Art: “We Are Not Foreigners”
Presented by the organization Chietón Morén, this photographic series documents the indigenous people of Costa Rica.
“Nosotros No Somos Extranjeros” continues through July 31 at the National Archives, Curridabat. Open daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. Info: National Archives website.
Film: “Farewell, My Queen”
How far would you go to protect your foster family? In Benoît Jacquot’s suspenseful drama, a servant goes to incredible lengths to save Marie Antoinette, even though the royal family thinks little of her.
“Les Adieux a la Reine” screens July 19 at the Alianza Francesa, Barrio Amón. 6 p.m. Free. Info: Alianza Francesa website.
Theater: “Virus”
What is the nature of sickness? Costa Rican playwright Ana Istarú explores this theme in “Virus,” her new drama at the Vargas Calvo Theater.
“Virus” plays through Aug. 31 at the Vargas Calvo Theater, downtown San José. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m. ₡5,500 ($11). Info: National Theater website.
Theater: “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All to You”
Christopher Durang’s famous satire about Catholic education receives a Spanish production at Teatro Espressivo.
“Sor María Ignacio lo Explica Todo Para Usted” plays through July 27 at Teatro Espressivo, Curridabat. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡5,000-10,000 ($10-20). Info: Teatro Espressivo website.
Art: “Documentos en Línea”
Artist Guillermo Fournier exhibits his series of sketches at the National Theater.
“Documentos en Línea” takes place at the López Ecarré Gallery, National Theater, downtown San José. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Free. Info: Gallery website.
Art: “Dirty Game”
Costa Rican artist José Miguel Rojas González explores the nature of winning and losing in this subversive series.
“Juego Sucio” continues through Oct. 11 at the Central Bank Museum, Plaza de la Cultura, San José. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ₡5,500 ($11). Info: Museos Banco Central website.
Exhibit: “Cathedrals of Soccer”
This photographic exhibit illustrates the beauty of the soccer field – not the game itself, but the stadiums where games take place.
“Catedrales del Fútbol” continues through Aug. 1 at the Spanish Cultural Center, Barrio Escalante. Mon.-Thu., 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Fri., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. Info: Centro Cultural de España website.
Theater: “Run for Your Wife”
What’s worse than one dysfunctional marriage? How about two? Teatro El Triciclo presents this polygamous farce by Ray Cooney. See how the jokes translate in a Spanish-language production.
“¡Corre Por Tu Mujer!” plays at Plaza Tempo, Barrio Lujan, San José. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: Teatro El Triciclo website.
Art: “The Day We Became Contemporary”
The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design celebrates 20 years of cutting-edge arts with a comprehensive, retrospective showcase.
“El Día Que Nos Hicimos Contemporáneos” continues through Sept. 5 at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Downtown San José. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Residents ₡1,000 ($2), foreigners ₡1,500 ($3), students ₡500 ($1). Info: MADC website.
Enamorate de tu ciudad
Yes, you can go gaga for San José – especially when the Culture Ministry is sponsoring Enamorate de tu ciudad, or Fall in Love With Your City, a year-round celebration of art, culture and urban parks. Check out the event site for news on 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 and Facebook page.