The Super Bowl
The folks in Quepos are not messing around: This small seaside down in Puntarenas province will host a massive outdoor Super Bowl party, and they expect no fewer than 1,000 attendants to flood the Marina Pez Vela amphitheater. Whether this is event will actually be the largest Super Bowl party in Central America has yet to be seen, but that is precisely their goal. If you’re not in Manuel Antonio, expect every sports bar in the country to host its own Super Bowl party this Sunday, Feb. 1. Whether you’re rooting for New England or Seattle – or just want an excuse to buy buckets of beer and watch satellite TV – American football’s finale can be just as awesome in Costa Rica as in the U.S.
Concert Evening at Sibú Chocolate
Musicians from The National Symphony perform in an intimate setting. Guests will be treated to a gourmet spread, courtesy of Sibú Chocolate.
Concert takes place Jan. 31 at Sibú Chocolate, San Isidro de Heredia. 6 p.m. ₡15,000 ($30). Info: Sibú website.
Yogathon
Downtown Yoga inaugurates its new location with a yoga marathon. Participants can sign up for certain time slots or for the entire day.
“Yogatón” takes place Jan. 31 at Downtown Yoga’s new location, downtown San José. (From the Casa Amarilla, 100 meters east, 50 meters north, look for a red building with the drawing of a man). 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. ₡3,000-7,000 ($6-14). Info: Downtown Yoga website.
Comedy Abroad
Laugh for a cause: Comedy Abroad brings together PG-13 stand-up comics to benefit Abriendo Mentes, an education initiative in Guanacaste.
Comedy Abroad performs Jan. 30 at Mar Vista, Flamingo, Guanacaste & Jan. 31 at El Coconut, Tamarindo, Guanacaste. Fri. 6 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m. $15-20. Info: Comedy Abroad website.
TEDx
United World College of Costa Rica hosts the popular lecture series at Veritas. Presenters will speak in English and Spanish, with translators on-hand.
TEDx takes place Feb. 5 at Veritas University, Zapote. 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Info: TEDx website.
National Poetry Day
Jan. 31 is National Poetry Day in Costa Rica, and local bards have been celebrating all week. While readings and workshops take place across the country, poets will finisht the week by presenting their work at the bohemian bar El Lobo Estepario.
Readings take place Jan. 30 & 31 at El Lobo Estepario, downtown San José. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m. Free. Info: Event Facebook page.
Little Devils’ Game
The unique Brunca ritual is a multi-day battle between a “bull” and masked warriors. Following a similar event in the Boruca Indigenous Reserve in early January, this sequel takes place in the nearby community of Rey Curré.
El Juego de los Diablitos takes place Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, Rey Curré, Puntarenas province. Fri.-Sun., 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Free. Info: SiCultura website.
Cirque du Soleil
The mind-blowing avant-garde circus arrives in Costa Rica with its latest production, “Corteo.”
“Cirque du Soleil: Corteo” continues through Feb. 8 at Hacienda Espinal, Alajuela. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 12 & 4 p.m. ₡38,000-140,000 ($74-280). Info: eTicket.
Art: Albrecht Dürer, Renaissance Genius
Classical German printer Albrecht Dürer receives a stunning retrospective at the Central Bank Museums.
“Alberto Durero: Genio del Renacimiento” displays through April 26 at the Central Bank Museums, downtown San José. Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ₡5,500 ($11). Info: Museum website.
Film: “The Devil’s Elbow”
This acclaimed new documentary unearths a grim period in Costa Rican history.
“El Codo del Diablo” screens at various cinemas. Info: Film website.
Dance and Film: “La Bayadère”
An exotic love triangle unfolds in this beloved ballet by composer Ludwig Minkus. The Eugene O’Neill Theater will screen a live production beamed into the theater by satellite.
“La Bayadère” screens Jan. 24 & 25 at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center, Los Yoses. 11 a.m. ₡5,000-10,000 ($10-20). Info: Cultural Center website.
Art: “Ricardo Ávila: Urban Observer”
See city life in a whole new way through Ricardo Ávila’s unique landscapes.
“Ricardo Ávila: Observador Urbano” continues through March 29 at the Museum of Costa Rican Art, La Sabana. Wed.-Sun., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. Info: Museum website.
Theater: “Family Wanted”
From Mexican dramatist Berta Hiriart comes a musical for all ages about family – the good, the bad, and the happy surprises.
“Se Busca Familia” performs Sundays at Teatro La Fortina, Heredia. 3 p.m. ₡4,500 ($9) children, ₡6,000 ($12) adults. Info: La Fortina website.
Theater: “The Kings’ Dream”
A collaborative production between Costa Rican and Chilean artists, “El Sueño de unos Reyes” explores the concepts of nationhood and identity through movement and multimedia.
“El Sueño de unos Reyes” performs through Jan. 18 – Feb. 1 at Gráfica Genesis, Cathedral District, San José. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡3,000-4,000 ($6-8). Info: Gráfica Genesis website.
Theater: “The House of the Spirits”
Isabel Allende’s masterpiece comes to life during this stage adaptation by U.S. playwright Caridad Svich. After last year’s extremely successful run, Teatro Espressivo revives the Spanish-language production for a second round.
“La Casa de los Espiritus” runs Jan. 15 – Feb. 15 at Teatro Espressivo, Tres Ríos. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡10,000-15,000 ($20-30). Info: Teatro Espressivo website.
Film: “Maikol Yordan”
From the madcap minds of “Media Docena,” the hit Costa Rican sketch show, comes their first feature film, a comedy about the well-meaning yokel Maikol Yordan. How will this goofy campesino fare on his globe-trotting tour? Find out by catching this super-Tico comedy at almost any local movie theater.
“Maikol Yordan” screens at various cinemas across the country. For more information about the film, visit the official Facebook page.
Exhibit: “Juan Rafael Mora”
Recognized for his muttonchops and paternal demeanor, Juan Rafael Monge is widely considered the Abraham Lincoln of Costa Rica. The National Archives displays images of this founding father to the public.
Exhibit continues through Feb. 28 at the National Archives, Zapote. Free. Info: Archives website.
