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HomeTopicsArts and CultureOktoberfest, clarinet all-stars, and other happenings around Costa Rica

Oktoberfest, clarinet all-stars, and other happenings around Costa Rica

Oktober Beer Fest

Oktoberfest returns to Costa Rica with two days of concerts featuring more than 12 bands, and the final rounds of “The Beer Games” and “How to Make Beer at Home.” Many international breweries will be present, as well as national and international craft beer brewers. The organizers have arranged 50 different bus routes to make it easier for people to reach the out-of-the-way location.

“Oktober Beer Fest” takes place Oct. 3-4 at Parque Viva, La Guácima. 11 a.m. – midnight. ₡10,000 – 15,000 ($20 – 30). More info at the Oktober Beer Fest Facebook page.

Oktober Gaff

Prefer an East-side bash? Another Oktober Fest held by El Gaff will feature eight of the Costa Rica’s craft beer breweries: El Buho, Sin Corbata, Os Beer Co., Niño Huracán, Rancho Humo, Cervecería Gracia, La Cofradía Brewing Co., and the Costa Rica Craft Brewing Company. The price of the ticket includes a glass of beer.

“Oktober Gaff” takes place Oct. 3 at El Gaff, San Pedro. 12 m.d. ₡4,000 ($8). For more information call 2234-1596. 

Wine Expo

Beer not your style? (Yes, this is the last alcohol-related event in this listing.) Taste wines from Germany, United States, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Spain, Greece, among others. At the stands you will be able to talk to the winemakers and buy wines at a discount.

“Expo Vino” takes place Oct. 8 – 9 at Salon de Eventos Pedregal, $65 – 75. 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. More info at ExpoVino Website.

Theatre: “Deja Vu”

Mimes Alexander Neander and Wolfram Von Bodecker, followers of the great French artist Marcel Marceau, will bring a cosmic and surrealistic universe to the stage of the Melico Salazar Theatre. Neander and Bodecker have performed at many renowned festivals around the world, and won the People’s Choice Best Gestural Theater Spectacle Award in Berlin.

“Deja Vu” will be performed Oct. 7 at Melico Salazar Theatre, downtown San José. 8 p.m. ₡19,000 – 42,000 ($40 – 84). For more information call  2295-6032.

First Inclusive Art Festival of Cartago

The festival will be divided into three main events. A painting workshop for people with disabilities will take place from 9 a.m. – 12 m.d., followed by an exhibition of crafts by members of the Atjala Association: Center for Integral Attention for Adults with Disabilities, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Finally, a dance and a performance of a play will take place at 7 p.m., with a cost of ₡2,500 ($5). Additional activities will surround these three main events throughout the day.

“Primer Festival Artístico Inclusivo de Cartago” takes place Oct. 3 at Casa de Ciudad, downtown Cartago, east of San José, 9 a.m.-evening. Free (except for the play at 7 p.m., ₡2,500 ($5). More info at RedCultura Website

Theatre: “A Ciegas”

This free adaptation of the play “No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre will be performed at the Casa Museo in Barrio Amón; the Oct. 4 performance will include a tour of the museum as a preamble of that day’s performance. Check out our preview, also in today’s edition.

“A Ciegas” will be performed October 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 at 8 p.m., and October 4 and 11 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. At Casa Museo, Barrio Amón. For more information call 8420-9161 / 8997-5813, or visit the event’s Facebook page.

Music: International Clarinet Festival

Get ready for six days of concerts by students and professionals from near and far, including Michael Arrignon, from the Queen Sofia Superior Music School of Spain; Ronald Van Spaendonck, of the Normal School of Paris; and Alcides Rodríguez, clarinettist of the New York Philharmonic. Concerts will be held Oct. 5 at the University of Costa Rica’s Teatro de Bellas Artes at 5 p.m., Oct. 6-7 at Eugene O’Neill Theatre in Barrio Dent at 5 p.m., Oct. 8 at the National Institute of Music at 4 p.m.; Oct. 9 at Sala Cullell of the University of Costa Rica at 5 p.m.; and Oct. 10 at the National Institute of Music at 1 p.m.

“Festival Internacional de Clarinetes de Costa Rica” will take place Oct. 5 – 10 at different theaters around San José. Free. For more information call 2240-0333, or visit The National Institute of Music Facebook page.

Theatre: “Perhaps”

Guatemalan actress Magdalena Morales will perform a monologue about identity, joined by musician Óscar Jiménez. Based on the work of the Guatemalan poet Vania Vargas and the work of the compositor Carlos José Castro, the monologue uses puppets to show how the main character ages.

“Quizá” will be performed Oct. 2-3 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Arts School of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), in San Pedro. ₡4,000 – 5,000 ($8 – 10). More info at the RedCultura Website.

Circus: “Saint Expedite”

Group Punto Muerto has prepared a show full of acrobatics, contemporary dance, aerial acrobatics, and many surprises.

“San Expedito” will be performed Oct. 2 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 3-4 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Dance Theater inside the National Cultural Center (CENAC), downtown San José. ₡2,000 – 4,000 ($4 – 8).

Upcoming Concerts:

Fly Again – Pro Brazil: Cantoamérica will offer a concert alongside the band Infibeat in order to raise funds for their trip to Brazil, where the group has been invited by musician Leandro Maia to play at a university in the south of the country. Oct. 2 at MundoLoco El Chante, San Pedro. 9 p.m. ₡4,000 ($8). For more information call 2253-4125.

Akasha: The rock band will be playing their three albums, including their latest “Revoluciones.” Oct. 3 at MundoLoco El Chante, San Pedro. 9 p.m. ₡4,000 – 5,000 ($8 – 10). For more information call 2253-4125.

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