What not to miss at Costa Rica’s National Arts Festival

See also: After ‘FIAsco,’ Culture Ministry regroups with National Arts Festival

The International Arts Festival (FIA) and the National Arts Festival (FAN) have taken place in Costa Rica since 1989. After last year’s FIA hit a sea of mismanagement and controversy and eventually ran aground, the Culture Ministry decided to make this year’s event a national, rather than an international, affair.

Designed to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to pull off the logistics of a major event, the festival will take place Aug. 5-14 in Golfito and Ciudad Neily in the Southern Zone. Approximately 250 shows will take place in public spaces around both cities.

“The National Arts Festival will feature circus, music, theater, dance, children’s shows, storytelling, theater and magic. … Varying expressions, technique and aesthetics represent diversity and contribute to the formation of new audience members, from children to older adults,” Marianella Protti, general producer of this year’s festival, said in a statement.

More activities will take place along the “Arts Route,” starting on Aug. 6 in San Vito and continuing Aug. 7 in Agua Buena, Aug. 8 in La Cuesta, Aug. 9 in Comte, Aug. 10 in Río Claro, Aug. 11 in Ciudad Cortés, Aug. 12 in Palmar Norte, and finishing on Aug. 13 in Rey Curré.

The inauguration will take place Aug. 5 at the central park of Ciudad Neily, at 7 p.m. There will be a parade, dances, a presentation of indigenous traditions, and a salsa concert from La 110st Orchesta. The closing event will be Aug. 14 at 7 p.m., at Pueblo Civil park in Golfito, with a parade, a show and a concert.

Here are some activities not to miss at the festival:

Craft exhibits and workshops

Ciudad Neily:

Craft Exhibit, August 5, 6 and 7 at 4 p.m., at the central park.

Workshops and games, August 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 4 p.m., at the central park.

Golfito:

Craft Exhibit, August 12, 13 and 14 at 4 p.m., at the Pueblo Civil park.

Workshops and games, August 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 at 4 p.m., at the Pueblo Civil park.

Music

Ciudad Neily:

SAXMUSE, Saxophone quartet, August 5, 7, and 13 at 4 p.m., at the central park.

Tupac Amarulloa, Jazz, August 7 at 9 p.m., at the musical stage.

Garbanzos, Ska, August 9 at 9 p.m., at the musical stage.

Rice and Beans Calypso, Calypso, August 11 at 8 p.m., at the musical stage.

Sonámbulo Psicotropical, Latin and psicotropical music, August 13, at the musical stage.

Golfito:

Cocofunka, Latin and reggae music, August 6 at 9 p.m., at the musical stage.

La Milixia, Ska music, August 9 at 9 p.m., at the musical stage.

Un Rojo, Reggae music, August 12 at 9 p.m., at the musical stage.

Son de Tikizia, Latin music, August 14 at 9 p.m., closing event at the musical stage.

Son de Tikizia Band (Courtesy of Culture and Youth Ministry)

Dance

Ciudad Neily:

Nubia E. del Rio, “Chiriqui Folklore,” August 5 at 6 p.m., at the central park amphitheater.

Danzaire, “Dream Weavers,” August 8 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the central park amphitheater.

Tierra del Sur Folkloric Group, “Campesino Party,” August 12 at 6 p.m., at the central park amphitheater.

Golfito:

Nayuribes Folkloric Ballet, “My land is freedom,” August 6 at 6 p.m., at the Pueblo Civil park gymnasium.

Juerga Flamenco, “Across the sea,” August 7 at 6 p.m., at the Pueblo Civil park gymnasium.

National Dance Company, “Taciturn,” August 12 at 6 p.m., at the Pueblo Civil park gymnasium.

Movies and Theater

Ciudad Neily:

Screening of Costa Rican films, August 5-13 at 3:30 p.m., at the Central Catholic church.

Impromptu Theater, “Improvisation Solo,” August 6, 8, 10 and 12 at 5 p.m, at the central park.

Non Cuanxa Boruca, “The jaguar of the ashes,” August 10 at 6 p.m., at the Ciudad Neily High School gymnasium.

Golfito:

Contraluz Theater, “Vicious Circle,” August 7 at 6 p.m., at the Carlos Vicente High School gymnasium.

La Bicicleta Company, “AM Major Riddle,” August 10 at 6 p.m., at the Carlos Vicente High School gymnasium.

EX-ÁNIMA, “Trip to Xibalba,” August 14 at 6 p.m., at the Carlos Vicente High School gymnasium.

La Bicicleta Company (Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Youth)

Circus

Ciudad Neily:

La Carpa Circo, “Varieté,” August 5-13 at 4 p.m., at the circus tent.

Magician Alejandro Navas, “Close-up magic,” August 5, 7, 9 and 13 at 5 p.m., at the central park.

Golfito:

Circo Fantazztico, “Circus Varieties,” August 6-14 at 4 p.m., at Pueblo Civil park.

Magician Alejandro Navas, “Close-up magic,” August 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 at 5 p.m., at Pueblo Civil park.

See the whole calendar of events here.