CaniFest
It’s the perfect combination: blue skies, live music, and a zillion playful dogs, all running around and falling over each other. The first-ever CaniFest has a serious mission – to raise awareness about stray dogs, adopting dogs, and spaying and neutering – but it’s also an excuse to chill out outside on a Saturday with a favorite pup. The day-long festival is perhaps the biggest congregation of humans and their furry friends since the presidential election. Just remember to bring some plastic baggies.
CaniFest takes place June 7 at Lourdes Park, San Pedro. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. ₡3,000 ($6). Info: Event Facebook page.
Terra Nostra Dinner
This festive dinner includes dishes from favorite local restaurants, music by Richard Burton and the Glorious Bastards, and conversation with the green-keen friends of Terra Nostra, an Escazú-based environment group. Proceeds benefit the organization. (Note: The evening’s theme is “hippie.” So bust out those mood rings).
Dinner takes place June 11 at Tin Jo restaurant, Barrio Chino. 7 p.m. $90. Info: Terra Nostra website.
Benefit: “Farewell of Ms. Romanish”
What’s better than an afternoon filled with poetry, live music and yoga? How about a great cause: Proceeds benefit education initiatives at the Rincón Grande de Pavas school.
“Despedida de Ms. Romanish” takes place June 7 at the Aranjuez Sports Center. 12-5 p.m. Donations accepted.
Healthy Living Organic Festival
This festival features organic food, natural medicine, and meditation, and it’s also a fundraiser for the Samadhi Conscious Living Center.
El Festival Orgánico Vida Sana takes place June 6-8 at the Samadhi Conscious Living Center, Alajuela. General entry $20, Ticos $8. Info: Samadhi Center website.
Project Dance
The touring dance workshop finally arrives in Costa Rica to help folks of all ages move to the beat.
Project Dance takes place June 6-8 in San José. (Public performance on June 7 in the Plaza de la Cultura). Workshop fee: $129. Info: Project Dance website.
Music: Flamenco Street
A host of Tico flamenco artists (and one non-Tico) perform the most elegant guitar solos in the world.
“Calle Flamenco” takes place June 7 at The Spanish House, La Sabana. 8 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: RedCultura.
Aurora Chamber Choir: Third Anniversary Concert
The Aurora Chamber Choir performs classical vocal pieces to celebrate three harmonious years.
El Coro de Cámara performs June 7 at the Juan Santamaría Museum, Alajuela. 7 p.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: RedCultura.
Alajuela History Hike
Hike about a mile of historic trail and follow in the footsteps of Costa Rican freedom fighters during this educational tour.
“Hiking the Route of 1856” takes place June 8 at the Juan Santamaría Museum, Alajuela. 8 a.m. ₡5,000 ($10). Info: Museum 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.
Drawings by Fernando Carballo
Master draftsman displays his diverse body of work at Casa del Artista.
Exhibit continues through June 30 at Casa del Artista, Guadalupe. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. Info: Official website.
Art: “A Family Portrait of Helvetica”
This dual exhibit features a fascinating exploration on the typeface Helvetica, by artist Mimiam Hsu.
“Retrato Familiar en Helvética” and “Ojalá el Sol Me Esconda” display through June 28 TEOR/éTica Gallery, Barrio Amón. Free. Info: TEOR/éTica website.
Art: Great Painters Exhibit
Paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir and Andy Warhol arrive in Costa Rica. Presented by the National Gallery, this collection incorporates 158 artworks and celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Costa Rican Center of Science and Culture, based in the former penitentiary.
“Herencia del Arte” takes place April 28–June 28 at the National Gallery in Barrio Mexico. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Info: National Gallery website.
Theater: “Journey to the Center of the Earth”
The classic Jules Verne science-fiction story receives an innovative Spanish-language adaptation at Teatro Espressivo. Enjoy this family-friendly afternoon adventure.
“Viaje al Centro de la Tierra” takes place May 8-July 13, Teatro Espressivo, Tres Ríos, Cartago. Sat. & Sun., 3 p.m. ₡6,000 ($12). Info: Teatro Espressivo website.
Theater: “Baroque Café”
A variety of Spanish-language one-act plays make up this comic revue.
“Café Barroco” takes place through July 6, Teatro Espressivo, Tres Ríos, Cartago. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m. ₡5,000-10,000 ($10-20). Info: Teatro Espressivo website.
Art: “Mayo en Verde”
Celebrate the coming of the green season with these colorful landscapes, painted by a variety of Costa Rican artists.
“Mayo en Verde” takes place at the López Ecarré Gallery, National Theater, downtown San José. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Free. Info: Gallery 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.
