As every year, the shopping malls of Buenos Aires will celebrate the Holidays with a show of fireworks and music, this time on Sunday, December 19th, at 10:00 PM. This free of charge event will take place simultaneously at different points in the city:

As a way of protest for the cancellation of Teatro Colon Ballet season, the members of the Teatro Colon Ballet Company will offer a performance on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010, 9:00 PM, at Teatro Nacional Cervantes, which has offered its main concert hall for the realization of this performance.

The principal dancers, soloists, and members of  Teatro Colon ballet company will participate in the event: Karina Olmedo (First Dancer), Silvina Perillo (Soloist, substitute of the First Dancer), Gabriela Alberti, Vagram Ambartsoumian, Edgardo Trabalón, Leonardo Reale, Analía Sosa Guerrero, Marta Desperes, Nestor Asaff, Julián Galván, Dario Estanga, Verónica Lemarchand, Sergio Hochbaum, Roberto Zarza,Mariana Crespo, Federico Fernandez, Paula Cassano, Matias Santos, Rosana Perez, Gerardo Wyss, Luciana Barrirero, Natalia Pelayo, Maria Laura Domingo, Amalia Perez Alzueta. 

The program includes choreographs by Raul Candal, Michel Fokine, Ruben Gallardo, Alexander Gorsky, Asaf Messerer, Gustavo Mollajoli, Marius Petipa, Alexander Plissetsky, Laura Roatta and Jose Zartmann: Pas de Deux from Carmen, Spartacus, Spring Waters, The Corsair, Don Quixote; solos Death of a Swan and on baroque music by Astor Piazzolla, and a grand finale of Ravel's Bolero, with the participation of Choir Armonía Vocal.

Tickets: $ 40 Pesos, on sale at the Teatro Nacional Cervantes Box office,  Libertad 815, 10 am to 9 pm. Tel. 4816-4224.

The Orquesta del Bicentenario (Orchestra of the Bicentennial) will close their Classical Argentine Music Series 2010 with an outdoor concert in front of the Legislature of Buenos Aires. This Orchestra, under the direction of Alfredo Corral, was specially created by the Law School to pay tribute to the 200th anniversary of the May Revolution.

The free concert will be held on Friday, December 17th, 2010, at 7:00 pm on the pedestrian street Peru 100, and in case of rain it will be moved to the Golden Hall of the Legislative Palace, entrance on Peru 160.

The concert, named "200 artists to our 200 years", includes the Cantata of the May Revolution, from Juan Carlos Figueiras, with texts by Nelly Vargas Machuca, the Mass-Tango by Martin Palmeri, and Yupanquiana Suite by Carlos Carmona, which includes unpublished texts by Atahualpa Yupanqui.

On Saturday, December 18th, 2010, the City of Buenos Aires presents a new edition of The Bookstore Night, with over 70 free activities in 50 bookstores that will remain open during until 2:00 am. This traditional event represents the publishing industry and pays tribute to bookstores and booksellers in the City, recognizing the important role of the sector. In addition, this edition involves bookstores in different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires with activities in their premises since Friday 17th, concluding with the traditional festival on Avenida Corrientes.

UNESCO has named Buenos Aires as "Book Capital of the World 2011" in recognition of the quality of its programs to promote the dissemination of books, encouraging reading and expanding the publishing industry.

At 8:00 pm, on the main stage in Avenida Corrientes and Talcahuano, artists Kevin Johansen + The Nada + Liniers will star in an illustrated concert. The cartoonist Liniers will illustrate the songs live, and the images will be projected on a large screen located on stage.

At midnight and as closing of the event, Pedro Aznar will present a show of "Poetry and music" created especially for the Bookstore Night.

During the Bookstore Night, the vehicular traffic will be closed on Avenida Corrientes from Talcahuano up to Callao, where multiple cultural activities will take place simultaneously in bookstores, bars, theaters and on the streets. 

San Telmo will take part in the Bookstore Night with activities from 4:00 pm: Guided tours and storytelling, readings and performances by established and emerging authors.

In Palermo the Bookstore Night starts on Friday 17, at 5:00 pm, with a guided tour about "The Palermo of Borges and Cortazar." Meeting point: Borges y Guatemala (suspended in case of rain). There will also be activities for children, storytelling and talks for adults.

Activities for children: The Bookstore Night offers activities and games aiming to developing the link between children and books: treasure hunt around bookstores, a cartoon workshop and storytelling events are some of the activities planned for them.

The event is totally free of charge and it's not suspended for rain. Click here for the complete program (in Spanish only).

Next Saturday, December, 18th 2010, at 8:00pm, children and families are invited to participate in the official inauguration of the giant Nativity Scene that will be placed at Plaza Mariano Moreno (Avenida de Mayo and Luis Saenz Peña). It will be a nice opportunity to have their Christmas pictures taken. The Nativity will be exhibited from December 13th, 2010 to January 6th, 2011.

Designed and built by renowned sculptor Fernando Pugliese, the Manger is made up of fifty impressive life-size figures, which recreate the spirit of Christmas in a striking work. 

After the Nativity Scene is inaugurated and blessed, a traditional Christmas concert will be presented by the Symphony Orchestra of the Federal Police and Chorus Onak Lagun, with over a hundred artists on stage, who will offer a Christmas repertoire and songs of the "Misa Criolla" . In this event, which aims to promote values such as unity and respect, distinctions will be given to different families representative of the country.

On Thursday January 6th, 2011, at 6:00 pm, the traditional caravan of the Magi will take place, finalizing at the Nativity Scene on Avenida de Mayo and Luis Saenz Peña. Throughout their journey, the Magi will give away toys and treats to all children present. Children and families are also invited to make their own Magi cards. The materials needed to assemble the cards will be provided, such as paper, markers, pencils, so each family can create their own.

The city of Buenos Aires celebrates the National Tango Day on Saturday, December 11th, 2010, with an open air free concert at the Obelisco, at 7:00 PM.

The Tango, declared by UNESCO as World's Cultural Heritage, celebrates its days in commemoration of the birth of Carlos Gardel and Julio De Caro. The stage will be mounted on Avenida 9 de Julio looking towards the south, there will be 8000 seats available to the public, and two large screens will be installed for easy viewing of the show.

The "Orquesta de Tango de Buenos Aires", conducted by maestros Raúl Garello, Néstor Marconi and Juan Carlos Cuacci, with violin player Pablo Agri as invited soloist, will celebrate its 30 years of existence on the stage. The Orchestra will open the show presenting its new album that compiles the most important themes in their records.

Following this presentation, maestro Mariano Mores and his sextet will join the Orchestra to offer a special concert presenting the greatest hits of his vast career, inlcuding: "La Cumparsita", "Cafetín de Buenos Aires", "Cuartito azul", and "Adiós Pampa mía", among others.

The closing of the show will be with singer Susana Rinaldi, who will present her latest album based on the  works of Cátulo Castillo, accompanied by the Orquesta de Tango de Buenos Aires. This great Argentine singer was awarded last November with the Latin Grammy to Musical Excellence.

At the same time, the Gran Milonga Nacional will be taking place on Avenida de Mayo.

"Por la Calle" is an urban self-guided tour, to discover the keys for the identity of design in Argentina. Por la Calle invites visitors to stroll around those shops where textile and clothing design is present, enjoying the talent and creations of Argentine designers in their own spaces.

"La Gran Milonga Nacional", an open air event with live orchestras and street tango dancing on Avenida de Mayo, will take place this year on Saturday, December 11th, the National Tango Day.
The celebration, which every year occupies that traditional Avenue from Plaza de Mayo to 9 de Julio is organized by the National Tango Academy and the Association of Promoters of Tourism, Hotel Business and Gastronomy (APTHGRA).

La Gran Milonga Nacional will start at 8:00 pm, with three central stages in the corners of Avenida de Mayo and Bernardo de Irigoyen, Piedras and Perú, and other smaller ones along the avenue, and the audience will be able to dance on the street to the music of live orchestras and singers.

The Argentina Tennis Cup, sponsored by Peugeot (Copa Argentina de Tenis Peugeot 2010), will be  played this year from December 16th to December 19th, 2010. The matches will take place on the central court of Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, the traditional venue for Argentine Tennis.

This eight edition of the Peugeot Argentina Tennis Cup will have the presence of some of the best national and international tennis players:

David Nalandian (Argentina)

Juan Mónaco (Argentina)

Marat Safin (Russia)

Carlos Moyá (Spain)

Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)

Gael Monfils (France)

Richard Gasquet (France)

On the last day of the tournament, Carlos Moya will play a farewell match against Gaston Gaudio.

The Super Six format will be implemented again in this tournament:

Dates: December 16-19, 2010

Location: Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, Av. Olleros 1510, Palermo.

Tickets: On sale through Ticketek Argentina www.ticketek.com.ar

Need help getting tickets? Contact me!

At the International Artisans Fair ("Feria Internacional de Artesanias de Buenos Aires") over 500 craftsmen from Argentina and Latin America will show their talent, creativity and skills, with live demonstrations of their work.

A unique opportunity for visitors to purchase exclusive handicraft pieces at the best prices, while learning about cultural and artistic expressions from Argentina and Latin America.

Dates: December 7 through December 12, 2010.
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM
Entry Fee: $ 15 Pesos. Children under 8, free
More information: Feria Internacional de Artesanias official website.

Saturday, November 20, 2010, will mark the start of the most important polo tournament in the world, the 117th Argentine Open Polo Championship (Abierto Argentino de Polo, or simply "El Abierto"), that will take place until December 11, 2010. This tournament, held every year at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo (Av. del Libertador & Dorrego), brings together the best polo players in the world, and it is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the international polo calendar. It is also one of the main social events in Buenos Aires.

"Abonos" (full set of tickets for the 7 dates) for the 117h Argentine Polo Open are on sale through Ticketek Argentina until November 19th, 2010. Tickets for the individual matches will continue, subject to availability after the sale of the "abonos", from November 20h to December 11th, 2010. Tickets for the main matches and the best seats can get sold out in just a few hours, specially for the final match on December 11th.

Participating teams:

Zone A:
La Dolfina Peugeot: Adolfo Cambiaso (Jr) 10, Lucas Monteverde (Jr) 10, David Stirling 9, Bartolomé Castagnola 10. Total: 39.
Pilará Piaget: Agustín Merlos 9, Santiago Chavanne 8, Sebastián Merlos 9, Marcos Heguy 10. Total: 36.

Chapa Uno Hope Funds: Bautista Heguy 9, Hilario Ulloa 9, Juan Ignacio Merlos 9, Matías Mac Donough 8. Total: 35.
Sao José: Pablo Pieres (Jr) 7, Nicolás Pieres 7, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 8, Jaime García Huidobro 8. Total: 30. 

Zone B:
Ellerstina Etiqueta Negra: Facundo Pieres 10, Gonzalo Pieres (Jr) 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 40.

Indios Chapaleufú II: Alberto Heguy (Jr) 8, Ignacio Heguy 9, Matias Magrini 8, Eduardo Heguy 9. Total: 34.
Alegría Air France: Frederick Mannix (Jr) 6, Francisco Bensadón 8,  Mariano Aguerre 10, Francisco de Narvaez (Jr) 9 Total: 34.
La Aguada BMW: Javier Novillo Astrada 9, Eduardo Novillo Astrada (Jr) 9, Miguel Novillo Astrada 10, Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9. Total: 37.

Fixture:

Date 1
Saturday, November 20 (Zone A):
2:00 PM: La Dolfina 18 vs Sao Jose 12
4.30 PM: Pilará 19 vs Chapa Uno 9

Date 2
Sunday, November 21 (Zone B):
2:00 PM: Ellerstina 15 vs Alegria 6
4:30 PM: La Aguada 20 vs Indios Chapaleufu II 10 

Date 3
Saturday, November 27:
2:00 PM: San Jose 12 vs Pilara 18
4:30 PM: La Dolfina 16 vs Chapa Uno 13

Date 4
Sunday, November 28
2:00 PM: Alegria 12 vs La Aguada 15
4:30 PM: Ellerstina 19 vs Indios Chapaleufu II 9

Date 5
Saturday, December 4 
2:00 PM: San Jose 12 vs Chapa Uno 16
4:30 PM: La Dolfina 17 vs Pilara 11

Date 6
Sunday, December 5
2:00 PM: Alegria 16 vs Indios Chapaleufu II 19
4:30 PM: Ellerstina 14 vs La Aguada 11

Final: 
Saturday, December 11
4:30 PM: LA DOLFINA 13 vs ELLERSTINA 14
FINAL RESULT: ELLERSTINA CHAMPION OF THE 117th ARGENTINE OPEN

and TRIPLE CROWN WINNER (TORTUGAS - HURLINGHAM - PALERMO) 
MVP: Juan Martin Nero
Highest Goal Scorer in the tournament: Adolfo Cambiaso (43)
Best mounted player in the Final: Gonzalo Pieres Jr

The renown choreographer Mauricio Wainrot, and the outstanding dancer Iñaki Urlezaga present their versions of the scenic cantata Carmina Burana and the opera La Traviata in two separate open air presentations with free admission, to be held respectively on Monday 22nd and Saturday 27th November, 2010, at 9 de Julio Avenue near the Obelisk.

On the day of the holiday next Monday, November 22nd, at 8:00 PM, Wainrot will offer his choreographic show "Carmina Burana", presented by the contemporary ballet of Teatro San Martín, while on November 27th, at 7:00 PM, Iñaki Urlezaga and his ballet company will play the choreographic version of the famous work of Giuseppe Verdi, "La Traviata", accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Teatro Colon.

In both occasions a stage will be mounted on Avenida 9 de Julio looking towards the south, there will be 8000 seats available to the public, and two large screens will be installed for easy viewing of the show.

The X Fest Bowl Session will be held on Saturday December 4th and Sunday December 5th, 2010, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm in the forests of Palermo, Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Sarmiento, a festival of urban culture that will feature Argentina's largest Bowl (ramp), where the competitions and exhibition of skate and bmx will take place, with the participation of the most outstanding national and international competitors.

There will also be a space for street art, exhibiting photos and videos, and during the course of the event artists will be working live on illustrations and graffiti, which will be awarded after the event.

There will be live music in the style jam sessions, hip hop and break-dance performances, and live Dj's and Mc's.

On Saturday, the exhibitions of skateboarding, BMX and break dancing will be held, and the mural of street art will start to be painted. On Sunday it will be the turn of the competitions, the hip hop and break-dance show, ending at 8:00 pm with the award ceremony.

The British Hospital of Buenos Aires and the Argentine British Community Council present a unique charity event, “Jugando en el Museo” (Playing at the Museum) which will take place at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Av. del Libertador 1473, Buenos Aires, on Tuesday 23rd November, starting at 7.30 pm. Its object is to raise funds for the British Hospital Nursing School, the first of its kind in Argentina, founded in 1890, a few years after Florence Nightingale started her Nursing School in London. 

The British Hospital is a University Teaching Hospital with the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) and now with the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA). Moreover the British Hospital was presented with a Gold Medal from the Municipality of Buenos Aires in recognition of its work and dedication to the community.

“Jugando en el Museo” will take place in the Museum, with its magnificent collection of Argentine Art, in a new and fun interactive activity designed by the well known drama director and representative of Walt Disney’s shows in Latin America – Peter Macfarlane. 

This game represents a new approach to the appreciation and enjoyment of art. The evening will bring together knowledge and fun at the same time. The game itself consists of completing a questionnaire on Argentine Art, while being guided by mimics dressed in Argentine Ponchos, who will help with the clues and a tour of the Museum. Once the questionnaire has been completed, visitors will be ushered to a Dinner Cocktail Reception, whilst waiting for the judges to announce the winners and hand out the prizes. In the meantime, guests will be entertained by songs and dances through the ages up to the Bicentenary. 

Contribution: $400 Pesos per person, by advanced reservation only. For further information contact Rosemary Morton at the ABCC Office from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm at (54 11) 5254-8064/65.

The Brithsh Community Council in Argentina (ABCC) presents the 2010 "Christmas Fair", that will be held on Saturday, November 20th, 2010, in the Gardens of the British Ambassador's Residence in Buenos Aires, located in Gelly y Obes 2333, Recoleta, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

This charity event is a great opportunity to purchase Christmas presents at the Artisans Fair, while spending a nice day with the whole family. Santa Claus will visit at 4:30 pm, followed by Carol Singing at 6:30 pm. Food and beverages will be available. 

ID must be presented at the door for entrance. Donation: $ 10 Pesos. Children under 10: Free. In case of rain it will be postponed to Saturday 27th.

For more information, visit ABCC website.

"Expo-artistas" is established as one of the most significant cultural events of the City of Buenos Aires, and is a must for the month of November for contemporary art lovers.

In its 6th edition, "Expo-artistas 2010" will take place from November 25th to 30th, 2010 at Centro Cultural Borges, covering an approximate area of 3,000 m2, which will allow visitors to enjoy a wide variety of styles in different disciplines, both pictorial and sculptural, without forgetting the excellent quality drawings, prints and photographs on display each year. Notably "Expo-artistas" art fair is the fastest growing in recent times, both in its physical dimension and the quantity and prestige of its exhibitors.

Expo-artistas was created under a new concept in art fairs. Its main difference lies in seeing the artists as the protagonists of the event, providing all necessary resources to meet their needs as exhibitors. It also has the distinction of being the first and only art exhibition where the artists sell their work directly, without intermediaries and without paying commissions on sales.

Prominent Argentine artists have participated in the event, such as Julian Agosta, Carlos Cañas, Carlos Carmona, Salvador Costanzo, Baton Díaz, Sara Diciero, Alberto Delmonte, Julia Farjat, Roberto Firpo, Juan Carlos Lasser Jorge Meijide, Milo Lockett, Fernando Martínez, Rodolfo Nardo, Raul Ponce, Zulema Petruschansky, Mario Restaino and Leo Vinci, among others, as well as several artists from Chile, Spain, France, Israel, Panama, Mexico and Uruguay The data of the artists are available in a catalog that is accessible at a very low cost.

Location: Centro Cultural Borges. Viamonte 525, Buenos Aires.

Open to public from 25 to 30 November, 2010, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

The entrance to the fair is free.

More information: Expo-artistas official website.

On Saturday, December 4th, 2010, in the streets of San Telmo, between 3 PM and 10 PM, 20 carnival groups ("comparsas") with over 1,600 Argentinian and Uruguayan artists in their colorful costumes,  will present the "Llamada de Candombe de San Telmo", a parade of drums, music and dance. 

The "llamada" is traditional Uruguayan event in which the "comparsas" are called in to play the "candombe", a musical genre originated in Africa and brought to South American in the XVII and XVIII centuries by the African slaves.

At Pasaje San Lorenzo there will be 4 bonfires for the tuning of the drums, that will start at 3 PM.

The parade starts at Defensa & av. Independencia, and each of the 20 "comparsas" will take 1 hour to cover the 8 blocks until Defensa & Caseros, at the Amphitheater of Paque Lezama.

This event is totally free of charge.

"Tribuna Real", the biggest International Polo Fair will take place at La Rural de Palermo, on November 25th, and 26th,  2010. There will be conferences and debates concerning horses and rules of the game, clinics and talks by distinguished people related to this activity.

Women will have an important place in the fair. Female Polo matches, luxury brands, and fashion shows are just some of the choices of this amazing event.

Visitors will be able to watch musical shows and enjoy a delicious cocktails or taste a glass of wine from the most important Argentine wineries; all while being surrounded with the most prestigious and luxurious brands and the works of Polo Artists.

Every night there will be a distinguished party to end an amazing day of Polo at the fair.

Location: La Rural, Av. Sarmiento 2704

Opening hours: 5 pm to 11 pm

More information: Tribuna Real official website

The Ministry of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires presents the 7th Edition of La Noche de los Museos - Museum Night 2010, that will take place on November 13, 2010, from 8 PM until 3 AM.
Since 2004 one Saturday night the museums of Buenos Aires stay open all night offering different cultural activities, all of them free of charge, in the same way as in other 130 cities around the world.
During this special night visitors will be able to enjoy free guided visits, special exhibitions, as well as conferences, shows, theater performances, dance, screenings, video, multimedia, and diverse concerts of classical music, jazz, tango, folk, and rock.
The Main Event will take place at 9.30pm in Puerto Madero, at the Direccion General de Museos, Av. de los Italianos 851. The dance company "Compañía de Danza Aérea" will present a spectacular multimedia show, in which dancers suspended in ropes and harnesses will perform fragments of their show Tangos Aereos (Aereal Tangos). The night will continue with DJ Ale Lacroix at 10.00pm, and DJs Cosmos HI-Fi and VJ Roberto Padilla, at 12am.
In this edition, over 130 museums and art spaces will be participating.

For more information and complete program, visit La Noche de los Museos official website (most of the site in Spanish only).

The two teams, Jaeger-Le Couture and Anaflex (Bago), will be made up of some of the players who take part in the Triple Crown, who donate their time with the aim of helping over 30 children who live in the children´s home, and will taking turns to participate in the match.

Jaeger-LeCoultre: Bautista Heguy 9, Lucas Monteverde 10, Horacio Heguy 8, Mariano Aguerre 10, David Stirling 9 y Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 56
Bagó: Facundo Pieres 10, Alberto Heguy 8, Javier Novillo Astrada 9, Miguel Novillo Astrada 10, Hilario Ulloa 9 y Bartolomé Castagnola 10: Total: 56

Location: San Isidro Jockey Club. Av. Marquez and Isabel la Católica, San Isidro, Province of Buenos Aires.

Tickets: on sale at the venue.