A special edition of the now traditional open air street food market, this time exclusively dedicated to the food of different countries in the world, will take place on Friday, December 16th and Saturday, December 17th, 2016, in a night edition from 7 pm to 2 am, with free access to the public, in an area specially located at Hipodromo Argentino de Palermo, on Av. del Libertador & Av. Dorrego.

A gourmet festival with the participation of the best representatives of the local foodie scene in their food trucks, that will offer typical dishes from countries like Spain, Italy, Mexico, Greece, Japan, China, Syria, Peru, Germany, India, USA, Korea, Colombia, Bolivia, England, Brasil, France, Thailand, Argentina and many others.

The events will be suspended in case of rain.

At the International Artisans' Fair ("Feria Internacional de Artesanias de Buenos Aires"), that will be held from December 6th to December 11th, 2016 at La Rural Exhibition Center, over 400 craftsmen from Argentina and Latin America will show their talent, creativity and skills, with live demonstrations of their work.

Individual artisans, official entities and delegations from the different Argentine provinces and neighboring countries will exhibit and offer their hand crafted unique pieces, while sharing their techniques and knowledge with the public. 

The stands are grouped according to the different kinds of crafts, including: ceramics; basket making; cutlery; leather; clothing; musical instruments; jewelry; wood; noble metals; paper; stone; textiles; glass, and more.

A great 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 6 through December 11, 2016.

Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704

Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM

Entry fees: 

General: AR$ 80

Pensioners: AR$ 65

Children under 8, free

Website: http://www.artesaniasbue.com.ar/

Gallery, the original circuit for art lovers around art galleries, antique shops, museums and cultural centers, presents a new special edition of Gallery Day, that will take place in the neighborhoods of Palermo and Villa Crespo on Saturday, December 3rd, 2016, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

The Palermo-Villa Crespo circuit covers the area surrounded by the streets of Dorrego, Av. Santa Fé, Lavalleja and Gascón, with more than 30 art spaces that will open their doors to show the latest works of their artists.

There is a free transportation service with buses with the logo of "Gallery Nights", with fixed stops and a constant route to get to all of the spots in the circuit. A free walking tour around the most outstanding exhibitions will start at 5.30 pm from the meeting point at Espacio Pla, on Malabia 1841.

As always, there will be live music and free shows, and guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne or premium beers. Maps will be provided to the public so they can visit their favorite galleries and exhibitions at their own pace.

This event is totally free of charge.

For maps and information on participating galleries: Gallery website.

"La Gran Milonga Nacional", an open air event with live orchestras and street tango dancing along Avenida de Mayo, which is transformed for one night into a giant dance floor, will take place on Saturday, December 3rd, 2016.

This fantastic event, which every year occupies the traditional Avenida de Mayo, from Plaza de Mayo to 9 de Julio Av. is organized by the National Tango Academy and the Association of Promoters of Tourism, Hotel Business and Gastronomy (APTHGRA), in honor of the National Tango Day which is celebrated on December 11th.

La Gran Milonga Nacional will start at 8:00 pm, and will last until 3 am, with three central stages in the corners of Avenida de Mayo with Bernardo de Irigoyen, Piedras and Perú, and other smaller ones along the avenue, where the audience will be able to dance on the street to the music of live Tango orchestras, with their dancers and singers.

Free entrance. Suspended in case of rain.

The first edition of Sabor USA Argentina Food Week, a gastronomic event that celebrates the best of the contemporary American cuisine, will be held from November 26th to December 3rd, 2016. 

A selected group of restaurants will offer menus at special prices representing the typical dishes of the USA. 

American and Argentine chefs will offer the opportunity to enjoy classics like smoked ribs, Philly Cheesesteak, chicken tacos, apple pie, and much more!

Sabor USA Argentina Food Week is organized by the American Embassy in Argentina and the Association of Hotels, Restaurants, and Coffee shops. 

Participating restaurants and menus (prices in Argentine Pesos)

Saturday, November 12th, 2016, will mark the start of the most important polo tournament in the world, the 123rd Argentine Open Polo Championship (Abierto Argentino de Polo), or simply "El Abierto", that will take place until December 10th, 2016. This tournament, held every year at the Cathedral of Polo, 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´s also one of the main social events in Buenos Aires.

"Abonos" (full set of tickets for the 11 dates) and individual tickets on sale through Ticketek Argentina. Tickets may also be available on the same day of each match at the stadium's box office, except on the final dates when they may get sold out in advance.

Don´t miss the opportunity of attending this world class event. Contact me to inquire about special hospitality packages, Polo Day Experience including specialized guide, or if you need help getting your tickets in advance.

Participating teams:

League A

La Dolfina: Adolfo Cambiaso Jr 10, David Stirling Jr 10, Pablo Mac Donough 10, Juan Martín Nero 10. Total: 40.
La Aguada Las Monjitas: Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8, Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr 9, Miguel Novillo Astrada 9, Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9. Total: 35.
El Paraiso: Agustín Merlos 9, Ignacio Toccalino 9, Ignacio Heguy 9, Santiago Toccalino 8. Total 35.
Cria Yatay: Valerio Zubiaurre Jr 7, Cristian Laprida Jr 8, Joaquin Pittaluga 7, Ignacio Laprida 7. Total: 29.

League B

Ellerstina: Pablo Pieres 10, Facundo Pieres 10, Gonzalo Pieres Jr 10, Nicolás Pieres 9. Total: 39
Alegría: Guillermo Caset 10, Hilario Ulloa 10, Lucas Monteverde Jr 9, Frederick Mannix Jr 8. Total: 37.
Washington: Diego Cavanagh 8, Ezequiel Martinez F 8, Facundo Sola. 8, Alfredo Capella B 9. Total: 34.

Fixture: (Final results and updates in red)

Saturday November 12 – League A

2.00 pm: La Dolfina 22 vs. Cría Yatay 7 

4.00 pm: Alegría 18 vs. Washington 13 

Sunday November 13 – League B - Suspended for rain
New Date:
Monday November 14 - League B

2.00 pm: Ellerstina 17 vs. La Irenita 10 

4.30 pm: L.A. Las Monjitas 13 vs. El Paraíso 12 

Saturday November 19 – League A

2.00 pm: Alegria 9 vs. Cria Yatay 7

4.30 pm: La Dolfina 18 vs. Washington 8

Sunday November 20 – League B

2.00 pm: L.A. Las Monjitas 14 vs. La Irenita 10

4.30 pm: Ellerstina 13 vs. El Paraiso 8

Tuesday November 22 – League A

2.00 pm: Cria Yatay 13 vs. Washington 12

4.30 pm: La Dolfina 20 vs. Alegria 10

Wednesday November 23 – League B

2.00 pm: La Irenita 14 vs. El Paraiso 12

4.00 pm: Ellerstina 14 vs. L.A. Las Monjitas 9

Saturday November 26 - Quarter Final 1 - Suspended for rain

4.30 pm: Alegria vs. La Irenita

Sunday November 27 – Quarter Final 2 - Suspended for rain

4.30 pm: La Aguada vs Cria Yatay

New dates: 

Monday November 28 -  Quarter Final 1

2.00 pm: Ladies Polo Test Match: Argentina 13 vs England 3
4.30 pm: Alegria 13 vs. La Irenita 11

Tuesday, November 29 - Quarter Final 2
2.00 pm: Golden Cup: The Emerging 198 vs Patagones
4.30 pm: La Aguada 10 vs Cria Yatay 14
Saturday December 3 – Semifinal 1

4.30 pm: La Dolfina 27 vs. Cria Yatay 4

Sunday December 4 – Semifinal 2

4.30 pm: Ellerstina 15 vs. Alegria 11

Saturday December 10
1.00 pm: Final Copa Cámara de Diputados - El Remanso vs Alegría

4.30 pm: Final 123rd Argentine Polo Open
LA DOLFINA 15 vs ELLERSTINA 12

LA DOLFINA CHAMPION OF THE 123rd ARGENTINE OPEN

Open House offers the opportunity to enter for free and explore those private or public places that are normally closed to the general public, with the help of volunteers who generously give their time to accompany and comment on the tours, This year more than 90 buildings selected for their architectural heritage and cultural value and which usually can not be accessed freely will be open to the public, including the Comega Building, Palacio Barolo, Teatro Colon, Bencich Building, National Library, Galeria Guemes, and much more.

Only those who are registered through the Open House website can get access up to 4 selected buildings each day. Registration starts on November 15th, at 5 pm BA time. The spaces are limited. To secure entrance it is recommend to arrive early. ID is needed to enter the buildings on the day of the event.

Between November 23rd and November 28th, 2016, the International Festival BUENOS AIRES JAZZ 2016 (BAJ.16) presents a program of concerts by national and international artists, offering the best of jazz in all its forms.

The opening night at Usina del Arte, on Wednesday, November 23rd, at 8.30 pm, will be starred by The Cookers, one of the most prestigious jazz groups, made up of Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart,  David Weiss and Donald Harrison.

The program of BAJ.16 will be divided into different sections:

International Concerts: Apart from The Cookers who will perform at the opening concert, the closing, in turn, will feature the exceptional duo of Portuguese singer Maria João and Brazilian guitarist Guinga. This year’s programming also spotlights on French jazz, featuring the group led by clarinetist Louis Sclavis, the Peirani & Parisien duo and the quintet of Omer Avital, in addition to performances by Tamarindo; the trio of Tony Malaby, William Parker and JT Bates, an essential band on the New York scene; great Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana, and the irreverent group known as Edi Nulz, with its large doses of rock riffs and indie spirit, among many others.

A series of solo and due piano concerts will be held at the Golden Hall of Teatro Colon, and a series of piano trio performances at Usina del Arte..

Chamber Jazz Concerts: held at the Chamber Hall of Usina del Arte, presenting Argentine-French quartet Todos los Pájaros, great Argentine pianist Lilián Saba, performing music by Bill Evans; Ben Van den Dungen Quartet, a high-energy hard-bop Dutch band; the formidable quintet led by Chilean Roberto C. Lecaros, and Relojeros (ya no quedan), a quartet featuring some of the best local jazz talent, led by pianist Ernesto Jodos and Spanish bassist Javier Moreno Sánchez..

"Cruces" (Crossings): Meetings between international and local artists, at the intimacy of Thelonius Club, Cafe Vinilo and Bebop Club.

Open Air concerts: In this edition the Open Air concerts held at the Amphitheater of Parque Centenario. will include the Jazzology series; the Big Band of Conservatorio Manuel de Falla, Francisco Fattoruso Group, Comotto Plays Hendrix, Gillespi and his band, Mariano Loiácono Swing Octet. among others.

"El Aula" (The Classroom): open classes, clinics, workshops and ensemble classes, all at Usina del Arte, including: Ensemble Workshops by Greg Burk and Andrew D´Angelo; drums workshop by Billy Hart; different clinics by: Ramesh Shotham, Christian Ramond and Jarry Singla; William Parker; Tony Malaby; Mariano Loiacono; Louis Sclavis, La Bomba de Tiempo, Agustin Fernandez; singing workshop by Joey Blake.

Jazz & Cinema: This section will showcase four great films about giant artists of jazz.

VENUES:

Usina del Arte: Av. Pedro de Mendoza y Caffarena

Anfiteatro del Parque Centenario: Av. Ángel Gallardo y Leopoldo Marechal

Teatro Colón Golden Hall: Libertad 611 

Café Vinilo: Gorriti 3780

Thelonious Club: J. Salguero 1884

Bebop Club: Moreno 364
Bower of Barrancas de Belgrano: 11 de Septiembre 1901
Carlos Gardel Cultural Center:  Olleros 3640
Julian Centeya Cultural Center: Av. San Juan 3255

TICKETS:

Paid concerts and workshops:
For the Opening and Closing concerts, for the international concerts at the Golden Hall of Teatro Colon, and for the sections Cruces and El Aula, tickets will be on sale from November 14th online though the Festival´s Website or at the following ticket offices:

*Tu Entrada: Av. Corrientes 728, Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturday 2pm to 8 pm
*Usina del Arte: Caffarena & Pedro de Mendoza, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12pm to 9pm

Free concerts at Usina del Arte and Cultural Centers:

Free tickets will be given out 1 hour before the event at the Information Stand of each venue (2 per person)

Amphitheater of Parque Centenario and Bower of Barrancas de Belgrano: The admittance to the concerts programmed at the Amphitheater of Parque Centenario and Barrancas de Belgrano will be free, on a first-come first-served basis until completing the seating capacity.

The rest of the activities and concerts in the Festival are free of charge until reaching the maximum capacity of the venues and don't require advanced tickets.

For more information, purchase of tickets and daily schedules, visit Buenos Aires Jazz 16 official website.

In this opportunity the Japanese people will pay tribute to Argentina in the year of the Bicentennial of its Independence. with karate and kendo demonstrations by martial arts groups, artistic shows, Japanese drums "Taiko", and much more.

At the same time visitors will have the chance to try Japanese food and purchase typical Japanese products at the more than 30 gazebos installed in this area of the Palermo parks.

Program:
11 am to 11:50 am: Iaido and Kendo (by Kenmukan Dojo)
12 pm to 12:20 pm:  Karate and Taiko (by Nitenki Taiko Dojo)
12:30 pm to 12:50 pm:  Aikido (by Centro de Difusión del Aikido)
1:25 pm to 1:40 pm: Tango (by José María Kokubu)
1:50 pm to 2:10 pm: Singing Yuri style (by Oto tachihiko)
2:20 pm to 2:40 pm: Japanese dance and songs (by Asociación Japonesa Burzaco)
2:50 pm to 3:05 pm: Japanese Songs (by Asociación Japonesa Sarmiento)
3:10 pm to 3:40 pm: Bon Odori Participative Dance
4:30 pm: Entrance of Patricios Regiment
4:35 pm: Performance of National Anthems
4:45 pm: Word by FCAJ President
4:50 pm: Words by the Japanese Ambassador
4:55 pm: Words by the Major of Buenos Aires
5:00 pm to 5:20 pm: Shows Taiko
5:30 pm to 6:00 pm: Bon Odori  Participative Dance
* Program subject to change.
* The events may be suspended in case of rain

As every November, Buenos Aires, gets painted in lavender blue, because it´s the time of jacaranda trees in bloom. They are all over the city, making this the most beautiful time of the year to visit Buenos Aires, for the unique chance to admire these beautiful trees.

The first specimen of Jacaranda, a tree original from the North-west of Argentina, was planted in Buenos Aires in 1875 with the inauguration of the 3 de Febrero Park, and since then it has been spread all over the city for its ornamental value in the different plantation programs. 

Some of the most beautiful specimens of Jacaranda trees can be admired in Plaza San Martin; along Avenida Figueroa Alcorta; Avenida Libertador near Plaza Francia (Recoleta); Plaza Italia; Plaza Alemania; Plaza de Mayo, Plaza Congreso, Palermo Parks, the Rose Garden, and many streets across the city.

Thursday, November 24:
3.00 pm: International Competition Swiss Medical (1.5 m)

Friday, November 25:

3:30 pm: International Competition Grand Prix (1.5 m)

Saturday, November 26:
1.00 pm: Exhibition National Vaulting Team
3.30 pm: International Competition Speed Derby (1.5 m)

Sunday, November 27:
3:30 pm: International Competition World Cup FEI (1.6 m)

As every year, a live music show will be presented at the stage located next to the main jumping course before the main competition on Sunday, November 27, at 2 pm, by "Los Totora".

Haras El Capricho offers top level infrastructure and services to enjoy a nice day in the countryside for the whole family:

° Nursery: playground and care takers for toddlers
° Food court: "parrilla", pizza, ice cream, kiosks.
° Exclusive stores: official merchandising, saddlers, equestrian art.
° VIP lounge: for 500 special guests.
° Free parking with security
° 2 roofed grandstands

All the activities are free of charge, and are not suspended for rain.

For more information, online results, general rules and courses of the competition, access map, and schedules, visit Haras El Capricho official website.
Don´t miss the opportunity of attending this world class event. Contact me if you want to  arrange for  private transportation.

On Saturday, November 19th, 2016, the city of Buenos Aires celebrates The Night of Music (La Noche de la Música), with free concerts and musical shows in public spaces, cultural centers, museums and many other venues across the city, from 7 pm to 2 am.

These are some of the outstanding concerts at the main venues:

Rose Garden, Av Infanta Isabel & Av Sarmiento

Rock concerts by  Airbag, Los Guarros, Animal, Barco, Coverheads, Planeador V and Un planeta, from 7 pm to 11.50 pm

Polo Circo, Av. Juan de Garay & Combate de los Pozos

Cumbia Pop by Dj Otto Bunge, Voxpop, Benjamin Amadeo, among others, from 7 pm to 11.40 pm

Amphitheater Parque Centenario, Marechal, Leopoldo & Lillo Av.

Symphony Orchestra; Tribute to Sandro, Symphonic show, and closing by La Bomba de Tiempo, from 7 pm to 00.15 am.

Centro Cultural San Martin, Sarmiento 1551

Audio-visual concert; Guided Opera Tribute to Giuseppe Verdi; Metallica; Jazzology Series. From 8 pm to 11.45 pm

Barrancas de Belgrano, Juramento 1792

Buenos Aires Symphony Band, at 7.30 pm

Esplanade of Malba Museum, Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415

Centolla Society, at 8 pm.

Chinese Quarter, Arribeños & Juramento

Drums Buenos Aires Taiko; DJ Muzzi & Urgen Dance (China); Nuripae Samulnori percussion (Korea); Haien Qiu Rock (China), from 7 pm to 9.45 pm

Many other concerts, art exhibitions, musical shows and special promotions will be taking place at different Cultural Centers around the city. The complete program can be downloaded on this link.

All the activities are free, subject to capacity of each venue.