Every weekend of February, from Saturday 4th until February 26th, and including Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st (Carnival Holidays), the “Carnaval Porteño 2012” (Buenos Aires Carnival) will take place at different neighborhoods, with the participation of 17 thousand artists, 119 "murgas" (carnival bands), and over one thousand drums and percussion instruments.

The parades will be held from 7 PM to 2 AM on Saturdays, and from 7 PM to 12 AM on Sundays and Carnival Holidays (February 20 and 21).

Murgas and carnival are the artistic expressions of the marginal neighborhoods, their songs and urban folk customs. The lyrics of these songs are called "criticas", and combine the social denunciation with humor and dancing. What identifies the "murga porteña" from others are their costumes (frock coat, gloves, top hat, and stick), the drums with cymbals, and the various traditional rhythms used to differentiate every neighborhood.

Where to watch the parades:

All the events are free of charge.

The Ministry of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires and the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice present the show "El Mundo de la Luna" (Il Mondo della Luna - The World in the Moon), an introduction to the Opera for children and adults alike, through a unique show with Venetian puppets and Argentine artists, inspired in the Drama Giocoso by Carlo Goldoni, with music by Baldassarre Galuppi.

The Academy of Fine Arts of Venice - symbol of the Italian artistic education since 1750 -  has lent a Venetian "teatrino" with 22 large-size baroque puppets, to mount this show in Buenos Aires.

The show will be offered every Sunday until February 19, 2012, at 6:00pm, with free entrance, at the Botanical Garden (Av. Santa Fe 3951).

Organized by The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards, this International Biennial of Artistic and Documental Photography will be held at Centro Cultural Borges between January 19 and February 27, 2012.

This exhibition, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of Argentina and the Embassies of Austria, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Peru, Finland Germany and Belgium, in benefit of Save the Children and FLENI foundations, will be one of the most important photographich events in Latin America.

The main focus of the biennial is on works by women from 40 different countries, the selected images awarded in the1st and 2nd edition of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award, Jacob Riis Award, 1st and 2nd edition of the Pollux Award, and other competitions organized by WPGA during 2010 and 2011.

In total the exhibition will consist of  310 works from 210 artists.

The works, that have been donated by the artists, will be auctioned at the MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires) on February 14th, 7pm, benefiting: Save the Children and the Foundation for the Comprehensive Treatment of Children Neurological Diseases (FLENI).

On January 20, 21 and 22, at 7pm there will be talks by artists awarded at the Biennial, on the development of their work and their experience as photographers, with projection of their works.

On Tuesday 24, at 7pm, singer León Gieco will perform in benefit of the Biennial, among other activities.

Centro Cultural Borges. Viamonte 525

Opening hours: Mondays through Saturdays, from 10:00am to 9:00pm; Sundays, from 12:00pm to 9:00pm

MALBA: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415

More information: www.thegalaawards.net

The fixture of football (soccer) matches in Buenos Aires for the first half of the year 2012 has been announced. It comprises the matches in the National Tournament, "Torneo Clausura 2012", the international tournament "Copa Libertadores", and the Qualifying matches for Brazil Wold Cup 2014 .

Don't miss the opportunity of attending one of these games the easiest and safest way, with a service that includes tickets, transfers, and bilingual host, provided by the leading company in football tours. Contact me and make your reservation.

From January 6 until February 29, 2012, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires presents "Buenos Aires Playa" (Buenos Aires Beach), an oasis for those residents and visitors who have to spend the summer in the city, in the style of the artificial sand beaches installed in Paris, Rome, Tokio, Berlín, Bruselles, Ámsterdam, Viena, and Prague.

There are two beaches, one in the North of the city, in Parque de los Niños, and one in the South, in Parque Roca where, from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm, visitors will enjoy an integral program of entertainment for the whole family: artificial sand beaches with sunshades and beach chairs; cultural activities like musical shows and book readings; water fountains and showers to cool down from the heat; sport activities and inflatable playgrounds for kids; magic and puppet shows; food courts; among many other activities and services. Each park will have sports coordinators in aerobics, beach volley, football-tennis and other popular sports. All the activities are free of charge.

Infants have to be permanently accompanied by adults. Entering the parks with alcoholic drinks and/or pets is not allowed.  
Free entrance.
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm.

How to get there:

Parque de los Niños (North):
Nuñez (on the shore of Río de la Plata where Avenue General Paz ends).
Bus 28, or by car through avenida Cantilo.

Parque Roca (South):
Escalada and 27 de Febrero.
Buses 91 and 115.

As a complement to this program, several parks in Buenos Aires will be transformed into solariums with free sun chairs and sunshades, including Parque Las Heras (Palermo); Plaza Naciones Unidas (near the Law School, Recoleta); Plaza Roque Sáenz Peña, Parque Rivadavia, Plaza Boedo, Plaza Almagro, and Plaza Monte Castro.

 The prestigious Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires has announced its program for the 2012 Season:

OPERA

March 14, 15, 17 and 18

SAINT MARK'S  PASSION (2000)

Music: Osvaldo Golijov

Based on the Gospel of Saint Mark, the Psalms, Jeremiah’s Lamentations, and Spanish poetry. Commissioned by Internationale Bachakademie for the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death. (premiere in Argentina)
Musical direction: Maria Guinand
Choir: Schola Cantorum of Venezuela
Soloists: Virginia Largo, Ana María Raga and Elizabeth Maldonado
Orchestra “La Pasión” (metals and percussion)
Orchestra of Teatro Colón (strings)

April 22, 24, 26, 28. May 2 and 4

THE FORCE OF DESTINY
Music: Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave
Musical Direction: Renato Palumbo
Stage Direction: Hugo de Ana
Main characters: Dimitria Theodossiou, Angela Marambio, Ricardo Massi, Emmanuel Villarosa, Lucas Salsi, Fabian Veloz, Roberto Scandiuzzi, Paola Battaglia, Agnes Zwierko. María Lujan Mirabelli, Luis Gaeta, Luciano Miotto

May 29. June 1, 3, and 5
OEDIPE
Music: George Enescu
Libretto: Edmond Fleg

Musical direction: Ira Levin
Stage Direction: Alex Olle
Coproduction of Teatro Colón with Royal Theater of La Monnaie of Brussels, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, and Ópera Nacional de París.
Main characters: Andrew Schröder, Natasha Petrinsky, Robert Bork

June 12, 15, 17, 19
RINALDO
Music: Georg Friedrich Händel
Libretto: Giacomo Rossi
Musical direction: Martín Haselboeck
Main characters: Franco Fagioli, Verónica Cangemi, Inessa Galante, Daniel Taylor, Victor Torres

July 22, 24, 26, 28
ERWARTUNG
Music: Karol Szymanowski
Libretto: Felix Dörmann

Musical Direction: Baldur Brönimann
Stage Direction: Michal Znaniecki
Main characters: Ewa Biegas, Roy Stevens, Christian Baumgärtel

August 28 and 30. September 1 and 2
I DUE FIGARO
O sia Il soggetto di una commedia
Music: Saverio Mercadante
Libretto: Felice Romani
Musical direction: Riccardo Muti
Stage Direction, Emilio Sagi
Main characters: Antonio Poli, Asude Karayavuz, Rosa Feola, Annalisa Stroppa, Mario Cassi, Eleonora Buratto, Anicio Zorzi Giustiniani, Omar Montanari
Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini
Philharmonia Chor Wien

Choir’s Maestro: Walter Zeh
Pianoforte: Speranza Scappucci

September 25, 28, 30. October 3, 5
LA CENERENTOLA
Music: Gioachino Rossini
Libretto: Giacopo Ferretti

Musical direction: Bruno Campanella
Stage Direction: Sergio Renán
Main characters: Serena Malfi, Kenneth Tarver, Gustavo De Gennaro, Aris Argiris, Carlo Lepore, Luciano Miotto, Marisú Pavón, Florencia Machado, Mónica Sardi, Carlos Esquivel, Fernando Radó

November 27, 30. December 2, 4
COLON-RING
Compact version in one sole performance of 7 hours of The Ring of the Nibelung, in the eve of the bicentennary of birth of Richard Wagner
World Premiere
Musical direction: Julien Salemkour
Stage direction: Katharina Wagner

BALLET

April 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
CARMEN
Choreography: Mauricio Wainrot
Music: Georges Bizet
Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón
Orchestra of Teatro Colón
Director: Luis Gorelik

July 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
LA SYLPHIDE
Choreography: Pierre Lacotte, according to Filippo Taglioni
Music: Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer
Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón
Orchestra of Teatro Colón
Director: Javier Logioia

July 21, 22, 28, 29
GRADUATION BALL
Winter Holidays family program
Choreography: according to David Lichine
Music: Johann Strauss
Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón

August 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
SLEEPING BEAUTY
Choreography: Karl Burnett
Music: Piotr Ilich Tchaikovski
Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón
Orchestra of Teatro Colón
Director: Luis Gorelik

September 12
INTERNATIONAL GALA
Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón with world figures

October 14, 16, 17, 18, 29, 20
NEOCLASSICAL TRILOGY II
Margarita and Armando
Choreography: Frederick Ashton
Music: Franz Liszt
Fuga Técnica
Choreography: Eric Frederic
Music: Alexander Balanescu
Before Nightfall
Choreography: Nils Christe
Music: Bohuslav Martinu

Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón
Orchestra of Teatro Colón
Director: Carlos Bertazza

December 21, 22, 23, 36, 27, 28
ONIEGUIN
Choreography: John Cranko
Music: Piotr Ilich Tchaikovski
Soloists and first dancers of Teatro Colón
Orchestra of Teatro Colón
Director: Javier Logioia

CONCERTS:

The Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Maestro Enrique Arturo Diemecke, will offer a series of 16 concerts on Thursdays at 8:30 pm, starting on March 8, 2012 The invited directors will be: Marcello Panni, Gunter Neuhold, Isaac Karabtchevsky, Carlos Bertazza, Jorma Panula, Tao Fan, with the participation of the outstanding soloists: Nadia Salerno Sonnenberg, Julian Lloyd Webber, Haochen Zhang, Saleem Abboud Ashkar, Susan Graham, Leonard Elschenboich, Akiko Suwanai, Ilia Gringolts, Nestor Marconi, Sarah Chang, Hilary Hahn, Mariano Rey, Fernando Chiappero, Gabriel La Rocca, Fernando Ciancio, Natalie Clein, Nelson Goerner.

Domingos de Camara (Chamber Sundays): Series of FREE concerts one Sunday of every month, at 11am, by renowned Argentinian chamber groups at the main concert hall of Teatro Colon.

Free tickets must be picked up from the previous Friday and up to 2 hours before every performance. Only 2 tickets per person will be handed, limited to the theater's capacity.

ABONO DEL BICENTENARIO (BICENTENARY CONCERT SERIES): A total of 8 concerts that will bring together some of the most resounding figures in the season:

April 11: ANGELA GHEORGHIU - ROBERTO ALAGNA 

May 8: BACH ACADEMIE STUTTGART - HELMUTH RILLING
May 26: LANG LANG

June 19: EVGUENI KISSIN
August 21: ANDRÁS SCHIFF
September 4: ARCADI VOLODOS
October 10: TRIO GUARNERI OF PRAGA
November 13: RENÉE FLEMING

The 2012 Season will come complete with a series of extraordinary concerts, the program by the CETC (Centro de Experimentacion del Teatro Colon), and ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colon).

Tickets on sale at:
Theater's box office: Tucuman 1171
From Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm - (no show days).
From Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm - (show days).
Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Or through:
https://www.tuentrada.com/colon/Online/

For more information, visit Teatro Colon official website.

On Sunday, December 18th, 2011, starting at 6:00 pm, the seventh edition of "Master de Pilotos" will take place on Avenida 9 de Julio, near the Obelisco. This competition gathers the best drivers in the main racecar categories in Argentina.

16 drivers have confirmed their presence, to compete for the "Maestro de Maestros" crown: Matías Rossi, Leonel Pernía, Esteban Guerrieri, Emiliano Spataro, José María López, Norberto Fontana, Juan Manuel Silva, Gastón Mazzacane, Emanuel Moriatis, Mariano Werner, Fabián Yannantuoni, Agustín Canapino,. Juan Manuel “Cochito” López, Facundo Ardusso,Josito Di Palma and Mauro Giallombardo.

Apart from the race, the drivers will offer shows with TC, TC200, rally cars, among other activities, starting at 6:00pm.

Entrance is free.

The great Argentine dancer Iñaki Urlezaga, together with his company Ballet Concierto, presents a performance at La Manzana de las Luces, Peru 272, on Sunday, December 18th, 2011, at 8:00 pm.

Iñaki and his Ballet will be joined by Orquesta de Tango de La Plata, to present the special show "Siempre Buenos Aires". This show has been presented in Mexico, at the National Auditorium to more than 8,000 people, and at the Tribeca Theatre in New York, acclaimed with a standing ovation.

This production features a Tango choreography with the personal touch of Iñaki Urlezaga.

Free entrance.

The Final of the 70th Argentine Horseball Championship (Abierto Argentino de Pato), the most important tournament of this sport in Argentina, will take place on Sunday, December 18th, 2011 in Palermo.

The preliminary stages took place at the Campo Argentino de Pato, in Campo de Mayo (Buenos Aires), with the participation of the best players of our national sport. The final, on Sunday, December 18th, will be held at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo at 4:00 pm.

Horseball ("Pato") is a traditional Argentine equestrian sport, practiced since the beginning of the XVII century, and declared  as a Argentina's National Sport in 1953.
 
Campo Argentino de Polo: Av. del Libertador & Dorrego, Palermo. 
Tickets on sale at the stadium.

The Chinese New Year 4710 will be celebrated at the Chinese Quarter and for the first time also at Barrancas de Belgrano. On this occasion, to mark the Year of the Dragon, a special two-day celebration will be held, on Saturday, January 21, 2012, from 3pm to 10pm, and Sunday, January 22, from 10am to 8pm.

This is the most important celebration in the Chinese culture. 100 food and cultural stands distributed along Barrancas de Belgrano and the streets Arribeños and Mendoza will provide a festive, attractive and memorable environment for visitors. 

Two stages will be mounted. The main one with large screens, lights and sound will be located in Las Barrancas de Belgrano, Plaza de la Glorieta. And the second stage within Chinatown. The mega event will feature the traditional Dragon Dance and Lion Dance, inaugurating this year the "Dragon Corridor"; Oriental martial arts; traditional Mulan dances; Tea Ceremony; Chinese calligraphy exhibition; Origami; as well as Tango Shows with live orchestra and international couples made ​​up by Argentine and Oriental dancers; choirs of young Argentine singers who will sing Chinese songs and Chinese artists who will sing traditional and modern themes; 2 Korean and Japanese percussion (taiko) groups; Chinese horoscope. 

The celebration will culminate on Sunday evening when Argentina and Asia simultaneously toast for a prosperous Year of the Dragon and together on stage sing the Official Song "The descendants of the Dragon."

On Saturday, December 17th, 2011, 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.

In case of rain it will be postponed to Sunday 18th, on Bolivar Street.

"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 17th, 2011.

The celebration, which every year occupies that 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).

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 2011), will be  played this year from December 15th to December 18th, 2011. The matches will take place on the central court of Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, the traditional venue for Argentine Tennis.

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

On the last day of the tournament, Gaston Gaudio will play his farewell match against Mariano Zabaleta.

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

Dates: December 15, 16, 17, 18, 2011, 7:00 PM

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

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

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 6 through December 11, 2011.
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM
Entry fee: AR$ 20. Children under 8, free

The city of Buenos Aires celebrates the National Tango Day on Friday, December 9th, 2011, with an open air, free concert at the Planetarium (Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Sarmiento) starting at 7:00 PM.

Some of the greatest tango artists will get together at the giant stage, like: Raúl Lavié, José “Pepe” Colángelo, Amelita Baltar, Pablo Agri, Juan José Mosalini, María Graña with Esteban Morgado, Raúl Garello, Horacio Ferrer, Alberto Podestá, Juan Carlos Godoy, Nicolás Ledesma, Jairo.

The Tango Dancing will also be present with Juan Carlos Copes together with Johana Copes, Gloria y Eduardo, the energy of  Corporación tango, and Ana María Stekelman with her company Tangokinesis.

There will be 8000 seats available to the public, and two large screens will be installed for easy viewing of the show. 

The Tango, declared by UNESCO as World's Cultural Heritage, celebrates its day on December 11th, in commemoration of the birth of Carlos Gardel and Julio De Caro.