For the first time in history an exhibition of original personal objects of Pope John Paul II arrives in Argentina, showcasing items pertaining to the Collection of Archdiocesan museum of Krakow and the Vatican. 

The exhibit, that opens on June 29th, 2012 and closes on August 5th, at the Centro Municipal de Exposiciones, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the last visit of Pope John Paul II to our country. A journey through the life of John Paul II through more than 140 personal objects ranging from early childhood through his Papacy, through the most important moments in the life of the pope who changed history.

All objects in the exhibition were donated in life by John Paul II to the Vatican and the Archdiocese of Krakow, and was his only request that they toured the world as he did in his more than 104 international travels. 

The exhibition was curated by priest Andrzej Nowobilski (Director of the Archdiocesan museum - Cardinal Karol Wojtyla - of Krakow). The objects, displayed in chronological order, recount the story of Karol Wojtyla, the most beloved Pope in history, through photographs, films, testimonies and carefully selected items that represent the most significant moments of his life, including his childhood in Poland and his 27-year pontificate. 

Location: Centro Municipal de Exposiciones, Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Pueyrredon (next to the Law School)

Opening hours: every day, 10am to 10pm

Admittance fees: 

General: AR$ 50

Seniors (over 65): AR$ 25

Family group: 2 minors 30% off

Group of 10: 2 free

Due to the bad weather conditions, the open air concert  that the great conductor Zubin Mehta was going to offer at Plaza San Martin, will now take place at Usina del Arte, Av. Pedro de Mendoza 501 (La Boca) on the same day and time, Friday, August 17th, 2012, at 1:00 pm.

Entrance to the concert if free, but free tickets must be picked up in advance at Casa de la Cultura, Av. de Mayo 575, on Thursday 16th, from 11am (subject to the concert hall´s capacity).

The Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale is one of the most famous in Italy. The Orchestra was founded in 1928 by Vittorio Gui, under the name “Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina”. In 1933, the Orchestra created what would become one of the oldest and most prestigious music festivals in Europe, after the Salzburg and the Bayreuth Festival: the “Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino”. It is from this Festival that the Orchestra took its name.

Zubin Mehta has been its Principal Conductor since 1985, and, season after season, leads important symphonic productions and highly-prestigious tours. In 2011 Zubin Mehta toured with the Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in more than 12 different countries (France, Luxemburg, Spain, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, China, India, Hungary, Russia, Austria, Switzerland), to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Italian Unification. In 2011 he received three important awards (the star on the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, the Furtwängler and the Echo Prize). In 2012 he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his debut in Florence with several events planned during the 75th Festival and with an extraordinary tour in South america in August 2012.

Program:

Beethoven - Egmont, ouverture op. 84 - (9') 

Puccini - Manon Lescaut - Intermezzo (5') 

Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo (4'30") 

Dvorak - Danza slava op.46 n.8 - (4') 

Brahms - Danza Ungherese n.5 (orchestrazione Parlow) (3') 

Mahler - Sinfonia n. 5 - Adagietto (8'30") 

Bizet - Suite da Carmen (Ouverture, Entr'actes atto II, atto III, atto IV) (ca. 15')

The 2012 Tango Buenos Aires Festival and World Dance Competition, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Buenos Aires, will be held between August 14th and August 28th, 2012.

This new edition features more than 200 shows and free activities including concerts and dance performances, popular milongas, shows, conferences and clinics, exhibition and sale of products, dance classes in various levels and styles, and a competition in which the best couples of dancers from Argentina and the world will be participating.

Throughout the World Tango Festival classes of different levels and styles will be given by renowned dancers  and instructors from recognized schools. A tribute to Astor Piazolla, in the 20th anniversary of his death. The grand opening and closing milonga and the competition for the Tango Dance World Cup.

TANGO WORLD DANCE COMPETITION:

This is the celebration that makes Buenos Aires the mecca for tango dancers around the world. The event rewards the best couples in the Tango Salon category, which stresses the social dance as a practice rooted in Buenos Aires, and Stage Tango, which aims to enrich the dance from a choreographic point of view. More than 500 couples from around the world measure their talents in this competition.

The qualifying rounds will take place at the Centro Municipal de Exposiciones. The World Cup culminates in two major finals, Tango Salon and Tango Escenario, at the Luna Park stadium, on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28.

VENUES OF TANGO BUENOS AIRES:
Centro Municipal de Exposiciones:  Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Av. Pueyrredón

Usina del Arte: Av. Pedro de Mendoza 501, La Boca
Teatro Regio: Av. Cordoba 6056, Chacarita
Amphitheater of Parque Centenario: Av. Angel Gallardo and Leopoldo Marechal, Caballito

Luna Park stadium: Av. Madero 420

FREE TICKETS FOR SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES:

Admission to all the activities and shows of the Tango Buenos Aires Festival and World Cup is free, on a first-come, first-served basis until the venue reaches capacity.
The only shows that require ticket pick-up are those scheduled at Teatro Colón, Usina del Arte, and the  Final Rounds of the Dance World Cup. 2 tickets per person will be given for each performance.
Tickets for the concert at Teatro Colón will only be available for pick-up on Saturday, August 18th, from 11am at the Centro Municiapal de Exposiciones.
Tickets for the Final Rounds will be available for pick-up on Monday, August 20th, from 11am, at  the Centro Municiapal de Exposiciones. 2 (two) tickets for one of the Final Rounds will be given out per person until reaching the capacity of 10,000 seats.
For the shows at the main room of Usina del Arte, tickets can be picked up at the Information Stand on the same day of the show. Tickets for the 3pm and 4:30pm performances will be available at 2pm, and for the 6pm and 7:30pm performances, at 5pm.

The most important event for the Argentine fashion industry, BAFWeek, brings together the most established brands in the fashion world and independent designers for the launching of their new collections. Two grand manifestations, street art and fashion join together to create the concept of the campaign of the BAFWeek Spring/Summer 2012-13 edition.

BAFWeek features several daily fashion shows. For this edition top brands and designers as Chocolate, Santana Textiles, Cheeky, Schang Viton, Desiderata, Juana de Arco, Evangelina Bomparola, Wanama, Las Pepas, Levi´s Set, Visentini, Quier, Emilse Benitez, Uma, Vero Ivaldi, Seco, Amores Trash Couture, Lumina - Lucia Vidal, Mapa de Diseño, Benedit Bis, Muaa by Mariano Toledo, Troyer, Vitamina, Fabián Zitta, Garza Lobos, Como quieres que te quiera, Mariana Dappiano, Ona Saez, among others, have confirmed their presence.

At the Showrooms around 30 designers will showcase their creations in an exclusive space, including accessories, shoes, bags, jewels, underwear, and men's and women's clothes.

As always, BAFWeek supports University of Buenos Aires students through the Seed Plot contest, so they can show their first collections, together with the famous designers. 

Dates: August 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2012 

Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704 

Opening times: from 1 pm to 10 pm 

Tickets on sale at the venue. AR$ 35. 

Having a ticket does not guarantee the access to the runway rooms, as this is subject to capacity.

For more information: BAFWeek official website.

From July 9th to July 28th, 2012, the 22nd edition of the Buenos Aires Children´s Book Fair (Feria del Libro Infantil y Juvenil) will take place at Centro de Exposiones de Buenos Aires. The Fair is a place destined for the cultural and educational upbringing of children, in an entertaining and joyful environment.

Apart from the exhibition and sale of books, the Fair will offer numerous activities for youngsters and children:

Kids will be able to meet their favorite writers and cartoonists, participate in the workshops, read at the library or enjoy the shows organized by the exhibitors, that will take place at their exhibition stands.

During the course of the fair there will also be activities designed for professionals and students of the areas related to education and the world of children´s books.

This year for the third time a Comics Festival will be presented during the fair, on July 27th and 28th. Distinguished Argentine authors will present talks, workshops and exhibits related to comics, their design, script writing, drawing, animation, and graphic humor. The Festival will feature the special participation of cartoon writer Robin Wood, creator of Nippur de Lagash.
As part of the Comics Festival, a Cosplay contest will take place on July 14th, at 5:00 pm (with accreditation).

From July 14th to July 28th, every day at 5pm and 6pm, different choirs will be singing at the exhibition´s entrance hall.


Dates: July 9th to 28th, 2012

Location: Centro de Exposiciones de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Av. Figueroa Alcorta & Pueyrredón

Opening times:
July 9: 11 am to 6 pm 

July 10 to July 13: 10 am to 6 pm

July 14 to July 28: Monday to Friday 11 am to 8 pm. Saturday and Sunday: 2 pm to 10 pm

Entry fee: 

Adults: AR$25

Seniors, teachers and Children under 18: Free

Feria del Libro Infantil y Juvenil official website

For the first time in Argentina, the former Russian ballerina, Irina Zyrianova, presents 40 of the principal dancers and soloists from the Bolshoi and from the Great Moscow Ballet, the two most important companies of Russian Ballet, to offer 5 unique performances at Teatro Coliseo of Buenos Aires, on July 28th, 29th, 31st, and August 1st and 2nd, 2012. 

The production features the incredible talent that these two companies offer, presenting "The Shadows" from La Bayadere (one of the best works by the great choreographer Marius Petipa) and a Gala show, including pas de deux from great pieces of classical ballet such as "Don Quixote" (Grand Pas), "Romeo and Juliet", "The Nutcracker", "Le Corsaire" and the adage from "Spartacus." 

The show will feature some of the main soloists of Bolshoi Ballet, including:

Irina Zyrianova is a former prima ballerina of Boris Eifman´s St. Petersburg Ballet and the Mikhailovsky Theater, recognized in Russia as Artist of Honor by President Boris Yeltsin for her contribution in promoting the Russian Ballet. This is a unique event and difficult to repeat, not to be missed by any ballet lover.

Location: Teatro Coliseo: Marcelo T. de Alvear 1125

Tickets on sale at the theater or through www.ticketek.com.ar

Teatro Argentino de la Plata presents the great Argentinian dancer Eleonora Cassano on her farewell from classical dance with La Bayadere, with music by Ludwig Minkus, choreography by Luis Ortigoza , based on the original by Marius Petipa,

The performances will take place on June 29th, June 30th, and July 1st, 2012, at the Luna Park Stadium of Buenos Aires, Av. Corrientes & Bouchard.

Eleonora Cassano will be accompanied by Teatro Argentino de la Plata ballet company, the Academic Orchestra of Buenos Aires conducted by Carlos Calleja, and Luis Ortigoza, main dancer of the Ballet of Santiago de Chile.

Tickets are on sale at the Luna Park Stadium ticket office, or through: www.ticketportal.com.ar

Contact me if you need help getting tickets for this event.

 

The emblematic Greenpeace vessel, the Rainbow Warrior, has arrived in Buenos Aires to celebrate 25 years of the organization in Argentina.

The ship will be docked at Darsena 6 in Puerto Madero (next to the Buquebus ferry terminal), until July 22.

The boat will be open to the public offerng special activites on board, on Friday 13, Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 of July 2012, from 10 am to 6pm. And on Sunday 22, from 10am to 4pm.

Entrance is free but visitors must previously register for their visit through this link.

Next Sunday, July 8th, 2012, some great Argentinian artists will offer a charity concert as part of the Coca Cola in Concert festivals. It will take place at the Obelisco (Av. 9 de Julio & Corrientes), from 4 pm, with the participation of Vicentico, Poncho, and Banda de Turistas, and with streaming of international bands on the giant led screen located on Av. 9 de Julio.

The entrance to the festival is free so those who attend are asked to contribute with empty plastic bottles, which will be sold to be recycled. The money raised will be used by Red Solidaria to provide drinking water to a rural school in the province of Santiago del Estero.

On Saturday, June 16, 2012, Club Aleman de Equitacion (German Riding Club) presents the 38th Derby General San Martin, with the participation of national and international riders. The Derby General San Martin is an annual show jumping competition that started in 1975, becoming one of the most important events in the calendar of Argentine equestrian activities.

The Derby courses, originally designed by Ronald Mulhall, are ruled by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) due to the demanding technical skills required, where top level horses and riders must complete a long course that includes natural slopes and varied obstacles.

The program of activities includes shows and activities for the whole family, "Silla Argentino" horse auction, Dressage and vaulting exhibition, and the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Granaderos a Caballo Regiment.

Date: June 16, 2012. From 1.00 PM.

Location: Club Aleman de Equitacion. Av. Dorrego 4045 (between Figueroa Alcorta & Av. Lugones).

Free entrance

The 2012 edition of Feria PuroDiseño, that will take place from June 14th to June 20th , 2012, at the Pabellón Amarillo in La Rural, will exhibit the avant-garde works of over 250 designers in the fields of clothing, accessories, contemporary jewelry, equipment, objects, digital design, graphic design, contemporary craftsmanship, textile development, and lighting.

The Fair features different thematic spaces:

Feria PuroDiseño is a space where design is the main protagonist. The goal of Feria PuroDiseño is to accompany and to promote this sector of the Argentine industry, as well as each and every one of its designers, as a platform for the promotion of local and international design and the stimulation to regional creativity.

Dates: June 14 - 20, 2012
Location: La Rural, Pabellon Amarillo. Av.Sarmiento 2704
Feria PuroDiseño website

Over 100 first class companies will showcase their products on June 6, 7, and 8, at the Expo Cuisine&Vins 2012, the 19th edition of the wine exhibition organized by Cuisine&Vins Magazine, where visitors have the chance to taste some of the best wines produced in Argentina.

New and traditional wineries will present their premium labels, talks and tastings by enologists and wine makers. There will also be stands dedicated to spirits, cigars, luxury resorts, delicatessen, crafts from all over the country, as well as the new flavors of the most outstanding restaurants of the moment.

Wine tastings will be offered every day, with limited capacity and with previous accreditation at the Expo, according to this schedule:

Wednesday 6
6.30 pm: Bodega Goyenechea
7.30 pm: Bodega Familia Zuccardi
8.30 pm: Bodega VyD, Viale y Dujovne

Thursday 7
6.30 pm: Pernod Ricard
7.30 pm: Bodega Cinco Tierras
8.30 pm: Bodega Casa Bianchi

Friday 8
6.30 pm: Bodega Perdriel
7.30 pm: Bodega Huarpe
8.30 pm: Tasting by the Province of San Juan.

Location: Palacio Paz. Santa Fe 750, Plaza San Martin, Buenos Aires
Dates: June 6, 7, and 8,  2012

Opening hours: 5 pm to 11 pm
Entry fee: 

General: AR$ 130, includes a complimentary tasting cup.

Tickets on sale at the venue.

More info: Expo Cuisine&Vins website.

The annual show jumping competition "Gran Premio Sol de Mayo" will take place between May 16th and 20th of 2012, at Club Hipico Argentino, with the participation of the best national and international riders.  This is one of the most important tournaments of the annual show jumping calendar in Argentina.

The the "International Preliminary World Cup Competition" will take place on the afternoon of  May 18th. The main event will be the "Gran Premio Sol de Mayo" (1.5m), that will take place on Sunday, May 20th, from 2:00 pm. 

There will be activities for the whole family, like the presence of marching bands, vaulting exhibitions, free pony rides.

Location: Club Hipico Argentino. Av. Figueroa Alcorta 7285
Dates and Hours: May 16, 17, 18, 19, 20: 8 am to 6 pm
Free entrance every day. Not suspended for rain.

arteBA Contemporary Art Fair, that will take place on May 18 - 22, 2012, is the most popular cultural event in the city of Buenos Aires and the most important one of its kind in Latin America. arteBA is an art exhibition where art galleries display their best artworks, offering the general public the chance to come face to face with truly unique collectors’ pieces. It is also an opportunity for the newer art centers from all over the region to present their younger artists and reveal the very latest trends, which are simply absent from other art fairs. 98 carefully selected galleries from Latin America, North America and Europe will exhibit works by the most outstanding contemporary artists at this great cultural event.

arteBA Foundation called for the ninth edition of arteBA-Petrobras Prize for the Visual Arts. Each one of the selected projects will be awarded a determined amount of pesos to be used for its realization and exhibition at arteBA `12. Once the winning projects have been exhibited at the Fair, a second, International Prize-Giving Jury will award a (non-acquisitional) Incentive Prize of $ 50,000 pesos. The prize will be granted after the final in situ installation of the works.
The second edition of U-TURN Project Rooms by Mercedes Benz will bring together the work of 24 artists from fourteen countries, represented by twelve galleries from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Denmark, Switzerland, Colombia, and Germany.
Young Argentine and foreign galleries that represent mainly Latin American artists will be present at Barrio Joven Chandon.
The OPEN FORUM 2012 will be held with open, free admission in the fair’s auditorium.

These are just a few of the many activities programmed for this year's exhibition. For more information, visit arteBA'12 official website.

Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Blue and Green Pavilions. Av. Sarmiento 2704, Buenos Aires

Dates and hours: May 18 - 22, 2012 / 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Admission fees:

General: AR $50

Students and Senior citizens: AR $25
2 day pass: AR$ 80
Unlimited pass: AR$ 100
Unlimited pass + catalog: AR$ 170

Children under 12: Free