Free concert conducted by Valery Gergiev at Teatro Colón

The Government of the City of Buenos Aires and the Government of Saint Petersburg, together with the Russian Embassy in Argentina, present the free concert "The Music of the City of the White Nights", at the main hall of Teatro Colón on Monday, March 11th, 2013, at 8:00 pm, in honor of the associated cities of Saint Petersburg and Buenos Aires.
This extraordinary Concert, a joint project by Teatro Colón and the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, will be conducted by Russian Maestro Valery Gergiev, with the participation of Teatro Colón Orchestra and the presentation of the soloists Ekaterina Goncharova (soprano) and Andrei Bondarenko (baritone).

Program:
Piotr Ilich Chaikovski
Polonaise from the Opera “Eugeny Onegin”
Iolanta´s Aria from the Opera “Iolanta”
Eletsky´s Aria from the Opera “Iolanta”
Adagio from Ballet “The Nutcracker”
Final of the Opera “Eugeny Onegin”
Symphony Nᵒ5 (in E menor)

Free tickets must be picked up on the same Monday 11th, from 10am, at Teatro Colón ticket office, Tucumán 1171. Four tickets per person will be handed out until reaching the theater´s capacity.

Teatro Colón 2013 Season


The prestigious Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires, one of the most important Opera Houses in the world, has announced its program for the 2013 Season:

OPERA

April 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23
CARMEN
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac
Production of ción del Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile
Musical Director: Marc Piollet
Main Characters: Oksana Volkova (Carmen), Thiago Arancam / Enrique Folger (Don José), Rodrigo Esteves (Escamillo), Inva Mula / Virginia Wagner (Micaela)

May 14, 17, 19, 21
ALEKO / FRANCESCA DA RIMINI
Musical Director: Ira Levin
Stage Director: Silviu Purcarete
Aleko
Music by Serguei Rachmaninov
Libretto by Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, based on The Gypsies, by Alexander Pushkin
Main Characters: Sergei Leiferkus (Aleko), Irina Oknina (Zemfira), Leonid Zakhozhaev (Young gypsy), Maxim Kuzmin, Guadalupe Barrientos
Francesca da Rimini
Music by Serguei Rachmaninov
Libretto by Modest Ilich Chaikovski
Main Characters: Irina Oknina (Francesca), Leonid Zakhozhaev (Dante), Sergei Leiferkus (Lanciotto Malatesta), Maxim Kuzmin (Phantom of Virgilio), Hugh Smith (Paolo)
Premiere at Teatro Colón - Teatro Colón Production

June 11, 14, 16, 18
DIE FRAU OHNE SCHANTTEN (The Woman without a Shadow)
Music by Richard Strauss
Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Musical Director: Ira Levin
Stage Director: Andreas Homoki
Production of De Nederlandse Opera Amsterdam
Main Characters: Stephen Gould (Emperor), Manuela Uhl (Empress), Iris Vermillion (Nursemaid), Jukka Rasilainen (Barak), Elena Pankratova (Barak´s Wife), Jochen Kupfer

July 18, 21, 24, 27, 30
OTELLO
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Otello, by William Shakespeare
Musical Director: Massimo Zanetti
Stage Director: José Cura
New production of Teatro Colón
Main Characters: José Cura (Otello), Barbara Frittoli (Desdemona), Carlos Álvarez / Fabián Veloz (Yago), Enrique Folger (Cassio)

August 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, based on Le mariage de Figaro, by Pierre Beaumarchais
Musical Director: Roberto Paternostro
Stage Director: Davide Livermore
New production of Teatro Colón
Main Characters: Chris Maltman / Fabián Veloz (Count Almaviva), Maija Kovalevska / Natalia Lemercier (Countess), Julia Novikova / Marisu Pavón (Susanna), Erwin Schrott / Fernando Radó (Fígaro); Serena Malfi
(Cherubino)

September 24, 27, 29, October 1
REQUIEM DE GUERRA (War Requiem)
Music by Benjamin Britten
Musical Direction: Guillermo Scarabino
Soloists: Carla Filipcic Holm / Enrique Folger / Víctor Torres
Orchestra of Teatro Colón - Teatro Colón Choir - Teatro Colón Children´s Choir

October 22, 25, 27, 29
BEBE DOM or LA CIUDAD PLANETA
Music by Mario Perusso (Resident Composer of Teatro Colón)
Libretto by Horacio Ferrer
World Premierel
Musical Director: Mario Perusso
Production ofl Teatro Colón
Main Characters: Gustavo López Manzitti (Bebe Dom), Víctor Torres (Fargas), Florencia Machado (Geo); Victoria Gaeta (Lili)

December 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
UN BALLO IN MASCHERA
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Alberto Somma, inspired on Gustav III, by Eugène Scribe
Musical Director: Ira Levin
Stage Director: Alex Ollé
Coproduction of Sydney Opera House, Australia; Royal Theater of La Monnaie, Brussels, Oslo Opera, and Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires
Main Characters: Virginia Tola (Amelia) / Giuseppe Gipali / Marcelo Puente (Gustav III / Riccardo), Luca Salsi / Fabián Veloz (Johan Ankerstrom / Renato), Susanna Andersson (Oscar / Page), Marianne Cornetti (Ulrica)

BALLET

March 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
NEOCLASSICAL TRILOGY III
Vivaldi in concert
Choreography: Lidia Segni
Music: Antonio Vivaldi
Fuga técnica
Choreography: Eric Frederic
Music: Alexander Balanescu
Symphony in Doh
Choreography: Georges Balanchine
Music: Georges Bizet
First figures and Soloists of Teatro Colón Ballet - Teatro Colón Orchestra
Director: Carlos Bertazza

June 30, July 2, 3, 4, 5
CARMEN
Choreography: Mauricio Wainrot
Music by Georges Bizet, Isaac Albéniz, Joaquín Turina
First figures and Soloists of Teatro Colón Ballet - Buenos Aires Phillharmonic Orchestra
Director: Luis Gorelik

July 20, 23, 26, 28
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Winter Holidays Program
Choreography: Alejandro Cervera
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Henry Purcell, Erik Satie, and Jean-Philippe Rameau
First figures and Soloists of Tetro Colón Ballet

September 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
DON QUIXOTE
Choreography: Lidia Segni on Marius Petipa
Music: Leon Minkus
First figures and Soloists of Tetro Colón Ballet - Teatro Colón Orchestra
Director: Javier Logioia Orbe

September 11
INTERNATIONAL BALLET GALA

November 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
CINDERELLA
Choreography: Renato Zanella
Music: Johann Strauss II
First figures and Soloists of Tetro Colón Ballet - Buenos Aires Phillharmonic Orchestra
Director: Hadrian Avila Arzuza

December 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28
THE SWAN LAKE
Choreography: Peter Wright
Music: Piotr Ilich Chaikovski
EPrimeras figuras y solistas del Ballet Estable
First figures and Soloists of Tetro Colón Ballet - Buenos Aires Phillharmonic Orchestra
Director: Javier Logioia Orbe

CONCERTS:

The Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Maestro Enrique Arturo Diemecke, will offer a series of 19 concerts on Thursdays at 8:30 pm, starting on March 7, 2013 The invited directors will be: Mijail Jurovsky, Guillermo Scarabino, Adam Medveczky, Daniel Raiskin, Mario Peruso, Carlos Bertazza, Pavel Kogan, with the participation of the outstanding soloists: Carla Filipic Holm, Barry Douglas, Javier Dragún, Pascal Rogé, Jean Louis Steuerman, Pablo Saraví, Sergio Tiempo, Claudio Barile, Virginia Correa Dupuy, Vadim Guzman, Marcela Magin, Carlos Nozzi, Néstor Garrote, Ivan Rutkauskas, Angel Frette, Marcos Madrigal, Cesar Bustamante

EXTRAORDINARY CONCERTS:

April 3, 8:30
Orquesta Sinfónica “Simón Bolívar”, from Venezuela
Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel

August 25, 27
Israel Phillharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Zubin Mehta

Domingos de Camara - Intérpretes Argentinos (Chamber Sundays): Series of FREE concerts on Sundays at 11am, by renowned Argentinian chamber groups at the main concert hall of Teatro Colón.
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.

The 2013 Season will come complete with a series of extraordinary concerts, the program by the CETC (Centro de Experimentacion del Teatro Colón), and ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón).

Theater's box office: Tucuman 1171
Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

For more information, visit Teatro Colón official website.

Reciprocity fee when entering Argentina


IMPORTANT NOTICE: RECIPROCITY FEE HAS BEEN REVOKED FOR US CITIZENS,  AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS, AND CANADIAN CITIZENS.

As of August 23, 2016. US citizens are exempt from paying the Reciprocity Fee.  

As of July 1st, 2017, Australian citizens are exempt from paying the Reciprocity Fee.

Effective January 1st, 2018, Canadian Citizens or Canadian Passport holders entering Argentina territory will be exempt from paying the reciprocity fee.

The Argentine Government applies a "reciprocity fee" to the nationals of those countries who charge Argentinian citizens to get a visa to enter their countries.

According to the "Direccion Nacional de Migraciones" website:

When entering Argentine territory, the nationals of the following countries must pay a "reciprocity fee". This payment is not a Visa since Argentina does not require Visa to nationals of the mentioned countries when traveling for tourism or business purposes.
The Argentine Government set this entry fee on equal amounts to those Argentine citizens must pay when requesting a Visa to travel to those countries.

Australia: USD 100. Valid for multiple entries for 1 year from the date of payment of the reciprocity fee.
Canada: USD78 for multiple entries for 10 years, or up to one month before the expiring date of the passport where the payment of the fee was stamped, which occurs first.
United States: USD 160. Valid for multiple entries for ten years.
**Rates are subject to modification based on reciprocity.

The citizens of Canada that enter for tourism until December 31st, 2017, must pay this "Reciprocity Fee" to travel to Argentina by credit card before the citizen gets in Argentina through the secure website:

https://dnm.provincianet.com.ar/Login/IndexRegister#

Credit cards accepted are Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.

Payment on arrival at the airport is no longer accepted. As of December 28th, 2012 the online payment prior to arrival is the only method accepted.

Before January 6th, 2013, the reciprocity fee was only requested to travelers arriving into the country on International flights through Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport (AEP) of Buenos Aires city.

Starting January 7th, 2013, the proof of online payment of the reciprocity fee to enter Argentina is requested at all border crossings.

Passengers arriving by Cruise Ship at Buenos Aires Port until June 30th, 2013, were exempted of the payment. All Canadian passengers arriving by Cruise Ship up to December 31st, 2017, must pay the Reciprocity Fee in advance before traveling to Argentina.

How to pay the Reciprocity Fee?

1) The traveler must enter the Web Provincia Net (Click Here)
Register with your details to start the process,
2) Complete the form with the corresponding personal and credit card information. Data are stored on the website for future reprints of the payment form.
3) Print the payment receipt 
4) Upon arrival at Argentine territory present the printed ticket to the Migration officer.
5) The ticket is scanned by the Migrations staff; the data are validated and you are allowed to enter the country
** The term of validity of the fee will be computed from the date of payment.

Exemptions:
Argentine citizens travelling with Australian/Canadian/US passports; passengers in transit; or Australian, Canadian and American citizens with valid Argentine residency or working visa are exempted from the Reciprocity Fee. 

When leaving the country, for example for a day trip to Uruguay or to any other bordering country, don´t forget to take with you the proof of payment of the Reciprocity Fee, that will be requested to re-enter the country.


Information Updated November 2017

BAFWeek - Buenos Aires Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013


The most important event for the Argentine fashion industry, BAFWeek, brings together the most established brands in the fashion world and the independent designers, for the launching of their Fall/Winter 2013 collections.
For this edition that combines "Illustration + Fashion", top designers and renowned brands such as Muaa by Mariano Toledo, Desiderata, Prüne, Cora Groppo, Garza Lobos, Hermanos Estebecorena, Como quieres que te quiera, De La Ostia, Jazmin Chebar, Mariana Dappiano, Mishka, among many others, have confirmed their presence.
BAFWeek Fall/Winter 2013 will feature daily fashion shows, and around 25 showrooms where designers will showcase their creations in an exclusive space, including accessories, shoes, bags, jewels, underwear, and men's and women's clothes. 
BAFWeek supports University of Buenos Aires (UBA) students through the Seed Plot contest, so they can show their first collection together with the famous designers.


Dates: February 26, 27, 28, March 1 of 2013
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center, Pabellón Amarillo. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening times: from 2 pm to 10 pm
Entry fee: $ 40 Pesos. Tickets on sale at the venue 2 pm to 8 pm. Having a ticket does not guarantee the access to the runway rooms, as this is subject to capacity.

BAFWeek official website.

Carnaval Porteño 2013 - Buenos Aires Carnival


Every weekend of February 2013, from Saturday 2nd, the “Carnaval Porteño 2013” (Buenos Aires Carnival) will take place at different neighborhoods, with the participation of 17 thousand artists, 112 "murgas" (carnival bands), and over one thousand drums and percussion instruments.

The parades will be held from 7 PM to 12 AM on Saturdays, Sundays and Carnival Holidays (Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th).

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:
  • Abasto: Av. Córdoba between Agüero and Sanchez de Bustamante: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Almagro: Av. Corrientes between Medrano and Gascón: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Bajo Nuñez: Arias between Cuba and Arcos: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Balvanera: Av. Corrientes between Uriburu and Riobamba: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Boedo 1: Av. Boedo between San Juan and Independencia: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24  
  • Boedo 2: Av. Belgrano between Colombres and Maza: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10
  • Coghlan: Av Congreso between Donado and Mariano Acha: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Colegiales 1: Av. Federico Lacroze between R. Freire and Martínez: Feb 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Colegiales 2: Benjamin Matienzo between Freire and Conesa:  Febr. 18, 19, 20, 21 
  • Colegiales 3: Av. Federico Lacroze between Freire and Conesa: Feb 2, 3, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Fores: Gaona between Donato Alvarez and Boyacá: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Monserrat: Av. Independencia between Virrey Ceballos and San Jose: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Palermo: Darwin between Cabrera and Gorriti: Feb 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Saavedra 1: Av. Balbín between Plaza and Jaramillo: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Saavedra 2: Av. Balbín between Pico and Arias: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • San Telmo: Av. San Juan between Tacuari and Peru: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Villa Crespo: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz between Av. Corrientes and Padilla: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
  • Villa Urquiza: Av. Triunvirato between Monroe and Olazabal: Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24
All the events are free of charge.

Summer 2013: Free cultural activities in Buenos Aires

The government of the City of Buenos Aires presents a program of cultural activities that starts next Saturday, January 12th, 2013, and will last until Sunday, February 24th, consisting on over 100 free events, including: musical shows, drive-in movies, theater plays, activities for children, circus, performances open air "milongas", and numerous musical events, every day during January and February 2013.

There are many options for kids: on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 pm, open air movie projections at the Amphitheater of Parque Centenario, with animation movies from independent directors; circus shows at Polo Circo; and special activities on Saturdays and Sundays at Feria de Mataderos.

The drive-in movie theater for adults will be set up at the Rose Garden, on Av Libertador & Sarmiento, every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 PM. There will also be stalls for spectators without a car. The first showing will be the Argentine movie "La Suerte en tus manos", directed by Daniel Burman, on Saturday 12th, followed by “Infancia Clandestina”, “The Avengers”, “Querida voy a comprar cigarrillos y vuelvo”, “REC3”, “Masterplan”, “El último Elvis” and “Elefante Blanco”.

On weekends, open air milongas at Usina del Arte, Pedro de Mendoza 501 (La Boca), on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 5:30pm, from January 26th to February 3rd, with artists like Alberto Podestá, Maria Graña, Orquesta de Horacio Salgán, among others, and tango lessons and exhibitions.

Ballet shows will be presented at the Amphitheater of Parque Centenario (Av. Angel Gallardo & Leopoldo Marechal): January 22, 23 y 24: Condición aérea. And February 21 and 22: Las 8 estaciones - Ballet of Teatro General San Martín

At the stage of Costanera Sur (Puerto Madero) Folklore shows with Chango Spasiuk, Luis Salinas, and Los Nocheros, on February 1, 2, and 3, at 8:30pm.

And two big open air shows at the Obelisco, Av. 9 de Julio & Corrientes:
January 19, 8:00 pm: Argentinian popular singer Palito Ortega presents “Por los caminos del rey”
January 20, 8:00 pm: The great tango dancer Mora Godoy presents: “Amor Tango”

All the activities are free of charge.

To see complete schedule of activities visit Verano en la Ciudad website (in Spanish only).

Festival Shakespeare Buenos Aires 2013


The third edition of the Festival Shakespeare Buenos Aires, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Buenos Aires, will take place from Friday 8 to Saturday 18 of February, 2013. During those days the public will be able to enjoy various performances and free activities which honor the great William Shakespeare, with the aim of disseminating the author's classics and expand the cultural and tourist offer in the city of Buenos Aires.

Programming includes theatrical productions, workshops and special activities, all free of charge. The Festival will open on Friday 8 at 7 PM, at Teatro Shakespeare (located in Puerto Madero-Costanera Sur), with the stage production "Ser o no ser" (To be or not to be) by the Spanish company El Gato Negro.

The workshops and master classes ("The Classroom") will provide professionals, students or Shakespeare enthusiasts with a space to research and deepen their knowledge of his works. There will be three opportunities to meet Richard Twyman, an experimented Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and National Theatre director: the workshop "Shakespeare Interpretation for actors" at Centro Cultural Recoleta; an open talk at Teatro Shakespeare; and a master class together with Laura Silva and Patricio Orozco.

All the activities and shows of the Festival are free and do not require tickets. Admission to the shows is on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to venue capacity.

All workshops require advance registration through the Festival´s website and are aimed at actors and acting students. The Shakespearean walks and bike rides also require advance registration as the number of participants is limited.

Coinciding with Valentine's Day, a special screening of the film Romeo and Juliet will be presented on Thursday 14 at the amphitheater of Parque Centenario.

Venues:
Amphitheater Parque Centenario: Av Angel Gallardo and Leopoldo Marechal, entry on Lillo (Caballito)
Centro Cultural Recoleta: Junín 1930 (Recoleta)
Museo del Humor, Av de los Italianos 851 (Puerto Madero)
Shakesperare Theater, Av de los Italianos 751 (Puerto Madero)

For more information, day by day program, and registrations visit Festival Shakespeare Buenos Aires official website

Chinese New Year's celebration in Belgrano

The Chinese New Year 4711 will be celebrated at the Chinese Quarter and Barrancas de Belgrano. On this occasion, to mark the start of the Year of the Snake, a special two-day celebration will be held, on Saturday, February 9, 2013, from 2pm to 12am, and Sunday, February 10, 2013, from 10am to 8pm.

This is the most important celebration in the Chinese culture. More than 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. 

The main stage, with large screens, lights and sound will be located in Las Barrancas de Belgrano, Plaza de la Glorieta (Sucre & 11 de Septiembre). The mega event will feature the traditional Dragon Dance and Lion Dance, inaugurating this year the "Snake Corridor"; Oriental martial arts; traditional Mulan dances; Tea Ceremony; Chinese calligraphy exhibition; Origami; as well as Tango Shows with live orchestra; 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. 

Davis Cup: Argentina vs Germany

Argentina will be hosting Germany for the First Round of the Davis Cup 2013 at the Estadio Parque Roca in Buenos Aires on February 1, 2, and 3, 2013.
Argentina leads 6-2 in the overall head-to-head against Germany.
Argentina has reached the quarterfinals for eleven straight years, which is the best ongoing run of any nation in Davis Cup, and has the unwanted record of reaching the most Finals - three - without winning the title. 

The dates and times of the matches are:
Friday 1st, 11 am
Saturday 2nd, 1:00 pm
Sunday 3rd, 11 am.

Team nominations:
Argentina: Juan Monaco, David Nalbandian, Horacio Zeballos, Carlos Berlocq
Germany: Philipp Kohlschreiber, Florian Mayer, Tobias Kamke, Christopher Kas

Location: Estadio Parque Roca. Av. Roca y Escalada, Buenos Aires.
Tickets are on sale at Ticketek Argentina website.
More information: Davis Cup official website.

Free open air performance of The Nutcracker at the Obelisco


The great Argentinian dancer Eleonora Cassano will offer a free, open air show on a large stage mounted at the Obelisco (Av. 9 de Julio & Corrientes) on her farewell from classical dance, on Saturday, December 22nd, 2012, at 9:00 PM.
She will be presenting a specially staged version of The Nutcracker, by Peter I. Tchaikowsky, choreographed by Liliana Belfiore, accompanied by a cast of over 90 Argentine dancers, a Children´s Choir, and a live Orchestra, conducted by Carlos Calleja. 
In different auditions at dance schools in Buenos Aires and other Argentine provinces, teenage students have been selected for the roles of the Mice and Soldiers.
All the dance schools will also be invited to an open class before the show, starting at 5 pm.
The outstanding Argentine dancer Hermán Cornejo, currently Principal Dancer of the American Ballet Theater, returns to Argentina specially for this occasion, where he will play the main character alongside Eleonora Cassano.
Guest artist: Maximiliano Guerra

71st Argentine Pato - Horseball Championship - New Date



The Final of the 71st Argentine Horseball Championship (Abierto Argentino de Pato), the most important tournament of this sport in Argentina, will take place on Saturday, December 22nd, 1012 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 Saturday, December 22nd, 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 Argentina's National Sport in 1953. "Pato" is an exiting game that combines polo and basketball, and in which two teams made up of 4 players each, by a series of passes and combinations to elude their adversaries, try to introduce the "Pato" (Duck) through a vertical ring. The rings, located at the center of each end of the field, have 1 meter (3.3 ft) diameter, and are located on 2.4 m (7.9 ft) high poles. The "Pato" is a ball with six handles. The player that in possession of the "Pato" must hold it and ride with his right arm extended, offering the rivals the opportunity to steal it.

Pato is a similar, but earlier version, of the game of horseball played in France, Portugal, and other countries.
 
Campo Argentino de Polo: Av. del Libertador & Dorrego, Palermo. 
Tickets on sale at the stadium.

Christmas Concerts at Buenos Aires Churches

Ten Christmas Concerts by Choirs and choral groups, will be held almost simultaneously at different Parishes and Evangelic Churches of Buenos Aires, on Sunday, December 16th, 2012, with free entrance to the public:

BUENOS AIRES CATHEDRAL – 4.30 PM
Av. Rivadavia & San Martín - Plaza de Mayo
Coro de Martínez from German Evangelic Congregation in Buenos Aires, and Orquesta Música Concertante de Buenos Aires.

BASÍLICA SANTA ROSA DE LIMA – 8.30 PM
Av. Belgrano 2216 – Balvanera
Ensamble Ivrea Choir

PARROQUIA NTRA. SRA. MADRE DE LOS EMIGRANTES – 8.30 PM
Necochea 312 – La Boca
Banco Ciudad Choir

IGLESIA DE JESÚS SACRAMENTADO – 8.30 PM
Av. Corrientes 4433 – Almagro
Kantay Choir

PARROQUIA NTRA. SRA. DE LOS DOLORES – 8.30 PM
Avda. Diaz Velez 4850 – Caballito
Santa María de los Ángeles Choir

PARROQUIA NIÑO JESÚS – 8.30 PM
Murguiondo 4055 – Villa Lugano
Choir from Colegio Público de Abogados de la Capital Federal

PARROQUIA SAN VICENTE DE PAÚL – 8.30 PM
Manuel Artigas 6150 – Mataderos
Choral Group Quinta Armónica

IGLESIA CRISTIANA EVANGÉLICA – IGLESIA TRANSPARENTE – 9.00 PM
Tinogasta 5850 – Villa Real
Choir from Seminario Internacional Teológico Bautista

IGLESIA CRISTIANA EVANGÉLICA DE LA PUERTA ABIERTA – 7.00 PM
Santo Tomé 5135 – Monte Castro
Vocal Group Amanecer

PARROQUIA NTRA. SRA. DEL ROSARIO – 7.00 PM
Bonpland 1942 – Palermo
Vocal Octet Ad Hoc

Peugeot Argentina Tennis Cup 2012

The tenth edition of the Argentina Tennis Cup, sponsored by Peugeot (Copa Peugeot Argentina de Tenis 2012), will be played from December 5th to December 9th, 2012. The matches will take place on the central court of Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, the traditional venue for Argentine Tennis.

The Super Six format will be implemented again in this tournament:
  • Six participants
  • Two zones of 3
  • Double elimination
Group A
Juan Mónaco (Argentina)
Fernando Verdasco (Spain)
Gilles Simon (France

Group B
David Nalbandian (Argentina)
Nicolás Almagro (Spain)
Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine)

Fixture:

Thursday, December 6 - 8:30 pm:
Juan Mónaco vs Fernando Verdasco
David Nalbandian vs Alexandr Dolgopolov

Friday, December 7 - 8:30 pm:
Gilles Simon vs Fernando Verdasco
Nicolás Almagro vs Alexandr Dolgopolov

Saturday, December 8 - 8:30 pm:
David Nalbandian vs Nicolás Almagro
Juan Mónaco vs Gilles Simon

Sunday, December 9 - 7:00 pm:
Winner Group A vs Winner Group B

Dates: December 6, 7, 8, 9, from 7:00 PM
Location: Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, Av. Olleros 1510, Palermo.
Tickets: On sale at the venue or through Ticketek Argentina www.ticketek.com.ar

International Artisans' Fair at La Rural


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.

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.

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 4 through December 9, 2012.
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM
Entry fee: AR$ 25. Pensioners: AR$ 15. Children under 8, free

More information: Feria Internacional de Artesanias official website.

Formula 1 exhibition in Argentina


On Saturday, December 1st, 2012, an RB7 Formula One Red Bull Racing car will offer an exhibition on Avenida del Libertador, at the Spaniard´s Monument. This exhibition event is held at different cities around the world.

Starting at 3:00 pm, the Red Bull F1 Showrun Buenos Aires will feature an RB7 - F1 champion in 2011 - making 360 degree spins and setting its Renault F1 engine to full speed on a 750 meter circuit, that will start at the monument on Av. del Libertador and Sarmiento up to Av. del Libertador and Dorrego

A great opportunity for Formula 1 lovers who will be able to feel up close the power and speed of a racecar.

Free entrance.