From January 8 until February 28, 2010, 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 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: 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. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, there will be dance lessons, including hip hop and salsa; and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the public will enjoy a varied program of musical shows. 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 (Recoleta); Parque Rivadavia (Caballito).

JANUARY

TUESDAY 19 
BJORN AGAIN

The Australian Band, tribute to ABBA arrives in Argentina with its "Mamma Mia! It´s Björn Again 20th Anniversary Tour!
LUNA PARK STADIUM. Corrientes & Bouchard
Tickets: at the stadium or www.ticketportal.com.ar

THURSDAY 21 

METALLICA

The Metal band presents a show in Argentina as part of its world tour "Death Magnetic Tour".

RIVER PLATE STADIUM. Av. Figueroa Alcorta 7597

Tickets: Ticketek Argentina www.ticketek.com.ar

THURSDAY 28
THE WAILERS + ALPHA BLONDY
The original members of The Wailers offer a concert in Buenos Aires with Alpha Blondy as a special guest.
LUNA PARK STADIUM. Corrientes & Bouchard
Tickets: at the stadium or www.ticketportal.com.ar

FEBRUARY

THURSDAY 4
TOM JONES
The legendary American singer present an only show in Buenos Aires.
FRIDAY 5 

THE CRANBERRIES 

Dolores O’Riordan and her band will offer a show at the Luna Park, for the first time in Argentina. They will get together after 7 years presenting their greatest hits and solo themes by O'Riordan.

LUNA PARK STADIUM. Corrientes & Bouchard

Tickets: at the stadium or www.ticketportal.com.ar

FRIDAY 12

BEYONCE

The American singer Beyonce Knowles announced the dates of her Latin American tour "I am...", which includes performances in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. She will be presenting her third album "I am... Sasha Fierce".

HIPODROMO DE SAN ISIDRO. Av. Marquez 800. San Isidro, Province of Buenos Aires.

Tickets: www.tuentrada.com

THURSDAY 18 

EMIR KUSTURIKA 

The Serbian movie director and musician Emir Kusturica will be back in Argentina to offer a show with his band The No Smoking Orchestra.

LUNA PARK STADIUM. Corrientes & Bouchard

Tickets: at the stadium or www.ticketportal.com.ar

FRIDAY 26 

COLDPLAY

Coldplay is back in Argentina as part of its Latin American tour. The special guest artist during all the tour will be Bat For Lashes.

RIVER PLATE STADIUM. Av. Figueroa Alcorta 7597

Tickets: Ticketek Argentina www.ticketek.com.ar

The traveling exhibition "Images of the Louvre: six centuries of European painting", will be inaugurated on Saturday, October 31, 2009, in the streets of La Boca. This traveling exhibition arrives in Buenos Aires after having visited La Habana, Santo Domingo and Montevideo, thanks to an agreement between the Ministry of Culture and the Louvre Museum in Paris, with the collaboration of the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise.

It will be presented in the neighborhood of La Boca, in the promenade of Avenida Pedro de Mendoza, from Caminito up to the old Transbordador bridge, featuring 122 life size reproductions of paintings from the Louvre Museum, photographed in high resolution and printed on a quality material, with their original frames. "Images of the Louvre: six centuries of European painting" presents an outlook of the occidental painting between the XIII and the XIX centuries. All the artistic movements are represented: Primitive, Renaissance, Maniérisme, Caravagism, Classicism, Barroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romantisism, and Orientalism, with works by Da Vinci, Tiziano, Murillo, Rembrandt, among others. It will be on display through January 31st, 2010.

Malba (Buenos Aires Latin American Art Museum) presents "Andy Warhol, Mr. America", the first great exhibition dedicated to Andy Warhol in Argentina, in collaboration with Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. A selection of 140 works, presenting the popular and political culture of United States through the eyes of Andy Warhol.

The list of works includes 26 paintings, 58 engravings, 39 photographs, and 2 installations (Silver Clouds and Cow wallpaper). Among the exhibited pieces, the famous portraits of Marilyn, Jackie Kennedy  and Mao; the iconic series of Campbell Soups; the films Empire, Blow Job, Outer and Inner Space, and a huge selection of his “Screen Tests” -3 rolls with 10 portraits each- produced in his famous studio TheFactory. 44 movies from different stages in his artistic production, from 1961 to 1968 will be screened at the exhibition hall and the auditorium.

Dates: October 23, 2009 through February 22, 2010

Location: MALBA. Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415

Room 5 (2nd floor) and Room 3 (1st floor)

Opening hours:

Thursday through Monday and Holidays: 12:00 to 8:00 pm.

Wednesdays: 12:00 to 9:00 pm.

Tuesdays closed.

Fundacion Proa presents a unique exhibition: “The Time of Art” (El tiempo del Arte). It brings together a group of over one-hundred works of art comprising various centuries of Art History. Starting in the 16th Century through the 21st, and arriving to the present, the exhibition revisits history through a dialogue between ancient, modern, and contemporary art.

Photography, painting, video installation, together with renown portraits, bring life to this exhibition, that presents some iconic pieces of art history from the outstanding patrimony of the Accademia Carrara and the GAMEC, Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bergamo, Italy.

“The Time of Art” is divided into eight thematic nuclei, which show the problematics of humanity throughout time:

Power /Quotidian / Life /Death / Mind / Body / Love / Hate

Notable artists such as Agostino Carraci, Tiépolo, Velásquez, Piero Paoloni, Joseph Kosuth, Morandi, Leon Ferrari, Helio Oiticica, Gilbert & George, De Chirico and Jeff Wall are some of the artists who will be present in this unprecedented exhibition proposal.

Dates: September 20th, 2009 through January 4th, 2010.

Location: Fundación Proa. Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1929, La Boca

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm (Mondays closed)

The National Tango Day will be celebrated next Friday, December 11 2009, with free presentations in different parts of the city by Buenos Aires Orquesta del Tango and Buenos Aires Symphonic Band, Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce, and the final of the Hugo del Carril tango contest.

The celebration starts at 1 pm, with a concert by Orquesta del Tango de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires at Paseo Ástor Piazzolla (Av. Roque Sáenz Peña between Cerrito and Libertad). The Orchestra will be conducted by Raúl Garello, Néstor Marconi and Juan Carlos Cuacci, with the special participation of singer Susana Rinaldi and the winners of the contrest Hugo del Carril 2008, singers Verónica Marchetti and Macelo Costa and dance couple Sergio Fernández and Liz Dorin. The repertoire will consist of: "Pa que bailen los muchachos", "Tal vez será su voz", "Dandy", "Uno", "Buen amigo", "Che bandoneón", "La última curda", "Buenos Aires", "Es tu fiesta", "Viva el tango" and "Don Juan". The concert will also include a selection of "candombes".

Later, at 4 pm, the final of the XVII Hugo del Carril Contest 2009 will be held at Amphitheater Eva Perón, in Parque Del Centenario, with the competition for the categories of Singing (male and female), Salon Dancing and Instrumental Groups.

At 7 pm, the Buenos Aires Symphonic Band, in Florida and Santa Fe, will offer a concert of traditional tangos like "El firulete", "Taquito militar", "Gricel", "Verano porteño", "Auténtico Buenos Aires", and "La cumparsita", among others. The band will be conducted by Lito Valle and José Luis Cladera, and the show will be completed with the choreography of dancers Paola Larrondo and Víctor Nieva.

Also at 7 pm, ath the Auditorium of Biblioteca Nacional (Agüero 2502), the Orchestra Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce will offer a free show, with direction of Néstor Marconi.

All the shows will be free of charge and the open air events will not be suspended for rain.

The 2010 Dakar will take place in Argentina and Chile from the 1st to the 17th of January, in an amazing course of 9000 km.

In 2010, Argentina and Chile will jointly celebrate the bicentenary of their independence: the Dakar will have the honour of starting these celebrations. After a first experience in South America, the variety of the territories and terrain, the intensity of the challenge taken on by the competitors and the enthusiasm of the crowd have convinced both the authorities of the two countries and the head of the rally to renew the adventure.

During the last thirty years, the race has forged itself a legendary reputation on the African territory that helped it grow and become one of the major events of the international calendar. A first choice sporting competition that mixes great champions and amateurs, the event has become extremely international throughout the years, uniting up to 52 different nationalities.

The Argentine provinces traveled through:

Buenos Aires – Federal Capital

Buenos Aires province

Santa Fe

Córdoba

La Rioja

San Juan

Mendoza 

La Pampa

The triptyque designed for the 2010 Dakar on the territories of Argentina and Chile promises to each kind of driver a sequence adapted to their qualities. The long stay in the Atacama Desert will be the climax of a 9000 kilometers loop through the continent.

Schedule of events: 

December 29th, 30th and 31st 2009: "Dakar Village": Administrative & technical scrutineering in Buenos Aires, at La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Santa Fe & Av. Sarmiento.
Opening to the public:
December 29th and 30th 2009 from 11:00 to 21:00
December 31st 2009 from 11:00 to 19:00
January 1st 2010 from 11:00 to 17:00
Entry fee: $ 10 Argentine Pesos from 12 to 65 years old

January 1st 2010: Briefing and start podium
Opening to the public:
Pedestrian access: Av. Santa Fe 4201 - Plaza Italia
Access to the Car Park: Av. Cerviño 4476
Public opening free:  from 3 pm to 9 pm
The Podium will be located at the South of the Obelisk, Avenue of 9 de Julio

January 1st 2010 at night : First bivouac in Buenos Aires province

January 2nd to 16th 2010: Dakar Rally in Argentina and Chile

January 9th 2010: Rest day in Antofagasta

January 17th 2010: Podium finish in Buenos Aires

For more information, route maps and news, visit Dakar 2010 Rally official website.

As every year, the shopping malls of Buenos Aires will celebrate the Holidays and New Year's with a show of fireworks and music, this Sunday, December 20th, at 9:30 PM. This free of charge event will take place simultaneously at 6 points in the city:

On Saturday, December 19th 2009, at 8.30 pm, in Plaza República del Uruguay (Figueroa Alcorta and Tagle) the Pulic Television and Radio Nacional invite to a free entrance open air Lyric and Fireworks Festival, with the participation of soprano Paula Almerares, tenor Dario Volonté, and violin player Xavier Inchausti, accompanied by "Orquesta de la Radio Televisión Pública Argentina", conducted by Marcelo Zurlo.

The conciert will include works by Mendelssohn, Puccini, Bartók, Paganini and Bizet, and will be closed by a spectacular fireworks show.

Paula Almerares is a renowned Argentinian soprano. Xavier Inchausti is one of the most prestigious violin players in the world, active student of the Salzburg's Mozarteum. Darío Volonté is an Argentine tenor with an international career. Orquesta de la Radio Televisión Pública Argentina is made up of 50 prestigious Argentine musicians.

"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.

Throughout the month of December 2009, the Buenos Aires Symphonic Band, conducted by Lito Vitale and Jose Luis Cladera, will offer a series of open air concerts, all of them free of charge.

Program:

Friday 4, 6:30 pm: Florida & Santa Fe

Saturday 5, 6:00 pm: Planetarium Galileo Galilei, Av. Sarmiento and Av. Figueroa Alcorta.

Sunday 6, 11:00 am: Planetarium Galileo Galilei, Av. Sarmiento and Av. Figueroa Alcorta.

Friday 11, 7:00 pm: Florida & Santa Fe (Celebrating National Tango Day)

Sunday 13, 11:00 am: Planetarium Galileo Galilei, Av. Sarmiento and Av. Figueroa Alcorta.

Friday 18, 6:30 pm: Florida & Santa Fe

Sunday 20, 11:00 am: Planetarium Galileo Galilei, Av. Sarmiento and Av. Figueroa Alcorta.

Tuesday 22, 8:00 pm: Amphitheater Parque Centenario, Leopoldo Marechal & Lillo

"Tribuna Real", the biggest International Polo Fair will take place at Tribuna II of the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, just opposite the Campo Argentino de Polo, from the 1st to the 4th of December 2009. There will be conferences and debates concerning horses and rules of the game, clinics and talks by distinguished people related to this activity.

Bars, restaurants, and wooden horses to practice your swing and get some advice from instructors will also be available.

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 tango 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: Hipódromo de Palermo Tribuna II. Av. Libertador 4401

Opening hours: 5 pm to 11 pm

More information: Tribuna Real official website

At the International Artisan Fair ("Feria Internacional de Artesanias") over 600 artisans from Argentina and the world 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 4 to 13, 2009.
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening hours: 3 PM to 10 PM
More information: Feria Internacional de Artesanias official website.

"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 5th. 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 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.

Two of the most important Golf tournaments in Argentina will take place during the month of December 2009. From December 3rd to December 6th, the Torneo de Maestros – the Argentina Masters –, one of the most important events in the TLA schedule since 2001, will be hosted by the world class Olivos Golf Club, north of Buenos Aires.

Immediately after Olivos, from December 10th to December 13th, the best from the TLA and the TPG will be welcomed at Nordelta Golf Club for the 104th Abierto de la República. This course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, makes its official debut as an Argentina Open venue. This prestigious championship is organized by the Argentina Golf Association (AAG).