from the Greater Metropolitan Area to more remote locations, such as the islands of the Nicoya Gulf, where RIDE Cultural will be held.

Take note of the cultural agenda and plan your weekend activities. Below are the details:

Concert Featuring 170 Artists on Stage in Aserrí and Escazú

The Benemérita National Symphony Orchestra (OSNCR) and the National Symphony Choir (CSN) are on a tour of free concerts, which started on June 4 in Belén, Heredia. The tour continues this Thursday, June 5, at 7:15 p.m. at the San Luis Tolosa parish in Aserrí, and on Friday, June 6, at 7:15 p.m. at the San Miguel Arcángel parish in Escazú.

During the concert, the artists will perform the work “Misa de Gloria” by the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, under the baton of the Spanish conductor Francisco Valero Terribas. A total of 170 artists will be on stage, also performing other works by Puccini, such as excerpts from the operas “Edgar” and “La Tregenda,” among others.

According to the National Music Center, the Mexican lyric singers Tomás Castellanos, baritone, and José Luis Ordóñez, tenor, will also join OSNCR and CSN as the invited soloists in “Misa de Gloria,” a piece of great vocal and spiritual richness. The work was presented by the orchestra and the choir last weekend at the National Theater of Costa Rica, as part of the 4th Seasonal Concert of 2025.

RIDE Cultural Arrives at the Islands of the Nicoya Gulf

The islands of the Nicoya Gulf will serve as the setting for a new edition of RIDE Cultural, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Youth aimed at promoting cultural decentralization and facilitating access to artistic and educational events in communities located outside the Greater Metropolitan Area.

On this occasion, the activities will take place on Friday, June 6 on Chira Island; on Saturday, June 7 on Venado Island; and on Sunday, June 8 on Caballo Island.

The schedule will include various concerts, with outstanding performances by Humberto Vargas, the group “La Kuarta,” the National Band of Puntarenas, the Metal Quintet of the National Band of San José, the “Grupo Folklórico Raíces de mi Isla,” a vocal and piano concert organized by the National Lyric Company, as well as a trumpet and piano recital featuring the “Dúo Atlántico.”

In the educational area, the program will include a variety of workshops for all interests. Examples include the “Loving Music” workshop by the National Lyric Company; the “Reading Animation” workshop, offered by the Juan Santamaría Historical and Cultural Museum; the “Dance and Body Games” workshop, organized by the National Dance Workshop; and the workshops “Theater and Me, A World to Explore” and “Theater and Body Expression,” both managed by the National Theater Workshop, among others.

The offerings will also include a traditional food contest on June 7 at 11 a.m., at the Los Barrios Cultural Center on Venado Island, along with painting contests hosted by the Costa Rican Art Museum. Remember that all activities are free and open to the public. For the full schedule, venues, and timing of the shows and workshops, please visit: ridecultural.cr.

Teatro Vargas Calvo Presents the Play “La Audición”

Teatro Vargas Calvo premiered the play “La Audición,” by Anton Chekhov, with adaptation and direction by María Bonilla, and performances by Douglas Cubero in the role of Chekhov and Alice García as Nina.

The staging tells the story of Nina, a newly graduated actress in search of her first opportunity. To achieve this, she goes to the most important theater in the capital to audition with the greatest author of her generation. During the audition, she presents excerpts from classic pieces such as Nora’s final monologue in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”; Ophelia’s madness monologue in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”; the monologue from Schiller’s “Mary Stuart” facing Queen Elizabeth of England; excerpts from Wedekind’s “Lulú”; and the final scene from Chekhov’s “Three Sisters.”

The play is presented on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and on Sundays at 5 p.m., at Teatro Vargas Calvo, located behind the National Theater of Costa Rica. Tickets are priced at ₡8,000 colones for general admission and ₡5,500 colones for students and seniors with valid identification. They can be purchased at the theater’s box office and at https://boleteria.teatronacional.go.cr/.

Briefs | Cultural Agenda

Visual Arts – Exhibition “Paisaje Marino”: A showcase of sculptural ceramics by Costa Rican artist Lucía Flores. Open until July 5, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center in San Ramón, Alajuela. Free admission.

Dance – Dance Party with Mobile Disco: Memories of Youth. On the 5th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the La Libertad Auditorium in Parque La Libertad, located in Fátima, Desamparados. Admission: ₡3,000 colones.

Music – National Band of Alajuela: “Retreta Concert” on the 5th at 7 p.m. at the Ermita de El Llano in Alajuela. – National Band of Guanacaste: Gala Concert during the festivities in honor of San Caralampio, featuring the special participation of Ana Pamela Goyenaga, director of the Limón Concert Band, on the 6th at 6 p.m. at the Parish Temple of Bagaces.

Cinema – Film Cycle “Miradas: Orgullo y Diversidad”: Held in the Gómez Miralles Room at the Cinema Center. Free entry, with limited seating.  • On the 5th at 7 p.m., a screening of short films: “La noche de la avispa Reina” (Costa Rica); “Nunca fuimos desierto” (Argentina); “Drag” (Costa Rica); “Loveboard” (Switzerland); “Toop 2” (Sweden). Open to all audiences.  • On the 6th, screening of “Miseducation of Cameron Post” (United States) for viewers aged 15 and up.  • On the 7th at 7 p.m., screening of “In the Mood for Love” (Hong Kong – France) for audiences aged 12 and older.  • On the 7th at 7 p.m., screening of “Pariah” (United States).

Theater – Play “La Línea” by the National Theater Company, written and directed by playwright Luis Thenon. Staged from Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 5 p.m. at Teatro La Aduana. Running until June 15, 2025, it is intended for audiences over 18 years old. General admission is ₡8,000 colones; the ticket price for students and seniors is ₡4,000 colones. Tickets are available at www.boleteria.teatromelico.go.cr.