Thirty Days of Fun

text: María Soledad Ramírez | photo: Jazmin lezama
CATEGORIES: Events Calendar

Part of the modern-day Inti Raymi celebration

Ceremony

CUSCO
June 24
Inti Raymi: A modern version of the ancient Inca ritual in honor of the Sun God (Inti) is held in Cusco every June on the Winter Solstice. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Qorikancha (also known as the Golden Courtyard), where someone playing the role of the Inca invokes the sun, surrounded by the local heirs to this wonderful tradition and the attending public. At 11:00 a.m., the celebration moves to the city’s Plaza de Armas (the main square also known as Auqaypata or Plaza de Guerrero), where the main ceremony used to be held. At 1:30 p.m., the festivities end at the Sacsayhuaman fortress (two miles outside the city), with a 90-minute staging of the report from the four Suyus or regions of the Inca Empire (Qollasuyu, Kuntisuyu, Antisuyu and Chinchaysuyu) and then the rites of the Chicha, the Sacred Fire, the Llama Sacrifice and its predictions, the Sankhu (sacred bread) and the Q’ochurikuy (music and dancing). Admission to the Qorikancha and Plaza de Armas festivities is free, but participation in the Sacsayhuaman ceremony requires advance reservations through Emufec, the municipal office that oversees the ceremony.

Exhibits

SANTIAGO
June 29 – October 18
Chile Art 15,000 Years: Held at the Centro Cultural Palacio la Moneda, this exhibit features approximately 800 works of Chilean art.

BUENOS AIRES
Through July 2
León Ferrari – Brailles & Reinterpretations of the Bible: Artist León Ferrari showcases 70 works.

LIMA
Through July 1
Beginnings, Milagros de la Torre: This important conceptual photographer exhibits approximately 50 works.

QUITO
Through June 24
Synopsis: 27 works by German artist Gerhard Richter, from his photograph-paintings of the 1960s to his paintings of the 1980s and 90s.

BASEL
June 14 – 17
Art 43 Basel: 300 galleries and some 2,500 artists come together at this modern and contemporary art fair.

BUENOS AIRES
Through June 13
Memories of the Wood Spirits: Photographer Sofía López Mañán exhibits her works, which focus on nature, contained and humanized.

Music

BOGOTÁ
June 29 – July 2
Rock al Parque: Latin America’s most important free music event has welcomed more than three million attendees over its 16-year history.

BUENOS AIRES, SANTIAGO, LIMA
June 28, 29 & 30
Peter Murphy: The British musician visits the region in support of his most recent album, Ninth (2011).

LIMA
June 9
Raphael: Spanish singer will perform at Lima’s Jockey Club. For more dates in Latin America, please check the artist’s Website.

BUENOS AIRES, ROSARIO, SANTIAGO
June 8, 9, 10 & 12
Hugh Laurie: The star of the TV series House performs with The Copper Bottom Band, showing off his jazz skills.

RÍO DE JANEIRO, SÃO PAULO, BUENOS AIRES, SANTIAGO, MONTEVIDEO, LIMA, GUAYAQUIL, QUITO
June 1, 4, 8, 12, 15, 23 & 27; July 2, 6 & 10
Evgueny Kissin: The Russian-born, British-based pianist is considered the last of the romantics.

MONTREAL
June 28 – July 7
Festival International de Jazz de Montreal: International Jazz Festival: One of the biggest festivals in the world. Check the Website to see the extensive lineup.

Ballet

BOGOTÁ
June 29 & 30
Ballet Nacional de Uruguay: Under the direction of Julio Bocca, the Uruguayan ballet performs in the Colombian capital, with a program that includes Without Words by Nacho Duato, Nuestros Valses by Vicente Nebrada, Adagietto by Oscar Araiz and Tango & Candombe by Ana Maria Stekelman, as well as Pas de Trois from Le Corsaire.

QUITO, CALI, BOGOTÁ
June 1, 2, 4, 6 & 7
Montreal Jazz Ballet: The famous Canadian company performs three works (Zip Zap Zoom, Rossini Cards and Zero In On) in celebration of its 40th anniversary. Under the artistic direction of Louis Robitaille, the company has established a reputation for experimentation and individual expression. In Cali, they’ll be part of the sixth edition of the Festival Internacional de Ballet.

NEW YORK
June 5 – 10
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Follow a pair of lovers through a magical world in this ballet based on the play by William Shakespeare, with choreography by George Balanchine (his first in the United States) and music by 19th-century composer Felix Mendelssohn, specifically written for the Bard’s comedy.