Nati Serre rounds up the Vendimia events that you just can’t miss. In this article you will find a comprehensive list of Vendimia events, so take out that calendar and fill up those pages, January, February and March are going to be busy months!
Movie nights in the Park; 24, 25, 31 Jan, 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 Feb, 21.30 Held in an open space in the Rose garden at Parque San Martin, for tourists and local to enjoy a selection of national and Mendocino movies and documentaries.
Dancing in the Park; 26, 27 and 28 Jan, 21.30 It’s not quite Bruce Springsteen but Mendoza’s version sees a group of professional dancers and musicians show their love for getting jiggy with it in Parque San Martin. Tango, flamenco and arab dancing guaranteed.
Children’s Activities; 29 Jan, 5, 12 and 19 Feb, 17.30 Keep the rug rats happy during the late afternoon with these activities in Teatro Pulgarcito in the park.
Mendorock; 3, 4 and 5 Feb, 20.00 Some of Mendoza’s best rock musicians come out to play with three nights of concerts at Teatro Gabriela Mistral in Parque O’Higgins.
Jazz on the lake; 10, 11 and 12 Feb, 20.00 Summer evenings by the lake with local jazz musicians playing to their hearts content. Parque San Martin.
Semana Federal; 14 – 19 Feb, 20.00 A week of food, market stalls, music and dance from the different provinces of Mendoza. A good chance to steal a photo and kiss with the Vendimia Queens. Parque San Martin.
The Blessing of the Grapes; 26 Feb, 21.00 Held in the “Prado Gaucho” in San Martin Park as a symbol of the province’s Christian beliefs, the grapes are sanctified and the harvest blessed.
Queens’ Parade; 2 March, 21.00 Held in the city centre starting on Av. Colón, then San Martín, Las Heras, Chile and finally Sarmiento. On their specially designed parade cars, the queens tour the city centre, waving to the anxious crowds. There might also be some grape throwing from the cars too, so look out.
The Vendimia Carrousel; 3 March, 10.00 This is the daylight parade where the queens, musicians and performers get to interact a bit more with the enthusiastic audience, who, in turn, struggle to keep their cool while dodging the melons and cartons of wine thrown from the carousels.
The Central Act; 3, 4 and 5 March Held at the Frank Romero Day Amphitheatre, this is the big night in Vendimia’s calendar. A massive scale show of light, sound and performance, where the local artists get their biggest chance of the year to show off. The first night (22.00) has the bottom numbing Queen’s election process (bring a pillow), and the second and third nights (21.00) are re-runs minus the Queens.
Vendimia for all; 10 March The alternative Vendimia. A fabulous show of Caberet with transvestites and a colourful election of the Gay Vendimia Queen. 11pm at Angel Bustelo.
For more info on Vendimia events and others in Mendoza visit www.wine-republic.com/events
