Theatres & Music
Fundación Gilberto Alzate Avendaño
The Foundation's Patio
This theatre on Tenth Street, just below Third Avenue, has many free events, including concerts, plays and exhibitions, in its beautiful, historic building! (And paid events, too.)
The foundation also has a fine restaurant and often houses art exhibitions.
It’s located near the Musicology, Alegria’s and Posada del Sol hostels and just a few blocks from the Plaza de Bolivar.
Take in a Free Concert at the Media Torta Amphitheatre – Tel: 318-2461
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Cyclists look down on the Media Torta
A wonderful outdoor ampitheatre located on the Circunvular Ave., high above Bogotá. Lots of free concerts here, most of them Colombian folk music. Also enjoy the view and fresh air amidst the hills above the city.
Easiest access is the alley between Las Torres del Jimenez and La Universidad de los Andes.
For a great view, you can also sit on the grassy hill above the ampitheatre.
Some of the many theatrical functions around La Candelaria
La Candelaria is the center for theatre in Bogotá. Walk up almost any street and you’ll pass by some of the many small, charming theatres, most of them are also teaching theatres, staff and operated by locals and students from the neighborhood’s many universities. The theatres are also worth visiting for their plays and music, but also for their beautiful architecture.
Teatro Colón – This beautiful old theatre with its brilliant frescoes is unfortunately closed for several years for renovation.
Teatro Libre de Bogotá No. 2-44 13th St. Tel: 281-3516 (Has theatres in the Candelaria and Chapinero neighborhoods.)
Teatro Tecal – 2-70 13th St. Tel: 334-1481
Kábala Theatre – 2-70 13th St. 334-1481 – Many contemporary and a few
Teatro la Candelaria – 2-59 12th St. Tel: 281-4814/286-3715
Teatro Corporacion La Candelaria
Teatro Corporacion la Candelaria – 2-65 12th St. Tel: 342-9621
Teatro Polymnia – 3-17 13th St. Tel: 910-4488
Casa de Poesia Silva/ Silva House of Poetry – 3-41 14th St. Tel: 286-5710 Fax: 281-7184 . The house of poetry, located right around the corner from Bogota Bike Tours, has free poetry readings, a library and poetry recordings available. The building, decorated with old photos, is also impressive.
Espacio Ambimental – 20-17 9th St. A small, new amateur theatre. Call: 310-572-5414 / 317-422-8025 (just down from La Cicuta)
Teatro Camarín del Carmen – 4-93 9th St. Tel: 283-1772 / 281-3627 / Fax: 342-4321 The facade of this building, built in 1655, is 400 years old – The building was once a monastery and later a military barracks and hospital. Today, it also houses a restaurant in what was once the chapel. The building still belongs to the Salesian order of the Catholic Church, but the theatre is operated by a private company.
Teatro de Sueños – Carrera 1 No. 14-49 Reserve: 314-251-1394 The small and very informal Theatre of Dreams located on First Ave. between 14th and 15th Sts. is located on the east side of the Concordia Market.
Teatro Taller Laboratorio – 5-65 9th St. – 283-5189 ; 336-4232; 310-260-9020 – Interested in studying theatre? Courses here of interpretation, improvisation and other stuff.
Fundacion Delia Zapata – 2-43 10th St. Tel: 281-0375 / 350-7174 – This handsome, century-old building was once the home of Delia Zapata Olivella, one of Colombia’s most famous traditional dancers. Today, they hold dance, music and theatre classes for kids and adults.
Fundación Centro Cultural Gabriel García Marquez – No. 13-17 13th St. This 40-year-old theatre actually puts on many contemporary plays and musical events – but not much related to García Marquez, the Colombian Nobel-prize winning novelist. Facebook – García Márquez el Original E-mail: teatroggm (@) gmail (.) com Tel:910-4488
Teatro Taller de Colombia – 0-19 East, on 10th St. – Take a deep breath in preparation for the uphill hike to this small theatre, which also teaches acting. Tel: 336-4232 / 283-6444 / 283-5189.
Casa Locombia – 1- 49 14th St. – The name of this tiny, informal place is a play on words, meaning ‘Colombia Loca,’ or ‘Crazy Colombia.’ They put on music and theatre.
Umbral Teatro 2-65 Calle 12
El Eje - 2-51 17th St. 342-2107 Photos, painting, video documentaries, talks.
Jorge Eliecer Gaitan Theatre – 22-47 Cra. 7 – http://www.teatrojorgeeliecer.gov.co/
El Espacio – 5-57 23rd. St. Tel: 300-554-6918 Plays, workshops, flamenco music.
For more info on theatre see: http://www.teatroenbogota.com/
Some La Candelaria universities offer free cultural events. For Los Andes University, see: http://eventos.uniandes.edu.co
Theatres in other parts of Bogotá:
Teatro del Parque – Located in the National Park, on 7th Ave. and 38th St., this theatre has many shows for kids, often free admission. More info from the IDRD Tel: 340-0468/340-0472 or IDRD: 660-5400 Ext. 5215
Teatro Acto Latino – 58a-55 Carrera 16. Tel: 345-0514
Teatro La Macarena, in La Macarena, just north of La Candelaria: www.losfunambulos.net . Dedicated to promoting theatre among youth. Tels: 8054465 – 5610074
Teatro Varasanata, the Distrital and Javeriana universities: http://www.teatrovarasanta.com/
The National Theatre, in north Bogotá´s Chapinero neighborhood: Teatro Nacional / The National Theatre 10-25 71st St.
Teatro Vea 4a-16 24th St. Tel: 336-2401 / 561-4582
Academia y Teatrino Don Eloy 108-36 Primero de Mayo Ave. Tel: 408-0461 Cel: 313-263-6966
Jaime Manzur Foundation 14-58 61-A St. Tel: 235-9949 / 249-6283
Hilos Magicos 12-22 71st St. Tel: 210-1092 / 210-0097
La Libélula Dorada – Theatres and puppets – 51-60 19th Ave. Tel: 249-8658 / 345-0683 / Cel: 311-575-8985
Teatro Ensamble – Cra 24 No. 41-69 Tel: 368-9268
Teatro Libre – Crra 11 No. 61-80 Tel: 217-1988 (Has theatres in La Candelaria and Chapinero neighborhoods)
Ditirambo Theatre – Calle 45A No. 14-37 Bogotá Tels: 232-6440/338-0993/287-0425 Cel: 315-604-8280
Teatro Mayor – Located in the far north of Bogotá, inside the Centro Cultural y Biblioteca Pública Julio Mario Santo Domingo.
Find lots of music links on our Nightlife page.
Salsa Music and Dancing
Goce Pagano, at the top of the Eje Ambiental, is very popular, as is Quiebra Canto – 1776 5th Ave. Tel: 243-1630 / 341-2319.
For salsa updates, see: Salsa in Bogota Blog
If you’re into punk music, check out this punk blog.
Movies
La Candelaria has no movie theatres, but there are some nearby. The museum of modern art has its own theatre.
Find lots of info on events in Bogota on Vive.in and on http://www.radionica.gov.co/
Colombians make movies. See what’s coming up at: http://www.bogocine.com/xxv/cine_colombiano.shtml
Centro Cultural y Biblioteca Pública Julio Mario Santo Domingo
