Fiesta!

For the second year, Fiesta! — under the auspices of the Spanish Embassy headed by Ambassador Tomas Rodriguez Pantoja and the Instituto Cervantes headed by Javier Galvan — will compel the attention of art-lovers. The following calendar aims to help disseminate information on Fiesta highlights, specifically its visual and performing arts (theater, music and dance) presentations.

Oct. 1 — Exhibit: Inauguration of Francisco de Goya’s Los Caprichos, National Museum, 6 to 8 p.m. To be displayed are 80 prints of "capricious" matters, created and printed as etchings by one of Spain’s great artists. Open for viewing Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ending Nov. 10.

Oct. 3 — The 7th Letras y Figuras painting tilt: awarding of prizes and inauguration of exhibit on the theme "Filipino Values" at Metropolitan Museum, 6 p.m. Finalists’ entries will be exhibited alongside original 19th century Letras y Figuras paintings at the Met, Open to the public until Oct. 31, Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 — Book launching: Filipinas 1847, Filipinas Heritage Library, 6 p.m. The book features the works of Jose Honorato Lozano as annotated and translated by Jose Maria Cariño. In six parts, the book gathers most of Lozano’s known and newly discovered art works from Madrid’s National Library. The images of Spanish influences on the Philippines’ past and the calli-graphic description of the people’s costumes, customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies during mid-19th century are the book’s most important revelations.

Oct. 5 — Guitar concert of Jorge Orozco, RCBC auditorium, 7 p.m. Orozco has been performing around the world, bringing modern Spanish music to Italy, Romania, Morocco, the Dominican Republic and Japan. Free entry.

Oct. 7 — Group exhibit — Inauguration of "Keep Your Distance", GSIS Museum 6 p.m. An international travelling exhibition featuring the works of seven young artists, jointly presented by Alliance Francaise, British Council, Instituto Cervantes, Japan Foundation, Phil-Italian Association, Royal Thai Embassy, GSIS Museo ng Sining and Association Francaise d’Action Artistique. Until Oct. 31, Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8-11:30 a.m., 1-4:30 p.m.

Oct. 8 — Song concert of Gonzalo Rei, RCBC auditorium, 8 p.m. A program of classic Habanera hits. Free entry.

Oct. 9 — Painting exhibit-inauguration of Juan Gomila’s Reflections, Met Museum, 7 p.m. The artist’s most recent creations deconstruct figures into silhouettes and shades contrasted with a splash of vivid colors. Open to the public Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oct. 10 — Two-Piano Concert by BdB, RCBC auditorium, 7 p.m. Ma. Jose Bustos and Ma. Jose Barandiaran, popularly known as BdB, will demonstrate various 20th century styles of Spanish music. The duo has been performing together for over 10 years in Europe and South America. Free entry.

Oct. 11 — Modern Dance: Losdedae, RCBC theater, 7 p.m. One of Spain’s best modern dance groups, Losdedae was formed by Chevi Muraday, two of whose original works will be performed: Shime and Dias durmiendo en el olvido.

Oct. 16 — Theater: "The Public" by Federico Garcia Lorca, RCBC theater, 7 p.m. The play is the English translation of Lorca’s El Publico. A non-narrative in six scenes, it tackles complex issues such as the transforming power of love and gender identity, with a plot loosely "draped around a hilarious dismantling and reconstruction of Romeo and Juliet. Free entry.

Oct. 17 — Spanish soprano Ana Luisa Espinosa, Rachelle Gerodias and Josephine Roces-Chavez will interpret songs from El Barberillo de Lavapies, Tales of Hoffman and The Marriage of Figaro with a string and percussion accompaniment.