What's On This Weekend and Next Week: Symphony, Film Night, Clown Workshop, and an Art Opening

Your Week in Culture

Cuenca's cultural calendar stays busy heading into March. Here's what's worth your time from this Saturday through next Wednesday — most of it free.

Saturday, February 28

Orquesta Sinfónica de Cuenca — Season Concert

• Time: 8:00 PM
• Where: Teatro de la Casa de la Cultura (Av. Solano & 12 de Abril)
• Cost: Free
• No reservation needed — just show up

The Cuenca Symphony Orchestra opens its 2026 season tomorrow night. The program features works by Smetana, Villa-Lobos, Revueltas, and Ecuadorian composers, conducted by Maestro Augusto Carrión.

This is one of the best free cultural experiences in Cuenca. The Teatro de la Casa de la Cultura is a proper concert hall — good acoustics, comfortable seats, and a program that mixes European classics with Latin American and local compositions. Dress is casual (this is Cuenca, not Vienna). Arrive by 7:30 PM to get a good seat.

Sunday, March 1

Deportivo Cuenca vs. Barcelona SC

If you're more into fútbol than symphonies, Deportivo Cuenca hosts Barcelona SC at the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar tomorrow afternoon. We covered this matchup in detail — read the full guide here.

Sunday, March 2 — Starting Date

Taller Clown & Teatro Gestual Workshop

• Time: 6:00 PM (runs three weeks, March 2–22)
• Where: Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, Núcleo del Azuay (Av. Solano & 12 de Abril)
• Cost: $130 for the full three-week course

A three-week intensive workshop in clown technique and physical theater (teatro gestual). The course explores body movement, gesture, and comedic performance. You don't need any theater experience — it's designed for curious beginners and experienced performers alike.

If you've ever wanted to try something completely outside your comfort zone, this is it. Physical theater transcends language barriers, which makes it surprisingly accessible for expats still working on their Spanish.

Monday, March 3

Vive Cine en Azuay — Ecuadorian Film Night

• Time: 7:00 PM
• Where: Sala Alfonso Carrasco, Casa de la Cultura (Av. Solano & 12 de Abril)
• Cost: Free

A screening of Ecuadorian cinema followed by a community forum discussion. This is part of a series promoting local filmmaking in the Azuay region.

Ecuadorian film is having a moment — the recent success of Chulla Vida (shot entirely in Cuenca) has put local production in the spotlight. These screenings are a chance to see what Ecuadorian filmmakers are doing and connect with the arts community. The post-film discussion adds context you won't get streaming at home.

Tuesday, March 4

Esplendor — Pepita Machado Arévalo Art Exhibition Opening

• Time: 7:00 PM
• Where: Salón del Pueblo, Casa de la Cultura (Av. Solano & 12 de Abril)
• Cost: Free

Opening night for a pictorial art exhibition by local artist Pepita Machado Arévalo. Expect wine, conversation with the artist, and a chance to mingle with Cuenca's art community.

Gallery openings in Cuenca are social events as much as art events. They're a great way to meet people — both locals and expats — in a relaxed setting. Even if you don't consider yourself an "art person," the opening night atmosphere is worth showing up for.

The Common Thread

Notice something? Almost everything on this list happens at or near the Casa de la Cultura complex on Avenida Solano. If you haven't been, it's Cuenca's main cultural hub — multiple performance spaces, galleries, and event rooms in one location. Easy to reach by tranvía (the Solano stop) or a short taxi ride from anywhere in the city.

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Sources: Orquesta Sinfónica de Cuenca, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo del Azuay