What's happening in Porto: 9-15 January 2023
My Port Wine Day, drag festival, short film screenings, and more.
Weekdays might be a little light on events, but you will have no trouble finding fun things to do this weekend! Check it out ⬇️
Monday, 9 January
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
Craft peer podcast, at Maus Hábitos, starts at 21h
A podcast where host Tiago Lacerda and his guests chat about comedy, culture and craft beer (in Portuguese). Free to attend, but it is recommended you book in advance (+351) 937 202 918 or viciosdemesa@maushabitos.com.
Tuesday, 10 January
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
Rivane Neuenschwander exhibit tour, at Parque de Serralves, starts 19h
Learn the deeper meaning and insights to the “Rivane Neuenschwander: Sementes Selvagens” exhibition with a tour by Hilda De Paulo (artist and curator). Tickets start at 11€ and can be purchased at the door.
Thiago Tortaro piano concert, at Casa da Música, starts 21h
Thiago Tortaro, a 16-year-old Portuguese pianist, presents his favorite pieces (from Beethoven to Bach to Brahms). Tickets are 14€.
Wednesday, 11 January
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
Candlelight: Queen tribute concert, at Ageas Porto Coliseu, 2 start times
Listen to the Intempus String Quartet at either 19h30 or 21h30 as they take on Queen's biggest hits. The show will be taking place in Coliseu's Novo Ático. Tickets start at 15€ when bought in advance online.
Inaugural program of the pipe organ, Igreja da Lapa, starts 21h30
After an extensive repair and maintenance costing 200,000€, the church’s pipe organ will be welcomed back into commission with a concert by Olivier Latry, titular organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. The program includes works by Richard Wagner, Edwin Lemare, and Charles-Marie Widor.
Did you know: It’s giant wave season in Nazaré. If you’re on Instagram, follow this account to stay updated on wave size so you can plan a day trip to see them in-person.
Thursday, 12 January
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
"A Noiva" film screening, at Campo Alegre Theatre, 2 start times
This award-winning film was recently released and revolves around a European teenager who ran away from home to marry a Daesh fighter. Three years later, her life has dramatically changed. Living in an Iraqi prison camp, she now has two children and is pregnant again. Film is in Portuguese, Arabic, and French. Screenings at 18h30 and 21h30. Tickets are 5,50€ and can be purchased at the door.
"Casa Portuguesa" play, at Teatro Nacional São João, 19h-21h
Artistic director Pedro Penim combines three themes - fado, war diaries, and philosophical essay - in this play. Casa Portuguesa tells the story of a former Colonial War soldier who, when confronted by ghosts of his past, tries to understand the relationship of home, family, country, and his father (spoken in Portuguese with projected English subtitles). Tickets start at 5€.
My Port Wine Day, at Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto, starts 20h
Enjoy two delicious port pairings with insight by a member of the Douro and Port Wine Institute. The cost is 5€ and registration is required.
Short films program, at Batalha Cinema, 21h15-22h45
This festival (hosted by COUSIN, a collective of artists and filmmakers descending from North American indigenous peoples) will be presenting several carefully curated films for the first time in Portugal. There will be three short films screened in this block: Kicking the Clouds, Nosferasta: First Bite, and Maat (in English and Pechanga with Portuguese subtitles). Tickets are 5€.
Little Orange concert, at Casa da Música, starts 21h30
This group’s music can be defined as experimental blues + gospel. Admission is free.
Puta da Silva performance, at Maus Hábitos, starts 21h30
Puta da Silva is a multifaceted artist who mixes poetry, theater, and performance with a punk aura that makes her one of the artists with the biggest fingerprint in our panorama. Tickets are 8€.
Jazz concert, at Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club, 22h30-23h59
This intimate venue hosts some of best jazz performers for a night of improvisation. Table reservations can be made by email. Tickets start at 10€.
Juicy DJ set, at Maus Hábitos, starts 23h59
A Thursday night dance party? Clubbing goes crazy until 6am the next morning. Tickets are 5€ and are available at the door.
Friday, 13 January
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
"Cycle" short films screening, at Batalha Cinema, 18h30-20h
This screening celebrates the work of the COUSIN collective by presenting short films made by its members and friends. Moving image, music, visual art, and performance intersect in these 16 contemporary indigenous stories, which pulsate to the sound of many languages and challenge the present in order to imagine the future. Free admission.
"A Noiva" film screening, at Campo Alegre Theatre, multiple times
This award-winning film was recently released and revolves around a European teenager who ran away from home to marry a Daesh fighter. Three years later, her life has dramatically changed. Living in an Iraqi prison camp, she now has two children and is pregnant again (in Portuguese, Arabic, and French). Screenings at 18h30 and 21h30. Tickets are 5,50€ and can be purchased at the door.
Made in Germany conference, at Casa da Música, starts 19h30
This conference's opening debate between Augusto Santos Silva and Daniel Moreira reflect on the historical, social, cultural, and even religious background of Germany, with Jana Binder moderating. There is no cost to attend.
Live violin music and vegan dinner, at Communa Garage, starts 20h
Don’t miss an all-you-can-eat vegan tapas buffet, accompanied by the sounds of Joana Carvalhas, aka The Tiny Musician, in a live violin performance. Cost is 18€. Reserve your spot by DM on Instagram or by calling 938 872 229.
Game night, at Mafamood, 20h-23h59
Game night is open and free to all, but if you want to partake in dinner and the drink of the day there is an 8€ cost. Book in advance if you want dinner 936 901 133.
Singles’ night dinner, at The Lingerie Restaurant, starts 20h30
Unleash the bachelor(ette) in you and find a match in real life at The Lingerie Restaurant. This is an opportunity to meet other singles. Dinner, show, and drink packages start at 25€. Reserve by phone 915 672 450.
Luís de Matos magic show, at Ageas Porto Coliseu, 21h-22h30
Luis de Matos, the most-awarded Portuguese magician, will be accompanied by Joana Almeida and the Momentum Crew, world break-dance champions. Four other world-renowned magicians will be supporting the show. Tickets start at 18€.
"Casa Portuguesa" play, at Teatro Nacional São João, 21h-23h
Artistic director Pedro Penim combines three themes - fado, war diaries, and philosophical essay - in this play. Casa Portuguesa tells the story of a former Colonial War soldier who, when confronted by ghosts of his past, tries to understand the relationship of home, family, country, and his father (spoken in Portuguese with projected English subtitles). Tickets start at 10€.
Porto Symphony Orchestra concert, at Casa da Música, starts 21h
In Photoptosis, a performance blending textures associated with collage techniques, reveal Bernd Alois Zimmermann's approach to the orchestral palette in a prelude of great expressive intensity. In A Hero's Life, Richard Strauss shows his mastery of orchestration in a work whose autobiographical echoes embody the symphonic ideals of the late 19th century. Tickets are 22€.
Querubim concert, at Maus Hábitos, starts 21h
Querubim is the alter ego of the composer Rodrigo Cardoso. Backed by his live band — Ricardo Barroso on guitar, Tomás Simões on bass, and André Soares on drums — they will be bringing pop songs to life. Tickets are 7€.
Denize concert, at Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club, 22h-23h59
Enjoy the beautiful voice of Denize as she sings an array of bossa nova and samba. Table reservations can be made by email. Tickets start at 10€.
Kite DJ set, at Batalha Cinema, starts 23h
Suzanne Kite is a Lakota visual artist, performer, and composer. This live DJ + performance art set ranges from ambient sounds to drum and bass, and uses her custom braid interface to effect and produce sound live. Free admission.
On the road concert, at Wish You Were Here bar, starts 23h
Cover bands of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Dire Straits, and The Eagles take the stage to perform their greatest hits. Admission is free. Call to reserve a table 913 902 004.
Porto Drag Festival XIV, at Café Lusitano, starts 23h59
This drag festival, held twice a year since 2015, focuses on the art of transformation. What started with local Portuguese artists has expanded to internationally renowned queens. Tonight’s performers include: Lola Herself, Kim Fox, Ashley Scarlatti, and Kaya Khoven. It’s unclear whether there is a cost for admission. For reservations and details, call 914 413 882.
Delito DJ set, at Maus Hábitos, starts 23h59
Delito starts 2023 with a bang as he spins his turntables to the sounds of Perreo and Reggaeton. The rest of the night's line-up is a surprise. Tickets only available at the door for 5€.
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Saturday, 14 January
Running club, meet-up location varies, starts at 08h30
Runners and walkers of all fitness levels meet weekly to exercise and socialize. Free to join. Email Warren for more details and this week’s run location.
Guided Serralves Park tour, at Parque de Serralves, starts 11h
Art and landscape define Serralves Park and its paths are the vehicle used to explore it. This guided tour, capped at 20 people, will teach you about the park. Registration is mandatory. Costs 11€.
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
Contemporary Portuguese cooking class, at Pop Up Workshops, 15h-18h
Chef Hugo will be teaching how to make contemporary Portuguese food. Everything you need for the class is provided (in Portuguese). The cost is 40€ and registration is required.
"John Blonde" exhibit opening, at Galeria Fernando Santos, 15h-19h
This is the opening of artist João Louro's latest exhibit. "This exhibition is about that periphery in which we live, a place science has sent us without redemption." Free to attend.
Inaugurações Simultâneas, at Miguel Bombarda Arts District, starts afternoon
Just 6 times a year, the galleries on and around Rua Miguel Bombarda open their doors for the popular — and free — Inaugurações Simultâneas (Simultaneous Openings). You’ll enjoy new exhibitions and works of art ranging from sculpture to photography. You can also expect events, music, and entertainment on the streets. The start time has not been announced as of this publication, but last time it was 16h.
Einstein's barber opera, at Casa da Música, starts 16h
Einstein loved playing the violin. To him, music and mathematics were like two slices of the same melon. This opera takes those themes and mashes them into a symphony of sound. Tickets are 8€.
Luís de Matos magic show, at Ageas Porto Coliseu, 2 start times
Luis de Matos, the most awarded Portuguese magician, will be accompanied by Joana Almeida and the Momentum Crew, world break-dance champions. Four other world-renowned magicians will be supporting the show. Tickets start at 18€ for the 16h30 and 21h shows.
"La Jetée" film screening, at Parque de Serralves, starts 17h
A program taking place the 2nd Saturday of the month, with each session focused on a different topic. This session will include a screening of the 1962 French science fiction featurette directed by Chris Marker. Constructed almost entirely from still photos, it tells the story of a post-nuclear war experiment in time travel. Following the film, curators Filipa Ramos and Sérgio Mah will have a discussion. Tickets are 3€.
"maɬni" film screening, at Batalha Cinema, 17h15-18h45
This festival (hosted by COUSIN, a collective of artists and filmmakers descending from North American indigenous peoples) will be presenting several carefully curated films for the first time in Portugal. The first feature-length film by visual artist and filmmaker Sky Hopinka is an experimental and poetic look at the beliefs around death of the Chinook Native-American community in the northeastern part of the USA (in English and Chinuk Wawa with Portuguese subtitles). Tickets are 5€.
German Baroque Orchestra concert, at Casa da Música, starts 18h
Andreas Staier directs performance of German masters Georg Muffat, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Georg Friedrich Händel. Tickets are 18€.
"A Noiva" film screening, at Campo Alegre Theatre, 2 start times
This award-winning film was recently released and revolves around a European teenager who ran away from home to marry a Daesh fighter. Three years later, her life has dramatically changed. Living in an Iraqi prison camp, she now has two children and is pregnant again (in Portuguese, Arabic, and French). Screenings at 18h30 and 21h30. Tickets are 5,50€ and can be purchased at the door.
"Casa Portuguesa" play, at Teatro Nacional São João, 19h-21h
Artistic director Pedro Penim combines three themes - fado, war diaries, and philosophical essay - in this play. Casa Portuguesa tells the story of a former Colonial War soldier who, when confronted by ghosts of his past, tries to understand the relationship of home, family, country, and his father (spoken in Portuguese with projected English subtitles). Tickets start at 10€.
Luís Franco-Bastos stand-up comedy, at Teatro Sá da Bandeira, starts 21h
The name of the show is “Diogo,” which was the name by which Luís “Diogo” Roda Madureira Franco-Bastos’ parents called him in childhood, with the aim of distinguishing him from Luís, his father, or from Luís Miguel, his brother. Listen to this comedy routine (in Portuguese). Tickets start at 15€.
"Letters from a dead man" film screening, at Batalha Cinema, 21h15-22h45
This 1986 Russian film follows the survivors as they try to live through nuclear winter (in Russian with Portuguese subtitles). Tickets are 5€.
Peter Storm and the blues society concert, at Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club, 21h30-23h59
Voted one of Portugal's best blues bands, this group takes the stage at this intimate venue. Table reservations can be made by email. Tickets start at 10€.
American traditional war songs, at Batalha Cinema, starts 22h
Sky Hopinka discusses the connection between language and homeland, and the constant shifting in this relationship throughout Indigenous American history. The performance is interpreted in Chinook Jargon and in English, featuring a projection of his film Jáaji Approx. (2015). Free admission.
The Doors tribute concert, at Wish You Were Here bar, starts 23h
The Lizard King, a Doors cover band, will take the stage for this free show. Call to reserve a table 913 902 004.
Shuggah lickurs DJ set, at Maus Hábitos, starts 23h59
Susana and Carolina return to the backstage to spin the best hits of pop music all night. Tickets are 5€ and will be available at the door.
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Sunday, 15 January
Singing workshop for children, at Casa da Música, 2 start times
A chance for kids 3 months to 6 years old to learn to sing with the help of instructors Ana Bento and Bruno Pinto (in Portuguese). Tickets to the 10h and 11h30 workshops are 12€.
Marine forests lecture, at Parque de Serralves, starts 11h
Researcher Isabel Sousa Pinto will be leading a conversation about marine forests, important productive and biodiverse forests, that serve as nurseries, protecting the juveniles of many marine species, including some of high importance for fisheries. In addition to absorbing CO2, locally reducing ocean acidification, they release O2, oxygenating the water, and absorb numerous pollutants contributing to clean water. Registration is mandatory, but the lecture is free.
Family comfort food cooking class, at Pop Up Workshops, 11h-15h
Chef Joana Roque promises to share some of the tricks of her famous cooking, always with a dash of tradition, daring, innovation, and savings. In this workshop, you will learn delicious and warm recipes to make your family meals even more special (in Portuguese). The cost is 40€ and registration is required.
Luís de Matos magic show, at Ageas Porto Coliseu, 2 start times
Luis de Matos, the most-awarded Portuguese magician, will be accompanied by Joana Almeida and the Momentum Crew, world break-dance champions. Four other world-renowned magicians will be supporting the show. Tickets start at 18€ for the 11h and 16h30 shows.
Terracotta army exhibit, at Alfandega Congress Center, 11h-18h30
The Terracotta Warriors arrive in Porto for the first time and transport visitors to the China of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The sculptures, which date from the late 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 in Xi'an, China, by local farmers starting excavations for a water well. Audio guide included but you need to bring your own headphones. Tickets start at 8€.
Treetop walk tour, at Parque de Serralves, starts 15h
Experience and get to know biodiversity through the treetop walk. Registration is mandatory with a cost of 11€.
"Casa Portuguesa" play, at Teatro Nacional São João, 16h-18h
Artistic director Pedro Penim combines three themes - fado, war diaries, and philosophical essay - in this play. Casa Portuguesa tells the story of a former Colonial War soldier who, when confronted by ghosts of his past, tries to understand the relationship of home, family, country, and his father (in Portuguese with Portuguese sign language and audio description). Tickets start at 10€.
"Ste. Anne" film screening, at Batalha Cinema, 17h15-18h45
This festival (hosted by COUSIN, a collective of artists and filmmakers descending from North American indigenous peoples) will be presenting several carefully curated films for the first time in Portugal. This film examines the Métis indigenous community in rural Manitoba, Canada (in French with Portuguese subtitles). Tickets are 5€.
Vales of Love concert, at Casa da Música, starts 18h
Casa da Música Choir, directed by Sofi Jeannin, will be performing Germanic choral movements including Brahms, Liebeslieder Walzer, and Schumann. Tickets are 12€.
"A Noiva" film screening, at Campo Alegre Theatre, 2 start times
This award-winning film was recently released and revolves around a European teenager who ran away from home to marry a Daesh fighter. Three years later, her life has dramatically changed. Living in an Iraqi prison camp, she now has two children and is pregnant again (in Portuguese, Arabic, and French). Screenings at 18h30 and 21h30. Tickets are 5,50€ and can be purchased at the door.
Jazz jam concert, at Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club, 21h30-23h59
Listen to the city’s top jazz performers riff together. Table reservations can be made by email. Tickets start at 10€.
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