Callejón Festival Champions Emerging Artists in Buenos Aires
The eighth edition of the Callejón Festival is underway, dedicated to fostering new talent in the performing arts within Buenos Aires. Held at Espacio Callejón (3759 Humahuaca Street) from November 17th to 21st, the festival provides a crucial platform for artists, particularly women and those historically lacking access to performance spaces.
Curator Zoilo Garcés explained the festival’s origins stemmed from a desire to support creators needing opportunities to develop and showcase their work. Callejón uniquely operates by “hosting new projects in a work-in-progress format,” with a commitment to fully premiere these pieces in subsequent years. This year sees that promise fulfilled with a dance performance, All My Curses at Home, following the work-in-progress showing of a theater piece, Fronter, which will debut in 2026.
The seven-day program encompasses theater, dance, and music, intentionally representing all three core disciplines of the performing arts. Highlights include performances by Max Garita, a premiere from Nicole Popper, and A cero las rodar piedra, a work adapted from a previous project staged in a hotel setting.
Garcés emphasized a collaborative and intuitive selection process, prioritizing a strong connection with artists over formal applications. he described the process as seeking “good vibes” and a shared commitment to the work. This approach allows for the inclusion of projects discovered without prior knowledge, like Popper’s, provided the team demonstrates dedication and a clear vision.
Beyond the performances, the festival cultivates an open and inviting atmosphere with a bar, food vendors, and wall projections. Garcés believes this immersive experience encourages new artists to participate, ultimately bolstering the Argentine theater scene and attracting a wider audience.
For those interested in learning more, the full interview with zoilo Garcés is available on the YouTube channel of Radio buenos Aires AM 1350.
