The Escazú Jazz Café opened its doors to the public last night and announced a program of live concerts by the likes of Las Tortugas through the week.

Early in February, a titillating wave rippled through Escazú when the owners of a popular music club across town announced they were opening a new live venue in this suburb southwest of San José.

But the thrill was almost gone when more than a month went by and no news, no program. Last night, after the completion of a licensing procedure that had slowed the process, the new Jazz Café Escazú was scheduled to finally open with a show by electronic band Santos y Zurdos.

Next up, tonight sees a concert by Tico composer Manuel Obregón, whose contemporary solo piano has graced stages in Europe and the United States, and can be heard on recordings such as “Simbiosis,” “Trance Submarino” and his latest “Piano Malango.” Obregón starts up at 10 p.m., which according to venue spokeswoman Ana Beatriz Fernández is the time all the concerts will begin.

Tomorrow, smooth jazz group Jazz Expresso take to the stage.

Friday will see a concert by Tico rock band Las Tortugas and, for Saturday, the club is waiting for confirmation to promote a show by popular Costa Rican band Malpaís.

This weekend's tentative list is similar to the lineup that inaugurated the club, with its multicolored corrugated-zinc sheeted facade – a project that cost about $900,000 – on Feb. 6. Inside the standout venue was a spectacle-filled opening celebration with mimes, performance artists and musicians to entertain a crowd of news media and invited guests. It was no surprise that Malpaís played. In addition to showing up at a host of the country's festivities, the band's violinist, Iván Rodríguez, is also one of Jazz Café's co-owners.

The new Jazz Café is located alongside the Próspero Fernández highway to Guachipelín near CIMA hospital and Confort Suizo hotel. It will be closed on Sunday. Admission is ¢4,000 (about $8), according to a press release, though in the future expect it to vary – as happens for tickets for club's namesake in San Pedro – depending on the gig.

To reserve a table, call 253-8933.