Rubén Blades, Panama's Tourism Minister, recently announced that this year's "One Thousand Pollera Parade" will be held on Sunday, June 26, on Calle 50. The event honors Panama's beautiful, national female attire

Considered one of the most beautiful folklore dresses in the world, Panama's Pollera descends from the attire of Spanish peasant women of the 17th century. Today, a hand-made original Pollera could cost well over US$10,000.

Hurry to get your ticket! The stage presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar, considered one of the biggest theatrical events in Panama this year, ends June 5.

Directed by renowned Panamanian theater producer Bruce Quinn and co-produced by Diana Abouganem and Nikki de Roy, the cast includes Juan Carlos Adames (in the role of Jesus), Luis Arteaga (Judas), Janelle Davidson (Mary Magdalene), Edwin Cedeño (Herod), and Tete Olivella (Peter). Dino Nugent is the Musical Director.

Co-written by Tim Rice as a rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar was introduced in1970. It highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus, and is told largely from Judas' irreverent point of view. The action takes place within the last week of Jesus's life, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Cruxifiction. Twentieth-century attitude and sensibilities pervade the lyrics, and ironic allusions to modern life are scattered throughout.

Tickets cost $30.00, $25.00, $20.00 and $5.00, for sale at TicketCenter. For more information, call 279-1010 or visit ticketcenterpa.com

The town of Boquete will vibrate (only in the musical sense, that is) on Saturday, June 4, when the Mixturas Chamber Ensemble will perform at Salón Centenario, located at the International Fair complex.

The statement that "Boquete will vibrate" was not chosen at random. It is the actual name of the concert given by the group, established by percusionist Ella Ponce and guitarist Rodrigo Invernizzi in 2003.

The Mixturas Ensemble.

Mixturas is a flexible ensemble that uses accoustic instruments (saxophone, bass, vibraphone, Panamanian drums) and a mixture of voices and electroacustic instruments. Its repertoire includes classical and sacred music, folk pieces and the group's original creations. The members of Mixtura are: Ella Ponce Uribe (Director, composer and vibraphonist), Moisés Fernandez (soprano sax and flute), Osvaldo Vergara (bass), Daniel Agudo (basoon) and Ricuarte Villareal (Panamanian drums).

Tickets cost $20.00 and include wine tasting, other beverages and apperitifs.

Located on the eastern slope of Panama's Volcán Barú, the country's highest peak, Boquete has one of the fastest growing foreign expat communities in Latin America.

For more information, call 261-0886 (Panama City) or 774-3816 (province of Chiriquí. Chiriquí).

Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture will host EXPOCAMARA 2005, a commercial trade fair scheduled for July 15-17 at Panama City’s Atlapa Convention Center.

Although conducted on a somewhat smaller scale than EXPOCOMER (Central America’s largest international trade fair, which takes place in Panama each March) EXPOCAMARA should by no means be ignored, as it grants international investors to establish relationships with local partners.

For details and more information, call: 212-8144 ó al 212-8051.

The Panamonte Inn & Spa, located in the mountain resort community of Boquete, Chiriquí, is hosting an antique show, organized by Arts & Antiques –a Panama City boutique and gallery. The show will end June 5.

Beautiful furniture, marble and bronze sculptures, lamps and chandeliers are on display. There are English artifacts from the 1830’s, French crystal from the 1880’s and German and East-European ceramics from the turn of the 20th century, as well as a large number of personal items, such as purses, rosaries and books.

For more information, call: 720-1327.

A Victorian-era sculpture.

Ana Gabriel.

Renowned mexican ballad singer Ana Gabriel will offer a cocert June 14 at Atlapa Convention Center.

Panama City's El Panama Hotel recently held the "Semana Gastronómica Argentina y del Tango", a week-long culinary festival honoring the Argentinian community in Panama.

Guests of the festival were able to enjoy dishes from all regions of Argentina as well as a number of tango dance performances.

Hotel El Panama has served Panama's leisure industry for over 50 years. It is located on Vía España, in the heart of the city's banking and hotel district.

Just as Rosa María Hernández seeks to win the 2005 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, her fellow countrywomen in the U.S. are competing for this year’s Miss Panama California crown. The pageant will take place on Saturday, June 4, at Florentine Gardens on Hollywood Blvd.

This annual event is organized by the Viva Panama Organization, the California-based Panamanian association which encompasses approximately 40,000 members, making one of the largest associations of Isthmian residents abroad.

Justine Pasek, the first Panamanian belle to wear a Miss Universe crown (2002) and Cilina Prada, Miss Asia Pacific 1987 will be the pageant’s special guests.

The contest is opened to all residents and citizens of the U.S. with proven Panamanian ancestry, ages 16 and older.

For more information, visit the site: www.vivapanama.org