The event is an international tribute to music, which started in 1982.

"Music Fest", a series of musical performances scheduled June 21 at Anita Villaláz Theater at the French Plaza, in the neighborhood of San Felipe. Admittance is free, although tickets are limited.

Fete de la Musique is an international tradition started in 1982 by M. Jack Long, who back then was the French Minister of Culture. Held every year on the Summer Solstice, the event is observed in plazas, churches, cathedrals, streets and even hospitals in 120 countries.

In Panama, this year's Fete de la Musique will be performed by members of "Tocando Madera", a musical project comprising a number of Panamanian composers: Rómulo Castro, Kafú Banton, Yigo Sugasti, Iván Barrios, Juan sin Tierra, Alejandro Lagrotta and Priscila Moreno.

For more information, call Alliance Francaise, 223-7376/5792, or visit the page http://fetedelamusique.culture.fr

In August:

The Theatre Guild of Ancon announces its upcoming play entitled "Black Comedy", by Peter Shaffer. This hilarious comedy is a favorite of all theatre goers. Find out what happens when a poor young artist, Brindsley Miller, and his debutante girlfriend Carol, are visited by Mr. Bamberger, a famous and influential art collector. In order to impress him, they borrow antique furniture, without permission, from their neighbor Harold. Then the light goes out and the fun begins when the electrician arrives and is mistaken for the famous collector.

The play will run August 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $10.00. For reservations and more information, call: 212-0060.

The cast of "Black Comedy". Standing from left to right: Bernard Callaghan, Alec Sherman, Cassandra Joy, Robert Joy, and the director Ron Leggiere. Seated: Lily Sherman, Amit Nathani, Rosa Altrio. Absent: Liborio García-Correa.

June 26:

A grand tribute to Panama's folklore female attire, "La Pollera", (considered by experts one of the world's most beautiful dresses) will be the biggest event in town this month. The "Parade of the Thousand Polleras" will cover the entire length of Calle 50 this Sunday, June 26, starting at 3:00 p.m. The event will feature dozens of floats and folklore dance troupes, and approximately 1,500 Pollera-wearing ladies. The event is organized by the Panama Government Tourist Bureau (IPAT).

The "tropical" version of the Andalucian female attire of the 15th and 16th centuries, Panama's Polleras were first worn by the peasantry and the servant class of the Isthmus during the Spanish colonial period. Originally made with white linen, the dress slowly evolved throughout the centuries into a veritable hand-embroidered work of art, which presently costs between US$1,500 to US$10,000.

Polleras became popular among city folk and the country's elite during the first decades of the 20th century thanks to the pre-Lenten Carnivals (February/March), a nation-wide festival in which, traditionally, all social classes intermingle.

The two main versions of the dress are the Pollera de Gala, adorned with a plethora of gold ornaments and the Pollera montuna, the more informal version. Nevertheless, Polleras vary from region to region, ranging from the African accents of the provinces of Colón and Darién to the more Hispanic versions of the south-central provinces of Herrera and Los Santos.

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.

Thousands, perhaps a million or two, will have had the chance to taste Panama's groumet coffee at the Expo AICHI world exhibit in Japan before the fair ends in September.

Three hundred pounds of Panama's best coffee was recently sent to the fair under the coordination of María Gabriela Méndez, the head of the country's delegation at the fair.

Panama's stand, which is housed at the Central American pavillion, also offers ties and clothing made with mola motifs (molas are the reverse appliqué creations of the Kuna indians of San Blas), hats and many other types of handicraft.

Opened last March, Expo AICHI 2005 is expected to attract over 15 million people. The main theme of the event is "The Wisdom of Nature", and promotes the proper management of the planet's natural resources.