Latin music afficionados will have the chance to enjoy the romantic songs of Mexican singer Ana Gabriel, who will offer a concert at Panama City's Atlapa Convention Center (Anayansi Theater) on August 18.

One of the most recognizable voices on the air waves in Latin America, Ana Gabriel, a native of Sinaloa, Mexico, started her career in the mid-1970's under her given name, María Guadalupe Araujo, but it wasn't until 1979 that she became an internationally-acclaimed star under her nom de plume, suggested by her manager.

At first, she was best known for her role as a composer, launching "no me lastimes más" in 1984. After successfully parti-cipating in a number of song competitions, she was invited to record her hits.

Although romantic ballads are her forte, Ana Gabriel has also turned her talent to her native country's ranchera genre. Many of her hits have reached the top ten charts throughout the region.

Call Ticket Center, 279-1010

Fine European ceramics, jewelry, crystal and works by renowned Panamanian painters will be exhibited and auctioned at the 14th annual "Subasta de Excelencias", scheduled for Wednesday, August 17 at the Marrtiott Panama Hotel. The event is organized by Fundación San Felipe, a non-profit, charity organization, the main goal of which is to seek better oportunities for the people of the district of San Felipe (the city's Old Quarter) and their environs.

Starting at 8:00 p.m., the auction will be preceeded by an exhibit and cocktail at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit the page: www.fundacionsanfelipe.org

"The secret ties between Panama and Scotland" is the title of a fascinating exhibit at Panama City's Interoceanic Canal Museum, featuring documens and relics related to the little-known, ill-fated Scottish attempt to establish a colonial trading post in Panama in the late 17th century. The exhibit will open August 17 and will end September 30.

On June 17, 1698, 1,200 Scots on board a five-ship flotilla, embarked on a journey across the Atlantic that would lead them to the present-day Panamanian province of Darién. With the financial sponsorshp of the Bank of Scotland, the crew intended to establish a trading post in tropical America and brought with them large amounts of merchandise. Although they were able to establish good relations with the Native American population of the area, tropical diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria soon took their toll and almost wiped out the entire population of "New Caledonia" within a few months.

The venture turned out to be a financial fiasco with terrible consequences for the Scottish economy. Some of those who managed to return to Scotland were tried and executed while others lived in permanent exile.

Liam Teague, one of the best-known steelpan musicians of Trinidad & Tobago, will be the guest soloist of Panama’s National Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, August 18, at the National Theater at 8.00 p.m.

Playing the steelpan has been Teague's favorite passtime since the age of 12. His passion lead him to take formal music classes in his native country and continue his education at the University of Northern Illinois, where he graduated in 1992 with honors. An accomplished flautist and violinist, Teague has played with the Czech Symphony Orchestra, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets $20, $10 and $5.00, for sale at the Argosy Bookstore, located on Vía Argentina. For details, call 223-5344.

One of the most prestigious contemporary dance troupes of Spain, Compañía Fernando Hurtado, will soon arrive to offer a single performance at Panama City's National Theater on Friday, August 19 at 8:00 p.m. The performance is sponsored by the Embassy of Spain, Asociación Cultural Arte and Panama's National Culture Institute (INAC).

The troupe is directed by its founder, Fernando Hurtado, a choreography expert trained in Spain and France. He has been a member of renowned dance companies and has won numerous international competitions.

Tickets cost $15 and $10 and are for sale at The Argosy Theater, and El Hombre de la Mancha. For details, call 264-4560, 659-9579.

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.

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.

Fourteen regional Heads of State recently visited Panama to participate in the Fourth Summit of the Association of States of the Caribbean, which took place July 26-29.

Among them were presidents Alvaro Uribe (Colombia), Vicente Fox (Mexico), Leonel Fernández (Dominican Republic), Oscar Berger (Guatemala), Antonio Saca (El Salvador), Ricardo Maduro (Honduras), Enrique Bolaños (Nicaragua) and Abel Pacheco (Costa Rica)

During the conclave, the fourth in the Association’s 10-year-history—the Heads of State reviewed the region’s economic and commercial development, the progress in the fight against poverty and child malnutrition, international air transport and regional cooperation in the event of natural disasters.

One of the most awaited annual events in Panama City is Fiesta "Alrededor del Mundo", an international culinary festival organized by Caravana de Asistencia Social, a charity organization created by the wives of foreign and Panamanian diplomats. It will take place on Friday, August 26 at Atlapa Convention Center, from noon onwards.

The main course of the fair will be numerous dishes from countries as diverse as Malta and Korea to Central America, Germany and Turkey. Side dishes include international folklore performances and handicraft stands.

Admittance is $3.00 per person (children 10 and younger enter free).