Concert Oct. 22:

The Colombian pop star Juanes, will give a concert on Saturday October 22 at Figali Convention Center, in Amador. The performance is part of his "Mi Sangre" (My Blood)World Tour.

Juanes, whose real name is Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, is one of Colombia's most famous musical icons abroad. His music is a trendy mix of rock, pop, and Colombian folklore rhythms, with the accordion and the triple. His themes range from love in its various dimensions to social protest, especially in regards to the socio-economic reality of Latin America.

His latest songs, including "Fíjate bien", "Podemos hacernos daño", "Nada" and "A Dios le pido," have held the top positions in radio charts in Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Central America, Puerto Rico, and in Hispanic regions of the United States. He has earned three Latin Grammys and a number of prizes and distinctions as a composer, guitar player, producer and arranger.

The Latin musical play "La Otra Historia de Pedro Navaja" will be presented until October 30 at Teatro ABA. From Monday to Friday there will be one performance daily at 8 p.m.; on Saturdays two performances at 6 and 8 p.m.; and on Sundays three shows at 4, 6 and 8 p.m.

A line-up of the happy cast.

This musical comedy is based on "The Three Cents Opera", the story of Mack the Knife. It features salsa, merengue, mambo, boleros, rancheras and tangos. Performances include Luis Arteaga, Aurea Horta, Samuel Ibarra, Sharo Cerguera, Elmir Fadul, Isabel Cabrera, Angel Medina, Luis Gustavo Macías, Omar Arroyo, Edgar Smith, James Ohmer, Javier Navarro, Sara Macías, Hannia Alfú, Yilka Arosemena, Irene Núñez, and Yara Díaz. The play is under the direction of Pablo Salas, coreography by Carlos Díaz, scenery by Eduardo Caballini, musical arrangements by Tino Castro and the producer is Aurea Horta.

For information or reservations, call 260-6316.

Don’t miss the color and tradition of patron saint festivals taking place throughout Panama this month.

October 21
The Black Christ Festival, Portobelo, province of Colón.

November 5
Anniversary of the town of Antón, province of Coclé.

November 6
First Cry of Independence in Penonomé, province of Coclé.

November 25
Patron saint festival of Santa Catalina, Pedasí, province of Los Santos.

Don’t miss La Boheme’s

Restaurante La Boheme is always re-inventing itself when it comes to fine entertainment. Ms. Vilma Correa, the owner of this small establishment located on Calle 51 Bella Vista, in the heart of the city’s banking center, invites visitors to what she calls "a surprise night" on Saturday, October 22, featuring an exotic dancer, music and special treats.

La Boheme’s style reflects the spirit of its owner, who is open to all things new, especially when it comes to foreign cultures. The restaurant is a trendy, comfortable little venue that strongly believes in fusion –a combination of popular specialties and exotic sauces. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is Corvina topped with tamarind sauce, although La Boheme’s eight types of Asiatic salads don’t lag behind.

La Boheme's cuisine is defined as "fusion".

Other sought-after specialties are: Jamaican grilled chicken with mango sauce and Filete a La Boheme, covered with a special white sauce prepared with white wine, dried tomatoes and fresh basil. La Boheme also featues a bar, where excellent cocktails and spirits are served, and where visitors can intermingle with Panamanians during the restaurant’s "Wine Evening Specials" (Tuesday nights) and "Sangria Specials" (Thursdays). Jazz, pop music and karaoke is offered every other week.

For reservations and more information, call: 264-0590.

The cast: Michael Henríquez, Roberto Bruno and Amit Nathani.

The latest production of the Theatre Guild of Ancon is the comic drama play "Orphans" written by Lyle Kessler (It is rated "for adults only"). It will open on Thursday Oct 13 at the Guild’s playhouse located beside the PTJ (Policia Tecnica Judicial) at Ancon and will continue on Oct 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22. Performances start at 8:00p.m.

The play is directed by Ron Leggiere and concerns two brothers who live in a house in N. Philadelphia. Although they are adults, there is something child-like about these orphans. The older one supports himself and his slightly-retarded brother by petty thievery. One night he brings home a rich guy called Harold to get him drunk and roll him. It turns out that Harold is very rich-and on the lam from others who want to kill him. Harold establishes the house as a base of operations and, in a strange, hilarious and moving way, becomes the father figure the boys have always yearned for.

Christmas bells will start ringing a bit early at Teatro En Círculo this month with the stage performance of Dan Googin's "Sor Cascanueces" (The Nun Cracker), which will run November 9-December 7.

Directed by Panamanian theater master Bruce Quinn, the cast of the play includes Any Tovar, Cristina de la Fuente, Janelle Davidson, Cheli de Boyd, Victoria Greco, Felix Gómez and a choir of six children.

Shows are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. For reservations and more information, call 261-5375 or 261-5259.

The cast from left to right: Victoria Greco, Melina Samaniego, Cristina De La Fuente, Cheli de Boyd, Félix Gómez, Any Tovar.