Two days of rock, reggae, jazz, pop, salsa and merengue. Organizers of Music Fest Panama 2005, scheduled for April 9-10 at Figali Convention Center in Amador, claim the event will rival any other international music festival. Twenty performers have confirmed their attendance at the two-day show, which will cover everything from rock and reggae to jazz, pop, salsa and merengue.

Mexican diva Alejandra Guzmán. --»

The event will start on Saturday, April 9 at 9:00 p.m. with an "electronicfiesta", with the performance of some of world’s popular ‘DJs’: Christopher Lawrence, Christian Smith, Ferry Corsten, Cedric Gervais and Mistress Barbara. The parade of singers includes Alejandra Guzman, Samy & Sandra Sandoval, Os Almirantes, Enanitos Verdes, Olga Tañon, Chris & Ivy Queen, Aleks Syntek, Telefunka, Sussie 4, Moenia, and Ivan Barrios.

Music Fest Panama 2005 also includes a bike and skateboard show and outdoor exhibits. For tickets and more information, call: 314-1414.

The Visitor takes this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to the participants of TREX 2005, the seventh version of the Travel Exchange Central America tourism fair, which will take place April 13-15 at the Meliá Panama Canal Hotel, in Colón.

Representatives of 50 tour operators, 75 suppliers of travel services from Central America, over 100 retail travel agents and tourism journalists will participate at the fair, which will include a tour operator showcase, a travel agent seminar, and a travel exposition promoting all Central American services and destinations.

The event is organized by William H. Coleman, Inc., a worldwide event management firm with offices in Jacksonville, Toronto and London.

Brazilian ballad singer Alexandre Pires, will perfom his latest hits, in a concert entitled "Alma Brasilera" (Brazilian soul), April 28 at Atlapa Convention Center. Tickets: $75.00, $50.00, $35.00 and $20.00. For more information, call TicketCenter, 279-1010.

The American Chamber of Commerce of Panama (AmCham) invites golfers to the 5th Annual Golfista and Amigo Tournament, on Friday, April 15 at Summit Golf & Resort. There will be only 108 playing slots for this Mexican Best Ball tournament. For more information, Call Ana Cecilia Fábrega at 301-3881.

Abernathy, one of Panama’s long-established fishing equipment companies, recently held "La Pesca Me Picó" a special tournament for anglers ages 8-17 in the waters of the Gulf of Panama. Seen here are the members of the 13-17 category the winners of wich were: Patricia Roquebert (first place), Juan Roquebert (second place) and Blanca Roquebert (third place).

With stores on the Trans-Isthmian Highway and the Amador Causeway, at La Playita, Abernathy offers a wide range of goods and services for anglers, yacht owners and divers. For more information, call: 260-1222.

The latest trends in health, beauty and fashion will be available to visitors at the Expo Salud y Belleza fair, scheduled April 8-10 at Panama City’s Atlapa Convention Center. Beauty clinics, gyms, designers and cosmetic and fragrance manufacturers will offer a wide variety of goods and services.

For details, call Atlapa’s box office: 226-7000.

Renowned, world-class designer Oscar de la Renta will personally supervise a gala fashion show featuring his 2005 Summer/Spring Collection on Tuesday, April 12 at Figali Convention, in Amador, at 7:30 p.m. The show is part of Noche Romántica, an annual, charity extravaganza organized by Fundación San Felipe, a non-profit organization that fosters the development of Panama City’s Old Quarter. The event will also include performances by the Elisa de Céspedes Panamanian Folklore Ballet, Maruja Herrera, First Ballerina of Panama’s National Ballet, and the Physical modern dance troupe.

Tickets cost $125.00, $100.00, $75.00 and $50.00, for sales at Almacén Seasons and Felipe Motta Wine Store, in Marbella. For more information, call: 314-1414

“New Generation”, a German-Austrian flute quartet, will offer the first recital of the 2005 season of the National Concert Association on Wednesday, April 20 at Atlapa Convention Center at 8:00 p.m. Established in 1998, the group comprises Susanne Frohlich, Hanna Pape, Heide Schwarz, and Andrea Guttman. For tickets and more information, call: 214-7236, or visit the page: www.conciertospanama.org

The town of La Villa in the province of Los Santos will be the last stop in the long series of regional fairs which every year takes place during Panama's dry season (January-April). Azuero International Fair, one of the country's most important festivals, will take place April 28-May 8 and will include folklore performances, concerts, games and exhibits of cattle, handicrafts and products from various Latin American countries.

Río Mar beach will host the third competition of Panama’s annual Summer Surf Tournament, scheduled April 16-17. Experts say the event will be a “tough duel” between the country’s top surfers, including Gary Saavedra, Ricardo Alfaro, Augusto Pérez, Rolando Castillo, Leonardo Eyserick, Samantha Alonso and Nicole Pérez.

Located approximately 95 km. west of Panama City, Río Mar is a favorite mecca among Panamanian surfers on the Pacific, along with El Palmar, Playa Teta and Playa Venao, which also host a number of competitions during the dry season (December-April).