Hello Explorers!

The fun we Explorers are having seems to be spreading by word of mouth (or should I say by word of email) around the world. We have had a number of emails just in the last month from countries as far away as England, Germany, Australia, as well as both North and South America where the sender is asking to be added to our list. Everyone is welcome to join the Explorers, as there is no membership fee, age, country, etc. limitations. The purpose of the Expat Explorers Extra Events is to broaden our horizons in all healthy ways whether living in, or even visiting Panama.

Thus, if you are reading this in "The Visitor" Newspaper - please feel free to write in if you want to join us at any event! New friends are being made, life is being enjoyed, and we are getting to know more about Panama alongside others with the same type of interest.

Extra events are added, and adjustments sometimes have to be made throughout the month, so please be sure to check in, and bookmark our calendar at: http://calendar.yahoo.ca/expatsinpanama

Wednesdays - 7:00PM – Bridge Night: Sheila Hawes. She will be orientating those Expats who fit in any category (beginner to pro). Location: Siciliano's Marilyn Monroe Room - no charge. Please send all RSVP's, and questions to Sheila via email: silversurfer428@hotmail.com

JUNE 16th -18th
HEALTH & WELLNESS INFORMATION & EXPLORATION WEEKEND focusing on information, locations, and services available for mental, physical, and insurance health. More arrangements are being made. Further details will be released on the next update.

FRIDAY- June 16th, 5:00pm
Self-Awareness Workshop Session #1
Beginner MEDITATION (for all ages) RSVP.
Presented by: Event Host & Life Coach Jamuna Burry.

SATURDAY - June 17th, 9:30am
TO YOUR HEALTH!
Tour & Explanation of BIOFLEX Wellness Center
A Wellness center specializing in the over-50 crowd (but all ages are welcome!) that works directly with your medical history, conditions, and even your doctor! Cholesteral levels, blood pressure, etc. are monitored by certified professionals on a constant basis. We encourage everyone to join us on this tour of a facility that is much more than a fitness center. Visit www.bioflex.com for a peek! Please RSVP, transportation may be available.

TUESDAY - June 20th, 8:00am
METROPOLITAN PARK - Nature Walk and photo opportunity! Just on the edge of the city is the beautiful "Parque Metropolitano". Not only is there wildlife to see, but the most breathtaking views and photo opportunities of the city are at its peak. Minimum 6 people, max 8. Costs are $4/person for guide & entrance.

SATURDAY - June 24th
We're finally going to do it! The Big One.
TRANSIT THE PANAMA CANAL!
Starts and finishes at the Causeway. RSVP & Prepayment necessary.
The cost for a partial transit is $105 per person which includes lunch, sodas and water (all you can drink) and a bilingual guide. Check in is at 9:30 a.m. in the Flamenco Marina located at the end of the Amador Causeway.

SUNDAY - June 25th, 4:00pm
SQUARE DANCING LESSONS
Learn or Watch - no charge.
Event Hosts: Richard & Sandy Abell
"Panama Sunday Squares" is now offering square dance lessons. Choice of start dates, either the 18th or the 25th. No charge or obligation to participate in this class. People are invited and welcomed as couples or singles. The class (approximately 1 hour) will be held each Sunday at 4:00 pm in the church hall at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Balboa. Anyone wishing to may remain, watch, and socialize while the regular club dancers continue dancing until around 6pm. Participants usually bring refreshments and have a cooperative participation plan. Persons graduating from this class will have an opportunity to join the club. Location: St. Mary's Catholic Church in Balboa.

MONDAY - June 26th, 5:30pm
TRAVEL THRU SPAIN - On a virtual WINE TASTING TOUR!
RSVP is a NECESSITY

Dr. Arosemena accompanied by the owners of Arteconsult Art Gallery: Diana Grimberg de Moreinis (left) and Carmen Alemán Healy.

Visitors are invited to the exhibit entitled, "Dictado de Momerías y Flores" by Panamanian painter Dr. Octavio Arosemena, at the Arteconsult Art Gallery, on Calle 50.

The rather interesting name of the exhibit (which translates as "Dictation of Grimaces and Flowers") appropriately describes Dr. Arosemena’s style –abstract, full color figures and geometrical shapes "dictated" by his brain and captured on large claybord canvases.

Dr. Arosemena, a dentist by profession, started painting "as a positive means to use energy" ten years ago. He has mounted four major individual exhibits, receiving high marks by Panamanian and international art experts. In 2004, he won the first prize of Panama’s National Painting Contest.

Argentinian-born romantic pianist, Raúl diBlasio, will perform his new repertoire at Anayansi Theater of Atlapa Convention Center on June 18th.

DiBlasio, considered by many Latin America's response to Richard Clayderman, started his musical career at age 6, but became an international celebrity well into adulthood, playing the national and folk music of each country he visits, as well as a broad range of well-known Latin American hits, and jazz, pop and Brazilian samba. He was nominated to the Grammy Awards last year.For more info call: 226-7005.

Mike Del Ferro

One of the most outstanding European Jazz pianists, Mike Del Ferro, will offer a single performance at Panama City’s National Theater, Thursday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m. Del Ferro will be accompanied by the two other members of his trio: Leslie López (bass) and Olaf Keus (percussion).

A native of Amsterdam, Del Ferro started his career studying classical piano at the age of nine. After falling in love with jazz, he focused his studies and, later received a Masters of Music in Contemporary Music from the Amsterdam Conservatory. In 1989 he won first prize at the Rotterdam Jazz Piano Competition, the soloist prize at the Europe Jazz Contest in Brussels, and the first prize at the Karlovy Vary Jazz Contest.

From 1993-1996 he studied composition and arranging with Bob Brookmeyer at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, Germany. In 1995 Mike was appointed to the faculty of the Royal Conservatory in Gent, Belgium where he taught jazz piano until 1997.

Mike’s reputation as a soloist, accompanist, composer and arranger has led to worldwide performances, recordings and tours with top musicians such as Toots Thielemans, Jack DeJohnette, Oscar Castro Neves, Deborah Brown, Scott Hamilton, Richard Galliano, Thijs van Leer (Focus), Harold Land, Norma Winstone, Benny Bailey, Candy Dulfer, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Badi Assad, Fernanda Porto, and Frank Vaganée.

Mike del Ferro is the recently appointed Director of Jazz Programs of American Voices, where he travels the world performing in countries ranging from Latvia and Turkmenistan to Myanmar and Vietnam.

Tickets cost $25, $20, $15, $10 and $5 (for students with ID), for sale at Allegro (Calle 73, San Francisco), the Argosy Bookstore (located on Vía Argentina) and Exedra Books (situated between Vía España and Vía Brasil). For details: fundaciondaniloperez@mail.com

World Cup on TV:

In Panama, the World Cup is a national celebration.

Although Panamanians are a bit disappointed at the fact that their national team did not make it to the 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany, virtually every eye on the Isthmus will be glued to a TV set during the competition, which takes place June 9-July 9.

Unlike most Latin American countries, where soccer is almost a religion, Panama was, until recently, a "baseball country", a fact associated with the special relationship the country shared with the United States until 1999. Things started to change during the last five years, when experts began considering the potential of Panama’s soccer team after a number of regional victories.

Until the day Panama’s "Marea Roja" team is able to play in a World Cup, hopefully in 2010, at least when it comes to soccer, Isthmians will continue to pledge allegiance to the countries of origin of their fathers –a byproduct of Panama’s rich ethnic mix.

Panamanians, who by no means exhibit the same levels of fanatism seen in other countries, are fond of watching the World Cup with foreign visitors at select restaurants and sports bars.

TV watching venues, 2006 Soccer World Cup
(Panama City)

Bolas, in Centro Comercial Camino de Cruces, en El Dorado

TGI Friday’s, in Amador, Marbella and Los Pueblos

Bennigan’s: Avenida Balboa, Extreme Planet

Multisport, Multiplaza Pacific

Taberna 21

La Papa, Calle 52 Bella Vista

Bar Sparkles, Hotel Miramar

Grill 50, Calle 50 & Vía Brasil