espateplores@expatsinpanama.com

EVERY SAT& SUN JULY 1-30 HANSEL & GRETEL
The oven is hot and the smell of gingerbread fills the air as Teatro de los Niños de Panama opens its latest classic fairy-tale production "Hansel & Gretel" at the auditorium of Florida State University-Panama in la Boca. Performances at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Filled with laughter, music and the spectacular sets and costumes that makes every Teatro de los Niños production Panama’s finest children’s entertainment, this version of "Hansel and Gretel" is written and directed by Bob Stiff and stars Hannia Woodman as the evil witch, Hagattha. Tickets are available at Ticket Center and at the auditorium box-office the day of the performance. All performances are in Spanish (so come & practice, or participate visually!). For more information, call the TNP Hotline at 269-2249 or visit www.tnp-omega.com

The Expat Explorer performance is sunday July 16 at the 5:00 pm. show.

Tickets are $10. Transportation (optional) is $6 return. RSVP prior to July 21st to expatexplores@expatsinpanama.com

FRIDAY, JULY 7 HAPPY HOUR & PRE-REGISTRATION NIGHT – Hippo’s Restaurant 5:30 –7:30 pm. Hippo’s is located on Calle Uruguay (pronounced Urrogwi). Don’t forget your funds if you are wanting to sign up for one of the upcoming tours!

MONDAY, JULY 10 – EXPAT SOCIAL at Rino’s Restaurant! Everybody is welcome! Cocktail hour starts at 6:00pm, with a beautiful buffet. Rino’s is located on the corner of Calle 49 & Federico Boyd (The one between the Hotel Miramar & the big white church on Via España).

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 – MONTHY JUNGLE WALK
Event Host: Jim English. This month we will be exploring not only Jungle, but quietly living history at Ancon Hill. Transportation is include in the $7 for this walk: pick-up spots are the Arrocha Parking lot in Paitilla (7:45am), and Prado Restaurant on Via Argentina (8:00am). The actual walk will only take about an hour, so return will be before 10:30am.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 – GERMAN NIGHT at Rincon Aleman. Event Host Fritz Schmutte. Samples of all of German food! Min 10 max 20 people so reserve early

SUNDAY, JULY 30 EXPAT DROP – IN and English Literature Book Exchange – Siciliano’s starting @ 4:00pm. Event Host: Laraine & John Chaplin.

MONDAY, JULY 31 PIZZA 2 for 1 (and refreshments at great prices) at the Flamenco Restaurant Bar.

WEDNESDAY – 7:00PM – BRIDGE
Event Host: Sheila Hawes. Email: silversurfer428@hotmail.

Visitors in the city of David, Chiriquí are invited to the White Fashion Party –an extravaganza featuring 30 Panamanian models wearing creations by the country’s most renowned designers. The event will take place on Saturday, July 8 at Club David, at 7:30 p.m. and will include music performances among other activities. The party is organized by Panama Talents.

For reservations and more information, call 775-0595.

Some of the U.S. top-rated professional wrestlers will take part in the "WWE’s Biggest Party of the Summer", scheduled for Saturday, July 1 at Figali Convention Center, in Amador, at 7:00 p.m.

"The Undertaker", "Booker T", "Chris Benoit" and the current SmakDown champion, Rey Misterio, are some of the stars expected to participate in the event, the tickets of which are for sale at Video Avenue stores. Cost is $25, $50, $75, $100 and $150. For more information, e-mail to esther@showpro.com.pa

Two words: grace and splendor.

The Pollera, considered by experts one of the most beautiful national folklore dresses in the world, will be exalted during its very own fiesta: the National Pollera Festival, which takes place July 22 in the town of Las Tablas, province of Los Santos.

The event, which features folklore dance performances, parades and a contest based on a category system, takes place during the festivities honoring Santa Librada, the patron saint of Las Tablas.

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.

Las Talbas is approximately a four and-a-half hours drive from Panama City. Visitors can choose to take buses departing from the National Bus Terminal, located in Albrook, for fly into the nearby city of Chitré, departing from Marcos A. Gelabert airport, also located in Albrook. The largest accommodations in the region are also found in Chitré.

PanaMenExpats will host its monthly Happy Tour for Expat Men at the Hotel Veneto pool deck bar, located on the 7th floor, on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m. The Hotel is on VíaVeneto, in El Cangrejo, within walking distance from Vía España, next to the El Panama Hotel. Admission is free. Those planning to attend should bring a friend and business cards.

PanaMenExpats is a secular, non-profit, men-only association.

For details, send an e-mail to: stephenheintzz@gmail.com

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.

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

Approximately 500 crafters from all parts of Panama will take part in the 29th annual National Handicraft Fair, at Atlapa Convention Center July 26-August 1.

Organized by Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the purpose of the fair is to promote the talent of small craftsmen, many of which come from remote parts of the republic, to offer everything from a table set featuring motifs of the Kuna culture to beautiful Polleras –the country’s national attire for women.

The fair also offers a number of "non-traditional handicrafts", such as regional Panamanian foods and desserts and wines made of local fruits.

The event will include folklore performances, workshops and activities for all ages. The Visitor will provide more information in our next issue.

Hotel Panamonte, a long-established resort in the tourist city of Boquete, will organize a Barbecue and Cocktail Party to celebrate the independence day of the U.S.A. The party will take place July 4th from 6:30 p.m. To 9:30 p.m. And will include live music by Panamanian musicians Mickey and Squirt.

Admittance is $14.00 per person (with reservations).

Located in the highlands of the province of Chiriquí, Boquete has become a Meca for expats and retirees, not only Americans, but Canadians and Europeans as well. This small, but bustling community enjoys cool weather year round and it is considered Panama's "Flower and Coffee Capital".

For more information, call 720-1327/1324/1708, or sent an e-mail to: reservation@panamonteinnandspa.com