Top Jazz performers of Latin America and the U.S. took part in Panama City's 2006 International Jazz Festival, January 18-21. The festival was a tribute to the late Mauricio Smith, a Panamanian-born flautist who played in the bands of Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, Tito Puente and others.

The list of international performers included guitarrist Kurt Rosenwinkel, the Sounds of Ashé ensemble (University of Massachussets) and the New England Conservatory's Jazz Ensemble. Their Panamanian hosts were Alex Blake, Neil Clarke, Santi Debriano, Ricaurte Villarreal, Carlos Ubarte, Ricky Snánchez, Randy Weston, Patricia Elena Vlieg, Carlos Garnet, Toñito Vargas, and Manuelito Corrales, among others.

Public concerts in El Valle and Panama City:

The camp is an annual tradition organized by the National Concert Association.

A great opportunity to enjoy the talent of young Panamanian and U.S. musicians will be offered to visitors this month, during the annual Music Camp (January 14-28) organized by the National Concert Association.

One of the highlights of the actictivity is the camp's traditional concert at the Catholic church of the mountain resort community of El Valle de Antón, located 126 km northwest of Panama City (January 28, 7:30 p.m.) A popular retreat among Panama City residents, El Valle harbors many eco-tourist and leisure opportunities.

Encompassing numerous workshops and performances directed by renowed international directors, the Music Camp is a decades-old tradition in which young Panamanian musicians share the stage with students from the Oberlin Conservatory (U.S.A.)

The National Concert Association is a private, non-profit organization that promotes world-class concerts in Panama. Its regular concert season extends from April to September. For more information, call: (507) 214-7236, e-mail: luvmusic@cableonda.net

January 26-29: Feria de la Naranja, Churuquita, Penonomé.
January 27-February 5: Feria de la Candelaria, Bugaba.
January 27-29: Feria de Santa Fe, Veraguas.
February 15-20: Feria de Soná, Veraguas.
March 19-12: Feria de Santa Fe, Darién.
March 16-26: Feria Internacional, San José de David.
March 17-19: Feria de Chitra, Calobre, Veraguas.
March 29-April 8: Feria Nacional de Colón.
April 12-16: Expo Orquídeas, Boquete.
April 20-May 1: Feria Internacional de Azuero.
May 11-14: Feria de Villa Rosario, Capira.
Sept. 13-18: Feria del Mar, Bocas del Toro.
Sept. 25-Oct. 1: Feria Internacional de Changuinola, Bocas del Toro.
13-15 de octubre: Feria de Isla Tigre, Kuna Yala.
1-4 de octubre: Feria de la Flor del Espíritu Santo, Las Minas, Herrera.
25-30 de noviembre: Feria de Tierras Altas, Volcán.

The Panama Canal Authority invites visitors to its “Summer Music” concerts at the steps of the Panama Canal Administration Building, in Balboa. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. and admittance is free.

The program begins with two concerts by Panama's National Symphony Orchestra, directed by Jorge Ledezma Bradley, on Tuesday January 31 and Thursday, February 2. The recitals will feature some of the best known cinema musical themes of all times.

On February 7 and 9, the folklore dance troupe of the Panama Canal Authority will present a mosaic of Panama's most deep-set traditions through singing, instrumental and dance performances. Also included in the program is the stage performance of Cucarachita Mandinga, the best-known Panamanian theater production for children (Feb. 14 and 16) and a gala performance of the Youth Symphony Orchestra, directed by professor Osvaldo Sempris (Feb. 17)

For more information, call tel.: 272-3521, or e-mail: atroitino@pancanal.com

The ACp's Summer season has become one of the most popular traditions of this time of the year.

Institute of Culture presents:

The Mixturas Ensemble, at the city's Old Quarter.

Moonlight classical music concerts, ethnic festivals and rock performances are some of the activities planned during "De la Torre al Obelisco" ("From the tower to the Obelisque") --a series of events planned by Panama's National Institute of Culture (INAC) during the dry season (January 21-April 4.)

Making reference to the starting and ending points of the activities (the Cathedral tower of the Old Panama ruins and the French obelisque of San Felipe), the program starts on January 14 with "Frac y zapatilla" ("Frac and ballet shoes") an outdoor ballet performance at Cathedral Plaza featuring Panama's National Ballet and the National Symphony Orchestra, at 6:00 p.m.

The program also calls for band concerts and folklore performances at the Old Panama Visitors' Center, literary workshops (theater, poetry) for all ages and a permanent stage located at the parking lot of the National Theater (San Felipe) where Panamanian performers will offer concerts every Saturday between 6:00 p.m. And 8:00 p.m. The program will conclude with the International Scenic Arts Festival, featuring dance and theater troupes from Spain, Colombia, Chile, Japan and Central America.

Admittance to all activities is free.

Don't miss the outdoor band recitals, taking place at the Old Panama Ruins throughout the dry season (January-April) Groups from various regions of Panama will be performing.

At the Theatre Guild:

Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" will run at the Ancon Theatre Guild's play house (Panama's only English-language theater organization) February 9-18.

The plot details "the outrageous deceptions two dashing young bachelors find themselves in, over love. Whenever Jack Worthing wants to leave his dull country life behind, he makes visits to the city posing as his fictitious "brother" Earnest. There he becomes smitten with the ravishing Gwendolyn. But when Worthing is in town, his playboy pal Algernon goes to the country and falls for Worthing’s young and beautiful ward Cecily, while also impersonating Ernest!

Pandemonium ensues when these two would-be Ernests find themselves face-to-face and in the predicament of explaining who they really are!

Directed by Carlos Williams and produced by Gale Cellucci, the play stars Diana Luz Parada, Agnes Santomenno, Melissa Bocharel, Luz Virginia Parada, Amit Nathani, Irving Becerra, Robert Joy and Liborio Garcia-Correa.

The play will run February 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $10.00.

For reservations, call: 212-0060

From left to right 1st row: Jeanne Marie Leggiere, Diana Luz Parada, Robert joy, Agnes Santomenno, Carlos Williams. 2nd row, same order: Liborio García-Correa, Amit Nathani, Melissa Bocharel, Irving Becerra, Luz Virginia Parada.

(All performances are free)
January 27
Concert
Time:10 a.m.
Place: Library — Instituto Panamericano high school.

January 30
GRAND FINALE
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: Ruins of Convento de la Concepción, Old Panama.