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.

Clayderman's real name is Philippe Pages.

Richard Clayderman, will offer a "post-Valentine’s Day" concert on Wednesday, February 15, at Anayansi Theater of Atlapa Convention Center.

Born Philippe Pagès on December 28th, 1953, he encountered the piano early in his life. His father, a piano teacher, laid the foundation for his son's later success and began teaching him how to play at a very young age. It is said that, at the age of six, Richard Clayderman could read music more adeptly than his native French.

When he was twelve years old he was accepted at the Conservatoire of Music where, at sixteen, he won first prize. He was predicted a promising career as a classical pianist. However, shortly after this, and much to everyone's surprise, he cast aside his classical training and turned to contemporary music.

Philippe Pagès, whose name was changed to Richard Clayderman (he adopted his great-grandmother's last name to avoid mispronunciation of his real name outside France), is the author of "Ballade pour Adeline", which has sold an astonishing 22 million copies in 38 countries.

Tickets for the concert cost $100, $75, $50 and $25, and are for sale at all Blockbuster video rental stores.

The world-renowned, Frech-born piano virtuoso will perform at Atlapa Convention Center.

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.

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.

In Veraguas and David:

For the next month or so, the program of country fairs taking place throughout Isthmus during this season will feature a "western" flavor, as they will take place in Panama’s "cattle-and-cowboy" country.

The first is the Fair of Soná in the province of Veraguas, (Feb. 15-20) which has gained popularity in recent years due to its amusement park for all ages and the boat tours offered in the community’s lake. Soná is in the heart of a major cattle-producing region southwest of the provincial capital of Santiago (where visitors can find a range of good accommodations.) Expect a strong agricultural imprint in the fair, although concerts of a variety of music genres, talent shows and games are bound to attract hundreds of youths from the capital and elsewhere.

Soná is a four-hour drive from Panama City. Large, comfortable buses to this community depart from Gran Terminal de Transporte, located in Albrook.

Chiriquí and Veraguas are cattle and cowboy country.

Also coming up soon is the San José de David International Fair, one of the most important fairs of the season. What started as an agricultural showcase of the province of Chiriquí 50 years ago has become a major regional festival attracting exhibitors and public from countries as far north as Mexico. Expect rodeos, as well as Mariachi, Reggae and classical music concerts, public dancing, fashion shows, canine exhibits and parades.

David is the provincial capital of Chiriquí, a rich agricultural and farming region which is attracting hundreds foreign expats and retirees who are purchasing property both in the cool-weather highlands and on the province’s beautiful Pacific coast.

It takes approximately six hours to drive to David via the Pan-American Highway. Visitors can also travel by bus (departing from the Albrook bus terminal) or fly there (an hour-long flight) departing from the Marcos A. Gelabert airport.