Concert: March 17

Ron Korb's music reflects jazz, Chinese, Celtic, and Latin influences.

Canadian flautist Ron Korb, one of the best-known exponents of World Jazz Music, will take part in the week-long series of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Embassy in Panama (March 13-19.) He will offer performances at Panama City's Balboa Theater (March 17) and at the San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, in the Chiriquí mountain community of Boquete (Sunday, March 19).

A native of Toronto of mixed German and Japanese parentage, Ron Korb has travelled around the globe for years collecting and studying indigenous flutes. Reflecting jazz, Chinese, Celtic, and Latin influences, his music embodies the diverse cultures, traditions and experiences of his travels. Ron has composed gold and double platinum-selling songs for major Asian artists and mesmerizes his audiences with dynamic performances of beautiful original music and interesting arrangements.

Tickets to the Balboa Theater performance cost $25, $15, $17 and $5, for sale at Allegro Music Shop, and at the Hombre de la Mancha and Argosy bookshops. For more infomation, call: 226-5390.

The Afro-Caribbean culture is strong in Panama.

Visitors are invited to this year's Afro-Caribbean Fair, at the grounds of the Afro-Caribbean Museum (Museo Afroantillano) February 25 and 26.

The fair, which is a traditional part of the pre-Lenten Carnival activities, is a tribute to the culture brought by the thousands of Blacks who came to Panama during the 19th and early 20th centuries to build the Panama Railroad and the Panama Canal.

This year is the fair's 25th anniversary, for which a number of special folklore performances and games have been prepared. There will also be lots of food, drinks, handicraft exhibits and door prizes.

Activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admittance is $3.00 (adults) and $1.00 (children).

The Afro-Caribbean Museum is located on Calle 42 and Avenida Justo Arosemena.

An exhibit of 50 paintings by Fernando Botero, one of Colombia's most outstanding painters, depicting the social and political reality of his country will open at Panama City's Contemporary Art Museum on March 14. Botero donated the works to Colombia's National Museum in 2004.

Colonial ruins in Portobelo.

Journalists from a number of international publications, including “Triathlon”, “Outside Traveller Magazine” and “Men's Journal” will cover the 2006 Portobelo International Triathlon, which will take place on Saturday, March 11.

Organized by Unión de Triatlón de Panamá, the event is one of the most challenging of its kind in Latin America, as it takes place in the rugged, humid terrain of the "Costa Arriba" ("Upper Coast") of the province of Colón. The Portobelo Triathlon is, a unique experience, as its circuits include a number of Spanish fortifications from the colonial period.

The 2,000-meter swimming phase of the event will take place in Portobelo Bay (the burial site of English privateer Sir Francis Drake), while the running phase will be between the Santiago de la Gloria fort to the ruins of Fort San Fernando. The day's activities will also include folklore dance performances and amusements for tourists.

Once a major Caribbean port during the colonial period, the picturesque town of Portobelo is located 100 km. Northeast of Panama City.