Expocomer:

At Expocomer, visitors will find products and services from 28 countries.

Business exhibitors from places as far as Belarus and South Korea are showcasing the latest products and technologies of their respective countries at the Expocomer 2006 trade fair, which continues at Panama City’s Atlapa Convention Center this weekend. Over 30,000 visitors are expected to stop by the exhibits of 28 countries before the fair ends this Sunday, March 12.

First held in 1983, Expocomer is by far the largest commercial fair of Central America and the Caribbean. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama, Expocomer serves as a gateway through which scores of exhibitors from Europe, Africa and Asia seek to enter the growing Latin American market. Hundreds of businessmen from throughout the region come to Panama each year to establish business partnerships with approximately 500 exhibitors, offering everything from food and beverage to jewelry, hardware and computer parts. The list of participating countries also includes Canada, Holland, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, Puerto Rico, China, Japan, Argentina, Italy and the United States.

Expocomer is also a cultural fiesta in which visitors have the chance to enjoy colorful international folklore performances, purchase products and souvenirs and sample dishes from all over the globe.

For more information, call: 207-3433, or 207-3434.

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.

Marco Antonio Solís.

Marco Antonio Solís, one of the best-known Hispanic romantic singers of recent years, will sing March 23 at Atlapa Convention Center.

A top-rated composer of pop and romantic hits, Solís is a native of Michoacán, Mexico. He is best known throughout Latin America as the lead singer of the group, "Los Bukis"with which he won numerous prizes and recognitions.

Tickets for Marco Antonio Solís' concert in Panama cost $85.00, $60.00, $35.00 and $20.00, for sale at TicketCenter. Call: 279-1010.

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.

During International Triathlon:

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.

The David International Fair, which takes place March 16-26 in the provincial capital of Chiriquí, celebrates its 49th anniversary this year and organizers have planned a complete range of activities to mark the special occasion.

The fair, which opens with fireworks on Thursday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m., will honor a different group each day, starting with children and folklore music stars (March 17 and 20, respectively) ending with senior citizens (March 26). Even pets will have their day on Sunday, March 19.

Featuring 450 industrial, agricultural, tourist and commercial exhibitors from throughout the Americas, the David International Fair is one the largest of the long series of country festivals taking place throughout the Isthmus during the dry season (December-April). Although it was originally conceived as an agricultural event, the fair has grown to attract people of all ages and backgrounds, as it offers games, varied pop musical performances, folklore shows and tourist activities.

Cattle exhibits, bloodless bullfights and competitions are an important aspect of the David International Fair.

Located 483 km. west of Panama City along the Pan-American Highway, the city of David is a growing little metro-polis which combines modern amenities and country flavors. Situated in a fertile coastal plain, David is the capital of the country’s top cattle and agricultural region –a province rich in beautiful landscapes along its ample coasts on the Pacific and majestic peaks and valleys.

Although David’s climate is hot –one of the warmest areas in the Republic—it isclose to the cool-weather mountain resort communities of Boquete, Volcán and Cerro Punta, which are attracting growing numbers of foreign retirees and second-home buyers.

Linked to the capital by an excellent bus service and daily, scheduled flights (departing from Albrook’s Gran Terminal de Transporte and Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, respectively), David boasts a number of excellent hotels, such as Hotel Nacional, a long-established but modern facility offering good restaurants, a casino and fine entertainment.

Thursday 16
Inauguration activities 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Friday 17
Artistic performances for children 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Folklore dances 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Comedy show featuring Andrés Poveda 8:00 p.m.
An evening honoring foreign embassies and legations 9:00 p.m. onwards

Saturday 18
Activities dedicated to the Fortuna S.A. Company
Dance show featuring Orquesta Cachamba 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 19
Activities dedicated to San José, patron saint of David
Panama's famous lottery at the
fair12 noon-2:00 p.m.
Live TV shows for the youth ("Cool Zone" and "Dímelo" 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.)
Folklore performances 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Dance party featuring Marcelino Guerra and Aris Ramos 9:00 p.m. Onwards

Monday 20
Folklore dance performances 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday 21
Music performances by various groups 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Dance party featuring accordionist Ulpiano Vergara and his group

Wednesday 22
Mariachi evening 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Music performance by Arcadio Molinar 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Thursday 23
Peformances by Panamanian music groups 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Concert by Jimmy Bad Boy 8.00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Comedy evening with Andy Madrid and Herman Briden 9:00 p.m.-10.00 p.m.
Dance party featuring "Nenito" Vargas and the Plumas Negras ensemble. 10:00 p.m.

Friday 24
Artistic performances for children 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Artistic performances for youths 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Dance party with Osvaldo Ayala and his troupe 10.00 p.m.

Saturday 25
Various musical and folklore performances 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 27
Dog show 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Varied entertainment 7:00 p.m.