Calendar of Events

Latin America choir festival nears climax

Choir of the University of Puerto Rico.

For those interested in choral music, there is still time to catch the last two concerts of the Latin-American Festival of Choirs. On July 13 at 7 pm in the Don Bosco Basilica choirs from Costa Rica, Venezuela, Excedra Coro and IUTEP will perform, and on July 14 a very special concert featuring all the choirs from the Festival will take place in the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Latin-American Festival of Choirs Panama 2007 is dedicated to the memory of the composer Gonzalo Brenes, creator of unforgettable pieces of Panamanian and Latin-American music.

More than 300 singers from Costa Rica, Colombia, Belize, Puerto Rico, Cuba, United States Venezuela and Panama are taking place in the 5-day event which offers, workshops and lessons as well as free concerts.

Electra Castillo, the choirmaster of Coro Polifonico de Panama and organizer of the event said the aim is to bring together national and international singers, also to learn new techniques and to select the new Board of Directors of the International Federation of Choirs.

Devotion, music and festivities in the Azuero Peninsula mark

Santa Librada Festival

By Marijulia Puyol Lloyd

Panama is a country with deep religious roots and each town has a patron saint that protects its inhabitants. Las Tablas, in the heart of the Azuero Peninsula, celebrates the Fiesta Patronal of Santa Librada every July 19 with processions, masses, fireworks, competitions and dances.

The patron saint of Las Tablas has had many followers since the times of the Conquest, when her statue was found by group of Indians and Criollos on the beach of Uverito, Mensabé in the province of Los Santos. The new town adopted Santa Librada as its protector and built a temple for her in 1750.

Santa Librada is also known as La Peregrina, La Pequeñita, La Moñona and La Chola, because there are four images in Las Tablas. During the Fiestas Patronales La Moñona is adorned with jewelry the believers give as signs of gratitude for miracles performed by her. Around 25,000 people from all over the country and abroad come to Las Tablas to give homage to Santa Librada

This year the celebration starts with a procession in Las Tablas. Believers enter the town from all sides, wearing habits or scarves in shades of red and blue, similar to the saint’s tunic. They carry Santa Librada around the town praying and singing religious hymns.

Once this ceremony is finished at midnight, the fireworks start and the cheerful sounds of accordions, guitars and drums fill the air. Famous “tipico” musicians like Ulpiano Vergara, Dorindo Cárdenas and Nenito Vargas are among the artists who provide entertainment.

On July 20 a mass is celebrated at the church of the saint where believers gather to say thanks to Santa Librada or to ask her for miracles.

The real party takes place on July 21, 22 when bull fights begin in Plaza de Praga, as well as popular dances, the Pollera Festival and the Camisilla Festival.

This spectacle happens only once a year and hotels in the area can be busy, so it is important that you make reservations. To find more information about this and other events in the region visit www.azueroturistico.com

The season of the guitar

Sixth International Guitar Encounter, Panama 2007

"The VI International Guitar Encounter, Panama 2007" will take place from July 23 to July 28. Concerts will be presented at Museo Antropológico Reina Torres de Araúz (M.A.R.T.A), National Library and National Theater. The event is organized by La Asociación Guitarrística de Panama and this year it will pay homage to the Music of Roque Cordero.

The encounter will have seminars, workshops and conferences specifically for the guitar students of the Conservatory and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Panama. Registration costs $30.00.

Concerts will feature national guitar players like Jorge A. Bennett, Guitarras Tetracorde and Emiliano Pardo-Tristán. Invited international musicians are Andrés Saborío from Costa Rica; Max Zuckerman from the United States and Cuarteto de Guitarras Entrequatro, from Spain.

Concerts on July 23, 25 and 27 will take place at M.A.R.T.A. in Los Llanos de Curundú from 8:00 p.m. and will cost $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for students.

The concerts on July 25 and 26 at National Library in el Parque Omar and National Theater in Casco Viejo will start at 8:00 p.m. and will be free.

Brazil Duo perfoms at Nat. Theater

THE EXCITING and talented guitarrists "Brazil Duo", famous for their combination of classical music with Brazilian rhythm will be performing at the National Theater on July 17 at 8:00 p.m.

The guitarrists, Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora have been together for eleven years, and have created an ample repertoire of classical guitar music which includes Bach, Sor and Scarlatti and also incorporates traditional Brazilian music like maxixe, choro and baiao.

Douglas Lora is the composer, while Joao Luiz creates the arrangements that give this duo its unique sound. These musicians are not only considered ambassadors of the classic guitar, but also of the sounds of Brazil.

For information and tickets call: 214-7236. Entrance: $30.00, $5.00 and $1.00.

“The Night of the Iguana”

Left to right, front row: Ed ward (in chair). Teresa M. Apple, Betsy Ward,
Chaorlotte Arnoux, Ximena Cambefort, Maro Guevara, Back: Varoon Anand,
David Savatusk, Ron Leggiere.

Currently running at the Theatre Guild of Ancon is Tennessee Williams’ “The Night of the Iguana”, their fouth production of 2007 season. The play started July 12 and will run 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Pat Quinn, accomplished screen, TV and stage actress/director, has returned to Panama to bring this drama to the stage. The cast includes Ed Ward, Betsy Ward, Varoon Anand, Theresa M. Apple, Ximena Cambeforte, Charlotte Arnoux, David Savastuk and Maro Guevara..

“The Night of the Iguana” is the story of people brought together in 1965 at Mexican hillside resort with their conflicting needs, and their resolve to survive beyond the limits of each one´s particular anguish.

The play´s most poignant moments grow out of the understanding of the characters´ mutual needs for companionship and roots and their final surrender to the nobility of nature.

The New York Times described the play as "Tennessee Williams at the top of his form".

Sports

International Marathon in Panama

The Panama City Marathon, one of most important sporting events of the annual calendar will take place on August 5. Athletes from Europe, Africa, Central and South America will compete for $30,000 in prizes. The distance is 42 kilometers and 195 meters, the same as the Olympic Marathon.

The President of the Club Corredores del Istmo (Isthmian Running Club), Gregorio Miró said that he has received confirmation from competitors from Cuba, Guatemala, Colombia, Kenya, Spain, Honduras, Colombia and Perú. The winner of the 2006 Marathon, the Peruvian Florencio Machacuay will defend his title.

One of the sponsors of the race, the Mayor of Panama, Juan Carlos Navarro, stated that every big city should have a great marathon. "We would like to make our city into an international sporting destination. We have sent invitations to all the mayors of the most important capitals in the region with the intention of covincing their best runners to take part in this race", he said.

Runners will be able to participate in the categories: individual, relay races and wheel chairs. The race will begin at 5:30 a.m. and the starting line will be at the Multiplaza Mall. The route follows Calle 50 past the Panama Viejo complex to Costa del Este. Then it turns along Balboa Avenue and goes on to the Amador area. From there it will go back to the starting line at Multiplaza.

Sponsors of the events will have platforms with bands to cheer up competitors and expectators. Miró says that his Club not only wants to organize a good marathon, but also a good sporting party.

For more information: www.marathonpanama.com

Expocámara: the fair that has everything

AROUND 250 companies will take part in Expocámara 2007, the third fair of its kind, which will take place from July 13 - 15 at Atlapa Convention Center, allowing Panamanian businesses to show the public new products and services.

Expocámara, which is organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, was born in 2005, as an event for small and medium Panamanian companies that were unable to participate in Expocomer, the great international event.

The President of the Organizing Commission Expocámara 2007, Fernando Arango Morrice said "the majority of the businesses that participate in this event give products away or sell them at very economical prices. Last year Optica Lopez gave away free colored contact lenses, while other companies offered free samples of lollipops and make-up."

Arango stated that 40 per cent of the companies who have participated in the fair come back to Expocámara, because is a great exercise in marketing and public relations. In addition to this, they have the opportunity to test and launch new merchandise.

The event is hugely popular. Last years around 21,000 people visited the fair and this year they expect that figure to increase to 25,000.

32 product categories will be exhibited including food, old and new cars, computer equipments, financial services, tourism services and real estate.

Entertainment includes, folkloric and "tipico" dance troups and karaoke competitions for children and adults. The restaurant area will serve a variety of foods.

To commemorate "The Day of the Child", the organizers have set up video-game contests, face painting by clowns, and a mechanical bull. Children can also obtain their i.d. cards, provided that their parents know the number shown in their birth certificates.

Other events include art displays, antique cars and boxing exhibitions. K-Nes Panama is organizing a dog show sponsored by Purina, which will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Expocámara will also have facilities for Panamanians to renew their i.d. cards, and social security cards. Bills can be paid at the E-Pago stall.

Expocámara will open its doors from July 13 to July 15 at Atlapa Convention Center from 1:00 p.m- to 10:00 p.m. Entrance: adults: $2.50, children:$1.25.

Run for fun at the Amador Causeway

A FIVE kilometer race will take place on Sunday July 15 at the Calzada Amador. The event, organized by the employees of Cable & Wireless in aid of the Telethon 20-30, will start at 7:00 a.m. and is open to all ages.

The inscription price is a donation of $5.00 and the first 600 entries will receive a t-shirt and a telechip card of $1.00. All the participants will be entered in a tombola and have the opportunity to win cell phones, towels and pre-paid cards

There are six categories for male and female: children up to 12 years old, 12 to17, 18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59 and 60 plus. Winners of the children up to 12 will receive soccer balls, bags and school stationery. The first three places for the 12 to 17 will get cell phones and victors of all the other ages will win bonuses to pay their telephone land line bills plus a cell phone.

The race will start at the Old Officers Club behind the restaurant Las Pencas. It will continue to Calzada Amador, past Bennigans and on to the roundabout where it will turn back towards the starting line.

Everybody is welcome.

Round-the-world shopping tour aids local charities

A shopping experience that will take you around the world in an hour or two will be coming next month with Caravana 2007, organized by the wives of overseas Ambassadors and Consuls. The Caravana is held to raise money for local charities and involves most embassies and some large local businesses. Food and national products will be sold from dozens of booths.

Caravana 2007 will take place at Atlapa, Thursday Aug 29. and runs throughout the afternoon and evening. It’s a great time to sample a multitude of different national foods, and obtain many shopping bargains.

Many embassies will be looking for volunteers to help in setting up and operating the booths or soliciting donations, but first off the mark is Canada, which has been involved since Caravana’s inception. Anyone interested in helping or contributing should contact

panama.social@international.gc.ca or the Canadian Embassy, 294-2500

Ready to Rock

The girls of “Tour Divas”

Take seven beautiful and talented girls who have a great desire to rock, combine them with a visionary promoter and you get “Tour Diva Panama Rock 2007”. They will perform at the Fantastic Casino in El Dorado, July 26.

The inspiration for the group came from Fabricio Mejía of “Panama Rock” organization when he met Ana Raquel Saucedo of the defunct band Changeline.

The group members are Evelyn Caballero, lead guitar and vocalist; Irene Batista, bass; Betty García, guitar and vocalist; Ana Raquel Saucedo, drums; Priscilla Moreno, vocalist; Ingrid De Icaza, vocalist and Monica Porras, vocalist.

The repertoire of songs is 100 per cent rock with highlights such as Gun n´Roses and Radiohead.

Tour Divas Rock, July 26, 8:00 p.m. at Fantastic Casino, El Dorado.

Brazilian franchise Casa Cor launches design exhibit at Santo Tomas

The old hospital building has been re-modelled.

AN EXHIBITION OF DESIGN, interior decoration and landscaping is currently being held by the Brasilian franchise Casa Cor at the old Santo Tomas Hospital Building on Avenida Balboa in Panama City.

This represents a spectacular launch for the Casa Cor brand in Panama and a bonus for the Santo Tomas Hospital since their old original building, which was abandoned five years ago during a re-modelling of the entire facility, has received a $2.5 million facelift by Casa Cor.

Casa Cor started 21 years ago in Brazil and expanded to other countries as far apart as Peru and Sweden. The franchise organizes an interior design exhibition once a year in a historic derelict building, that could be privately or government owned. Once the site has been selected, the company makes appeals to sponsors and designers to create spaces with the latest trends in interior designs.

This year the exhibition has 45 environments or corners and it is divided in two areas: commercial and residential. The commercial part has banks, restaurant, bar, bookshop and real estate office all of them open to the public.

In the residential side, you will find rooms representing different lifestyles and parts of the house, from the ultramodern kitchen with computerised controls to the twins bedroom with its tiny toilets. Each area has been created by an individual designer.

You can see Casa Cor´s exhibition until August 5 at Hospital Santo Tomás, Balboa Avenue entrance. Monday to Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and weekends from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Entrance: $10.00.