Calendar of Events

Boquete’s big festival starts
January 11

The town of Boquete is considered Panama’s flower capital.

Make plans. Boquete’s International Flower and Coffee Fair, the largest event of its kind in Central America, starts on January 11.

Millions of roses, petunias, daisies and other specimens from around the planet are shipped to Boquete every year to create beautiful displays and floats. Coffee lovers also enjoy sampling the grain variety produced in the Chiriquí highlands, as well as imports from major international producers.

Known as Panama’s “Land of Eternal Spring”, Boquete enjoys cool weather year round. Nevertheless, the town seems to be changing its image of a tranquil retreat community to become a center of eco-tourist adventures, including white water river rafting and rock climbing. Yet, the area’s forests continue to attract bird watchers, who look for species such as the rare Resplandescent Quetzal.

The event is the second of a long list of colorful country festivals which take place between the months of December and May, taking advantage of the season’s fair weather. Other recommended, upcoming fairs include the San Sebastian de Ocú Fair (early January) and David International Fair (March).

Boquete is a six and-a-half hour drive from Panama City and about 30 minutes from David, the provincial capital. To get there, visitors can either travel by rented car from Panama City or fly to the provincial capital of David, where car rentals are also available (Flights to Chiriquí depart from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport). Another way is traveling by bus to David, and making the corresponding connection to Boquete (Buses depart from the National Bus Terminal, also located in Albrook .

There are hotels and cabins in Volcán, Cerro Punta and Guadalupe. Excellent accomodations can also be found in David. Being one of the highest points in the republic, Boquete is sweater and jacket country.

Pre-carnival event

Fifth annual Jazz Festival

The Fifth Annual Panama Jazz Festival in Panama City will take place from January 21 to 26 with a series of concerts and workshops around the city. Proceeds from shows will be used to sponsor music scholarships for talented young Panamanians through The Danilo Perez Foundation.

The main event will be a Gala Bolero Concert at the National Theater in Casco Antiguo, Panama City's Old Quarter, on Wednesday, January 23. Tickets are $150. Other performances will be held on January 24 and 25 at the Atlapa Convention Center at 8pm. Tickets are $40, $30, $20 and $15 dollars. Workshops will be held at the Atlapa Convention Center through January 25. The event will wrap up with a free concert at Cathedral Plaza in Casco Antiguo on Saturday, January 26 at 2 pm.

International guests include American singer Catherine "Cat" Russell, daughter of the late Luis Russell, who was born in the islands of Bocas del Toro, The Tia Fuller Quartet, The Kelly Johnson Quartet, and Caribbean Project headed by vibraphonist Dave Samuels and guitarist Stanley Jordan, as well as drummer Kim Thompson, guitarist Oscar Stagnaro, and saxophonist Marco Pignataro.

Workshops will be held by renowned music professors from international institutions such as the New England Conservatory, Berkley College of Music, the Puerto Rico Conservatory, the The Lonious Monk Institute of Jazz and the International Association for Jazz Education.

Tickets may be purchased at Blockbuster locations or through The Danilo Perez Foundation On Via España at Via Argentina. Call them at 399-8874. Visit www.panamajazzfestival.com.

For five days they danced in the streets of Casco Antiguo

Members of the Spanish dance group Rayo Malayo entertained SobreSaltos
spectators from the balcony of Grayskull Castle in the Old Quarter.

Hip-hop music played as colorful lights danced on the tall, abandoned white building known as Grayskull Castle, on the west side of Plaza Herrera in Panama City's Old Quarter. The music faded and the crowd looked up to see a young man and a young woman caught in spotlights at two of Grayskull's gaping windows. "I am from El Chorillo, and I have danced ever since I can remember!" bellowed the young man. "I am from El Chorillo, and since I can remember, I have danced!" sounded the young woman. They spoke of dance as an expression of freedom, life and culture; an inherent right which they would claim in the streets of Casco Viejo over the next five days. "We bring you SobreSaltos!"

An eager crowd filling Plaza Herrera in Casco Viejo, the city's Old Quarter, applauded the inauguration of SobreSaltos last Wednesday December 12, commemorating the tenth anniversary of Casco Viejo's dedication as a World Heritage Site. From December 12 to 16, dance groups from as far away as France, and as close as neighboring El Chorillo pleased crowds in streets and squares all over the Old Quarter for Sobre Saltos, the first "Festival of Contemporary Dance in Urban Spaces" in Panama.

A crowd gathered around the stage where "Colectivo 10" performed at the
opening of SobreSaltos.

The young man and woman were part of "Collectivo 10", a dance group of selected young talent from the San Felipe, Santa Ana and El Chorillo barrios of Panama City. They rehearsed for several months and participated with eight other dance groups from Panama, Spain, Venezuela, Colombia, and France.

Organizers estimated that over 3,000 spectators enjoyed the dancers over the five days of this first-of-its-kind presentation in Panama. The crowd was a mix of Old Quarter locals, Panamanians from all over the country and foreigners.

Country fairs calendar

Chiriquí and Veraguas are cattle and cowboy country.

The dry season in Panama means the start of country fair season. In the interior countryside towns and villages, each celebration has a distinct flavor, presentation or theme that reflects the people and traditions of the places they are held. But what they all have in common are throngs of visitors enjoying the music, food, arts and crafts and activities and a chance to connect with local culture.

Here is the calendar covering the coming months' country fairs for:

January 10 - 20: The International Flowers and Coffee Fair in Boquete, Chiriqui Province
January 7 - 20: The Agriculture Fair of Tanara, Chepo, Panama Province
January 16 - 21: The San Sebastian Fair of Ocu, Cocle Province
January 16 - 27: La Chorrera International Fair, Panama Province
January 25 - February 3: La Candelaria in Bugaba, Chiriqui
January 26: The Fair of Homemade Desserts will be in San Francisco de la Montaña, Veraguas Province
February 1 – 3: Santa Fe Fair, Veraguas Province
February 2-3: The Great West Indian Fair at the West Indian Museum, Panama City
February 13 – 18: Sona Fair, Veraguas Province
February 28 - March 2: The Santa Fe Fair, Darien Province
March 6 – 16: The San Jose International Fair in David, Chiriqui Province
March 12 – 16: The San Jose de Tole Fair, Chiriqui Province
March 16 -18: Chitra Fair in Calobre, Veraguas Province
March 27 - April 6: The National Fair in Colon, Colon (city)
March 28 through April 2: The Valle de Tonosi Fair, Los Santos Province
April 24 - May 4: The Azuero International Fair, Los Santos Province

The Visitor’s New Year party list

Panama is a great place to celebrate this or any New Year's Eve. Here is The Visitor's list of hot spots to bring in 2008 on this Monday, December 31.

Panama City

The Intercontinental Miramar Hotel 206-8888
In the Grand Ballroom, enjoy a buffet, live band, dancing, open bar with champagne and Panamanian "sancocho" after 2:00am. $115 per person. Or enjoy an a-la-carte menu at the Miramar Restaurant with champagne open bar for $55 per person.

Hotel El Panama 215-9000
In the Bella Vista salon, enjoy Ruben Quintero's Orchestra "Huellas de Totipino", open bar, disco, "murga" musicians, champagne and Panamanian "sancocho" at sunrise. $99 adults, $55 children. Or celebrate poolside at the Las Palmas Barbecue with a dinner buffet, open bar, fireworks, live music, "murga" musicians and Panamanian "sancocho" at sunrise. $75 per person.

The Bristol 265-7844
At Restaurant Barandas in The Bristol Hotel, enjoy a live music dinner dance. The a-la-carte three-course menu also includes one bottle of Moet Chandon Brut Imperial. $125 per couple (tax and service included).

The Veneto Hotel and Casino 340-8888
In the social area, dance to the music of The Roberto Delgado Orchestra. An a-la-carte menu, champagne toast, open bar, and party favors are all included as well as fireworks and Panamanian "sancocho" in the wee hours. $65 per person. Kids 6-11 are half price. The Veneto Casino will have live music, a "murga" musical group with dancers and a live DJ. No cover.

Hotel Riande Continental 265-5114
In Diva's Fashion Cuisine Restaurant the Riande Continental offers a complimentary glass of champagne and party favors at midnight and an a la carte menu. $30 adults, $15 children.

Pacific Coast

Vista Mar 6612-0095
The Vista Mar Restaurant offers dancing, dinner and fireworks from 8:30 pm to 4 am, midnight toast, champagne on the house. Superb menu by chef Pascual Finet (including Panamanian "sancocho" at 4am). A real bargain at $59.00 per person.

El Valle

Hotel Los Mandarinos 983-6645
In the restaurant La Casa de Lourdes, enjoy a 3 course pre fixe menu and a complimentary glass of French champagne. Waldo Hernandez will be playing piano. Begins at 8pm. $40 per person.

Los Capitanes Hotel 983-6080
Enjoy dinner and fireworks at Los Capitanes. $14 per person.

Chiriqui

Valle Escondido in Boquete 720-2454
At the Valle Escondido Country Club, the public is invited to enjoy live music, buffet, open bar, midnight champagne toast and fireworks. $145 per couple, $75 per person.

Bambito Hotel in Volcan 771-4373
The dinner dance at Bambito will have a live band and includes a bottle of champagne and a fireworks show. $70 per couple.

Expat cruise on Panama Bay

Auld Lang Syne aboard the Fantasia del Mar

Expats in Panama is throwing a New Year's bash on Panama Bay. Belt out “Auld Lang Syne” among 200 friends aboard the Fantasia del Mar. Enjoy dinner, live music, dancing and of course, champagne at midnight. The ship sets sail at 9:30 pm on December 31st and returns at 1:30 am in the new year. Canal and Bay tours is organizing this event once again and even more has been added this year.

A North American style buffet will be served. Expect roast turkey with gravy, roast ham with pineapple sauce, mashed potatoes and more. Diners last year were thrilled with the food so Expats in Panama is using the same chef again. Also enjoy all you can drink of wine, rum, vodka, gin, and typical Panamanian seco.

On the top deck of the cruise ship, the Grupo Mio band will be playing hits from the 50's and other genres as well. Tickets are $80 each, of which $10 will be donated to the Casita de Mausi charity. They are available at Canal and Bay Tours offices (Multiplaza and above Volvo at Ave Balboa and Ave Italia).

Call 209-2000 or write nye@expatsinpanama.com.

Youth Music School gives gala concert as a farewell to 2007

Future Panamanian musicians, a promising generation that is learning to develop its own talents and integrate as members of the Youth Music School (YMS), bade farewell to 2007 in a Gala Concert at the Balboa Theater, on Tuesday, December 11, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The school, headed by professor, Jose Luis Delgado, is part of the National Artistic Education Department of the Panamanian National Cultural Institute (INAC) and is the center where many children register, starting at five years old.

The concert started with the presentation of students who received certificates, entitling them to be admitted into the School of Arts of the University of Panama.

The Initiation Orchestra, under its conductor, professor Diomedez Diaz, started the concert with Andante Cantabile by Joseph Haydn and Themes from Symphony No. 7 by Ludwig Van Beethoven.

This was followed, under the direction of professor Helena de Kitras by interpretations of Little Star (Estrellita), Frere Jacques, Row Your Boat, Soldier’s Joy, and Eeny Meeny Miney Mo by Sheila Nelson. In a Christmas Mood, original of John O’Reilly, Banana Boggie, by Doris Gazda, Deep Sea Fandango, Deborah Baker and Night of Stars (Noche de Estrellas) by John Caponegro.

The program concluded with the Higher Level Orchestra under Juan C. Rodó. paying Capriccio by Keith Snell, Czardas by V. Monti, Tamborito Soup (Sancocho de Tamborito), T.V. Music and Christmas Spirit (Espíritu Navideño) by J.C. Rodo.

The school graduates children in their teens, considered as specialists, who can teach in different public and private educational centers after concluding their university level studies.

The level of organization of any educational process depends on the level of career opportunities the graduates may have. The students must have artistic inclinations in plastic arts, music and folklore, in order to proceed to higher study levels.

Members of the Youth Music School bid farewell to 2007.

Drum Festival at Teatro Anita Villalaz on Jan. 5

On January 5, the best percussionists from Panama and Latin America will perform at Teatro Anita Villalaz in Panama City, entertaining students, fans, tourists and the general public. Panama Drum Festival is part of a growing trend of percussion festivals around the world.

This year's featured artists include Billy Cobham, a world famous Panamanian Jazz Fusion drummer whose career includes work with Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Peter Gabriel as well as many solo works. He was listed in the top 25 drummers by Modern Drummer Magazine.

Also performing at the festival is Argentine drummer Oscar Giunta, who is considered one of the most innovative and important musicians in the Americas.

Teatro Anita Villalaz is next to the INAC building in Las Bovedas in the Old Quarter of Panama City. The festival will begin at 4:30pm. Tickets are $12. For more information call Guillermo Herrera at 6675-9660.