Events
Loads of flowers and plants fill the Hotel El Panamá
ExpoFlora International: Sept 16 – 18
A big flower event is happening next weekend. ExpoFlora opens its doors to the public at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Convention Center at the Hotel El Panama. Panama’s green thumbs will have big, bright and beautiful plants on display for the public to enjoy. The event is organized by Panama’s Gardener’s Club and this year’s theme is “We blossom between two oceans” (Florecemos entre dos mares).
An event of this magnitude happens only once every ten years, and Panama’s gardening community is buzzing with excitement. Other similar events happen each year, but on a smaller scale. “This is the big one!” say organizers. The inauguration of the event will take place on Thursday, September 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on September 17 and 18 the exposition is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Entrance $3, For more information contact Cheryl de Obediente at 270-2039, 6675-9785, cheryl@obediente.biz.
Visitors to the event should know that the flowers and plants on display will not be on sale. But passionate gardeners should know that the visit is still worth it. ExpoFlora is a green thumb’s networking dream come true!
Warming engines for Oktoberfest
Fritz Schmutte, pictured above with his amiable bar staff at Rincón Alemán, has already begun making preparations for Oktoberfest, a traditional Bavarian celebration that actually starts in September.
He’s hired on the Chepo Firefighters band for the duration of the Oktoberfest celebration, which kicks off on Saturday, September 18.
Decor week event schedule
High design, low cost decoration and the latest trends are some of the
subjects to be covered at Panama Decor Week events throughout the city.
Panama Decor Week is from September 22 to 30.
Interior designers from Panama City will participate in the event, delivering free discussion lectures on design at the stores participating in Decor Week.
And a sale!
During Decor Week, participating stores will have a “Decor Sale” exclusively for attendees of the event, with drops in prices ranging from 15% to 50%. Visitors to the events will be attended in designated “Design Corners” at the participating stores.
For information, contact Lic. Carmen García Villalaz at 226-3031, 6614-9841 or email cgarciav@cwpanama.net. Carmen’s web page is www.carmengarciavillalaz.com.
Interactive lecture schedule:
How to apply the golden rules of successful interior design: Scale, proportion, rhythm and balance
Given by: Rita Garcia Frochaux
Location: Artimuebles
Date: Wednesday, September 22
Time: 5:00 p.m.
The dining room: elegance, warmth and the art of hospitality.
Given by: Grethel Hernandez
Location: Importadora Selecta Costa del Este
Date: Thursday, September 23
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Modern and timeless spaces: Multifunctional design as concept and a lifestyle
By: Iraiza García de Paredes
Venue: Tempo Design
Day: Friday, September 24
Time: 6:00 p.m.
How to complement details in the decoration: Frames, carpets and fabrics
By: Architect Vanessa Alvarez
Location: Iportadora Selecta Dorado
Date: Tuesday, September 28
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Importance of the locks in the interior design
By: Rosmery Guerini and Architect Carlos Quintero
Location: Decoaccesorios
Date: Wednesday, September 29
Time: 6:00 p.m.
How to give warmth to a office space
Closure of Panama décor Week
Dictated by: Rita Garcia Frochaux
Location: Decolosal
Date: Thursday, September 30
Time: 6:00 p.m.
PanAmCham announces its first annual real estate forum
Organizers have chosen a rather bold name for the new event: “The good, the bad and the ugly”
On Thursday, 14 October the American Chamber of Commerce in Panama (PanAmCham) will hold it’s first ever yearly real estate forum. The new event will take place at the Miramar Hotel from 2:00 p.m. To 6:00 p.m. The forum will feature six different presentations by guest speakers covering different subjects relating to real estate in Panama. The program includes the coverage of such important questions as cultural differences, pricing, best business practices and problem solving.
The presentations will be held in English with simultaneous Spanish translation available. After the closure, attendees will be invited to a cocktail party at the hotel. Individual tickets cost $50. A 50% discount applies for PanAmCham members. Other discounts are available for pensionado card holders, members of Acobir and Convivienda. Sponsorships are available. More information can be acquired through amcham@panamcham.com or calling 301-3881.
Feria del Mar events in Bocas del Toro
The grand Feria Internacional del Mar in Bocas del Toro will be from September 15 to 19. This year there is a special international musical guest – Dixie Band from Haití. Wednesday 15 is Ladies Night. Thursday 16 is an International Passa Passa competition between Panamá and Costa Rica with Dj Bull, Dj Chombito and Dj El BuBu. Friday 17 is the Passa Passa final with Dj Kp and the Show de Saik. Saturday 18 is the big Dixie Band concert. Sunday 19 is the end of the big event with a much-awaited Boat Race.
Big party Friday
International DJs headline at Decapolis anniversary party
Big deal DJ Max Graham of Canada will draw a VIP crowd to celebrate at the “I Love Decapolis” anniversary party on Friday. Invitations are available at the hotel.
The Radisson Decapolis is Panama’s most famous party hotel. The enormous martini bar located on the first floor and the fourth floor pool bar have proven time and again to be the perfect setting for a great party. On Friday, September 10, the hotel has another party planned, the “I Love Decapolis” anniversary party. Representatives of the hotel are saying that the party will be “epic”. A fire show, aerial trapeze artistes, visual effects and 100,000 watts of sound are in the works.
International DJs Max Graham (Canada) and Plaskti Funk (Germany) will keep the beats pumping with special sets by Panamanian DJs Leo Perez, Antonio Diaz and Sara Castro. Headlining act Max Graham has just released a full-length album entitled “Radio” in late June. It includes the hits “Sun in the Winter”,“I Know You’re Gone” and “Nothing Else Matters”.
The party has a cover charge of $20 because of overcrowding at previous parties. Tickets are available at the hotel. Table reservations are being taken at 215-5000. There are special promotions available at the hotel rooms and suites on the night of the event.
Central America’s biggest real estate fair is CAPAC Expo Hábitat
Construction sector celebrates 50 years of CAPAC Sept 15 – 19
Construction equipment on display makes the CAPAC
real estate fair even more interesting and fun.
The heavy-hitter among Panama’s real estate fairs and expos is CAPAC Expo Habitat. It attracts record-breaking national and international attention because the fair features the construction side of real estate development as well, alongside hundreds and hundreds of real estate projects.
| Visit The Visitor at CAPAC Expo Habitat 2010 Stand #874 |
It is the largest real estate fair anywhere in Panama, Central America and the Caribbean. Some 35,000 people are expected to attend the event at ATLAPA Convention Center from September 15 to 19. Transactions are projected reach over $200 million.
CAPAC Expo Habitat 2010 is organized by CAPAC (Panamanian Construction Chamber). This powerful organization will be also celebrating its 50th year anniversary as the fair takes place. The fair will feature residential, office and leisure properties from nearly 400 companies, from Chiriquí to Colón and from La Chorrera to 24 de Diciembre, the entire gamut of Panamanian real estate will be on offer in Panama.
Special sections
An international pavilion will feature industry products and services from Spain, Venezuela, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Vietnam, El Salvador, Costa Rica, India and Canada. A special section has been created at this year’s fair for “Mega Projects”, dedicated to several construction companies involved with projects of major importance to the Republic.
Banks will be on hand with competitive rates and capacity to to process immediate approval on mortgages. There is also a series of business and technical conferences, briefings and lectures for those interested in the industry’s latest trends. For more information, visit: www.capacexpo.com or call 265-2500.
Traditional Japanese music night
Kaoru Watanabe will play
the traditional Japanese flute,
a “shinobue” at the
National Theater.
On Thursday, September 16, traditional Japanese music will fill the Teatro Nacional in Casco Viejo. The Japanese Embassy is organizing this event to promote cultural exchange between Japan and Panama. Japanese performer Kaoru Watanabe will interpret musical pieces with “shinobue” - bamboo flute and “taiko” - traditional Japanese drum. Another artist Yumi Kurosava will charm the public with the melodic sounds of “koto” - Japanese harp.
To make this a truly cultural exchange, both artists will welcome music students of Panama to the workshop that will take place before the concert from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The concert itself will start at 7:30. Everyone interested is welcome as there is no entrance fee.
“Stomp, The Show” at Teatro Anyansi
Stomp – non-traditional musical dance performance that originated in Britain has conquered the world and is now coming to Panama. Stomp performers make rhythms with any odd object that can make noise – from trash bins to paper, producing spectacular effects. Although Panama has its very own Stomp-style performers like the group “Tribu”, “Stomp” is expected to make a splash in the capital city’s September entertainment schedule from September 16 to 19. They will be on stage at Teatro Anayansi at the ATLAPA Convention Center thanks to event and concert promoter Show Pro. Tickets can be purchased in Ticket Plus Extreme Planet, Farmacias Metro, Hometek and Licorería la Fiesta, priced $15 to $75.
Canadian Ambassador to carve turkey in October at the Sheraton
The Canadian Association of Panama has announced that tickets for the traditional Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner are now available. Canadian Thanksgiving will be celebrated in Panama on Saturday, October 9 at the Sheraton Hotel. It will be a gala event featuring a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu, with roast turkey, cranberry dressing, a full assortment of side dishes and choice desserts. There will be a full vegetarian dinner selection that is also suitable for vegans.
Canadian ambassador Patricia Langan will perform the ceremonial carving of the bird. The Canadian Association and its events are open to all. Currently, the “tombola” raffle prizes are valued at nearly $5,000 and growing.
Tickets are $45 ($40 for members) and proceeds from the dinner will support selected Panamanian charities. Attire is business formal. For tickets call: 6415-7534, 6678-7568, 6679-8299, 6515-3691, or 6619-6890 or visit the Canadian Embassy, Torres de las Americas in Punta Pacifica.
Wine will flow at Multicentro for ExpoVino in September
Participants enjoy wine from an Australian vineyard last year at ExpoVino.
Wine lovers will congregate at Multicentro Mall this year for the ExpoVino 2010 wine fair, a much-awaited yearly event that has been put on by the VinoClub de Panama for over a decade. The expo attracts important wine societies from throughout the world. At ExpoVino, attendees will be able to try some of the best new wines on the market and get a first-hand education in the latest wine trends.
Some 5,000 individual visitors are expected as well as hundreds of direct buyers representing hotels, restaurants, and wine shops. Wine societies of Argentina, Spain, France, Chile, the USA, and Italy as well wine distributors from Panama will present more than 800 distinct kinds and varieties of wine. The organizers state that yearly, over 70% of participating companies close important deals with importers from throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and Panama.
The consumption of wine has been increasing in Panama in recent years and has passed 300,000 cases a year. Panama ranks near to the top in wine consumption per capita in Latin America.
Panama tasty!
September means gastronomic bliss at 25 top capital restaurants
Participating Restaurants:
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From September 13 to 27 Panama City shine as a destination paradise for gourmet food lovers and fine wine aficionados. Panama Restaurant Week has united 25 of the capital city’s best epicurean destinations under one program that features a prixe fixe menu including appetizer, main course, dessert, a “Ron Abuelo dirty mojito”, glass of Morandé wine and a Canada Dry Ginger Ale all at a pre-established and promotional rate price.
The promotion is on at lunch and dinner at all of the participating restaurants. Panama’s varied gastonomic offer is one if the capital city’s better attributes, which most tourists and visitors attribute to rounding out their city experience.
The chefs at participating restaurants are as international as the cuisine they serve. Famous chefs from France, Switzerland, Peru, Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain and of course Panama are looking forward to spoiling their guests with only the best. Panama Restaurant Week began three years ago and has quickly grown into a world class event, putting Panama’s dining scene on par with New York and Miami, cities that are both well known for their very own and very successful restaurant weeks. More info at www.panamarestaurantweek.com.
Movies / Películas
Grown Ups
Five former teammates meet years later, along with their wives (Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph) and children, to pay tribute to their recently deceased childhood basketball coach. They spend the July 4 holiday together in a house on the lake, where years before they had celebrated winning the championship. Soon they discover that being older does not mean that they have necessarily matured.
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
Kitty Galore, a former agent of the elite spy organization “meows”, became a villain In 48 hours, think unleash a diabolical device designed not only to dominate their opponents canines, but also to kill their former comrades kittens and make the world your post to sharpen their nails. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to work together for the first time in history in an unusual partnership to save themselves and their humans.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master of magic in Manhattan today, trying to defend the city from the ultimate enemy, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). But he can not do it alone, so recruited as his protege Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel) an apparently ‘normal’ boy with hidden potential. He gives a crash course on the art and science of magic. Together, these diverse partners must stop the forces of darkness.
TinkerBell and the Great Fairy Rescue
During her summer stay on the mainland, TinkerBell is accidentally discovered while investigating the small fairy tale house that a girl had made with her own bare hands. While the rest of the fairies organize a large rescue operation in the midst of a fierce storm, Tink forges a special friendship with the lonely little girl. Determined to repair the relationship between the little girl and her absent father, Tink rejects the rescue of the fairies to help her new human friend, risking her own safety and the future of all fairies.
Inception
This psychological sci-fi action film is about a thief who possesses the power to enter into the dreams of others. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) doesn’t steal things, he steals ideas. It’s a new frontier in the art of psychic espionage.
A kindred spirit kindles among the international community for Canadian Thanksgiving on Oct 9
Canadian Thanksgiving is a much-awaited event among Panama’s international community. It’s a rather big deal, equivalent in importance to the British Ball and paramount to attending the US Ambassador’s bash on July 4. And it does not matter if you’re Canadian or not. What does matter is that this event marks the beginning of the holiday parties, a warm-up round for Panama’s festive and social holiday season. It is an event where friendships are kindled and connections are made.
This year it will be celebrated in on Saturday, October 9 at the Sheraton Hotel. It will be a gala event featuring a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu, with roast turkey, cranberry dressing, a full assortment of side dishes and choice desserts. There will be a full vegetarian dinner selection that is also suitable for vegans.
Canadian ambassador Patricia Langan will perform the ceremonial carving of the bird. The Canadian Association and its events are open to all. Currently, the “tombola” raffle prizes are valued at nearly $5,000 and growing.
Tickets are $45 ($40 for Canadian Association members) and proceeds will support selected Panamanian charities. Attire is business formal. For tickets call: 6415-7534, 6678-7568, 6679-8299, 6515-3691, or 6619-6890 or visit the Canadian Embassy, Torres de las Americas in Punta Pacifica.
Country Fairs
Panama’s fairs and festivals are colorful and lively. Country-folk are friendly and welcoming so they are excellent venues for visitors to get a taste of the ‘real’ Panama. See the schedule which follows.
Septiembre 14-20 Feria Intl. Del Mar Bocas del Toro
Septiembre 23-26 Festival de la Mejorana en Guararé
Septiembre 29 - Octubre 3 Feria Internacional de Changuinola, Bocas del Toro
Octubre 1-3 Feria de Camarón Arriba Santa Rosa Bugaba, Chiriquí
Octubre 7-10 Feria de Isla Tigre, Kuna Yala
Octubre 13-17 Festival del Torito Guapo en Antón, Coclé
Octubre 22 Festival del Café de Río Sereno, Chiriquí
Noviembre 2 Fiesta de la Vaca Loca, Veraguas
Noviembre 3 Día Nacional, Separación de Panamá de Colombia
Noviembre 5 Día Nacional, Grito de Independencia en Colón
Noviembre 10 Día Nacional, Primer Grito de Independencia en Los Santos
Noviembre 27 Feria de San Andrés en Bugaba, Chiriquí
Noviembre 28 Día Nacional, Independencia de Panamá de España.
Noviembre 29 Día Nacional (Día libre debido al 28 de Noviembre)
Diciembre 8 Día de la madre
Religious festivals
Every city, village and region in Panama has its own annual religious celebration dedicated to a patron saint. These festivals provide a colorful and charming way to experience local traditions and beliefs.
Septiembre 21 Fiestas Patronales Santo Tomás Villa Nueva, provincia de Los Santos
Septiembre 24 Fiestas Patronales de la Virgen de Las Mercedes, provincia de Herrera y Los Santos
Septiembre 27 Fiestas Patronales de San Vicente en Puerto Armüelles, provincia de Chiriquí
Septiembre 29 Fiestas Patronales de San Miguel Arcángel, provincias de Herrera y Los Santos
Octubre 4 Fiestas Patronales de San Francisco de Asís
Octubre 5 Fiestas Patronales Virgen del Rosario, Guararé – Los Santos
Octubre 16 Fiestas Patronales de Santa Eduviges, Sabanitas, provincia de Colón
Octubre 21 Festival del Cristo Negro, Portobelo, Colón
Octubre 28 Fiestas Patronales de San Judas Tadeo, varias provincias
Noviembre 25 Fiestas Patronales de Santa Catalina en Pedasí
Noviembre 27 Fiestas Patronales Potrerillos Arriba, Dolega, Chiriquí
Noviembre 30 Fiestas Patronales San Andrés, provincia de Herrera y Los Santos
Diciembre 4 Fiestas Patronales de Santa Bárbara en Las Minas, provincia de Herrera y Los Santos
Diciembre 17 Fiestas Patronales de la Virgen de Guadalupe, en varias provincias