For your diary

SATURDAY JAN 17

Expat Explorer half-day Panama Canal tour. 7:30 a.m. – noon. $90. RSVP to admin@expatsinpanama.com

Panama Jazz Festival free concert at Plaza Cathedral, Casco Viejo. 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm. www.panamajazzfestival.com

Arte en vivo. Witness local artists create original artwork. 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Plaza Bolivar, Casco Antiguo. Following the event there will be a silent auction benefiting the Danilo Perez Foundation. 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Panama Jazz Festival closing party: Salsa Meets Jazz at “No name Place,” former Flags in Causeway Amador. 10:00 p.m. $5 Info.: 232-7623.

Blue Note Jazz Quartet at La Casona, Casco Viejo. 11:00 p.m. Free entrance. Info.: 211-0740.

Second recycling fair in Parque Omar. Games, educational videos, and exhibits by different institutions that promote recycling. 10:00 a.m.

Friendly soccer match between the Panama and Denmark soccer teams. Agustín "Muquita" Sánchez Stadium, La Chorrera. Info.: www.marearoja.com/

SATURDAY JAN 17 – 18

The annual Flower and Coffee International Fair, in Boquete Chiriqui. Showcase of the district’s landscapes with 44 gardens, and a huge variety of plants, flowers and coffee.

SATURDAY JAN 17 - 27

International Fair of La Chorrera. Annual fair with an array of cultural, folkloric performances, and crafts, plants and produce from around the country.

SATURDAY JAN 17 – 31

Pop art collective exhibit at Galeria ArteConsult: Aleman y Grimberg, Calle 50. Info.: 302-2646.

SUNDAY JANUARY 18

Flea market at Las Brisas de Amador, Causeway. Handicrafts sales, pets, food, real estate and more. 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free admission. Info.: 314-3369.

Flea market at the Cathedral Plaza, Casco Viejo, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Summer 2009 live concert by Panama’s firemen music band at the visitor’s center, Panama Viejo. 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Free Entrance. Info.: 226-8915.

SUNDAY JAN 18 – FEB 18

“Mira fijamente” picture work by Enrique Jaramillo Barnes and poetry by Enrique Jaramillo Levy. Diablo Rosso. Free Entrance.

MONDAY JANUARY 19

First meeting of Phenomenal Women’s Network, a professional women’s network. 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the City Club, Calle 50. Cost: $25. RSVP: mirella@co-ventures.co.uk.

THURSDAY JAN 22

Free tango lessons and dancing at Pizza Piola in Calle 51, near Federico Boyd Ave. 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.

Jazz night at Bar La Platea, Casco Viejo. 10:00 p.m. Info.: 228-4011.

FRIDAY JANUARY 23

Miguel A Bernal’s fundraising campaign presents dinner and dancing with Osvaldo Ayala at Restaurante Lun Fung. 8:30 p.m. $20.

Expat Explorer exclusive Murder Mystery dinner aboard the Isla Morada yacht. A night of intrigue, dinner, and open bar. 3:30 p.m. $75 Info.: www.expatexplorers.com.

SUNDAY JAN 25

English literature book exchange (and drop in socializing) at Rhino’s, Federico Boyd. Trade books on a one to one basis. 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

MONDAY JANUARY 26, 26

Chinese New Year’s Fair, with exhibits from companies with Chinese products, fashion shows, games, and Chinese food. ATLAPA, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY JAN 28

Books & Arts Circle in English at Exedra Books. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Come discuss literature and arts, with any topic-related book of your choice. $5.

Independent film night at La Casona, Casco Viejo (one block past the Plaza Herrera). 8:30 p.m. Free entrance. Info.: 211-0740.

Jazz night at Casa Gongora, Casco Viejo. 8:00 p.m. Info.: 212-1350.

Expats West Meet at Restaurante El Rincon in Coronado. Socializing meet and greet for Altos del Maria, Coronado, San Carlos and area. Everyone’s welcome. $10 for buffet.

SATURDAY JANUARY 31

American Society of Panama’s Dry Season Picnic at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in La Cresta. $10 for members and $25 for non-members. 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Contact American.society.panama@gmail.com before January 28 for tickets.

Musical festival in El Valle’s Iglesia San Jose with the National Symphony Orchestra and Russian pianist Oxana Schevchenko. Tickets $15; available at Allegro, Joyeria Barakat, and the Centro Comercial El Valle. Info.: 270-0922.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 1

Youth orchestras from the National Association of Concerts musical camp will be playing for free at El Valle’s church. 11:00 a.m.

MONDAY FEB 2 – 8

PGA Nationwide Tour Panama Championship at Club de Golf. Info.: www.clubgolf.com.pa

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12

Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot at Teatro Anayansi, ATLAPA. 7:00 p.m. Tickets $33 - $128, $17- $65 for retirees; Blockbuster.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14

Anime weekend at the Yuyin Luzcando gym in Betania. 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. $2. Costume contest, karaoke, Cosplay Cup competition, video games tournament and more. Info.: www.cosplaypanama.blogspot.com

VFW Post 3835 Valentine’s Day Fish Fry at Post Home, Diablo No. 24. Karaoke, blackjack and poker. 3:00 –10:00 p.m. Tickets $7 in advance, $8 door. Info.: Lyle Chatham 269-9645.

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