For your diary

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18

Painting exhibit by Edwin Ortiz “Costumbrismo, Folclore y Tradicion de Panama” at the atrium of the Miraflores Visitors’ Center. Info.: 276-8449.

WEDNESDAY FEB 18 – 20

“Mojado de Luna” painting exhibit by artists Luis Felipe Oviedo at the Visual Arts Gallery of INAC. 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Free entrance. Info.: 501-4942.

WEDNESDAY FEB 18 – 28

“Latin American Abstraction” collective exhibit at Arteconsult gallery, calle 50.

WEDNESDAY FEB 18 – APRIL 6

“Cinderella”, Spanish play at Teatro Aba. Every Sunday. 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tickets $6.

WEDNESDAY FEB 18 – 19

Discover Panama 7 days/ 6 nights tour of the interior: El Valle, Penonome, Las Tablas, Chitre, Pedasi, Isla Iguana, Volcan and Boquete. $595/ person, $445/person for retirees. RSVP and info: Juan Alberto 209-2000.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19

Boxing night at ATLAPA, with Luis “El Nica” Concepcion versus Santiago “El Vendaval” Acosta. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets $5 - $35, Blockbuster.

Expat Explorers Jungle boat safari tour. Experience the flora and fauna in and around Lake Gatun. 8:00 a.m. $85. Includes transportation to and from the lake and lunch. RSVP by Feb. 16 to admin@expatsinpanama.com

Birds photography exhibit at the Las Oropendolas room at the Metropolotican Park. 6:30 p.m. Free entrance. Info.: 232-5977.

Jazz night at Platea Bar, Casco Viejo. 10:30 p.m. Info.: 228-4011

Tango presentation by the Argentinian Tango Academy of Panama at Pizza Piola. Tango lessons from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. for $5. Info.: 263-4668.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20

Elk’s Club “Carnival Blast” at Elk’s Club in Ancon (behind Shamrock’s Restaurant). Murga, unlimited draft beer, and DJ John Wolff. $10.

Conversational: "The Panamanian Carnaval". Panamanian cultural activities and basic Spanish lessons for free. 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Location provided with RSVP. Info@spanishpanama.com.

Happy hour and live music at Shihan Sushi restaurant (Calle 51, banking area) from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Info.: 264-1824.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21 – 24

Carnavales around the country. Info.: www.carnavaldepanama.com

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21

Expats Explorer Escape Carnival day trip to El Valle market, mud bath, and the beach. 9:00 a.m. $25. RSVP by February 17 to admin@expatsinpanama.com.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22

English literature book exchange and garage sale at the parking lot of the Harley Davidson dealership on the corner of Via Italia and Balboa. 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. sellers $10/table, no entrance fee for buyers.

Adventure tour to the caves at the National Chagres Park. $59. Info.: panama_outdoors@yahoo.com.

Expat Explorers “A night at the Oscars” at the private mezzanine level of the Marriott’s Royal Casino. $20 includes open bar and buffet. RSVP to sasacal@aol.com.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24

3 days/2 nights trip to Coiba Island. $2,000 for 10 people. Info.: 970-0059.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25

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.

Jazz night at Las Terrazas, Multiplaza Pacific. Info.: 300-9462.

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

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27

Panamanian Cooking - Panamanian Wedding Soup, "Sopa Borracha". Panamanian cultural activities and basic Spanish lessons for free. 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Location provided with RSVP. Info@spanishpanama.com.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 4 – 7

Expocomer 2009 at ATLAPA, business exhibits from more than 30 countries. 1:00 p.m.

THURSDAY MARCH 5 -12

Woody Allen’s “Writer’s Block” at Theatre Guild (next to Ancon DIJ). 8:00 p.m. Donation: $10. Info.: 212-0060.

SATURDAY MARCH 7, 8

Extreme wheels & drift sponsored by Mas Movil, with drifting, sound competitions, and concerts by Sean Kingston and Flo Rida at Figali Convention Center. Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Saturday and 12:00 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $22, Blockbuster (valid for 2 days).

MONDAY MARCH 9

Expat happy hour social at Rhino’s. 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.

TUESDAY MARCH 10

St Andrew’s Society (Scottish Society) gathering at Rincon Aleman. 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11 – 15

Le Grand Cirque in Panama at ATLAPA. Tickets $15 - $65 at Farmacias Metro, Extreme Planet and Hometek. Wed – Fri, 8:00 p.m. Sat 3:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., Sun 2:00 p.m. , 7:00 p.m.

SATURDAY MARCH 14

American Society picnic on the grounds of the “Los Capitanes Hotel” in El Valle, Anton. 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $18 members; $20 non-members. RSVP by March 12 at American.society.panama@gmail.com.

SATURDAY MARCH 14, 15

Movistar Music Fest Panama 2009 at Plaza Figali with Aleks Syntek, Beto Cuevas, Carlos Vives, Luis Fonsi and more. Saturday 6:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. One day: $15 general admission, $50 VIP. 2 days $20 general admission, $75 VIP, Blockbuster.

TUESDAY MARCH 17

Expat Explorer La Pintada day trip. Visit Panama Hat makers, cigar makers, and tour a gold mine. 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. RSVP my March 9 to admin@expatsinpanama.com. $30 / person.

COMING SOON:

March 24, 26: “La Magia de la Opera” (The magic of opera).

April 2: American Society of Panama and USA Caravana’s Annual Auction.