For your diary

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.

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

“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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Expats Explorer Jungle boat tour to Lake Gatun. $85 / person, includes transportation to/from lake. RSVP by March 15 to admin@expatsinpanama.com

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.

Backyardigans Live. Popular show for kids and preschoolers at the Anayansi Theater, ATLAPA. Ticket $10 - $45; Farmacias Metro, Hometek, Extreme Planet.

Fundacion Opera Panama presents “La Magia de la Opera” (The magic of opera) at the National Theater, with performances of the most beloved works of opera including Puccini, Mozart and Wagner. Tickets $10 - $85 at Blockbuster.

American Society of Panama and USA Caravana’s Annual Auction