For your diary

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27

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

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.

FRIDAY FEB 27 – 28

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

Exhibit of paintings by Dr. Justo Arosemena at the Cathedral Plaza, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Info.: 501-4128.

FRIDAY FEB 27 – MARCH 6

“Puertas” (doors) exhibit at the Arlene Lachman Gallery (Calle 1ra El Carmen No. 101). All types of doors artistically enhanced by 22 artists. Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Info: 264-5257.

FRIDAY FEB 27 – APRIL 6

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

SUNDAY MARCH 1

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

WEDNESDAY MARCH 4

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

WEDNESDAY MARCH 4 – 7

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

THURSDAY MARCH 5

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.

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).

SATURDAY MARCH 7 – 15

Japanese Cultural Week, free movies and cultural events. Info.: 263-6155.

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.

THURSDAY MARCH 12

Boquete Jazz Festival sponsors Gala at Oasis Hotel & Restaurant with Fantasy Jazz & Natural Sound Jr. 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets $10, sold at: Valle Escondido Country Club, Bistro Boquete, Oasis B&B and Ana´s Sweet in Boquete, and Cocina Rica in David.

FRIDAY MARCH 13 - 14

Boquete Jazz Festival concert at Valle Escondido Country Club with Luba Mason and her Trio, Reginald Boyce, and Panama’s Jazz Effects (Friday) and Imox Jazz Quartet, Hernan Romero Jazz Flamenco, and Yuri Honing Quartet (Saturday). 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets per day: VIP (with table) $20, general admission: $15; sold at: Valle Escondido Country Club, Bistro Boquete, Oasis B&B and Ana´s Sweet in Boquete, and Cocina Rica in David.

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.

VI Diablos and Congos Festival, afro-colonial cultural showcase, in front of Portobelo’s park. 10:00 a.m. Sale of food and crafts, art exhibits and cultural performances. Info.: 264-4560.

SATURDAY MARCH 14, 15

Movistar Music Fest Panama 2009 at Plaza Figali with Aleks Syntek, Beto Cuevas, Carlos Vives and more. Saturday 6:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. Tickets $15 - $75 Blockbuster.

SUNDAY MARCH 15

Boquete Jazz Festival’s free concert at the Domingo Medica Park wirh Natural Sound Jr., Outside Jazz Band, Sin Ensamble Jazz Quartet, and the symphonic band from Chiriqui’s Universidad Autonoma. 11:00a.m to 4:00p.m.

IX Kite festival by the Chinese - Panamanian Professionals Association at Amador, near TGIF. 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Info.: 2367355.

MONDAY MARCH 16

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

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 to admin@expatsinpanama.com. $30.

TUESDAY MARCH 24, 26

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.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2

American Society of Panama and USA Caravana’s Annual Auction at the Plaza Paitilla Inn. Info.: 6583-1165.