For your diary

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11

Japanese Culture Week free Origami workshop and Japanese lessons at the National Library. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Info.: 263-6155.

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.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11 – 15

Japanese Culture Week free movie screenings at Teatro en Circulo and Cinepolis. For a full list of movies, timings and locations, visit: www.panama.emb-japan.go.jp

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.

WED MARCH 11 – APRIL 6

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

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.

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.

Salsa lesson at Paradise Ballroom, on the corner of Via Brazil and Via España. Doors open 5:00 p.m. lessons start 6:00 p.m. $5.

Free concert by Taiwanese pianist Weiyang Chen with the National Symphony at the National Theatre. Works by Bethoven and Liszt. Concert at 8:00 p.m. Tickets on site at 7:30 p.m. Info.: 501-4107.

THURSDAY MARCH 12, 13, 14

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

FRIDAY MARCH 13

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

Grammy-award winner Hernan Rosemary in concert at the National Theater. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 - $50 at Allegro and Exedra bookstores.

Musicians from Brazil, US, Colombia and other countries at the Museo Reina Torres de Arauz. 7:00 p.m. Info.: 393-2517.

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.

Japanese Culture Week Anime and POP culture event at the University of Panama with Cosplay and a drawing contest, anime documentaries, karaoke, video games, fashion shows, and Japanese pop music. Free Entrance. Info.: 263-6155.

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.

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.

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

MONDAY MARCH 16

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

Free Salsa lessons at Spanish Panama. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Info.: info@spanishpanama.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 my March 9 to admin@expatsinpanama.com. $30 / person.

Expat Explorers learn to and/or play bridge at Rhino’s Restaurant. 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY MARCH 20 – 22

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

SATURDAY MARCH 21

2009 Vallenato Fesival at Figali Convention Center. Tickets $28 / $133; Blockbuster.

III Annual Festival of Art in the Park of Penonome. Proceeds of sales go towards scholarship grants to art students. Free musical and artistic presentations. Info.: 997-8490.

MONDAY MARCH 23

Embera Indian village and waterfall tour escorted by a fully bilingual guide. $75. RSVP to admin@expatsinpanama.com.

SUNDAY MARCH 22

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

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 MARCH 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. $5.

Expats West meet and greet at Restaurante El Rincon in Coronado. $10 for buffet dinner. 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Info.: 6671-6449.

FRIDAY MARCH 27

Free Panamanian culture and Spanish lessons. Fun overview on customs observed during Panamanian Easter. RSVP to 2133121.

SUNDAY MARCH 29

English literature book exchange on a one-to/one basis and socializing at Rhino’s Restaurant. 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

MONDAY MARCH 30

Free Salsa lessons at Spanish Panama. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Info.: info@spanishpanama.com.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2

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