Musical party in Casco Viejo

PANAMA. More than 40 artists, local and international, will perform on Saturday in the third annual “Fiesta de la Musica”, a cultural event organized by the Casco Antiguo Office (OCA), and the French Embassy. The festival will offer 35 free concerts on six stages in Casco Viejo.

The opening concert will be held at the National theatre on Friday June 19, and will pay homage to Brazilian and Panamanian composers, according to Judith Jaen, sub director of OCA.

The Panamanian version of “Fete de la Musique” will actually begin the next day, Saturday 20 starting at 3:00 p.m.

Each genre will have its own stage: tropical music at Plaza Herrera; tipico music at the Cathedral Plaza; world music at the Arco Chato; rock&roll at La Casona, and jazz at Paseo Esteban Huertas.

Classical music lovers will have a special space at the Anita Villalaz Theatre with the performance of the Musica Viva Choir, the “Aguas de Chorrillo” Orchestra and the University of Panama Chamber and Symphonic Orchestras.

Also known as World Music Day, the Fete de la Musique was started in France in 1982 by the French Ministry of Culture with the purpose of offering a diverse musical exposure to large audiences for free. It also aims to give artists the opportunity to perform in non-traditional stages.

Nowadays it is celebrated in 130 countries around the world.

In Panama, the third edition of thefestival will have as backdrop the historical San Felipe neighborhood, declared World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.

This music festival takes place every year on June 21, the summer solstice, the official beginning of the northern hemisphere summer.

The streets of Casco Viejo will be for pedestrians only, available parking will be provided at the Causeway, and a free bus service will take the attendees to the concert area all day.

The audience will enjoy open air performances of artists such as Samy & Sandra Sandoval, Yomira Jones, The Vox, The Beachers, Om Kalsum from Egypt, Carlos Garnett, among many others.