Expats from 14 countries plan for Canada Day celebration in Panama

 With Dra Lourdes Quijada

You don’t have to be Canadian to   celebrate Canada Day and join in a fun packed evening at Panama’s Riu Hotel on July 1.

Residents and visitors from  over a dozen countries, including Panama,  have already reserved tickets for an evening event, organized by the CanadaPLUS Club.{jathumbnail off}

It includes an art exhibition, a presentation on the upcoming International Film Festival, music, dancing,  wine cheese and ceviche and a Canada Day cake, to be cut by Canada's Ambassador to Panama, Patricia  Langan  Torrell.

Music  will be soft-jazz from  the Los Fukanos  trio  who endeared themselves to  guests  at the Royal Wedding celebration at the Club Union on April 29.

Resident Canadian artists Yolanda Can der Kolk and Germain Courchesne will be among members of the CanadaPLUS Club who will be showing their works, which  will be available for purchase, and other handcraft jewelry makers will also be showing their work.

Yolanda, who built her reputation in Canada after graduating from the Ontario College of Art (OCA),   has been at work in her home producing paintings with Panamanian themes specially for the event.

She will also be setting  up a booth to sell hand printed tee shirts with animal themes, to raise funds for the El Valle golden frog  preservation project.

Germain, who hails from Quebec, took up painting after his retirement, and after only a little more than  three years has an exhibition in Montreal this month, and  another at the re-opening of a New York gallery in July. The work of both artists will be available for purchase.

If you are a painter and wish to  show some of your works.  go to clubcanadaplus@gmail.com.

Rob Brown, CEO of Panama’s International Film Festival, and his father-in-law, Henk Van der Kolk, will be providing a video presentation on the festival, scheduled for early February next year.

Henk, was the co founder of the world’s biggest festival inToronto (TIFF) which attracts millions of dollars to Toronto, and brings in stars, producers, directors and writers from all over the world. He hopes to replicate the success of the Toronto festival in Panama, providing revenue, worldwide attention and an impetus for local film makers.

Attendees will also be able to get information on other  upcoming CanadaPLUS Club events. The Club is open to people of all nationalities,

Events scheduled for the remainder of the year include  murder mystery dinner theatre   a pub night, a Thanksgiving Dinner  at the Union Club, a Welcome Back Snowbirds party and   a Carols by Candelight celebration in Casco Viejo.

CanadaPLUS.Members also hold an opportunity card providing  over 20 discounts and benefits in Panama, including group insurance availability. Membership is open to all nationalities. The Canada Day celebration will run from 50. 7.30-10.30 p.m.

Attendance is by  prepaid ticket only. Members $20, non-members $25. email clubcanadaplus@gmail.com  or call 6619-6890