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