Christmas comes early with launch of Carols by Candlelight

By Ingrid Jones
Carols by Candlelight the community involvement event supported by Panama’s Cultural body INAC will   be back in Casco Viejo in December with an enlarged cast.

The announcement was made Thursday, November 8, at a press conference in Panama where Christmas arrived early for those who were present, with a  lively sampling of what we will all be able to hear on December 15 in Plaza de Francia

A choir from Panama Pacifico Academy and soloists from Opera Panama gave renditions of popular seasonal favorites, and if they are anything to go by, December 15 going to be a night to remember. If you were there last year you will know that the 2,000 plus crowd, far from the clang of cash registers went home happy to have shared in the start of a new Panama 

tradition.Carols by Candlelight (Luces de Navidad) is a concert in which the candle holding audience gets to join in with the on-stage performers in singing seasonal songs.

The event which originated in Australia over 75 years ago was introduced to Panama through the CanadaPLUS Club to raise funds for local charities.
This year with an expanded program of 10 performing groups, funds will be raised for Hogar Malambo, Hospital Santo Tomas, and Casa Brown (a retirement home for aged people with little or no means in Panama City).
We will be entertained by The National Youth Orchestra, Panama Pacifico Academy, Kings College, 

Hogar Malambo, Godspell, Venezuela Encanto, theNational Ballet, Cantus Chorus and Coro Cancion.

Each choral group will perform its own selection of music for 15 minutes, and will be joined by the audience in the signing of a Christmas carol,, the words of which appear in the candles book.
All choral groups will join in the finale.
20,000 books containing the words of carols in Spanish and English, will be distributed free throughout Panama, and will be made available to schools, churches and community groups.
If you know of any group that could use a bunch, email carolspanam@gmail.com and make the subject  "CAROLS BOOK".
10,000 LED souvenir candles, donated by Panama Pacifico, will be available in two sizes and may be obtained for a donation of $5 or $10.

BUY A  CANDLE AND MAKE TWO  GIFTS

The organizers, The CanadaPLUS Club, are asking individuals or businesses who wish to support less fortunate people in the community, to donate extra candles which will be distributed through Churches and Community groups,That way you get to assist the charities and the less well endowed

 Donors of 10 candles or more will be identified in a special insert in the candles book on performance day, and in Newsroom and The Visitor.
Orders of $25 or more candles, and/or tickets will be delivered to your home or office. If you order two of the tower candles. And one or more seats, you will receive annother long candle free.
Volunteers are standing by to visit schools or businesses with tickets and candles
Attendance at the event is free, but seats in a reserved enclosure are available for a $10 donation, prepaid, or $15 on performance day. Don’t bet on any seats being left on that day. Last year there was such a demand that volunteers sitting at a table selling candles, gave up their seats for the cause
Other choral groups are welcome to attend and sing along and join in the finale.
Sponsors of the event are: INAC, The Canadian Embassy,Panama Pacifico, Copa Airlines, HSBC. Minera Panama, Palo Alto, Aqua Viva, Newsroom Panama, The Visitor/El Visitante.
Candles and seats may be ordered from carolspanama@gmail.com or tel:6619-6890
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
A specially selected giant Christmas Tree has been donated by the Canadian Embassy and will be shipped from Quebec to stand on the steps of INAC.
A tree lighting ceremony by Canadian Ambassador, Sylvia Cesaratto will take place on Wednesday December 12, at 12.30 preceded by a candlelight parade through the streets of the old city.
Residents of Casco Viejo are being encouraged to decorate their homes or businesses with Christmas lights.

SPONSORS
Sponsors of the event are: INAC, The Canadian Embassy,Panama Pacifico, Copa Airlines, HSBC. Minera Panama, Palo Alto, Aqua Viva, Newsroom Panama, The Visitor/El Visitante.