December, a great month for entertainment
By Margot Rowlands
December is shaping up to be a busy and fulfilling month in Panama for those who really enjoy Christmas, from large scale participant events like Carols By Candlelight (Luces de Navidad) to more intimate occasions like Weinachtmark.
And many of them provide opportunities for aiding the less fortunate in the Panamanian community.
These are some of the events that you might want to consider:
St Lukes Episcopal Cathedralin Ancon starts the month off with its much loved Annual Bazaar and concert. The Bazaar is the perfect place to find Mother’s Day and Christmas gifts. You will find objets d’art, Christmas decorations, home baked goodies and more. It will run from 10 am to 2pm on Saturday December 1, and again on Sunday December 2 from 1.30 pm until the Musica Viva Concert at 2 pm . It will resume at 3 pm after the concert . Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Cathedral office in Ancon (tel. 262-1280, Calle Gorgas, down the hill from the Cancer Hospital) or at the door prior to the performance.
In the evening of December 1, there is the wrap up of the Christmas frolic at the Ancon Theatre, home of the Theatre Guild of Ancon. The evening kicks off with a welcoming egg nog on the porch, with a chance to exchange early seasonal greetings with those who may be heading elsewhere later in the month.
On December 2, Steinbock the popular German Restaurant will be hosting hosting once again the Deutscher Weinachtmarkt (German Christmas market ) to raise funds for the Katherine Brown retirement home. You get the chance to eat hearty German food, buy genuine weinachtstollen (Christmas cake) and will find a wide range of arts and crafts from the country that introduced the world to the Christmas tree. Admission is $3 adults, $2 children, Kids under 10 get in free.
December 7 The Venezuelan community in Costa del Este, will be introducing an event that has become popular back at home over the years, in which folks gather with their skate boards and roller blades for a seasonal street party.
Cantus Panama, a community chorus made up of people from various countries who share a love of singing, continues to grow in stature and is a much loved presenter of its own shows, from the proceeds of which they donate to charitable causes. On Sunday December 9, at 2pm, the choir will present its Holiday Lights concert at the Balboa Union Church and will make a donation to the church’s Bridging Families program that assists families in need, If you miss this one, you will be able to hear them at Carols By Candlelight, December,15.
December 12 sees the tree lighting ceremony in Plaza De Francia, Casco Viejo, for the upcoming Carols by Candlelight Festival. A band and two children’s choirs will head a procession of candle carrying children through the streets of Casco Viejo. To the plaza, where the Canadian Ambassador, Sylvia Cesaratto, and local dignitaries will perform the tree lighting ceremony at 7 pm . The posada starts at 6.30.
This year’s Carols By Candlelight Festival on December 15 promises to be even more spectacular than last year with multiple choirs , the National Ballet Opera Panama and the National Youth Orchestra. It’s a free event, but if you want to have a souvenir candle to wave while you join in the singing of traditional seasonal carols, you can make a $5 or $10 donation.
You can bring your own seat or, if you want a seat in the reserved enclosure you can reserve one for $10, or wait until the day and hope there are some left at $15. Proceeds of the choral festival will go to Santo Tomas Hospital and Hogar Malambo. and Casa Katherine Brown Tickets and candles from : carolspanama@gmail.com
On December 24, the Balboa Union Church perpetuates a tradition that began in World War II, with an inter-denominational service that ends with the placing of candles around the trees in front of the church, and alongside the steps leading to the main entrance.
