Weekend offers Carnaval curtain raiser and Gatun exploration

By Susan Thomas

IF YOU are looking for a foretaste of what many believe to be THE Carnaval in Panama, without the hassle of driving along packed highways to Las Tablas, you will get the opportunity next week at the Figali Convention Center.

Traditionally at the Las Tablas event there is a friendly confrontation between two teams within the city, as they display their respective queens, music and specially composed carnival songs, exposing the opposition and their families to ridicule.

One of the competing teams for the 2014 event, “Calle Abajo De Las Tablas” is coming to Panama on Saturday, February 15, to display their talents and raise funds for their participation in the March event.
It all starts at 4 pm so you won’t have to endure the heat of the day. You will witness the “Royal Court”, meet former queens and be entertained with traditional music and dance and a discotheque.
The event will be in the parking lot of the Center. Admission is $15 VIP, which includes a seat at a table and table service for your food and drink orders. If you prefer to join the “madding crowd” the cost is $5 prepaid and $7 on the day.
Oh, you won’t need to wear a swim suit as there will be no “culeco” at this curtain raiser function. The culeco is the Panama carnival tradition of spraying the dancing throng with fire hoses.
For Tickets : 6672-2821 or 6151-5957
If you survive the evening and can haul yourself out of bed in time to get to Gamboa the next morning, Sunday, February 16, you can join the annual CanadaPLUS Club Lake Gatun exploration, a six hour discovery of wild life, fauna, a hidden swim hole and waterfall, and an onboard menagerie on the lake’s only floating hotel, where you will be served a barbecue lunch. Cost for CanadaPLUS members $55, nonmembers $60. Last date to order and have your tickets delivered to home or office, Monday, February 10.