Expat radio favorites to MC Carols Festival

By Margot Thomas
 Fans of “The Breakfast Show,” the 89.9 FM, Monday to Friday presentation, of an eclectic mix of music, news and interviews by Gerry Downey, will have the opportunity on Saturday, December 6, to meet face to face two of the people who have helped the program brighten your mornings for the last five years.

The MC’s for Carol’s By Candlelight, Luces De Navidad will be Yazmin Campei whose voice you hear when you call in with special requests or comments, and Alex Neuman a favorite for those of us baffled by the increasing complexity of the digitalized world, as he fielded questions from listeners and solved problems that would have had some of us tossing our computer or latest fancy gizmo into the nearest trash can.
The couple will be introducing seven performing choral groups including six multi-denominational choirs and two Opera Panama Soloists accompanied by a harpist.
Alfonso Baysa, tenor, Graciela Saavedra, soprano., are two stars of Opera Panama with blooming careers with Opera Panama, under the direction of Irena Sylyia , who recently won scholarships for Master Classes at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome and private tuition for coaching at the Vienna State Opera in Austria. After performing in the Trujillo Vocal contest in Peru.
Opera Panama stepped in to assist after a last minute cancelation by Musica Viva, claiming other commitments.
At the end of each performance the candle bearing audience is invited to join in the singing of a selected seasonal favorite. The words, in English and Spanish appear in a souvenir song book
The event, organized by the CandaPLUS Club,  is at The amphitheater at Mirador Del Pacifico on the Cinta Costera (near the Fish Market) It is free if you wish to stand or bring your own stool, but a limited number of reserved seats are still available at $20 and $15 including a souvenir led candle to raise funds for Santo Tomas Hospital.
If you don’t book a seat, souvenir candles can be purchased at the site for $5 and $10 and you can pick up the free illustrated song book when you arrive.
To order tickets call 6619-6890, or 225-3860
The event starts at 7 pm .