FAE12 is almost here! (FAE for Festival de Artes Escenicas). Small and independently run, this festival has slowly established itself in Panama as a “most go” for theatre and dance fans.

This year, they`ll have groups coming from Germany, Argentina, Canada, United States, France, Guatemala, Mexico and Costa Rica.

March is the month! 22 to 28th of March, and although most presentations will be in the Anita Villalaz and Los Del Patio in Casco Viejo, we still don´t have a full calendar. But here is the flyer with general info:

Rolando de Sedas just sent me this nice video about the AVACA- Sembrarte art garbage cans for Casco Viejo. Check it out!  If you would like to follow them in Facebook, just go to Limpiemos Panama Ya.   And if you would like to donate a can, let us know! it is only $50!

This past Sunday, over 800 athletes from all around the world competed in the famous Ironman race.  Casco Viejo had two participants (Matt Landau and Eric Theise), which makes them officially the craziest of us all and without a doubt the best “in shape” people in town.   They finished the entire round: swimming, riding bicycle and running for a total of 70.3 miles.  Incredible!

On the cheering crowd we had the Casco Viejo IronMatt team, screaming to the top of our longs!  The official Ironman website commentator said that he had never seen so many people at any event in North or South America waiting at the finishing line, and I believe it, the place was packed.

To Eric and Matt… congratulations! you guys are amazing!

Our favorite gym in Casco Viejo has announced salsa classes! Starting this Wednesday 15th, from 7 pm. to 8 p.m, no partner needed! just come and have fun.

The cost for non gym members is $10 and it will include a gym class before, so come with your gym gear to take advantage of the combo.

Where: Top Level Gym,  Calle 4ta and A Avenue (entering by El Boticario pharmacy)

When:  Wednesday 15th, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cost: $10

Teacher: Carina Fourmyle

Our favorite gym in Casco Viejo is opening for salsa lessons! Wednesday February 15th, at 7 pm.  No partner needed! so just come and have fun. They`ll be giving the basics, so “no fear – high heels”.

Cost will be $10 for non gym members, and it will include a class before the salsa class, so you might want to take the best of the combo and bring gym clothing.

Where: Top Level Gym at Calle 4ta and A Avenue (enter by the pharmacy El Boticario)

When: Wednesday 15th, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cost: $10

Teacher: Carina Fourmyle

It was a lot of fun to see the crew running around filming all through Casco! Here is a recap I found, but you might want to tune in and see the episode. The shots of Panama were really nice!

The Bachellor in Panama

The Bachellor`s most romantic dinner in Panama

Espacio Karuna is a space located inside the Los Del Patio art center, and Juan (the therapist) runs it.  He specializes in thai massage, which is a very “involved” massage where they manipulate your body, stretching it and lifting it.   He also does oriental massage which has a mix of techniques including Swedish massage.

I took the full thai massage to try it out. You need to go with comfortable clothing, like yoga clothing and have plenty of time.  It lasts almost 2 hours, and starts really slowly, so I fell completely asleep during the first part. As the stretching started, then I got to participate more and by the end of the massage my back was really feeling much better. However, if you feel you have knots deep in the muscle, you might want to do a more traditional massage or the oriental.

So, try it out! write your own review! Here is the info:

Juan Gómez:  phone 6241-6240  or email at juangomez388@hotmail.com

His blog HERE

Photos by Ken Milburn

A project that started small is growing day by day. On Sunday, Casco Viejo`s Friends and Neighborhood Association (AVACA) along with Sembrarte carried out the fifth painting event for garbage tanks. The fourth event was donated by Hotel Herrera and this one by Estrella Azul.

Each event brings an even better quality of concepts, the tanks are coming out beautiful. The artists are organized by Rolando de Sedas from Sembrarte and the “official home of the Pintadera” is Villa Agustina at Plaza Herrera.

Next week, thirty tanks will be distributed throughout Casco Viejo,  providing a much needed space for garbage, but also a playful artistic spirit.

Thumbs up for everyone involved in this project!

If you want to learn more, follow them on Facebook at: Limpiemos Panama Ya

Casco Viejo, Panama, Casco Antiguo, Real Estate

Following up with my last posting, I wanted to publish today some interesting data on how the private sector has evolved in Casco Antiguo since it was designated World Heritage Site.

It all really began with this designation in 1997. Before that, there were maybe a couple of restoration projects. By 1998 a number of them came along creating the first big push. the map shows the areas where this started to happen.  Through time, it is interesting to see not only the growing number of projects, but also how the “frontier line” of what was considered “safe” or even considered “Casco” began to move.

Today, with more than 20 projects under construction at the same time, the private sector is stronger than ever.  They are providing not only with a varied number of projects including hotels, residential and commercial, but also with social programs, job creation for the locals and support to community activities. They are becoming the voice of continuity, the heart of the economic momentum in Casco Viejo.