Tips to Enjoy the Panama Jazz Festival at Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama`s Historic District

 

The Panama Jazz Festival has been growing steadily year by year, flooding Panama and Casco Viejo with great music and fantastic vibe.  After 8 years of attending the Jazz Fest, I`ve put together a couple of recommendations for those of you thinking on attending for the first time:

1. Buy your tickets in advance: this way you`ll make sure you have the ones you really want and for the events you are most interested in.  While the Anayansi theatre at Atlapa has a capacity for almost 3000 people, the National Theatre can only hold 800.  Also, some of the events are going to be held at one of the smaller areas (Salon San Lorenzo) which has a lower capacity. You won`t need tickets for the outdoors concert in Casco Viejo! If you haven`t seen the schedule yet, you can FIND IT HERE.

2. The workshops are really good!: if you are thinking on signing up your kid or attending yourself if you are a musician, again, you probably need to sign up in advance. Contact Alida for the Workshops HERE.

Now… for the concert at Casco Viejo:

1. Stay in Casco Viejo: it is the best way to enjoy the festival. You just walk to the plaza and back home. Check out our list of recommended hotels and private apartments for rent HERE. If you are not staying in Casco and are coming from Panama City:

2. Leave your car outside at Cinta Costera:  believe me, it is the best strategy. I`ve tried it myself and it works. Every year they have a shuttle service, so there is no need to stress about parking. The shuttle will bring you back. And even if you want to leave between shuttle rides, you can actually just walk out using the Cinta Costera extension. It is very easy!

3. Seating comfortably:  you will have a good time no matter what, even if you sit on the floor. However, I`ve always been grateful for those who offered me their folding chair (you know, those camping chairs that fold into almost a tube).  These chairs are fantastic: almost no weight and no hassle.  This year the festival is going to provide with more seating areas, but just in case go prepared! and remember to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

4. Goodies: no need for them unless you have a special food need. You`ll find people selling anything from water, beers, soda, and food.

5. Bathrooms:  the Fest always have several rows of public bathrooms, usually near the Canal Museum. If anything… bring paper with you!

6. Casco Style VIP areas: the Panama Jazz Festival always has a small VIP area, which is a nice way to check out the concert. But also there is the “Casco Style VIP” = knowing anybody that has a balcony overlooking Plaza Catedral.  Most owners are holding parties for their friends on that day… so just drop by! bring some good wine and cheese!

Casco Viejo at Night

Panama Jazz Festival is almost here! Concert Calendar

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama`s Historic City

 

Our favorite summer event is almost here! 2011 Panama Jazz Festival will start on January 10th until the 15th, with its already famous outdoor concert at Casco Viejo, Panama. Can you believe it has already been 8 years? wao…

Main theatres will be: National Theatre at Casco Antiguo, Atlapa, Hotel Panama, Fundación Danilo Perez at Plaza Herrera (Casco Viejo) and Plaza Catedral (also at Casco) for the outdoor concert.

This year, according to a note published today at La Prensa,  the festival is including a photo show about the previous events parallel to their concerts at Atlapa and National Theatre.

So here are the activities!

Monday, January 10th:

10 a.m. Inauguration at Atlapa

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshops and private classes at Atlapa

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Classes by the Golandsky Institute at the Fundacion Danilo Perez, Casco Viejo.

4 p.m. Jazz by New England Conservatory at Atlapa.

5 p.m.  Harlem String Quartet at Atlapa

10 p.m. Nando López and Jam Session with the Conservatory of Paris at Hotel El Panama

 

Tuesday, Jan 11th

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshops (Atlapa)

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes Golansky Institute (Fundacion Danilo Perez)

4 pm Conservatory of Paris (Atlapa)

5 p.m.  Black Tea Project: Osvaldo Jorge, Graciela Núñez y Liam Teague (Atlapa)

10 p.m. Samuel Batista and Jam Session with New England Conservatory (Hotel El Panama)

 

Wednesday, Jan 12th

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Workshops (Atlapa)

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshops (Fundacion Danilo Perez)

7 p.m. Gala night with the Conservatory of Paris, Harlem String Quartet, Vitin Paz and special guests (National Theatre, Casco Viejo)

11 p.m. Black Tea Project and Jam Session with Fundacion Tonica and Brian Lynch. (Hotel El Panama)

 

Thursday, Jan 13th

9 to 4 p.m. Workshops at Atlapa and the Fundacion

4 p.m. Fundacion Tonica de Mexico Jam Session at Atlapa

5 p.m. Berklee Global Jazz Institute at Atlapa

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Concert by El Tinto Español with Grupo Flamenco Jazz, Claudia Acuña Quartet and The Latin Side of Herbie Hancock from Conrad Herwig (Atlapa)

11 p.m. Carlos Ubarte and Mauriat Jazz Quartet with Jam Session Berklee Global Jazz Institute (Hotel Panama)

 

Friday, Jan 14th

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshops Atlapa

9 a.m. to 12 md Classes with the Golandsky Institute at Fundacion Danilo Perez

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Concert Global Meeting of Jazz with Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Panamerican Percussion Ensemble, Paoli Mejias and Danilo Perez with the presentation of his latest work: “Providence”which will be played along with Ben Street, Adam Cruz, Rudresh Mahanttap, Paoli Mejías, Sara Serpa and Matt Marvuglio. (Atlapa)

11 p.m. Luis Carlos Perez and Jam Session with Fundacion Danilo Perez at Hotel Panama

 

Saturday, Jan 15th

OUR FAVORITE EVENT!!!!!

12:30 md to 9 p.m. Closing of the Panama Jazz Festival at Plaza Catedral, Casco Viejo!

Playing: talents of the Danilo Perez Foundation, Carlos Ubarte P. Mauriat Quartet, Crossroads High School, Ensamble of the Conservatory of Paris, New England Conservatory, Berkleee Global Jazz Institute, Vitin Paz Quinteto and surprise guests.

2010 Jazz Festival

New Year Parties at Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama City`s Historic District

5….4….3…..2….1…..Champagne!  bubbly drinks, kisses and hugs, depending on your style our 300 year old Casco Viejo has the right vibe for you to welcome the Year of the Rabbit (2011).

Breakfast and lunch:

If you are not thinking (or are too stressed) on cooking, head to Café Vienna at Calle 1era, San Felipe. They`ll be offering breakfast, lunch and sweets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ph. 211-2513

Dinner:

For dinner, you`ll have three different options: Forchetta (at Plaza Catedral-Ph. 212-0051) which will have a $48 dinner menu including a drink from the house and Scena (Calle 1era- Ph.228-4011) which is offering a $55 menu including a glass of white or red wine.

Las Clementinas Firework Views

Las Clementinas (at Calle 11th and B Avenue) will offer a full treat to its  guests: $85 dinner (unlimited Champagne) and a panoramic roof terrace with a 360 degree view of Panama City and Casco Viejo to enjoy the firework shows.  Be sure to reserve your spot! limited availability. Call Samantha at 228-7613 or email at samantha@conservatoriosa.com

Party!!!

Live Music:

Habana Panama: Cuban Salsa Live! one of the best orchestras in Cuba: the Van Van. Starting at 10 p.m. $120 door, includes liquor and appetizers.  Reservations at:  212-0040

Platea: Salsa and Merengue Live! famous for its local music and great ambiance, every year Platea is one of Panma`s (and Casco`s) classic spots for dancing until sunlight.  $25 to get in (doesn`t include drinks) or $125 and you can drink pretty much the entire bar (no food). Reservations are important as space is limited: 228-4011

Dj/ Dance/ Electronic Music:

Relic Bar at Luna`s Castle:  underground (literally!) countdown party! Relic has always a fun young ambiance where people from everywhere in the world drink together to the new year.  Tickets are $10 at the door. Not that you need to call for a reservation, but here is the phone anyways! Ph. 262-1540

La Casona: nice outdoors terrace by the beach. They`ll have a DJ and mellow partying for those more in the mood of just hanging out with friends. Check them out at Calle 5ta and A Avenue.

Traveling to Panama in January and don`t know where to stay or what to do in Panama City? Check out our list of hotels, restaurants and bars in Casco Viejo. If you are traveling between January 10th and the 15th, don`t miss the Panama Jazz Fest!

Stunning Views for New Years from Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama

Haven`t yet decided on what to do for New Years? don`t blame you, holidays are quite stressful!   If you are not into crowds and madness, but into intimate and fun, then probably you want to pass by Clementinas this year.  Champagne, good food, great company and stunning views!  Welcome 2011  from 300 year old Casco Viejo…

Space is limited, so email or call Samantha in advance!

And if you feel like a bit crazier after all the champagne, there will be plenty of partying in the neighborhood. We`ll point you out to all the right spots for dancing!

Unusually Cold Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama`s Historic City

 

Don`t know about you, but I`m a tropical creature. If by any chance the thermometer drops down to 28 C degrees, I call it cold.  Most people laugh at me, but last week, when the summer breezes started to (finally!) hit Casco Viejo we were out dinning sitting outside at Plaza Bolivar and I was shivering like a scared rabbit.   After dinner, we walked around Casco  and passed by the Compañia de Jesus at A Avenue, which has a nice cat population living in the colonial ruins.  And there I took this photo… the cat was so cold he decided to sleep on top o the light to heat his tummy! that`s when the guys in the group said: ok…. so it IS cold tonight! oh well!!!!

For most people visiting Panama or Casco expats, Christmas means snow, white fields and chimneys.  Not for me! give me my tropical warmth! in Panama Christmas is the prelude of summer: sun, beach and in any event a beach fire or a barbecue!

 

 

Casco Viejo Neighborhood Party

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo – Panama

Real Estate For Sale For Rent at Casco Viejo

 

Yesterday the basketball field at Calle 4ta, Casco Viejo, was sheer madness. More than 200 children from the neighborhood were enjoying the classic recipe for Christmas fun (insanity): sugar + clown + gifts + music.

Ida, the organizer, was running up and down bringing food that she got through donations or cooked herself with help of her friends.  The annual Christmas party has been her initiative for a couple of years now, and it has been growing steadily, joining in the same event children from different areas in Casco, and even from former (and current) rival gangs.

As wife of the leader of an “ex” gang in Calle 4ta, Ida is the living proof that social programs work and are the best strategy to deal forever with poverty.  From a difficult economic and social situation, she is now co- owner of a successful juice shop and has a full time job.  Nico, her husband, also has a full time job and cultivates his hobby as a reggaeton singer. Nico`s brother is now an amateur photographer, trying to get better at it every day.

Social programs made it possible for them to be able to walk freely through Casco Viejo without fearing  other gangs at different streets.  Empowered by their new life, they feel safe and want their kids to get to know the children from 8th street and grow up as friends.

Yesterday`s Christmas party was one of the craziest parties I`ve been to.  If we could have hooked them to an electricity generator we could have lighten up Panama City.  Little did they know they where actually lighting up Panama`s future!

Casco Viejo Children – Stepping Up

Casco Viejo – Casco Antiguo

Real Estate For Sale, For Rent

At Panama`s Historic City

 

There are studies that reveal that doing stuff with your hands actually makes you happy because it gives you a sense of a beginning, an end and most of all the satisfaction of having achieved something.   Last week, when walking down to our office at Calle 5ta in San Felipe, Casco Viejo (Panama`s Colonial City),  I saw these three kids making the most of their day off in school. Their mother was supposed to do the job, but they offered to help … and ended up “taking over”!!!

What might be a normal scene somewhere else, is actually the proof of a silent success in Casco Viejo, a neighborhood that has been undergoing a process of revitalization in the last few years.

From the three kids at least one lost  his brother in a gang cross fire shooting. His older sisters ran away (from home and school) and his mother having all the problems attached to extreme poverty and ignorance left him in the street for someone to pick him up and raise him.   This was years ago, before social programs were injected in the area, transforming forever Casco`s “gang community”.

Among the programs was “Por una Esperanza” (For a Hope) which successfully dismembered the gangs and created a platform where most of their members got jobs and even created their own businesses.  It gave also platform for ngo`s such as Aprojusan to be able to work with their children, and these three kids in the photo have been attending such programs for at least three years now.

As a result, their self esteem is back, haven`t dropped school and their grades have gotten great comments from their teachers.

Today, a massive Christmas party will be held at Calle 5ta, at the football field. It is being organized by the wife of a gang leader and it gathers around 200 kids (from all the gangs, even if their parents sort of don`t blend too much in general).  She is able to do this because of all the training she has received.  Stepping up as a neighborhood leader, she helps kids step up as well. To get to know each, to mingle, to bring the next generation of Casconians closer and better.

More on the party tomorrow! for now, just enjoy this simple photo… that means so much…

My Casco Eco Christmas Tree

Casco Viejo- Casco Antiguo- Panama

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama`s Colonial City

 

A month or so ago I started thinking about my Christmas Tree.  I got inspired by a beach cleaning that the Casco Viejo community did through the neighborhood association (AVACA) into doing a plastic bottle Christmas Tree.

Last year, I had done one with newspapers and miscellaneous beach garbage. But this year I got fixed on the idea of doing it with bottles. I collected a bit more than 100 green bottles, which I later found the brands they were from (see photo below). My tree actually took only 80 bottles, so I gave the rest to AVACA`s big bottle Christmas tree made last weekend (see posting here).

I changed a bit my initial approach… so here is the final result! Sorry… no lights ! I like saving energy!

2010 Eco Christmas Tree

Bottles found at beach were mainly these brands

 

Casco`s Eco Christmas Tree

Casco Viejo Panama

Panama Casco Antiguo

Real Estate and Lifestyle at Panama`s historic district

 

Last week, Casco Viejo`s neighborhood association (AVACA) built a Christmas Tree out of recycled bottles. It was built with the help of local kids and Aprojusan (an ngo that works with them providing afterschool programs such as art workshops) as part of AVACA`s goal to create awareness in Casco Viejo about recycling. The association already has a group of restored buildings participating of a recycling program and hopes to join more.

This week,  while several offices have displayed different trees to celebrate the holidays, the AVACA Plastic Bottle Christmas Tree has become an attraction. Tourists and locals have stopped to photograph it and smile at its creativity.  However, the star is still missing! or maybe we should consider the big light hanging on top of it as the star?

Casco Viejo Apartments For Rent Report

Condos For Rent at Panama`s Casco Viejo

From time to time I like doing “snapshot reports” of what is going on with Casco Viejo real estate, so people can get a sense of how the real estate market is doing in Panama`s colonial city. My last report was titled “Casco Viejo`s Summer Real Estate Report” and it showed all the projects currently under construction, whether commercial or residential. Who was/ is doing what and when are they delivering units.And of course, my favorite picks.

This time, I`m presenting a “For Rent Casco Viejo” snapshot.

1. Residential:

Casa Maralta: Rent at $700. Size: 92 mt2. One bedroom, unfurnished. Includes patio. Groundfloor unit.

Marques de Portago

Marques de Portago:  Rent at $800.  Size 60 mt2, loft style. Fully furnished, groundfloor, no laundry. Perfect for a bachellor or young couple.

Hotel Colombia 305: Rent at $1000. Studio, 40 mt2. Views to Cerro Ancon. Building has pool at common roof terrace with water views. Partially furnished.

University Club: Rent at $1,100.  Size: 90 mt2. One bedroom, all in one level. Unfurnished. Groundfloor.

Castilla de Oro, Casco Viejo

Castilla de Oro: Rent at $1500. Size: 78 mt2.  Two bedrooms, direct water views. Perfect for a young couple or single person. Unfurnished.

Callejón del Palacio: Rent at $1500.  Size: 80 mt2. One bedroom and one den. Furnished, groundfloor.

Casa Testa

Casa Testa No. 2: Rent at $1500. Size: 82.28 mt2. One bedroom, professionally  furnished. Arco`s Favorite Pick! All in one level.

Cuatro Casas Apt. 7:  Rent at $1800.  Size: 99 mt2, Loft style one bedroom.

Cuatro Casas

Beautifully furnished and available for short term rentals.  One of Arco Properties favorite picks!

Santo Domingo: Rent at $1800. Size: 80 mt2.  Includes parking! Loft style one bedroom, furnished. Available for short term rentals.

Hotel Colombia Views

Hotel Colombia 304: Rent at $2500.  Size: 108mt2.  Two bedrooms, professionally furnished. Plaza Front! Beautiful views to Plaza Bolivar. Parking included! Common roof terrace with pool and water views.  Natural crossed ventilation. Arco`s Favorite Pick!!!

Full House Rent Casco Viejo

Complete House: yes, so far this is your only chance to rent a full house. At $3000 per month. This house is 234 mt2, has a spacious office area and two additional bedrooms. Modern kitchen, island style. Unfurnished, but can be negotiable according to needs. Arco`s Favorite Pick!

La Merced: Rent at $3200. Size: 244 mt2. Two bedrooms, loft style. Parking included. Private roof terrace with water views. Unfurnished.

Coming Up: Residential

University Club: Rent at: $2500.  Size: 150 mt2. Three bedrooms! Furnished. Available January 2011.

2. Commercial For Rent Casco Viejo:

Full Building: $4,000.  Building has already kitchen area, patio, bar. Perfect for a medium size restaurant. Close to public parking.

Office Space for Rent: $950.  Size: 80 mt2, space includes bathroom, a/c unit and two parking spaces.