Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Av 4a A Sur; from 10pm Wed-Sun)
Located in the heart of Panama City's nightlife scene,
this out-and-proud club serves an incredibly diverse clientele. BLG sees its share of top-
notch DJs, and it's hard not to have a good time when there's a free open bar included in
the cover charge (from US$3).
THE JAZZ SOLUTION
Once a down-and-out section of the city with crumbling architecture and serious
poverty, Casco Viejo is coming into a new chapter. Making a strong push towards
revitalization , the neighborhood is home to dozens of new restaurants, cafes,
shops and renovated historical buildings. In the midst of this architectural revival,
another less tangible one struggles to take place: that of the Panamanian music
community.
Jazz great and native Panamanian Danilo Perez returned here to the musical
conservatory where he learned his first notes to establish
Fundación Danilo Perez
musical foundation which has generated over US$1 million in youth scholarships. It
also sponsors the Panama Jazz Festival, a wildly popular citywide event featuring
artists from all over the world.
In an interview withEl Casqueño, Perez says, 'Through the discipline of music
we can create relevant leaders and good citizens. We can solve many of society's
problems.' Youth are chosen from inner-city Panama and all parts of the country,
including Colón and the Comarca de Kuna Yala. Some grants take students as far
as the Berklee School of Music and the New England Conservatory. Many come
back to the music conservatory to teach others and complete the cycle of commu-
nity participation.
The Panama Jazz Festival is held every January, with a week of events in theaters
around the city, culminating in a free Saturday concert in the Casco's Plaza de la
Independencia. The foundation in Casco Viejo also houses a library and music mu-
seum and is open to the public (admission free).
Entertainment
If you're not looking to get blotto, there are numerous ways to spend a moonlit (or rainy)
evening in the city. A good place to start is the arts section in the Sunday edition of
La
Prensa
or the back pages of the
Panama News
.
Cinemas
