Next week and weekend, from March 27th through March 30, the city of David will hold it's first annual Jazz Festival, called the Peligro Jazz Festival in honor of the oldest and most historic barrio of David. The area is undergoing renovation and being developed to be a cultural and historic focus for the city. The principal intent behind organization of the event is to recognize, celebrate, and provide a music platform for exceptional national and local jazz musicians from Chiriqui.
Unlike the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival, which draws international jazz bands and spectators to serve the tastes of the town's expat community, the David festival is dedicated to developing and showcasing local Panamanian talent, raising funds for music education programs in underserved rural schools, and promoting interest and awareness of this music genre among the general Panamanian public.
The festival starts off with a free photographic exhibit titled "Music" on Thursday at Restaurant Cuatro. On Friday the main concert will take place at Club David with Sin Esemble Jazz Quartet, who are being accompanied by Maestro Carlos Garnett. I've listened to them on prior occasions and am anxious to enjoy them again. They are very good. Also appearing is a Swedish group, called Nacka Forum, which features Jonas Kullhammar, one of Sweden's best saxophonists and winner of various European music awards. Following the concert there is an after-party with Element Jazz Trio in the pool area of the Club.
On Saturday there is Wine tasting, tapas, and music by Zuwira Jazz Trio at Restaurant Cuatro followed by more Latin Jazz and jamming at the Pool House from 10:00 pm onward. The event winds down with a free concert on Sunday, March 30th, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Bolivar Park in the El Peligro Barrio.
Tickets are on sale at Casa Cultural La Guaricha (Tel: 730-7480) and Culturama (Tel: 730-4010), located in David’s Old Quarter. In Boquete, they can be purchased at Mailboxes, etc. or from Kevin Reilley at the BCP.
For more information, write peligrojazzfestival@gmail.com or visit their facebook page at facebook.com/PeligroJazzFestival.
The above photo was downloaded from The Visitor/El Visitante, a local tourism newspaper in Panama. Link pasted below: https://www.thevisitorpanama.com/2014/03/peligro-jazz-festival-comes-to-chiriqui/
