Photo of the Week

      The photos of the week this week are a little different, but I had to post them. I am and have been an avid fan of the Panamanian Cumbia (Típico) music of Samy y Sandra Sandoval since they were starting out on their road to fame. I have all their CDs which I enjoy so much as the music takes me back home every time I listen to them. I have never had a chance to hear Samy y Sandra live until this past Friday night. I was invited to attend the new Panamanian Consulate to Tampa's Celebración Cultural Conmemorativa a la Festividades Patrias at the Tampa Convention Center. I was told there were close to 700 Panamanians and Americans in attendance. We had a great dinner which was followed by a performance by El Conjunto Típico Nacional Panameño Samy y Sanda Sandoval. What a real treat and a night I will remember for a long time. Sandra puts on one fantastic performance and is a very talented young lady. Her brother Samy had (I counted) six accordions on stage with him. I am not sure why, but I think each one may have a different tone. Samy can really stretch an according to it's limit and can make fantastic music with it. He also is a very talented performer. These two are getting more and more famous and I see why.
       I was very fortunate to meet briefly with Sandra about performing at the 2007 Panama Canal Society Reunion. I hope we can negotiate a deal to make this happen. Below is a photo opportunity I had with Sandra.