By Margot Thomas
WITH JUST three weeks to Panama’s fifth Carols By Candlelight/Luces de  concert 15,000 bi-lingual song books have been distributed to retail outlets, schools and churches throughout Panama City.
They contain the words of the carols that the audience will be invited to sing along with the five performing groups.
The charity concert, involving the spirit of giving, far from the clicking of cash registers,will take place on Saturday December 12, starting at 6,30 pm at the Mirador Del Pacifico at the fish market end of the Cinta Costera The Concert is free for those who want to sit on the perimeter of the ampitheatre,  and they can obtain souvenir candles at the site.  A limited number of reserved seats, are available
The event organized by the CanadaPLUS Foundation, raises money to aid local charities and institutions.
The five participating choirs this year are: Coro De Opera directed by Paola Cuellar, Kings College, directed by Vanessa Whay, The G. Harmony quartet directed by Ricardo Gayle, Coro JP2 Directed by Danny Gonzalez and Coro Polifonico Universitario “A Viva Voz” from Chiriqui, directed by Wanda Castillo.
At the end of each performance the candle waving audience is invited to join the choir in the singing of a favorite Christmas carol.
Beneficiaries this year will be Santo Tomas Hospital and Vision of Hope, a program teaching the blind to make jewelry and become a functioning part of the community. Samples of their work will be on sale at the event.
Santa Claus and his helpers from Casita De Navidad will be there to greet children and pose for photos before the event  starts.
The Foundation will also be providing a choir for the Hospital Del Nino Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, Friday December 4 at 6 pm and will donate candles to over 200 young patients.
The Chiriqui choir will perform in the lobby of The Wyndham Hotel, Albrook Mall at 4 pm on Friday December 11
The free 32 page bi-lingual carols books is available in all Felipe Motta, branches, Casita de Navidad, Crepes and Waffles, Wyndham Hotel Albrook, Restaurant Swiss Chalet, 1985, Avatar Restaurant, Rincon Aleman, Café per Due, Grand Deli, Balboa United Church, St Mary’s New York Bagel, among others.
RESERVATIONS
Reserved seats, including a souvenir candle which will carry your seat number are available at $15, Gold $20, and VIP $25. All orders of $20 or more along with song books will be delivered to your home or office in Panama City and environs. But time is running out for the delivery team so get cracking.
Call 225-3860, 6619-6890, or email carolspanama@gmail.com