Last night, the streets of Brazil came alive as the Parada cu Lanterna (Lantern Parade) illuminated the neighborhood. The energy was high both on the parade route and among the enthusiastic crowds gathered along the roadsides.

A total of 12 groups took to the streets, delivering fantastic musical and cultural performances that proudly showcased Aruba’s rich heritage.

The celebrations are far from over! The festivities continue tomorrow, Sunday, starting at 3:00 PM with the highly anticipated Cultural Folklore Parade.

If you want to make a full day of it, head down early to the Centro di Bario Brazil starting at 10:00 AM, where local food stands will be serving up delicious traditional dishes and sweet treats.

Let’s keep the momentum going! We encourage the entire community—and all our music lovers—to come out tomorrow, support our local performers, and celebrate Aruban culture together just like we did last night.

Event Summary:

• What: Cultural Folklore Parade & Food Sale
• When: Sunday | Food & Treats from 10:00 AM | Parade starts at 3:00 PM
• Where: Centro di Bario Brazil & surrounding streets
• Admission: Free & family-friendly

During the session, attendees learned the traditional techniques, materials, and cultural legacy required to construct this iconic instrument—a crucial element in preserving Aruba’s rich musical heritage and vibrant history.

Key Highlights of the Workshop

• Authentic Craftsmanship: Demonstration of traditional wood-carving, drum-skin stretching, and tuning methods unique to Aruban tambú making.
• Cultural Intersections: Engagement with government officials and cultural representatives to strengthen support for local heritage preservation.
• Preserving Heritage: Passing down vital oral history and practical skills to ensure future generations stay connected to Aruba’s roots.

This initiative marks an important step toward safeguarding local tradition and fostering deeper collaboration across Aruba’s cultural sector.

On Saturday, August 15, the Carlos Bislip Drum Camp 2026 concluded with a recital at the EPI Auditorium. The showcase provided parents and guests with the opportunity to watch the students perform live and observe the skills and musical growth they developed over the course of the month-long program.

Yesterday, Centro di Bario Brazil hosted a grand national Gala concert dedicated to two of Aruba’s greatest cultural legends: Bernadina Growell and Juan Chabaya “Padu” Lampe. The tribute evening brought together community members, local performers, and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate the musical heritage established by these foundational figures.

Event Highlights

• Musical Tributes: Local artists took the stage to perform classic arrangements, honoring the rhythms and melodies that shaped Aruban folklore.
• Community Gathering: Residents gathered at Centro di Bario Brazil for an evening centered on national pride, tradition, and artistic expression.
• Cultural Continuity: The program emphasized preserving Aruban musical history and passing folk traditions to younger generations.
• Artist Recognitions: During the event, formal recognition was bestowed upon all the artists who performed and sang throughout the evening for their contributions to preserving the island’s heritage.

The gala concert served as a celebration of Aruban identity, reaffirming the enduring influence both artists hold across the island’s artistic landscape.

ORANJESTAD — Djiespie’s Place, located at the end of Caya Grandi, was filled with music and dancing last Friday evening as Banda Azucar took the stage to entertain the local 60+ community.

The event brought together seniors from across the area for a memorable night out. Banda Azucar kept the energy high throughout the evening, performing a diverse repertoire that featured classic hits, contagious rhythms, and nostalgic favorites that had attendees on their feet till the end.

SAN NICOLAS, ARUBA — Last Saturday, the streets surrounding the historic Nicolas Store transformed into a culinary carnival for the Aruba Food Truck Festival 2026. Locals and tourists alike gathered under the Caribbean night sky for an unforgettable evening of gastronomy, community, and live entertainment.

Festival Highlights:

• A Feast on Wheels: A sprawling lineup of the island’s top food trucks anchored the event, serving up a diverse array of street food. The offerings ranged from classic Aruban comfort dishes and decadent gourmet burgers and fusion tacos.
• Organic Eats Take Center Stage: A major crowd-pleaser this year was a featured pop-up from a beloved local organic food chef. Their booth drew massive lines, offering health-conscious festival-goers a menu of farm-to-table Caribbean bowls, fresh cold-pressed juices, and sustainably sourced specialties.
• Live Island Rhythms: The energy was kept at a peak all night by a rotating lineup of live bands. A mix of traditional Arubian beats by Tipico criollo, Tropical Jazz by Carlos Bislip Trio, Dj Chris James with nice Caribbean music and upbeat live music by Groove masters provided the perfect music as attendees danced, dined, and mingled into the late hours.

The 2026 edition of the festival successfully cemented the Nicolas Store area as a premier cultural hub, proving once again that San Nicolas is the beating heart of Aruba’s grassroots art and food scene.

The casual weekend gathering turned into a heartfelt walk down memory lane, with attendees sharing stories and celebrating the unforgettable golden era of local dance parties (fiesta bailable). Musicians who played key roles in shaping the island’s live music scene took the opportunity to reconnect, catch up, and reminisce about the energetic nights that brought so many people together on the dance floor.

La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino hosted a lively special Happy Hour over the weekend, drawing a energetic crowd of both island residents and international visitors. The highlight of the event was a performance by the popular local band Tsunami, who filled the venue with Caribbean rhythms. Attendees gathered to dance, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate in a friendly atmosphere that showcased Aruba’s warm island hospitality.

BRAZIL, ARUBA — Cultural enthusiasm wat highlight last Saturday night, July 25, 2026, as Centro di Bario Brazil hosted the adult category of the annual Festival Cantica di Caya 2026. Organized by Fundacion Chico Harms as part of the Temporada di Dia di Brazil, the festival showcased local singers, composers, and musical groups performing original compositions across traditional Aruban rhythms.

The event delivered impressive performances in three main categories: Tambu, Tipico Tradicional, and Banda Folklorico.

Official Festival Results

Category: Tambu

• 1st Place: Roosje Growell — “Mi ta los awe”
  • Band: Grupo di Tambu Zona Cultura
  • Compositor: Richard Quant
  • Arranger: Grupo di Tambu Zona Cultura
• 2nd Place: Angelo Koolman — “Bo ta bal un pleito”
  • Band: Grupo di Tambu Luis Maduro
  • Compositor: Aldrin Maduro
  • Arranger: Grupo di Tambu Luis Maduro
• 3rd Place: Soraida Yarzagaray — “Si mi ta cu Dios ken ta contra mi”
  • Band: Grupo di Tambu Luis Maduro
  • Compositor: Grupo di Tambu Luis Maduro
  • Arranger: Grupo di Tambu Luis Maduro

Category: Tipico Tradicional

• 1st Place:Jurainy Luckert — “Ban dilanti”
  • Band: Rincon Boyz
  • Compositors: Jurainy Luckert & Chendell Beaumont
  • Arrangers: Chendell Beaumont & Rincon Boyz
• 2nd Place:Jetzenia Martines — “Much’i Brazil”
  • Band: Zjeitu
  • Compositor: Dwight Leoneta
  • Arranger: Dwight Leoneta
• 3rd Place:Rodrick ‘Rocco’ Franken — “Mi’n por lubide”
  • Band: Zjeitu
  • Compositor: Chendell Beaumont
  • Arrangers: Chendell Beaumont & Dwight Leoneta

Category: Banda Folklorico

• 1st Place: Jason Kelly — “Ta caya a jama”
  • Band: Awari
  • Compositors: Jason Kelly & Denny Loefstop
  • Arranger: Denny Loefstop
• 2nd Place: Chantal Quant — “Aki”
  • Band: Awari
  • Compositors: Denny Loefstop & Ronwayne Kock
  • Arranger: Denny Loefstop
• 3rd Place: Robert Maduro Jr — “Vuelo Brazil 2026”
  • Band: Alma Folklorico
  • Compositor: Robert Maduro
  • Arrangers: Elton Trimon & Jaderick Croes

The winning compositions will serve as the musical backdrop for the upcoming Dia di Brazil parade celebrations, carrying forward Aruba’s rich musical traditions and community spirit.

Den cuadro di celebracion di Dia di Brazil na September proximo, Fundacion Chico Harms ta organisa 2 anochi di Festival di Canto di Caya. Diabierna anochi, nos chikitonan y hobennan a subi escenario pa briya y engrandece nos cultura y folklore.

E cantantenan a wordo acompaña pa e bandanan musical Awari, Scol di Musica Rufo Wever, Tipico Brisa Tropical, y Tipico Colegio Arubano, kendenan a duna un persentacion musical di prome nivel na e anochi aki.

E resultadonan oficial ta lo siguiente:

👑 CATEGORIA INFANTIL 🥇 Ganadora Absoluto: Salixienne Martis 🥈 2do Luga: Jaymerson Kelly 🥉 3er Luga: Hailey Koolman

👑 CATEGORIA HUBENIL 🥇 Ganado Absoluto: Lizienne Webb 🥈 2do Luga: Stephanie Quant 🥉 3er Luga: Maria Petrocchi

Pabien na tur e ganadonan, e participantenan, e agrupacionnan musical, y na Fundacion Chico Harms pa keda fomenta nos musica crioyo den e generacion nobo!