In Part 2 of our exclusive sit-down, Lord Lally transports us back to the golden age of Aruban Calypso. This wasn’t just an interview; it was a masterclass in cultural history.

As the “New Generation” listened, Lord Lally best know as Soilo Sanchez breathed life into the stories of the island’s pioneers—the titans who turned the local struggles and triumphs of Aruba into the rhythm of the people. From the legendary wit of Lord Boxoe to the fierce lyrical battles in the early tents, Lally reminded us that today’s stage was built by the sweat of giants.

“In my day, we had the truth and a drum,” Lally shared. “If your truth wasn’t strong, the music didn’t matter.”

By naming the names and sharing the secrets of those who came before, Lord Lally isn’t just telling stories; he is ensuring that the soul of Aruba’s Carnival musical heritage is never forgotten.

Following a high-energy opening, the second night of the Aruba Soca Monarch Pre-Finals at Centro di Bario Brazil kept the momentum surging. While the first night set a high bar, Wednesday evening brought an even deeper selection of new Soca releases, with established powerhouses and rising stars battling for a coveted spot in the finals.

The atmosphere was electric as the final group of performers took the stage, pushing the total to 59 songs for the competition. By the end of the night, the official list of 30 finalists was solidified. These performers are now preparing to take the massive stage at the Aruba Carnival Village on Saturday, January 31, where the true King or Queen of Soca for Carnaval 72 will be crowned.

The “Wildcard” Twist: You Decide the 31st Finalist!

In an exciting move to involve the fans, Stichting Musica has officially opened a “Wildcard” poll. This gives a second chance to one talented participant who didn’t make the initial cut of 30.

The public now has the power to vote for their favorite non-classified singer to become the 31st participant on the final night.

• Where to vote: Visit the Stichting Musica Facebook Page.
• Impact: Your vote could change the course of the competition and bring a fan-favorite back to the big stage!

More Highlights: Pre-Finals Gallery

Below, dive into more exclusive photos from the second night at Brazil. From the vibrant stage presence to the intense focus of the backing bands, these images capture the heart of Aruban music culture.

After a high-energy week of the Aruba Soca Monarch pre-finals, the island is buzzing with fresh rhythms for Carnaval 72. Held this past Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the Centro di Bario Brazil, the festival drew a packed crowd eager to witness a mix of seasoned veterans and a promising new wave of “Rookie” vocalists.

A total of 59 songs were performed over the two nights, showcasing the evolving sound of Aruban Soca. After deliberation by the judges, the field has been narrowed down to the 30 finalists who will move on to compete for the crown at the Aruba Carnival Village 31 January 2026.

Below, you can check out the gallery capturing the highlights, the fashion, and the raw stage presence from the first night of performances.

In July 2025, we had the incredible honor of sitting down with a true icon of our culture—the legendary Lord Lally.

This wasn’t your typical commercial interview. This was a raw, spontaneous, and heartfelt bridge between generations. We brought together the New Generation of Calypsonians to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask, gaining wisdom from a man who has paved the way for us all.

Lord Lally’s contribution to Calypso is immeasurable, and he deserves every bit of recognition and respect we can give. This is about preserving our history and celebrating a titan of the art form while he is here to share his story with us.

Stay tuned for Part 1 of this 2-part series.

The rhythm of Tumba has spoken! Aruba has officially crowned its new Tumba Kings and Queen for the 72nd Carnival season. In a night filled with excellent arrangements, lyrical wit, and unmatched “ambiente,” the local music community came together to showcase the island’s prestigious musical tradition of Tumba.

Here are the official results across the categories:

Tumba Grandi (Adult Category)

The main event saw Roderick “Rocco” Franken take the prestigious title of Rey di Tumba with the song “Decreto Official.” The composition and arrangement, both handled by Dwight Leoneta, secured the top spot.

• Rey di Tumba: Roderick “Rocco” Franken (Decreto Official)
• 1st Finalista: Jorienne Angela (Tene Wanta den Gloria)
• 2nd Finalista: Chantal Quant (Aruba Alerta)
• Tumba Loco Winner: Gino Petrocchi (Bati’e P’e Sali)

Special Awards (Grandi):

• Best Costume: Jorienne Angela
• Mas Popular: Edgar “Popy” Kock
• Rookie of the Year: Chantal Quant
• Best Composition & Arrangement: Decreto Official (Dwight Leoneta)

Tumba Hubenil (Youth Category)

The youth category proved that the future of Tumba is in capable hands. Melody Franken dominated the evening, taking home the crown of Reina di Tumba Hubenil with her performance of “Ban Cumi.”

• Reina di Tumba Hubenil: Melody Franken (Ban Cumi)
• 2nd Place: Jaylon Machado (Amor)
• 3rd Place: Stephanie Quant (Ey mi ta bay)

Special Awards (Hubenil):

• Best Costume: Jaylon Machado
• Mas Popular: Melody Franken
• Mas Ambiente: Melody Franken
• Rookie of the Year: Jaylon Machado

Tumba Infantil (Children’s Category)

The youngest performers also shined, with Jaymerson Kelly being crowned Rey di Tumba Infantil.

• Rey di Tumba Infantil: Jaymerson Kelly (Oloshi Cana Pami).
• 2nd Place: Hailey Koolman (Ban Carg’e).

Special Awards (Infantil):

• Best Costume: Jaymerson Kelly.
• Mas Popular: Hailey Koolman.
• Mas Ambiente: Jaymerson Kelly.
• Rookie of the Year: Jaymerson Kelly.

Behind the Music

A special shout-out goes to the composers and arrangers who are the backbone of this festival. Names like Dwight Leoneta, Chendell Beaumont, Quincy Hasham, Raul Piar, Tattoo, Janiro Eisden and Rygel Emanuel Isabella were instrumental in bringing these winning sounds to life. Also want to mention the great job of Judges who had it dificult.

Congratulations to all the participants, musicians, and winners who continue to keep our cultural heritage alive.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – The Carnival Village was on fire last night as the next generation of musical talent took center stage for the Calypso and Roadmarch Festival 2026 Infantil & Hubenil. The venue was packed with supporters, and the solid sounds of 6 bands, proving that the future of Aruba’s Carnival music is in very capable hands.

From heartfelt Calypso messages to high-octane Roadmarch anthems, the young participants showcased incredible singing, stage presence, and creativity. Congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and for keeping the cultural heartbeat of Aruba alive!

Infantil Category (Children’s)

The Infantil division brought pure joy to the stage. Ashandric Richardson, performing as Jammer Jr., dominated the night by taking home the Calypso King crown with his song “Help Me,” while also securing a third-place finish in the Roadmarch competition and the “Mas Popular” award.

In the Roadmarch race, Adeliza Henriquez (Queen Fantasy) captivated the judges and the crowd with “Dutch Troopers,” earning her the title of Roadmarch Queen.

Special Awards:

• Best Costume: Hailey Philips
• Mas Ambiente: Adeliza Henriquez
• Mas Popular: Ashandric Richardson
• Rookie of the Year: Zaidyen Danker

Calypso Results:

• KING: Ashandric Richardson (Jammer Jr.) – “Help Me”
• 2nd Place: Carl Jr. Roosberg (Galloway Jr.) – “In My Dreams”

Roadmarch Results:

• QUEEN: Adeliza Henriquez (Queen Fantasy) – “Dutch Troopers”
• 2nd Place: Zaidyen Danker (Johnny Boy) – “Johnny Boy The Instructor”
• 3rd Place: Ashandric Richardson (Jammer Jr.) – “Carnaval is a Party”

Hubenil Category (Youth)

The competition in the Hubenil division was fierce, with seasoned young performers delivering professional-grade arrangements. Caylee Pietersz (Dancing Cay) was crowned Calypso Queen for her powerful performance of “We Calling for Change,” a song that resonated deeply with the audience.

The Roadmarch King title went to Brayden Elisabeth (Stinging B Junior), whose infectious track “Tribe Chief” turned the Carnival Village into one massive jump-up. Justin Trenidad also had a standout night, sweeping the “Mas Ambiente” and “Mas Popular” awards.

Special Awards:

• Best Costume: Reanne Ras
• Mas Ambiente: Justin Trenidad
• Mas Popular: Justin Trenidad

Calypso Results:

• QUEEN: Caylee Pietersz (Dancing Cay) – “We Calling for Change”
• 2nd Place: Ivy-Anne Browne (Queen Ivy) – “Always Number One”

Roadmarch Results:

• KING: Brayden Elisabeth (Stinging B Junior) – “Tribe Chief”
• 2nd Place: Reanne Ras (Reanne) – “What Time is it”
• 3rd Place: Caylee Fraser (Queen C) – “You Belong”
• 4th Place: Stephanie Quant (Stephanie) – “Carnaval Possess Meh”

Summary of Main Winners

Aruba’s carnival spirit is heading “p’ariba” (up-south) this year! A major move for Carnaval 72, the Stichting Maneho di Carnaval Aruba (SMAC) has officially announced that all its signature events will be hosted at the Carnival Village in San Nicolas.

This strategic shift comes through a new powerhouse alliance between SMAC, Ambiensis Entertainment, and Stichting Musica. The goal? To streamline production quality, maximize cost efficiency, and finally utilize the Carnival Village for its true purpose.

“In 2014, Carnival Village was inaugurated, and it is only right that we use it and honor its purpose,” stated Larissa Bermudez of SMAC.

Why the Move Matters

While SMAC has hosted events in San Nicolas before, logistical hurdles and high individual production costs often made it difficult. This three-way collaboration aims to solve those issues, signaling a long-term commitment to completing the Carnival Village project and keeping future event costs low for the community.

The Scedule: “Ambiente den 72”

The festivities kick off this weekend. Here is your schedule for the major competitions at Carnival Village:

Ticketing & Viewing Options

Whether you want to be in the heart of San Nicolas or watch from your couch, there are options for every fan:

• In-Person Tickets: Available via pay.aw.
  • Adults: Awg 25
  • Children: Awg 15
  • VIP Seating: Awg 50
• Pay-Per-View (PPV): Can’t make it to the Village? Catch the “Ambiente den 72” package featuring all five events for Awg 115 at isladicarnaval.com.

For event layouts, entry rules, and official flyers, follow Isla di Carnaval on Facebook and Instagram.

Aruba’s favorite season is officially here! Carnival 72 came into life yesterday, January 3rd, with a record-breaking Parad’i Flambeu.

More than 10,000 participants took to the streets of Oranjestad, lighting up the night and with high-energy music. The massive turnout sets a powerful tone for the rest of the 2026 season, proving that the spirit of Carnival is stronger than ever.

Last Saturday, the Renaissance Convention Center was packed to capacity for Euforia 2025, a spectacular concert headlined by Aruban star Edjean Semeleer. From the moment the doors opened, the venue filled with an audience eager to experience what turned out to be a masterclass in musical storytelling.

A Night of Raw Emotion and High Energy

The concert was a journey through a vast landscape of emotions. Edjean balanced high-energy rhythms and infectious joy with moments of deep nostalgia and sadness. It wasn’t just a performance, it was a collection of “unforgettable memories” shared between the artist and his fans.

The production value was elevated by high-class orchestra, whose precision and talent provided a rich backdrop for Semeleer’s versatile vocals.

Highlights of the Evening

The show featured several standout segments that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish:

• Mariachi Magic: One of the most talked-about sections featured Semeleer accompanied by a traditional Mariachi ensemble, bringing a soulful, classic flair to the stage.
• A Grand Finale: To close the night, Edjean delivered a “broche de oro” by performing the Dande—Aruba’s traditional New Year’s musical blessing electrified by the powerful addition of a live brass band.

The atmosphere remained high throughout the night, with the audience remaining in high spirits until the final note. Euforia 2025 proved once again why Edjean Semeleer remains a cornerstone of the local music scene, blending tradition with modern spectacle flawlessly.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the highly anticipated “Juan Luis Guerra Live in Paradise 2025” concert took place at the Aruba Harbour Arena.

The event kicked off with entertainment at the food court featuring music from the talented Trio Steven van Ramhorst, Lilly Rodgers, and Elijah Wester.

At precisely 6:30 PM, Buleria began their performance, delighting the crowd with their infectious sound. Following Buleria was Robert su Solo Banda Show, who kept the high-energy vibe going.

A Tribute to Local Legends

The evening also included special tributes to two local music figures:

• Robert Jeandor: The Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), Ronella Croes, presented a plaque to the family of Robert Jeandor.
• Hildward Croes: Minister Wendrick Cicilia presented a plaque to Hildward Croes’ father.

Immediately following the tributes, Grupo di Betico took the stage, getting everyone on their feet and setting a fantastic atmosphere in the venue.

The Main Event

During the next break, the audience was treated to a set by Alex Sensation. By this time, the venue was practically full, ready for the main act.

Juan Luis Guerra finally began his show with a perfect spectacle of visuals, lighting, and sound. The audience thoroughly enjoyed every moment, from the very first song until the end. Juan Luis Guerra even gave the audience two extra songs as an encore (ñapa).

Elite Productions looks back on this event as a production of their dream come true and was extremely satisfied with the result.