Yesterday, the official opening of Aruba’s 71st Carnaval took place, featuring a vibrant Torch Parade with nine participating groups. Approximately 9000 individuals participated, dancing and enjoying music performed by 11 bands. Aruba’s Carnival season is now officially underway, showcasing the island’s rich culture and festive spirit.

Get ready for the Aruba Soca Monarch 2025 Prefinals!

We are thrilled to announce the artists and band lineups for the prefinals, scheduled for January 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2025, at Centro di Bario Brazil.

👉🏾 Admission is Awg. 15,- per night. Tickets are available via Pay.AW or can be purchased at the door. Doors open at 7:00 PM each evening.
Special packages for all three nights, including the final night, are also available for purchase on Pay.AW.

Join us for an unforgettable experience!

**Pre-Finals Schedule for Aruba Caiso & Soca Monarch 2025**

The Pre-Finals will take place on January 14, 15, and 16, 2025, at Centro di Bario Brazil.  

A total of 18 bands have registered for the Aruba Caiso & Soca Monarch 2025 (ACSM2025). The Pre-Finals will be held on Tuesday, January 14, Wednesday, January 15, and Thursday, January 16, at Centro di Bario Brazil.  

Stichting Musica is extremely pleased with the number of bands and artists who have registered and anticipates a wide variety of Soca productions will be presented. The Pre-Finals will feature both veteran performers and newcomers (“rookies”). The organization extends its gratitude to the bands that consistently support and participate in the festival every year. It also warmly welcomes new artists and those returning to the festival after a break.  

Each band and artist brings their own unique style and sound, which is precisely what makes this festival in Aruba so special. At the end of the day, there will be a Soca rhythm and style to suit every taste—whether it evokes nostalgia with the charisma of a “Roadmarch” from decades past or offers an energetic, internationally inspired sound.  

In the words of Stichting Musica’s president, Mrs. Edwina Werleman: **”May the best one win!”**  

During an enjoyable evening at TRYP by Wyndham, band leaders and artists in attendance enjoyed a “Soca Tryp” cocktail and participated in a lottery draw, which resulted in the following sequence:  

Pre-Finals Day 1 – Tuesday, January 14, 2025

1. The Gang  

2. Shine Music  

3. DLS  

4. Suona  

5. Oreo  

6. Impak 4Play  

Pre-Finals Day 2 – Wednesday, January 15, 2025  

1. Phenomenon  

2. Good Times  

3. Buleria  

4. Azucar  

5. ‘N Fuzion  

6. Duro  

Pre-Finals Day 3 – Thursday, January 16, 2025 

1. YX3M  

2. Hot Ones Band  

3. Groove Masters  

4. D’Islanderz  

5. Tsunami  

6. Zeta Band  

**Tickets and Pricing**  

Admission to each Pre-Finals night is Awg. 15.00 and can be purchased through Pay.AW or at the door of Centro di Bario Brazil on all three nights. Tickets for the Final Night are Awg. 35.00. A package deal for all three Pre-Finals nights plus the Final Night is available for only Awg. 60.00.  

Stichting Musica expresses its gratitude to SETAR NV for their support, as well as Aruba Tourism Authority, Aruba Airport Authority, Chill, and Elite Productions & Entertainment for their contributions.  

The entire population of Aruba is invited to attend the Pre-Finals next week at Centro di Bario Brazil to start moving their waists and hips while enjoying the incredible musical talents of our artists.

Mr. Mario Middendorp and Mrs. Aydee Middendorp – Torres – Rincon recently marked their 40th wedding anniversary on December 21st. However, due to health-related reasons, they were unable to host a formal celebration. During a service at the San Francisco de Asís Church, they received a special blessing from Pastor Stanislaw.

arubamusician.com proudly congratulates the couple and their family, extending best wishes for continued happiness and blessings in the years ahead.

Mr. Mario Middendorp is a highly regarded bassist, known for his performances during the final years of Aruba’s cultural icon, Padu del Caribe. He also currently serves as the director of the San Francisco Mass Choir.

Betico’s group delivered an outstanding final performance for 2024, captivating a record-breaking audience at the Renaissance Marketplace. From the opening act to the closing note, the audience remained highly engaged, reflecting the group’s exceptional stage presence and musical talent.

Last night, Club Caiquetio hosted the prestigious Grand Dande Festival 2024, where the Dande Queen and King for 2024 were officially crowned. The event was marked by an atmosphere of joy, vibrant energy, and heartfelt emotions, creating a memorable and impactful evening.

The “Festival di Dande 2024″ for children and youth was held last night at the Centro di Bario Tanki Lendert. Despite being a modest event, the festival showcased numerous talented young singers with significant potential. Four bands performed during the evening: Grupo Hesus y Maria, Tipico Colegio Arubano, Alma Folklorico, and Sabor Crioyo. The event featured four categories for the prestigious Rey di Dande title, highlighting the diversity and skill of the young participants.

Last night, the Paseo Herencia amphitheater was packed to capacity as Grupo di Betico delivered an unforgettable concert for the audience. Every time this band takes the stage, they captivate the crowd with their exceptional music.

Yesterday evening was the last event of Djiepie’s with Songo Music, where the band, with its XL version, performed for the audience, who enjoyed and danced to the music of an incredible show.

Yesterday, Grupo di Betico delivered an impressive performance before Aruba’s largest audience for this Christmas season. The event featured renowned special guests, including Jeremy Bonarriba on drums, Mitchell Tromp, and a grand finale showcasing the Masterpiece of the Millennium by Claudius Phillips.