Last night, the bario of Brazil came alive with the vibrant energy of the “Parada cu Lanterna 2025.” The streets were abuzz with excitement as a dazzling parade filled the neighborhood, drawing large crowds eager to celebrate.

This year’s “Parada cu Lanterna” featured an impressive 11 groups, including 4 DISCO and 7 musical bands. The air was filled with infectious rhythms and melodies from a lineup of talented bands. Among the performers were Tipico Luis Maduro, Tipico Alegria, Enkura, Rincon Boyz, Alma folklorico, Un brindis and Tipico Brisa Tropical, each bringing their unique sound and flair to the festivity.

The event was a resounding success, evident by the sheer number of people lining the streets, enthusiastically cheering and soaking in the joyful atmosphere. It’s clear that the community’s passion for Brasa bo cultura (representing your culture) is stronger than ever.

Looking ahead, all eyes are on this coming Sunday for the Parada Cultural. Organizers are anticipating another massive turnout, encouraging everyone to come out and support this cherished cultural event.

Congratulations to the organizers and all stakeholders involved for putting on another spectacular celebration!

A historic journey has just begun in Aruba with the official launch of the mapping project for its Cultural and Creative Industries. The immense support, energy, and passion received at last Friday night’s launch event confirm one thing: Aruba’s artists and creative individuals are ready to tell their own stories.

This groundbreaking initiative, a collaboration between GoCultura, Impact Hub Aruba, and the Aruba Tourism Authority, aims to map the island’s diverse creative and cultural sectors. Known as the Orange Economy, these industries encompass a wide range of fields, from visual and performing arts to design, music, and digital media. The project is a vital step toward recognizing the significant economic and social value that culture and creativity bring to the island.

The launch event brought together a vibrant community of creators, artists, and supporters who shared their enthusiasm and raised their voices in support of the project. This mapping effort is not just for a select few, it is for everyone—for the artists, for the community, and for the future of Aruba.

The MappingCCIs project will provide a clear picture of the creative landscape, identifying key players, sectors, and their economic impact. This data will be instrumental in developing policies and strategies that support the growth and sustainability of these industries. By understanding the true value of its creative output, Aruba can better promote its unique cultural identity on the global stage.

This adventure is just beginning. Everyone is encouraged to follow along as this project unfolds and helps shape a new, creative future for Aruba.

The Carlos Bislip Drum Camp 2025 successfully concluded yesterday, culminating in a student recital that showcased the skills and progress of all the participants. The public was invited to witness the results of four weeks of intensive training.

Throughout the camp, students received comprehensive instruction covering a wide range of percussive arts. The curriculum included basic music theory and basic reading, technical proficiency on various percussion instruments, and a variation of different Caribbean rhythmic styles.

For over 15 years, the Carlos Bislip Drum Camp has served as a cornerstone for aspiring musicians. The program has proudly produced numerous talented individuals who have gone on to pursue professional careers as musicians, with some continuing their studies at prestigious institutions abroad.

The success of this year’s camp reaffirms its legacy as a vital training ground for the next generation of percussionists.

San Nicolas, Aruba – The Aruba Calypso Showdown 2025, held last night in front of Kulture Cafe, was a resounding success, bringing together 10 talented participants to compete for the prestigious Caiso Monarch title.

The evening was filled with Caibbean -energy performances and special tributes. A highlight of the night was the presentation of the first-ever Hildward Croes Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary “Mighty Talent” Mr. Claudius Phillips. The audience was also treated to a special guest performance by Mighty Reds, who delighted the crowd with his classic 80s hit, “Arubian Names.”

The competition was fierce, but ultimately, Easy B moved the audience with his infectious song, “Pass D Mic,” earning him the title of Caiso Monarch 2025.

Other winners included:

• Best Costume: Galloway for his performance of “It’s Up to You.”
• Best Show: Mighty Jaoul for his song, “Justice or Just Us.”

The inaugural Calypso Showdown proved to be a memorable event, celebrating the rich culture and vibrant talent of Aruba’s calypso scene.

Last night, at a very pleasant event held at Poets TV studio, the draw for the Calypso showdown took place. The performance order for each singer is as follows:

1. Queen Sashah
2. Dr. Hook
3. Queen Melody
4. Mighty Tattoo
5. The Commissioner
6. Lord Lally
7. The Soca Mafia
8. Galloway
9. Mighty Jaoul
10. Easy B

Edwina Werleman of Stichting Musica hopes for a sold-out show this Saturday 9th of August 2025.

Last Saturday, the adult category of Festival cantica di caya 2025 continued with a packed house at Centro di Bario Brazil. Participants competed in the Tambu, Traditional, and Folkloric categories.

The results are as follows:

• Tambu Category Winner: Witney Nin
• Traditional Category Winner: Juancho Ignacio
• Folkloric Band Category Winner: Richard “Tattoo” Quant

This concludes the festivals, which have now produced new songs for the 2025 Cultural Parade.

Last Friday, Centro di bario Brazil played host to the “Festival di Cancion di Caya 2025,” showcasing incredible talent in both the children’s and youth categories.

In the children’s category, Hailey Koolman took home first prize with her song “Piscado di Cultura.” Sophi-anne Kelly secured second place with her song “E Dia A Jega.”

The youth category saw Stephanie Quandt emerge as the overall winner with her song “Nos Tey Sigi Rosa.” Notably, Stephanie performed with her fellow students from the Rufo Wever School of Music, accompanied by the band “Caribbean Combo under the direction of Carlos Bislip Jr.”

This outstanding display of young talent should serve as a significant incentive for more young people to participate in Aruba’s festivals. There’s a noticeable gap in musicians available to accompany singers at these events, and continued participation from this new generation is crucial for the future of our festivals. The discipline and perseverance demonstrated by these young performers truly stood out at the festival.

Yesterday, the Plaza Cafe stage was the setting for Grupo di Betico’s latest music video shoot. Fans from across Aruba gathered to support their favorite group, creating a lively atmosphere. Notably, several tourists also joined in the event, enjoying the music and even participating in the filming.

The group’s next song will feature vocals by Miguel Genser and Maikito Croes, with Robert Jeandor making a special guest appearance.

Biblioteca Nacional Aruba recently hosted “Noche de Tambores” (Night of Drums), an event celebrating the rich history and diverse rhythms of drumming across the Caribbean and South America.

The evening began with Celia Thiel, who provided an insightful overview of the history of Aruba’s own Tambu tradition. Following this, Jhon Freddy Montoya and Edgar Ojeda presented traditional Colombian rhythms, music, and dance, offering a demonstration of their cultural heritage.

The focus then shifted to Santo Domingo, where Lisandro “Tambora” Winterdaal and his dance group showcased the distinctive Dominican Tambora. Next, Mayon and his group represented Curaçao, performing their Ritmo di Tambu. The event concluded with David and his Afro Tambor Venezolano group, bringing a powerful close to the night.

Last weekend, Scol di musica Rufo Wever presented three evenings of concerts in the intimate hall of Cas di Cultura. The events showcased numerous students performing on various instruments and in diverse musical formats. Talented vocalists also presented their skills, marking a successful end to the academic year for the Rufo Wever School of Music.

School Director, Mr. Carlos Bislip, announced that for the upcoming academic year, the school will be relocating due to renovations at the Cas di Cultura building. Further updates will be shared via social media and press releases.