The Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) recently concluded another successful weekend for its Autentico 2025 festival.

The festival started off with “Restaurant Week,” which ran from October 11th to the 17th of October. Participating restaurants across Aruba offered special menus at reduced prices. The main event, the Autentico Pavilion, was held at Wilhelminastraat and the main street Caya Gilberto B. Croes and featured over 40 restaurants, bars, and beverage partners. The event also showcased the island’s creative music scene with live performances from local musicians.

A.T.A. is pleased to reflect on a highly successful week for the Autentico festival, which was made possible through the combined efforts of the A.T.A. team, Elite Productions, all participating bars and restaurants, and the local musicians.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – October 10, 2025 – Last Saturday, Grupo di Betico launched their most recent music video for the 2025 holiday season, which features a collaboration with the legendary Aruban artist Robert Jeand’or. The event was marked by mixed emotions, as Mr. Jeand’or unfortunately passed away two weeks prior and did not live to see the video’s public release.

The premiere took place at Plaza Cafe, bringing together family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate the new video and honor the memory of the esteemed musician.

Last night, Plaza Cafe buzzed with an energetic atmosphere as Bonaire Day was celebrated with musical performances. The event featured three distinct musical groups, each representing their respective island.

For Aruba, the Rincon Boyz took to the stage, delivering a performance filled with the island’s characteristic rhythms. Representing Bonaire was Grupo Eso, who showcased the unique sounds of their homeland. Closing out the memorable evening was from Bonaire also Grupo Tutti Fruti, whose performance kept the festive spirit alive until the end.

From the moment the event began, the air was filled with the distinctive, traditional music of each island, creating a rich tapestry of Caribbean sounds that delighted the audience.

Thursday night, the Biblioteca Nacional Aruba hosted a memorable evening filled with the sounds of traditional Aruban music. The event served as a heartfelt tribute to two recently departed figures, Mr. Banchi Koolman and Mr.Roberto Orman.

The musical program featured a lineup of esteemed local groups. The show kicked off with Tipico Palisia, followed by Sodo y Cuero. The stage then welcomed Tradishon Musical, before Tipico Pegasaya closed out the night.

It was a beautiful evening of reminiscent songs, where everyone present thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of Aruban culture and the legacies of Mr. Koolman and Mr. Roberto Orman.

Last night marked the beginning of a new era for Scol di musica Rufo Wever with a beautiful inaugural concert for its invited guests and the public. The evening featured performances by the school’s students and teachers, offering the audience a professional 90-minute show.

Following the concert, attendees were invited inside the school to explore and appreciate the facilities it offers for the upcoming season.

We extend our best wishes for great success to the school and all its music students

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.