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:
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.
This past weekend, CEDE ARUBA hosted the highly anticipated “Vibracion Cultural” event at the Centro di bario Noord, featuring eight incredible performances over two nights.
Friday kicked off with a bang as Sendi Loefstop together with her band made her debut as a solo artist, followed by BandiLama who set a fantastic mood. The night’s surprise came from Activemirror with their energetic alternative rock sound, and Jralp closed out the evening with his captivating Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
Saturday’s performances began with Jeanoir Goeloe bringing his urban music to the stage. Next up were Fellow and Lightskin Rasta, delivering their fresh urban beats. The legendary Ataniro then captivated the audience with a tremendous show. The event concluded with Suhcy together with Casper with their energetic Soca and Crioyo music, leaving everyone on a high note.
All the talented artists showcased were a result of the Music Hub project, led by project leader Michael Lampe. A special thank you goes out to ATA an CEDE ARUBA for their valuable contribution to this successful project.
Sendy Loefstop, a new artist, is set to release her new single, “Home,” on June 13, 2025. The song is a heartfelt reflection on her childhood and family, conveying the message, “No matter what happens in life, family remains my home.”
The track was produced by Ivan Quandus in collaboration with Venezuelan producer Mikidrums.
Fans can anticipate the launch of her mini-album, which will be available on all streaming services this coming Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Last night, the Bibioteca nacional di Aruba hosted the premiere of a short documentary featuring legendary Aruban percussionist, Mr. Herbert “Ebby” Peterson. Ebby is well-known in Aruba; for decades, he has performed with various musical groups, including Padu del Caribe and Rufo Wever. The documentary highlights his musical journey and his encounters with many international musicians. This film was presented by Ivan Quandus, a renowned musician himself, who recognizes the importance of documenting the history of Aruban musicians and artists.
“Ban topa cu nos cahanan” (Let’s meet with our music boxes) culminated in a lively party around the Papiamento restaurant’s pool, starting at 2:00 PM and continuing until 8:30 PM.
A total of 15 “Caha di orgel” (traditional Aruban cylinder pianos, also known as “Tingilingi boxes”) were featured, each getting a chance to play two sets of three songs. A festive atmosphere reigned from the beginning of the afternoon, during which a tribute was also paid to Mr. Julio “Djul” Reigina, who celebrated his 90th birthday.
The afternoon also included an exhibition of a future model of Aruba’s Tingilingi box. It can be looked back on as a successful celebration.
This past Saturday, Cafe 080 treated its guests to an incredible night of music, featuring the sensational band Skale. The group truly captivated the audience, transporting them back to the 80s, 90s, and 2000s with a fantastic mix of American and Latin Pop.
The energy was electric, and when the night ended, the crowd was left wanting more! The owner of Cafe 080 heard the demand and has promised a return engagement for Skale in June, specifically on a Wednesday.
Stay tuned for the exact date! You won’t want to miss Skale’s next performance.
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