Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
The innovative idea of deploying the ruins at Bushiribana as the backdrop for a diverse program showcasing island talent during the visit of HM King William Alexander and his wife, HM Queen Maxima, proved to be nothing short of brilliant.
On Wednesday evening, November 20, the amphitheater created around the north coast site easily accommodated the several thousand spectators attending the free event. The ruins, looming in the background and illuminated by a light show, as well as the fresh breezes off the sea, provided a decidedly distinct ambiance. Organizers wished for the royal couple to end their first tour of the Dutch Caribbean Territories as king and queen with a flourish, and all present for the event would have to concede they realized their vision beautifully.
The stadium filled up quickly, and music was provided from 6:00 PM until show time by popular local DJ Nutz Beatz. MC’s for the evening were noted Aruban humorist Vale Croes, award-winning poet and writer Osvaldo Correa and Dutch TV personality Jörgen Raymann.
The king and queen arrived at 8:00 PM to cheering crowds and the formal program began. An opening Yoga Dance segued into a dance number choreographed by Alydia Wever weaving elements of traditional folkloric dance with modern interpretation.
A parade of singers performing solo and duet also transitioned from Aruba’s more classic waltzes to contemporary pop sounds, including hip-hop and rap by Aruban born recording artist Pete Philly. Opening the show were Shannon Bueno and Zaina Falconi, followed by Hilyann Croes and Mansy Fillasmil, then Frangina Kelly and Maxine Kaan performing in duet. Star vocalist Luigi Cortez belted out the Padu Lampe classic “A Bo So,” then Michelangelo Koolman brought the Latin sound to the stadium. After that, Jersey Sophia provided a taste of Reggae and Osvali van Romondt-Lopez sang a soulful Latin love song.
Truly the show-stopper of the evening was a ballad of familial affection, which was a huge worldwide hit, “Father and Friend,” sung by the original recording artist and composer, Alain Clark and his Aruban father, Dane, who had settled in Holland to become a well-known performer.
After this venture to popular music, the program returned to the quintessential Aruban sound of classic carnival songs from Robert Jeandor and Teddy Phillips, who had even the king and queen hopping in their seats to the lively “Music is the Language.”
The stadium was still filling up as a final fantastic fireworks display by Herodini International lit up the sky to finish the program. This congenial evening ended a very full day of events for the monarchs and Aruban community as they welcomed, for the first time since 1890, a reigning King and Queen of The Netherlands.
