Courtesy of: The Morning News
By Rosalie Klein
The committee organizing the gala cultural event to be conducted for the visit of HRM King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, unveiled the program yesterday morning, with details for parking and bussing to the Bushiribana ruins where it will take place on Wednesday, November 20.
Adjutant Roel Samson, Director of Cas di Cultura Jonathan Viera and Nicole Hart, Press Coordinator for the Royal Visit unveiled a star-studded and diverse roster of island celebrities of all ages who will be a part of this very unique show. This is the first time that such a grand event has ever been conducted at the ruins, where they are creating an arena to accommodated 5000 spectators.
The duties of Master of Ceremonies will be shared by noted Dutch TV personality Jörgen Raymann, popular Aruban humorist and singer, Vale Croes, and the winner of the Arte di Palabra contest for four consecutive years, Osvaldo Correa
Backing up the talented performers on the central stage will be DJ’s Nutzbeatz of Aruba and DJ Chuckie from Holland. Singers from Aruba include Shannon Bueno, Zahira Falconi, Frangina Kelly, Maxime Kaan, Hillyann Croes, Mandy Villasmil, Luigi Cortes, Angelo Koolman, Jersey Sophia, Osvali van Romondt-Lopez, Teddy Phillips, Robert Jeandor and Michael Lampe. Veteran vocalist Dane Clark, born on Aruba, but best known in Europe, and his son from Holland, Alain Clark, will be on the bill along with Pete Philly.
Noted island dancer Alydia Wever will be director and choreographer of the dance program, working with Pierangely Wever, Dyantha Maduro, Gladys M. Duarte Fragoso, Samantha Westera Juppa, and Elisa Colon. Carlos Bislip of the Rufo Wever School of Music and founder of the annual Jazz Appreciation Month on Aruba will be the musical director with Franklin Granadillo. The orchestra will consist of Lidrick Solognier (drums), Roy Croes (Bass), Chucho Hoek (Guitar), Rodney van der Biezen (Piano), Mandy Villasmil (Keyboard), Eduardo Maya (Trumpet), Robert Drumfries (Trombone), Franklin Granadillo (Trumpet), Roberto Varona (Sax), Chris Rodulfo (Percussion). Maybelline Arends-Croes will conduct a children’s choir. There will be spectacular laser mapping, light show and fireworks integrated into the program.
The program will begin at 7:00 PM, and local food and beverage trucks will be stationed in the area, where refreshments can be purchased.
Organizers of the event realize the numbers expected to attend and the location are a dilemma regarding traffic and access, so various parking areas have been arranged with bussing to the Bushiribana ruins. Presently, designated parking areas are lots at Club Caiquetio in Paradera, the area cleared adjacent to the party headquarters of Otmar Oduber, also in Paradera, Britania Ballpark in Piedra Plat, next to Centro di Bario Ayo and Sporboys ball field next to the road to Angochi, in Santa Cruz. Parking lots will open at 5:00 PM, entrance to the staging area will be at 6:00 PM.
