Bati Bleki, February 24th, 2014

THE LIGHTING PARADE 2014. The parade on Saturday night lived up to its expectations, proving we are a nation of enthusiastic dancers and talented decorators. We might not be remarkable in follow-up and punctuality, but what we lack in those boring areas we make up in creativity and joie de vivre. It started out as a very dark and cool night providing a perfect backdrop for the light-filled parade. The opening show, sponsored by Aruba Bank also featured some girls among the stilt walkers which was a very cute addition – I am wondering if they made it all the way with their feathery headpieces swaying in the night breeze. So what were the standout features of the Lighting Parade 2014: The recycled costumes of the KFC promotional girls were adorable. We loved, loved, loved the Super Dancers in royal blue, and true to their name, they danced their hearts out. The variety of music offered by Meta’s Social Club, was outstanding from retro-classic to contemporary, and N’Fuzion’s sound was as appealing as their Rubiano Mi Ta Swa tee-shirt. Nice pink top hat with extra long feather on Zugheila Lindborg! The casually fun Caribbean Beat group accompanied by D-Licious kept the investment low and the spirit high. Kudos on the New Orleans Masquerade road-piece, delivering excellent craftsmanship and gorgeous design, a real showstopper. The futuristic Cyborgs had a very different look about them inspired by light and computer games. With the bombastic Ball Room Celebration float, we still noticed Senora Carnival St Cruz! Nice job on the modernistic Kooyman float, but why no people incorporated?! It was obvious that the endless masa of the OPC Carnival group had a ball in black and white tuxedos! Royal Carnival Group was blessed by some gorgeous winged creatures especially mother and daughter duo Daniela Marlenee and Michelle Boset. Riri Botta and her diamond encrusted angels, presented a perfect Carnival tableau, we hear they will be bigger and better next weekend with even more extravagant shoulder pieces.  The synergy between Tsunami and their followers, Champagne’s Diamond Jubilee, was contagious, with singer Tattoo working the crowd along the sides of the parade. Champagne, we thought, was the only group properly lit. Especially the beaming Alberto Groneveld, generating an abundance of light and energy. The eight-hundred strong individuals on parade with TOB delivered a spectacular impact. That group is now a country. We admired the sheer size of the party and its opulence. Queen Zuriah Flemming, which very proud John Fleming introduces as the third in the line of family queen,  looked dazzling on her float. We liked the Upgrade musicians posing with their guitars while playing on the road and off the trailer. What was that, the sexy cluster of multi colored jumpsuits, it went by so fast, I did not even have time for a picture. Two lovely creations, Gianni’s Group confetti spewing float and our lovable Youth Queen float, both win my vote for BEST in the parade. The first for stylish decor and the other for the clever use of light, making it glow in the dark! Lucre Hautman, you looked enchanting. My camera’s battery died by the time we got to Dushi band and/or Los Laga Bay. Still both delivered remarkable performances focusing on two tremendous bands. Dushi Band’s trailer was loaded with musical talent, under the direction of the fully-bounced-back and brilliant Hildward Croes. And band leader Robert Jean d’or , advertising 100% live sound. Solo Banda Show was surrounded with the best dressed bankers, accountants and medical professionals, deserving group of the year according to me, perfect in every way, partying around the clock! Pleasers and Teasers had better recruit some followers, the group looked sparse, really small in comparison, packing some great dance energy but small in numbers. Nice to see you again Queen UA, Thania Lacle, a women with Carnival vavoom in her veins!

SUPER CHEF. Chef Matt Boland who like the rest of the employees of the Westin Aruba Resort got terminated with the sale of the resort to Riu Hotels, reinvented himself as the corporate chef for Divi Resorts in the Caribbean. He will be zipping around the islands, and stirring the culinary pots on Bonaire, Barbados, St. Croix, and St Martin. Matt who is multi-lingual and multi faceted is a very engaging and engaged mega personality and Divi should consider itself lucky, having hooked him, since he had 4 serious offers from similar local and international companies who were just living to recruit him as soon as they heard he was available. The chef who is an avid swimmer and snorkeler, is an enthusiastic grandpa and of course a food fanatic, a true celebrity chef with a long list of accomplishments!

OPENING SOON. Two mega eateries will be opening at the South Beach Centre pronto. A spacious Hooters with a huge bar will be cheking into the space previously occupied by the House of Japan and Segafredo. Also a Danny’s Restaurant will be built at the other part of the mall, in the space once occupied by Milano restaurant. Hooters should be opening in time for the summer games,  becoming the headquarters for the 2014 FIFA World Cup games in Brazil, says manager Morris Figaroa.

RELOCATING. Buster’s Garage, the sports bar, will be relocating, leaving its current spot at the Trop Club & Casino and checking into the former Zombie Lounge at Rat Land, on the boulevard. The place is smaller, but Rat Land deserves a crack at success having been open on and off for a long time. Rusty who runs the bar comes with a built in group of followers, who went with him from the South Beach Centre to the Trop Club & Casino, now to Rat Land, all sports fans, thirsty for his brand of hospitality, over beer and chicken wings. The Trop Club & Casino bar area will be renovated says Brian Stedeford, General Manager Tropicana Entertainment, sharing his vision for a very cool new spot, now on the drawing board. [email protected]

Share on:

February 23, 2014
Rona Coster