Aruba’s most comical queen election unfolded last night at the Don Elias Mansur ballpark. The 10th edition of Seniora Carnival, Mrs. Carnaval, was one of the best events this season. Yet, it was under-attended, being the last royalty-election in a succession of many during the past 6 weeks. Mrs. Carnival will join the young and glamorous line up of queens, jokers and panchos at the head of the upcoming parades, starting with the Saturday Lighting Extravaganza.
On stage last night, 12 middle-aged women, who competed for the crown and sash – no holds barred, in the traditional demanding format: speech first, then show, then costume. This pageant is not just about beauty and glitz; it is also about wit and character and Carnival spirit, which is hard to define when absent and very obvious to sense when ever-present.
The crowd at the ballpark was made up of cheering squads of colleagues, family members and friends, hoisting packs of balloons, blowing air horns and whistles. De Palm Tours, cheering Queen Barbra Mitchell brought their own steel-band to liven up the action.
The speeches, peppered with motherly advice – the winner Ceslin Ashby is a mother of five – were surprisingly eloquent and clever. The talent shows, 10 minutes per candidate, included dancing, singing and comedy – Rosalia Rommney had a complete sketch staged, spoofing illegal arrivals on the island. The highlight of the evening, the costume parade, presented brilliantly executed pieces, as detailed as you will ever see. Again, Rosalia Romney’s costume designed by famed Lucien Quilotte and made by a novice costume-maker, Nancy Brete – she never before attempted a complete costume as the leader of the execution team, turned out spectacular, winning Best Costume. Night Vibes featured oversize wings and flaps and streamers, topped by a conic head-piece crowned with jet-black feathers, abundantly embellished with gold ribbon and shimmering crystals.
Nancy reports interpreting the designer’s sketch was a challenge as sewing and technical difficulties arose. She says she frequently called Lucien, thus the final result came out very close to the original concept, in look and in spirit.
Winner Ceslin Ashby was the night’s best dancer. With some help from her daughter, the island’s official salsa queen, the show featured a charming medley of great moves. Mimi Williams, crowded Miss Popular & Miss Photogenic, was indeed all that - a woman exuding Caribbean glamour and genuine jest for life. Representing Knockout Models, Mimi who is a plus size model got significant help from her juicy, plump girlfriends and staged a complete wedding night drama – Like a Virgin - under the flood lights. The show was so HOT – i.e. bare-chested, muscular and virile male dancers wrapped around a seductive, scantily clad, sexy diva - the fuse on the stadium blew leaving us all in the dark for twenty minutes.
And talking about drama, a gold & white feathered shoulder-piece, mysteriously disappeared and was later found in pieces, in the bushes behind the ball park’s back entrance, possibly the work of a catty, jealous opponent. The crowd was titillated and intrigued. Finally with spit & glue the piece was repaired and returned to candidate #10, who showed it off lustily to the judges who were by then buried in gifts, their heads barely peeking out from behind the mounds of tokens and tributes, handed to each and every one on the panel by the candidates.
The evening also incorporated the former nine Mrs. Carnival who took part in the opening show segment accompanying singer heartthrob, Member of Parliament, Edwin Abath. They also came on stage in gala gowns towards the end of the evening lending the title the credibility of a dynasty.
SAC, the foundation in charge of Carnival activities on the island in now under the management of a woman, and it is noticeable. The press den was conveniently located below the stage and the backstage areas surprise, even had a refreshment stand. The toilets still need work, but otherwise the election was well orchestrated. This morning, I feel a bit congested - it drizzled on and off all evening and combined with the swirls of dust in the arena and the howling wind, it’s no wonder I am feeling a bit under the weather . .
