The Super Dancers and some Sexy Cats heralded the opening of the Lighting Parade 2005, Friday night. The weather was perfect, as the North Stars set the mood for the annual spectacle. I read ahead of the event that just 1,700 participants were expected to dance down the streets of Oranjestad.
While the size of the parade was predictably small the music was especially sweet. Radio personality Goriaka Maal added zest to Oreo's performance gyrating on the platform. She had fun and so did we with singer Diana Emerencia who is all eyes and hair now. The band sounded great, which is to the credit of Mighty Talent, singer Claudius Philips . . . Tsunami, was symphonic. Sure it's all electronic, but it sounded supreme with a live brass section and the famed percussionists, all in white. Ofo Escudero goes the extra mile and his fans appreciate it. Diva Sashah Figueroa's performance from the platform was especially brilliant, the shy one is coming out of her shell . . . Melvin Garcia was king of the road entertaining fans from street level with the musically rich Dushi band . . . Mega, I love their sound, with French Caribbean echoes, a Creole twang, a little vaudouisant charm . . . Which brings me to Kevin James. He dressed up the party for Setar working hard for his people, what an entertainer, what a powerhouse, in and out of shelter . . . Queen Nabila de Palm, what a beauty! Why can't we have two queens? I would have loved to also see Noraisa up there. She had her gorgeous hazel eyes on the crown. These two girls have an open rivalry in the beauty arena, so far Nabila has the upper hand, but Noraisa's turn will surely come, perhaps for Miss Aruba. I am rooting for her . . . Marisol was it you under the "Why Not Call Me" tee shirt? . . .
Los Laga Bai is experiencing a banner year. The group turned out a fantastic performance with Buccaneer Emil de Cuba looking very pleased with himself. Anky, Pat, Lucien, Lily, Aida, Boy, Hans, Femke, Jessica, Tim & Roxana were spectacular in their fineries . . . PIM with the oversize red flying saucer hats - you have my vote . . . Jubilee Theater featured the cutest dancing baby-girl, a very friendly child . . . Johnny Walker could not stay out. Boeffi recycled his last year's wheels and was greeted with cheers from the side of the parade. What would a parade be without him? . . . Tina, Jeanette, Sue, Michelle and Atan Jr. looked spectacular as the show-pieces of the Oscars. Jeanette's costume is again a notch above, second year in a row. A most amazing design which the tall-one
celebrating her birthday Sunday, carries off so well . . . Andrew was at the helm of the MGM float, the lioness Enid, was resting . . . The Red Carpet lived up to the Hollywood hype with Inge, Indra, Sangeeta, very cool girls.
. . The Star Beauty Salon was well represented with twin golden gods . . . As expected, Queen Alina on a turquoise cloud of lace was riding a most attractive float, a tad unfinished, I bet when completed it will be the prettiest on parade . . . Graphicas had an interesting approach to head-pieces giving floor member imposing height with tall vertical feathers. Really beautiful. What else can we say, good showing, lovely colors. Gerald turned heads . . . Setar, had most fun. Which proves that our national service provider is in possession of high energy and waw, outside working hours! This year I saw a great number of security and much less uniformed Police. The black shirts were less effective keeping the anxious members of Generation Y - today's teens - behind barricades . . .
