courtesy of: The Morning News
written by: Rosalie Klein
Island visitors and resident are all welcome to experience the first taste of Aruba’s 58th Annual Carnival, the greatest party on earth, tonight at the Palm Beach Plaza. President of the Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval, or SAC, (which administrates Carnival events) Tecla Kelly-Hernandez personally invited one and all to enjoy a gala event on 11/11/11, the date that traditionally marks the official beginning of the Carnival season; the actual events will start with the Torch Parade in January 2012 and end on Ash Wednesday.
This morning at 11 minutes after 11 AM, Caribbean Cinemas hosted the formal declaration by Tecla; this is accompanied by the introduction of the Carnival 58 jingle, t-shirt, parade maps and guide and if ready, the annual edition of Baccanal, the bible of Aruba’s Carnival. Aruba’s Minister of Economic and Social Affairs and Culture, Michelle Hooyboer Winklaar will be present for this auspicious occasion.
The evening festivities will begin at 7:30 PM, with displays by various carnival groups of their costumes and themes for the 2012; representatives of the groups will be on hand to answer questions and sign up those wishing to participate. Various bands famous for their Carnival compositions, such as Claudius Phillips, who has won the Road March and Calypso King crowns more than a dozen times, Robert J’eandor and Dura. There will be steelpan and brass band performances as well.
When extending their invitation to this evening’s event, SAC officials also announced that tickets are now on sale for their annual fundraising gala dinner dance. This will take place at the Renaissance Convention Center on Saturday, November 26 beginning at 7:30 PM until 2:00 A.M. Tickets for the ball are $100 per person, with entertainment by Robert J’eandor and Tsunami. Tickets can be purchased at the SAC office in Dakota.
