Category Archives: Music & Performances

Taste of Bonaire is Coming, with a Cultural Theme, Saturday, June 3, 2017

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This year’s third Taste of Bonaire event will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 in Wilhelmina Park.

Bonaire’s Cultural Attaché to Cuba will be performing.

This event’s theme is all about Bonaire’s unique culture, and will be a one-of-a-kind-event highlighting Bonaire’s cultural delegation to Cuba in July.

The “Gala di Boneiru”, in connection with SKAL and the Island Government, will present their entire two-hour show during this Taste of Bonaire, giving anyone on the island a preview of how the island will showcase its culture in Cuba next month.

Cultural Dance, Drama, and Song.

Cultural Taste of Bonaire, June, 2017Performances at this event will be by Dance Sensation, Bonaire Folkloric Dancers, Grupo Tutti Frutti, Grupo Maskarada, a Brass Band, and also Gilberto Martis (the winner of “Ban Kanta Nos Boneiru“, Luigino Molina (“Rei di Tumba“), and Marjan Offerman (winner of “Kanto Krioyo.”)  This lineup will provide an exciting show illustrating Bonaire’s history in the form of drama, dance, and singing.

Taste of Bonaire will be taking place in Wilhelmina Park from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017.  The park will be transformed into a theater style created for this special event.

Of course, there’s local food as well as international treats.

As always, there will be ample food stands selling local and international foods. The Marshe di Playa will be present offering enticing arts and handicrafts and souvenirs for sale.

But it doesn’t end there, as the the musical group, Grupo Watapana, will be keeping everyone’s toes tapping with their great music.

Be sure to attend this fantastic show and sample of some of Bonaire’s best-known treats!

(Source:  TCB)

 

Susan Davis, Bonaire InsiderSusan Davis has been living on Bonaire for over 25 years. She is a PADI Master Instructor, and an underwater and topside photographer. She also enjoys writing for The Bonaire Insider tourism news blog. 

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Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) 2017 Schedule of Events

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Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) events start on King’s Day and continue through May 1st.

Dia di Rincon hosts a multitude of culture, music, and dance.

Dia di Rincon hosts a multitude of culture, music, and dance.

The village of Rincon has released a stellar schedule of events for the 2017 edition of Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) with events starting tomorrow, King’s Day (a national holiday) and running all the way through Monday, May 1st (also a national holiday).

Thursday, April 27th (King’s Day)

From 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM, head to Rincon for the go-kart race and the Simadan di Rei, the King’s Harvest Parade.

Also starting at 9:00 AM, Rotary Bonaire will hold its annual Feria (market) at Wilhelmina Park.

Friday, April 30th:

From 8:00 PM until midnight, gather in Rincon to get “warmed up” for the weekend with the Den Trin (Party Hotspot) event.

Saturday, April 29th

8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, enjoy Mangazina di Rei’s Nos Zjilea, with the music of Watapana and the Foyan Boyz, food, plants, arts and crafts, and local food.

At 3:00 PM, the Simadan parade from the schools will take place, starting several days of festivities to celebrate Bonaire’s Simadan, the harvest time.

At 8:00 PM, there is a Ban Topa (Let’s Meet) pre-opening event.

Dia di Rincon takes place every year on April 30th.

Sunday, April 30th

The day’s party begins with Mass at 8:00 AM and will continue in high form until midnight. Don’t miss the annual celebration of Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) highlighting Bonaire’s culture with all its musical and dance performances, local food, drink, and other goodies!

Monday, May 1st

Starting at 10:00 AM, at the Centro di Bario Rincon, view the parade of the Antillean Bicycles.

Simadan on Bonaire, a special music and cultureFrom 5:00 PM through 8:00 PM, there will be closing ceremonies to close out another fun and event-packed Dia di Rincon.  Meet at the Centro di Bario Rincon.

If you’re in Kralendijk, be sure to watch for the Simadan parade of Doei Diaz, from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

(Source:  TCB)

 

Susan Davis, Bonaire InsiderSusan Davis has been living on Bonaire for over 25 years. She is a PADI Master Instructor, and an underwater and topside photographer. She also enjoys writing on The Bonaire Insider tourism news blog. 

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Culture, Events, Music & Performances

CIEE Hosts Special Presentation about the Danza of Bonaire

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CIEE offers many informative public presentations, imparting knowledge while allowing their students to gain experience.  But in their next upcoming public lecture, they have a new and unusual twist.

CIEE Instructor Astrid Verstappen will present a talk entitled, “A voice of their own – How the Dutch Caribbean melting pot resulted in unique musical genres.”

Simadan on Bonaire, a special music and cultureThe Dutch Caribbean islands are unique for many things: their reefs, their landscapes, their language, food, and overall culture. However, the local music, like many other cultural aspects, is often overlooked. In this lecture, Astrid will shed some light on the Danza, how it came to be and how the Dutch Antilles ended up with their own version of this swinging, Latin American music genre.

The presentation will take place on Monday, April 10th at 7:00 PM at the CIEE Research Station at Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot #26, In Kralendijk.

As always, entrance is free, and anyone with an interest is welcome.  CIEE’s presentations do fill up, so arrive a few minutes early to get a seat.  Come and learn about this often-overlooked aspect of Bonaire’s history and culture.

(Source:  CIEE)

 

Susan Davis, Bonaire InsiderSusan Davis has been living on Bonaire for over 25 years. She is a PADI Master Instructor, and an underwater and topside photographer.  She also enjoys writing on The Bonaire Insider tourism news blog.

 

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Eat ‘Til You’re Full at Taste of Bonaire, Walk it Off on a Full Moon Hike

Taste of Bonaire and a full moon hike top the charts for weekend events.

This week has two ever-popular events, and they are timed just right!  On Saturday evening, be in Wilhelmina Park for the Bon Topa (Let’s Meet) Edition of Taste of Bonaire, from 6:30 PM until 11:00 PM.  On Sunday, get in some healthy exercise with STINAPA’s Full Moon Hike of the Lagadishi Trail.

Ban Topa (Let’s Meet) Edition of Taste of Bonaire in Wilhelmina Park.

This is a very special Taste of Bonaire because anyone attending will have the opportunity to provide Bonaire’s tourism office with their ideas and feedback on a special survey about the future of Bonaire’s tourism and the island’s tourism strategic plan.

Music, performances, arts and crafts, and food.

But of course, there will be music, dancing, arts and crafts stall to peruse, and the main event, food!  Both local and international foods can be sampled while enjoying music from
Grupo Kariño, FMK Formashon Musical Krioyo, and Projekto 2000.

Special performances and a new debut single by Jeon.

There will be performances from the Dominican Dancers, local dance artist Semi Marten–together with her dance partner from Curacao– and, direct from Aruba, we’ll be enjoying Jeon (Biggy Boy). At this special event, Jeon will also debut a new single dedicated to Bonaire.

Full moon hike of Washington Park’s Lagadishi Trail.

And, should you overindulge in all of the great variety of foods on Saturday evening, STINAPA gives you the opportunity to walk off those extra calories on their Full Moon Hike of the Lagadishi Trail in Washington Park on Sunday, March 12th, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

What you’ll see on the Lagadishi Trail.

Full moon hike on the lagadishi trail.The Lagadishi Trail takes one along the windward coast and back. You’ll see a limestone plateau that provides a complete spectrum of Bonairean windward scenery: historic sites, xerophytic vegetation (plants such as cactus, which are adapted to dry habitat), sand dunes, mangroves, a salt pan (a shallow seawater lake, which evaporates seasonally leaving a residue of salt), blowholes, and a true oceanic beach are some of the components of this trail. Flamingos are frequently seen in the salt pan. Interpretative signs are provided on this trail.

Items to bring on the trail.

Don’t forget to put on some walking shoes that are comfortable. Bring a flashlight along, because even if it is full moon you do want to see what’s on the ground right in front of you, as you don’t want to hit your toes against rocks or even cacti. Don’t forget to bring your own bottle of water and snacks if necessary.

Register your participation.

To participate, please call STINAPA at 717-8444 before 4:00 PM today. There is space for 25 people, and the entrance fee is $10 per person.  Meet at the entrance to Washington Slagbaai National Park at 5:00 PM.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

Bonaire's Calendar of Events

 

(Source:  TCB, STINAPA)

 

 

 

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Video and Photo Gallery of Bonaire’s Grand Carnival Parade 2017

Bonaire’s Grand Carnival Parade 2017.

This past weekend took its toll on a lot of folks here on Bonaire–at least those who were dancing down the long Carnival parade route from about 2:00 PM until past 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, those who where on the sidelines sat back and enjoyed the show!

Costumes glittered and gleamed.

Costumes were indeed extravagant, colorful, with lots of feathers, sequins, and other glittering items. Headdresses were so voluminous that one wonders how the wearers manage to keep their heads up straight!

Each Carnival group has a theme.

A variety of Carnival (Karnaval in Papiamentu) groups offered a fun display of themes: There were creatures from under the sea, celestial bodies and the signs of the zodiac, and even a bunch of construction workers who were spreading “asphalt” to fill all the holes in Bonaire’s roads (something truly needed on Bonaire these days!).

Two more Carnival events before the season closes.

There’s only two more events before the Carnival season ends:  Tonight will be a replay of the Children’s Carnival from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and tomorrow a replay of the Grand Carnival, starting at 7:00 PM, and ending at midnight with the burning of King Momo.

Video of Sunday’s parade.

If you couldn’t see it live, sit back and enjoy this video and the photo gallery following.

 

Photo Gallery of Sunday’s parade.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Children’s Carnival (Karnaval) Was a Glitzy Pageant of Color and Energy

Bonaire’s Children’s Carnival was in Rincon on Saturday and Kralendijk on Sunday.

Bonaire's Children Carnival 2017This past weekend, over 300 of Bonaire’s youth kept the older population entertained when they performed in the 2017 edition of the Bonaire Youth Carnival Parade in Rincon on Saturday and in Kralendijk on Sunday.

The children were in six themed groups and exhibited a lot of youthful energy as they danced down the street.

Watch the largest group with 125 youth!

 

A variety of themes were represented in the Children’s Carnival–we had U.S. military personnel in the Army For Peace, navy, butterflies, ballerinas, and even belly-dancers!

Upcoming Carnival Events for the next week.

Bonaire's Children Karnaval 2017For those who haven’t yet observed the many Bonaire Carnival events, the next events will take place on Friday, February 24th, 2017, when there will be the school parade, the teener parade, and even the adults get into the early action with the elderly parade.

Then, next Saturday in Rincon, and next Sunday in Kralendijk, the adults will get to strut their stuff and see if they can out-do the kids when the Grand Carnival Parades take place.

Photo Gallery of Children’s Carnival.

Bonaire's Calendar of Events

(Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

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It’s Carnival Time! Or, As It’s Said On Bonaire, Karnaval!

Bonaire’s Karnaval 2017 (Carnival) is in full swing.

February is always the time of Karnaval, and there are myriad events to enjoy for those visitors on Bonaire in the coming days.

Bonaire's Karnaval (Carnival) Parades are bright with festive costumes!

Here is a schedule of upcoming events.

Balloon Parade SHIEF

February 17th, 5:00 to 7:00 PM; San Bernardo School – Kaya Libertador – Kaya
Grandi – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – San Bernardo School.

Jump-In Radio Live 99

February 17th; Chippie Bonaire Super Store

Karnaval Kids Parade Rincon

February 18th, 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Soccer field entrance of Rincon – Kaya Miguel Pourier – Kaya Commerce – Kaya E.B. Sint Jago – Kaya Leucadio Marino Pourier – Kaya Hubentut – Kaya Luis Pourier – Rincon Stadium.

Karnaval Kids Parade Kralendijk

February 19th, 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Van Den Tweel Supermarket – Kaya Zuid Nikiboko – Church Traffic circle – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Julio Abrraham Boulevard – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes – Stadium Kralendijk.

School Parade

February 24th, 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon; Stadium Kralendijk – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes Kaya Julio Abraham Boulevard – Kaya Grandi – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya General C. M. P. Piar – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Julio Abraham – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes – Stadium Kralendijk.

The Grand Karnaval (Carnival) Parades are performed in both Rincon and Kralendijk.

Elderly Parade

February 24th, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Kaya Soeur Bartola – Kaya General C. M. Piar – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Grandi – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya Soeur Bartola.

Teener Parade

February 24th, 8:00 to 11:00 AM, Van Den Tweel Supermarket – Kaya Zuid Nikiboko – Traffic Circle Church – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Julio Abraham Boulevard – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes Stadium Kralendijk.

Grand Parade Rincon

February 25th, 1:00 to 6:00 PM, Soccer field entrance of Rincon – Kaya Miguel Pourier –Kaya Commerce – Kaya E.B. Sint Jago – Kaya Leucadio Marino Pourier – Kaya C.D. Cristian – Kaya Commerce (again)  – Kaya Miguel Pourier (again) – Kaya Hubentut – Kaya Luis Pourier – Rincon Stadium.

Everyone has fun at Bonaire's Grand Karnaval (Carnival) ParadeGrand Parade Kralendijk

February 26th, 1:00 to 6:00 PM, Van Den Tweel Supermarket – Kaya Zuid Nikiboko – Church Traffic Circle – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Julio Abrraham Boulevard – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes – Kaya Zuid Nikiboko- Van Den Tweel Supermarket.

Final Kids Parade

February 27th, 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Stadium Kralendijk – Traffic Circle Sabana – Kaya Zuid Nikiboko – Traffic Circle Church – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Julio Abraham Boulevard – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes – Stadium Kralendijk.

Maskarade Party

February 27th, time to be determined, Kura Cocari, Rincon.

Final Adults Parade with the Burning of King Momo

February 28th, 7:00 PM to Midnight, Van Den Tweel Supermarket – Kaya Zuid Nikiboko – Traffic circle Church – Kaya L.D. Gerharts – Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar – Kaya Julio Abraham Boulevard – Kaya Gilberto F. Croes – Stadium Kralendijk.

Be sure to enjoy these fun Bonaire Karnaval events!

Bonaire's Calendar of Events

(Source:  TCB)

 

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Taste of Bonaire Carnival Edition is Saturday, February 4, 2017

Save the date for 2017’s first Taste of Bonaire Carnival Edition on Saturday, February 4, 2017.

The popular Taste of Bonaire events will start early this year, with a new Carnival Edition taking place in Wilhelmina Park on Saturday, February 4th, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

This event’s program is sure to please, it’s filled with music and shows.  Of course, the food stands will be highlighting Bonaire’s local and international foods, and there will be arts and crafts to peruse as well.

Entertainment will be provided by Grupo ESO, Projekto 2000, Steelband Silver Bullets, and Bonazamba will be performing.

Of special note, this year’s Queen of Carnival 2017 will be presented, and the Prins & Pancho which will be giving their Carnival show.

Be sure to come out and enjoy the evening filled with great cameraderie, music, food, and celebration!

(Source:  TCB)

 

 

 

 

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Enjoy This Year’s Edition of Maskarada on Sunday, January 8th, 2017

Maskarada is a unique Bonaire tradition.

Maskarada is Sunday, January 8th, 2017.

The New Year always hearkens the return of the Maskarada (Masqueraders). This year, the troupe, made up of a group of musicians and masked characters, will take to the streets of Bonaire and entertain once again this Sunday, January 8th, 2017.

The Maskarada Tradition.

It’s tradition that the Maskarada begin on New Year’s Day serenading and entertaining Bonaire’s Lt. Governor, but then after that, they will have two full days of visiting families in various neighborhoods of Bonaire. Those that follow the Maskarada will enjoy the traditional song that always forecasts the masked character’s arrival. Then, the colorfully clad characters arrive amid of burst of energy! While they play out certain skits, not a word is said. They are fully costumed, so no one knows their identities. That is, until the end of the day, when they are finally un-masked, and we learn just who has been entertaining us all day!

20140102-Maskarada3Where to find the Maskarada?

If you’re on Bonaire, come for one of the performances, or follow the Maskarada all day. They will be performing  at the SGB School, Kolegio San Bernardo, and FORMA.

For additional information about this annual cultural event unique to Bonaire, click here.

(Source: Bonaire Insider Reporter)

 

 

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Kralendijk’s Christmas Shopping Night Will Get You Into the Holiday Spirit!

Bonaire’s Christmas Shopping Night is December 17th, 2016.

Take care of last minute holiday purchases on Saturday, December 17th, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on Kaya Grandi and Wilhelmina Park.

Kaya Grandi will become a pedestrian mall.

During this event, Kaya Grandi will be closed to traffic, giving everyone the opportunity to walk around freely and enjoy the last minute shopping in a Christmas atmosphere. There will be live music plus DJs providing music in various locations, and the stores fronting Kaya Grandi will be open, as well as stands in Wilhelmina Park where one can stroll and find just the right gift for a special someone!

shopping_nightSanta will make an appearance!

Different types of traditional Christmas food will be sold. And what’s a Christmas Shopping Night without Santa?  There will be an opportunity to take a photo with Santa between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM in Wilhelmina Park. There will also be a kids’ corner.

Buy a raffle ticket, help the Bonaire Foodbank.

At El Mundo Restaurant, a raffle will take place starting at 8:00 PM with the possibility to win different prizes.  Entry is just $2.00, and the funds collected will be donated to the Bonaire Foodbank, which will also be present during the evening for anyone wishing to make a donation to this worthy cause. A special thank you goes to everyone who provided a prize for the raffle.

New this year!  At 7:00 PM, some of Bonaire’s senior citizens will be coming through Kaya Gandi, so the generations will be complete with the old, the young, and those in between! Don’t miss it!

The event is sponsored by Tourism Corporation Bonaire and Bonaire Arts & Crafts Association.

(Source:  TCB)

 

 

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