Music and Performances

Music and other entertainment and performances on Bonaire

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Noted American Pianist, Marilyn Kredel, to Play Recital on Friday, March 5, 2010

Tomorrow evening will be the night to enjoy the next classical music concert on Bonaire when the noted American pianist, Marilyn Kredel, will perform a recital at Cacique Hall.

Ms. Kredel has played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and also in Rome for the Vatican.  She’ll be here on Bonaire to play a special concert with all proceeds being donated to the Fundashon Piano Grandi, with the ultimate goal of procuring new bass strings for the grand piano used in these concerts.

She’ll perform a remarkable program with compositions from Scarlatti, Chopin, Beethoven, Dvorak, and Liszt, as well as two pieces from the twentieth century.

Tickets are FL 30.00 (about USD $16.85) per person in advance, or FL 35.00 (about USD $19.65) at the door.  Entrance for children with a school ID accompanied by adults is FL 10.00 each (about USD $5.62).  Advance tickets may be purchased at Books & Toys or Flamingo Bookstore on Kaya Grandi, or at the reception desk of Plaza Resort Bonaire.  The concert begins at 8:00 PM, and Cacique Hall is located at the Plaza Resort Bonaire.  (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival 2010 Promises Big Artists in a Big Festival

Save the dates of May 27th through 30th, 2010, as this will be the next occasion of the jazz festival on Bonaire.  A variety of musical styles will be presented with bands from Brazil, Cuba, the United States, and The Netherlands in different venues around Bonaire as these internationally known jazz musicians mingle with the best musical talent Bonaire has to offer in this sixth year of the annual event.

As in past years, the festival will kick off at the beautiful and romantic location of Fort Oranje on May 27 with an evening of Jazz and Poetry. Then, on May 28th and 29th, the two main concerts will take place at the Tipsy Seagull at the Plaza Resort. This year’s top attraction will be the world renowned trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval, performing with his seven-piece band. Arturo is originally from Cuba, but now lives in the USA. Also performing will be Manny Moreira from Brazil, BEKU from the United States, Joke Bruijs with Frits Landesberg from The Netherlands, and Henk van Twillert with Tjako van Schie, also from The Netherlands. These performers will be joined by Bonaire’s best local musicians: the Cabaco Trio, the Silver Bullet Steelband, the New Generation Dancers, and Kaña Brabu, offering a combination of varying styles of jazz, all with their own character. For fans who just cannot get enough, jam sessions with many of the musicians will be held at Sense, just across the street from Plaza, starting at 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

The always popular Jazz Brunch takes place on Sunday, May 30th at the Divi Flamingo Resort, where musicians participating in the festival, along with other musicians and singers, will provide a spectacular jam session while guests enjoy a delicious brunch.

As in previous years Heineken is the title sponsor and the main sponsors to date for the event this year are: Plaza Resort, Divi Flamingo Resort, Telbo NV, Breathe-IT, It Rains Fishes, Budget Rent a Car, Maduro & Curiel’s Bank, Sunbelt Realty, Rocargo, Sense, Mega FM, Captain Don’s Habitat and RumRunners, Hotel Rochaline, TIS, Don Andres, HBN Law, Bonaire Affair, TCB, and Addo’s Bookstore.  Additional information about the artists, final program, and ticket sales will be announced soon.  (Source:  Bonaire Jazz Foundation)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Classical Music Board Announces Upcoming Piano Concerts

The next classical concert will be given by Wim Statius Muller, an 80-year-old pianist from Curacao, on February 12, 2010 at 8:00 PM at Cacique Hall, Plaza Resort.  It’s been 25 years since Mr. Muller last visited and performed on Bonaire.

Mr. Muller will perform compositions by Chopin, as well as Antillean classical music, French, Spanish, African, and American music styles, and the special folkloric dances of danzas, tumbas, and mazurkas.  Additionally, he will perform a variety of his own compositions.  Tickets are FL 35.00 (about $19.66) per person in advance, or FL 40.00 at the door (about $22.50).  Tickets may be purchased in advance at Addo’s Books & Toys, Flamingo Bookstore, or Plaza Resort.  Mr. Muller is generously donating his revenues for this concert to Jong Bonaire for further development of a music program for Bonaire’s youths.

The next concert will be on March 5, 2010, when the American pianist, Marylin Kredel, will perform.  (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Next Classical Music Concert is January 24, 2010

The Classical Music Board of Bonaire has announced their next concert, which will be in a new format.  On January 24, 2010, Krusa Musika will present a “Lazy Sunday Afternoon Concert.”

The program will be divided into three sets of thirty minutes each.  In each set, a mini-concert will be held for about 15 to 20 minutes, after which background music will be provided so attendees may socialize and talk a bit.  In between sets, a short intermission will be provided.  Linda Anthony will be singing soprano, Eric van Silfhout will be singing tenor and be on violin, Hans Faassen will be on piano and bass, and there also will be guest musicians.  The program has been planned to include vocals (solos and an a capella quartet), and instrumental pieces (on piano and violin).  Additionally, some 16th-century Dutch songs will be performed, along with other compositions.

The concert will take place at Cacique Hall at Plaza Resort Bonaire, and capacity is limited to a maximum of ninety persons.  Seating will be at twelve round tables.  Entry is FL 15.00 per person; tickets will be available at the door starting at 1:15 PM.  (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Friday, January 15, 2010

It’s Karnival Season on Bonaire!

Although the holiday season has just ended, that doesn’t mean that there’s not time to begin the next celebration, which, on Bonaire, is Karnival.  We’re already into the Karnival season, with events beginning now and leading up through to the Grand Karnival Parade in Kralendijk, on February 14, 2010, also Valentine’s Day.

Here’s the schedule for upcoming events:

January 16th:  Jump-Up in Rincon
January 19th:  Jump-Up in Wilhelmina Park, Kralendijk
January 20th:  Jump-Up in Rincon
January 24th:  Election of the King and Queen of the Youth Karnival
January 30th:  Final Night for the Grand Tumba Festival
January 31st:  Youth Tumba Festival
February 1st:  Jump-Up Kabo
February 5th:  Election of the King and Queen of the Grand Karnival (Adult)
February 6th:  Youth Karnival in Rincon
February 7th:  Youth Karnival in Kralendijk
February 10th:  Bikers’ Parade in Kralendijk
February 12th:  Marathon Jump-Up Jump-In
February 13th:  Grand Karnival Parade in Rincon
February 14th:  Grand Karnival Parade in Kralendijk
February 20th:  Closing of the 2010 Karnival Season

Be sure to enjoy as many events as you can!  (Source:  Island Government)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Patagonia Restaurant Celebrates Third Anniversary with the Opening of Their New Martini Lounge

The Palacios Family, well known for their two restaurants, Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant and Buenos Aires Cafe, have added a new martini lounge to celebrate their third anniversary at Patagonia.

The new lounge is directly next to the restaurant, a cozy and intimate space with comfortable rattan chairs or with stools at the marina’s edge, overlooking the balustrade, just feet from the water’s edge.  Open Tuesday through Sunday, from 6:00 PM through midnight (2:00 AM on weekends), it’s a fabulous way to either start or finish the evening.  Sip your martini (they’re reputed to have the largest selection of martinis on the island!), or any other beverage, and watch the sun sink into the Caribbean behind the sailboats’ masts, or close out the evening with quiet background music that includes jazz, latin jazz, Brazilian soul, favorites such as Frank Sinatra, and other lounge music.

It’s a “sure thing” to add to one’s lists of new places on Bonaire to try on the next trip!  (Source:  Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant)

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bonaire’s Traditional Maskarada will be Held on New Year’s Day

Each year there’s an Antillean cultural tradition to have the group known as Maskarada (Masquerade) make a presentation to begin the new year off in the right manner, and this will occur tomorrow, January 1st, 2010.

Normally, the event is held at the home of Bonaire’s Lt. Governor, but this year it will be held at Santa Barbara Crowns Court #14 in Sabadeco.  This year’s Maskarada will take place from 10:00 AM for one hour.  After the presentation with the Lt. Governor, the mysterious group will entertain the folks at the Kas di Sosiegu, and then continue on in the neighborhoods of Amboina, Nort’i Saliña, and other barrios.  As custom holds, a visit by the Maskarada promises good luck in the new year.  The persons behind the masks cannot speak or reveal their identities in public.  They will perform the traditional dances to the accompanying music, while cheerfully wishing everyone “Bon Aña” (Happy New Year).  These will be the only words they will speak in public.

All are invited to join in the new year’s opening festivities. (Source:  Island Government)

Friday, November 27, 2009

The Classical Music Board Bonaire to Host a Holiday Concert on December 19, 2009

The holidays are fast approaching, and there’s nothing like wonderful holiday music to get in the spirit of the season.  The Classical Music Board Bonaire will host a holiday concert at 7:30 PM on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at Cacique Hall.

Musicians from Bonaire will be playing for Bonaire, including vocals (solo, an a capella quartet, and a full choir with 35 singers), instrumental music (piano, violin, and also an old instrument in its first presentation in the Dutch Caribbean), old Dutch folk songs from the 16th century, as well as the classics:  Pergolesi, Bach, Haydn, Gounod, Faure, and Christmas carols and Antillean ballads.

Tickets will be available beginning December 7, 2009, and a full house is expected, so it’s best to procure tickets early.  Tickets are FL 25.00 (about USD $14.00) in advance, FL 30.00 (about USD $16.85) at the door, and children accompanied by parents are FL 10.00 each (about USD $5.60).  Tickets may be purchased at Books & Toys or Flamingo Bookstore, both on Kaya Grandi, or at the Plaza Resort’s reception desk.  Cacique Hall is located at Plaza Resort Bonaire.

And hold the dates:  On January 16th, the first concert of the 2010 season will highlight Steven on the cello and Danielle on the piano.  On February 12th, Willem Statius Muller will be on the piano with a historic concert:  This 80-year-old will be back on Bonaire after a 25-year hiatus! (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Classical Music Concert on Friday, November 13, 2009 Features Violin and Piano

The Classical Music Board Bonaire will host their next piano and violin concert this coming Friday, November 13, 2009 at 7:30 PM at Cacique Hall, located at the Plaza Resort Bonaire.  The concert will feature the music of Jeroen van der Wel on violin, and Bas van Bommel on piano.

Those attending will enjoy the music of Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770), Jan Gerard Palm (1831-1906), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) prior to the intermission.  Afterward, music from Achille-Claude Debussy (1862-1918) and George Enescu (1881-1955) will be played.  Dress for the evening is “elegant.” Tickets are FL 30.00 (about USD $16.85) per person if purchased in advance, or FL 35.00 (about USD $20.00) if purchased at the door.  Advance tickets can be purchased at Books & Toys, Flamingo Bookstore, or Plaza Resort Bonaire. (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The 42nd International Sailing Regatta of Bonaire Begins This Sunday, October 4th, 2009

The island is gearing up to celebrate the 42nd edition of the International Sailing Regatta of Bonaire. Preparations for this popular annual event are in full swing. 

The Bonaire Regatta is a sailing event with many races along the rugged coast of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. All kinds of boats, hailing from all over the world, participate in this sailing competition. Added to this are windsurfing and freestyle competitions. Daily races in various categories are scheduled during the day; the evenings are filled with a variety of cultural and folkloric shows and band performances. The races are held close to the shore so spectators can easily follow them.

The Bonaire Regatta Festival takes place on the Boulevard and on the streets of Kralendijk. Stands with local “criollo” food, souvenirs, and handicrafts attract locals as well as visitors, as they throng the normally quiet avenues during Regatta time. International and local bands perform on stage every day of this festive week.

The week will start off with a bang with the Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire on Sunday morning, October 4th.  Sunday night, enjoy the Parade of Nations, or even join in!  Monday the sailing begins in earnest as everyone hopes for kind winds. 

A full calendar of events is available on-line by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Regatta Web Site)