Music and Performances

Music and other entertainment and performances on Bonaire

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Classical Music Board Hosts Musical Duo Saturday, May 22, 2010

This Saturday evening, May 22, 2010, the Classical Music Board will present a special musical duo at Cacique Hall when Henk van Twillert, a baritone saxophonist, joins Tjako van Shie on piano.

The duo will play a classical repertoire with cello suites of Bach, songs by Faure and Schuman, along with compositions of Hector Villa Lobos and Samuel Barber, all performed with virtuosity, warmth, and precision on the the baritone saxophone (the largest of the saxophone family) accompanied by piano.  The second part of the concert will consist of “world music”: tangos by Piazzola, Fados , and the Antillean classical music of Maduro and Statius Muller, along with some jewels from the jazz repertoire of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Those interested in attending may procure advance tickets at Addo’ s Bookstore, Plaza Resort, or Flamingo Bookstore for FL 35.00 (about USD $20.00) per person.  Tickets at the performance hall are FL 40.00 per person (about USD $22.50).  Students and children pay FL 10.00 at the door (about USD $5.50) with an ID.  Cacique Hall is located at the Plaza Resort Bonaire.

To view biographies of the artists, or to pre-order your tickets (with payment at the door), click here. (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Friday, April 30, 2010

Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day) Offers Music, Culture, Food and Fun

Today, April 30th, is traditionally known throughout the Dutch Kingdom as the Queen’s Birthday, and it is a legal holiday, but here on Bonaire, there’s cause for another type of celebration, Dia di Rincon (Rincon Day), now in its 21st year. 

Beginning around 11:00 AM and going until midnight, residents and those visitors lucky enough to be on island will rub elbows together in the streets of Rincon, enjoying the music and cultural dancing on six stages, as well as food and drink stalls, handicrafts, and a total immersion in all things Bonaire.  It’s a once-a-year festival that no one will want to miss.  To view the agenda for today and tomorrow’s festivities, click here (in Papiamentu and PDF format). (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Next Classical Music Concert is April 27, 2010 Presenting Four Great Musicians

The Classical Music Board Bonaire will hold its next concert on April 27th, 2010, starting at 8:00 PM at Cacique Hall.  Four different musicians will present the evening’s collection offering superb classical music.

Alissa Margulis (violin) is a highly gifted young violinist. She has a beautiful, singing tone, excellent technique, and a strong musical personality and is a prizewinner of many competitions.  German Marcano (cello) obtained his Bachelor of Music Degree at the prestigious Surrey University, England. He has taken part in master classes with Maestros Franz Helmerson and the world-famous Mstislav Rostropovich. Back in Venezuela since 1985, Marcano occupied the principal cello chair with the Simón Bolívar Symphonic Orchestra.  Armand Simon (piano) was born in Amsterdam in 1977 of Aruban parents. As a pianist, he has performed in the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela, Columbia, USA, and Belgium. In 2006, Armand Simon was asked to perform for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and he is the artistic director of the International Aruba Piano Festival.  The fourth musician presented will be the prize winner of the piano competition of the International Aruba Piano Festival, which will be held on April 25th, 2010.

These four musicians will provide a great variety of chamber music with a program including piano solos (three pieces by the prize winner of the piano competition on Aruba), Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 by German Marcano, Saint-Saens’s Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso op.28 by Alissa Margulis and Armand Simon, Schubert’s Sonatina in A Minor op. 137 no. 2 by Alissa Margulis and Armand Simon, and Piazzolla’s Los Cuatro Estaciones (arranged for piano trio by José Bragato).

Cacique Hall is located at the Plaza Resort Bonaire.  Tickets are FL 35.00 per person (about $20.00) in advance, or FL 40.00 at the door (about $22.50), children accompanied by their parents pay FL 10.00 per person at the door (about $5.60) with a school identification card.  Tickets can also be ordered on line by clicking here with payment made at the door.  (Source:  Classical Music Board Bonaire)

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Club Roomers Welcomes Back Jim Gilmour for an Evening of Contemporary Folk Music

Club Roomers will host a musical evening on Friday, April 16th, 2010, when Jim Gilmour returns to present an evening of contemporary folk music that is called, “Not your Daddy’s folk music.”

Bonaire’s own Gio Mercera will be accompanying Jim on keyboard.  The evening will begin with Hotel Roomers’ usual Happy Hour with half-price drinks from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  An optional full BBQ buffet (all you can eat) will be served at 6:00 PM, for FL 35.00 (about $19.70), and the concert will begin at 7:00 PM.  Admission is FL 15.00 (about $8.50) per person for a donation to the Club Roomers Charity Fund, but Club Roomers members are free.  Reservations are recommended (call 717-7488) for those who wish to enjoy the BBQ buffet.

Those interested can preview some of Jim’s tunes on his just-released CD, Flatworld, by clicking here.  (Source:  Roomers Bonaire)

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Arturo Sandoval Headlines Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival

Cuban born and world famous jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval will be one on the main performers during the 2010 Bonaire Heineken Jazz Festival set for May 27 -30, 2010. 

Sandoval is one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time with five Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award.  He was awarded the Emmy for composing the music for the HBO movie based on his own life, “For Love or Country” with Andy Garcia playing the role of Arturo Sandoval.  Last year Sandoval was awarded his 6th Billboard Awards for “Best Latin Jazz Album” which he performed on the program with Alicia Keys. He also performed during the 2009 Grammy Awards, with pop-phenomenon Justin Timberlake.

The opening concert for the 6th Annual Bonaire Jazz Festival will be at Fort Oranje on May 27 with an evening of Jazz and Poetry.  Then, on May 28 and 29, the two main concerts take place at the Tipsy Seagull at Plaza Resort.  Sandoval will appear during the Saturday night concert.

Another headliner joining Sandoval for the 2010 Bonaire Jazz Festival will be Brazilian Manny Moreira, who now lives and works in New York City.  There will also be a number of well-known and popular jazz musicians from the Netherlands and local Bonaire performers to make this years Jazz Festival one of the most exciting yet.

Here’s the schedule of events for this year’s festival:

Thursday, May 27: Jazz and Poetry with Kaña Brabu, Merietza Haakmat, and Hershel Rosario featuring Lonte Conradus and Henk van Twillert and Hans van Schie at Fort Oranje
Friday, May 28: Concert staring Angelo’s New Generation Dancers, Manny Moreira & Equator and Joke Bruijs and Frits Landesbergen at Plaza Resort’s Tipsy Seagull followed by late night jam session at Sense Restaurant at 11:30 PM
Saturday, May 29: Concert staring the Silver Bullet Steelband, BEKU, and Arturo Sandoval at Plaza Resort’s Tipsy Seagull, followed by late night jam session at Sense Restaurant at 11:30 PM
Sunday, May 30:  Brunch jam session with many of the musicians at Divi Flamingo Hotel

(Source:  Bonaire Jazz Foundation)

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)