Expanded Second Annual Piano Festival Includes Master Classes, Amateur Competitions, Professional Concerts

In addition to the sounds of breaking waves and ocean breezes, the lilting tune of a piano will romance the shores of the island of Aruba during the Second Annual Aruba Piano Festival from September 27-30, 2007. Throughout the festival, internationally acclaimed musicians will present three professional recitals, including a solo piano performance, a classical trio and a jazz quartet. However, this festival isn’t only for the pros, amateur talents are invited to take part in master classes, workshops and a piano competition. First place winner of the piano competition wins US$ 500,= cash plus from The Aruba Scholarship Foundation a financial support to attend the “Academy del Nuevo Mundo” in Maracaibo, Venezuela. All festival activities will take place in some of Aruba’s most beautiful cultural locations: Aruba’s Concert Hall, Exposition Hall, National Library, and a local art gallery.

See below for some of the highlights of the upcoming Aruba Piano Festival:

Recital-Piano-Violin-Cello Trio Performance – Thursday, September 27
Gerardo Vila, along with Simón Gollo and Horacio Contreras, will delight audiences with a classical trio performance sure to sooth and relax islanders and tourists after a busy day of enjoying the sunshine. Vila is a world-renowned pianist, bringing the sound of his native Argentina to countries around the globe. When he isn’t touring, he teaches professional classes at the Music Conservatory in Neuchatel in Switzerland.

Classical Piano Recital – Friday, September 28
Alan Weiss, an incomparable American pianist, is a master of various piano techniques and styles, hailed as “one of the outstanding pianists of his generation” by legendary Czech pianist, Rudolf Firkušný. He is also a celebrated and sought-out teacher who has helped shape the next generation of classical pianists.

Randal Corsen Quartet – Sunday, September 30
Randal Corsen is best known for blending Jazz with influences from classical, Antillean and Latin American music. This native of Curaçao is a musician and composer and has collaborated with some of the most prominent jazz musicians from around the world.

Master Classes and Workshops – Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30
The Aruba Piano Festival musicians will take a break from their performance schedules to share some of their knowledge and skills with those looking to fine-tune their musical abilities. These classes are offered in a variety of languages and are available free of charge. Also on Sunday, Access Art Gallery will feature a musical matinee at 11 am with flutist Nicaulis Alliey and pianist Armand Simon whom will delight the audience with romantic melodies. The master classes for violin and flute will continue in the afternoon and at 4.30 pm, the competition will continue at Cas di Cultura where Aruba most promising talents will be known. The 2007 piano festival is scheduled to close with a wonderful presentation by Randal Corsen.

Piano Competition – Preliminaries, Saturday, September 29; Final Competition, Sunday, September 30
The competition is available to all amateur piano players and is divided into three age categories: eight to 12, 13 to 17, and 18 and over. Please visit the website for a full list of rules and to fill out an application form.

Tickets and Festival Program are available at UNOCA (next to Cas di Cultura) and Samsom Bookstore located on L.G. Smith Boulevard

For more information about the 2007 Aruba Piano Festival, visit www.arubapianofestival.com

A recent press conference revealed the plan to host a charity golf tournament at Divi Links benefiting the World Childhood Foundation. Members of the press were invited to hear about the upcoming tournament from Scott Derrickson & Tasha Agana representing the Radisson’s management and associates, as well as Adam Williamson, the Pro at Divi Links.

The Golf Tournament benefiting the World Childhood Foundation, will also be sponsored by Unique Sports of Aruba, Caribbean Mercantile Bank, Romar Trading, Compra, Knickorbocker Meat, ModoWon and Price Waterhouse.

The tournament will take place on Saturday, 15th of September, 2007, at 1:00p.m., in a “scramble – shotgun” format. Prizes will be given for first, second and third place players, with additional prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive.

Twenty foursomes will play and enjoy a post-tournament cocktail reception. Winners will be announced at the reception, and the main attraction will be auctioned. The lucky winner of the auction will receive two round trip tickets from Aruba to Augusta, including two first round practice tickets to the Masters, where you may talk to the players on the practice grounds and take photos. As tickets to the actual “Masters” golf tournament are sold out years in advance, this is an excellent option. Hotel accommodations for two nights in a suite at Radisson Hotel Columbia in Columbia, South Carolina and a complimentary dinner for two in their restaurant with a limit of $125, is included. The retail value on this prize is around $2,500, reveals Derrickson.

The Childhood Foundation:
The foundation is championed by founder, her royal highness Silvia, Queen of Sweden who is a mother of three. The foundation mission statement is the following: “Every child has a right to a childhood, to security, joy, playfulness and curiosity about life. Everyone has the right to grow up and develop socially and intellectually. But many children are deprived of these, their most fundamental rights. They are neglected, abandoned, abused and violated in unacceptable ways. They never have a chance to live a fulfilling life. The mission of World Childhood Foundation is to defend the rights of the child and to promote better living conditions for vulnerable and exploited children at risk all over the world. The World Childhood Foundation wants to give all children the opportunity to develop into strong, secure and responsible human beings.”

Prizes for the Golf Tournament:
First Place, Trophies & Dinners for Two in Sunset Grille. Second Place, Trophies & Dinners for Two in Laguna; Third Place, Trophies & Dinners for Two in Gilligan’s. Closest to the pin, Larimar Spa Certificates. Longest Drive, one weekend stay at Radisson Aruba Resort and Casino. Raffle, one ticket per person, logo shirts and Caps from the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, Beach Bags, Beach Mat, as well as gift certificates for restaurants on the island. The Weekend in Paradise includes two nights and three days stay at the Penthouse at the Radisson Aruba Resort and Casino, black out dates will apply, a $5,000 value.

Rejuvenate Medi Spa opened Friday, just a short drive away from Palm Beach. It is the first medical spa in Aruba offering a variety of treatment procedures.

Kaye & Dr. Henk Marsman & the RMS team welcomed their guests to the fabulously appointed facility, on Bubali 11-M, right next to the Practice for Advanced Dentistry, with the “big tooth” on the main Bubali road

“Beauty,” says Kaye, “does come from within but it actually often lies just beneath the surface. RMS has a staff that is trained and certified by licensed professionals, using the latest and most advanced non-surgical techniques in skin rejuvenation and body sculpting, to ensure the best results possible,” she adds.

“Looking younger and healthy doesn’t always have to mean surgery,” explains Dr. Marsman, “both men and women may choose non-surgical approaches today, to help them look and feel their best.”

RMS offers Botox, fillers, carbossi, lipo-sculpting, IPL treatment and Endermology, all procedures are safe and non-invasive, and require no “down time.” They are performed with the utmost professionalism using high standards of quality and hygiene.

Call RMS at tel.: 587-4800 or send an e-mail to: rejuvenatemedispa@setarnet.aw

Pepia Est, a local purveyor and Mount Gay Rum distilleries from Barbados hosted a number of cooking and tasting seminars at Matthews’s Beach Bar & Grill at Casa Del Mar Beach Resort starring Chef Paul Yellin, Mount Gay Rum’s in-house chef, flown in on the occasion from Barbados, the home of Mount Gay Rum.

Chester Brown, Mount Gay Rum’s drink ambassador was on hand to create the best suited cocktails to match the food, making the lunch-time experience a truly unforgettable one.

Seven different preparations of food all infused with Mount Gay Rum were prepared and tasted by local celebrity chefs, from Matilde Restaurant, and the Screaming Eagle, among other famed eateries.

The cooking seminar unfolded under the watchful eye’s of Pepia Est owner Michael v/d Berg and wine & spirit connoisseur Pascal Turpyn, in collaboration with the staff and management of Matthew’s Bar & Grill.

The lovely menu – with rum as the secret ingredient - included an outstanding Banana stuffed jerk chicken w/a coconut curry sauce, roasted plantain crusted best end of lamb w/ a molasses reduction drizzle, vegetable spring rolls with tomato-mint salsa, and rich Mount Gay Barbados XO bread pudding.

The seminar concluded with recipes to go, and embroidered Mount Gay Rum aprons for the participants. MGHR belongs to the powerful portfolio of Remy Martin.

Pictured here, a life-loving crowd at the tasting at Matthew’s Beach Bar &Grill.

Yemanja Woodfire Grill & Chef Sander van Kints, helped welcome the Concha Y Toro wineries ambassador of food, legendary Belgian-born chef Ruth van Waerebeek to Aruba.

The chef came here from Chile in order to promote a fresh and delicious premium brand of wine, Trio, made of tres variedades, three varieties grown in Chile and expertly blended by the famed Concha Y Toro wineries.

Trio is carried in Aruba by Romar Trading and is available in most fine restaurants and supermarkets. It is a fun, uncomplicated wine that is easy to drink and wonderful to match with light and sunny Caribbean cuisine.

Chef Ruth introduced Trio Chardonnay, Trio Merlot and Trio Cabernet Sauvignon to an eager to learn crowd of local chefs and combined some of her original recipes with the wine in the comfort of the woodfired kitchen of Yemanja.

She picked the new Yemanja, in town on Wilhelminastreet, so she could work together with Chef Sander on the food presentations.

Yemanja took a few months to construct, as it is the labor of love. The restaurant is named after the Brazilian goddess of the sea, and focuses on fresh preparations of fish and meats expertly cooked over a mesquite-fired grill. Sander did it all himself from wood & ceramic tables to partially exposed antique walls to natural stone bar, it’s all beautifully hand-made and very eye-pleasing.

Sander, formerly the chef of Marandi, and George Estrada the restaurant manager, formerly at Scandals, took good care of their guests.

The afternoon was sponsored by Mariuccia Amaddeo of Romar Trading and was very well attended.

The chefs enjoyed Cucumber Rolls filled with Spicy Shrimp, a savory Ham, Olive and Goat Cheese bread and grilled Lamb Chops with Almonds, Olives and Mint Pesto, all washed down with nicely chilled Trio wines.

Many local dining aficionados and the thousands of tourists that make their vacation to Aruba an annual trip will recall that once upon a time, Aruba’s premier fine dining restaurant, specializing in classic French cuisine and garnering the island’s first four-diamond rating from Triple AAA, was Chez Mathilde. Located in a renovated historic downtown manor, it was the in-demand dining experience that often required reservations weeks in advance.

As culinary trends in the new Millennium shifted towards the chic and trendy, and diners began seeking contemporary cuisine in generous quantities and lesser prices, old school French cuisine became passé in today’s world of gastronomy. Chez Mathilde management recognized a need to refresh their concept with a contemporary edge, while still maintaining European elegance and quality.

Chez Mathilde closed shop for nearly a year, and the manor was essentially gutted. Kept in tact were the black and white tiles in the back pavilion, with a mini lime mosaic-river with sunken lights added for flair. Triangular glass awnings were hung overhead, with a walk-in wine vault running the length of the room. In the front portion of the19th century architectural beauty, cushy, modern sofas and chairs replaced stiff, formal seating.

The team of culinary professionals poured years of food and beverage experience into the mix to bring the former Chez Mathilde back to the top of the dining scene under the name “Matilde,” and now diners will be delighted to find a menu that tips its hat to both classic French cooking and contemporary food styling.

The new menu does not disappoint. One could make a meal out of piggybacking several appetizers—there are many hot and cold selections to choose from. Pan-Asian is hot right now, and the black peppered crusted flash-seared tuna loin paired with a tuna tartar, Japanese seaweed salad, sesame cracker and Tobiko wasabi caviar with wasabi soy certainly fits the bill, as does the scallops and grouper tempura with an asian shitake mushroom salad. Traditional with a twist can be found in the duck liver and mango tarte tatin with Munster cheese and raspberry champagne sauce.

Soups include the signature Bouillabaisse de Marseille—Matilde’s traditional rich seafood soup served with garlic croutons and the traditional French rouille, and a fascinating crab cappuccino with fresh crab and herbs.

Fresh seafood is heavily mingled throughout the menu, and whilst in the Caribbean, a dinner of fresh grouper must be had, and Matilde’s Brie-crusted version with Caribbean fruit salsa and citrus vinaigrette imparts that island sense of taste and place.

Of course, meat lovers will not be disappointed in another Matilde signature dish—the Chateaubriand Béarnaise, heartily served with a double baked potato, green beans, roasted tomato, and béarnaise red wine sauces, or the generous U.S. beef rib eye served with a roasted garlic butter and steak fries that is spectacularly simple and satisfying. Other carnivorous choices include Moroccan lamb with cous cous and mint, and a suckling pig marinated in Provencal herbs and lentils.

Matilde’s menu is rounded out by several poultry and vegetarian entrée choices as well.

The menu is competitively priced, and portions generous. Several prix fixe menu specials and multi-course dinners are also offered.

Dessert…ahhh, well that is a whole other story in and of itself, but here’s a hint: chocolate adventure!

Executive Chef Victor Olivares, his young and talented sous Chef Steven Koolman and fresh out of school salad master Leandro just improved on perfection.

Aruba's first authentic Brazilian Rodizio Steakhouse, that even vegetarians love, just improved its already amazing salad bar.

The restaurant is celebrating almost seven years on the island. The new concept caught literal fire as a troop of waiters armed with mega skewers started roaming the colorful and friendly new indoor, outdoor dining room introducing the fresh and novel concept of continuous dining to enthusiastic locals and visitors.

It was an instant success and Amazonia Churrascaria became a household name, a favorite place for family gatherings, celebrations or just fantastic, much-enjoyed meals.
The restaurant gauchos continuously offer choice cuts of grilled beef, chicken, lamb, pork & sausage, seasoned to perfection and slow roasted over open flame.

The meat selections are accompanied by an extravagant forty-item, frequently changing salad bar where you can keep sampling until your beg for mercy, all for an inclusive price, excluding dessert and beverages.

Chef Victor reports that meat selections include Seared Top Sirloin, Brazilian Sausage, Brazilian Picanha, Roasted Leg of Lamb, Chicken Breast wrapped in Bacon, Crispy Chicken Legs, Parmesan Crusted Pork Loin & signature Garlic Marinated Picanha, Juicy Filet Mignon, Filet Mignon wrapped in Bacon, Hearty Flank Cut & Herb Marinated Pork Loin, escorted by plentiful side dishes such as Brazilian Cheese Bread, Roasted Potatoes and Fried Bananas.

The amazing Salad Bar selection enjoys many seasonal specials and always consists of freshly cut vegetables and dressings, Grilled Marinated Eggplant, Grilled Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Deviled Eggs, Potato Salad, Cold Pasta Salad, Couscous, Cole Slaw, Corn & Bean Succotash, Imported Hearts of Palm, Tangy Tabbouleh, Artichoke Hearts, Chicken Salad, Pepper Salami, Aged French Cheeses, Crisp Smoked Bacon, Brazilian Brown Rice, Brazilian Black Beans w/Pork and Farofa.

On the dessert list the restaurant boasts Crème Brule, Flan, Brazilian Cheese Cake, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Apple Pie, and Papaya Cream. The restaurant features an extensive wine list, a well stocked bar and a nice selection of Cuban cigars.

Managed by Hubert Solagnier with over thirty years of Food & Beverage experience on the island, in Bonaire and in Holland, the restaurant was introduced to the island as a fresh and innovative concept by a cadre of local entrepreneurs and investor Rene Kan and Milton Berlinski.

With over 30 frequently-changing salads on the salad bar, thirteen types of grilled meats, a team of waiters who are entertainers as well as carvers and an international staff, Hubert is proud of his fantastic crew, and the tastiest food in town, as well as potent Caipirinhas and one of the most beautifully decorated dining rooms in town.

Amazonia Churrascaia just opened a sister restaurant in Florida, in Palm Beach, at the Legacy Mall across from Nordstrom department store, in Palm Beach Gardens.

The Board of Directors of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association has accepted the resignation of Jorge Pesquera, President and CEO effective November 1, 2007. Chairman of the Board Ewald Biemans said: “We are very sorry to see Jorge leave Aruba as he approaches his fourth year of dedicated service, but realize that he has a great opportunity in Florida that would be very hard to pass up.” Pesquera has accepted the position of President and CEO of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau overseeing all tourism marketing for Florida’s largest county with 16,000 hotel rooms, a new convention center and some of the most upscale resorts in the country.

“I am leaving with very mixed feelings” said Pesquera, “Aruba is a great destination and I have been honored by the opportunity given to me by the board and the membership. It has been a great ride and a learning experience, but opportunities such as Palm Beach only come around once in a lifetime. I take comfort in the conviction that AHATA and our group marketing division of Meet Aruba are much more solid organizations today than they were four years ago. We have assembled a terrific team of professionals who truly care about our association and about Aruba and parting with them has made this decision so much more difficult. I am also thrilled to pass the baton to a highly seasoned tourism executive and first class guy.”

Ewald Biemans was pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Smith, currently GM of the Westin Aruba Resort to the CEO position effective October 1: “we are fortunate that Rob was willing and available to take on this most critical position and ensure continuity in the expanding role AHATA has undertaken as it pertains to destination marketing, advocacy and member support services. He has repeatedly shown his leadership qualities in programs and initiatives such as the Hospitality and Security Foundation and, most recently, the Marketing Committee. He has an intimate understanding of Aruba’s key markets and channels of distribution and has acquired extensive experience in the meetings and conventions arena. I am sure this will be a smooth and productive transition”.

Rob Smith is currently employed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts as General Manager of the Westin Aruba. He has been serving this resort since April 1998, and held the role of Vice President of the previous ownership group, Aruba Hotel Enterprises, and General Manager of the then Wyndham prior to the sale of the hotel. During his ten years in Aruba he has served the association in multiple capacities including:
- Board member of The Caribbean Hotel Association (2000 to present)
- Chairman of the AHATA Nominations Committee (2001 to present)
- Chairman of the CEO Search Committee (2003)
- Member of the Aruba Strategic Communications Task Force
- Chairman of the Aruba Hospitality and Security Foundation (02 to 06)
- Treasurer of the AH & SF (2006 to present)
- AHATA Board of Director (2006 to present)
- Chairman of the Marketing Committee (2007)

Rob was recognized as the Hotelier of the Year for AHATA in 2005 and was nominated for the same award on a regional basis with the Caribbean Hotel Association. He has served at a General Manager level for the past 14 years, is married and has two daughters and one son. Smith said: “I am thrilled to take on this key position in an association that I truly believe has been critical to Aruba’s success. The fine team at the former Wyndham - now Westin - has been my family for an entire decade and I will miss their camaraderie most of all. However, I am confident that at AHATA we will be able to create or influence destination wide initiatives aimed at improving business levels across the board. Aruba is my home and my family has deep roots in this island. In many respects I have been unconsciously preparing for this position for a long time and I am looking forward to carrying on the fine tradition that has been established with Rory, Horace and Jorge most recently.”

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has confirmed that he will be attending the 2007 Aruba Poker Classic after winning his seat on VH1's Rock Stars of Poker.

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian is trading his guitar picks for poker chips this September. Together with popular online poker site UltimateBet, Ian today announced that he would be joining poker's top Texas Hold'em players in Aruba for the 2007 UltimateBet Aruba Poker Classic - www.ultimatebet.com/poker-promotion/aruba-classic - after winning his seat in VH1's Rock Stars of Poker tournament.

"I'm gonna have fun and hopefully not end up on the beach the first day," stated Scott Ian who co-founded Anthrax in 1981.

The weeklong tournament featuring an estimated $2.5 million prize pool takes place at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino from September 29 through October 6. The celebrity announcement comes two months after UltimateBet signed Matt Savage, the industry's most respected poker tournament director, to oversee the event.

In addition to the prospect of winning large sums of money, UltimateBet's signature event offers online poker players the opportunity to celebrate their successes at the tables with their fellow poker players and with the industry's best professionals. Past Aruba Poker Classic attendees have included Phil Hellmuth, Jenifer Tilly and Phil "The Unabomber" Laak.

Online poker players can win an $8,500 Aruba prize package for as little as $5 at UltimateBet.com. The prize package includes the $5,500 main event seat and $3,000 for travel and accommodations.

More information on the 2007 UltimateBet Aruba Poker Classic can be found by visiting www.ultimatebet.com

- No Damage sustained reported from Hurricane Felix -

Divi Resorts announced today that their properties in Aruba sustained no damages as a result of Hurricane Felix. All guests at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort, Divi Dutch Village Resort continued with their holiday stays without interruptions.