Ruth’s Chris, located at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino officially opened its doors to the public and is open for dinner everyday from 18:00 hrs till 23:00 hrs. Reservations can be made online at www.ruthschris.com. For more information please call (297) 520-6225.

MR. JAZZ, located at Paseo Herencia and co-owned by Grammy winner Chucho
Valdez, is now open every Wednesday with happy hour from 10pm on with their Live band DOOR #5, playing a musical selection of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, Pop, Dance & More. Fridays and Saturdays also feature live music from “The Bilongos” with Latin Jazz & salsa music. For more information please call: (297) 586-3800 or visit www.mrjazzaruba.com. Doors open at 21:00 hrs.

Bye Bye Carlos ‘n Charlie’s, welcome Señor Frog’s. Located on the second floor right next to the old Carlos ‘n Charlie’s, Senor Frogs is now open daily from 11:00 am serving food and beverages and becomes an adult only club from 11:00 pm until closing time. The restaurant even includes an indoor waterslide that will be part of a package offering “Kid’s Brunch” every Sunday from noon till 4:00 pm, becoming a place for the whole family. For more information please visit: www.senorfrogs.com.

A special night designed to entertain the island’s tourism officials and hotel concierges and executives introduced Senor Frog’s, a new fun spot serving international cuisine and Mexican favorites.

The local restaurant, on Weststraat 1, Oranjestad, is affiliated with Senor Frog’s family of restaurant-bars, spread around exotic places such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Puerto Vallarta, Island Margarita, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Mazatlan, Acapulco, Myrtle Beach and more. It has been dishing out music, cocktails-by-the-yard and family-style platters for the past 45 years.

In Aruba, Senior Frog’s is the new incarnation of the much-loved, now defunct Carlos & Charlie’s, while the latter closed - too small, too tired, the new one opened with a big bang, under the same management with the same dedication to outrageous, unconventional and original dining and entertainment.

The Frogs, the friendly waiters, also become the entertainers, directed with the emcee’s magical whistle. Expect Conga Lines, Tequila Shots, Banana Eating & Beer Drinking Contests, balloons, confetti, a water slide going nowhere, for both lunch and dinner with Harbor Views, a dedicated DJ, and a well-stocked retail store.

Aruban-born designer,Percy Irausquin is thrilled to be making his Oscar debut at the 2008 awards show Sunday February 24, 2008.

Oranjstad, Keep an eye out for the Caribbean heat on the red carpet at the 80th annual Academy Awards ceremony this Sunday, as Oscar-nominated writer/director/producer Suzy Templeton will be wearing hot, young Aruban designer, Percy Irausquin.

The British nominee will be draped in a stunningly beautiful, bright evening gown from Irausquin’s collection (an image of the design is attached here.)  Strong, spectacular femininity is Percy’s trademark style and he has honed is talent in famed fashion houses including that of Christian Lacroix.  Templeton is nominated in the Best Animated Short Film category for “Peter & the Wolf.”

The Aruban-born designer, Irausquin, 39, lives in Holland but draws inspiration from his beautiful, tropical homeland and is thrilled to be making his Oscar debut at the 2008 awards show.  His line, Prc..by Percy Irausquin, has its headquarters in Amsterdam and his creations are also available for sale in his native Aurba.

“This is a big breakthrough.  I hope to win,” said Irausquin.  “This is the first step on the red carpet of the world.

Oranjestad Kunsthuis Art Foundation is proud to represent the recent collection of Grace van Balkom-de Cuba. The collection will be on exhibition at the Mar Azul Gallery from Feb. 22 until March 5, 2008. The general public is invited for the official opening ceremony to be held on Friday February 22nd starting at 8:00 pm. The artist is currently at the gallery Mon-Fri. from 10:00am to 5:00 pm for personal tours or to work on her new art work.

Grace van Balkom-de Cuba, an Aruban born autodidact painter. She worked for twelve years as a vocational Spanish teacher before she discovered her passion for painting in 1971 after visiting an art exhibition from artist Pieter Vervoord. In 1976 she moved to Holland and has been living there ever since. She does spends 3 months a year on Aruba where she enjoys sketching and painting her “delightful island.” At her workshop in Holland you will always hear Caribbean music while she is painting her “old fashioned” Aruban houses, seasides and landscapes. Her first exhibition was organized by the Cas di Cultura Aruba in 1974, after that she had various exhibitions in Aruba and Holland. Some of her paintings are also part of the permanent collection of the Museum of New York University at the exhibition of primitive painters from the Caribbean.

Oranjestad Kunsthuis Art Foundation, with its new location at the Mar Azul Gallery (Marina Mall) also housing a generous work studio, is a non profit foundation currently working with more than 100 local and international artists, members, advisers and a global network contributing to the development and promotion of Aruba’s contemporary art movement. Its talented team, directed by founder and artist Gilbert Senchi under the expertise of Alice van Romondt (Prince Bernhard Funds & National Museum of History, Editorial Charuba) and Malayca Bufalini Rasmijn as PR representative, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive forum for contemporary art and support artists via a multi-faceted mission spanning the realms of gallery exhibitions, public programming, professional development and arts-in-education.

Located in the Marina Mall street level, in the area of Aruba’s sparkling night, luxury shopping district and the Oranjestad dazzling harbor port, the gallery affords a diverse array of professional and underserved artists the opportunity to produce and exhibit work in the heart of Aruba’s vibrant art district. The foundation’s operations and programs are made possible with the generous support of foundations, corporations, government agencies, individuals and the media in general. Entrance is free and appointments are recommended.

Surf at www.marazulgallery.com for information on art news and art events on the island.

T: 588-ARTE / Admin: 563-4574 / appointments T: 742-7482: gilbertsenchi@yahoo.com

The World Museum of Rotterdam, Holland featured an exposition titled “The Legacy of Slavery” for one year from November of 2003 to 2004. It was a cooperative effort by curators and historians in Holland, Curaçao,  and Suriname, which all contributed artifacts and documents of the slave trade in Holland, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles.

Beginning in July of 2006, Curaçao hosted the exposition at Banda Bou Landhuis Groot Santa Martha in Soto, and historians have kindly loaned the Curaçao, materials to a group from Aruba that will put it on public display at the Aruba National Archives beginning on March 1.

Leading this group is Margriet Lee, Project Coordinator, and Shakira Croes of the Aruba National Archives. Felix de Rooy, a Curaçao native organized the Dutch and Curaçao exhibition, which was designed by Rene Wissink, and De Rooy is contributing to the Aruba exposition that will open in March along with Minerva Lauffer and Thirso Marta of Curaçao. On Wednesday evening, organizers met with a number of Aruban artists who answered the call to interpret and contribute their work regarding “The Legacy of Slavery” in the Dutch Caribbean.

Evelino Fingal, designer of Aruba’s money, is the chief designer of the exposition on Aruba. Contributing artists are Gerda Faber, Timothy Charles, Sherry Douglas, Stanley Kuiperi, Caresse Issings, Vera Croes, Danilo Geerman, Maria Teresa Madariaga, Munye Oduber-Winklaar, Julie Merencia, Ryan Oduber, Alydia Wever, Belinda de Veer, Ruurd van der Meulen, Rina Frank, Irene Peterson, Juancho Dijkhoff, Eefje van der Straten, Osaira Muyale, Carmen Geerman and Vanessa Paulina.

Original organizers of the exposition felt that the history of slavery, shared by all inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles, Surinam and the Netherlands, is still not sufficiently recognized and passed on to succeeding generations, and that it is vital to “reveal the past to gain strength.” Although Aruba has not been thought to be included among the islands that harbored slavery, according to historian Luc Alofs, it had its own, albeit small, slave population.

The exposition and education regarding slavery on Aruba and other territories of the Dutch Kingdom will be a cooperative effort involving personnel of the National Library of Aruba, Department of Culture, and Pedagogical Institute of Aruba (IPA) in San Nicolas. IPA is starting an informative program for the four months that the slavery exposition will be on display, which includes study materials and visiting lecturers for the fifth and sixth grades of Aruba’s primary schools.

The exposition includes hundreds of artifacts, which are testimonies of slavery in the Dutch Kingdom, such as original illustrations, videos of recollections by the descendents of slaves, mannequins dressed in the slave garb of Curaçao, and the treasure of maroon slaves, those that managed to run away. All the history and information regarding the materials will be displayed in Dutch, Papiamento and English, so as to inform and enlighten all interested parties regarding this important aspect of the history of Aruba and Curaçao.

Source: The News

Sunquest, a popular Canadian tour operator and the Aruba Tourism Authority, in conjunction with the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino are currently hosting the Entertainment Tonight TV crew and celebrities during a filming of a Beach Hop segment in Aruba.

The Beach Hop spot is being aired across Canada right as we speak, beginning January 7th for 4 weeks in combination with an online contest, which is intended to generate excitement among Canadian viewers leading up to the airing of the Beach Hop segments in February with a chance to win a trip to the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, among other five dream locations.

The winner will be announced during the Aruba Beach hop episode.

Check out the contest link here or go to the “Gallery” section for more.

Sunquest is very pleased to showcase the destination of Aruba to Canadians this winter and hope the ET media exposure will benefit the island as well as strengthen the partnership between Sunquest and Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino.

Pictured here Canadian celebrities Melissa, Missy, Peregrym, actress, she is the personality in the show and is on TV’s popular series “Heroes,” her guests Amanda Peregrym and Cassandra Peregrym and Tej Bhatia, her agent, on the beach of the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino with Lily Polsbroek, the resort’s senior sales manager and Francis Jacobs of the Aruba Tourism Authority, also pictured Angela Tamara Smith, producer, Peter Ventura, ET cameraman, and Russell Weston, host.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

Mr. Jazz, the much anticipated Cuban flavored jazz club is now open weekends, offering live music, cocktails and dance, at Paseo Herencia, adjacent to the movie theaters.

The club is styled A La Havana, evoking early 20th century colonial ambiance and will also offer the highly acclaimed cuisine of Chef Vittorio Muscariello in the very near future, after a period of soft-opening.

The exclusive jazz club and steak house, was created thanks to the collaboration of three men who all share a deep passion for the art of jazz and the celebration of the senses.

Chucho Valdes, a world-renowned jazz pianist from Havana, Cuba, developed the Mr. Jazz concept with the intention to share the rich artistic history of Cuba with others through music and dance.

Vittorio Muscariello brings his 30 years of master chef experience to the venture by providing an innovative and eclectic menu offering both Cuban-style and international dishes.

Dan Oduber, a famed Aruban architect and real estate developer contributes his elegant sense of style and tropical sophistication.

Pictured here, guests truly experiencing the charms of Old Havana, at the club this past weekend. The architectural design with the cozy balcony cigar lounge, and a starlit ceiling that grants the illusion of sitting in a real open-air patio with the clear sky of a tropical Cuban night overhead, is memorable and the house band’s repertoire of Dixieland, big band, contemporary, Latin, and Afro-Cuban jazz music, is impressive.

Located downtown on L.G. Smith Boulevard, the Renaissance Mall is Aruba’s premier Mecca for serious shoppers.  This climate-controlled center features 120 stores—from upscale boutiques offering the finest fashions in clothing, jewelry, and other accessories to casual fashions, quality beachwear, and souvenirs, along with fine perfumes, cosmetics, cigars, and liquor.

New retailers have recently opened their doors at Renaissance Mall, including the fashion house of Aldo, a very popular brand of shoes, known for comfortable, well-made footwear at reasonable prices.

Aldo will soon be joined by Women’s Secrets for lingerie and sleepwear; and Loewe, for upscale, designer leather goods, an initiative by one of Aruba’s foremost businessmen, Leo Correa and his wife, who is an interior designer.

The Correas report opening day at Aldo featured long lines wrapped around the block and that the Aruba store broke company records world wide.

Go in to check the wide selection for men and women with 365 styles on display!

Story submitted by Rona Coster

The much-anticipated Polo Ralph Lauren store opened this past weekend at the Renaissance Mall in the heart of town. The store carries a premier assortment of Polo Ralph Lauren clothing for men and Blue Label clothing for women.

Designed to reflect the mood of the Caribbean and Ralph Lauren’s distinctly classic taste the layout enjoys a number of rooms with tasteful display cases and different nautical & equestrian accents, vintage travel trunks, and many decorative elements echoing upscale home décor. Majestic hand carved wooden arches separate the rooms. They are discreetly decorated for the holidays with evergreen box tree garlands.

There are currently more than 150 Ralph Lauren stores worldwide and the Aruba store created by Mr. & Mrs. Danny Abady is the ultimate showcase for the different Ralph Lauren collections, enjoying 40 iconic years in fashion design.

Showtime Aruba launches operations and announces its lineup schedule, which begins Christmas week at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino’s luxurious Crystal Theater and features the biggest performers to play Aruba.

There are new stars coming out each night in Aruba starting this winter and they’re changing the face of entertainment on the island.

Showtime Aruba, the newest entertainment provider in Aruba, will lift the curtains December 26 at the Crystal Theater and welcome legendary performer Mary Wilson of the Supremes to open their first week of shows.

Following Ms. Wilson’s concerts, which will last until Jan. 5, Showtime Aruba has a number of premium entertainers scheduled to come to the Crystal Theater, including Charlie Thomas’ Drifters (Under the Boardwalk, Up On the Roof, This Magic Moment), the Fab Four (the world’s top Beatles’ Tribute band), Boston comedians Lenny Clark, Johnny Pizzi, and Tony V, and Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band. These performers represent Showtime Aruba’s initial schedule that lasts until the end of February. Showtime Aruba will announce its next schedule soon as it continues shows in the Crystal Theater throughout the year.

“We’re very excited about bringing these incredible entertainers to Aruba,” President and CEO Brendan Murphy said. “We hope everyone gets a change to come see our show.”

Central to Showtime Aruba’s entertainment strategy will be providing acts that are geared to the changing demographics on the island. Showtime Aruba will also rotate its performers regularly so that returning visitors can experience something unique each time they return, but receive the same high-level of service and quality of entertainment.

Tickets are currently available for sale at http://www.showtimearuba.com by calling (877) 79-ARUBA (583-6000 in Aruba), by contacting a travel agent, by visiting the Crystal Theater box office in Aruba, or by speaking with a hotel concierge or DePalm Tours representative. Tickets will soon be available through all major booking engines (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz). Seats are divided into two sections: Silver Level (General Admission) and Gold Level (VIP Reserved). All tickets include top-shelf, complimentary drinks throughout the show. Gold level tickets include the best seats in the theater and Showtime Aruba merchandise. Showtime Aruba has also partnered with L.G. Smith Steak & Chophouse and Aquarius to provide a dinner show option.

Shows will take place five nights a week (primarily on weeknights) in the Crystal Theater, located within the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, adjacent to the island’s only 24-hour casino.

Showtime Aruba also provides private shows for groups or meetings. The theater can be rented for an evening of customized entertainment, unmatched by any other entertainment provider in Aruba.

Founders Pat Benti, 57, Brendan Murphy, 25, and Brett Malone, 25, pitched the idea on a trip to Aruba nearly one-year ago. Accompanied by Ms. Wilson during the trip, the group was greeted with enthusiasm throughout the island, but it was the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino’s excitement and generosity that drew the parties to work together and create this partnership.

“Without the help of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, this project may have never reached realization,” V.P. of Marketing Brett Malone said. “Our collaboration is going to redefine entertainment in Aruba. The Renaissance has provided us with the finest theater in the Caribbean and we’re bringing the best performers to play there.”

List of performances:

26-Dec, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
27-Dec, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
28-Dec, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
29-Dec, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
31-Dec, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
1-Jan, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
2-Jan, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
3-Jan, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
4-Jan, Mary Wilson of the Supremes
5-Jan, Mary Wilson of the Supremes

7-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
8-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
9-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
10-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
11-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
14-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
15-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
16-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)
17-Jan, Charlie Thomas' Drifters (SA Band)

18-Jan, Tony Pace with Johnny Pizzi & Showtime Aruba Band
19-Jan, Tony Pace with Johnny Pizzi & Showtime Aruba Band

21-Jan, Tony Pace/Johnny Pizzi/Tribute to Tina Turner/ Tribute to Roy Orbison
22-Jan, Tony Pace/Johnny Pizzi/Tribute to Tina Turner/ Tribute to Roy Orbison
23-Jan, Tony Pace/Johnny Pizzi/Tribute to Tina Turner/ Tribute to Roy Orbison
24-Jan, Tony Pace/Johnny Pizzi/Tribute to Tina Turner/ Tribute to Roy Orbison

28-Jan, The Fab Four (Beatles)
29-Jan, The Fab Four (Beatles)
30-Jan, The Fab Four (Beatles)
31-Jan, The Fab Four (Beatles)
1-Feb, The Fab Four (Beatles)
4-Feb, The Fab Four (Beatles)
5-Feb, The Fab Four (Beatles)
6-Feb, The Fab Four (Beatles)
7-Feb, The Fab Four (Beatles)
8-Feb, The Fab Four (Beatles)

11-Feb, Boston Comedy Week (Johnny Pizzi/Tony V/Lenny Clark)
12-Feb, Boston Comedy Week (Johnny Pizzi/Tony V/Lenny Clark)
13-Feb, Boston Comedy Week (Johnny Pizzi/Tony V/Lenny Clark)
14-Feb, Boston Comedy Week (Johnny Pizzi/Tony V/Lenny Clark)
15-Feb, Boston Comedy Week (Johnny Pizzi/Tony V/Lenny Clark)

18-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
19-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
20-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
21-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
22-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
25-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
26-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
27-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
28-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band
29-Feb, Ricky Nelson Remembered - Matthew & Gunnar Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band