In contrast to the Las Palmas troupes, only one winner emerged in Santa Cruz. Joroperos clinched the top prize for performance in the 2024 Carnival troupe competition, marking their second consecutive year securing the highest accolade. Cariocas took the second spot, while Tropicana secured third place and Rumberos claimed the runners-up position, marking their return to the top after their 2022 victory.
In the presentation category, Bahía Bahitiare clinched the top spot, with Joroperos following in second place. Tropicana and Rumberos secured third and fourth positions respectively. Río Orinoco’s El Chamo prize was also awarded to Juan Febles Álvarez, despite the troupe’s absence from the competition.
The Comparsas contest, the highlight of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival, commenced at 8:00 p.m. The event, held at a vibrant Fairground, captivated the enthusiastic audience with the captivating performances of Tropicana Infantil and Joroperos Infantil, setting the stage for their adult counterparts who mesmerised the spectators with their exquisite designs and spectacular choreographies.
Heralded by presenters Helena Sampedro and Wendy Fuentes, the competition featured nine participating groups this year, with notable absence of Río Orinoco, which opted for a sabbatical, and the return of Valleiros after their hiatus in 2023.
Rumberos (1965)
The senior troupe commenced the competition with unparalleled vigour, boasting a perfectly harmonised chorus and a dance ensemble led by choreographer Kirenia Cantín, who joined the formation a month prior to the 2023 contest. Their show this year demonstrated significant improvements in both choreography design and execution, exuding a much cleaner performance than in previous years.
As the performance progressed, the troupe maintained an unrelenting energy, brimming with vibrant colours and dynamic movements with each step. The soloist, Yuliet Abreu, garnered comparisons to Celia Cruz due to her strikingly similar vocal prowess. The troupe concluded their performance with their anthem “Mamá, take me to Havana…” and a rendition of the 2008 Carnival song, “Hip Hop Conga” by the group Orishas, receiving a standing ovation. Their remarkable improvement and compelling performance resonated with the audience, highlighted by the strength and commanding rhythm of their songs.
Cariocas (1969)
After securing the second prize for performance last year, they returned this year with aspirations of clinching the top award. Hailing from Valleseco, they kicked off their performance with visually stunning effects, leaving the audience in awe. Their rendition of the soundtrack from the film Rio transported the audience to Brazil, followed by a daring interpretation of Rosalía’s “Desphá”. Throughout the performance, Cariocas maintained their signature energy and impressed with their innovative and diverse musical selection, even featuring the king of pop’s hit “They Don’t Care About Us”. A standout moment was the unveiling of their second costume under ultraviolet light, a truly spectacular sight.
Bahitiare Bay (2002)
The pace of the contest remained dynamic until the arrival of La Salud, who nearly consumed the entirety of their allotted 10 minutes for preparation. Despite the initial lapse, they commenced their performance with the Aladdin soundtrack, surprising the audience, seamlessly transitioning to the interlude of Chanel’s song “Slomo” with steps from the original choreography integrated. Though lacking coherence in their musical selection and coordination in their choreography positions, a costume change from purple to sky blue injected vibrancy into their performance, culminating in a spectacular finale.
Canary Dancers (1971)
Under the continued leadership of President Luis Hernández, the troupe from La Salud aimed to demonstrate that despite having fewer members compared to other formations, they remain historically prominent. They opened with Shakira’s “La Suerte”, executing steps from the original choreography before transitioning to a salsa routine performed in pairs. The highlight of their performance was their impeccable vocal harmony throughout the 15 minutes. Their musical selection featured both exceptional and subpar choices, including “Danza Kuduro”. They also showcased several Shakira songs with spot-on choreography.
Abenaura (2021)
The emerging troupe took to the stage for their third competition since their inception. Under the direction of Domingo García, they departed from their typical fusion of Canarian and Latin rhythms, embracing a 180-degree shift in style. Their performance commenced with an homage to The Lion King before delving into typical carnival themes. While coordination issues were apparent throughout the performance, attributed in part to their smaller size, they displayed improvements in their musical selection.
Tropicana
The third-prize winners from last year arrived with renewed vigour. They commenced with a bold choice, performing Travis McCoy’s “Billionaire” accompanied by a mesmerising play of lights that captivated the audience. Despite encountering some sound issues that diminished the overall show, their diverse musical selection, including “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi, showcased the strength of their dance routines. However, the lack of symmetry in their stage positions detracted from their performance.
Tabajaras (1983)
The troupe made an impactful start with an effective initial position. The visual appeal of their purple costumes enhanced their stage presence, capturing the essence of the chicharrero carnival. Their performance featured the 2023 Santa Cruz Carnival song, captivating the audience and culminating in a visual spectacle as they unveiled white feather fans to accompany the song “Alegría” by Cirque du Soleil. Tabajaras’ improved coordination, musical selection, chorus, and choreography contributed to a polished performance, although their fervour led them to slightly exceed the established time limit.
Valleiros
Returning to the competition following a hiatus prompted by the passing of Isauro Rivero, the team from Valle Guerra commenced their performance donning entirely white costumes, initially lacking in vigour. However, as the performance gained momentum, they embraced a more spirited approach. Notable highlights included a tribute to Isauro towards the end, perfectly executed choreography, and well-defined positions. However, there was a lack of dynamism and intensity in both the festivities and the dance group.
Joroperos
Previous edition’s winners arrived with renewed aspirations to defend their title. The Laguneros commenced their performance to the rhythm of Madonna’s “Vogue”, accentuated by a play of lights and a central position where they executed the iconic vogue. Their show was punctuated by a continuous display of impeccable execution, further enriched by a remarkable musical selection featuring hits from Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez. The troupe’s intricate and flawless choreography greatly impressed the audience. Their distinct performance, a departure from both traditional troupes and their own innovative style, proved to be a resounding success. The finale, set to the rhythm of “Last Dance” by Donna Summer, left a lasting impression reminiscent of the conclusion of a Broadway musical.
