Valery Álvarez Plasencia, from Ubaldo Traditional Canarian Clothing Ltd., with Currutaca de La Laguna dressed up, representing the Culture Classroom of Carnival Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was crowned Queen of the May Festivities in a gala that lasted just an hour and a half, during which 35 young women paraded.
It was a fleeting evening, with more bolero than traditional songs. The exception was the Canary Islands pasodoble at the moment the verdict was announced.
As first lady of honour, Alexia Fernández González, from Yurena, wearing the Tenerife Transition outfit from the Cultural Association Murga Las Marchilongas, and second lady of honour Sofía María Palenzuela Zamorín, dressed by Ubaldo Traditional Canarian Clothing Ltd., as Tegueste Woman in Sunday or party attire from the Tinerfeña Choral Group.
Third lady of honour, Daniela Hernández Rodríguez, from Ubaldo Traditional Canarian Clothing Ltd., wearing the Lanzarote Woman outfit, representing Mercedes Vera Ag. from Vecinos plaza Alcalá Galiano, and fourth lady of honour, Michelle Palmero de Araujo, dressed by Alexis González, as Woman from La Esperanza in Sunday or party attire, representing Star Tenerife.
At exactly nine o’clock, the May Festivities queen selection gala began, set on a stage that recreated a wicker workshop, allowing to showcase and highlight the craftsmen of Anaga, skilled in handling palm leaves.
With a packed Plaza de la Candelaria, a tribute was paid to artisans of different techniques and materials, hats or rosettes, while revisiting illustrious creators’ names.
“Shake that,” seemed to be the offstage voice’s shout that led into the show with the overture of the land recreated by the Añate group, transitioning from the winnowing dance to the ribbons dance in a blend of Berlinas, Zaranda, Zagalejo, Seguidillas, and Saltonas…
The overture devised by the gala’s director, Paula Álvarez, was a history lesson of craftsmanship “written” with rhythms of the Canarian songbook, flirting with avant-garde when she remarked that “Canarians are unbeatable in a festive atmosphere”, leading to the entrance of the 35 evening’s protagonists, the candidates for the May Festivities Queen, while the palm leaf weaving was recreated on the four screens.
And stepping forward was journalist Pilar Rumeu, master of ceremonies of the show, who requested the presence of the outgoing May Festivities Queen before giving a “tug at the heartstrings” by remembering the late Laly Sierra and Angelita González Ledesma, as well as Luis Dávila, who will be honored with an exhibition next week.
The outgoing queen kissed her sceptre directed towards the sky in tribute to Angelita González Ramos, who dominated the awards in the past edition of the festivities.
With emotions running high, the first of the candidates’ blocks for the foundational Santa Cruz festivities title began, vying for the limelight with snapshots of yesteryears, corners, and altars of the Chicharrera capital among the audience.
During the parade and amidst the audience, Margarita Plasencia from the children’s murga Pita-Pitos and a member of the musical group Caña Dulce couldn’t help but humorously ask Manolo Chinea, a renowned designer: “Why doesn’t the outfit look as good on me as on her?”.
The first block of candidates, from one to eighteen, concluded, paving the way for singer Isabel González’s performance, who declared her love for the city where she was born, sharing the stage with Gran Canaria’s Manolo Estupiñán, together in their “Old San Juan”, shifting the beat to salsa rhythm.
And the second and final block of candidates, from eighteen to thirty-five, with the big band that didn’t hold back during the evening. More than just a flourish, the representative of the Casa del Miedo, the last one to parade, closed the two rounds with a striking twirl of the skirt’s hem.
Music producer Ricky Furiate set the rhythm as the jury deliberated in the same square and proceeded to tally the scores. Almudena Hernández continued with “Bailar pegados” by Sergio Dalma.
All that was left was for St. Pedro’s star performance to feature an isa, folia, or malagueña (‘irony on’). In the absence of Canarian folklore rhythms, ‘La Pistola’, a bolero tune like ‘Dos extraños’ filled the air.
It was ten twenty, less than an hour and a half had passed since the start of the show, and the specially composed song, “Santa Cruz lives in May”, began to play,
Exciting Gala Crowns Queen and Court for May Festivities
The tension was palpable during the final of the gala where the 35 contestants eagerly awaited the jury’s verdict.
The jury responsible for choosing the queen and court of honour for the May Festivities was made up of prominent figures in the fashion industry and cultural experts.
Childish Wonder at Saturday’s Gala
This Saturday, April 27, La Candelaria Square will host the Gala for the Selection of the Child Magician and Witch of the May Festivities of Santa Cruz.
The event will feature 12 girls and 5 boys, and will revolve around traditional Canarian clothing, blending in elements of play and music.
The gala is organized by a team led by Paula Álvarez, with Carolina Rodríguez as the host. The 80-minute show will kick off at 7:00 p.m. and will include performances by the children’s folk group Achimagec and the Tenerife-born singer and winner of The Voice Kids 5, Irene Gil.
The jury in charge of selecting the new children’s magician and witch for the foundational festivities is composed of experts in folklore, traditional clothing, and cultural heritage.
