Continuing our peek behind the scenes of carnival on Tenerife. After the costumes are designed comes the big night, the grand gala for the election of the carnival queen in Santa Cruz.
Out front is all glitz and glamour, but what is it like behind the scenes? Frantic last minute preparations? Tantrums, tears and tiaras?
The reality is quite surprising. In the last couple of hours before the gala starts, backstage is remarkably calm and quiet.
Empty Chariots
We all know how fantastical the potential carnival queens’ costumes are but without their queens they lose some of their pizazz, instead looking like surreal skeletons lacking flesh and a soul. The huge backstage area of the Recinto Ferial can be more akin to a carnival museum than what you’d imagine backstage at a beauty contest would be like.
Queens out of Costume #1
Some of the strangest sights are the carnival queen candidates themselves before they get fully ‘costumed up’. There’s a Black Swan ballerina look to this candidate, her plain black tee shirt looking incongruous with her beauty queen make up.
Queens out of Costume #2
In the last hour or so before the gala starts, the queens spend their time posing for photos and giving interviews to local TV, radio and press. I particularly liked this sparkly bra and parka combination. Perfect if the carnival night turns a bit chilly.
What is it?
Without the final pieces and carnival queen ‘driver’ in position, it can be a bit of a puzzle to figure out what some of the costumes are meant to be.
The Manchester Connection
Hearing English being spoken is a rarity at events like this on Tenerife, so it came as a surprise in 2012 when one of the queens shouted after us ‘Oy, why aren’t you interviewing me?’ in a broad Manchester accent. She was as Canarian as everyone else but had a Mancunian mother and an exuberant personality.
Keep Smiling
Even though they’re in various states of undress and are being prodded and tweaked by their designers, the girls remain good natured throughout. They smile for anyone who points a camera in their direction, even though their headgear, without the final head piece, isn’t what you’d call glamorous. There are no prima donas here.
Pensive or Bored?
As the time for the start of the gala draws closer, the mood changes slightly and smiles are replaced by more serious expressions. It is the biggest event of the year and fame of sorts awaits the winner.
Almost Time
As the press are ushered out of the backstage area, final adjustments are made to costumes.
Take Your Seat
The arena fills up with a sell out, mainly Canarian audience. This is overwhelmingly a local show. Pride of place goes to Santa Cruz’ former carnival queens. Once a carnival queen, always a carnival queen.
On With the Show
The lights dim, lasers dance around the arena and the election process begins. Four hours and a lot of singing, dancing and parading later there will be a new carnival queen – the signal that carnival on Tenerife can begin in earnest.
Next in Behind the Scenes of Carnival on Tenerife – The morning after the night before for the new queen.
Jack is co-owner, writer and photographer for BuzzTrips and the Real Tenerife series of travel websites as well as a contributor to online travel sites and travel magazines. Follow Jack on Google+
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