Yamor Part 3: Queen Election
Sorry for the extreme delay. I've been having trouble getting my videos, photos, and blog posts to upload. For me, the final big Yamor event was the Queen Election
on Saturday, September 1.
The Queen Election basically is a beauty pageant, but this year, they threw in
a lot of other entertainment, which to me, made the event really enjoyable.
Different singers and dance groups performed throughout the event. Each singer
initially saying a few songs on their own. Check out that snazzy suit and that
girl’s dance moves! She was not intimidated at all!
Unfortunately, playing to trends (she’s singing “Llorona”
from the animated movie Coco, which you probably know if you've been around children this year) doesn’t
always turn out so well. It’s a beautiful song, but tough to choreograph, as is
evidenced by the awkward ‘spirit’ creepily following the poor singer around the
stage.
The singers also sang to the candidates while they were
in the ball gown section of the event. For me, that was a lot more interesting than
simply watching the ladies walk very slowly and pose around the stage! Granted,
that takes some practice on their part, I’m sure; it’s just not terribly
exciting to watch. I will admit, however, it did lead to some awkward
interactions between the candidates and the singers who seemed as though they
hadn't quite rehearsed together. Some candidates walked away from the singers,
who were clearly trying to interact with them; others simply stayed there, looking
like they'd rather be alone; and one couple nearly fell off the stage! Hey, I
told you was entertaining!
The dance groups might’ve chosen new music, but they were
full-on bringing the 90s back with their costumes (and sometimes even their
moves). My videos/images are limited here, but check out my Facebook album for
some more great examples. The white outfits and Wade Robson moves (he famously choreographed
for NSYNC and Britney, to name a few) just screamed Backstreet Boys – I Want It
That Way (from the 1999 Millennium album).
Instead of a talent section where each candidate chooses
what they’d like to showcase, they had each candidate dance with a small group
of the large dance troupe, first in fancy clothes and later in indigenous dress
(even though they were all mestizos). Even though it was clear that none of
them were really dancers, it added an extra element of entertainment and I had
a lot of respect for the girls who tried to get into it or seemed like they
were enjoying themselves (as opposed to the ones who looked miserable while
sort of doing the moves).
Like last year, the crowd itself proved to be highly entertaining, clapping, chanting, banging and making all kinds of noise. They had signs, balloons, flowers, and confetti. Some even lit candles. Although there were a few drum scattered to make some extra noise, there weren't any full bands like last year. I'll admit, I was actually grateful for that. I tried to buy ear plugs in preparation for the noise I knew would be coming, but pharmacies do not carry them here, so I was out of luck. Luckily for me (but sadly for the candidates), the crowd was actually smaller this year, so my ears did not suffer quite as much. The event was also a little shorter than last year, wrapping up around 11 p.m., allowing us to go for some New York style pizza afterwards. I'll admit that I was skeptical, but it was actually really good! In proper New York style pizza manner, I folded it in half and ate it with my hands. I'm pretty sure everyone with me was appalled, since Ecuadorians believe pizza is a fork and knife kind of food, but at least they were nice enough not to call me out on it. Sorry, but there's nothing better than eating greasy pizza with your hands at midnight! Plus, finger food just tastes better! Fight Me on this!
The agonizing moments, waiting for them to announce the new queen.
The
events are still continuing, but I can't celebrate forever, so it's back to
research time for me.
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