CSI Steelband Trust
in the Netherlands |
Netherlands
- After months of planning and
laborious work by their pannists, CSI Steelband Trust was ready for their
Festival performance in Almere, Netherlands. On Saturday the 4th July 2009 all
twenty-four members of CSI arrived at their panyard based in the Ravenscourt
Theatre School in Hammersmith, London in the wee hours to load their coach and
start their eight-hour journey to Holland. Their journey from Hammersmith to
Dover was uneventful with everyone catching ‘forty winks’ owing to the early
start. Once on the ferry to Calais, France they came alive exploring the duty
free shops and restaurants on board. A card game with the loser drinking a glass
of water was soon introduced. The journey time elapsed so quickly that they were
all surprised that they had reached the French coastline in such a short time.
The English Channel was very calm on that morning.
CSI Steelband Trust in the
Netherlands |
Once off the ferry, the journey through
France and Belgium towards the Netherlands proved to be a great time for all the
players to participate in games and other activities. This bonding session
proved very useful to bring them even closer to each other. Their camaraderie
was given a big boost so much so that during one rest stop of the journey a game
of ‘left hand’ proved very fruitful for a number of them. Their arrival at
Almere, Netherlands was greeted by a live performance of local singers on a
stage opposite their hotel. What a reception it was after such a long and tiring
journey. Everyone was energized by the reception; so much so that they went on
to do some dry skating and enjoying the live evening concert before retiring for
the day.
CSI Steelband Trust in the
Netherlands |
Sunday the 5th July, saw an early start to
the activities with all players combining their efforts to get their instruments
set up and participated in ‘warming up’ sessions before they initiated the start
of the Festival which was hosted by Zulile a.k.a. ‘Love Sista’. CSI performed
for more than an hour ensuring that their repertoire did not include any
repeats. Their music attracted the public like bees to honey and the Square at
Stadhuisplein, Almere was soon filled with a large, appreciative and fully
entertained audience. CSI’s performance was followed by a number of artistes
which included Benicia, Prince Malachi, El Che, Soca Twins, Junior Kelly, Maikal
X, Conquering Lion, Conjunto Latinos, Mikey Dangerous, La Fiesta, Celebration
Time and Flexclusive.
The journey back to London was also
eventful and CSI now looks forward to participating in the BAS/GLA Trafalgar
Square Jamboree, Junior and National Panorama competitions, their second
appearance on the road at Notting Hill Carnival 2009 and attending next year’s
Afrique-Carib Festival. For more information on the event visit the festival’s
website – www.afrique-carib.nl.
CSI Steelband Trust in the
Netherlands |
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Contact Robbie Joseph:
robbie@panpodium.com
All photos by Robbie Joseph