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St. John’s,
Antigua & Barbuda
- As
I got to my
seat on Sunday
evening, 9th
May, at the
Multipurpose
Centre at Perry
Bay, I could
feel the excitement
in the air. The room was
filling up with
fellow pan lovers
in eager anticipation
of the evening’s
performances
hosted by Panache
specially for
Mother’s Day. After the National
Anthem on pan,
the Master of
Ceremonies for
the evening
was introduced,
and comedian
Trinidadian
Errol Fabien
appeared. As
soon as he opened
his mouth I
knew we were
in for a treat
- again! He
is a master
comedian, and
fills what would
be otherwise
tedious moments
of waiting with
wit and sometimes
side-splitting
humor - a perfect
way to bridge
the gaps between
performers.
Panache
Steel
Orchestra
on stage
at the
Multipurpose
Centre,
Perry
Bay
--
Photo:
Thaddeus
Price
The evening
unfolded with
performances
by Alston and
Olson on pan
and keyboards,
a beautiful
start to the
show, followed
by the energetic
and entertaining
Antigua/ Barbuda Defence Force
band. I am particularly
happy that we
can experience
the talent of
this band in
such a forum,
since it gives
us a true taste
of their versatility. They had audience
members itching
to break out
into a twist
for one number
in particular,
and in general
they wowed us
with their impressive
repertoire,
joined occasionally
by the dynamic
Lincoln “Blade”
Stanislaus.
The group formerly
known as Four
Grace then wooed
the audience
with their smooth,
mellow, beautifully
blended tones
- a capella
as usual - making
us doubt their
claim that they
had not sung
together for
seven years. They were followed
by Ruel Browne
who serenaded
the audience
(especially
the females)
with his well
known selections
by Barry White
and Teddy Pendergrass,
among others.
Of course between
the acts MC
Errol Fabien used the
opportunity
to showcase
his enormous
talent as a
comedian. He
had a captive
audience throughout,
and devised
methods to allow
individuals
to win the many
prizes that
were available.
He even managed
to get his picture
taken with the
Governor-General, who humored
him with her
usual grace
and warmth.
Panache
on stage
before
an
appreciative
crowd at the
Multipurpose
Centre
--
Photo:
Thaddeus
Price
The main act
of the evening
was a full half-hour performance
by Panache
Steel Orchestra. Once again they
displayed a
repertoire that
is different
from the usual
pan selections,
an arranging
skill that is
colorful and
almost unmatched,
and a technique
of playing that
more resembles
caressing. Their
selections included
“You Decorated
My Life,”
“Just The
Way You
Are,” “Shout
To The
Lord,” “You Are The
Sunshine Of
My Life” (featuring
the golden vocals
of Alvin Livingstone),
and “I Feel
Good” (including
a fantastic
performance
on saxophone
by Dr. Lester
Simon). The
climax was a
gospel medley
made up of the
ageless “Hallelujah
Chorus,” followed
by “How
Great Thou
Art,” “To
God be the Glory,”
and “Majesty.”
Each successive
performance
outdid the previous
one and the
final piece
was a fitting
end to a long
but wonderful
evening.
Thank you, Panache,
for what was
indeed “A Treat
for Mothers!”
Contact
Robin
Margetson
of Panache
Steel
Orchestra
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