On Time Steelband Launch - A welcome rarity

New York - In a climate where the normal mindset of ‘Any time is Trinidad time’ permeates the annual steelband launch culture, Pantonic “brought it” last Saturday evening and proved that this does not have to be the case.  Showtime was advertised to begin at 9:00 p.m.  And Pantonic Steel Orchestra was true to their word, and respectful.  Showtime it was - and at the stipulated time.

When the opportunity presented itself, Pantonic’s president Glenda Gamory looked very pleased as she mingled with attendees, enjoying the fruits of all the efforts she and others put in behind the scene to get the band’s annual launch underway; at other times, she was happily ensconced in the refreshments area tending to patrons.  Together with Gamory, a young and able team comprising mainly Wayne Bernard, no-nonsense Anne Aspilaire and Matthew Bascombe was what it took to knock to the curb that resignation that steelband launches get going late - and hours after their advertised start time.

With Bernard and Aspilaire sometimes each running around like the “proverbial chicken without a head,” to keep things on-track, they still found time to proudly enjoy putting to rest the myth that late starts were just something to be dealt with.

It was just a few weeks ago that WST (When Steel Talks) - while standing around outside, waiting for an event to begin - was telling several pan folk, including Bernard, about the need to break the perpetual cycle of band launches starting late, because patrons arrived late, who in turn said they arrived late, because band performances did not start sometimes until hours had passed.  “Somebody’s got to bite that bullet,” whereby a band starts to play at the advertised time, regardless of how many people are (or aren’t) present.  So then if it happened for example, as it did on Saturday, that they wanted to see Higher Levin perform, and arrived later into the evening, missing the group entirely - it might give pause to the expectation that ‘any time is Trinidad time.’

So naturally, Wayne Bernard looked as pleased as punch as WST congratulated him on Pantonic’s move in breaking that cycle. 

Anne Aspilaire happily and laughingly regaled about the astonishment of some bands as to how things unfolded.  She explains how it came about.  “After going to a few launchings this 2011 season Pantonic decided to implement change and stop complaining.  Heavy planning went into the launching. The Pantonic committee met frequently to discuss ideas and how to implement them.  A confirmation letter was sent out to all bands so that our intentions were clear. Many band leaders stated that there was no way we were starting on time and they’ll ‘believe it when they see it!’  The real task came at the time for pick up.  Matthew plotted out a route to pick up bands, however, and we confirmed their times for pick up.  One band leader expressed [that] she had no intention of being ready at her scheduled time because “I know how these things go.”   Aspilaire goes on, “Much to her [the bandleader’s] surprise she was picked up on time - and made aware of the trucks whereabouts 10 minutes before hand.”

With the preamble taken care of, the organized operation continued closer to showtime.  Everyone was informed of their playing time upon arrival.  “As promised at 9 p.m.  - come hook or crook - we started,” Aspilaire says triumphantly. 

Players [from the respective bands] were provided with refreshments as a courtesy for their support. Explains Aspilaire “We took our role as hosts seriously and wanted to make everyone feel appreciated.  This act of kindness was a shocker to everyone but well received. Tents were set up for spectators to shelter themselves during the small periods of rain. We wanted to encourage everyone to stick it out with us. Our intention was to be taken seriously and be great hosts. The feedback we received from bands made us feel accomplished. Comments like “Your hospitality was one of a kind;” “Everything ran smoothly;” “Can’t believe allyuh had 9 bands inside of here and no chaos” - made us smile!!”

Now, to be practical - it is easier to have an advertised beginning of 9:00 p.m. and stick to that, than doing so with a 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. band launch and kicking off on time.  Pan lovers don’t come out that early.  Period.  But sometimes even when events have later start times as Pantonic’s did - still they have been plagued by long delays. 

Several times in past panorama seasons, WST has encountered a few frustrated, dejected pan lovers, especially the more mature supporters, leaving band launches even as WST was coming in, and before a single note on Pan had been struck.  Why?  The story was always the same; they had been there at the advertised start time - but no Pan music to be heard long after.

“It was exactly 8:59 when Higher Levin started playing!” says Aspilaire excitedly.  “Every band has a schedule; Higher Levin was from 9:00 to 9:30.”  By now, it was 2:05 a.m., and defending steelband panorama champions, Sonatas were dishing out a thirty-minute repertoire - the amount of time allotted each performing band for the evening.  Pointing to her schedule in hand, she said “Pantonic is scheduled to start at 2:10 a.m.”  So did they?  Well, not quite - Pantonic struck up at 2:20 a.m.  But what is ten minutes off at the very end, for a band launch that kicked off on time and ran smoothly?  We’ll take that!

“We set out to start a new trend. Pan can, and should be, taken seriously. Sometimes you have to show people you are serious so next time they believe you. This launching proved just that: we are serious. We need to treat each other with respect and make sure our patrons are respected as well. ‘Anytime may be Trinidad time’ - but respect and courtesy should be given ALL the time,” a very tired but satisfied Aspilaire ends.

 

Related articles:

• A New York State of Mind - Steelband Launch Galore - Pantonic & CASYM NYC Music Fest Weekend

• Pantonic Steel Orchestra launches off for 2011