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Invaders Panyard |
Port
of Spain, Trinidad. Monday 12th February, 2007
Invaders Steel Orchestra’s management recently learnt from
the owner of their panyard property of its sale to an
unknown buyer. Invaders’ lamentation is that 147 Tragarete
Road, Woodbrook is their birthplace and has been their
“home” for 67 years yet today they cannot claim its
ownership. In 1996, Invaders was awarded the Chaconia Medal
(Gold) for its contribution to culture.
The band’s manager, Michael Dinchong said
“over the last few years we were on a drive to raise the funds to purchase the
property ourselves. Our Pan, Parang & Pork fundraiser was our main attempt at
this, however the band was faced with additional financial challenges due to
inadequate sponsorship funding. In addition to our fundraising efforts we
also met with the Minister of Culture with a plea for assistance in finding us
a “home” but this matter is still pending.”
On December 7th
1979, Invaders was evicted from this location, however the court later gave
Invaders permission to occupy part of the premises. In the midst of the band’s
Panorama practice the management is now faced with the daunting prospect of
homelessness.
“Invaders’ management is
resilient and we are prepared to beat this storm. We believe that our
supporters and the pan fraternity will rally behind us” stated Dinchong.
Invaders’ historical contribution to the
steelband movement is momentous. As a tribute to the many pan icons that were
born out of Invaders Steel Orchestra, the management of Caribbean Airlines
Invaders will be naming six (6) of its Panorama racks after specially selected
pan personalities.
The six national pan icons that
were selected are:
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Elliot “Ellie” Mannette:
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Vernon “Birdie” Mannette (deceased):
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Francis Wickham
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Emmanuel Riley aka “Cobo Jack”
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Nervin Saunders aka. “ Teach”
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Shiron Cooper (deceased)
Michael Dinchong, said, “Our
listing of players who have made significant contributions to the art form is
quite extensive and we were faced with the difficult task of selecting only six
out of a group of 25” Dinchong further stated that the dedicating of racks would
be an on going exercise, as other Invaders icons would be added each year.
Shiron Cooper’s life in
Invaders would be celebrated throughout this Carnival season, as her name and
image would be carried on the band’s t-shirts and banners.
The Invaders Steel Orchestra
has made its mark in the history books of pan. Since 1940, this pan icon has
spawn innovators, arrangers, tuners and today continues to be a life vein for
the generation of numerous pan players.
Caribbean Airlines Invaders
placed 5th in the Panorama Semi-Finals with its performance of “Pan
Lamentation” sung by De original Defosto Himself, arranged by Arddin Herbert,
Captain by Rudolph Williams and Managed by Michael Dinchong.
From the news desk of Invaders Steel Orchestra
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Namsoo, PRO – (868) 342-3442
Michael Dinchong, Manager – (868) 772-9156
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