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Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2007 - HOME

INVADERS’ LAMENTATION
Facing Homelessness

 

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:

  • Elliot “Ellie” Mannette:

  • Vernon “Birdie” Mannette (deceased):

  • Francis Wickham

  • Emmanuel Riley aka “Cobo Jack”

  • Nervin Saunders aka. “ Teach”

  • 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

 

Please check the When Steel Talks Events Calendar for latest schedule info as it comes to hand
 

 

Click for complete coverage of >> Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2007

 

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