The Trinidad
and Tobago Chinese Steel
Ensemble
Dublin, Ireland
- The
Trinidad and Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble
(TTCSE) made its first international
appearance on Saturday May 15 at
St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland.
What started off as a pretty cold
day soon turned out to be a still
cool, but sunny, day as the park
was bathed in bright sunshine.
The pans, which
survived the long trip from Trinidad
to Ireland with no damage, were
quickly set up by the band while
a curious crowd slowly gathered
to hear the band perform. For most
of them, it would be the first time
that they would be hearing the sweet
sound of steel.
Some of the visitors included Trinis
now living or studying in Ireland.
These included Matthew Martinez,
a young man from Westmoorings,
Trinidad who
joined the Dominican order to study
for the priesthood. Wendy Ferguson
(formerly from San Fernando,
south Trinidad) and
her family came complete with Trinidad
and Tobago flags to cheer on the
band.
St.
Stephen’s Green Audience
take in TTCSE performance
An Irishman, John Sweeney, married
to Helen Gayadeen from Tunapuna
for the past forty-seven years,
had come by train from Roscommon,
two hours away, just to hear the
band. Unfortunately his wife was
unable to attend, as she had to
officiate at a golf tournament.
Shaking off the tiredness that they
must have been experiencing after
the long trans-Atlantic flight the
previous day and struggling to cope
with the time difference of five
hours, the band launched into its
first tune, the Soca hit “Hooked.”
St.
Stephen’s Green Audience
With its varied repertoire of Soca,
Pop, Chinese and now Irish tunes,
the band started attracting more
and more people. They showed their
appreciation with the band’s ability
to “Soca-ize” the Irish songs by
clapping and singing along. Even
a wedding party that had come to
the park to take pictures was seen
chipping when they heard the music.
Any semblance of exhaustion by the
band members was quickly dismissed
when one of the audience shouted
out, “You guys rock!” and another
“More Molly!” after the band played
“Molly Malone”, a popular Irish
pub song.
The park management had booked the
band to finish its performance at
4 p.m., but in true Trini style
they gave the audience a “lagniappe”
as the players got an extra boost
of energy when they saw their many
long hours of practice being rewarded
by the applause of an appreciative
audience.
TTCSE performs at St.
Stephen’s Green
Every member of the band felt the
positive vibes from all in attendance
and looked forward to continuing
its tour over the next two days:
a private function the following
day in Kingscourt, Cavan and its
farewell performance in Askeaton,
Limerick the day after.
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