The
way
to
all
the
happenings
at
Parc
Jean-Drapeau
Montreal
-
There
are
times in
history
when
certain
moments
and/or
events
are so
pivotal
to the
future
developments
and accomplishments
of a
movement
and
culture,
that
they can
actually dwarf
the
moment. Liken
this
instant
to a
star
that has
gone
supernova
a
million
years
ago, and
is only
now
visible
in our
solar
system
to us.
The
fortuitous
coming
together
of the
Festival International de Steelpan de Montreal
(F.I.S.M.) and
Week-Ends du MONDE is such an
occurrence.
What
took
place at
this
2011
festival
will
have
major
implications
that
will be
felt
globally
for
generations
to come.
Like a
scene
out of
the Pied
Piper
calling
and
leading
his
enchanted flock
through
the
hypnotic
sound of
his
musical
instrument
-
similarly the
sweet sounds
of the
steelpan
from
three
orchestras
descended
over the
twin
islands
of Parc Jean-Drapeau. With no
less
effect
than a
mystical
mist
like
that from
a
magical Aladdin
lamp
-
thousands
of
people with
faces of
wonderment
followed
the
sound
emanating
from the
steelpan
instruments. Indeed a
star was
born
that
day, as
the
multitudes
of
unsuspecting
visitors
were greeted
by the
music
from the
steel
orchestras
present
for the
festival.
The
islands
(Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame, comprising Parc Jean-Drapeau) were the
site of
the Expo
‘67
World’s
Fair. Île
Notre-Dame
was
constructed
for the
exposition. The park
was
renamed
in
honour
of Jean Drapeau,
the late
mayor of
Montreal,
and
initiator
of Expo
‘67.
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy
performing
with
the
sphere
from
the
‘67
Expo
as a
backdrop
This
site is
also
historic
and
steeped in
the
annals
of
steelpan
music
history. On
August
11, 1967,
twenty-two members
of the
National
Steelband
left
Trinidad
and
Tobago for
Expo ‘67. By all
accounts,
including
that of a
visitor
to this
year’s
festival
- who
herself vividly
remembers
the
impact
the
steelband
had on
the Expo
-
they
stole
the show
back
then on
a daily
basis
during
the
World
Fair.
Art and
culture
continue
to be
the
benchmark
by what
manner
great
civilizations
are
measured.
This
fact has
not been
trivialized
or lost on
the city
of
Montréal
in
Quebec,
Canada
and its
leaders. Moreover
the
championing
of the human
aspect,
importance
and
intrinsic
social,
economic,
creative
and
educative
value of
Montreal’s
arts and
cultural
experiences
- are astounding.
Parc
Jean-Drapeau
Parc Jean-Drapeau is one of the most visible parks in the Montreal area. The geodesic dome of the Biosphere and the Lévis tower are visible from the Old Port. The park encompasses two islands, Île Sainte-Hélène, named in honour of Hélène Boullé, the young wife of explorer Samuel de Champlain, and Île Notre-Dame, which is entirely man-made.
The islands exist in their present form due to work done in preparation for Expo
‘67, the international world’s fair held here in 1967. Originally, Île Sainte-Hélène had been on its own in that part of the river, with only tiny Île Ronde downstream. Île Sainte-Hélène was used by the army and later as a city park. In the early 1960s Île Notre-Dame was built alongside it, using earth and rocks dug up during excavations for the metro system.
Illustrative map of the twin-island setting for Les Week-Ends du Monde - click for April 1967 aerial view of the twin-island site
Montreal
has one
of the
most
cultured
and
diverse
dynamic
communities
in the
world.
Through
the Week-Ends du MONDE
au parc
Jean
Drapeau,
in
conjunction
with the Festival International de Steelpan de Montreal, When
Steel
Talks
(WST)
experienced
a
massive
undertaking
that
facilitates
coming
into
contact
with,
communicating,
sharing
and
exchanging
cultural
identities. Montreal
has
successfully
found a
way to
serve
everyone
while
simultaneously
maintaining
that
diversity
and
celebrating
it - over
fifty
(50)
cultures
from
around
the
world
in two
weekends.
In
short,
the
visitor
is
really
allowed
to
experience
global cultures in
an
authentic
manner.
Canadian-based
musician,
educator
and
director
Salah
Wilson
and his
team,
have been
successfully
championing
the
steelpan
instrument,
music and art
form for
a number
of years
now, particularly
through
his
performance
and
educative
endeavors
- the
prestigious
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy
and the
renowned
annual
Festival
International
Steelpan
de
Montreal
(F.I.S.M.). Casting
this international
Steelpan
music
festival within
the
overall
Week-Ends
du Monde
was
simply a
stroke
of
genius.
This
mutually
beneficial
relationship
is a
no-lose affiliation
for all
the
parties
involved. F.I.S.M.
is
already
riding
the wave
of its own
popularity
and was
afforded
an
additional
platform
to
showcase
the
magic
and
culture
of the
steelpan
instrument
and its
music.
This
association
is a
win,
win, win
opportunity
for the
city and
people
of
Montreal.
F.I.S.M.
at the
Week-Ends
du Monde
is simply
one of
the great
places
to be to
experience
the steelpan
art form. This
event is
an
educator’s,
ethnomusicologist’s
and/or a
steel
panist/enthusiast’s
dream
activity. It
should
be
experienced
by all.
The
Concert
On a
picture-perfect
80-degree-plus day
When
Steel
Talks
had
again
traveled
north to
the
island
of
Montréal. The 11th annual
Festival
International
de
Steelpan
de
Montreal
was
already
in full
swing.
It was
now day
three of
the
festival. With
much
anticipation
and high
expectations
of
experiencing
another
fantastic
music
event - again
spotlighting stellar
performances
by the
participating
orchestras
- WST looked
forward
to
arriving
in
Quebec.
Cruising
at an altitude of
27,000ft
-
fifty-five minutes
later we
touched
down in
Montreal’s
airport
via
Delta
Airlines
from New
York’s JFK
airport.
F.I.S.M. is truly
international
in
nature
as the
original
program
was
scheduled
to bring
together
performers
from the
United
States,
the
Caribbean,
the
United
Kingdom
and
Canada.
Representing
the USA
was Pan
Coalition
from the
state of
Maine;
CCAH
(Caribbean
Association
of
Halton)
hailed
from
Ontario
and of
course
there
was
Montreal’s
own
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy,
the
defending
Montreal
panorama champions.
CSI
(Caribbean
Steel
International)
from the
UK had
been
tapped
to
participate,
while
Starlift
Juniors
from the
Caribbean
island
of Trinidad
were
unable
to make
the trip
to
Canada,
for what
would
have
been
their
second
consecutive
F.I.S.M.
appearance
- due to
the
last-minute
denial of
funding
from
Trinidad
&
Tobago’s
cultural
Ministry.
Before
the
evening
performances
of the
festival, Parc Jean-Drapeau
visitors
were
treated
to some
command
performances
by all
three
orchestras
from mid-afternoon.
The
orchestras
were
properly
positioned
in
different
parts of
the
park,
generating
maximum
exposure
to,
interest
for and
unbridled
curiosity
by, those
who had
never
before seen a
steelpan
instrument
or heard
a steel
orchestra.
Dumbfounded,
looks of
wonderment
permeated
their
faces.
All
promised to be
back for
the main
performances
later
that
evening.
The
competitive
phase of
the
F.I.S.M.
was the
center
piece of
the
evening
showcase.
Each
orchestra
performed
two
prepared
pieces -
one
popular
music
piece
for the
“Bomb
Competition”
and the
other, a
traditional
calypso
for the
“Panorama
Competition.”
The
audience
was
completely
captivated
by the
contest.
Moreover
they
were
able to
experience
an
important
aspect
of the
steelpan
art
form’s
culture,
“Panorama.”
The professionalism,
musical
accomplishments
and
successes
of
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy
have
firmly
established
it as
one of
Canada’s
leading
steel
orchestras. The
group
again
delivered
a
rousing
performance,
allowing
the
audience
to
experience the
intensity
and
power of
an award-winning,
Panorama-class
performing
orchestra.
In
addition,
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy
showcased
its youth
division.
Music
education
and
youth
development
are critical
components
of the
organization’s
mandate
- which
it has been
successfully
executing
within
the city
of
Montreal
and its
educational
system
for
years
now.
Justin
Timberlake’s
Cry Me A
River
and
Eunice
Peters’
How We
Coming
were
played
by the
steel
orchestra,
to
regale
the
audience
as their
‘Bomb’
and
Panorama
tunes,
respectively.
The
latter
was
arranged
by Salah
himself,
while
daughter
Miriyam
joined
him to
work on
the
former.
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy performs
at
the
11th
Annual
F.I.S.M.
during
les
Week-Ends
du
Monde
au
Parc
Jean-Drapeau
Special Connection performs at F.I.S.M.
Of
special
note was
the
appearance
by
Special
Connection
who did
just
that -
connected
with the
audience
- as
they
stole
hearts
with
their
performance.
They
demonstrated
the
powerful
ability
of the
steelpan
instrument
to
resonate
with
all,
especially
those
who play
it.
Salah’s
Steelpan
Academy’s
exemplary
work
with
Special
Connection
demonstrates
that the
organization
is far
more
than
just a
steel
orchestra;
it is in
fact a
vital
part of
the
community
that
meets
the
challenges
and
social
needs of
its
citizens.
Special
Connection
delighted
the
audience
with
Shakira’s
Waka
Waka
(This
Time For
Africa)
as
arranged
by
Miriyam
Wilson.
Pan
Coalition,
under
the
direction
of Nigel
Chase,
is an
accomplished
orchestra
that has
an
impressive
performance
legacy
and an
appealing
repertoire;
it
is a
veteran
organization
made up
of some
excellent
young
musicians.
Pan
Coalition’s
mastery
of the
art form
is
outstanding.
Their
infectious
enthusiasm
and
engaging
spirit
always
left
the
Week-Ends
du MONDE audience
wowed.
The
group’s
varied
repertoire
allowed
the
extremely
appreciative
and
sometimes
stunned
audience
to
experience
the full
musical
possibilities
of the
steel
orchestra,
as it transitioned
with
ease
between
popular
hits and
known
Caribbean
standards.
When in
the
spotlight
for the
Panorama
and
‘Bomb
tune’
categories,
the
Maine-based
steel
orchestra
treated
the
crowd to
Destra
Garcia’s
Calling
Meh
and
Shakira’s
Hips
Don’t
Lie
as
arranged
by Nigel
Chase.
Pan
Coalition
performs
at
the
11th
Annual
F.I.S.M.
during
les
Week-Ends
du
Monde
au
Parc
Jean-Drapeau
CCAH
took the
stage
with a
larger
contingent
than in
their previous
appearances at
F.I.S.M.
They
were
active,
animated
and
featured
their
youth
division
in their
opening
segment.
Arranged
by
Albert
John,
Do
Something
for Pan
was
CCAH’s
entry
for the
Panorama
competition,
while
they
trained
their
sights
on the
Bomb
tune
arena
with
Train’s
Soul
Sister. CCAH officials stated that in spite of the exorbitant costs associated with participating in F.I.S.M. it was well worth it based on the reception they received, and the experience.
CCAH performs
at
the
11th
Annual
F.I.S.M.
during
les
Week-Ends
du
Monde
au
Parc
Jean-Drapeau
In
addition
to the
steelband
competitions,
immediately
after
their
conclusion
the
audience
was
treated
to solo
performances
by
panists Salah
Wilson, Raynald Drouin
and
Pepeto
Pinto.
As is
the
custom
at
Montreal
events,
the
show’s MC
Michael
P. Farkas
made all
the
announcements
and
introductions
in both
French
and
English.
The
versatile
and
community-oriented
Farkas
who
wears
many
hats, is
himself
a
singer-songwriter
and also
serves
as the
Director
for
Youth In
Motion,
a youth
center
for
youngsters
in the
inner-city
part of
town in
Montreal;
he spoke
to WST
after
the
show.
“It was
magnificent!
The
bands
all
played
really,
really
well;
the
participants
- it
would
have
been
nice to
have
them
play
more,”
opined
Farkas
with
regard
to this
year’s
F.I.S.M.
On the
event’s
change
of venue
from
downtown
Montreal,
he had
some
initial
reservations,
but...it
was
apparent
that it
could
bring
even
more
exposure
and to a
different
crowd,
Farkas
explained.
“The
space
[at Parc
Jean-Drapeau]
is
really
more
convenient
for a
presentation
like
that.
Not only
that,
but down
there,
everything
is for
the arts
and
culture.
....I
think
most of
the
patrons
that
were
there
had a
really
great
time
too.”
Indeed,
like the
afore-mentioned
attendee
who
had been
at the
‘67
Expo,
and
referenced
the
major
impact
the
steelpan
performers
had made
on her
decades
before -
the
musical
showcase
put on
by these
steel
orchestras
was
permanently
etched
in the
minds of
the
crowds
who
visited
Week-Ends
du MONDE
and
experienced
F.I.S.M.
The
organizers
of
Week-Ends
du monde
demonstrated
a
serious
commitment
to the
success
of the
Festival
International
de
Steelpan
Montréal
with
their
marketing
activities
both in
print
and
electronic
media.
Leading
up to
the
event
Salah
Wilson
taped
promotional
commercials
on
Salut
Bonjour
-
Quebec’s
most-watched
French
morning
TV talk
show
airing on CTV.
By what
was
witnessed,
their
efforts
were
effective
and
resulted
in a
very
large
turn out
of
interested
people. In
addition,
the
partnership
of the
Festival International de Steelpan de Montreal and
Week-Ends du MONDE
afforded
the
normally
large
crowd
that
attends
the
annual F.I.S.M. additional
global
cultural experiences
conveniently available
at the
event.
Lorraine
Marleau,
an
administrative
coordinator
for Week-Ends
du Monde
and
one of
the
facilitators
for the
F.I.S.M.
component,
told
When
Steel
Talks
that
they
were
very
pleased
with
this
year’s
event
and are
already
working
on the
2012
program.
And can
visitors
expect
to enjoy
the
Festival
International
de
Steelpan
de
Montreal
next
year at
Les
Week-Ends
du Monde
au Parc
Jean-Drapeau?
“Of
Course!”
confirms
Ms.
Marleau.
“Steelpan
was a
new
event in
the
festival
and I
think
that it
will
stay for
a long
time!”
Both in
terms of
opportunities
for the
performing
artist,
and a
major
cultural
experience
for event
attendees
- this is
the
place to
be.
The
joint
association
between
the
Festival International de Steelpan de Montreal
Festival
and
Week-Ends du MONDE
can make
this
easily
become
one of
the
premiere
performing
events
for
steelpan
music in
the
world.
Mark
your
calendars
for the
anticipated
2012
F.I.S.M.
appearance
at Les
Week-Ends
du
MONDE.
Contact
Salah
Wilson
at
sal_wils@hotmail.com
for information
on
performing
at the
Festival International de Steelpan de Montreal
Festival.