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Web Posted -  Friday September 30,  2005 Trinidad Guardian -

Pan Fiesta pays homage to women of calypso

By Yvonne Webb

Pan Trinbago will salute the women of calypso when it stages its second annual Republic Pan Fiesta this weekend.

The Fiesta which will take the form of a competition will be held in the four regions—north, south, east and Tobago.

The first segment of the competition hosted by the Pan Trinbago South/Central Region is slated to come off this Sunday, October 2 along Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Eight conventional steelbands and four single pan band are expected to participate in the Fiesta which kicks off at 4 pm, from Seon’s Bar on Royal Road.

The bands will be judged at the regional office at the corner Marriot Street and Coffee Street.

As a result of the competition, areas along the route will be closed off to vehicular traffic.

Regional Chairman Whitfield Weekes said cash prizes are at stake in the competition.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertain2.html

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 27, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

New York SteelPan
 - Panorama and Beyond
- Grades A-F
An in depth analysis of one the greatest annual performances of tuned  percussionists in North America

New York - The drums of steel and summer are again quiet.  And another fabulous panorama season has come to an end.  Of course, not without tremendous travail. But once again the men and women of steel have triumphed and conquered, however temporarily, their environment, to put on once again one of the greatest and biggest music extravaganzas in North America.  Moreover, tales and music that will be repeated for the ages came into being.  The panman, with his resilience continues to lift the human sprit through his stubbornness, tenacity and undeniable passion for his music.  There is nothing like the anticipation, excitement and visual grandiosity generated by the steelpan folk as they wheel musical war chariots into the staging area and then onto the performance stage by the hundreds, coming from all parts of Brooklyn, New York to partake in 'Panorama'.

Click For Full Review

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Web Posted -  Saturday, September 24, 2005 Trinicenter

Steelpan, pan men were victims of socio-cultural cleansing in TnT

'Whey pan reach?'

By Dr. Kwame Nantambu
September 24, 2005

Trinidad - Steelpan and the pan man are on cultural death-row in TnT because of the original sin of location committed by their parents. The sad reality is that the sin of their parents (inventors) is haunting their off springs today.

Indeed, the malicious, inhumane, superficial, insensitive and incredulous treatment of steelpan pioneers/icons/innovators, Anthony Williams and Bertie Marshall, by the PNM government speaks volumes as to the extent to which Euro-centric mis-education has done an excellent, self-hate job on the subconscious mind of Afrikan people toward their own kit and kin.

The historical love-hate relationship between society and these two entities still exists unabated, unresolved and unrecognized.

To paraphrase deceased US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy: "Ask not what steelpan and the pan man have done for TnT but what can TnT do for the steelpan and pan man?".
Click For Full Story

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Web Posted -  Friday , September 23, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Spotlight

Pan United
A Musical Spark Takes Hold
in Dorchester, Massachusetts
Meeting the Challenge of Music Education

Debra Sarjeant

Massachusetts - Pan United under the leadership of Charleston Sarjeant, Director, and Debra Sarjeant, Co-Director, held its 5^th annual steelpan launch in Dorchester this past summer.

 

 

Full Story - Excusive Interview

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Web Posted -  Wednesday, September 21, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

NIU Steel Band leaders Teague, Alexis, 
share honors, dream big about
steelpan's place in music world

Illinois — Music Professor Liam Teague is speaking in his third-floor office of the NIU School of Music building when a hearty bellow comes from the hallway, piercing the closed door: “Teague!”

Cliff Alexis and Liam Teague

“That's Cliff,” Teague says, rising to turn the knob for Cliff Alexis.

Alexis enters, clutching a plaque he received in June during the World Steelband Music Festival for his “outstanding contribution to the development of the steelpan in the U.S.A.”

“Oh,” Teague asks with a grin, “come to show off”

Such congenial kidding is expected between these two countrymen, who both hail from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, where the steel pan was invented and remains the national instrument.

Click For Full Story

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 20, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

Nigeria - the land of PANLAND
an initiative of Xcel Steel Orchestra

Nigeria - Panland is an entity owned and created by the Xcel Steelband in Nigeria, as a response to miscellaneous needs which arose through the activities of Xcel.  Excel was formed by Bowei Sonnei Bowei in February of 2001.  Before that, the only existing steelband was that of the Nigerian army.
Click For Full Story

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 20, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

African-American Day Parade
In Pictures and Video

New York - Thousands lined up on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard as the parade began from 111th street and ended 142nd street. Marching bands, Fraternities, Sororities and Community leaders were among the many whom graced the streets of Harlem this past Sunday, in celebration of the 36th Annual African American Day parade.
Click For Pictures and Video

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 20, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

African-American Day Parade
A Huge Success As Usual
But Where's The Pan?

New York - The 36^th annual African-American Day Parade was held this past weekend in Harlem, New York.  Harlem, often referred to as the black capital of the world and as the cultural Mecca for music and the arts, was bustling on this day.  Everyone was there including current Mayor Mike Bloomberg.  The streets of the parade route were lined with tens of thousands of New Yorkers.  There were over two hundred participating organizations marching in the parade covering every aspect of African-American culture.  The parade is recognized as the largest Black parade in America and covers more than twenty-eight blocks from 111^th street to 142^nd street on Adam Clayton-Powell Boulevard.  The event showcases music, politics, art, social consciousness, literature, history and more.  The parade celebrates the great history and contributions of the African-American to America.  Every aspect of black life and culture was on display.  Some of the best African-American musical traditions were in the spotlight.  Drum and bugle bands from as far as Maryland performed.  However, conspicuously missing was the steel pan.  The steel band, once a staple at the parade has been missing since 2003.  In this regard, it is time that a conscious effort be made to return the steelband to parade.
Click For Full Story

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Web Posted -  Monday, September 19, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

PANISTS PASS MUSIC EXAMS

Grenada - It was a proud moment for 15 panists who successfully passed their Grade 1 music exams and were awarded their certificates at the Band Fete of the NCB Angel Harps.  The 15 young panists came from three steel orchestras on the island, namely:  Rainbow City All Stars, River Road Pan Wizards, and Angel Harps Steel Orchestra.  Click For Full Story

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Web Posted -  Monday, September 19, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

New York Panorama 2005

2005 NY Pan Yards CD is Available

New York - Basement's critically acclaimed annual New York Pan In The Yard series for 2005 is available.  Joining this year's line-up for the first time is Crossfire Steel Orchestra and included once again is Sesame Flyers Steel Orchestra.  Recurrent performers Pantonic, D'Radoes, Sonatas, CASYM, Marsicans and Utopia Pan Soul:  The Next Generation are back as well. Click To Hear Sample

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Web Posted -  Monday, September 19, 2005 The Jamaica Observer

Walcott musical tackles
history of the steel drum
 

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) - The promising young Caribbean musician walks out on a rehearsal for a piano recital, saying he would prefer to try a new way of making melodies - using the underside of a steel drum.
His European teacher is infuriated.

"It's not music and it will never be," the teacher bellows. "It's a garbage pan and can only produce garbage." This is a scene from Steel, a musical by Nobel laureate Derek Walcott that traces the history and development of the steel drum from a working-class fringe instrument to one that has come to represent the soul of the Caribbean - especially in the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

The musical is not new - a version played at Harvard Univerity in the United States in 1991 - but it was performed for a Caribbean audience for the first time last week in a six-night series at the historic Queens Hall in the capital, Port of Spain.

The opening on Tuesday was a big event in Trinidad, with President George Maxwell Richards and local celebrities in attendance.

For Walcott, the 1992 recipient of the Nobel Prize for literature, it was important to hold what he called the "world premier" of the musical in the city of its setting and where the steel drum, or pan as it's often called, plays such an important cultural role.

"Steel is a tribute to Trinidad, it's what I owe it," the 75-year-old writer said in a brief interview after the opening night performance. "I would like this play to express my joy and gratitude." more
 

Web Posted -  Thursday, September 15, 2005 When Steel Talks - Special

Steel Drum Festival
drums up musical talent

South Africa - St. Nicholas School Grade 9 band has won the 11th Steel Drum Festival High School Trophy for their performance of The Bear Necessities and House of the Rising Sun.

In a sun-drenched Durban Botanic Gardens thirty bands played with all their might to win one of the nine trophies that were up for grabs. Learners, proud parents and grandparents and general spectators gathered in delightful surroundings to enjoy the morning of music.

Bryan Clarke, the Director of the Steel Drum Foundation said, “we are incredibly proud of the growth of our project over the last 11 years. The bands who have won today have played their hearts out. Learners love being able to express themselves musically, and the judges have commented on how the standards have improved over the years.”

“St. Nicholas has won this trophy for the second year running. Their principal Mike Ford Is an enthusiastic supporter of the programme and they have five different bands. St. Nicholas school are dedicated to playing Steel Drums and their hard work is paying off.”

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Thursday, September 15, 2005 Trinidad Express

Shaky 'Steel' still achieves
Terry Joseph

Trinidad - For a production with no shortage of delightful moments, Steel, the musical by Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott and Tony Award-winning composer Galt Mc Dermot, which opened Tuesday at Queen's Hall, failed to convey a clear, strong message; probably because it attempted to deliver far too many.

Dubiously marketed as a "world premiere" (the original version was staged 14 years ago in Massachusetts with disastrous result), a hugely rewritten Steel was promoted locally as a work on the history of pan, borne along by incidence of social conflict on various levels, as was indeed the case during the instrument's infancy. more

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Web Posted -  Thursday, September 15, 2005 When Steel Talks -

Panorama 2005 –
Behind Enemy Lines
Augustin Hinkson

New York - It is not a mere coincidence that the Panorama Competition is held in the shadows of the Brooklyn Museum. The parking lot behind this grand edifice can be thought of as just another temporary Panyard. However, in the context of the sacred mission of Pan, it is a sobering reminder that we are far behind enemy lines and that we must fight our way back home.

The question that Pan players must ask of themselves is this: “How have we and our communities been strengthened as a result of Panorama?” An honest response must take into account that the prize money or appearance fees that the bands may receive in no way matches the output of money and energy that the bands must invest to purchase instruments, costumes, stands, to pay rent for practice spaces and to administer the organization. It is noteworthy that while all of the sponsors featured prominent banners promoting their products and services, there was no banner promoting the support of Pan. None of the politicians who came on stage were thoughtful or empathic enough to suggest the creation of a support system for Pan.

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Thursday, September 15, 2005 When Steel Talks

BACK-TO-BACK BRADLEY

(It's Bradley's Town After All)
 

New York - After an interesting 2004 panorama, where then-four-time New York panorama champions Pantonic Steel Orchestra were placed by the panel of judges in position twelve out of thirteen bands - a drop of eleven places from their first place/championship status in 2003 -  the New York pan scene would never be the same.  This set tongues-a-wagging, and had even some seasoned pan veterans shaking their heads in disbelief.  Other 'nay sayers' tasted blood, and chortled with glee.

For the most part, Pantonic paid scant regard to this result, and decided this situation did not merit any recognition, much less an official comment from them.  They simply looked toward 2005.

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Thursday, September 15, 2005 When Steel Talks

Pantonic InVue - 2005
2005 Steel Pan Champions

New York - Up close and personal interviews with the members of Pantonic Steel Orchestra soon after their 2005 Panorama victory.

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Thursday, September 15, 2005 When Steel Talks

It's All In The Family:
Pantonic and D'Radoes...
 

New York - These two New York steel orchestras have a thing or two in common in the pan community.  Not only have they shared an arranger -  Clive Bradley - for three years in a row, but they both share the same history.

Pantonic Steel Orchestra and D'Radoes Steel Orchestra are essentially off-shoots of the mighty Metro Steel Orchestra in New York (or Old Metro as it is fondly known), and it's incarnation as Metropolitan Steel.  For those not involved with the pan movement, this gets confusing.  That in itself is a history lesson.  For the purposes of this brief article, and to bring those not in the know up to date - here goes. 

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 13, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Trinidad Express

Pan In The Park
The unofficial 'goodbye'
to the 2005 New York pan season
A Huge Success

Brooklyn, New York - Dem Stars, CASYM, Despers USA, Women In Steel, Utopia Pan Soul: The Next Generation and Pantonic steel orchestras, all came together to bid an unofficial 'goodbye' to New York's 2005 pan season.  This was a non-competitive event, where the bands and pan patrons alike got to enjoy the music.  The event was the brainchild of Claudette Baptiste, president of Women In Steel, who worked closely with Pantonic's president Glenda Forde-Gamory and JC Alliance's Yvette Rennie.  The trio was later joined by Unique Sounds' Lynette Pascall who volunteered her services.

The venue was Prospect Park Circle, corner of Parkside and Coney Island Avenues.  Many people thought the pan event was around the area of Prospect Park more familiar to the Caribbean community in the vicinity of Ocean and Parkside Avenues.  The word quickly spread on the cell phones to those 'lost souls' and many more people were soon seen arriving for the afternoon's musical event.  It is safe to assume that there were some who never arrived, not knowing the exact location.

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 13, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Trinidad Express

Trinidad and Tobago - Trinidad and Tobago's contribution to global arts, music and culture will make its world premiere when the curtain rises today on Derek Walcott and Galt MacDermot's musical, Steel, at Queen's Hall, Port of Spain.

Tonight's gala opening, to be attended by President George Maxwell Richards and his wife Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards, will feature a special appearance by Neal and Massy All Stars. The play runs from 7.30 pm nightly for six nights only, until Sunday.

Although set in the post-war 1940s in a Belmont panyard, the play is a metaphoric representation of a small island's struggle for recognition and acceptance in a global village, on the one hand, and everyman's endeavours to survive the odds to fulfill his potential, on the other.

Click here

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Web Posted -  Tuesday, September 13, 2005 When Steel Talks -  The Chronicle of Higher Education

The Steel Drum Works Its Magic

On the island of Trinidad, a once-humble instrument has inspired an academic specialty

By MIKE CEASER

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago - Satanand Sharma's voice never rises as he gently reprimands a pair of students, guiding and cajoling them through a two-hour practice session of steel-pan music, moving from Bach to Schubert to the professor's own compositions.

"My impression is that your melody isn't clear," Mr. Sharma, a lecturer in music at the University of the West Indies campus here, tells Kenneth Joseph, a second-year musical-arts major. "In the more difficult parts you're losing the melody."

Full Story

 

Full Story

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Web Posted -  Sunday, September 11, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Spotlight

Manufacturing, tuning and playing pan,
this young man does it all
Joshema McIntosh - In the Spotlight

New York - Joshema McIntosh is a very special young man who found himself the object of admiration this summer in New York.  The tenor pan which Joshema played was a product of labor and love - his own labor.  In 2004, the seventeen-year old was one of about thirty-five teenagers between the ages of fifteen and nineteen who had been selected to be part of a pilot program.  The initiative was a joint collaboration among the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad, master tuner Jimmy Phillips, and the Pan in School Co-ordinating Council (PSCC).  Joshema says that upon recognizing the urgent need for fresh and upcoming pan tuners, and the fact that the older heads in the business were not getting any younger, this project was seen as a way to engender interest in the art form and simultaneously encourage younger people to begin the journey to acquire the skill and become wage-earners by their craft. Full Story

 

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Web Posted -  Thursday, September 8, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

New York Panorama 2005

New York Panorama - 2005
In Pictures

Click here

Web Posted -  Wednesday, September 7, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special

Antigua Panorama 2005

Antigua Panorama - 2005
In Pictures

Click here

Web Posted -  Wednesday, September 7, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special United Kingdom Steel Band Panorama 2005 Notting Hill Carnival - 2005 National Panorama – ‘Champions of Steel’ Click for here for Full Coverage & Pictures

 

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Web Posted - Tuesday September 27, 2005 When Steel Talks

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Web Posted - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 When Steel Talks -  Special Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005i A Conference with Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard, and Yohan Popwell New York - Whenever you bring the likes of a Pelham Goddard and Clive Bradley together you're certain to get wit, charm, humor, honesty and loads of information.  These two steelband music arranging giants met at the When Steel Talks facility for our annual New York pre-panorama 'Meet the Arrangers Chit-Chat'. This year, joining Mr. Goddard and Mr. Bradley, is Mr. Yohan Popwell, a noted arranger in his own right.  Mr. Popwell is currently the arranger for the 2004 New York Steelband Panorama champions Pan Sonatas steel orchestra and Trinidad medium band panorama champion Sforzata steel orchestra. Mr. Goddard, in addition to his long list of accomplishments is the current World Steelband Music Festival (WSMF 2005) champion arranger for the world-renowned Exodus steel orchestra.  And Mr. Bradley added the title of Pan In The 21st Century champion arranger with the legendary Desperadoes steel orchestra to his ever-growing list of music achievements and accolades.

Click for here for Full Interview