Germany - The spotlight falls this time around on some pan-playing youth in Germany.  Known as the PanKids, they are one of the youngest pan ensembles in the country who can trace their beginnings to a summer course begun back in 1999.   The enthusiasm displayed by the youths allowed for the growth of the band in terms of instruments and membership, and also in public appearances.   Their repertoire is varied and includes a mix of familiar songs and youth-oriented favorites.

New York - Well the CASYM school concert went above and beyond the call of duty by showcasing every single student who had participated in the concert. All the special attention was something I’ve never witnessed at a children’s concert, so it was a bit of a surprise to see so much time given to each child. Every single performers name was announced before their opening number, producing cheers of approval from proud parents and friends in the audience.

Diamond Steel win St. Lucia
2006 Panorama Championship

St. Lucia - Diamond Steel won the 2006 St. Lucia steelband panorama championship.  Their tune of choice was "Bamboo to Pan".

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Harmony Hosts
Annual Steelband Launch

Brooklyn, New York - Harmony Steel orchestra once again hosted their annual steelband launch, this time for the 2006 New York pan season. Many in the pan community made a beeline for the easily-reached venue on Lincoln Road and Utica Avenue, Brooklyn. Though not as crowded as in the past couple years, there was still a healthy presence and show of support for the Saturday July 15 fundraiser.

KC now says August 19 & 20
are big dates to keep
 

New York - Sunday 16 July was going to be another big day in the New York summer pan scene, with Desperadoes expected to perform at KC's Hideaway in Brooklyn, New York. However, KC has told When Steel Talks that the legendary Trinidad & Tobago steel orchestra's appearance is now rescheduled to August 19 & 20, 2006 - the same dates when another Trinidad and Tobago historical heavyweight, Starlift steel orchestra - is also expected to headline at the venue.

Winston Moutha Bee Philips
To Be Memorialized
 

Miami -

WSMF CATEGORIES ENTRIES CLOSE ON AUGUST 4, 2006

Trinidad - Pannists and ensembles interested in competing in the Minor categories of the World Steelband Music Festival 2006/2007 are reminded that they have until 4:00 pm, Thursday 27th July 2006..

Entry forms are available at Pan Trinbago Regional offices in Trinidad & Tobago and the WSMF Secretariat, Victoria Suites Park, 14- 17 Park Street, Port of Spain.

Minor Categories comprise Soloists, Duets, Quartets and Ensembles.

Participants in the soloists, duets and quartets categories are required to play any musical composition played in accordance with the musical scores as submitted and performed for a period not exceeding eight (8) minutes. Ensembles shall perform two (2) pieces of music, namely the Test Piece, “Education” composed by Dr. Slinger Francisco aka The Mighty Sparrow and another, for a period not exceeding fourteen (14) minutes for each round of the Festival.

Staged by the Laventille Steelband
Festival Foundation

Trinidad - GLOSS, which takes place on Wednesday night (July 12) at the House of Angostura, Eastern Main Road, Laventille, from 7.30 pm, is designed to toast the “heroes” of the community, and commences activities for the 2006 edition of the Festival, with the theme “Proud To Be Laventille III.”

Great Food, & Great Pan Music
Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation hosts successful Pan-a-Que

Brooklyn, New York - With a beautiful summer Saturday in the forecast - Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation organized and held their first annual Pan-a-Que.  On the menu:  great food and great pan music.   The culinary fare included curried chicken, shrimp, potato, channa, fish and the like, topped off with buss-up shot (aka paratha) and roti.  The musical fare was very ably handed by a new steelpan group on the scene, Black Love Steel, and  later on by event organizers Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation.  Guest steelband Sesame Flyers were unable to appear due to a scheduling conflict.

Detroit, Michigan - The weather in Detroit on June 17th was absolutely tropical, with cloudless skies, high humidity and temperatures reaching into the 90s - the perfect setting for the first annual Michigan Steel Drum Festival. High atop the roof of Hockeytown Café on Woodward Avenue, history was made as pannist Hugh Borde and many others heated up an already broiling rooftop with 14 fantastic hours of steel pan music.

Although the steel drum has been played in Michigan since Hugh Borde first performed at a Mackinac Island conference in 1964, the 2006 Michigan Steel Drum Festival was the first time that an entire festival of steel drum music had ever taken place in Michigan. According to Michael Kernahan, one of the other early pioneers of steel drum music, "The festival was the greatest thing to ever happen to pan in Michigan."

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The Stars Came Out -
And They Did Shine

Brooklyn, New York - The most important thing to note is that they were here.  Yes, Trinidad All Stars steel orchestra was actually in New York.  Rumors had been flying around that they were not the 'real Trinidad All Stars;' some said it was really 'New York All Stars' that had been around for previous years, but had not been heard from in a while; others said that they were just pan players masquerading under the All Stars banner.  And when it became undeniable that it really was All Stars, complete with manager Berry Hunte in tow, the rumors were revised to 'it's really a "small" side' that came up to New York.  It was first at KC's Hideaway - Trinidad All Stars and CASYM steel orchestra.

Footballs, pansticks and politics

Trinidad - Playing football and playing pan have much in common. They are labour intensive, attractive to young people and impart an appreciation for teamwork and discipline. Moreover, there seems to be a natural aptitude for these pursuits amongst young citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. However, successive governments since Independence have done nothing to nurture these talents, or to place these pursuits in the framework or forefront of any social development policy.

All Stars energises NY performance

Trinidad - National Panorama People’s Choice winners Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars made a whirlwind tour of New York City last weekend with three performances in Brooklyn and The Bronx.

It was at the new KC Caribbean Hideaway at 2494 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn that All Stars created a bit of history as they backed the Local James Brown of Soca KC when he performed several James Brown classics like “It’s a Man’s World” and “Sex Machine.”