Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The first steel band street parade along Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, is scheduled for August 26, as one of the many pan events being held to commemorate the nation’s 50^th anniversary of Independence. Being staged with the approval and the blessings of the Government and Pan Trinbago, some of the steelbands expected to parade are reigning National Panorama champion Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, runners-up Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove and BP Renegades, Witco Desperadoes, Carib Woodbrook Playboyz and St James Tripolians. In other pan news, Phase II will host its 40^th anniversary concert tomorrow at its Hamilton Street pan amphitheatre in Woodbrook, at 8 p.m. The headline acts will be Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Witco Desperadoes, Republic Bank Exodus and host band Phase II. Come August 14, panists will try and prove that beside playing the national instrument they are also great cooks as CAL Invaders hosts a pan cook off at its panyard, located on Tragarete Road, Woodbrook. Special prizes await pan chefs for the best BBQ and potato salad.
read more

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Leon “Foster” Thomas has a new CD out called A Brand New Mischief. The Florida-based panist, arranger and composer creates enjoyable mischief on the CD throughout the seven songs, aided and abetted by Allan C Paul on piano, Kurt Hengstebeck on acoustic bass and Ludwig Alfonso on drums. The theme song Brand New Mischief, Soul Window, Sleepless Nights, Amour Bleu, Baby Powder, Enchantment and Annecy, a tribute in pan to his newborn daughter, were all composed by this talented son of the soil. What flows from this CD is a group of musicians enjoying the musical ride and creating musical mischief. 
read more

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The first steelband street parade along Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain, is scheduled for August 26, as one of the many pan events being held to commemorate the nation’s 50th anniversary of Independence. Being staged with the blessings of the Government and Pan Trinbago, some of the steelbands expected to parade are reigning National Panorama champion Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, runners-up Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove and BP Renegades, Witco Desperadoes, Carib Woodbrook Playboyz and St James Tripolians. In other pan news, Phase II will host its 40th anniversary concert tomorrow at its Hamilton Street pan amphitheatre in Woodbrook, at 8 pm. The headline acts will be Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Witco Desperadoes, Republic Bank Exodus and host band Phase II. 
read more

Manhattan, Kansas, USA - Last evening, June 23rd (sic), a goodly crowd, ranging from babies in carriers to those of us up in years, gathered for Arts in the Park. The occasion was a performance by the Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band out of Ypsilanti, MI by way of Trinidad. It was “Party Time”. The group was three drummers, one of whom was also lead vocal, and a fantastic sax player and back-up vocalist, playing soprano and alto sax. It is almost entirely a family enterprise going back to the 1970s here in the U.S. It, however, goes back further than that, to Trinidad. Hugh Borde became the group’s leader in 1951 and it subsequently became a family enterprise.

They started off with a couple of familiar tunes: “Mary Ann” popularized by Harry Belfonte and Bob Marley’s “Stir it Up”. With the first tune, a little girl, possibly 7 or 8 years old, came out of the audience and danced on the area in front of the stage. I don’t know if her steps were authentic, but she was very good and gradually more kids came forth to dance and cavort.
read more

Tobago, W.I. - On Tuesday June 19 members of Our Boys Steel Orchestra of Tobago began a European tour that would see the band performing and holding a series of workshops over a two-month period.

The group comprises 14 players and Chris Bonterre travelling as tour coordinator. The first port of call will be Paris.

Our Boys Steel Orchestra was scheduled to have its first performance in Paris at the world famous Museum of Music, before heading on to Brussels, Belgium.

....The Belgium leg of the tour will see Our Boys Steel Orchestra representing Trinidad and Tobago as part of this country’s High Commission in Brussels 50th Independence Anniversary and the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic relationship between France, Belgium and Tobago celebrations. 
read more

Kingstown, St. Vincent, W.I. - This year, apart from Steel and Glitter, patrons attending Panorama on Thursday July 5th will be entertained by Trinidadian soca artiste Rodney 'Benjai' Le Blanc.

The Steel and Glitter show is where the various Mas Bands compete in the Sections of the Bands competition and also where the senior pan men take part in the Panorama competition.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Music Schools in the Panyard Programme began with a bang on Monday with citizens of all creeds, races and ages converging at the designated panyards to grasp the opportunity of learning to play a musical instrument. The programme, which was developed by the Culture Division of the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism, is making good use of the established network of panyards across the country to offer community residents training in both the practical and theoretical aspects of music.

“We had over 55 people coming in to join on Monday,” said Shivon Bourne, venue co-ordinator for the programme at the Exodus Panyard. “Even the senior folks, way into their 60s, are coming in and expressing happiness for the chance to fulfill their dream of learning to play a musical instrument,” he added.
read more   and   comment here

Musashino-City, Tokyo, Japan - Japanese steel pan player Sasaki Kentaro who visited Trinidad and performed with Phase II Pan Groove in 2005, has a passion for Pan, and earlier this month he funneled this passion into what became the festival ‘Pan Love 2012.’ In Japan, he says indeed “there are a few steelpan festivals, but they are more like school recitals.” In part it was this which made him determined to have an alternate platform for Pan in Japan. To get his brainchild off the ground, at the end of 2011 Sasaki got together with fellow musicians, who, like himself play other ‘conventional’ instruments such as the guitar and accordion in addition to Pan, and set about planning the festival.
read more

New York - There are few steelpan music organizations that can match or rival the music educational success record of New York’s CASYM Steel Orchestra.

The Big Apple steelpan music franchise has been a productive fixture within the New York educational system for years now. Indeed, the proof is in the results as year in and year out CASYM has been familiarizing scores of NY area youth with music education through the family of steelpan instruments.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago - Celebrated musician Orville Wright died on Wednesday losing his battle against cancer. Wright was a Lecturer II of Performing Arts, College of Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. He left Trinidad for the United States in 1970 and studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston graduating in 1974.

....Wright also taught a steelpan class at Berklee during his tenure there. He in fact had a close relationship with Pan Trinbago serving as a consultant to the organisaton for roughly a decade, 1992 to 2002. During that period he reviewed and rewrote the criteria for steelband competitions. He also served as the chief adjudicator for Pan is Beautiful and Panorama.

....Wright passed away exactly nine years after the release of the CD titled, Reid, Wright and Be Happy, which took place at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain. Simeon Sandiford, executive producer of that collection sent out a statement reflecting on his relationship with Wright as well as plans they had discussed for another project.
read more

Cayman Islands - Local steel bands are facing a cash crunch that may prevent them from defending their Caribana Championship in Canada.

Members of Panoramers, Pandemix and Pantastics all fear they will not be able to make the trip this summer unless they raise more than $8,000.
read more & see video

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Ministry of The Arts and Multiculturalism has spent $300,000 to purchase musical instruments to facilitate the Music School in the Panyard programme. This according to Auburn Wiltshire, project manager of the initiative, in answer to a query at the first Workshop for Tutors held at Theatre 2 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday. Among the instruments purchased for use by students in the programme, he said, were trumpets, saxophones, clarinets and trombones. The all-day workshop, titled Semester 1, was attended by 38 tutors contracted by the ministry to implement the project scheduled to begin on Monday, and continue for four months, ending on October 13. It will consist of 112 contact hours in which students will be trained in the fundamentals of music literacy...
read more

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - One radio announcer, upon hearing the CD — Perfect Combination—called Ken “Professor” Philmore to ask him how he managed to get a recording of the late Michael Jackson singing to pan accompaniment. This underscores the beautiful vocals on this latest Philmore CD done by Jerome Bissessar. The 14-track CD was launched on Monday at the Police 2nd Division Mess in St James and was attended by a large audience which included Dr David Toby; Snr Superintendent Anthony Dick, ASP George Alsop and other police officers; Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz, VP Bryon Serrette, secretary Richard Forteau and PRO Trevor Reid; panist Clive Telemaque, and Philmore’s wife Sophie.
read more

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - An ailing steelpan innovator Bertie Marshall is hoping that promises made by the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism and the Ministry of the People will come to fruition.

This after Arts Minister Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters, Minister of the People Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh and Minister in the Ministry of Community Development Lincoln Douglas, yesterday visited Marshall at his Harpe Place, Port-of-Spain apartment home.

Marshall, 76, whose children live abroad and who lives by himself lamented that he has never received an old age pension, National Insurance grants and salaries owed to him as a pan tuner as part of the Fine Tuning Programme in the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)....Marshall said his only source of income is a stipend of $2,000 given by Pan Trinbago Peters, who listened to Marshall’s complaints, promised to see to it that Marshall’s needs are met to the best of his (Peters) ability.
read more

New York - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Journalist, Writer and Theatrical Producer - Nandi Keyi shares her experiences, visions and overall thoughts on her latest production - “At the Feet of the Masters...”

““At the Feet of the Masters” is beyond just an interview or conversation. It has truly been a spiritual experience, for with each master, the realization deepens that those among us who rise to iconic status, are called to something much bigger than themselves, and in obedience they have followed.”  Nandi Keyi.
read more

Delaware, USA - On July 13, Delaware Steel, under the direction of Professor Harvey Price of the UD (University of Delaware) in Newark, will head out on tour for the first time since its Eurasian stint in 2008 when they shared the stage with great bands like Ebony and Calypsociation steel orchestras. The group will put on several performances in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Delaware Steel’s touring band is made up of 16 music educators, percussion majors, and community members from northern Delaware and Philadelphia....The group has played festivals in Sweden, Germany and Israel. This is the first trip to Greece for the band.
read more

Petoskey, Michigan, USA  - A Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band concert that was postponed because of rainy weather on Monday has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, in downtown Petoskey's Pennsylvania Park.

The concert, presented by the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, will take place in conjunction with the Hemingway Society's international conference taking place locally this week. The performance will be free and open to the public.
read original post

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, USA - Friday’s free outdoor concert at the Camp Hill borough library was a lot less musical than planned.

The 700 or so audience members were there for Trinidad & Tobago Steel Drums [Trinidad & Tobago Steel Baltimore Steel Orchestra], but the band wasn’t.

The concert was a rain date for the originally scheduled June 12 concert. Library director Bonnie Goble on Monday said there was a miscommunication about the rain date between the library and the band, which has played a concert at the library for at least the last seven years.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The pan fraternity is mourning yet another loss. Edwin Yearwood, husband of the late Mairoon Ali, died on Saturday. Yearwood, affectionately known as Eddie and Swanky Pops, was a calypso and steelpan enthusiast. Veteran announcer Mervyn Telfer described Yearwood’s death as sad. He said the loss was just one more blow to T&T’s entertainment industry.

Telfer described Yearwood as a very honourable man who passed on his love for entertainment to his sons, Olatunji Yearwood and Roland Edward Yearwood, known in the music industry as Rembunkshun. He extended his condolences to Yearwood’s children and family. President of Pan Trinbago, Keith Diaz, said the loss was a great one to the fraternity and extended condolences to the families.
read more

Oberrüti, Switzerland - Die Sirambas Steelband aus Sins/AG bietet gratis Schnupperkurse an. Dauer ca 90 Minuten, allenfalls bei Wunsch auch ca 160 Minuten.

Wir erarbeiten mit kompletten Anfängern in allen Registern ein einfaches Arrangement in ca 90 Minuten und spielen es zum Schluss gemeinsam, verstärkt durch die Perkussionisten der Steelband.
read more

Reading, Berkshire, England, UK - Jubilant steel pan musicians have found a new rehearsal studio more than two years after being thrown out of their previous home.

Members of Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra (RASPO) were forced to leave their former practice suite, above the Abbey Gateway, in February 2010 when the building was sealed off for emergency structural repairs, meaning they had to rehearse in temporary accommodation.

But the group has struck a deal with art collective Jelly to rehearse in the newly developed Jelly Sound House at the former Club Manakoo in Station Hill.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Franklyn Ollivierra, a well known figure in the steelband movement, died on Wednesday evening, after suffering a stroke on June 11. Born in Laventille, Ollivierra was a tenor pan player and the public relations officer of the Woodbrook-based Phase II Pan Groove. He was 65. He began playing pan in 1962 in Laventille before moving on to Starlift in 1971. In 1993, he began his career with Phase II Pan Groove and toured internationally with the group.

His son Marlon Ollivierra said his father, who lived in Diego Martin, will be sorely missed by all, including his wife Hyacinth and four sons. Marlon said he remembered his father as a good friend and a great father. He said his father was well known as a lover of Trinidadian culture, footballer and avid pigeon fancier (racer). “He still holds records for pigeon-racing. Everybody in the pan world knew him. He was a great, great friend,” he said.

Ollivierra was also instrumental in the setting up of Pan Land, the first local company to manufacture pans, on St Joseph Road, he said.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she hopes steelpan music will soon become part of the repertoire of the National Symphony Orchestra of the United States.

This, as the Prime Minister hosted the NSO at the Diplomatic Centre, following a scintillating performance at NAPA which was led by Maestro Christoph Eschenbach.

It was the National Symphony Orchestra's first concert of its tour of the Americas and it formed part of this country's 50th anniversary celebrations.
read more

Washington, DC, USA  - City Hall’s flinty gavel has rapped out no to Caribbean American friendship in 2012.The DC Caribbean Carnival (DCCC) has been forced to move its decades-old tradition from the nation’s capital 35 miles north to a more welcoming Baltimore. While Baltimore’s vibrant art scene is nothing to be sneezed at, Carnival’s ejection from DC is a critical error. The phenomenon along with some of the West Indian shops that once supported life around Georgia Avenue, one of DC’s main arteries, is gone, leaving the Avenue unrecognizable and nearly devoid of color. However, other group celebrations are still in vogue. Barbecue Battles, Cancer Walkathons, Gay Rights Parades, Halloween, Latin Festivals and more will still be recipients of the City’s benevolence and have the freedom to play. A few Washington Post online readers, in a fit of animus towards Caribbean immigrants, cheered when matters first came to light in an April 2012 article.

....Over the decades, Carnival has become an important part of the tourism offering for most Caribbean island nations, boosting visitor numbers during low season. Storefronts and hotels do a rousing business.

By contrast, the District version of the event is burdened by City regulations, over policing, extraordinarily burdensome fees and xenophobia.

....Certainly, DC Carnival’s expulsion shows the glaring difference in how some of America’s ethnic groups are received. It could be that the slurs of “savages” and “animals” as quoted in the Washington Post comments section, are the sentiments of the expanding power class in the District. In spite of that, a few far-seeing revelers and optimists are dreaming a big future.
read more    then   comment here

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - ....In its 12^th year, WeBeat faces a dismal future as Crosby continues to receive almost no assistance and sponsorship from government and corporate Trinidad, especially from the business community of St James.

...last year, the Ministry of Arts & Multiculturalism promised a subvention but months after the event gave him a percentage of the originally promised sum. Crosby said another promise was made for the ministry to assist this year but, as at the end of the festival last Saturday, he was yet to receive a cent, or be told the quantum of the 2012 subvention.

....The Thursday night Pan Explosion was truly a night to remember, featuring a number of popular steel orchestras. Hosted by Phil Simmons, the evening was opened by Tripolians, followed by the Chinese Steel Orchestra of T&T, PCS Silver Stars and Witco Desperadoes.

Every band was exemplary in its performance, but the Chinese steelband not only made a packed house sit up and take notice but also made patrons rise to their feet with a standing ovation.
read more

Nairn, Scotland, UK - Scotland's first Steel Band festival – Panfest 2012 - is being staged this weekend at Nairn Academy, whose three steelbands will host a visit by bands from Aberdeen, Glasgow and East Ayrshire. All will be performing between noon and 2 pm on Sunday at Nairn Links.

Over the weekend the bands will work with Toussaint Clarke, one of the top pan makers and tuners in the UK. Toussaint worked with pupils at Nairn Academy last year and will hopefully be impressed with the work that has gone on since his last visit.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Fresh from performances at last month’s SteelfesTT, the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) is gearing up once more to take the stage with yet another visiting international act—this time, the National Symphony Orchestra of the United States (NSO). The NSSO will perform with the percussive section of the NSO today at The Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) Auditorium at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, (NAPA), at 11.30 am. The concert targets students of primary and secondary schools and music students throughout the country, and will expose the youth to the sound of the innovative G-pans, as they blend with other percussive orchestral instruments.
read more

New York - On a periodically picture-perfect Saturday afternoon twelve New York steel orchestras participated in the USSA (United States Steelband Association) –sponsored inaugural event called “Pan Expo 2012” at the beautiful Old Boys High Field.

The participating steel orchestras were Pan Sonatas, Ujamaa Pan Sound, Higher Levin, Crossfire Steel Orchestra, New York Pan Stars, ADLIB Steel Orchestra, Utopia Pan Soul, CASYM, Harmony Music Makers, Metro Steel Orchestra, Steel Sensation and Despers USA.
read more

Global - About two months ago Sunity Maharaj wrote with characteristic eloquence in the Trinidad Express about the retrogressive decision announced by the government of Trinidad and Tobago, to have the Pan in the Schools program subsumed by an entity purportedly more all-embracing and with a “multicultural” face. Maharaj said a mouthful when she wrote: “There is a worrying sub-text to the government’s argument for elbowing aside the Pan-in-the-Classroom Unit in making room for the new and expanded Multicultural Music Programme Unit.” A compelling need exists, I believe, to address that “worrying sub-text” in head-on fashion, which some, for what they probably think to be pragmatic reasons, have been loath to do.
read more

Global - Anthony Williams, leader and arranger of the defunct Pan Am North Stars, has planned a special occasion to celebrate his 81^st birthday.

On June 24, at the St. James Amphitheatre, Williams will commemorate the 50^th year of the band’s rendition of Johann Strauss Jr.s’ “Voices of Spring,” a landmark performance that won the 1962 Steel Band Music Festival in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

The invitational event begins at 6 p.m., and will also honor pan legends Ray Holman, Robert Greenidge, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Pelham Goddard and Earl Brooks.
read more

Brockville, Ontario, Canada - The Brockville Lions Steel Band, one of the most recognizable local music groups, has found a new home – but it may just be a summer home.

The local group, a fixture of local events and festivals, was facing an uncertain future as recently as last week as a deadline loomed for them to remove their instruments from Commonwealth Public School for the summer.

Band co-founder Reg Francis said it appears likely the band will be able to move its instruments into Spring Valley Hall. While the time frame for the arrangement had yet to be finalized, Francis believed the group would be able to store its instruments and practice at the hall free of charge until September.

“We are fortunate to have it for the summer,” said Francis, who founded the steel band 16 years ago with fellow Lion Dave Mitchell.

....The band had to move out of its previous home, the Waste Management site on California Avenue, when the firm needed the space the band was using for company operations, said Reg Francis's son, Winston Francis, the band's managing director.
read more

Oakland, USA - The campus community is invited to ring in summer with the eclectic musical sounds of Oakland University’s Steel Band and African Ensemble on Tuesday, June 19. This free concert will be held from noon – 1 p.m. outdoors on the Oakland Center patio.

....The Steel Band, dubbed the “Pan-Jumbies,” will showcase the Caribbean-style music of noted Trinidadian composer Ray Holman.
read more

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Toronto-based, award-winning Pan Fantasy Steelband presents “A Night of Fantasy Under the Stars” to commemorate its 26th anniversary. This event will take place under a specially-erected tent at Downsview Park, 32 Carl Hall Road, Toronto on Saturday June 23rd, 2012; showtime: 7pm.

Since Pan Fantasy is a North York-based steelband with its pan yard located at Downsview, it is a natural fit for it to host its upcoming event within this community’s neighbourhood.

“Last year, we orchestrated our anniversary show under a tent at Downsview, and it was totally beautiful,” says Wendy Jones, band leader and business manager. “The tent provided an opportunity for people to experience us in a different setting … not a hall. And since our fans had such a wonderful time last year, we decided to provide that same ambience again this year.
read more

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - After a failed last-ditch effort to persuade the prime minister Baldwin Spencer to overturn the decision that named dual winners for last year’s Panorama, the band’s spokesperson said its gripe is going to the courts – with sights levelled squarely at the minister of culture.

“We still have the option of going to court, which we will on the decision as made by the minister of Carnival,” spokesperson for LIME Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra Stafford Joseph said.

“It is clear it has nothing to do with the Board (Carnival Development Committee). They have washed their hands of it and the Pan Association. It squarely rests on the shoulders of the minister who made that decision,” Joseph added, referring to Minister of Culture Eleston “Namba” Adams.
read more

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Baldwin Spencer has decided not to intervene in the controversial 2011 Panorama winners saga, and declared that he felt the decision of Culture Minister Eleston “Namba” Adams was a just one.

This is according to LIME Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra (LHGSO) spokesman Stafford Joseph, who said that Spencer stated his position on Sunday during a meeting with the band’s leadership.

But Joseph said that while the band appreciated the Prime Minister’s taking the time to meet with them, it will be moving to the next step by pursuing legal avenues.

....This was finalized during a meeting with the Antigua & Barbuda Pan Association on Sunday.

....It was also determined that the arrangers for the bands must all be Antiguan citizens and must register with the Pan Association before the competition.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Steelbands interested in participating in Panorama 2013 are advised that registration commences on Monday 11^th June 2012.

Participants can collect their registration forms from any Pan Trinbago Regional Office, that is, North, East, South/Central and Tobago as well as the Head Office at 14-17 Park Street, Port-of-Spain.

The annual competition is open to registered financial members of Pan Trinbago of at least two (2) years standing.
read more

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - They could hardly “hablan espanol” but 13 young panists captured the hearts of audiences at the Iguazu In Concert, International Festival of Children and Youth Orchestras and Choirs held recently in Iguazu, Argentina.

Exocubs, the youth arm of the Republic Bank Exodus steel ensemble, were invited to participate in the festival which took place at the end of May and featured the music of 700 students from more than 20 countries around the world.

During the festival, students participated in workshops taught by teachers from the Argentine Teatro Colón Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. Each musical group had to prepare 20-30 minutes of music for presentations that took place between May 21 to May 26 and also participate in the Grand Finale concert at the Sheraton Iguazu Resort, Argentina.

Exocubs musical director, Desmond Waithe said the group of 13-16 year olds took approximately three months to learn the repertoire of ten songs which included an Argentinian classical piece; “Don’t Cry for me Argentina;” and the Titanic theme song, which was one of the pieces performed by all groups at the finale.
read more

London, England, U.K. - Award-winning SV²G Wycombe Steel Orchestra represented the Commonwealth and had Buckingham Palace guests partying in the Palace gardens as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Monday 4^th June.

12,000 people attended a picnic in the Queen’s back garden ahead of the diamond jubilee concert. Despite the drizzle of rain towards the end, revelers partied on to Hot Hot Hot played by the young people from High Wycombe.  Members of the Royal family surprised guests mingling in the Buckingham Palace garden, and guests including the Middleton family were all captivated by the steelpan music.
read more

St. James, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Jazz, Steelpan music and Vintage Calypso will each have its day as WeBeat continues at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James in western Trinidad.

Come Wednesday 6^th June, jazz aficionados can look forward to yet another exciting event featuring Élan Parlé & Vaughnette Bigford, Mungal Patasar & Pantar and The Trinidad & Tobago Police Band.

Pan takes centre stage on Thursday 7^th under the banner “Pan Explosion” with some of the biggest names in steelband slotted to perform.
read more

St. Vincent & the Grenadines, W.I. - The Youlou Pan Movement (YPM), the umbrella organsation for steel bands in the country is hailing as a success the launch of its 2012 Panorama Competition at Heritage Square on Sunday. Four steel orchestras in Elite, Euphonium, South East and Starlift performed before a large crowd and many persons expressed satisfaction with what they saw and heard.

While the launch was not a competition, many felt the best playing band on the evening was South East, followed by Starlift, Elite and defending champions Euphonium bringing up the rear.

This ‘judging’ will have no bearing when the bands along with Potential, All Stars, Symphonix and Union Island clash at the Victoria Park on Thursday 5th July for Panorama. On that occasion the only persons that count are the judges who will determine the winner.
read more

St. John’s, Antigua, W.I. - The Antigua and Barbuda Pan Association (ABPA) has said that it had no part in the revised decision that placed both LIME Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra [HGSO] and Hadeed Group of Company’s AMP Halcyon in first place for the ACB 2011 Panorama Competition.

But despite this LIME HGSO, which was initially declared the winner last summer, said it was not backing down from the challenge, since it views the decision to name Halcyon as a co-winner as politically motivated. This is according to HGSO spokesman Stafford Joseph.

In a correspondence dated May 29, in response to an ultimatum given to the ABPA by LIME HGSO, the ABPA said it had opted out of any decision, discussion or consultation pertaining to the results of judging as it regarded the ACB 2011 Panorama. The association maintained that it had turned over the decision making process to the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) and the judges’ committee.
read more