Web Posted - Saturday August 27, 2016
When Steel Talks

Ebony Steelband Retains Title as UK Panorama Champs - 2016 UK Panorama Results
Duvone Stewart Winning Arranger

London, U.K. - An event for the people, by the people, and showcasing The People. That about describes the annual UK Panorama which unfolds annually in London. People madly passionate about the Steelpan art form - players, steelband community, supporters, and music lovers in tandem, who are part of the weeks/months of preparation, and the final product - the Panorama.

Defending UK Panorama champs Ebony Steelband put on a scintillating performance of Duvone Stewart's arrangement of Cheers To Life by 'Voice' to win the championship for the second year in a row. Mangrove Steelband and Metronomes Steel Orchestra claimed second and third positions, respectively. Eight bands in all took part in the 2016 competition.
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Web Posted - Friday August 26, 2016
When Steel Talks

  Despers USA Steel Orchestra - Band Launch 2016
The Youths Step Up

New York, USA - It’s one week away from the 2016 New York Panorama, and the steel orchestras are in the home stretch of preparations as they hone their musical chops in efforts to become the champion band. But just one week ago, Despers USA Steel Orchestra held one of the couple launches in the area, at their panyard currently situated directly on the corner of Classon Avenue and Pacific Street in Brooklyn.

Pan fans took the opportunity to “come through” in anticipation of the good time (inclusive of great food) to be had. And reflecting the increasingly changing demographics of the area, even a few of the ‘new residents’ stepped through the door for a taste of what was ongoing inside the pan yard, now within their living and socializing environs.
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Web Posted - Thursday August 25, 2016
When Steel Talks

 Annual youth festival celebrates Caribbean heritage & steel pan

Brooklyn, NY - The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC­C) will host its’ annual ​Children’s Festival and ​PanFest, which showcases junior talent and Caribbean heritage. The festival is held at the CLACC­C museum grounds, a landmark brownstone located at St. John’s Place between Kingston & Brooklyn avenue. The festival will run from noon 7pm.

PanFest is one component of the ​CLACC­CC Children’s Festival​, now in its' sixth year. The junior steel pan competition includes some of Brooklyn’s youngest steel band members. Steel band performances include, ​Crossfire, Adlib, Pan Stars, Triumphant Stars, Harmony, Higher Levin, Pantonic, C.A.S.Y.M and Pan Evolution. “The festival is a show for kids, by kids,” Lezama­Clark, president of CLACC­C, states, “we want to ensure that the community and children who participate in the festival ​ leave with a better understanding and appreciation of the culture.”
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Web Posted - Saturday August 20, 2016
When Steel Talks

Brooklyn, New York - 
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Web Posted - Thursday August 18, 2016
When Steel Talks

 Youth Steelbands in the spotlight this weekend during Pan Trinbago Steelband Month Celebration

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Two steelpan activities with the youth as the target audience will take centre stage this weekend.

In the North, the Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra will present its First Annual Extravaganza on Saturday 20 August, 2016, at the St. James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St. James between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The exciting program—for the youths and produced by the youths—include Junior champion steel orchestras St. Francois Girls’ College Steel Orchestra, St. Margaret’s Youth Steel Orchestra, Trinidad All Stars Youth Steel Orchestra and hosts Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra. There is no cover charge for this event.
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Web Posted - Thursday August 18, 2016
The Northern Echo

Calypso family fun at shopping mall

Teesside, United Kingdom -  A little bit of Paradise came to a North-East shopping centre as a steel drum band entertained bargain hunters.

The Paradise Steel Band took to the mall in the Castlegate shopping centre and kept Stockton shoppers boogying in the aisles as they sang along to much loved reggae and calypso favourites.
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Web Posted - Thursday August 18, 2016
Brent and Kilburn Times

Concerns over the future of youth steel band in Stonebridge

Stonebridge, London, U.K. -  A youth steel band in Stonebridge could be playing at Notting Hill Carnival for the last time this year amid fears it could be axed.

St Michael and All Angels Steel Orchestra, part of the St Michael Youth Project (SYMP), will turn 20 in November but is claimed to be in jeopardy due to a lack of funding.

They will play Gloria Gaynor’s classic masterpiece ‘I Will Survive’ at the carnival later this month under the guidance of Patrick McKay, co-ordinator, and Alfred ‘Freddy’ Totesaut, music arranger and teacher.

According to Mr. McKay, the band faces the chop as the trustees of SYMP say there are ‘insufficient funds’.
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Web Posted - Wednesday August 17, 2016
When Steel Talks

United Kingdom Steelband 2016 Panorama Line-up

United Kingdom - What the bands are playing for UK Panorama 2016.
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Web Posted - Wednesday August 17, 2016
When Steel Talks

 For New York Pan Stars Steel Orchestra - Age Is More Than Just A Number - Band Launch 2016

Moving to a different drum - A different beat - Demanding a different outcome

New York, USA - There is the common saying that ‘age is more than just a number’ and in the case of New York Pan Stars (NYPS) this is evidently quite true. NYPS is a relatively young organization both in terms of existence and the average age of its players - by New York steel orchestra standards. But there are very few things ‘youthful’ about the way NYPS goes about its operations. And in this regard the operating description for NYPS would be: focused, committed and professional. Oh, and did we say - talented?

....The New York band launches have begun in earnest, this being the second weekend of performances that take place at the Brooklyn panyards. Last week the new kids on the block, Pan Evolution got the tradition rolling with its launch and this past weekend ADLIB Steel Orchestra and New York Pan Stars held theirs in Long Island and Brooklyn respectively. 
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Web Posted - Sunday August 13, 2016
When Steel Talks

 A Special Place, A Special Moment - St. Margaret's Boys Steel Orchestra at Carnegie Hall

New York, USA - Vēnērunt, vīdērunt, vīcērunt - They came, they saw, they conquered. Looking back a little over one year ago, it was indeed by the fifth thunderous standing ovation any doubt the organizers of this historic event may have had about the musical prowess of St. Margaret’s Boys’ Steel Orchestra, and its ability to endear itself to, enchant and ‘wow’ the widely diverse audience which had assembled at the hall on this evening, were completely obliterated. St. Margaret’s Boys’ Steel Orchestra had just captured the majestic Carnegie Hall in New York. Moreover the power, magic and beauty of a steel orchestra was on full display.
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Web Posted - Wednesday August 10, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

 No nest for birdsong

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - On the second day of pan month, birdsong Academy Steelband and Music School received an eviction notice to vacate its Tunapuna base. The band has until August 15 to vacate the premises it has occupied for the past 28 years.

On August 2, birdsong was served with an eviction notice by a court marshal informing them that the band’s pan theatre and music school is scheduled for demolition.

Birdsong and the landlord have been in legal battles dating back to September 1997, when the owner filed court action to recover possession of the land. In 2015 a court order was granted in favour of the landlord and the band was ordered to vacate. Lenny Tyson, a member of birdsong’s board, said the band was in negotiations with the landlord up to March. The court ruled in favour of the landlord and gave birdsong until March 31 to vacate.
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Web Posted - Monday August 8, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

 Chinese pan students visit Laventille Steelband Fest

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Beijing, one of just a few schools in China with a steel orchestra. The group arrived on Friday and would be returning home today (Monday).

The Chinese school was invited to witness the Laventille Steelband Festival Street parade which was held yesterday.

This was in an effort to forge a strong relationship with a complementary school programme in Trinidad and Tobago.

The entourage of 23, included 16 high school students, parents and teachers, all of whom would return home today (Monday).

....The Ritan High School has expressed an interest in developing its pan programme, and hoped that this trip to TT would broaden their understanding of the steel pan, and its origin.
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Web Posted - Monday August 8, 2016
When Steel Talks

Commancheros Steel Orchestra captures Grenada 2016 National Panorama Title

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - A slate of nine steel orchestras vied for the title of Grenada’s national Panorama champion for 2016. Commancheros Steel Orchestra turned the musical tables on Angel Harps (who beat them into second place last year) and their seven other competitors, with their winning performance which gave them the top score of 278. From their appearance position halfway into the competition, Commancheros’ musicians apparently had what it took to peak in the Panorama, as far as the three-judge panel which consisted of Lennox London, Stephanie Power and Cuthbert Matthews, was concerned. All three are from Trinidad and Tobago. 
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Web Posted - Friday August 5, 2016
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

 August is pan month

...street parade in Laventille tomorrow

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Tomorrow, Laventille will once more open its arms to residents and visitors alike to come and share in the brighter side in the capital of the pan world. From 5 pm, the Laventille Steelband Festival Foundation (LSFF) will host its annual Emancipation Steelband Street Parade along the Eastern Main Road, Success Village, Laventille.

This edition marks 18 years of successful production of this event which has the largest participation of steelbands outside of the annual Panorama.

Close to 30 bands have indicated their attendance which includes the cream of the crop in 2016 National Panorama champion Desperadoes, bpTT Renegades, First Citizens Supernovas, Hadco Phase II Pan Groove, Massy Trinidad All Stars, CAL Invaders, Starlift, Pan Elders, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, Trinidad East Side, St James Tripolians and many more.
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Web Posted - Monday August 1, 2016
Wisconsin State Journal

 Creating a special musical instrument in Madison

Wisconsin, USA - Though Jenny Robinson is only 31, her resume has a long list of former jobs: invasive species control with the National Park Service, package handler at UPS, engraver at a sign shop, a stint as a machinist and work as a quality auditor and production supervisor for Kraft Foods.

And now, handpan builder.

....Modeled on an instrument invented in 2000 in Switzerland, the handpan is made of two half-shells of metal. The finished product resembles a large double-sided tortoise shell (or even a small UFO from an early sci-fi movie).

....Though easy to play, a high-quality handpan is still rare to find. Each instrument takes months to fabricate out of a flat circle of low-carbon steel. It must be finely shaped, hammered, heated, stretched and tuned to create the handpan’s distinctive sound — somewhat like a harp, a bit like a marimba, a mellower cousin of the steelpan drum.
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When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - All rounds - all categories at a glance... Large, Medium, Small, Junior and Single Pan Band.

Complete info and results for Trinidad and Tobago's Steelband Panorama 2016.  Check out the background story on some of your favorite steel orchestras and their arrangers, what selections they played, and more.
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Listen to a playlist of Trinidad and Tobago 2016 Soca tunes for Carnival.
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Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Upcoming

Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
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When Steel Talks - Special

Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad and Tobago

Global - A critical component to winning any panorama competition is the song the orchestras choose to use as the basis of their panorama arrangements. Over the years these songs have inspired classic panorama arrangements. When Steel Talks invites you to take a look at and listen to, these famed tunes which have played more than just a cursory part in the history of Pan, and the lives of the players and fans.
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