Web Posted - Thursday 31 August, 2017
Gothamist

New York, USA - Two Crown Heights venues where locals practice and prepare for J'Ouvert and other West Indian American Day Carnival activities say they are being unfairly targeted and surveilled by a neighbor who regularly calls in 311 complaints and takes photos and video of them with her iPad.

The woman, 63-year-old Crown Heights resident Kathleen Reilly, told Gothamist that she is on a mission to curtail rehearsals for Despers USA, a steel orchestra that rents the lot on the corner of Classon Avenue and Pacific Street in preparation for Saturday's annual steelpan championship outside the Brooklyn Museum. Reilly has also called in numerous noise complaints to Pacific Gardens, an outdoor venue at 1067 Pacific Street, across from the Despers practice lot. The seasonal Trinidadian venue has been open for three summers and is home-base for Pagwah Mas, one of the largest mas (short for "masquerade") bands in J'ouvert.

Reilly, who lives two blocks from Despers and Pacific Gardens on Bergen Street, and has lived in Crown Heights for eight years, also frequently surveils Berg'n, a food hall and event space on her street near Franklin Avenue.

"It sounds like the same song," she said in a recent phone interview, referring to the Despers rehearsals. "It's extremely loud, and it's not what I want to sit in my house and listen to."
read more

Web Posted - Thursday 31 August, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Surrey Village, Lopinot- based steelband, Supernovas Steel Orchestra woke up Ariapita Avenue in the wee hours of Sunday morning, after unleashing a highly energetic and spirited performance, at Pan on d’Avenue VI, hosted by the Woodbrook/St James Community Association.

Founded by Amrit Samaroo, son of legendary arranger Jit Samaroo, led the band from the rhythm section and gave the crowd a wonderful version of the Beatles’ Yesterday, then raised the tempo to the highest of heights for Maestro’s Fiery and Gold, and kept the momentum going with Technically (Farmer Nappy/Destra Garcia).

The band was followed by a large crowd after it moved off from the central playing point.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday 26 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

London, United Kingdom - The hugely-popular and community-supported annual UK Panorama played out successfully on August 26^th to the delight of pan music lovers.

....Defending champs Ebony Steelband, ninety-players strong, returned to the winner’s spot for the third year running, with arranger Duvone Stewart accomplishing the ‘hat-trick’ feat for the first time in the UK. For Ebony, it made for its 22nd (twenty-second) national title. The Ebony Steelband music organization has now triumphed in both the UK Panorama and the Junior National competition this season, as the Ebony Juniors copped the Junior Panorama title less than two weeks ago.
read more, get results

Web Posted - Saturday 26 August, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Three documentaries about steelbands will make their debut at this year’s T&T Film Festival, which takes place from September 19-26 at MovieTowne Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Tobago, as well as the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

James O’Connor’s film To Be A Renegade, captures the story of the BP Renegades through an examination of the violent beginnings of pan, the era of change, and its present state as a positive influence on communities, with steelbands now travelling abroad as international ambassadors. Featuring players, founding members and supporters, the documentary funded by BP Trinidad and Tobago, seeks to show what it really means to be a Renegade. As part of its support for the film, BPTT is sponsoring a free screening of To Be A Renegade on September 22 at 8.30 p.m., at MovieTowne Port of Spain. Tickets will be available from the box office on a first-come-first-served basis, at the start of the Festival.
read more

Web Posted - Friday 25 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - When Steel Talks’ ‘quick chart’ - a guide to the participants in the 2017 New York Steel Orchestra Panorama competition.  Find here the order of appearance, bios, meet the arrangers, hear the tunes of choice, learn about the bands, tuners and more.
click for data

Web Posted - Thursday 24 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - A listing of addresses of the Pan Yard locations of New York Steel Orchestras, along with contact information, of those participating in the 2017 New York Panorama competition on Saturday September 2.
details

Web Posted - Thursday 24 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

London, United Kingdom  - Kensington Memorial Park, St Marks Road, London, W10 was transformed into a mini Carnival Village on Monday the 14th August 2017 to accommodate the annual CAPCA/BAS Carnival and Junior Panorama competition.
more details

Web Posted - Wednesday 23 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - “A kick to the stomach, a slap to the face, and down goes New York Pan without so much as a whimper. Once again they have suffered a humiliating thumping and royal ass-whupping with the world watching.”

It has come to the attention of When Steel Talks (WST) that the management of the New York Steelband community has agreed to participate in the 2017 Panorama competition without being fully paid their 2016 prize money. Instead, a very paltry portion of the money owed has been “promised.”

Further more, NO discussion of the timetable for payment for their 2017 prizes has taken place. In addition there has been no talk of monetary compensation for the delay in payment for 2016; no talk of reimbursement for the monetary loss in interest, had that money been in the account of the steel orchestras.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday August 23, 2017
When Steel Talks

Global - Tellison Forde knows the runway for the upcoming 2018 steelband Panorama season in the home of Pan, Trinidad & Tobago, is a short one. So he ensured that his music was first, and in contention earlier than anyone has ever submitted their tracks for the much-accessed, annual PanOnTheNet/When Steel Talks ‘Pan Tunes’ listing - by mid-August!

“Tello” as he is affectionately called  in the steelband community is known for compositions such as I Is On Rock of Laventi, Prophet of Pan and Coye: Pan Religion, among others.

For the 2018 Panorama season “Tello” is out with More Light featured here.
listen to tune

Web Posted - Monday 21 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - While WIADCA (West Indian American Day Carnival Association) continues to live large, the New York Pan community struggles for survival. The long, abusive relationship between New York Pan and WIADCA (the Panorama organizers) - has come to a head. The New Pan community is seeing red, and they’ve got Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money” on repeat.

Enough is enough. New York Steel Orchestras have finally, it seems, decided to stand up for themselves - at least at the time of this piece. Ten steel orchestras participated in the 2016 steelband Panorama organized and hosted by W.I.A.D.C.A. (West Indian American Day Carnival Association). The three top-placing bands: the champions D’Radoes, Pan Evolution and CrossFire have only been given half of their respective prize monies, but never received the second portion. The prize amounts were USD $20,000.00, $15,000.00 and $10,000.00, respectively.
read more

Web Posted - Monday 21 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - World-renowned and eleven-time large band Panorama Champion, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, will hold a benefit concert in honor of its long-standing and revered member, Ursula Tudor.

The event will be held on Sunday August 27, 2017 at WITCO Sports Club Grounds, Champ Fleurs from 12 noon to 9:00 p.m.

The main objective of the concert is to assist Ms. Ursula Tudor with medical expenses associated with injuries that were sustained in a recent vehicular accident. The injuries were severe enough to have required surgery.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday 19 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - It is said that you can judge a society by how it treats its young, its elders and its culture… In one fell swoop, Grenada disrespected and threw much shade on all three of these factors. And the Pan season in Grenada came to an abrupt halt when hundreds of musicians turned up to perform and found there was no stage built, so after weeks of preparation, their competition was cancelled.

Spicemas Corporation, the entity overseeing for staging Panorama, is led by Kirk Seetahal. Seetahal and members of his board tasked with the responsibility for Grenada’s Panorama must step down immediately. His incompetence or outright display of contempt for Grenada’s Pan culture over the past three years is obvious, well-documented and needs no further comment.
read more

Web Posted - Thursday 17 August 2017
When Steel Talks

London, United Kingdom - UK Panorama Championship 2017  will be hosted by the British Association of Steelbands - (BAS), scheduled for Saturday 26^th August at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Kensal Road. Eight steel orchestras will participate.
more details, listing

Web Posted - Wednesday 16 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C. will be taking its Steelpan Photographic Exhibition to San Fernando as the organization continues to celebrate Pan Month.

After a successful run in Port of Spain, it will the southern city’s turn to host the event. This takes place on Friday 18 August at the Harris Promenade, San Fernando, between the hours of 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.

The display is one of the activities in commemoration of the 25^th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Steelpan as the National Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.
read more

Web Posted - Monday 14 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I.  - The Government of Grenada will launch an investigation into the circumstances which led to the postponement of the National Panorama Championship scheduled for Saturday 12^th August at the National Stadium.

The government is extremely concerned about the fact that Panorama did not take place as planned and pan lovers, as well as pan players, including the large number of young people, were deprived of an opportunity to participate in this rich annual cultural tradition.

The government expresses solidarity with pan lovers and everyone in general following the last-minute postponement of this important aspect of our carnival and culture.
read more

Web Posted - Monday August 14, 2017
The New Today

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Spicemas Corporation (SMC), Kirk Seetahal has remained tight-lipped about reports circulating in some quarters in the country that he has decided to call it a day after three years on the job.

THE NEW TODAY has received information that the SMC boss tendered his resignation but was asked to hold on until after the end of the Carnival Season.

When contacted Wednesday by this newspaper for comment on the issue, Seetahal did [not] confirm or deny the allegation but was less than forthcoming with information.
read more

Web Posted - Sunday 13 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.  - “On Saturday August 26^th 2017, the Woodbrook/St. James Community Association is once again planning to have Pan on d’Avenue along Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook. The parade route this year is from Taylor Street heading east to Colville Street. This year’s event will be dedicated to deceased Stephen Derek - Masman, Wire bender and resident of Woodbrook.

...There will be an opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Ariapita Avenue just in front Adam-Smith Square. ....Around thirty bands are expected to be ‘on the move’ in the parade, accompanied by traditional mas characters and moko jumbies. It is expected to run until 2:30 a.m.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday 12 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I.  - Incredibly, what was expected to be the annual Grenada National Panorama competition, a musical showcase with hundreds of musicians at their best - never was. As a result of the lack of a proper stage, facilities, and overall venue preparation - the eight participating Grenada steel orchestras have just voted to boycott the 2017 Panorama at an emergency meeting.

This - as the Panorama itself was scheduled and advertised to get underway earlier this evening at 7:00 p.m. EST, Saturday August 12th - two and a half hours ago. So, at showtime, the bands REFUSED to mount, and perform on, a stage that was incomplete and not ready for the steel orchestras.

....One could just imagine how palpable the disappointment—putting it mildly—of the pan players is. The many, many nights spent practicing with the exhilaration and expectancy from all the musicians, but especially the pre-teens and teenagers - all for naught. Unless you are someone who has practiced and geared up for Panorama, you cannot begin to imagine how this fiasco resulting in no Panorama, has affected them, especially.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday 12, August, 2017
When Steel Talks

United Kingdom  - Unsung Heroes pays tribute to the people who contribute for love of culture. Inspired by, the fact that we have been guilty of celebrating achievement after people have died. Therefore, it is an attempt to change our mindset collectively, to recognise and to celebrate each other. This original composition celebrates some people who are beacons of culture, hope, activism, creativity and community.
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday 8 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I.  - All nine bands were set for the country’s August 4^th steelband showcase, officially designated the “Antigua Commercial Bank George “Nugget” Joseph Panorama Competition.”

....With hours of steel excellence expected, the field of the Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) aka Carnival City - was quite well populated with steelband music lovers even before the first notes were struck, and the crowd swelled even more into the night.

Title defender Halcyon was denied its fourteenth title, dethroned by Hells Gate Steel Orchestra which snagged its nineteenth National Panorama Championship in 2017.

....Hells Gate arranger Khan “KC” Cordice simply killed it on this night. He again reaffirmed why he is one of the première young steel orchestra arrangers in the world. For those of us who have followed Khan from the time he was a very promising youth almost ten years ago, it is no longer about potential. It is now about delivering the goods on that promise. He has—time and time again (this is his sixth National Panorama championship title)—and then some.
read more

Web Posted - Tuesday 8 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - In observance of the 25^th Anniversary of Declaration of the Steelpan as the National Musical Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago, Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C. will be hosting a photographic exhibition on Friday 11^th August 2017, at the Brian Lara Promenade (between Chacon and Abercromby Streets), Port of Spain. The exhibition runs from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Under the theme, “The Steelpan Journey from Tamboo Bamboo to G-Pan,” the exhibition features a number of photographs in black and white and colour.
read more

Web Posted - Monday August 7, 2017
The New Today

St. George’s, Grenada, W.I. - CEO of Spicemas Corporation (SMC), Kirk Seetahal, has reiterated that Panorama continues to be a major challenge for the state-influenced body.

However, Seetahal told reporters at a press briefing that despite the problem all is not lost as Panorama is considered as a work in progress.

He said the SMC has continuously tried working with the Pan Association and will continue the work to ensure that Pan meets its full potential.

“Sometimes in the interest of the product and the culture we want to encourage people to … try something different. Often it is met with resistance in the meeting and then you see something else on television but it is continuously a work in progress,” he added.
read more

Web Posted - Monday 7 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Listening to comments being made by some of the detractors of the Steelpan fraternity following the success of the show staged by five of the leading large Steelbands in Trinidad, one would believe that there is some new development in the Steelpan world that now makes Pan Trinbago Inc. T.C. irrelevant.

Most of these neophytes, who have gained some verbal strength by suckling on the breast of Pan Trinbago, would not recall that over the years, Pan Trinbago has been advocating that the Steelbands, individually and or collectively, wean themselves by promoting shows and organizing programs to enhance their image, especially events that would sustain them financially, outside of the Carnival season.
read more

Web Posted - Sunday August 6, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - In spite of the poor attendance at Pan Trinbago’s Annual Interfaith Service yesterday, officials are being urged to set aside internal biases and concentrate on working together to improve and promote the organisation’s public image.

Urged to channel efforts into the promotion of the steelpan as they celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the declaration of the steelpan as T&T’s national musical instrument, Interim Rector at the Trinity Cathedral, Port-of-Spain - Fr. Carl Williams said petty squabbles often generated conflicts that distracted from the mission of the organisation.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday August 5, 2017
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Panmen who were not paid their stipend for their appearance in the 2017 Panorama competition should be paid by the end of this month says National Carnival Commission (NCC) Chairman Kenny De Silva.

In response to Thursday’s Newsday article on panmen not being paid yet, De Silva, in a release issued on Thursday night, said, “On the payment of the stipend for 2017, the NCC is also in the process of facilitating the issuing of the cheques which should be available for the pan players by the end of August 2017.” Meanwhile, the NCC is denying that it owes Pan Trinbago the sum of $4.5 million. Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz confirmed to Newsday yesterday that the NCC does not owe Pan Trinbago that sum, he said, it owes the pan players $4.5 million or even more.
read more

Web Posted - Friday 4 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Panache Steel Orchestra, first-time entrant in Antigua & Barbuda’s National Panorama competition in 2017, was apparently left stranded. With no means of transporting their racks and instruments to the competition venue of Carnival City (Antigua’s Recreation Grounds (ARG)) miles away from their panyard, players had to come up with a solution.

As they are playing in first position tonight, Friday August 4 - band members, including arranger Zahra Lake were among the small group of around eight who took the initiative, and undertook the task of rolling the racks to the venue.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday 2 August, 2017
When Steel Talks

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Nine steel orchestras, including defending champs Halcyon Steel Orchestra, take the stage in two days' time in the annual steelband panorama.

The order of appearance for the August 4 competition is available.  Panorama first-timers Panache Steel Orchestra will be first on stage.
read more

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Panorama season—and by extension the Carnival season—was a tumultuous one that was overflowing with enough drama, intrigue, passion and controversy to field a season of Scandal, Empire or Game of Thrones. But in the end there was the music. An abundance of great music created by the finest arrangers, and outstanding performances delivered by the best steel orchestras in the world.

Two songs captured the imagination of Trinidad and Tobago for this 2017 Panorama and Carnival season - “Full Extreme” by Ultimate Rejects and “Good Morning” by Peter Ram. In fact, “Good Morning” became sort of the de-facto “test piece” as no other tune of choice has endeared itself to the steel orchestras as much in recent times. However, on closer inspection Bunji Garlin & Machel Montano’s “Buss Head” or Crazy’s “Gee Gee Ree” would be apropos to telling the complete Panorama season’s story.
read more

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Global - Within the historical context, a look at the impact of American movies on the naming of early steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago.
read more

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - At a glance and on a single page, access the comprehensive summary of results for the Small, Medium and Large conventional steel orchestras participating in their respective categories in the 2017 Panorama.

Follow the musical journey of respective bands through all three phases - preliminaries, semi-finals and finals through data on band info, scores, tunes of choice and arrangers.
access full summary here

 Tunes of Choice - Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2017

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A unique playlist featuring only the music selected as Tunes of Choice for the Trinidad and Tobago 2017 Steelband Panorama and Carnival.
listen to playlist

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Upcoming

Global  - Upcoming Steelpan music events from all over the world
click to calendar

Web Posted
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.
click to hear and/or view