Web Posted -
Thursday September 29, 2022
Kent County News
From Catonsville to Rock Hall — 23 years of steel drums leave an
indelible footprint on FallFest
At FallFest this
year, there will be seven types of pans and a
total of 18 instruments as Catonsville High
School’s Steel Band returns Oct. 8. The set,
which runs from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on the
Bayside Stage at the foot of Main Street, is
expected to pack the street again.
Maryland, USA - Rock Hall
FallFest, which returns to the town’s iconic Main Street on
Saturday, Oct. 8, has always been built around good live music
of all genres. That’s a reflection of the vision held by founder
Tom McHugh, the legendary local musician, educator, and
organizer who started the event in 1997.
....This year, there are eight live acts set to perform on two
stages at either end of Main Street. All are excellent, but none
are as closely ingrained into the history and spirit of FallFest
as the wildly-popular Catonsville High School Steel Band, which
will be making its 23rd appearance at the event.
see more
Web Posted -
Tuesday September 27, 2022
The Diamondback
Mighty Sound of Maryland and Maryland Steelpan Collective
unite for Oct. 1 halftime show
Mighty Sound of
Maryland, left; Josanne Francis, right
Maryland, USA - College
football is an American tradition seen nationwide. Each aspect
of it is deeply communal. From the tailgates to the act of
watching the game with the crowd to the halftime show.
The University of Maryland’s marching band, the Mighty Sound of
Maryland, is hoping to bring something students have never seen
before — a steelband and marching band halftime show.
The Mighty Sound of Maryland will perform with the Maryland
Steelpan Collective during the halftime show of the Oct. 1 game
against Michigan State.
The Maryland Steelpan Collective, led by music education
doctoral student
Josanne Francis and lecturer Adam Grisé, will feature local
professional steelpan players, with classic Calypso tunes such
as “Hot, Hot, Hot” and some familiar songs including “Raining
Men” by Rihanna featuring Nicki Minaj.
see more
Web Posted -
Tuesday September 27, 2022
Caribbean Life
Community pays tribute to Kenton Kirby
Trevor Hepburn, left, and Arthur Smith pay
tribute on pan
Brooklyn, New York, USA - The Caribbean community in Brooklyn on Saturday paid their last respects, during a funeral service, for Kenton K. Kirby, editor emeritus of Caribbean Life, who died on Sept. 6 at NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney, a nursing rehabilitation center on Albany Avenue in Brooklyn, where he was a resident for some time. He was 76.
Kenton Kirby, the Vincentian-born Editor Emeritus of Caribbean Life, dies at age 76
....“Kenton was like a professor,” said Trevor Hepburn, a
steelpanist, who trekked from the Bronx to play at the service.
“When Kenton gave you music, you have to take it or leave it,”
he added. “Kirby had given me musical arrangements.”
Hepburn then proceeded to play on steel pan “Into My Heart” and
“Sweet Hour of Prayer.”
see more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 25, 2022
CCA News
Miami University Steel Band featured in Pan Rocks video
Pan Rocks
Ohio, USA - The MU Steel Band
performed a full-fledged rock concert in April 2022, titled “Pan
Rocks — Steel & Strings Experience.” Director Chris Tanner
partnered with steelpan artist and impresario Tracy Thornton,
and electric violinist Mark Wood (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), to
produce the concert in Millett Hall, the university’s basketball
arena. The performance involved over 150 musicians, including
the Steel Band, alumni pan performers, guitarist Aaron Almashy,
bassist Matt Wiles, and string players from Miami and several
area high schools.
read more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 25, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
A Republic street party
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
There’s no better way to celebrate a national holiday than with
a party – a street party. And that’s what Shell
Invaders did for
Republic Bay Saturday bringing a touch of Carnival with its
sailor mas and steelpan J’Ouvert parade in Woodbrook.
see
original post, pictures
Web Posted -
Thursday September 22, 2022
The Virgin Islands Daily News
LCL Briefs
Love City Pan Dragons accepting new members
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands -
The island’s longest-running steel orchestra is accepting new
members through Oct. 1. Ages 8 and up are welcome. No experience
is necessary.
Members must be available for practices Fridays 3 to 6 p.m. and
Saturdays noon to 3 p.m. For more information, email
lovecitypandragons@gmail.com or text or call 340-690-2420.
see
original post, more
Web Posted -
Wednesday September 21, 2022
When Steel Talks
J’Ouvert in New York, 2022 - A Pictorial Space...
“Lavagem - The Cleansing - From Bahia to
Brooklyn” with music by Philadelphia (Philly)
Pan Stars
Brooklyn, New York, USA -
....For J’Ouvert and Ole Mas lovers the ritual of steelbands,
rhythm sections, ole mas characters, fancy mas, jab jab and more
from the beginning of the route at Grand Army Plaza and Eastern
Parkway, were what they turned out for. With some still cautious
about large gatherings post-COVID, and others probably reacting
to the unparalleled wall-to-wall ‘coverage’ by media outlets in
the immediate days leading up to the event about potential
violence and the authorities’ ‘readiness’ in this regard - there
was a definitive reduction in both participation and spectators
for the 2022 New York J’Ouvert.
see
pictures, read more
Web Posted -
Tuesday September 20, 2022
Trinidad Express Newspapers
Honouring ‘The Dream’
flashback:
Jereem “The Dream” Richards of Trinidad and
Tobago TTO celebrates after winning the Men’s
400 Metres Final on
March 19, 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Resplendent in black, Pt Fortin resident Britney Richards-Nelson
graciously accepted the award from Prime Minister Dr Keith
Rowley on behalf of her brother, Jereem “The Dream” Richards at
the newly refurbished Republic Bank
Exodus Steel Orchestra on the Eastern Main Road, (close to
Scotiabank) in Tunapuna, recently. Exodus took the initiative to
honour Richards after his public
appeal for the national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago be
played on the steelpan at his recent Commonwealth Games medal
ceremony, in Edinburgh, London.
read more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 18, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Corporation chairman’s vision for Couva – Railway Strip
Heritage Park
David Sylvester,
co-founder of the NGC Couva Joylanders
steelband, stands in front of the old train
station on Railway Road, Couva. The area is the
proposed site for the Railway Strip Heritage
Park
Couva, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Right now, Railway Road in the heart of Couva is a dormant area
with a dilapidated building — the remnant of a train stop — an
overgrown parcel of land, a pan yard, and government buildings,
including the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC)
administrative building.
However, if all goes as planned, the area could soon transform
into a stunning heritage park, reviving the formerly bustling
district.
That is the vision of CTTRC’s chairman Henry Awong – to create
the Railway Strip Heritage Park.
....The chairman recalled that during the height of the pandemic
and from inside his office, he heard members of the NGC
Couva Joylanders playing.
The players were in front of the pan complex along Railway Road.
Liking the sounds of the music, he opened his windows and shared
a Facebook live video.
read more
Web Posted -
Wednesday September 14, 2022
When Steel Talks
Reigning Miami Panorama Champ Metro Steel Orchestra Looks to Defend Title
Some members of Metro Steel Orchestra
Florida, USA - Join Miami
Carnival for their annual Panorama on Friday October 7, 2022, at
the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida
starting at 4:00 p.m. The list of bands competing for prizes and
the coveted title of 2022 Miami Carnival Steelband of the Year
includes reigning champs Metro Steel Orchestra, Lauderhill Steel
Ensemble, New Generation Branches Steel Orchestra, Elite Pan
Stars Academy, and Melo Groove Steel Orchestra.
see more
Web Posted -
Monday September 12, 2022
Trinidad Express Newspapers
New Online Docuseries: Women in Pan
Global -
Yuko Asada,
Dr. Mia
Gormandy-Benjamin,
Vanessa Headley,
Michelle Huggins-Watts and
Natasha Joseph. That fabulous fivesome of female pan arrangers
form the subject of musician
Mark Loquan’s intriguing online
docuseries
Women in Pan.
Loquan has teamed with photographer Maria Nunes to produce the
informative ten-part web series that explores contemporary issues
in pan through the lens of those five leading ladies of the
national instrument.
Women in Pan is featured on
Mark Loquan Music YouTube Channel.
....Released under Loquan’s ‘A Better Tomorrow’ banner,
Women in Pan is presented by writer/cultural activist Attilah
Springer and co-produced by director Caroline Taylor.
see more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 11, 2022
When Steel Talks
New York J’Ouvert 2022 Results - J’Ouvert City International, Inc. (JCI)
Labor Day J’Ouvert – Monday September 5th
2022
Winning Steelband - Bomb Competition -
Philadelphia Pan Stars - J’Ouvert 2022 -
Brooklyn
Brooklyn, New York, USA -
These are the full results for the individual competitive
categories in the 2022 New York J’Ouvert celebration held on
Labor Day, Monday September 5th September in
Brooklyn, New York. The event was organized by J’Ouvert
City International, Inc. (JCI).
Philadelphia Pan Stars came out on top in both the Steelband ‘Bomb’
and Calypso competitions. In addition to Philadelphia Pan
Stars, three other steelbands appeared on the road for J’Ouvert
this year: Harmony Music Makers, Hearts of Steel and Pan Rebels.
see
full results, video
Web Posted -
Sunday September 11, 2022
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian
Questions raised about Ramsey-Moore’s two-year extension as
Pan Trinbago president
Pan Trinbago President Beverley Ramsey-Moore
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Pan Trinbago President Beverley Ramsey Moore has blamed the pushing
back of elections and the extension of her term of office by two
years on the
COVID-19
pandemic which interrupted the work of the body that governs the
steelpan community in T&T.
Her critics within the steelpan fraternity argue that she does
not have their full support and she is abusing her power by
staying in power without facing elections.
see more
Web Posted -
Wednesday September 7, 2022
When Steel Talks
Brooklyn J’Ouvert back - well kinda - but!
NY Brooklyn J’Ouvert a shell of former self
Harmony Music Makers at J’Ouvert 2022
Brooklyn, New York, USA - It
was like a scene from “I Am Legend” the Will Smith movie. And
coming out of a global pandemic that is indeed a little too
close for comfort. Complete desolation. No bands, no spectators,
no pan, no rhythm [riddim], no sound, no music - only a
sprinkling of police every 20 feet or so, as far as the eyes
could see, along the route between Empire Boulevard and Flatbush
Avenue, and Grand Army Plaza and Flatbush - the starting point
of the J’Ouvert celebrations. What was I missing? Not even one
wayward or late Jab Jab.
There was lots of oil, paint, and powder splattered all over the
street. Normally, this was more than enough evidence that a
J’Ouvert band or occurrence had come through the area.
see more
Web Posted -
Tuesday September 6, 2022
BroadwayWorld
Miami Carnival Panorama Set For Next Month
The event is on Friday October 7, 2022
Miami, Florida, USA - Join
Miami Carnival for their annual Panorama on Friday, October 7,
2022, at the Central Broward Regional Park 3700 NW 11th Place,
Lauderhill, FL., from 4 p.m.-11 p.m. This annual cultural
musical experience is set to be a vibe.
....The list of renowned bands competing for prizes and the
coveted title of the 2022 Miami Carnival Steelband of the Year
includes
Metro Steel Orchestra, Lauderhill Steel Ensemble, New
Generation Branches Steel Orchestra, Elite Pan Stars Academy,
and Melo Groove Steel Orchestra.
With...the anticipation and excitement of the epic special
performances by Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony traveling in
from Trinidad Tobago, as well as the Japanese Steelband WaiWai,
this year’s Miami Carnival Panorama is a music-inspired family
event not to be missed.
....This past fall, the Miami Broward One Carnival Host
Committee expanded its youth arts enrichment program with its
inaugural youth pan workshop series.
see more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 4, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
The renaissance of Dr Louis and the Lynx
Young members of Starlift Steel Orchestra during
the closing of a camp in Port of Spain on August
26. The steel orchestra will perform with Dr
Louis and the Lynx at the Renaissance concert in
October.
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
....Dr Louis Nurse, of the band Dr Louis and the Lynx...an
internationally recognised concert pianist, started playing
music as a student at St Mary’s College in 1973, along with
well-known musicians and entertainers like Carl “Beaver”
Henderson, Colin Lucas and Carl Jacob.
....Some years ago he produced local distance-learning
television series, Learning the Guitar with Louis, and Learning
the Steelpan, which were aired on both Channel 4 and Gayelle.
....On October 8, Dr Louis and the Lynx, in collaboration with
Proman
Starlift Steel
Orchestra, will perform at a concert
titled Renaissance: The Experience, at the National Academy for
the Performing Arts, from 8-11 p.m.
....He said the association with Starlift is one the band wants
to maintain because they want to eventually export the show to
Europe.
see more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 4, 2022
Daily Kos
Black Music Sunday: A steel pan journey, from Trinidad &
Tobago to Brooklyn—and beyond
Brooklyn, New York, USA - The
West Indian Labor Day Carnival Parade in New York takes place in
the borough of Brooklyn, and draws millions of participants and
viewers each year. With that in mind, let’s spend this #BlackMusicSunday
traveling to Trinidad and Tobago, to explore the roots of steel
pan bands and the instrument that has made carnival band music a
global phenomenon—while also moving off of the streets and into
concert venues.
....I realized that of all the many instruments I’ve featured in
this series, I have never highlighted the steel pan, which has a
fascinating history, and a global appeal.
see more
Web Posted -
Sunday September 4, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Jaischelle, 13, carries on family tradition of playing pan
Jaischelle James playing the steelpan at last
day of the Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra camp
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The
steelpan isn’t known for being the easiest instrument to play.
But 13-year-old Jaischelle James is taking the time to perfect
the craft with the help of her family and Proman
Starlift Steel
Orchestra.
She said of all the instruments, she chose this one because she
comes from a family that is rich in the history of the pan.
“My grandfather, Cecil “Jimo” James, has been involved for over
60 years as well as my great aunt,
Daisy James-McClean, who was the first woman to play the
steelpan,” Jaischelle told Newsday
Kids.
see more
Web Posted -
Friday September 2, 2022
When Steel Talks
The Disappearing Panyard
“Move de band ‘cause we want to nice up de land.”
by Angela Howard
The former panyard for D’Radoes Steel Orchestra
in Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn, New York, USA -
....Why
all the hard work when you can just get a school-yard for a
couple of weeks? Because we are trying to do something more than
have a place to practice. We create an environment that is
conducive not only to ‘liming’ and isn’t limited to the music.
When I walk in, sticks in hand, I am transported into a
different world. One in which the influence of American culture
can wane and I can be washed clean of this place. Here we can
listen to the oral histories of pan. Talk about the times when.
This is how we preserve our culture....
see more
Web Posted
When Steel Talks
Technology Giant “Google” Celebrates the steelpan instrument via Google
Doodle
Celebrating Steelpan - Illustration by artist Nicholas Huggins
Doodle of steelpan instrument ‘live’ on Google’s web site
Global - On Tuesday July 26, 2022 the
steelpan instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is featured and celebrated on the
site of technology giant “Google” via the famed Google ‘Doodle.’ The ‘Doodle’
is essentially an illustrative change made to the Google corporate logo “to
celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers,
and scientists” - and more. The doodle is then seen by users all around the
world who access Google’s homepage on that day, and is available thereafter
in the doodle archives.
....Trinidad and Tobago-based artist Nicholas Huggins is the creator of the
illustrative artwork featured in the doodle, while Etienne Charles is the composer
of the accompanying music performed by the legendary steelpan icon Len “Boogsie”
Sharpe.
see more
Web Posted - February
2020
When Steel Talks
Complete Summary of Results of all Conventional Steel Orchestras - 2020
Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama
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 that participated in their respective
categories in the 2020 Panorama.
Follow the musical journey of respective bands through all three phases -
compare side-by-side preliminaries, semi-finals and finals through data on band
info, scores, tunes of choice and arrangers - on one page.
access full summary
