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Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra - Sports Day

New York Steelband Fraternity Comes Together
for Fun, Fun, Fun

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Steelpan musicians battle for basketball supremacy on Sonatas' Sports Day
Steelpan musicians battle for basketball supremacy on Sonatas’ Sports Day

Brooklyn, New York - Have you ever wondered - what does a world-class performing steel orchestra do when it is not performing, or readying itself for the next competition or performance?

On Saturday Sonatas held ‘Sports Day’ - an event conjured up, directed and managed by the young people of the organization.  Not only was the event a great idea - but it was also a great experience.  All there had a great time.  Fun, food and music were the order of the day. Yes, there was healthy competition, but the day’s events fostered cooperation, camaraderie and respect among the youth of the various steelbands present.

Preparing for the three-legged race
Preparing for the three-legged race

Present were members from Despers USA, Sesame Flyers and Pan Ambassadors, in addition to others from the New York steelpan music contingency who participated in a variety of fun-filled activities.  Instead of dueling with pan sticks and their steelpan instruments, weapons of choice on this day included basketballs, eggs and spoons, cloths securing participants for the 3-egged race, soccer, and more.  Despers USA and Sonatas flags that had once led the charge on the battlefield that is the panorama stage at Brooklyn Museum grounds on Panorama night, now were alternately held aloft or waved wildly at the Sports Day arena as each team cheered on their respective ballplayers from the sidelines.  It was Despers USA who eventually prevailed in the basketball rounds, with one member laughingly telling Sonatas that they were going after their Panorama championship trophy next come September 4.

The younger generation enjoy the best of both worlds at Sonatas' Sports Day
The younger generation enjoy the best of both worlds
at Sonatas’ Sports Day

And even as the older members of the youth fraternity laughingly battled their way to various stages of supremacy, the offspring - from tiny tots up - of the pan musicians were equally hard at play, from skate-boarding, to bike riding, to chasing whatever caught their fancy at the moment.  Parents and steelpan supporters passed by, some opting to shelter from the sunny day under tents set up to provide shade, while others oversaw the culinary fare available for sale.

Sonatas' arranger Yohan Popwell getting 'over' ace steelpan musician Sade Constantine at Sonatas' Sports Day
Sonatas’ arranger Yohan Popwell (right) getting ‘over’
ace steelpan musician Sade Constantine (left)
at Sonatas’ Sports Day

It was especially engaging to see Sonatas’ arranger Yohan Popwell, now in New York along with his family for about two weeks - cheering on the egg and spoon crew, and even more so when he allowed himself to be cajoled alongside the Basement crew, into joining a two-on-two basketball shootout - a game which he confessed he had not played in over ---- (well, WST is not going to disclose exactly!) years.  Nevertheless, looking at Popwell’s manoeuvers, it was clear that it was somewhat like riding a bike, and it all began coming back to him - strategically speaking.  He decided not to go too far, given that he was not as “trim” and agile as he once was...  But it was so very nice to see ‘another side’ of the champion arranger!

Behind the scenes, in the kitchen cooking up a storm was Joanne Scott
Behind the scenes, in the kitchen cooking up a storm was Joanne Scott.  The food was headed outside for eager panists when they took a break from competition, and also for sale to those who came by to partake in Sonatas’ famous culinary talents

The defending New York steelband music  panorama champions, Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra have once again demonstrated why they are a special and valued institution.  Far beyond being one of the elite performing arts organizations in the New York Metropolitan area, Sonatas - through their off-the-stage activities, continue to lead the way in fostering community and youth development.

Moreover, Sonatas’ activities also highlight the tenets of its foundation - invest in youth and increase the quality of life for its members and community.  Sonatas Steel Orchestra is to be commended for their successful efforts in creating an environment and an opportunity for the steelpan fraternity to remove barriers between the groups and community while promoting harmony, respect and corporation.

 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     

All photos by WST

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