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
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
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
(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.
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
|