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Web Posted - Saturday July 30, 2011
When Steel Talks

July 30 - The ‘Pan Buzz’ to date:  Steelbands must commit to Music Festival
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Every time the Steelband music festival comes around I am filled with trepidation. Now - you might ask how a fearless man like Pan Buzz could be filled with fear. It has to do with the poor turn-out and the lack of commitment of government agencies - The Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, the Tourism Development Company and hypocritical panmen, who prefer to smoke a “10-piece” (weed) than support the festival. And that’s not all; the big bands, by their very selfish attitude, have contributed significantly to the demise of the Festival.

Two big bands that could make the festival a thing of beauty, WITCO Desperadoes and Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars - both past winners - have been ducking the Festival for flimsy reasons. My spies tell me the prize money is not attractive as the National Panorama’s, hence the reason panmen are reluctant to participate.
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Web Posted - Saturday July 30, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

‘Pan Greats’ honoured in London
 

England, U.K. - The Commonwealth Arts and Cultural Foundation in association with Garvin Nicholas, High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago held its Steelpan Awards 2011 at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, London on Tuesday July 26 2011.

The event was held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Steel Orchestra (TASPO) and the Golden Jubilee of the Dixieland Steel Orchestra. To recognise and commemorate these two historic events, the Year 2011 has been designated and declared the ‘‘Year of the Steel Pan’’.

The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Steel Orchestra (TASPO) was the first steel band to perform in the United Kingdom. This steelband performed at the South Bank, London on July 26, 1951.
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Web Posted - Friday July 29, 2011
ncnGuyana.com

Over 100 youths have graduated from the pan minor’s music literacy programme
 

Guyana, SA - The Republic Bank Right Start minor’s literacy programme for 2011 has concluded graduating some 115 youths from region 4, 6 and 10. General Manager for corporate and management systems for Republic Bank Denise Hobbs stated that it is another initiative that helps to make a difference in communities and they have witnessed a resurgence in the steel pan fraternity.

“At Republic Bank we hold fast to the belief that we all have a role to play in positively shaping the minds of our youth, helping them to realize their potential, hone skills, and dream of real possibilities beyond their present circumstances and popular culture” Hobbs said.

She added that the programme which commenced in mid-July has improved and developed playing skills while affording an appreciation for the history of the art form. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Alfred King recalled that five years ago there was a decline in the interest of steel pan.
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Web Posted - Friday July 29, 2011
When Steel Talks

Despers USA 2011 Band Launch in Pictures
 

New York, USA - This is your chance to relive in glorious color, the 2011 band launch of Despers USA, held recently at the panyard of D’Radoes, Chase Court, in Brooklyn, New York. Pictures, pictures, pictures!
click for Pix!

Web Posted - Thursday July 28, 2011
Penobscot Bay Press

FLASH! in the Pans turns 20
Community invited to August 22 party

Maine, USA - This summer will be the 20th year that FLASH! in the Pans has entertained audiences throughout the area and beyond. Flash is a Brooksville-born community steel drum band that has inspired communities throughout Maine to embrace the steel drum music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago.

The group is now based in Blue Hill and has a wide range of members and fans. According to member Martin Conte, “What Flash has done for this Peninsula is combine international culture with community building; it is now a staple of Blue Hill—and Maine—life, and will someday be looked back on as an integral part of Maine history.”
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Web Posted - Thursday July 28, 2011
When Steel Talks

Ron Berridge, Caribbean Music Extraordinaire speaks on the Steelpan and More
 

Global - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, musician great Ron Berridge shares his thoughts on Caribbean music and Pan. He is simply one of the most influential individuals of music out of the Caribbean for a generation and by extension Steelpan music. His influence and reach, coupled with a series of fortuitous sequences of events, are still being felt in the steelpan music world today. From Lord Kitchener to the Mighty Sparrow, the musical works of Ron Berridge live on.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 27, 2011
Funcoast.com

Pantasia Steel Drum band returns to Washington Park

Ohio, USA - Break out the tropical shirts and lawn chairs — it’s time for the Pantasia Steel Drum Band.

“(Pantasia) is one of the premiere concerts we have during the summer,” said Bill Werner, musical coordinator for the Sandusky Community Celebrations Council, the group that coordinates the event. “We get a real nice turnout of people.”

Pantasia, the award-winning group from Findlay High School, is making its yearly pilgrimage to the gazebo as part of the Washington Park Gazebo Concert Series at 7 p.m. July 28. The ensemble, which has performed in such venues as New Orleans, the Bahamas and New York City’s Lincoln Center, averages about 40 performances a year.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 27, 2011
MyABC50.com

Sounds of the Caribbean to Fill the Air at Cape Vincent’s Village Green
 

New York, USA - The Cape Vincent Chamber of Commerce is preparing for sounds of the Caribbean to fill the Cape Vincent Village Green.

On Saturday, August 6^th the Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band Trio will perform from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Trinidad and Tobago Steel Band Trio has been performing throughout Western New York and Canada since 1972. Under the leadership of Alfred St. John, the group formed to share the musical heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 26, 2011
When Steel Talks

Steelpan in the Sauna - a Scorcher of a Band Launch for Despers USA

New York, USA - Sizzling heat... streaming sweat... sauna-like conditions... and Steelbands. That was the combination within the 2011 band launch of Despers USA this past Saturday. And it played out in a scorcher of a session in terms of music - and, literally.

Pan, Pan, and more Pan. So much so, in fact, that players who performed are still half-jokingly referring to the launch as �“Despers’ semi-finals” - an obvious tongue-in-cheek reference to Trinidad & Tobago’s annual Panorama semi-finals.  That is in itself a mega marathon of Pan performances...
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 26, 2011
When Steel Talks

Setting the Mood - Moods Pan Groove Caribbean Food & Music Festival hits The Mark

New York, USA - Hmmm... Let’s see. If you were not at the annual Moods Pan Groove Caribbean Food and Music Festival in Brooklyn, New York - what exactly did you miss? An event that, if there’s a ‘Part Deux,’ you would consider not being one of the folks who missed out again on an enjoyable evening that was tailor-made to their desires.

Pulling up out front on St. John’s Place, one could tell immediately that there was a good time to be had.  In the shadows of the evening further deepened by the surrounding trees, could be heard the sound of laughter from guests gathered, some seated, others standing.
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 26, 2011
When Steel Talks

2011 Antigua & Barbuda Panorama Selections and Steel Orchestras
 

Antigua & Barbuda - The stage is set for the 2011 Antigua & Barbuda National Panorama competition. On Thursday 28^th July, six steel orchestras - including newcomer East Vibes - will be taking part in the competition at Carnival City (Antigua’s Recreation Grounds).  Halcyon Steel Orchestra, the defending champion and also celebrating its 40^th anniversary, will try to hold on to its crown.
more details

Web Posted - Monday July 25, 2011
When Steel Talks

Pan Trinbago hosts Steelband Month in August
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago will host Steelband Month during the period August 1–31, 2011, with a number of planned activities in commemoration of the 19th Anniversary of the declaration of the Steelpan as the National Musical Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.

The celebrations start with an Interfaith Service on Sunday July 31 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain at 11:00 am.
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Web Posted - Monday July 25, 2011
When Steel Talks

2011 Grenada Junior Panorama Selections and Steel Bands
 

Grenada - The Junior Panorama is back as part of the Children’s Carnival Frolic at the National Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada. On Saturday 30^th July, six junior steel orchestras will be taking part in the competition. The panists - as young as 6 years, running through age 19 - have been spending their summer vacation in the Pan House, practicing to perfect their Panorama selections and overall presentation for this year’s event.
more details

Web Posted - Monday July 25, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Charles sets Kaiso in age of elegance
 

Global - ....Charles, who grew up in Diego Martin and Glencoe, blew his first note on a trumpet given to him by an uncle when he was ten, its golden shine playing across his face—a portent for the future. Coming of age as a youngster, he treasured a paltry few records by pianist Monty Alexander, who is featured on the album, and Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, a friend and mentor today. But it was a seminal textbook on Phase II Pan Groove’s jazz harmony and language that provided a scholarship of sorts when he had turned 13.

“Pan was most important in my musical training,” Charles said. “The yard teaches you to memorise. Besides, Boogsie’s stuff is jazz with a Caribbean beat.”
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Web Posted - Monday July 25, 2011
When Steel Talks

102° in the Shade - Despers USA’s Launch Raises Steelpan Music Index

Brooklyn, New York - Bring your ‘A’ game or stay home. On the New York steelpan music scene anything less can result in your feelings getting hurt. Surrounded by cagey and knowledgeable veterans, New York steelpan musicians are young, talented and hungry with years of experience in spite of their tender ages. Out this night to represent their musical tribes and area, were none other than some of the best steel orchestras in New York - a virtual who’s who of the standard bearers of North American pan music. CASYM, Sonatas, Pantonic, Steel Sensation, USA Eastside, Higher Levin, D’Radoes, Pan Ambassadors, Pan Stars, Crossfire and Harmony Music Makers - all present and accounted for.
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Web Posted - Friday July 22, 2011
When Steel Talks

It’s Pan Is Beautiful XII in October
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - October 2011 has been set aside for the staging of “Pan Is Beautiful XII” – Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Music Festival. Produced by Pan Trinbago Inc. TC, “Pan Is Beautiful XII” will be staged in phases during that month.

Categories in this competition are Soloist, Ensemble, Single Pan Band and Conventional Bands, with the Orchestra Finals on Thursday 27^th October 2011 at the Lord Kitchener Auditorium, National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain.
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Web Posted - Friday July 22, 2011
Caymanian Compass

Pan-tastic event in Toronto
 

Ontario, Canada - Cayman’s finest proponents of pan will be on show in Toronto on Friday, 29 July.

Under the tutelage of the legendary Earl La Pierre, the Pandemix group will be competing with other outfits at Pan Alive, where North America’s premier steel pan orchestras will compete for the title of Best Steel Band at the 2011 Caribana festival.

“Throughout the night the audience will be treated to some of the best live Caribbean flavoured percussion and steel drumming,” our secret source at Caribana tells us.

“The panel of judges will judge performance on arrangement, group performance, the tone and general application of rhythm. Of course, the audience will base our favourites on how hard we are pushed to dance.”
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Web Posted - Thursday July 21, 2011
When Steel Talks

July 21 - The ‘Pan Buzz’ to date:  The G-Pan and PHI... More questions than answers
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - ....The controversy involving the G-Pan (Genesis) and the Percussive Harmonic Instrument (PHI) reeks like a nasty fart in an elevator. Everyone is looking at everyone, and no one is saying anything, everybody is behaving dumb as the scent disturbs the nose. Well I have news for all involved; the Pan Buzz is going to ask questions until I am blue in the face... and who vex lorse.

Readers of this column will know that The Buzz has been in the forefront of Pan development. I have been crying out loud for years for Trinidad & Tobago to take the lead in Pan technology. putting our young, inventive minds to work. From my perch, and wide and varied network, information reaches me on Pan development worldwide, even as I write.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 21, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Renegades goes to France
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The weekend past could be dubbed “pan weekend” as over-the-top, back-to-back steelband concerts were held in Port-of-Spain. On Friday evening, Pan Trinbago climaxed the After Work Pan Lime, at the Grand Stand Courtyard, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, and on Saturday night, a farewell concert was held to say ‘bon voyage’ to bpTT Renegades, at its Charlotte Street pan theatre, as the orchestra embarks on a tour of France. Friday’s show featured Witco Desperadoes, LH Pan Groove, Clico Sforzata, New Age Trendsetters, Uni Stars and Katzenjammers from Tobago, while Saturday’s showcased the same bands—Tokyo, Invaders, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Desperadoes—which competed in the successful Pillars of Steel Repertoire Competition, staged a few weeks back.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 21, 2011
When Steel Talks

Steelband Music Ambassadors down South take Pan By Storm

San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago - St. Margaret’s Boys’ Youth Pan Extravaganza was previously a single local event held in Port-of-Spain at Trinidad All Stars Pan Theatre. Due to its resounding success during the initial three years, it was decided to share the episode with their southern counterparts. It was so nice last year that they decided to do it twice at the Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre.

The non-profit exercise which was pioneered by Kurt Abraham, continues to be co-ordinated by his wife, Rosemarie Abraham, a teacher at the school, St. Margaret’s Boys’ School.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 20, 2011
PanPodium.com

The Launch of Pan In Education 2
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - All are invited to the launch of PAN IN EDUCATION 2.  See music literacy being taken out of the box with the use of modern technology, with the preservation of the music of Trinidad and Tobago.  Where: The Little Carib Theatre, Woodbrook, When: Thursday, 28^th July, 2011, Time:  6:00 p.m.

Pan in Education 2 (PIE 2) is a continuing journey to document our local music for the world stage, not only for the sake of preservation, but as a tool for education. The first in the series PIE 1 was launched in October 2005. Like PIE 1, this double CD contains one CD with audio recordings, with the second CD containing a digital interface to all the musical scores of the arrangements, and biographies of the bands and arrangers. Grading of the scores are again done by Satanand Sharma, Head of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
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Web Posted - Monday July 18, 2011
When Steel Talks

2011 designated the Year of the Steelpan in London, England
TASPO and Dixieland

London, England - The year 2011 has been designated the Year of the Steelpan in London, England, and in commemoration of two (2) historic events, several activities have been planned to mark the auspicious occasion.

The Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) appeared at the Festival of Britain on the South Bank on July 26th 1951. Ten years later, in May 1961, the Dixieland Steel Orchestra came to the United Kingdom having won the National Steel Band Festival of Trinidad & Tobago.
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Web Posted - Sunday July 17, 2011
When Steel Talks

Launch of the Canadian Federation of Steelpan
The Official Launch for Canada’s first national Steelpan organization

Ontario, Canada - The Canadian Federation of Steelpan (CFS) invites media representatives to attend the Official Launch for this national organization whose mission is to promote education, collaboration, communication and awareness around the art form called “Steelpan.” The Canadian Federation of Steelpan will also work with local organizations to produce Steelpan Festivals across Canada.

....Media representatives are invited to attend and learn how we will educate the public about steel pan, and provide seminars for those interested in learning about this wonderful instrument.
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Web Posted - Sunday July 17, 2011
When Steel Talks

Steelpan music culture and art reign supreme at “Saturday Evening at D Pan Yard”!
New York Pan Stars come out to play

New York, USA - With a New York Summer full moon illuminating the skies, the “Pan stars” came out to play. Literally. Under the auspices of New York Pan Stars Steel Orchestra, an event of authentic high culture, music and art was made available to the New York community via “Saturday Evening at D Pan Yard.” The event featured musical performances by the area’s top steelband music orchestras. New York, and in particular Brooklyn, has long been the home of some of the best performing steel orchestras in North America - featuring home- grown personnel with impeccable musicianship and live performance abilities.
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Web Posted - Friday July 15, 2011
When Steel Talks

UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra Concert ‘Simply Pan’ – Thrilling!

Jamaica, W.I. - Simply Pan. Passionate. Artistic. Natural. (PAN) was the theme for this year’s UWI (University of the West Indies) Panoridim Steel Orchestra’s annual summer concert season (PANFEST). The orchestra normally hosts its concert at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts on the UWI Mona campus, Panoridim’s base, but this year, in part, they took the show on the road. The season began in Kingston on 2 July and ended in Jamaica’s second city Montego Bay at the beautiful Half Moon Hotel Conference Centre, on 10 July.
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Web Posted - Friday July 15, 2011
Tobago News

Copeland is not a tuner
 

Tobago, W.I. - Ace Tobago pan tuner and former Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold has added his voice to the raging G Pan controversy.
Late last week Attorney General Anand Ramlogan had threatened to take legal action against Prof Brian Copeland who claimed to have invented the G Pan. The Attorney General said legal proceedings would be initiated by the government against Copeland and others for marketing the G Pan as their own and making profits from the venture.

Arnold, who has himself been a long outstanding pan tuner with a big international reputation, has been exporting pans to different parts of the world.

“It was Tony Williams, the former Pan Am North Stars captain who introduced the 4th and 5th style of pan tuning which revolutionised and standardised the notes arrangements on the steel pan instruments,” Arnold said.

....Arnold dropped a shocker when he revealed that Copeland is not a pan tuner. Copeland was given the nation’s highest award under the regime of former Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
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Web Posted - Friday July 15, 2011
When Steel Talks

Mas Man Picks Up Los Angeles Award
Selected for Special Screening in London
 

Global - Mas Man producer and director Dalton Narine (also a steelpan musician and historian) was presented the Best Director (Short Documentary) award by the Los Angeles International Film Festival last week, distinguishing the film about Peter Minshall by its fifth prize since it won Best Documentary at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival in 2009 as a work in progress.

Mas Man has been warmly received on the festival circuit in the US, UK, Cameroon and South Africa, but Narine says it is still unfinished. The work is scheduled to be completed by August 15.
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Web Posted - Friday July 15, 2011
StLuciaCarnival.net

Courts Babonneau Steel Orchestra Wins Big in Panorama

St. Lucia, W.I. - For the first time ever St. Lucia crowned two Panorama champions, becoming only the second in the world to do so. After two years hiatus, Panorama was back on Friday July 15, setting the Beausejour Cricket Grounds alight with heart stopping arrangements, beautiful choreography and colourful costumes.

Five large and three small bands beat their hearts out to claim the fame of 2011 Panorama champions.

At the end of the night it was a double victory for Babonneau, as bands from that community topped both small and large band categories.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 14, 2011
When Steel Talks

Rhythm & Blues and Reggae Rock Despers USA Pan Loft

New York, USA - Another weekend is upon us, but pan folks are still talking about their experience last weekend, conceptualized and brought to life by Despers USA. On a sultry Sunday evening, ‘R&R’ was not for ‘rest and relaxation.’ Rather it signified that R&B and Reggae ruled and rocked the Pan Loft of Despers USA, as the panyard of one of New York’s veteran steel orchestras is affectionately known. A great evening with a bit of humidity was the backdrop for some very good steelband music provided by four of the region’s top music organizations.

An event with a difference, it was a daring move by the younger members of Despers USA’s management team - that of having only R&B and Reggae - sans soca - reign supreme for several hours.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 14, 2011
Caribbean Festivals

LIME Presents the Most Exciting Night of St. Lucia Carnival 2011

St. Lucia, W.I. - Panorama is back, and with LIME’s support, it’s guaranteed to be one of the biggest and most spectacular pan extravaganzas to be staged in St Lucia for a long time.

Eight bands are down to perform at the event scheduled for Friday July 15^th at the Beausejour Cricket Grounds. They include three in the Small Bands category and five in the Large Bands category. It’s the first time that a category has been created especially for small bands.

LIME is, and has been a major sponsor of Panorama and has provided cash contribution of $10,000 towards the event. The company has been a loyal supporter of Panorama and steel band music in St Lucia for many years, as well as a title sponsor of LIME Diamond Steel, St Lucia’s most celebrated pan orchestra.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 14, 2011
When Steel Talks

July 14 - The ‘Pan Buzz’ to date:  G-Pan giving me a gripe
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Let me make myself clear, all the facts are not in so I won’t rush to judgment. As the old people would say, I won’t drink my coffee hot. But surely the Pan Buzz will raise a few things that have weighed heavy on the mind regarding the G-Pan and its funding fallout now sweeping the Pan world.

I am not afraid to say that is years I have been urging governments (past and present) to get involved in Pan technology, which I call Pan’s final frontier. Now former Prime Minister Patrick Manning take the basket, not because of Pan Buzz hailing him as the greatest non-playing captain of the steelband, but he recognized the need to brand Pan. Now If every Tom, Dick, Harrilal and Dhanolal want to claim Pan as their own it is fine by me; Trinidad and Tobago will always be the Mecca and mother of the steelband, fullstop.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 13, 2011
When Steel Talks

New Dimension Steel Orchestra Captures 2011 Grenada Bomb (Popular) Tune Title

Grenada, W.I. - Eight of Grenada’s top steel orchestras vied for the coveted “Bomb Tune” competition title in what was one of the closest competitions in years. In this hotly contested event that unfolded Friday July 1 at the Tanteen Netball Court in the country’s capital of St. George’s, a meager half of a point separated the eventual winners New Dimension Steel Orchestra - with a score of 268 points - from its closest rival Angel Harps Steel Orchestra who garnered a score of 267.5.  Angel Harps were the defending “Bomb Tune” champions. Using a three-judge system, the maximum possible score achievable was 300 points.

Under the rules of the competition an orchestra was allowed to perform a popular, none-calypso song.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 13, 2011
Easier.com

Steel band set to bring the Caribbean to Gibraltar’s Ocean Village
 

Gibraltar - Denmark may be far from tropical, yet it has produced one of the finest steel bands on the circuit – the “Steel Hammers”. Having toured across Europe, the 12-piece ensemble will be bringing a flavour of the Caribbean to Gibraltar’s Ocean Village on Monday 18 July at 9pm. Make your way to Leisure Island and let your imagination drift off to a sun-soaked Caribbean Island…

Hailing from the Allerød Music School, in a small Danish town just north of Copenhagen, the Steel Hammers are a young, energetic group with an average age of just 26. Covering a wide repertoire of calypso, cha cha, mambo and more, you’ll recognise some of your favourites from Santana to Stevie Wonder and even Jean-Michel Jarre played out on authentic acoustic steel drums.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 13, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday

G-pans not sold anywhere
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Junia Regrello, yesterday denied that Genesis Pans also called G-pans, since being launched in 2007, have been sold locally, or internationally, as is now being claimed by Attorney General (AG) Anand Ramlogan.

At a news conference held at the Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre on Coffee Street, San Fernando, the former San Fernando West Member of Parliament, said he was willing to meet and speak with Ramlogan to clear up his misunderstanding of the issue.

Regrello said there is much confusion, as the People’s Partnership does not have anyone within the Government with an in-depth knowledge of pan.

Regrello said, “I don’t want to tell the Attorney General to leave pan alone, but he should be a little more understanding because this is a very touchy, very sensitive project.”
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 12, 2011
When Steel Talks

Regrello addresses Steelpan Community on Trinidad and Tobago G-pan allegations

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Former minister in the previous government administration Junia Regrello called a press conference today, in response to allegations made by Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General Anand Ramlogan last Friday, and notification that the Government proposes taking legal action against G-pan inventor Professor Brian Copeland and three associates for profiting from sales of the G-pan. According to the Patent application publication on file, the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago government is listed as the assignee. Copeland is a director of the Panadigm Innovation Ltd Company (PIL) which was incorporated to facilitate the commercialization of the G-pan. Regrello resigned from the company in 2007.
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Web Posted - Monday July 12, 2011
The Sudbury Star

Steel pans resonate in city

Ontario, Canada - The Northern All-Stars Steel Pan band practice is something you won’t find anywhere else in Sudbury, let alone Northern Ontario.

While most band practices might involve a bass guitar, a guitar, a drum kit, amplifiers and a messy tangle of wiring, The Northern All-Stars Steel Pan practice with oil drums -- or the Steel Pan.

....Once a week, Junior Williams (vocals), Phil Dockery (double second), Ralph Mounter (bass), Suhailyah Scope (melody tenor), young Leila Muhammad (guitar pan) and her father, Sadiyq Muhammad are keeping the art form alive and well in Sudbury.
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 12, 2011
BarbadosCropOverFestival.com

It’s Pan in De City Again!
 

Barbados, W.I. - RBC/RBTT re-committed to supporting steel pan in the 2011 Crop Over season when it extended its sponsorship for Pan in De City. At a Press Conference held at the Bank’s Corporate Office at Lower Broad Street, Manager of Corporate Communications and Brands Mr. Joseph Charles told media personnel present, that the Bank’s staff were proud owners of the event and felt greater pride in sharing it with all Barbadians.

....RBC sponsored Pan in De City from its inception, when it was presented as a Saturday morning treat for shoppers in Bridgetown. That was seven years ago.
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Web Posted - Monday July 12, 2011
New Haven Independent

Pantasies Blossom In Edgewood Park

Connecticut, USA - It’s not often that the night air of Edgewood Park is filled with a crowd’s shouts of “Tequila!” Monday was one of those nights.

The Pantastic Steel Orchestra, a steel drum and percussion band, sparked those cries at a free outdoor concert in front of Edgewood Park’s ranger station sponsored by the Friends of Edgewood Park (FOEP). The 12-member band is all-female (with the exception of guest conductor Kenneth Joseph) and hails from New Haven’s Neighborhood Music School.
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Web Posted - Saturday July 9, 2011
When Steel Talks

G-Pan Musical Instrument Patent - Steelpan - Brian R. Copeland - Trinidad and Tobago
 

Global - An ensemble of acoustic steelpan musical instruments, being an innovation which significantly improves upon traditional acoustic steelpan prior art. Said improvements include an extension of note range across the assemblage of G-Pans, a substantial reduction in the number of steelpans required to effectively cover the steelpan musical range, the use of a compound design whereby individual component parts of the instrument, specifically the playing surface, chime, rear attachment, or skirt and the playing stick or mallet, are optimized for their specific function, the application of a variety of techniques for eliminating or reducing, non-musical sympathetic vibrations and the inclusion of a variety of mechanical and acoustic resonator designs, to enhance optimally, the sound projection of the aforementioned instrument.

Inventor:  Brian R. Copeland
Assignee: REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
U.S. Classification 84411/R; 84421
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Web Posted - Friday July 8, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Pan finds a new groove
US citizen takes instrument to another sphere
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Perfect pitch, goes a musician joke, is throwing the banjo in the dumpster and hitting the accordion. Seriously, though, it’s a perfect combo when Jonathan Scales throws in the banjo with the double second pan, considering his hard inquisitive compositions on his latest CD, Character Farm & Other Short stories. Scales, an American whose only Caribbean gene is our national instrument, has been pushing a radical departure from pan music in its 70 years of evolution from the bamboo, sweet oil tin and biscuit drum project, to today’s curious and refreshing galaxy of steely notes. Scales, 26, studied composition for saxophone at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. But he’s been hooked on pan since the day a friend steered him to the university pan side.
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Web Posted - Friday July 8, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Pillars of Steel lays foundation

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - With more than 200 years of pan music together, the experience of four participants shaped a remarkable show and competition on Saturday. Caribbean Airlines Invaders is the oldest with 79 years of experience. Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars and Tokyo being around for the past 75 years, and Witco Desperadoes being the baby at age 65. Patrons braved the inclement weather and thoroughly enjoyed the Four Pillars of Steel Repertoire Competition, produced by Junior Hutson at the Grand Stand Forecourt of the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. The four legendary steel orchestras were playing before judges David Cuffy, Cuthbert Matthews and Junior Howell for a first prize of $40,000, runner-up cheques of $20,000 each, and category prizes for Best Pop, Latin, Classical and Calypso pieces. In what was a well managed event, Tokyo opened proceedings, 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, thrilling fans and bringing back memories of days of grandeur for this John John band.
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Web Posted - Friday July 8, 2011
The Globe and Mail

Rosedale’s steelpan band (yep, you read right) is taking its chops to Italy
 

Ontario, Canada - The figure supports a modern stereotype: a lone teenager hunched over an iPad, tapping away. But the melodic, rhythmic ringing coming from the tablet suggests 17-year-old Patrick Dollard is not lost to the world because of texting or gaming. On the screen is a circular array of oval-shapes, an app of a steelpan drum.

The tablet’s tiny speakers are, it turns out, well suited to recreating the metallic sound that is so evocative of Caribbean islands, where steelpans were first banged out of oil drums.

This weekend, Mr. Dollard will be travelling to Italy with 19 other teenaged members of the Toronto All Stars Steel Orchestra (TASSO). They will be the only steelpan band at Festival Orchestre Giovanili, a 10-day classical music event where conventional orchestras with as many as 90 members will put on concerts in Rome and Florence.
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Web Posted - Friday July 8, 2011
CTNTWorld

AG claims national scandal in G-Pan, PHI sale
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has described allegations surrounding the ownership of the patents and intellectual property rights of the G-Pan and PHI as a national scandal amounting to fraud.

A probe by the Office of the Attorney General has revealed that the G-Pan and the Percussive Harmonic Instrument, which is commonly called the PHI Pan, are not owned by the Government.

At a news conference, AG Ramlogan said a pre-action protocol letter has been sent to Steel Pan Initiatives Chairman, Professor Brian Copeland, alleging that the holder of the nation’s highest honour registered the PHI Pan in his name back a few years ago, and has been marketing the G-Pan internationally and possibly profiting from its sales.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 7, 2011
BarbadosCropOverFestival.com

First Citizens Adds More Events to its Sponsorship
 

Barbados, W.I. - First Citizens Investment Services has added Pan Fusion to the catalogue of events which it is sponsoring to the tune of one hundred and seventeen thousand dollars.

....Just as First Citizens scored big, with overwhelming response to the unique Crop Over Read In! There is supreme confidence in another equally unique package, the First Citizens Pan Fusion. “We at First Citizens like innovation and creativity and we are excited at the prospect of young artistes being given an opportunity to show themselves”.  This was a reference to the Community College Steel Ensemble which has been working with arrangers Roger Gittens, Pernell Farley and headline act Arturo Tappin. The featured acts are Arturo Tappin, Victor Provost and Liam Teague”.

For the occasion, the grounds at Ilaro Court, home of Barbados’ Prime Minister will be transformed, with a VIP area for Corporate tables for groups of eight, a designated area for seated patrons and areas where patrons may spread blankets and relax while listening. This, Arturo Tappin believes will set Pan Fusion aside from all other events. He promises what is in store, will be nothing ever experienced before particularly as he presents his “Tappin 2 Tuk”, a fusion of jazz, steel pan and Tuk music.

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Web Posted - Thursday July 7, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Pan’s alive and well

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Based on the public’s support for two nights running of two steelband shows, not organised by Pan Trinbago, one can safely assume that the future of pan looks bright, despite the instrument’s umbrella body still without a headquarters. In spite of very inclement weather on both nights, pan lovers turned out in their droves to enjoy and support the national instrument and its exponents. On Friday night, Pan Lovers International (PLI) hosted 60 Years Since Taspo in the bpTT Renegades Pan Theatre, on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, and the following evening Junior Hutson Entertainment and WACK Radio 90.1FM staged the novel and innovative The Four Pillars of Steel Repertoire Competition at The Forecourt of the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 7, 2011
BarbadosCropOverFestival.com

BS&T and NCF Launch Pan Pun de Sand
 

Barbados, W.I. - Pan Pun de Sand has been growing over eight years and for seven of those eight years BS&T has been pleased with the relationship it has cemented with the NCF and being title sponsor of the spectacle. These were the sentiments expressed by Mr. Anthony King, Chief Executive Officer of BS&T as he welcomed journalists and friends to the BS&T Pan Pun de Sand Media Launch at Weiser’s On the Bay, today Thursday, July 7th.

Mr. King pronounced himself a ‘big fan’ of the event which draws thousands on the Brandon’s Beach every year and he is impressed with the fact that more and more people are coming in support of the family oriented entertainment. Attributing the popularity of pan in Barbados to the developmental work of the NCF, the BS&T Head lauded the work of the Government agency and the efforts especially of Ms. Karen Pestaina of the NCF, who has worked on Pan Pun De Sand from its inception.

....Eleven bands are set to perform at the BS&T Pan Pun de Sand on Sunday, July 17^th beginning at 3 p.m. Two groups will make their debut as the Holetown Harmonites and Tropical Steel join the cast, including Trinidad champions Exodus who will feature in a special show-ending presentation with local band Mosaic.
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Web Posted - Thursday July 7, 2011
When Steel Talks

July 7 - The ‘Pan Buzz’ to date:  South band has Jason “Peanuts” Isaac in Limbo
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - ....Brooklyn-based Jason “Peanuts” Isaac is waiting on a call from a prominent south band. Right now the panist/composer and arranger is in limbo, and cannot commit to a band until he hears from the south bigwig; why treat him this way? Can we be a bit more professional?

South bands have not been doing well for the past three decades, although southerners have kept the faith for years. They really have belly. Jason feels he can deliver, but he cannot wait a lifetime.
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Web Posted - Wednesday July 6, 2011
BarbadosCropOverFestival.com

First Citizens PAN Fusion
 

Barbados, W.I. - So you think you’ve seen the best in pan? Well think again because Pan is about to go to a whole new level as the NCF proudly presents for the first time ever!

“The First Citizens Pan Fusion” on the beautiful grounds of ILARO COURT.

Come and see for yourself, World-renowned panists Liam Teague and Victor Provost team up with Arturo Tappin to take you on a global tour via pan.

...bring your own blanket and lie under the stars on the sloping grounds.
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 5, 2011
Caribarena.com

Major Cash Injection for Panorama
 

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - Sixty thousand dollars has been injected into the Panorama competition ahead of the 2011 Carnival celebrations. The Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) made the donation to representatives of the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) on Monday.

Deputy Chairperson of the CDC Wanda Clarke, in her brief overview of the pan art form and its place in the Carnival history, explained that over the past five years, Panorama has seen tremendous growth, with increased participation from individuals, demonstrating the growth of the steel bands.

....She lauded the bank’s efforts, particularly in these hard economic times, and commended the institution for bearing its “patriotic duty” in the support of Panorama. “By supporting the Panorama competition, the Antigua Commercial Bank is also supporting our young people…who have taken leading roles in many of the steel bands in Antigua,” she said.
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 5, 2011
WREX.com

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center receives grant money
 

Illinois, USA - "The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center has been awarded a grant of $500 by the President’s Discretionary Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois," Laura Schweitzer said today.

According to Ms. Schweitzer, the grant will be used for a free student outreach with the NIU Steelband for middle and high school students on November 4, 2011. The 35-member ensemble, led by Liam Teague, will conduct a steelpan lecture/demonstration and mini-concert for up to 850 area students and teachers.

...."The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center has offered similar student outreaches with world-renowned musicians to upwards of 600 students per year for the past five years," Ms. Schweitzer said. "The grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will give us additional resources to increase area students’ enjoyment and knowledge of music and a culture which may be new to them."
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 5, 2011
When Steel Talks

St. Margaret’s Boys’ Steel Orchestra Annual Pan Extravaganza is coming up!
 

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - In St. Margaret’s Boys Anglican School’s continued quest to provide its young scholars with a holistic development process, the educational institution has embarked on a Pan Programme which has been quite successful. And to demonstrate the continued success of this programme, a 5th Annual Youth Pan Extravaganza has been planned - in two parts - by St. Margaret’s Boys’ Steel Orchestra.

The first segment is carded for July 9 at the Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre, Coffee Street, San Fernando. The second comes off on July 16 at the Trinidad All Stars Pan Theatre, Duke Street, in Port-of-Spain.
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Web Posted - Tuesday July 5, 2011
News.Gov.TT

Trinidad and Tobago Rocks Ipswich

Ipswich, U.K. - Pan and calypso took over as Trinidad and Tobago featured predominantly at the Ipswich Arts Festival, Caribbean expose on Saturday 02 July 2011 at the Christchurch Park, Ipswich in the United Kingdom.

The event was an explosion in cultural arts from around the Caribbean.

The event was attended by thousands of British nationals.

His Excellency High Commissioner Mr. Garvin Nicholas supported the event and attended together with a contingent of staff from the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission and nationals from throughout the United Kingdom.

....There was an exciting line up of Calypso and Steel Orchestras which included the award winning CSI Steelband based in the UK and the Ipswich Youth Steel Band.
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Web Posted - Monday July 4, 2011
When Steel Talks

Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra
retains St. Vincent Panorama Title

Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines - Defending Vincy steelband Panorama champs, Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra played their way straight to the top for another year, dashing the hopes of main rivals Starlift Steel Orchestra to dethrone them for 2011. As the fourth band taking the stage at 12:55 a.m., and with Seion Gomez as arranger, Sion Hill Euphonium delivered a rousing performance of “Dey Come to Get On.” Sporting white pants, sparkling blue tops and bandanas made of strips of the same blue material, the orchestra appeared to be the largest of the six competing bands in the Panorama.

For the steel orchestra with the most St. Vincent Panorama titles - Starlift - their efforts would be rewarded with second place in 2011 for their rendition of “Iron Man” as they performed in position number three in the field of six.
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Web Posted - Monday July 4, 2011
When Steel Talks

Pan Trinbago ‘After-Work Limes’ continue

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago’s Friday ‘After-Work Limes’ continue on this Friday July 8 at the Grand Stand Courtyard, Queen’s Park Savannah, in Port-of-Spain from 6:00 p.m.

Featured steel orchestras are Silver Stars, Renegades, San Juan All Stars, Hatters, Gonzales Sheikers and La Creole Pan Groove.
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Web Posted - Saturday July 2, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday

RevelaXion at Exodus Pan Theatre

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Before leaving home last Sunday to attend the Sagicor Exocubs’ second annual youth steelpan explosion concert, “RevelaXion 2 — Moods,” at Sagicor Exodus pan orchestra pan yard in St Augustine, I read a newspaper article about a group of ‘‘young bandits’’ who attacked, brutalised and robbed some hapless persons.

Hours into the concert, put on by the youth arm of the Sagicor Exodus Steel Orchestra, I began to feel a renewed sense of hope in the nation’s youth. To put it plainly, while youth delinquency and crimes are headline grabbers, the many good and positive achievements by young people today, go unnoticed by society.
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Web Posted - Saturday July 2, 2011
Spicemas Press

Spicemas 2011 has crowned its first official winner of this year’s carnival celebrations
 

St. George’s, Grenada - Coyaba New Dimensions, by a mere half point, edged out Republic Bank Angel Harps to win Friday’s Bomb Tune Competition organised by the Grenada Steelbands’ Association (GSA) and the Grenada Carnival Committee (GCC). Angel Harps were the defending champions.

....Each orchestra performed a brief unarranged version of the selection it will be playing in next month’s panorama competition at the National Stadium.

Under the Bomb Tune rules, the bands were allowed to play any song other than a calypso. New Dimensions’ “Rock the Boat’’ garnered 268 points to gain the judges’ nod. Angel Harps, which played Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,’’ was second with 267.5 points. “Just the Way You Are,’’ a Bruno Mars original, was played by Pan Wizards which amassed 257 for third position. Commancheroes were fourth and Rainbow City All Stars placed fifth.
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Web Posted - Saturday July 2, 2011
LaCrosseTribune.com

Grants keep steel pans popping
 

Wisconsin, USA - For 80 years, the La Crosse Community Foundation has given money to local groups to make La Crosse a better place. This year, the foundation designated $80,000 from its general fund to be used as Birthday Money grants.

....instead of celebrating with cake and ice cream, they bought washers and dryers for the Salvation Army, contributed to McGilvray Road Bridge restoration, bought a new industrial stove for St. Luke’s Methodist Church’s free Monday meals, and bought steel pans for the Coulee Region Steel Band.

If you don’t know what a steel pan is, Jim Knutson would like to change that.

He’s the one who asked for the money for the steel pans, and with the help of the La Crosse Symphony, which has nonprofit status, he got them.

Don’t worry. Even though he doesn’t have nonprofit status, Knutson and his Coulee Region Steel Band do not make a profit.
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Web Posted - Friday July 1, 2011
When Steel Talks

Le’Roi Simmonds, Arranger for Rising Stars Steel Orchestra, Speaks
 

Global - In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, US Virgin Islands native Le’Roi Simmonds shares insight on who he is as a musician, how his love for the steelband art form and culture developed, and what it means to him. He also dispenses some words of wisdom for up-and-coming youngsters in the art form.
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Web Posted - Friday July 1, 2011
When Steel Talks

The ‘Pan Buzz’ to date for July 1:  Time for ‘Congrats’ & more
 

Global - Today I am in a congratulatory state of mind as I send out greetings to Terrence Noel and his BT Melodians in lonely London, England on the fine work they are doing spreading the Gospel of Pan. These Pan troubadours have been touring the world flying the British flag in the name of Pan. They have taken pan to the Middle East, Asia, and far-flung places. Hooray!

I thank God their efforts have not gone unnoticed, because just a few days shy of the historic tour by the, Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), comes the exciting statement that “the steelband is part of British culture.” I like that too bad. I like it more than cooked food. You think I vex? I happy like a golden posey. I repeat: I love it more than a curry pelau with hog features.
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Web Posted - Friday July 1, 2011
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday

Remembering TASPO at Renegades pan yard

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Lovers International a recently re-activated organisation of like-minded individuals whose vision include pursing the national recognition of pioneers and icons of the steelband movement, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of TASPO’s visit to the Festival of Britain with a gala fund-raising Steelband Concert at the bpTT Renegades Pan Theatre, Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain today from 8 pm.

Under the theme, “We Remember TASPO,” the event will remember the contributions of pioneers like Ellie Manette, Sterling Betancourt, Philmore “Boots” Davidson, Belgrave Bonaparte, Andrew “Pan” de Labastide, Theo Stephens, Anthony Williams, Dudley Smith, Oman “Patsy” Haynes, Winston “Spree” Simon, Granville Sealy and Carlton “Sonny” Roach.
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