In this edition:

1. Pan in the 21st Century - Off to a Good Start
2. Honouring Heroes Before It's Too Late
3. Pan News:
   Port of Pan

1. Pan in the 21st Century:
    Off to a Good Start

Members of Silver Stars perform their winning presentation Barry White's "Love Theme" at the Pan in the 21st Century finals at the Queen's Park Savannah

"Pan in the 21st Century" 2002 got off to a good start as pop music seemed to be the music of choice following five days of panyard judging in panyards all over the country. While the format of judging was introduced at a National Junior Steelband Music Festival in 1997, it was only adopted for the senior bands for Panorama 2002.

Contestants were required to perform a Bomb Tune (a non calypso in calypso tempo). First prize in this competition, which has been sponsored by TSTT from its inception, is $50,000.00.

A member of Silver Stars enjoys playing Barry White's "Love Theme".

Contestants were greeted by large crowds at their pan yards spurring them on and in return bands treated supporters to superb music presentations. Throughout the course, pan supporters from South and East were present in judging sessions in the North and vice versa and much to their delight only two steelbands chose the same song as their tune-of choice. "Somewhere over the Rainbow" was played by Solo Pan Knights and Nu Tones Steel Orchestra.

The "TSTT pan in the 21st Century" competition has been lauded for the diversity not only by pan lovers nationwide but also by Pan Trinbago officials as well. Richard Forteau himself, Pan Trinbago's Secretary was quoted as saying that having such a great response to this event, Pan Trinbago can probably now look at doing a lot more steelband competitions that would be judged in the pan yards of the competing bands.

2. Honouring Heroes Before It's
    Too Late     [back to top]

Minister of state in the University of Culture and Tourism, the Honourable Edward Hart, has hinted that Government would be paying greater attention to the country's cultural heroes. He said that government should look at the contributions of national heroes and should honour them before they die. He expressed these feeling at a function held recently for Pan Pioneer - Sterling Betancourt in recognition of him achieving an MBE Award from Queen Elizabeth. As a member of the order of the British Empire Betancourt's award was included in Her Majesty's New Years Honour List and would be honoured at a ceremony in June 2002.

Betancourt, a 77-year old Pan Pioneer, grew up in Laventille and began his career in pan in the 1930's as a tamboo bamboo player before moving over to the three-note Tenor Pan. He left Trinidad in 1951 on tour with Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO). On his arrival in Britain he made a decision to stay there and spread the steelband gospel.

Sterling Betancourt, pan extraordinaire and Member of the British Empire was honoured by the City of Port of Spain. He received the Key to the City from Mayor Murchinson Brown.

3. Pan News     [back to top]

Port of Pan - "Throw ah eye on de pan"

Trinidad has given birth to the life of pan and has taken care of it to its maturity. Jesse Andrews is playing his part in helping to present the story of this art form in beautiful poems to the world.

"Port of Pan - Throw ah eye on the Pan," contains a number of stories of life in Trinidad wrapped around the growth, the struggle, the life and expressions of the steelpan beautifully told by Jesse in poetic form. His vision of the true "port " of pan is in the soul of a nation that created the Pan and so the imagery of his pan poems reaches the soul of pan lovers all over the world.

There are many benefits that will come from this project. First there is an acknowledgement of the many whose stories have given inspiration and which have been told in poetic form. Recognition of their story gives them meaning and influence and the opportunity for the writer to spread his wings in verse.

Additionally I am certain that people will enjoy the poems and learn much about the steelpan form and life in Trinidad. It us through his story telling that this poet has begun to help to create a common steelpan culture and share in a sense of a growing community and the need for us to "throw ah eye on de pan."

"Port of Pan" is a body of work that should find a home in the education system and as a source of study, debate, reflection and enjoyment for readers now and of generations to come.

TTIL wishes to inform all its well wishers to be a part of this beautiful experience and purchase this wonderful book.

For more information contact Mr. Jesse Andrews at portofpan@hotmail.com. Or at

5 - 2755 Windwood Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
65N 208
CANADA

An extract from TRINIDAD, PORT OF PAN - one of the many poems in the book "Port of Pan - Throw ah eye on de pan"

"Port of Spain, Port of Spain"
Are you insane?
I'm not a Port of Spain.
Listen up, Trinidad and Tobago
Don't treat your culture so
Its time for Spain to go.
Am synonyms with pan
So pass a name change legislation
Call me Port of Pan.