In this edition:

1. Pan and More Pan:
   Laventille Steelband Festival 2001
2. Pan Notes
   
3. Pan News
4. Pan Events

1. Pan and More Pan:
    Laventille Steelband Festival 2001

This year has been a significant one for pan lovers because it has been distinguished by non-stop pan activity since the conclusion of this year's Carnival festivities. Regional celebrations all over Trinidad and Tobago, such as Point Fortin's Borough Day, Couva's Sugar and Energy Festival and St. James "We Beat" Festival have showcased steel bands as the major attraction of their celebrations. In addition, individual pan yards such as Petrotrin Phase 11, Bp Renegades and Pamberi have had their own pan activities and the National body - Pan Trinbago has kicked off the year with their "Pan on the Park" initiative - an after work evening lime featuring the best national steelbands.

Memories of Laventille Steelband Festival 2000: Pan on the Street

In addition to the number of steel band performances, the impulse to develop the business and organizational aspects of the steel band industry through research and institutional strengthening is constantly increasing. Initiatives by various institutions and individuals such as the Pan Foundation Board, the University of the West Indies and renowned economist, Lloyd Best are all analyzing the business opportunities for this sector with the view of making it the number one non-energy export sector in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Laventille Steelband Festival 2001 seeks to bring together both the performative and organizational aspects of the industry as described above, during a week of activities scheduled from July 28th to August 5th. This year's festivities have been expanded to include three major activities. The first is a Pan Camp that targets students from schools in the vicinity between the ages of 7 and 17 years. The camp seeks to improve the students' knowledge of the steel pan, identify and generate an interest in careers in the steel pan industry and improve their perception of the pan. The second is a Steel Band Management Workshop that seeks to improve the management and marketing capacity of steelbands to fill the lacuna of expertise in the area of steel band management. Specific focus will be placed on the global steelband industry, the business of operating a steelband, and the organizational, human resource management and financial competencies involved in operating a steelband.

Finally, the week of activities will culminate with the Street Festival on August 5th. The objectives of the festival include the promotion of Laventille as a centre for steel band activity and innovation and to boost the cultural confidence of persons from the area. The LSF 2001 will showcase a total of fourteen conventional bands and ten traditional bands that would travel along the Eastern Main Road. They include:

Conventional
WITCO Desperadoes, Trinidad All Stars, Bp Renegades, Courts Laventille Sound Specialists, Harmonites, Carib Tokyo, Pan Knights, Blue Diamonds, Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove, Exodus, Inncogen Pamberi, Tropical Angel Harps, TCL Skiffle Bunch, and BWIA Invaders.

Traditional
Laventille Serenaders, Spree Simon Harmonics, Culture Workshop, Uni Stars, Music Makers, Pashphonics, Laventille Rhythm Section, Arima All Stars, Tripolians and Woodbrook Playboyz.

Persons interested in finding out more about the Laventille Steelband Festival are invited to contact the Festival Secretariat at Trinidad and Tobago Instrument Limited - 868-627-0185.

2. Pan Notes     [back to top]

Caribbean Magic's third release - "Caribbean Fantasy" is a compilation of the most frequently requested songs by their friends and fans. The cd features fourteen tracks that together make up an eclectic mix of jazz standards, folk songs, calypso and popular music. The players - Sheldon James, Randy Brewster, Bevon Edwards and Korey Vincent invite some of the country's best-known musicians to join them on several tracks such as Yohan Popwell, Sonolal Samaroo (drums), Trevor Vincent (congas). The CD is a great introduction to the steel pan for tourists and shows the versatility of the instrument.

The following is a track listing:

1. One Note Samba
2. Never on a Sunday
3. Jamaica Farewell
4. Kokomo
5. Wine yuh Waist
6. Yellow Bird
7. How Insensitive
8. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
9. Under the Boardwalk
10. Picture on my Wall
11. Spanish Eyes
12. Macarena
13. Quando Quando
14. Hot Hot Hot

3. Pan News     [back to top]

The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAAT) now offers an Associate Degree in Performing Arts: Music

COSTAAT is offering an Associate Degree in Performing Arts: Music specifically designed for steel band players. The course is being offered jointly by COSTAAT and the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Orchestra and classes will be held at the offices of the Steel Orchestra at 12-14 Nelson Street, Port of Spain. Graduates will be able to establish a firm foothold in the international Music performance market and will be able to continue to the Bachelor's degree.

The entry requirements are five O Level passes, including Mathematics and English Language.

Interested parties are asked to contact Mrs. Grace Cozier-Bobb at 868-628-4600 or email at gcozierbobb.sol@costaatt.edu.tt.

4. Pan Events     [back to top]

The summer season is upon us and with it comes a host of overseas summer carnivals. Following is a listing of the North American cities and dates of these festivals:

Pan on the Vidalia Piazza

The Normandie at 10 Nook Avenue, St. Ann's will continue its evenings of pan every Saturday at the Vidalia's. The Buffet which includes Dinner and Entertainment costs $125.00 and is served from 7.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. The Lounge costs $30.00 and includes entertainment only. For the month of June the schedule is as follows:

Saturday June 9th BWIA Invaders
Saturday June 16th Tropical Angel Harps
Saturday June 23rd Neal & Massy All Stars
Saturday June 30th Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove

Interested persons are invited to call 624-1181 to reserve bookings.

Pan on the Park

The Pan Trinbago initiative - "Pan on the Park" has lined up a stellar cast of steel bands for the month of June.

June 8th Fonclaire and Harlem Syncopaters
June 15th BWIA Invaders and Marsicans
June 22nd Melodians and La Romain Super Vibes
June 29th Trinmar Hatters and Pan on the Move

The show costs $20.00 and the pan action kicks off at around 6 p.m.