Three 2017 mas band launchings were held this weekend past—Passion Carnival, Fantasy and Ronnie & Caro The Mas Band. The latter created a bit of history by acquiring a strip of Serpentine Road in St Clair, on the periphery of St Mary’s College Ground, to present a very unique production. With masqueraders actually parading in costumes in the street, guests got a surreal taste of what the two days of next year’s might feel like.
With some of the specially invited guests and media arriving as early as 9 pm for the launch, a special media display of individual portrayals was shown at 11.30 pm.
Next year, Ronnie & Caro The Mas Band is presenting Fearless 10, a cavalcade of the band’s successful presentations for the past decade, including its winning Band of the Year (Large) production this year. Held on Saturday night, the Fearless 10 event had people dancing through the night to the music of DJ Jahmoon and many of his music colleagues. The band offers ten sections, as well as individual and frontline portrayals.
In addition to last weekend’s band launchings, other bands already unveiling their 2017 productions are Harts Int, Tribe, Bliss and The Lost Tribe.
Pan also had a presence in last weekend’s entertainment activities, premiered by the second of nine Friday tributes to late prime minister Patrick Manning by Desperadoes Steel Orchestra at its Frederick Street panyard.
There was a large turnout for this event and the steelbands turning in some entertaining performances were new UWI/UTT band Suave, Pan Elders, Diatonics, Fusion Steel, Sound Specialists of Laventille, Sun Valley, Valley Harps, San City and Newtown Playboyz.
One of the standout bands on Friday was Fusion Steel, managed by musical director Darren Sheppard.
The southern-based band continued to display the wide range and versatility of the national instrument. Its pan instruments were beautifully augmented by vocalists Kizzie Huggins and Anika, and rapper Daniel Sheppard, son of the band’s manager.
Fusion Steel’s repertoire included items that were pleasing to all ages and included Johnny King’s Nature’s Plan, Ella Andall’s Missing Generation, Ah Feelin’, Major Lazer’s Lean On, Alkaline’s All About the Money and soca medleys.
Pulse got a word from Sheppard who said: “Fusion has been around these past six years and the age group of its players is 17-25.
This group came out of a youth programme I ran at Fonclaire. When I left they left with me and I continued the programme. Some of my players have been with me since they were seven years old.”
Fusion Steel is also billed to perform at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on August 14 at a tribute to Fonclaire leader Milton “Wire” Austin that is being staged by Pan Trinbago Inc. The band is also booked for the August 20 pan event at bpTT Renegades Pan Theatre on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain.
Last Saturday, The Friends of Pan Trinbago organisation hosted a successful lime at MHTL Starlift House of Music, located on 1 Christopher Samuel Drive, Mucurapo Road, St James. Led by Delano White, The Friends of Pan Trinbago attracted a large audience and a good time was enjoyed by all. Again Fusion Steel proved to be highly entertaining, partnered by Starlift and the original DJ Nose.
The T&T Defence Force Steel Orchestra flew out to Finland this week for performances there. In other steelband news, we may have seen the last of the Pan in De Countryside series for 2016 this month. A Pan Trinbago Inc source cited “lack of funds” as the reason for the curtailment of this initiative, one which has captured the public’s interest and participation for almost a decade.
Not to be discouraged, individual member bands of Pan Trinbago Inc are planning their own events at the panyards and elsewhere and even more events can be expected when Steelband Month is commemorated in August.
The first of these takes place this evening at St James Amphitheatre at 5.30 pm when Scrunters Pan Groove stages Giving Back to the Community. Billed to perform are St James Tripolians, St James Cultural Artisans, St James Passa Group and host band Scrunters Pan Groove.
Tomorrow evening it’s D’Original Woodbrook Modernaires’ turn to host its fund-raising After Q Jam at its panyard, located at the corner of French Street and Tragarete Road, Newtown. The programme is scheduled to begin at 6 pm and its cast includes Newtown Playboyz, Platinum All Girl Steel, La Creole Pan Groove and the host steelband.
On Sunday, Laventille Rhythm Section will stage its Sports & Family Day at Recreation Grounds, Erica Street, Success Village, Laventille. The fun begins at 10 am. The annual Laventille street parade, usually staged on a Sunday, is being staged this year on a Saturday for the first time on August 6.
Love & Laughter in town tomorrow
The Incredible Myron B and Jerry Howai are bringing their highly touted Love & Laughter concert series to the Kaiso Blues Café on Woodford Street, Newtown, tomorrow night.
Crooner Howai and five-time humorous calypso monarch Myron B, real name Myron Bruce, has been endearing and tickling audiences at the Trade Winds Hotel in San Fernando for the past seven years with the annual showcase. This year they take their show on the road with a for-one-night-only performance at the storied venue.
“Anyone who has been to our show will tell you it’s an uplifting experience. It’s time for town people to get a taste of our brand of Love and Laughter. We all need it in our lives and especially now with economic problems and rising crime. So this is our way of spreading good vibes through wholesome entertainment people of all ages could enjoy,” said Bruce of the event.
Love & Laughter will also feature performances by much traveled singer Jerome Bissessar, humorous calypsonian Jo-l, pan duet The Browns, and pop singers Katrika and Greville Rogers. Comedian Keston James, whose jokes and sketches have lit up local social media, will also make an appearance.
Tickets are only $100 and are available at the venue and from cast members. Showtime is 8 pm. Log on to THE INCREDIBLE MYRON B social media pages for ticket information on the Love & Laughter concert and to access fully interactive up-to-the-minute updates, videos and photos of this and upcoming events.
The monarchs of Emancipation calypso
Duane Ta’Zyah O’Connor is the winner of the first prize in the 2016 Emancipation Calypso Competition (five-17 age group). The competition was staged last Tuesday, at City Hall, Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC), in association with First Citizens and the National Youth Action Committee. Kerine Williams wass the winner of the 18 – 35 age grouping.
The winners are expected to make guest performances on Monday when the Emanicipation Support Committee stages its annual all day cultural production at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Village, Queen’s Park Savannah, after the traditional Emancipation Day processions, scheduled to begin at 9 am at Brian Lara Promanade.
5-17 age group
1st – Duane Ta’zyah O’Connor – Proud African
2nd – Tsahai Corbin – Reason to Celebrate
3nd – Caryn Mc Carthy – Gotta Be Free
4th – Desle Julien – Decade of Dedication
5th – Jeremiah James – Take Me Mama
6th – Takiyah Nurse – No Longer In Chains
7th – N’Janela Duncan Regis – Where Is My Culture
8th – Adana Dardaine – A Tribute to Marcus Garvey
18-35 age group
1st – Kerine Williams – Fight for Freedom
2nd – Nicholas Ashby – Ancestor’s Freedom Prayer
3rd – Jerrisha Duncan-Regis – Don’t Let Dem Keep You Down
4th – Rosemary Mitchell – Real Freedom
5th – Jermeeka Mundy- Africa
6th – Stephanie Joseph – De Childhood I Had
7th – Makela Nurse – Celebrate Emancipation
8th – Jalani Kojo – Utamu