Clike here for “Pan On A Higher Note” in pictures

The Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism’s National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) presents “Pan On A Higher Note” at Lord Kitchener Auditorium, NAPA – June 04-05, 2011

Pan on a Higher Note By Anne Hilton
“Pan On A Higher Note” with the National Steel Symphony Orchestra directed and conducted by Jessel Murray began their concert in NAPA’s Lord Kitchener Aldwyn Roberts Auditorium (that the pre-concert ads seemed to insist was “Orel Roberts”) last week Saturday with the folksy “Hoe Down” from Aaron Copland’s ballet “Rodeo” – an excellent choice to warm up the orchestra, that, courtesy the moving stage, was whisked into the background to accompany the Metamorphosis Dance Company’s interpretation of Ray Holman’s “Changing Times” with dancers first dressed in white, then in black going through their paces in modern dance.

Pan on a Higher Note By Gary Cardinez
The National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) presented Pan on a Higher Note last weekend at the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) to a very appreciative audience.
The programme featured the national instrument as the accompanying music with dance, voice and piano. The 35 member group which uses the Genesis Pan (G PAN) are all trained in music and led by Kareem Brown (captain) and Jessel Murray artistic director/conductor.

KARENE BEATS VETERANS
FORMER Junior Calypso Monarch Karene Asche yesterday morning became the first woman to win the National Calypso Monarch crown in almost a decade, and in the process made history by taking home the competition’s largest ever cash prize of $2 million.

Karene takes $2m Calypso Monarch title

Queen Karene!
AFTER delivering sterling performances of “Be Careful What You Ask For” in round one and “Uncle Jack” in the second, Karene Asche was declared the 2011 National Calypso Monarch early yesterday morning at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

Jack: I can learn from Karene
Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner promises to get a copy of Calypso Monarch Karene Asche’s CD to hear what he can learn from her song, “Uncle Jack”.

Wee People, Legacy take King and Queen titles

Madray makes waves to top kings

Carnival Kings, queens go forth
Complete with pyrotechnics and other special effects, they crossed the stage of the Queen’s Park Savannah during Dimanche Gras on Sunday.

‘Camla’ takes downtown Jouvert crown
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Minister of Works and Transport Jack Warner were the subjects of the successful portrayals at yesterday’s Downtown Carnival Committee’s Jouvert celebrations at South Quay, Port of Spain…

Rain fails to dampen Sando mas

Kamla jumps in People’s Band
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar joined revellers of the People’s Band crossing the stage at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain yesterday.

PM crosses stage with People’s Band
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several Government Ministers made D’ People’s Band their choice, as they took to the stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, yesterday afternoon.

Dookeran leads J’Ouvert band
Congress Of the People political leader Winston Dookeran participated in J’Ouvert yesterday morning as a masquerader in the party’s band, Is Meh Pardner Ship.

Machel on the march
‘Advantage’ most played at Carnival venues

…Revellers enjoy Savannah ‘Advantage’

Smooth flow of bands at Adam Smith Square judging point
The large bands took no longer than 15 minutes to move across the judging point and there was no delay in appearances of other bands as masqueraders made their way off to Machel Montano’s “Advantage”, which was played more than any other song yesterday.

Pan’s show time
WE congratulate Neal and Massy All Stars on their sixth National Panorama title win Saturday night and their unflawed, dramatic execution of the Edwin Pouchet/Alvin Daniell composition “It’s Showtime.”

Police open fire at Matura Jouvert
JOUVERT celebrations in the community of Matura were yesterday marred by two incidents, one in which police opened fire on a group of people, injuring one man, during a volatile incident, and another in which a woman was knocked down by an irate motorist.

Police association chief injured in melee
PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association, Sgt Anand Ramesar, was injured yesterday when he challenged two rival gangs who were engaged in a bottle war during Jouvert celebrations along Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain.

Chaguanas mas insured for $5m
Chaguanas Carnival has been insured for $5 million, according to Mayor Orlando Nagessar.

Problems as Chaguanas mas returns to main road
A FIGHT that ended with one man losing part of his ear was among the problems that developed yesterday, as Chaguanas Carnival returned to the main road

Violence mars Penal J’Ouvert
Violence brought a premature end to J’Ouvert celebrations in Penal yesterday after a police corporal was attacked by revellers. The officer was taken to the Penal District Health after he was hit with two beer bottles on his head. He was treated for head injuries and later discharged. Celebrations kicked off at 4 am with revellers frolicking along the Penal Main Road. However, the celebrations quickly turned violent as police had to be called in to break up fights in the crowd.

Cops make 150 arrests during J’Ouvert celebrations

Police arrest 120 in PoS

WITH a score of 278 points, Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars yesterday morning created history by becoming the first steelband to receive a hefty $2 million for winning the National Panorama competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain.

In winning the prestigious title, All Stars, a highly popular band whose panyard is at 46-48 Duke Street in Port-of-Spain, dethroned last year’s champion PCS Silver Stars, by a mere three points during Saturday night’s keenly-fought Panorama finals. Silver Stars was awarded $750,000 for its effort.

The enhanced $2 million prize package was made possible through the Peoples’ Partnership Government for the winners of four major Carnival competitions, including the National Steelband Panorama, Soca Monarch, last night’s calypso monarch final at Dimanche Gras and the Chutney/Soca Monarch.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said the new prize structure should become a fixture at Carnival competitions, once there was an upswing in the economy. Placing second in Saturday’s competition with 276 points and receiving a cool $1 million was St Augustine-based Sagicor Exodus.

Perennial favourite Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, led by famed arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, secured fourth spot with 273 points along with the Woodbrook-based Caribbean Airlines Invaders.

The band from the “Lavantee Hills”, Witco Desperadoes placed a disappointing seventh with 270 points. Segments of the capacity audience openly voiced their disapproval over how Phase II and Desperadoes fared in the competition.

The results of this year’s Panorama finals, which commemorated the 75th diamond jubilee of the steelpan, were announced shortly before 4 am yesterday, after almost nine hours of stiff competition at the Savannah where pan music reigned supreme.

The Prime Minister, patron of the event, was on hand to present the winning cheque to the champion band. Tenor player Dwayne Ifill accepted the large replica cheque on behalf of the band’s officials.

Persad-Bissessar was accompanied by Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Agriculture Minister Vasant Bharath and Pan-Trinbago president Keith Diaz.

Playing first among the large conventional bands, All Stars led by Beresford Hunte, gave a commanding performance to Anslem Douglas’ “It’s Showtime” a tune of choice for three bands in the large band catergory. Stylishly-dressed in shimmering red shirts, white trousers and matching hats, the band set the stage for the almost seamless performances which followed. The band’s presentation featured young dancers, portraying several elements of local culture. Fireworks and confetti completed the display. The winning selection was composed by Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniell.

“We feel proud because we were the first band to win $1 million, the first band to win $2 million and you know when the PP (People’s Partnership) Government wins in the next five years, we will be the first band to win $3 million. Don’t worry, we coming strong. We coming strong,” an elated Ifill told reporters moments after accepting the cheque.

Ifill said players had put a lot of hard work into the competition “and we are happy that our hard work paid off.” Surrounded by his colleagues, Ifill however acknowledged the close race.

“It was a tight battle and I must say the band came together well,” he said.

“Everybody stuck to the task and we are just proud of each other and proud that we could have come and give that beautiful music to Trinidad and Tobago. I just want everybody to have a happy Carnival.”

Ifill said the band will be on the streets today and tomorrow, performing their winning tune.

Led by Ainsworth Mohammed and playing Destra Garcia’s “Calling Meh”, Exodus’ performance was also warmly applauded. So, too, was the similarly-attired Silver Stars, but patrons were in a quandary as to why the band chose to present a curtain effect with the use of silver and black streamers, mounted on long poles (to give a concert-like effect), after the band had already become clearly visible on stage.

The gesture seemed inappropriate and may have cost the band the title for a third consecutive year. Shortly after All Stars’ performance, Pan Trinbago’s Keith Diaz presented Persad-Bissessar with a cheque for $75,000 toward her pet project, the Children’s Life Fund, as a means of commemorating the steelpan’s diamond jubilee.

The fund, one of the Partnership’s major campaign promises in the run up to the May 24, 2010 general election, was established to assist children who require life-saving medical attention.

Persad-Bissessar paid glowing tribute to Peters for his efforts at upgrading the North and Grand Stands of the Savannah, which now accommodates a seating capacity exceeding 20,000.

Earlier in the night, Diaz also presented President George Maxwell Richards with a token in celebration of the milestone. Richards said in his own way, he has been supporting the work of Pan-Trinbago and urged citizens to also play their part in ensuring the continued development of the artform.

In a brief interview with reporters after the winners were announced, Persad-Bissessar said Carnival 2011 has been a bumper celebration thus far. “I’m told every hotel room is sold out. I’m told every airline ticket is sold out. And, every fete has been sold out, every show has been sold out. It has been a bumper, sold out Carnival,” she said.

The Prime Minister was also pleased with the measures that have been put in place to ensure increased security. “There are no adverse reports of any criminal activity. I look forward to their protection over the next couple of days. I feel we have a great Carnival,” she said.The show, which began 20 minutes later than its scheduled 7 pm start, flowed smoothly during the medium band segment of the competition. Lengthy delays in the setting up of bands in the large bands category coupled with frequents requests for supporters of popular bands to clear the stage hampered an otherwise seamless programme.

Some patrons also noted the absence of bp Renegades from this year’s stellar line-up after a judge Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, on Friday threw out a plea by the nine-time champion to be included in the finals of the Panorama competition.

The band had filed an injunction, seeking to stop the Panorama finals, after complaining that they were disrupted during the semi-final round of the competition on February 20 because of the playing of DJ music at the North Stand during their performance.

PLACINGS POINTS PRIZE MONEY

1 Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars………………………. 278 points………………………. $2M

2 Sagicor Exodus…………………………………………….. 276 points………………………. $1M

3 PCS Silver Stars……………………………………………. 275 points………………………. $750,000

4 Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove………………………… 273 points………………………. $600,000

4 Caribbean Airlines Invaders……………………………. 273 points………………………. $600,000

6 NLCB Fonclaire…………………………………………….. 271 points………………………. $500,000

7 Witco Desperadoes……………………………………….. 270 points………………………. $450,000

7 Petrotrin Siparia Deltones………………………………. 270 points………………………. $450,000

9 RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters……………. 268 points………………………. $450,000

10 Starlift………………………………………………………… 265 points………………………. $450,000

***

All Stars wins first $2m Panorama prize
Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars became the first steel orchestra to take home $2 million in prize money when it was adjudged winner of the large band category at the 2011 Blink bmobile National Panorama final at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, last Saturday night. Playing a Leon “Smooth” Edwards arrangement of It’s Showtime, composed by Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniell, the Duke Street-based orchestra scored 278 points to secure its eighth Panorama win, and in the process dethrone defending champion PCS Silver Stars which played the same selection arranged by Pouchet, but could earn only 275 points to take third place and the $750,000 prize.

Kurt Rules Calypso
KURT Allen convincingly won the 2010 Calypso Monarch competition on Sunday night with a lively song, “Too Bright” that hit profligate politicians.

King Kurt …too bright for Chalkie
Calypsonian/soca artiste, Kurt Allen, dethroned defending monarch Chalkdust on Sunday to become the 2010 National Calypso Monarch.

…Allen too bright for rivals

…Sweet victory for new Monarch
Daughter Choc’late: I know he is a passionate person. My dad loves music and there is nothing more that he likes than to go on stage and to sing and perform.

Chalkie congratulates Allen
Dr Hollis Liverpool, also known as Chalkdust, who placed sixth, said “Kurt Allen is a good boy and he had a good song.” “Calypso is an art to be judged. I always accept the judges’ decision. I did not get to see the performance, though.”

De Fosto: It was awesome
Calypsonian Winston Scarborough, fondly known as the Original De Fosto Himself, says reigning monarch Kurt Allen’s song Too Bright was “awesome.” But he was concerned whether second place contestant Brian London broke the rules by having fellow kaisonian Brother Valentino sing an entire verse and chorus before he came on stage.

Curtis wins ninth crown
CURTIS EUSTACE on Dimanche Gras night won a ninth King of Carnival title, breaking legendary mas man Peter Samuel’s twenty-one-year-old record for most wins in the competition.

King Curtis chalks up a record
Curtis Eustace is the new King of Carnival.

Queen Rose
FOR THE first time this decade, the Queen of Carnival title has been captured by the South Queen of Carnival, Rosemarie Kuru-Jagessar, after a final which saw competitors plagued with mishaps.

Victory after 28 years
Sando contender wins Queen of the Bands

…Queen: I think I am dreaming

Winds blow down two costumes

The Dragon can’t dance
A slew of technical difficulties tripped up Brian MacFarlane’s King at Sunday’s Dimanche Gras finals.

Political picong in J’ouvert
Political picong on the recent rumblings in the UNC took centre stage as one of the most popular topics in the downtown J’ouvert competition at South Quay yesterday.

Bas, Kamla star

Kamla-Jack take Downtown J’Ouvert title
The combination of Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Jack Warner walked away with the Downtown King of J’Ouvert title at South Quay, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

UNC leaders popular in Couva Jouvert
The most popular characters portrayed at this year’s Jouvert celebrations in Couva yesterday were current and former UNC political leaders Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Basdeo Panday along with Chaguanas MP Jack Warner and Sport Minister Gary Hunt.

‘Licks’ for Panday in Jouvert celebrations

Plenty support for Kamla in South Jouvert

Palance in a frenzy downtown

Monday blues
Carnival Monday at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, was even more lacklustre than last year’s, which was a drab affair.

Masqueraders go for glory today

More police than mas

67 arrested in PoS Jouvert

Cops seize knives before J’Ouvert
Detectives of Port-of-Spain CID seized a large quantity of knives and arrested several suspects as they entered the city, before the start of J’Ouvert celebrations, during the early hours of yesterday morning.

Police wounded in St James attack
Carnival celebrations were marred by violence, as several people—including police—were robbed, shot and stabbed during separate incidents across northern Trinidad.

Wheelchair teen gunned down
A Carenage man who had been partially crippled by a bullet two years ago was killed on Sunday night as he sat liming with friends at his Seaview Road, Carenage home.

Man stabbed to death in Jouvert fight

Murder mars Tobago Carnival

Place / Band / Points

1 / Courts Sound Specialists / 465.5

2 / Steel Explosion / 459.5

3 / Clico Sforzata / 444.5

4 / NLCB Buccooneers / 441

6 / Sangre Grande Cordettes / Arima Angel Harps / 437

7 / HCL Valley Harps / 436

8 / Carib Dixieland / —

Large Band Results

Place / Band / Points

1 / Phase II / 481

2 / Neal and Massy All Stars / 480

3 / Sagicor Exodus / 474

4 / WITCO Desperadoes / 471.5

5 / Silver Stars / 463

6 / bp Renegades / 460

7 / RBTT Redemption Sounds / 459

8 / Tropical Angel Harps / 454

Due to a recent three-day retreat organised by the Ministry of Culture for the National Steel Symphony, the usual panyard judging did not take place.
Full Article : newsday.co.tt

DEFENDING Panorama champions HCL Phase II Pan Groove emerged as the top band in the Large Band category of the semi-finals held on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Savannah and undoubtedly are favourites to regain the title at the finals to be held on February 17.

Phase II literally shared licks to all and sundry as the band, led by Keith Serrette and playing in position number 14, performed Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s arrangement of “Sharing Licks” to the delight of the fans.

The master arranger did not disappoint his loyal subjects. It was 2.15 am when the bright red, yellow and green banner of Phase II hit the stage. The band set up its pans in what could be considered a record and at about 2.25 am, Boogsie gave his members the count. From the introduction of the piece it was sheer magic and by the time four minutes elapsed the south stand was vibrating with loud cheers. People were seen dancing and waving as members of Phase II went on and on digging deep into their resources to find energy at that hour of the morning.

Eight minutes and 19 seconds later, no one in the savannah had any doubt as to which band performed the best in the 15-hour programme.

The 16 band Large Conventional category got off to a start at 8.30 pm with a bright moon rising over the hills in the east. This came after the conclusion of the Medium Conventional category in which Boogsie again took top honours with his arrangement of “Pan Lamentation” for Carib Dixieland of Tobago, to come out on top.

Boogsie outdid Ken “Professor” Philmore whose arrangement of Coleen Ella’s “Johnny” played by Sound Specialist of Laventille placed them in second spot. Excellent Stores Silver Stars placed third with their rendition of Edwin Pouchet’s “Soca is It” while another Tobago band, Katzenjammers placed fourth with their exciting execution of Sydney Joseph’s arrangement of “Pan Lamentation”.

Philmore and TCL Group Skiffle Bunch set the pace in the large band category competition with a “spicy” rendition of Philmore’s arrangement of “Sharing Licks”. The pace set by Skiffle Bunch seemed too much for NLCB Fonclaire who was up next.

Witco Desperadoes played in position three doing an Andre Robley, Curtis Edwards and Robert Greenidge arrangement of “Band From Space,” their performance was not of the usual Desperadoes standard, leaving room for improvement.

ECU Pamberi (Band From Space) and Petrotrin Hatters (Pan Music Sweet) did not stir the audience and it was not until 10.50 pm when PCS Starlift’s performance of Ray Holman’s “We Can’t go on Like This” that the audience got involved. Holman’s treatment of his own composition and the sight of Keith “Designer” Prescott’s waving flag solicited a loud applause from the audience.

Tropical Angel Harps from Central Trinidad treated Clarence Morris’ arrangement of “Pan Lamentation” with some degree of discipline and their lively performance placed them in good stead with the judges.

As midnight approached, Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars came on stage, brimming with confidence and the players approached Leon “Smooth” Edward’s arrangement of De Fosto’s “Pan Lamentation” with style and flair. The composer himself was in the audience “miming” every note of the arrangement. When All Stars was finished the band received a standing ovation.

Solo Pan Knights presented a very clean and clear version of Duvonne Stewart’s “Can’t Get Enough” while bpTT Renegades gave a spirited rendition of Dr Jit Samaroo’s “Band From Space”. At 12.55 am, Caribbean Airlines Invaders together with arranger Arddin Herbert performed an exciting version of “Pan Lamentation”. Then came RBTT Redemption Sound Setters with “Pan Lamentation” and Birdsong “Sharing Licks”, though both songs were well played, they did not have the impact to move the audience at that hour in the morning.

At about 2.50 am, the final band, B Mobile Our Boys from Tobago came on stage. With manager Patrick Arnold (Pan Trinbago president) sitting in the front row they proceeded with Roger Sardinha’s arrangement of “Soca Is it”.

One noticeable change during the day was the lack of supporters pushing pans on stage. The security did not allow anyone but the players to go through the gate with the pan.

Edward Hart, Minister in the Ministry of Community Development Culture and Gender Affairs was incensed when he found out the supporters were not allowed to push the pans on stage.

In the end, only one band from the South/Central region in both categories made it to the final which will be held at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Carnival Saturday.

The bands making it to the final round in both the medium and large categories are as follows.

MEDIUM

1. Carib Dixieland

2. Courts Sound Specialist of Laventille

3. Excellent Stores Silver Stars

4. Katzenjammers

5. CLICO Sforzata

6. Harmonites

7. Lee Chong Pan Glow

8. Arima Angel Harps

LARGE

1. HCL Phase II Pan Groove

2. N&M Trinidad All Stars

3. Sagicor Exodus

4. Tropical Angel Harps

5. Caribbean Airlines Invaders

6. PCS Starlift

7. bpTT Renegades

8. Witco Desperadoes

http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,51898.html

In an effort to placate the steel orchestras from San Fernando, none of which has made it to the finals of the 2007 bmobile National Panorama Championships, Pan Trinbago is considering taking ten bands to the finals instead of the initial eight.

Pan Trinbago president, Patrick Arnold, told the Express yesterday that this would mean two smaller shows rather than the one main event at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on Carnival Saturday.
Full Article : trinidadexpress.com

South Panorama fans disappointed

There was major disappointment in South Trinidad yesterday, after a South steelband failed to make it to the National Panorama finals for the first time in decades.

Southerners were said to be upset that there would be no representative in the final, which will be held in San Fernando for the first time.
Full Article : trinidadexpress.com