I like this headline because it makes it clear that GYPSY is in charge of CARNIVAL and not STEELBAND or PAN TRINBAGO. However, as a MAN OF THE PEOPLE, I think he is in a position to use his CULTURAL CAPITAL and extend the PLAYING FIELD for THE GOOD OF PAN.
The problem still seems to be THE MINISTER OF CULTURE: Look at the level of administrative turnover in such a short space of time. How much of a leash is she going to give to GYPSY?
What if he takes it upon himself to CLEAR THE PAN TRINBAGO DEBT? Added to that he could tour some PAN YARDS, meet with BANDLEADERS and DELEGATES, and document the pressing needs of the STEELBAND COMMUNITY. The new PAN TRINBAGO EXECUTIVE could take the BATON from there and GYPSY could look back on a legacy that saw PAN IN THE MECCA drive up the ON-RAMP that leads to PAN PROGRESS.
Somebody on this forum is always talking about the HALF-FULL glass. Well I hope that -- in his capacity as CHAIRMAN of the NATIONAL CARNIVAL COMMISSION -- GYPSY could fill the PAN TRINBAGO GLASS with boundless hope in its destiny.
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Gypsy: All’s well with me and Pan Trinbago
Nothing ever happened between me and the president of Pan Trinbago (Keith Diaz),” said Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters. “There’s nothing personal. Me and the president of Pan Trinbago are friends for years,” he added. He made the statement during an interview with the T&T Guardian last Wednesday at Nipdec’s carpark located at Cadiz Road, Belmont, the Panorama rehearsal site for ten-time National Panorama champion Witco Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.
Peters’ utterances came despite a publicised war of words over the direction of the steelpan. The issues over which both men have been butting heads include the $1,000 remittance programme to individual pannists during the preliminary round of the Panorama competition, and Peters’ take on the one-tune syndrome cultivated by the Panorama competition within recent decades. Peters has since slashed the payment to panmen by $200, citing the difficult economic climate in which the country now finds itself. The Kamla Persad-Bissessar Cabinet accepted the proposal to reduce the pay packet.
In a direct response, Pan Trinbago criticised the line minister, and subsequently told the government that panmen were not interested in its $2 million first prize for the large conventional Panorama champion. The pan body, in its campaign, said the State could keep the $1 million added to the existing prize of similar value, and should restore the $1,000 payment to pannists. At Desperadoes’ rehearsal venue, however, both men put on a show, which seemed to validate Peters’ friendship remark.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/01/26/friends-indeed
Gypsy was once in a position that affected "pan" in a negative way. Fact is, today, pan is in a negative way...and Mr. Peters wasn't dey. Shut the shut down and start over, but with all the legal b.s attached to straightening out this mess, one wonders if anything will change. One driver gone and anudder one take the wheel, the bumpy ride continues.
In my concussive state, I will continue to pontificate!!!
GYPSY could be the BEST LOBBYIST for PAN in the history of the movement. He is KNOWN!!! He is APPOINTED!!! He holds HIGH OFFICE!!! And he has the key to the PRIME MINISTER'S DOOR. So he could set up appointments with the 100 wealthiest companies in TRINIDAD and plead directly to them to offer varied levels of assistance to the STEELBAND COMMUNITY -- including chipping in to reduce the debt (although I have a very simple solution to that PAN TRINBAGO DEBT PROBLEM!!!).
Of course in the standard LOBBYING TRADITION there will be a little quid pro quo. But that's the politics, baby!!!
You don't have to be the BEST PERSON in all of Trinidad and Tobago for such an important position. You just have to be able to identify the most immediate challenges and be willing to work (Like a Gypsy) towards solutions. So if THE DOLLY could work with GYPSY to expand his portfolio and solve the debt problem and secure the BEST STEEL FOR PANS and bring some STEELBANDS on the road for carnival (that is for Cecil alone -- nobody else eh go be listening to no PAN on Carnival day) and make sure that STEELBAND PLAYERS get fairly treated for their CARNIVAL PERFORMANCES -- then GYPSY will prove to have been THE BEST PERSON in all of Trinidad and Tobago for the job (by deed).
Allyuh think that Beverley Ramsey-Moore or Gerard Mendez or Kieth Byer could walk into any big corporate office in Trinidad and say: I want to talk to the PRESIDENT. But if GYPSY walk into any one of the top 100 corporate office, from the time the man hit the door everybody asking: GYPSY, what yuh doing here? Who yuh come to see? Have a seat and THE PRESIDENT will be right with you.
MR. BUGS: That is what you call CULTURAL AND POLITICAL CAPITAL!!!
Gypsy is not the same Gypsy of LONG AGO!!!
Even in your concussive state Claude, some of what say ring true.
One of the biggest disappointments I had with Obama was his refusal to embrace his genuine "Rock Star" status. He didn't want to be a rock star who was just happened to be president and was extremely intelligent. He really wanted to be just President and moreover "presidential". Imagine what that man could have potentially accomplished. He was filling stadiums to capacity all over the world. Fans screaming, fainting, yelling "Barack what do you want us to do? Just tell us what you need? Do you want us to roast the bad guys now? Do you yah want us to rewrite the constitution"? And that was the republicans. I mean this man had stadiums filled in Germany before he even took office. I've still not figured that one out yet. Who get's a Noble Peace Prize before you've even done anything?
But nah he preferred to lower himself to fighting with a bunch of dum evil idiots and gangstas in congress - when all he had to do was sing a couple of notes of an Al Green tune or show that he had some rhythm by dancing to a calypso or hip hop tune. He didn't want to trample his opposition. SMH... I've only seen two men who embraced their rock star status and was comfortable that it would not conflict or compromise their genius. That would be Castro and Maurice Bishop (unfortunately when it was too late). Mandella could have been one, but he clearly suffered from a concussion in his later years.
Now, I am not comparing the Gypsy with Obama. I repeat - I am not comparing the Gypsy Obama. And the Gypsy is not a rock star. I am only saying that someone who had the interest of Carnival and Pan at heart, could move mountains and make thunder roll as the head of the NCC if they had a little bit of intelligence and "rock star" in them.
bugs
say if your girl starts actin up
Gypsy has no respect for the Steelband/ Steelpan
Claude
Yes you have the Curry, the Clay and the Greens. And ya'll teef the Durant. But this is not "Dub Nation" .
What evidence of past success do you have that the Gypsy is qualified for this job? And like you the man has said on numerous occasions that he does not like pan. But unlike you, his past administrative accomplishments add up to zero. Is this the best person in all of Trinidad and Tobago for such an important position?
Calling on Merrytones, Cecil, Mr. Providence, ODW, Glenroy and others to certify that Claude is suffering from a severe concussion.
I present to the forum testimony from Gypsy's own sister - Lady Gypsy that the man is unqualified. Claude we know how you love a good Calypso.