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NGC drops steelbands, withdraws sponsorship from 3 pansides, Pan Trinbago

Energetic NGC Couva Joylanders during their performance at the 2024 Pan Trinbago Steelpan and Powder, Skinner Park, San Fernando   Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Steelpan players in the south/central region of Pan Trinbago have been left fuming after state company National Gas Company (NGC) on September 11 withdrew its sponsorship from three steelbands – Couva Joylanders, La Brea Nightingales and Steel X Plosion of Tobago – and pulled support for Pan Trinbago. ----Commenting on the withdrawal of the…

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D’Radoes Steel Orchestra - “Jamtown” - (‘Tempo’ version - VIDEO)

Terrance “BJ” Marcelle - Arranger Brooklyn, New York, USA - Champion arranger Terrance “BJ” Marcelle returned to the D’Radoes Steel Orchestra fold this season, and collaborated with them as they performed his arrangement of “Jamtown” for the 2025 New York Panorama competition. see video

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New York 2025 Panorama Results - It’s Title #2 for Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra

New York, USA - Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra ably defended its 2024 championship by taking a consecutive title in the 2025 New York Panorama. Playing in the penultimate position of the eight competing steel orchestras - the band affectionately known as ‘PESO’ delivered a strong and decisive performance of André White’s champion arrangement of Too Own Way by “Voice.” See full results  

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New York Panorama 2025 - Order of Appearance

New York, USA - The new kids on the Panorama block—the members of PanAlley Steel Orchestra—are up first in the 2025 New York Panorama competition on Saturday August 30. Reigning champions Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra are playing in position seven out of the eight bands expected to compete, and are in a good position to defend their title. See order of appearance  

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Who Give Them the Okay? Mas, Music and the Making of J’ouvert in Brooklyn - by Garvin Blake

“Who really give them the okay?”Kitchener asked in his 1974 calypso, recounting a J’ouvert celebration in Bed-Stuy that predated the widely accepted Flatbush origins by over a decade. His vivid account depicts revelers gathering at Franklin Avenue at 4 a.m. before parading down Fulton Street. Maybe Kitchener was taking poetic license when he composed the song. Knowing how Trinidadians operate, he didn’t need to witness the Fulton Street episode to write the lyrics; he could paint the scene…

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Sonny Blacks has passed

Sonny Blacks, a pioneering figure in the world of Carnival, passed away on July 19, 2025, at St Thomas’s Hospital, London. Despite being diagnosed with a serious health condition, he continued to work on various projects, including a major celebration of steelpan and his autobiography. Blacks was a key figure in the development of Notting Hill Carnival, having set up the Carnival Development Committee in 1968, which was the first official organizing body for the event. His contributions to…

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Notting Hill Carnival 2025 MONDAY

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UK 2025 Panorama Results - Title #13 for Mangrove Steelband with arranger André White

Mangrove Steelband at the 2025 UK National Panorama   London, England, U.K. - It is title number thirteen for 2025 UK National Panorama champion Mangrove Steelband, led by its arranger André White. The sweetness of the band’s performance of his arrangement of Kes The Band’s Cocoa Tea merited first place honors as it maintained its championship status. See full results

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The Anatomy of UK Panorama 2025 - Quick Chart & Order of Appearance

Bands, Tunes, Arrangers London, England, U.K. - There are only four bands taking part in this year’s UK National Panorama. Mangrove Steel Orchestra has only three challengers as the band defends its 2024 title on Saturday August 23. See details  

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Live From Panorama 2025 Notting Hill Carnival

Order of Appearance 2025 UK Panorama RESULTS Courtesy YouTuber Stra8talk868 

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